PREACHING IN THE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERIES 11
The first thing we must do is to define our terms. As
we have learned the English word "church" is a poor choice, at best, to
translate the word ecclesia used
by the Holy Spirit. "Church" is a word that is popular with Catholics, both
Roman and English, because it supports their hierarchy organizations with
Priests, Bishops, Archbishops etc. Even gospel preachers confuse their
listeners by talking about "the church universal and the church local," or
calling it an "institution." However if we use the proper English words then
understanding the ecclesia
is
simple. Depending on the context the best words are "called out",
"congregation", or "assembly". If we are discussing all the saved in
the world
they are the "called out." If we are talking about organization then
"congregation" is all that exists. When saints meet together to worship
then it
is the "assembly." Simple, isn't it? Therefore we are discussing
preaching to
the people of God when they assemble to worship. The audience and the
desired
result determine what is to be preached.
Through
out the Bible we have examples of Jesus
preaching different lessons because the hearers were different. For
example the
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) preached to the multitude is totally
different from the lesson on the destruction of Jerusalem and the end
of time
(Matthew 24-25) that was taught just to the apostles. We often fail to
apply
this principle and therefore we have poor results. When a congregation
has a
Gospel Meeting (sends flyers to the community, knocks on doors and
invites
their friends and neighbors who are not Christians) and then the
visiting
preacher preaches to Christians, we cannot expect the desired results.
Teaching
the Word of God is never a waste of time but if the lesson is not
directed to
the invited audience, in this example non-Christians, then we have
wasted their
time and our efforts to get them there. It is imperative that preachers
understand that the assembly on the 1st day of the week is just what
the word ecclesia means. This is weekly worship of the called
out of God. Paul understood his
audience in Acts 20:7 and directed his lesson for their benefit:
Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples
came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them.
The second important
lesson is that preachers must understand the results that God wants their
lessons to have. For those who are not yet convinced that the assembly on the 1st day of the week is for saints only the Biblical teaching on the purpose
of preaching proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt. As this series is based on 1
Cor. 14 let us see what Paul said was the purpose of preaching "in the church."
It should be noted that prophecy was preaching by the miraculous gift of the Holy
Spirit until the written word was available to God's people. It, along with the
other gifts, was no longer needed when the Bible was completed. So when the
congregation assembled what was the purpose of preaching?
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their
strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Vs. 3
He who prophesies edifies the church.
Vs. 4
So the church may be edified.
Vs. 5
Try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
Vs. 12
But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others...
Vs. 19
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
Vs. 22
When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All these things must be done for the strengthening of the church.
Vs. 26
For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
Vs. 31
There
is no excuse for anyone not understanding the truth. Preaching in the assembly
of the saints was to instruct, edify, strengthen, encourage and comfort the
believers not the unbelievers! There are only two reasons for missing
the point. Either it is a lack of study or a lack of respect for the authority
of the scriptures. On this subject there is no middle ground!
I
never cease to be amazed at brethren who refuse to even consider that their
congregation is spiritually weak because the assembly is used for purposes
unauthorized by the Scriptures! It would seem to me that concerned elders would
be searching for answers and solutions since they will be held in account for
the souls under their care. (Hebrews 13:17) Instead they reject and even refuse
to discuss what the Bible says because it is not what they have traditionally
done. Brethren, if it isn't working then it might be because it is wrong! But
you are not alone when you close your mind to anything that is new to you. Paul
had the same problem with the church at Corinth resisting the truth about the
worship of the saints because it was not what they wanted to hear:
Through men of strange
tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even
then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.
Vs. 20-21
Did the word of God
originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody
thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what
I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he
himself will be ignored.
Vs. 36-37
And
finally, the words of the Apostle Peter should sober every elder and preacher
who places tradition ahead of the Word of God:
For it is time for
judgment to begin with the family of God.
1 Peter 4: 17
Next week we will conclude this series.
The Parson