Rediscovery: Why do we preach?

In church revitalization, it's essential to rediscover the purpose behind our core practices. One such practice, which is often taken for granted, is preaching. As a child, I remember believing that the preaching time was actually time for a nap. Unfortunately, many adult church members see preaching the same way or they view it on par with any other speech. When this is the case, we suffer through the sermon rather than engage with it. Preaching is not just a tradition; it's a vital part of our worship and spiritual nourishment. Today, let's look at Romans 10:14-15 to understand why preaching is crucial in our services and how it plays a role in revitalizing our church.

Preaching is an opportunity for obedience.

There was not a time in church history where leaders of the church gathered together in conference to promote the idea of preaching during worship as some type of new innovation. Preaching is not an invention of the church. Instead, preaching is one of the primary commands given to the church. The scripture in Romans 10:14–15 lays out a divine sequence that emphasizes the necessity of preaching. "How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing? And how can they hear without a preacher?" This passage clearly shows that preaching is not a human invention but a divine requirement. Preaching is an act of obedience, a response to God's command to spread His word. Like singing, we preach because God has commanded us to do so. In Colossians 1:25-29, Paul heralds preaching as a critical tool in the task of equipping the saints for the work of ministry. We preach because it is a part of God’s plan for His Church.

Preaching is an opportunity for worship.

Often, we limit the idea of worship to singing and music. However, preaching is equally a form of worship. It's about treasuring and valuing the Word of God. Every sermon is an opportunity to dive into the Scriptures, to understand and embrace the messages God has for us. Like cherishing a letter from a loved one, we should cherish the messages delivered through preaching. This is why many healthy churches have committed themselves to the systematic study of books of the Bible. We must understand that the power of preaching does not come from the preacher, but from the Book from which he preaches. Faithful preaching looks to Scripture and asks, what is God telling us through this text. We understand that the Word of God is powerful, so worshipful preaching is saturated by and founded on the Word of God. Worshipful preaching is not an opportunity for the pastor to share his thoughts about the week or the politics of the day. It should also not be the time in which the pastor shares his opinion about the church or its members based on out-of-context eisegesis (reading one’s own ideas into the text) designed to manipulate or control the congregation. Genuine worshipful preaching places the highest value on what Scripture says and views the sermon is an opportunity to explain and offer application from the text. This type of systematic, worshipful study of the Bible through sermons grounds the congregation in solid theology, fostering spiritual growth and church health.

Preaching is an opportunity for participation.

Preaching isn’t just about the preacher delivering a message; it’s equally about the congregation actively receiving it. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that "the word of God is living and active." As listeners, we must engage actively with the sermon. This means coming prepared, perhaps with a notebook and a Bible, ready to jot down insights, questions, and reflections. Personally, this means that I cannot use my devices for reading or note taking because the distractions are too tempting and I can find myself completely disconnected from my listening in the time it takes my phone to vibrate once. Active listening transforms preaching from a one-sided discourse into a dynamic interaction between God's word and the listener. We will look closer at active listening during preaching in our next article. As we listen, we must also understand that our listening is not simply an exercise in academic memory. We don’t listen to remember everything the pastor has said. Instead, we listen with a sensitivity to the Spirit who will speak to us through the text and the sermon. So we listen, not just to grow smarter, but to be transformed by the Word.

Preaching is an opportunity for transformation.

Romans 10:14 not only emphasizes the need for preaching but also its impact on belief and action. When the Word of God is preached, it challenges us to reflect, to believe, and to act. Each sermon presents an opportunity to align our lives more closely with God's desire for us. It's not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about transforming our lives in accordance with that knowledge. Here is the reality, any time we approach the Word of God and hear its message, it should fundamentally change the way we live our lives. In the case of preaching, there is no way for a sermon not to lead to action. For pastors leading revitalization, preaching toward transformation is a key tool in our work. If unhealthy attitudes held by unhealthy church members have led to church plateau or decline, no amount of energy, effort, or charisma on the part of the pastor can create life change. Only the Spirit working through the application of the Word can transform hearts. This mean that our preaching must have an intentional focus on how the Word impacts the life of the church and the church members.

Preaching is an opportunity for grace.

Ultimately, every sermon points us towards grace. The goal isn't just to develop a strong understanding of preaching but to let the gospel, as delivered through these sermons, transform our lives. We're reminded that each message, each Scripture, each insight is an invitation to apply God's grace to our everyday lives. Every sermon is an opportunity to remind the church that we are saved by grace alone and we are sustained by grace alone. Preaching is also an opportunity for pastors to experience God’s grace as we humbly remember our inadequacy and lean on the empowering presence of the Spirit working in us.

Conclusion

As we seek to lead revitalization, let's embrace preaching as a vital component of our worship. It's not a passive activity but an active engagement with God’s word. Preaching nourishes, challenges, and transforms us, playing a crucial role in the growth and health of our church community. Let's commit to not only listening but also applying the lessons learned to our lives, fostering a deeper connection with God and each other through the power of preaching.