Jesus Came Preaching

Clarence DeLoach, Jr. wrote this article which appeared in the December 15, 1970 edition of the "Bible Herald", published by the Bible Herald Corporation in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

In his introduction of Jesus' ministry, Mark records, "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.'" (Mark 1:14-15)

Jesus came preaching! What a simple and yet profound statement! As Broadus has observed, "Preaching is the unique characteristic of Christianity." Its survival depends upon the dissemination of truth. Patriarchy was not evangelistic! Neither was Judaism essentially. The work of the prophets was primarily to Judah and Israel. But the commission of the New Covenant is "Go preach!"

Just as the gospels record that "Jesus came preaching," the writer of the Acts states that, "the disciples went everywhere preaching." (Acts 8:4) Preaching is perpetually relevant because it deals with a perpetually relevant message and never changing needs. In this series of articles, we plan to focus attention upon the importance of preaching.

(1) Preaching is God's means of spreading the gospel. Some would like to eliminate preaching and many belittle it. The divine orders however, for saving men, whether traced from effect to cause or cause to effect, involve the preacher and preaching. In Romans 10:13-17, Paul traces salvation from effect to cause. A number of questions are obvious.
     a. Who are the saved? Answer: Those who have called!
     b. Who are those who have "called on the name" of the Lord? Answer: Those who have believed!
     c. How did they come to believe? Answer: They heard the gospel!
     d. How did they hear it? Answer: From a preacher!
     e. Why is he preaching? Answer: Because he is sent!

The great commission emphasizes the place of preaching in God's plan (Matthew 28:18-20). The divine message has been given to human vessels. God's plan for  disseminating the gospel did not call for the employment of angels but of men! Paul expressed this truth to Timothy in these words, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same (the gospel message) commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (Second Timothy 2:2) A perpetual cycle of preaching and teaching is indicated. From Paul to Timothy (inspired men) to faithful men to others.

(2) Preaching is the divine means of producing faith in the hearer. Faith is indispensable for without it we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Since faith is indispensable, preaching becomes imperative! "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) This divine revelation, the gospel, has been given authenticated and confirmed by signs, wonders and miracles. (Hebrews 2:1-3) It needs no further confirmation, it simply needs to be proclaimed!

Someone has stated it thus, "The gospel is a FACT - tell it simply. It is a JOYFUL fact - tell it cheerfully. It is an ENTRUSTED fact - tell it faithfully. It is a fact of infinite LOVE - tell it with feeling."

Only gospel preaching will produce faith that pleases God. Sadly, we are living in a time when the "latest" is considered the best. Like the ancient Athenians, some spend their time either telling or hearing something new. (Acts 17:21) There are hundreds of "isms" and "ologies." They come and go. But as far as the gospel is concerned, if it's true it is not new and if it's new it is not true.

(3) Preaching is God's way of reconciling men unto Him. Interestingly, the gospel is called the "word of reconciliation." (Second Corinthians 5:19) It is God's means of making men right with himself. Man, who is described as being dead in sins, needs to be regenerated. The living, incorruptible seed is the means of effecting a "new birth." (First Peter 1:23)

The Word of God is living! It moves, operates and saves. (Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21) It is the living message of the living Christ! The power of preaching consists in the vitality of its message. Liberalism seeks to strip away its vitality, consequently preaching is minimized. The eastern message of the social gospel is a poor substitute for the heavenly message of the gospel of Christ.

Since the Word lives, it can impart live. Jesus said, "The words that I speak, the same are spirit and life." (John 6:63) The Word is able to develop spiritual life in those who have been born again. It is like milk and meat that causes one to grow. (First Peter 2:2; Second Peter 3:18)