How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:14,15)
Thoughts: The Church is a community of belief- or faith. Belief comes when we hear, and hearing comes from preaching. Preaching is important to belief and to hearing. Luther often spoke as the "ear" as the organ of the gospel. While we may come to faith by someone else "telling" us the message, it is rare for someone to believe without hearing the message at all. Knowledge about God is normally a precedent to knowing God. Preaching not only gives us information to clarify our knowledge, it is a means of grace by which the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts- thus preaching is in a sense, the word. Preaching classically has been defined as taking the text and expounding on it- making it clear (Nehemiah 8:8). Preaching is not simply psychologically or experientially based- or it is not the preaching of the Gospel. The Good News (which is what "gospel" means) of Christ is based on the story of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Gospel is not human ideas of how to get along, or even how to be a better person. This is certainly a part of our hope and message, but the grace and love of God that reaches us before we can reach Him- is the great news. Many are continually seeking meaning, hope, purpose but we can never get there on our own. We are called and sent to proclaim the good news that God became human and offers us forgiveness, hope, and love.
Prayer: Lord, let me hear your preaching right; Let me have ears to hear and a heart to respond. May the preaching that I hear be true to your word.
Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 158. By whom is the Word of God to be preached?
A. The Word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted,w and also duly approved and called to that office.
Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the Word, are
to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season;plainly,
not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely,
applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers;
zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely,
aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.
(John Calvin preaching)
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