Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Preaching has fallen on tough times. What I mean by preaching is publicly proclaiming biblical truth with Spirit-empowered passion and authority. I also say it’s not enough merely to teach about the gospel. Sometimes teaching can be quite dull and technical. I know some Christians are really motivated to learn, so they go to Bible study and attend Bible colleges and seminaries. Good teaching is not wrong, but it’s a decaffeinated version of preaching. Teaching is a golf cart; preaching is a muscle car.

Preaching must be public because Jesus intends to be Lord over all and not just your heart or mind. Yes, you need to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but God expects you to go public with it in the same way two friends are seen together in public. Tell your spouse you love them with all your heart, but if you don’t want to be seen in public with them, then let me know how that goes. You must be public and unashamed of your relationship.

We should be excited and eager to tell people about Jesus. The world is a mess, and everyone is divided. People need Jesus. He is the one Person we need to be talking about. Preaching is not the same as sharing. It’s not a recommendation, opinion, or apology. It is truth with authority anointed in power. It’s not merely principles we live by; preaching is about the person who we live with. He’s good, loving, and powerful. He’s alive, and His name is Jesus. Our world has plenty of news tellers but needs a few preachers unconcerned with polls and results. We need to tell people what God is saying because people need to hear a word from God.

You cannot see the gospel; you must hear the gospel. You can see good deeds, but you must hear the Good News. Handing a hungry person a sandwich is a good thing, but it’s not a saving thing. Regardless of how good or filling the sandwich is, that person also needs to know one God made the world, we sinned against Him, and He came as the God-man Jesus Christ to live without sin, die for our sin, and rise as our Savior. He is the only way to eternal life. Food cannot make any of those truths known. Nobody really gets in trouble for doing good deeds for people suffering, but the gloves come off when we start preaching the Good News to people living sinful lifestyles.

Today’s Reflection

Why is hearing the gospel so important?