Why We Preach

The following is one of six position papers written for the ordination standards. The prompt for this paper was: “What is expositional preaching, and why does it matter in the life of the church?“

Preliminary Convictions

Before we can begin any discussion on preaching, we must start with a core conviction about the nature of God; namely, that he is a revealing God (Ps 19:1–4; Rom 1:18–25). Not only has revealed himself generally in his creation but also specifically through words (Ps 33:6; 1 John 1:5). This is vital to a theology of preaching. If God has not spoken, what right do we have to speak, for we have nothing to say (Amos 3:8).

Furthermore, God has not just revealed himself through speech, but that speech has been recorded for us in Scripture. Thus, Scripture contains the authoritative word of God to us (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21). And this word still speaks to us today through what God has spoken (Rom 15:4; Heb 3:7), and this word is powerful and divisive (Heb 4:12). When God speaks, he doesn’t merely communicate but acts to bring about the purposes for which he speaks (Isa 55:11; 1 Thess 2:13). God acts through his words; where God’s word is, God is. If we are going to persevere in preaching, we must be convicted of this.

We must also hold fast to certain convictions about the church. The people of God can only live and flourish by believing and obeying the words of God (Acts 2:37, 42; 2 Tim 3:16). The very word of God creates, governs, and sustains creation itself, as well as the church (Heb 1:3), and God has ordained that the means by which sinners are saved is through the preaching of his word (Rom 10:14). Not only is the word the means of salvation but is also how we are sanctified (John 17:17; Eph 4:13; 2 Tim 3:16). In short, the context for the word of God accomplishing the work of God in the hearts and lives of the people of God is church.

Pastors and Preaching

Consequently, we must hold convictions about the role of the pastor. The chief metaphor in the Bible for this office is that of a shepherd (Gen 48:15; Ps 23; Ezek 34; John 10; Eph 4:11; 1 Pet 5:1–4). And central to the role of a shepherd is to feed the flock of God. For the pastor, the meal that is given to the people of God is the word (John 6:41–51, 66–68). This task is given uniquely to pastors, for all of the qualifications of a pastor in the NT are commanded to all Christians except for being “skillful to teach” (1 Tim 3:2; 2 Tim 2:2, 24). Pastors, in preaching, continue the pattern throughout Scripture of God’s words being transmitted to his people through commissioned speakers. Over and over again, God secured and maintained his communication to his covenant people through messengers; prophets, apostles, and most fully in the person of Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2).

Throughout the NT, we see God appointing men to bring his written word to the gathered churches through preaching (Matt 10:6–7; Luke 24:45–49; Acts 2:42, 5:42, 6:2–4; Rom 10:14–17; 2 Cor 2:16–17; Phil 1:12–18; Titus 1:3, 9). From the very beginning, the church has been characterized as “preaching and teaching” (Acts 2:42). In preaching in particular, God’s words are spoken again to his people in order to lay claim on them. Preaching is not just a transfer of data, but the means by which the living God seeks to feed and dwell amongst his people. It is an instrument of fellowship.

The public and verbal nature of preaching is not irrelevant. Preaching, by its very nature, assembles the people of God. When Paul’s letters were sent to the various churches, he asked that they would be read aloud publicly (1 Thess 5:27), rather than having the letter copied and shared with everyone to read it individually. The public reading of the inspired words of God has an intrinsic gathering and soul-edifying effect (Rom 1:11–12).

Homiletics

In preaching, by the providence of God, the authoritative word of God must pass through a human agent and be proclaimed to the gathered church. The truth of the message is objective, and relies on no human agent for its authority or efficacy (Isa 55:11; 1 Cor 3:5–8). However, preaching is uniquely incarnational; meaning, the truth of Scripture combines with human personality. This personal communication connects data into a person; truth is contextualized into being a human. 

And for the preacher, the message he carries applies to him in the very first sense. He is to model and embody the message in his communication in such a way that the word’s credibility and power are enhanced. And this perfect word, communicated through a broken vessel, is a public activity that builds community in a way that reading the word alone does not. Reading is a private exercise; preaching causes a corporate response. And thus, the flock of God is fed and nourished.

In short, preaching is the intersection of sound doctrine and a dynamic supernatural activity where God’s word is brought to bear and lays a claim on the assembled people of God.