Explaining The Purpose of Preaching in a local church
In this article, I will explain the purpose of preaching in a local church, and how the church can magnify the preaching of the Word of God more than anything.
2 Chronicles 15:1-10
A. Spirit of God came upon Azariah, the son of Oded.
The meaning of his name is JAH has helped(Lord has helped) Like many others in the Bible.
2Sa 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
2Sa 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
2Ch 24:20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.
Other men in the Bible that had the Spirit of God came upon them, and they did greats things, and displayed mighty strength are:
– Samson
– Amasai
When they are filled with the Spirit of God, they will be empowered by God to do things extraordinary things for the Lord.
They are endued to preach the Word of God with the power of God upon them.
B. The Declaration of the Word to King Asa
verse 2
The Spiritual condition of the people of Israel was exposed during the time of the judges. Whatsoever were written afore time were written for our learning.
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.
It is important to learn from history so that history will not repeat itself, and we continue to experience the bad things that others have experienced because they ignored learning from history.
– Without true God
– Without a teaching priest
– Without law
These people have been in a real mess without any way out of their mess.
C. The Divine Appointment for the people to learn and come back.
Azariah reminds Asa of the lessons of the period of the judges.
– Trouble, problems, agony, and pain as a result of their foolish decision and mistakes.
verses 4-6
When you give yourself over to the will of the devil, you open yourself for the devil to vex you. And that is what sins cause, sin will bring the destruction of the flesh to you.
Therefore, after all the preaching of Azariah to Asa, he told him what God wants him to hear, and not what he wanted to hear. It is very sad that many go to church to hear what will suit their agenda, and go along with their lifestyles.
And some even left the church because the pastor is preaching hard on sin. Listen, If you don’t want people to address your sin, then don’t go to church.
The church should be a place where God’s people want to hear what God says. If you are coming to church, keep your opinions at home, and come with the heart ready to receive from the Lord.
This man here is going to tell you the truth.
But that is not always the case in the Bible, it is either you like it or hate it.
The Purpose of Preaching in a Local Church are:
1. Bible preaching Should Make God’s people strong to do right
Verse 7
One of the goals of preaching is to bring sense into the brain of God’s people and to cause them to do right in this sinful world.
Be ye strengthen to do what pleases the Lord, and not yourself. It is very disappointing that in the name of pleasing ourselves, we are displeasing the Lord.
King Asa needs encouragement because when you look at the spiritual condition of the people during that time, it was very poor, and God’s servant sent by the Lord came to him to make him strong to do what God wants him to do.
It takes strength to do right when everyone around is doing wrong. It takes strength to do right when everyone around is being hypocritical.
It takes strength to do right when everyone around is being passive, and lazy about the things of God.
I don’t know about you, I need preaching myself, I want to do stay right, do right, and live right. I do not think that we need less preaching today, we need more preaching today than ever before. We want more of God’s word in us that will make God’s people obey God when it is convenient and when it is not easy.
Azariah explained how Israel in the past had given themselves over to their sinful lusts, and have done many terrible things, and they paid the price for it. When trying to help people do right, you need to expose the sins of the people.
Some people say, if I go to church, then they will talk about my sin. You need to be glad when you are reproved of your sins, and there is a need for you to get right with God.
2Chronicles 15:7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
When you give heed to the word of God and do right, it will be rewarded. You will see the word of God working effectively in your life, and making you a blessing to all men.
2. The Bible Preaching Should Bring You to God Alone, Not Man.
It is not about the preachers, the eloquence of his speech, but the bible preaching should bring glory to God alone, and not men.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Any preaching that is about self-glorification is not of God, and God will never delight in such preaching. It should promote Christ and his work for the redemption of mankind.
The pastor should preach it hard, preach it raw, and firmly from the pulpit without being bias about the word of God.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
The whole counsel of the Lord has been declared to the people, and it is up to them to take heed to the word spoken. It is very sad that many today do not appreciate the word of God. But let me say this to you today, whether received or not, the word of God is not bound, and the scripture cannot be broken.
B- Asa’s Response to the Bible Preaching/Prophecy
Verses 8.
The Bible preaching will accomplish a goal, the word of God will never return void. Azariah’s preaching accomplishes a goal in the life of King Asa of Judah.
– He took courage
We need men of courage that will say enough is enough.
– He took Action against the wickedness of the Land
Listen now, he even removed his mother from being a queen because she has given herself to idolatry.
– He renewed the altar.
Preaching should cause us to continue renewing our minds.
Conclusion
The purpose of preaching in a local church is great but it should never be abused.
Act 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
You are not the one who sent me with the Word of God, it is God that called me, and I am going to stand before the Lord one day, and one thing I want to hear is well done, thou good and faithful servant.
3 Comments