Article - Bible-Centered Preaching
What is Bible-centered preaching? In many religious gatherings today you will hear a lot of good stories, jokes, and anecdotes, but I wonder if people are really getting fed the Word of God. Bible-centered preaching calls for a “thus says the Lord” for everything said and done(Jeremiah 37:17; Romans 4:3). Notice exactly what Bible-centered preaching requires.
Bible-centered preaching requires a Bible. It’s sad that we have to say this, but it is needed. Many people don’t know if they are receiving bible centered preaching because they don’t take their Bible with them to services. In the first century, people checked what was being preached by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). If what was said was not true to the Bible it was regarded as false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-4). What does Bible-centered preaching require? It requires that the hearers bring a Bible to see if they are being taught the Bible.
Bible-centered preaching requires a biblical message. The question of Jeremiah 37:17, “Is there any word from the Lord?” and Romans 5:4 “What do the Scriptures say?” should be the motto for every sermon preached. Sadly, many sermons are better after dinner speeches than proclamations of God’s will. Bible-centered preaching must “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). It must “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Bible-centered preaching must say what God says and back it up with a book, chapter, and verse. Any other type of preaching is just fluff!
Bible-centered preaching requires biblical love. Please understand we are not saying Bible centered preaching is abrasive, caustic or unloving. True Bible centered preaching requires that one “preach the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). One must say what the Bible says out of the motive of love. Bible-centered preaching is so important to our world today because it is the only type of preaching that will save (Hebrews 4:12, James 1:21).
Dear friend, are you being fed the Word of God? Do you check your Bible to see if you are being fed properly? If not, it’s high time to do so. Your soul is too important to loose over a matter that could be remedied so easily. May God help each of us to “…search the Scriptures daily…” (Acts 17:11) to see if what we are being taught is true to the Bible.
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