Preaching the Word
Mar 2, 2017 12:27:21 GMT -6
Post by Todd on Mar 2, 2017 12:27:21 GMT -6
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; PREACH THE WORD…..” II Timothy 3:16 – 4:2
The Bible is not a systematic theology. God did not give us a book of topics. The Word is made up of history, letters, psalms, etc. It seems only logical and reasonable to me that preaching the word would be teaching the books and letters as they are found. The word linear comes to mind, not topical.
A linear process (book studies from beginning to end) will keep the teacher honest. He does not get to pick and choose the verses or sections that he likes. He should teach it all. And when topics arise that should be expanded, you do so. Develop the topic, teach the topic, and return to teaching the text. But the Sacred Text should drive the process. I do not see how topics can drive the process.
We need the systematic theologies. We need to have Christianity with definition. These definitions are usually found in doctrinal (topical) statements. They are absolutely necessary, such as the doctrine of the Person of Christ, doctrine of the church, the doctrine of prayer, etc. Why don’t we return to the linear teaching of Scripture that gave us these great doctrinal truths in the first place? Prayer is an example. There are short statements about prayer throughout the Bible. It would make good sense to gather all of the references to prayer, interpret them within the context in which they are found, and establish a topic or theology on prayer. And to repeat, God did not give us a book on prayer. He gave us His holy word. Search the Scriptures and dig out the treasures.
I am not referring to or promoting those who would dig to China on every verse. I know a preacher that taught a series of 1500+ lessons on Ephesians. What short sightedness! It is true that each book can be mined indefinitely for its truths and applications; however, such emphasis on one book took years to teach to the exclusion of the other books. It seemed as though he was trying to teach the whole Bible from every verse. Somehow there has to be a reasonable balance.
Topical books and studies are helpful. I’m not discounting them. They have their place. I use them. And when I think of the early Christians – and how many Bible bookstores, concordances, electronic Bible resources, and more – that they did NOT have, yet how they turned the world "upside down" for Christ, I am amazed. They had copies of the Old Testament and perhaps a (very) few of the gospels and epistles. We should not get away from the awesome power of the Word of God in its simplest and purest form and the work of the Spirit.
Acts 17:6 “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also…”
Notice Paul’s charge: “I SOLEMNLY CHARGE you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, Preach the Word.” Stand in awe of the Word of God. Submit to it. Hold it and its structure and your God above your own clever ideas. And as one sits and hear your teachings, it would be good for your hearers to see you take pause or to choke once in a while as you teach. And what I mean is that God has ‘called you out’ by the very text you are teaching – or another way to put it, the Holy Spirit has spoken to you as you taught and He stopped you cold in your tracks. He has spoken to you as you would want Him to speak to those in front of you! How submissive are you to the Text as written and the God who wrote it? Convince me that you truly believe that you are teaching the Word of God by your submission to it in your words and in your life!
This is not trivial!
Heb 4:12
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Posted by Gene
The Bible is not a systematic theology. God did not give us a book of topics. The Word is made up of history, letters, psalms, etc. It seems only logical and reasonable to me that preaching the word would be teaching the books and letters as they are found. The word linear comes to mind, not topical.
A linear process (book studies from beginning to end) will keep the teacher honest. He does not get to pick and choose the verses or sections that he likes. He should teach it all. And when topics arise that should be expanded, you do so. Develop the topic, teach the topic, and return to teaching the text. But the Sacred Text should drive the process. I do not see how topics can drive the process.
We need the systematic theologies. We need to have Christianity with definition. These definitions are usually found in doctrinal (topical) statements. They are absolutely necessary, such as the doctrine of the Person of Christ, doctrine of the church, the doctrine of prayer, etc. Why don’t we return to the linear teaching of Scripture that gave us these great doctrinal truths in the first place? Prayer is an example. There are short statements about prayer throughout the Bible. It would make good sense to gather all of the references to prayer, interpret them within the context in which they are found, and establish a topic or theology on prayer. And to repeat, God did not give us a book on prayer. He gave us His holy word. Search the Scriptures and dig out the treasures.
I am not referring to or promoting those who would dig to China on every verse. I know a preacher that taught a series of 1500+ lessons on Ephesians. What short sightedness! It is true that each book can be mined indefinitely for its truths and applications; however, such emphasis on one book took years to teach to the exclusion of the other books. It seemed as though he was trying to teach the whole Bible from every verse. Somehow there has to be a reasonable balance.
Topical books and studies are helpful. I’m not discounting them. They have their place. I use them. And when I think of the early Christians – and how many Bible bookstores, concordances, electronic Bible resources, and more – that they did NOT have, yet how they turned the world "upside down" for Christ, I am amazed. They had copies of the Old Testament and perhaps a (very) few of the gospels and epistles. We should not get away from the awesome power of the Word of God in its simplest and purest form and the work of the Spirit.
Acts 17:6 “And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also…”
Notice Paul’s charge: “I SOLEMNLY CHARGE you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, Preach the Word.” Stand in awe of the Word of God. Submit to it. Hold it and its structure and your God above your own clever ideas. And as one sits and hear your teachings, it would be good for your hearers to see you take pause or to choke once in a while as you teach. And what I mean is that God has ‘called you out’ by the very text you are teaching – or another way to put it, the Holy Spirit has spoken to you as you taught and He stopped you cold in your tracks. He has spoken to you as you would want Him to speak to those in front of you! How submissive are you to the Text as written and the God who wrote it? Convince me that you truly believe that you are teaching the Word of God by your submission to it in your words and in your life!
This is not trivial!
Heb 4:12
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Posted by Gene