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Why Preach The Word
by Claude King, Sr.
Preach The Word
II Timothy 3:13-4:1-11
The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write two letters of instructions to Timothy, his son in the ministry, as to how he was to conduct himself in the "house of God" (I Tim. 3:15). These instructions are found in the epistles bearing Timothy's name. Of course, we realize these epistles were written primarily for the purpose of instructing ministers, or pastors of New Testament churches. However, we must never diminish the value of their message to all Christians. But, pastors, as teachers of the Word, must be well-grounded in it that they in turn may be able to rightly instruct those whom the Holy Spirit has placed them over as under-shepherds, or "overseers" (Acts 20:28).
Timothy was instructed to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15). Surely the preacher of today cannot hope to be less studious in the Word of God than Timothy was admonished to be, and at the same time hope to have the Lord's approval of his ministry! God-called ministers are to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God (I Cor. 4:1-2), and it is the responsibility of New Testament churches to see that they are—for they are said to be "the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3:15). With these few thoughts in mind let us think together of some reasons that make it imperative that the Word of God be preached.
I. Because It Is Inspired
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (II Tim. 3:16a). The meaning of the phrase, "given by inspiration" is "God-breathed." The thought is the same as we find in Gen. 2:7, "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." God breathed into Adam's nostrils and he became a living soul. The Bible is "God-breathed." It is neither the thoughts of mere men, nor words of their choosing. God, in infinite wisdom and grace, chose a number of different men to write His Word, and they wrote as they •were moved and influenced by the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:20-21). Therefore the Bible is not the book of men, but the Book of God.
Many passages of the Scriptures tell us that the very words of the Bible were chosen by God Himself. "For David himself said by the Holy Ghost. . . ." (Mark 12:36). See also (Acts 1:16; Exodus 4:15; 28; 30; 17-14; 20:1; 32:16; II Sam. 23:2) and, there are many more. The Word is "Living and active" and a "Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb, 4:12). It is eternal! (Isa. 40:8; I Peter 1:22-25). It is "Profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16). Yes, the Bible is indeed, the most important Book that will ever come into our lives— We can never overemphasize the momentousness of God's inspired Word.
II. Because From The Word Of God We Learn the True Condition of Man
The Bible is the only source of information that man can rely upon to reveal to him his true condition and standing before a Just and Holy God. It is from God's Word that we learn the depraved condition of the natural man — he is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-3; Romans 3:19-23; Isa. 53:6). The horrible disease of sin has corrupted the whole human race—without exception every natural man is concluded to be a condemned sinner in God's sight (Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; John 3:18). In this corrupted, depraved condition man is capable of committing every sin in the "catalogue of sins." Man is corrupt on the inside (Mark 7:15-23). The issues of life come from the heart (Prov. 4:23). The natural man is lost or separated from God regardless of how good his conduct may be, and he will be eternally separated from Him if he persists in this state (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23; II Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 20:11-15).
III. Because The Word Of God Tells Us How To Be Saved
The Bible is the only source of information that the sinner can rely upon to tell him how to be saved (II Tim. 3:15; John 20:30-31). From this source we learn of God's mercy, love, and grace in providing His Son to die the death that we as sinners deserved to die (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-11; Titus 3:4-6). Christ became all that lost, deluded, doomed, depraved sinners are, that those who trust Him as their personal Saviour might be "made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).
The Word is the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). He uses the Word, in the hands of a witness, to convict the sinner and reveal Christ unto him. God chose this means of saving lost sinners and I have no right to question or alter it; therefore I am honor bound to preach the Word!
IV. Because The Spiritual Growth of the Redeemed Comes From The Word
Peter, writing God's inspired Word, admonished those to whom he wrote, "As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2). Our physical growth and strength comes from the food we eat—God designed it that way. In like manner, He designed our spiritual growth by His Word. Our eternal life is dependent on Christ, of course, but God designed that we, as His children, have a God-like character.
We, who are saved, are new creatures in Christ—we are a new creation (II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10). God never intended that we should remain spiritual babes (Heb. 5:11-14). He gave the gift of preaching and teaching to different individuals that His children might grow in grace and spiritual understanding, and not be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:11-16). Therefore realizing this great and important truth I am compelled to preach the Word as a God-called minister.
V. Because We Are To Be Sanctified By The Word
The Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, prayed for our sanctification through the Word (John 17:17-20). The primary meaning of the word "sanctify" is "set apart for a holy purpose." We are "set apart" by the blood of Christ, and by the Spirit as an eternal act of God; this is never done but once! But sanctification of the Word is progressive and comes as we study the Word and the Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts, and enables us to live it out through our characters. The Word tells us what God wants us to do, and how He wants us to act—that we may be in accord with His will—and that by so doing and acting we may reveal to the world, and also to other Christians that we are His (I Cor. 6:19-20). Sanctification of the believer by the Word is manifest in Christ-like conduct in his every day life.
Our obedience to the Word of God should be done from the standpoint of love—we should be obedient because we want to be in His will. This is not in order to keep us saved—our salvation is an eternal act of God wholly dependent on the finished work of Christ—but it is in order to keep us godly! The Bible is an infallible Book and can therefore be safely used by every child of God as his guide of faith and practice. No creed or confession of faith should be followed that conflicts in any way with the divine Word. The mere traditions of men should not be tolerated in our lives—we should be "sanctified by the Word of Truth." The carnal thoughts, traditions, and opinions of men will pass away as the grass, "But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever" (I Peter 1:25).
VI. Because Of God's Solemn Warning To The Lost
Because of certain judgment; God has warned, yea, He has "commanded all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30-31), and assured them that they will perish if they fail to do so (Luke 13:1-5). This is a solemn warning! Dear reader, have you repented as a sinner before God, placed yourself at His mercy and grace, and trusted Jesus Christ His Son as your Saviour? If you have not you are lost at this very moment (John 3:18; 36), and you will be eternally lost if you persist in this condition.
But if you will repent and believe the gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4) you will be eternally saved the moment you do so (Acts 20:20-21; 16:30-31; John 5:24; 10:27-29). Wonderful promise of God, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." We trust that God will use these few words to lead you to repentance toward Him, and faith in Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour if He hasn't already done so.
—Claude King, Sr.