Foolish Preaching?

by Nathan Eshelman

The preaching of the gospel is a profound aspect of Christian worship. Some see preaching merely as a teaching time. Some see it as a time for outreach.  Some see it as a time to justify paying the pastor!  But at the core of preaching is this- preaching is an act of worship.  Through preaching, fallen humanity is able to encounter the holy Triune God of the Bible in a powerful way.

How does the Bible view preaching? The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians says, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

To the non-Christian: Preaching is foolish.
To the Christian: Preaching is the power of God.

The church of Jesus Christ has undervalued preaching. How many churches view preaching as "the power of God?" Again, the Apostle Paul, in Romans asks, "How can they be saved without a preacher?" You see, preaching is God's foolishly powerful, yet ordinary means for converting sinners to Jesus Christ.

Preaching.

Nothing else is ordinarily used- just foolish ol' powerful preaching. This is how one comes to know the Jesus Christ of the Bible- foolishly powerful preaching.

One post-reformation era professor put it like this:

"How high an office the preaching office is! It proclaims and holds up before the entire world Christ and his indescribable mighty acts towards the entire human race. Every Godfearing person, indeed even every angel in heaven, should rejoice for such good news! ... Wherever Christ and his Word are preached, believed and accepted, there God dwells... For it is indeed certain that without the preaching of the gospel and faith in Jesus Christ not one person on earth ever has, or ever will be saved... Therefore we should not only rejoice for our own sake, but rather for the sake of every person on earth, to whom the gospel is preached, that they too come to know Christ." -G.M.

As you prepare for the Lord's Day, prepare to  worship as the power of God goes forth in the preaching of the Word. Prepare for foolishly powerful preaching.  And if foolishly powerful preaching is brought forth- prepare to be with Jesus Christ.