The Church and Preaching/Teaching

Preaching/Teaching

The Bible is the foundation of the Christian life and also the life of the church. The most important and clearest way to get a Biblical understanding into the lives of the church is through teaching and preaching God’s word to them. This teaching of the Bible can happen in many different formats and different times, but one of the most effective times that teaching and preaching can take place is during the worship service in the teaching portion. True God honoring Biblical teaching and preaching in the church must be expository in nature. Expository preaching is a teaching time that begins at the Biblical text and explains and exposes it to the hearer so that God and His Word are glorified and understood (Nehemiah 8). Expository teaching of the Bible also exposes the Bible to the fact that it was written millennia ago but is still relevant today for the life and worship of the church (Hebrews 13:8). So when the teaching of God’s word is heard daily, through the lives of His humble servants, God gets the glory, the church learns more about God and His Word, and God’s Word is applied to life today. The Bible is the main source of life and sanctification of the church so it must be exposed regularly (Ezekiel 37:1-6). When expository preaching is used, the teacher of the word is exposed to the power of Scripture and his life must also be put under the weight of its truth. This style and format in teaching also gives a balanced diet of the Word of God to the hearers and every text, jot, and title is studied and learned from so that a fuller and more complete picture of who God is and what He is up to can be found from His word. Preaching and teaching is central to the spiritual health and vitality of the church and must always be a major part of not only the worship services but also when the faith family gathers in fellowship, service, or study.