If you are going to preach anything in this world, this has to be your number one topic: Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have no other valid message if we don’t preach this Gospel. The good news of Jesus’ life and resurection is the fundamental tenet that we hang all our teaching on. It is the root of our testimony; the whole basis of all Christian outreach; and the essential ingredient in How to Preach.
- Gospel = Good News
By definition the word Gospel denotes “the good news”, and of course the Good News is that Christ died to save us and is sitting at the right hand of God today. The Good News is too that we need only to confess Him as our Lord and Saviour, repent and be baptized to have our sins forgiven; to have eternal life; and to live with Him in all eternity.
- Preaching to Ourselves
It’s a funny thing, but we can’t preach without Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ TO OURSELVES! Whenever we ponder the Word; whenever we pray for wisdom and guidance to preach; whenever we contemplate spiritually; we are teaching and blessing ourselves as well. It has been said that whenever we preach we are preaching to ourselves as much as to others. This is true for me, I know, because whenever I prepare to preach, I enlarge my own understanding. Any revelation granted to me to share also remains within me.
- Preaching Spiritual Revelation
I believe in preaching spiritual revelation. I do not believe in studying up some subject and sermonizing a whole lot of other people’s opinion about it. To share spiritual revelation, you must first get it, and the only way I know to do this is to take your Bible into your ‘quiet place’ and start in praying and reading and allowing yourself to be ministered to by the Holy Spirit of God. The truths you discover in this context will be inspired revelation, and will effectively be “God speaking to His people”; when you stand up to share on Sunday morning.
- Throw Away Your Concordance!
You do not need a concordance, you do not need a book of scriptural reference; you do not need to look up a whole lot of stuff on the internet; and you certainly DO NOT need any theological books written by other people. God is never boring, and He would never insult His children by offering them second-hand goods; what He will do is inspire you to share your convictions, your testimony, and your own intimate knowledge of His Kingdom – IF YOU LET HIM! His offer to ‘provide all you need’ includes whatever anecdote or experience you will need. Any preacher who starts off like this: “A funny thing happened to me this week…..” will be sharing right out of their own Christian walk. It will be real! If God has called upon you to preach this Sunday, He will always have ALREADY PROVIDED you with what ever you need to make your points! You will be obedient, and you will be preaching the Gospels.
- The Gospel is All You Need
If your circumstance requires you to preach from lectionary readings, and for instance, you are required to be preaching the Gospel of John; then the only resource material you will need is that very same Gospel of John. Likewise if you are needed to be preaching the Gospel at Christmas; then again, the only resource materials you will need are those very Gospel advent stories.
Tags: eternal life, God speaking to His people, preaching the Gospel of John, Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to ourselves, repent and be baptized, the Good News
I do not believe in studying up some subject and sermonizing a whole lot of other people’s opinion about it, Thanks for sharing.
Dr Hanookai´s last blog ..Hello world!
I loved your blog! Its excellent!
&Dr H and Islam -
Thank you very much for the kind words
Rhys´s last blog ..Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Thank You Soooo Much For This Site. I Stumbled Apon It And Have Spent Hours Searching This Site And Taking A New Look At My Self I Know That Is Not What This Site Was Intended For But I Guess We All Find Inspiration In Different Ways. Thank You
Thank you very much for that comment Finnyman, you have made my day. It is not what I say, but what the Holy Spirit of God says to you as you read that is the real value – Blessings to you!
The Gospel is all you need! This is so very true. Yesterday I was reminded of this as I watched a friend give a guest lecture at a Bible college in Dallas. His power point presentation went down, along with all his notes, and all he had left in the end is his testimony and the Gospel to share with them!
What is the Bible´s last blog ..Azusa Street Revival
Thanks for that little story Carlos. It makes the point that we often do things just because, “That is the way we have always done it”; but when confronted with necessity, we can indeed “forget the notes”, and rely on Him to preach the message!