Nothing will ever replace the preaching of the Word of God in the program of God and His plan to evangelize the world.
Personal evangelism, one on one, is vital. But it will never replace powerful preaching. The two merely complement each other.
Books, magazines, tracts, Christian films—all are very important and effective tools for getting the gospel out. But preaching will always be necessary in the evangelization and edification of those who receive the Word.
From apostolic times to the present hour, God has used the preaching of the cross and has declared that “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (I Cor. 1:21)
“How shall they call on Him whom they have not believed…and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14)
Yes, preaching is vital: God-ordained, Holy Spirit anointed, sin denouncing, salvation announcing preaching of the whole counsel of God. Preaching by all kinds of preachers: the loud, the long, the short, the simple, the plain, the profound, the narrative, the no-nonsense, the topical, the textual, the mobile, and the motionless; the full gamut of personalities, styles, backgrounds, levels of education—preachers who will stand up, open up the Bible, speak up, then sit down and shut up.
Visit with me an occasion in the life of the apostle Paul, as we look at an example of 1st century, apostolic preaching. Our text is Acts 13:13 and following, and the outline is easy to follow: the content of Paul’s preaching, and the character of Paul’s preaching:
- The Content of apostolic preaching
▶︎ It was Bible-centered, v. 15—No Reader’s Digest articles, no current events to discuss, but “to the Law and to the testimony.” (Isa.8:20)
▶︎ It was Christ-centered, v. 23
• The promised Savior, v. 23 (the means, the place, the family, the tribe, the town)
• The crucified Savior, v. 28 (not for His own sins, but for ours)
• The resurrected Savior, v. 30 (according to prophecy and by God’s power)
• The forgiving Savior, v. 38
“I know not how that Bethlehem Babe, could in the God-head be; I only know the manger child has brought God’s life to me;
I know not how that Calvary’s cross, a world from sin could free; I only know its matchless love has brought God’s love to me;
I know not how that Joseph’s tomb could solve death’s mystery; I only know a Living Christ—our immortality!” (unknown)
- The Character of apostolic preaching
▶︎ It was powerful, v. 16
• He commanded their attention, v. 16a
• He appealed to them personally, v, 16b
• He appealed to their religious sensibilities, v. 16a
• He pled for an ear, v. 16d
▶︎It was planned, vss. 16-22
• There was an introduction, vss. 16-22
• There was an exposition, vss. 23-31
• There was an application, vss. 32-37
• There was an invitation, vss. 38,39
• There was an exhortation, v. 40
• There was personal work, v. 43
“Pastor Adam reflects the heart of a man truly, and heavily burdened for lost men and women, boys and girls. For almost four years now, I have heard him give an invitation each and every Sunday—at times with a breaking voice and tear-filled eyes. I have seen him weep as a man, for whom we both had been praying, rose from his seat and walked forward to embrace Jesus as his Lord and Savior.” (John Aker in “Thought for the Week,” 5/17/25)
▶︎ It was personal, v. 26
• “Men of Israel” v. 16
• “Men and brethren” v. 26
• “Men and brethren” v. 38
▶︎ It was pertinent, v. 32
• The promise was made to our fathers
• The promise has been fulfilled to us, their children
▶︎ It was persuasive, vss. 42,43
▶︎ It was productive, vss. 49,50
• Many received, v. 49
• Many rejected, v. 50
“I preach—I dare to say it—because I can do no otherwise; I cannot refrain myself; a fire burns within my bones which will consume me if I hold my peace. Preach the gospel very decidedly and firmly, no matter what people may say of you, and God will be with you.” (Warren Wiersbe)
“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (II Tim. 4:17)
YOU and GOD 