1. Great Plainness of Speech 2 Corinthians 3:12

2. God Desires Plain Preaching The law of Moses (Deut. 27:8; Hab. 2:2) The gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 3:12; the Greek word parrhesia means, “open, blunt, frank”) The seriousness of sin (Ezek. 16:2) Preaching is not about eloquent words, but plain words (Ex. 4:10; 1 Cor. 2:1-5)

3. Why Many Are Not Plain Today Consider the case of Paul and the Galatians… Popularity is lost with plainness (Gal. 1:10) Enemies are made with plainness (Gal. 2:16) Fellowship is reduced with plainness (Gal. 2:4; 4:20; 5:12; 6:12-13)

4. Some Who Told It Plainly Moses (Ex. 5:1; Deut. 11:26-28) Samuel (1 Sam. 15:22-23) Nathan (2 Sam. 12:5-7) Elijah (1 Kings 18:21,39) Ezra (Ezra 10:10-11)

5. Some Who Told It Plainly John the Baptist (Mt. 3:7-8; Mk. 6:18) Jesus (Lk. 13:3,5; Jn. 4:18,22; 7:26; 11:14; 18:20) Peter (Acts 2:29,36,38) Stephen (Acts 7:51-53) Paul (Acts 13:10; 2 Cor. 7:4; Gal. 2:11-14)

6. Plain Preaching Is Needed Today Plan of salvation & the judgment day Sexual immorality & worldliness Marriage, divorce, & remarriage Work & worship of the church Jesus is the only way

7. Plain Preaching Is Needed Today Lutherans propose allowing gay pastors in committed relationships Plan would let local churches decide on non-celibate pastors By Bob Smietana THE TENNESSEAN February 20, 2009 One of the nation's largest Protestant denominations would allow gay clergy in committed relationships to pastor local churches, under a new proposal from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Officially, all unmarried clergy in the 4.9 million-member denomination must remain celibate. But since 2007, Lutheran bishops have agreed not to discipline gay clergy who are sexually active. On Thursday, a Lutheran task force on human sexuality recommended that local churches and synods — the Lutheran version of a diocese — decide the issue for themselves. If their idea is approved at this summer's Churchwide Assembly, the denomination would become the largest in the U.S. to allow non-celibate gay clergy. Lutheran leaders hope the new proposal, which would let churches hire gay pastors involved in lifelong, monogamous relationships, can avoid the bitter conflicts that have plagued other denominations, like the Episcopal Church. Church spokesman John Brooks said Lutherans, like many Christians, are divided over homosexuality. The new proposal allows them to agree to disagree.

8. Great Plainness of Speech Plain preaching… Is often rejected (Ezek. 2-3; Jn. 10:24-25; Acts 7:54) Is often accepted (2 Sam. 12:13; Acts 2:37,41)

9. Great Plainness of Speech Plain preaching… Don’t change the plain preaching, change hearts to react positively to plain preaching! Let us pray for “great plainness of speech” today (Acts 4:29,31; Eph. 6:19)