The Kind of Preaching Needed Today The scriptures reveal several purposes behind the proclamation of the gospel. Based on article by Hugh Fulford The Kind of Preaching Needed Today The Spiritual Sword, January 2000, page 24-27 Sermon prepared in May 2004 Preached at the West Side church of Christ February 4, 2007 PM

The Aims of Preaching Informs Preaching is Needed That… 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, {2} by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. {3} For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (KJV), “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

The Aims of Preaching Informs Convicts Preaching is Needed That… 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19 Convicts John 16:7-11 Acts 24:24-25

John 16:7-11 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. {8} And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: {9} of sin, because they do not believe in Me; {10} of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; {11} of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

Acts 24:24-25 “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. {25} Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’”

The Aims of Preaching Informs Convicts Converts Preaching is Needed That… Informs 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19 Convicts John 16:7-11 Acts 24:24-25 Converts Matthew 18:1-4 Acts 3:19-21

Matthew 18:1-4 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ {2} Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, {3} and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. {4} Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”

Acts 3:19-21 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, {20} and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, {21} whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Peter, to the Jews concerning their mistreatment and crucifixion of the Christ .

The Aims of Preaching Informs Convicts Converts Confirms Preaching is Needed That… Informs 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19 Convicts John 16:7-11 Acts 24:24-25 Converts Matthew 18:1-4 Acts 3:19-21 Confirms Acts 14:21-22 2 Peter 1:12-15

Acts 14:21-22 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, {22} strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”

2 Peter 1:12-15 “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. {13} Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, {14} knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. {15} Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”

The Aims of Preaching Informs Convicts Converts Confirms Comforts Preaching is Needed That… Informs 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19 Convicts John 16:7-11 Acts 24:24-25 Converts Matthew 18:1-4 Acts 3:19-21 Confirms Acts 14:21-22 2 Peter 1:12-15 Comforts Isaiah 40:1 Romans 8:31

Isaiah 40:1 “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God.” The Prophet’s prediction regarding the future restoration of the remnant of Judah from Babylonian captivity. And further, the complete comfort through the work of the Messiah.

Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

The Aims of Preaching Informs Convicts Converts Confirms Comforts Preaching is Needed That… Informs 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Matthew 28:19 Convicts John 16:7-11 Acts 24:24-25 Converts Matthew 18:1-4 Acts 3:19-21 Confirms Acts 14:21-22 2 Peter 1:12-15 Comforts Isaiah 40:1 Romans 8:31 Is Relevant 2 Tim. 3:16-17 2 Tim. 4:1-5

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 4:1-5 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” …

2 Timothy 4:1-5, cont… … “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The Kind of Preaching Needed Today We must have passion in our preaching! - Jeremiah 20:9 - 2 Corinthians 5:11 - Acts 4:19-20 Based on article by Hugh Fulford The Kind of Preaching Needed Today The Spiritual Sword, January 2000, page 24-27

Jeremiah 20:9 “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.”

2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Acts 4:19-20 “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. {20} For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’” May we all have the same zeal as that shown by Jeremiah, Paul, Peter and John in the proclamation of our Lord’s precious gospel!