1010. The Centrality of Preaching

Welcome to The Daily Platform from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. The school was founded in 1927 by the evangelist Dr. Bob Jones Senior's intent was to make a school where Christ would be the center of everything, so he established daily chapel services today. That tradition continues with fervent little preaching from the University chapel platform just over 500 years ago in October 15 17, Martin Luther wrote his 95 theses, which is considered to be the beginning of the Reformation for the next several days on The Daily Platform will be studying some of these doctrines in a series called truth tryouts. Let's listen to today's message preached by Carrie McGonagle, a professor in the school of religion. My family lives on a 30 acre horse farm and as much as I enjoy watching the horses from a distance. My favorite part of being a farmer is the toys that you get to play with. I love my John Deere tractor now more than I love my girls but I do love my tractor and I love obeying the Dominion mandate in Genesis and subduing the earth with my tractor and when my favorite ways to do that is to attach a bush hog to the back of that tractor and to take it down into our kudzu infested woods and chests level the thing just clear the thing out is all we have to do is back that Bush hog into a heap of brush and turn it on and boom, it's level it's disintegrated. It's amazing, yet these huge blades swirling around in that Bush hog and it's taking out these thick bushes and these small true peace and all you have to do is pull a button called the PTO power take off button and out if you can see it there. It's the yellow button just below my right hand.

They all you have to do is pull that button and the power from the engine is transmitted through this spinning shaft that runs about 500 RPMs and it turns whatever implement you happen to have on the back of it. She pulled the button power take off and you get power as we think about the Reformation. It's easy to get distracted and miss who or what the true hero of the Reformation is is the reality is the hero, the Reformation is not the likes of Martin Luther or John Calvin or any of the other reformers and what I like to do the day in our time together is just make a case for this idea and that is that the Reformation was Reformation because it simply uncovered and then unleashed the corrective power of the Bible through courageous Christ centered preaching.

Expository preaching.

It's it's like these guys that we are talking about during the Reformation. They found the PTO they found the button and they were willing to pull it even though it meant putting them up against the likes of that the huge Roman Catholic ecclesiastical machinery of their day. The power of the word was unleashed through a faithful rediscovery of proper interpretation of an and proclamation of the word of God.

The world was changed so the reformers didn't invent preaching. They simply rediscovered what truly transformational preaching is some have said the Reformation was a recovery of biblical preaching, so would like to do is during our time together is work through several characteristics of Reformation will preaching not just preaching that characterized the Reformation of church history but preaching that continues the reformed preaching that continues to transform. What does this kind of preaching look like and what I love for you to be able to do at the end is the really value as Dr. Pettit said, and prioritize and insist on this kind of preaching, especially within the context of our local churches. So would you turn with me to second Timothy chapter 3 this morning to see that Reformation will preaching is first of all convictional it's rooted in driven by certain fundamental foundational convictions. Secondly, Reformation appreciates consecutive will talk about the consecutive exposition of the word of God, Reformation of preaching is church centered, it brings the Bible and the preaching of the Scriptures back into the church is corrective in nature is contextual or prophetic, and it is ultimately Christ centered, so let's begin here with preaching as convictional Reformation preaching is convictional, the way the reformers preached was based on what they believe to be true about the Bible what the Bible is and what the Bible does the words where their boldness come from where their courage come from.

It came from. It stemmed from their convictions. So let's talk about what the Bible is a heady turn to second Timothy three. Look at verse 16. This familiar text were Paul says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and in the original language. As you may know, those words translated given by inspiration of God, mean God breathed, God is the source of all Scripture is the breath of God in a corollary truth of that is because the Bible is sourced in God because God never lies in the Bible doesn't lie. The Bible is in current so it's more reliable, more trustworthy than any Pope or any bishop or any church tradition in our church, creed, or even the church itself. The Bible is the breath of God and reformers also believed what Scripture teaches and that is the Bible is the voice of God when it is preached in the second Helvetic confession which was written in 15 62 x 1 of the Swiss reformers Heinrich Bollinger it's discussing what are the central beliefs emphasized in the Reformation.

In regards the preaching Bollinger wrote, quote the preaching of the word of God is the word of God.

That is, that is a mean that the words the human words of the human preacher have the same authority or R's are the same standard as the word of God. Whenever the word of God is faithfully interpreted and faithfully communicated. That is the word of God is the voice of God. Paul writing to the believers in Thessalonica after two verse 13 says for this cause also think we God without ceasing, because when you receive the word of God which you heard of us, so was the word of God preached. He says he received it not as the words of men, but as it is in truth what it actually is. Is this the word of God.

The word which you heard of us, not the words of men, but the very word of God and what Peter writes in first Peter chapter 4, to all believers talking about their spiritual gifts, he says is every man has receive the gift, even so minister the same one to another. As stewards of the manifold grace of God that he says if any man speaks a peer giftedness falls underneath that category of speaking, let him speak as the oracles of God is the very words of God's if you can speak in a Christian context, and you're gonna do it in a way that brings God glory than you become the representative of God's words. In that moment in that context. One author put it this way, where the word of God is faithfully taught the voice of God is off then typically what's the key word in that quotation with the word of God is faithfully taught the fact that the Bible is being used as an essay would mean that it's accurate. But if the word of God is being properly handled properly interpreted than in that moment when the word is being preached. It's the voice of God speaking authentic biblical expository preaching is a re-presentation of the voice of God's desire for letting God speak again re-presenting the word because you can't separate God from his word. God is active in the preaching of his work. God is present powerfully in the preaching of his work is present in grace is present in judgment so preaching is more than me just standing up here in explaining a passage of Scripture and some kind of academic way true biblical preaching is letting the voice of God loose, letting God speak so that his verse voice is authentically heard the word of God is living and powerful. The author of Hebrews says sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This is serious business. What we do when we preach God's word so Reformation preaching is convictional what the Bible is his necessarily link to what the Bible does right so you think that is what my tractor my gender tractor can only do it's only capable of doing what the engine is is capable of putting out the words. I can only do what the horse powers allow me to do so let me ask you this question. What is God's word capable of doing what is God's word capable of doing, recognizing that it is his breath and it is his voice meeting about what happened in Genesis. When God spoke what the Bible does so. We talked about what the Bible is look at verse 15 of chapter 3. Their conviction was rooted in what Scripture is the voice of God the breath of God and in verse 15 what the Bible is capable and able to do the holy Scriptures verse 15 are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and in verse 16. For believers, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. See how it does flows from what the Bible is breath of God to its profitability, its usefulness in for particular areas is profitable for doctrine is profitable, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped thoroughly outfitted. Nothing lacking nothing missing to do everything God has purposed you to do so. Doctrine.

The Bible shows us what is right instruction reproof the Bible shows us what isn't right about us correction. The Bible shows us how to get it right and then instruction in righteousness. The Bible shows us how to keep it right so it shows us the standard what's right.

It shows us where we fall short of that standard tells us how to correct that and get back to where we need to be and how to sustain that through disciplined training in righteousness, so from beginning to end. The Bible is sufficient for Reformation. It's what the Bible is and what the Bible does that demands it demands its persistent public proclamation effective see that logic, if you look at Tom Paul's letter here chapter and ends with Paul's theology of Scripture. All Scripture is God breathed and profitable and then it flows right into chapter 4 verse two will you do with that word we do with the Scriptures. Paul tells Timothy preach the word Harold the word as a representative of the King. So in other words, if we want Reformation for what transformation we really value that then we must herald the means we gotta pull the button and let the power loose through the word for the reformers. The Bible was the ultimate standard. It was the ultimate governor for life's what God said in the Bible mattered.

It had weight and it was critical that man live not by bread alone diminishes.

But by was a saint. Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Every and that conviction was reflected in their practice of giving attention to the whole counsel of God. All that God had set in the way that God said what God said was so important that they were willing and eager to examine it from start to finish book by book chapter by chapter, section by section, paragraph by paragraph, line after line so Reformation preaching. Secondly is consecutive. That's what I mean part by my big idea when I said that the correct that the corrective power. The Bible was unleashed or is unleashed through courageous Christ centered expository preaching expository preaching is a word that gets used a lot it's used in different ways. Sometimes refers to a philosophy of preaching, which basically is say what the Bible says that's expository preaching. That's expository preaching philosophically but then it takes form and and and it expresses itself in certain methods and one of those methods is a consecutive exposition of the text of Scripture.

Over time, the people of God. Reformers were convinced the best way to unleash the power of the Bible was to say what God said to say all that God had said, and to say it in the way God said it. God revealed himself in books and he revealed himself section after section piece after piece. And we have the whole counsel of God.

So nowhere is that conviction more evident than in their commitment to consecutive exposition Aldrich, Zwingli, who was one of the Reformation leaders in Switzerland.

He began his public ministry in Zürich, January 1 1519 and when he did, he abandoned the lectionary. He abandoned the use of prescribed texts and he just started working his way.

Book by book through the New Testament and eventually Old Testament started with Matthew in anyone's acts and they preach the first and second Timothy and then Galatians and in the Psalms and then the Pentateuch is unleashing the word of God book by book text by text French reformer John Calvin preached over 4000 sermons during his time in Geneva and his preaching even look at it is preaching is characterized by sequential consecutive tax driven preaching. That's the kind of preaching that was rooted in their convictions and that changed the world, saying that's the only kind of preaching. I believe that there are other legitimate forms of preaching like topical preaching what I'm doing this morning but for the overall health of the church for the well-being of the church. It is in the best interest of that church to look at God's word carefully as God has revealed it. Over time by book chapter by chapter in conjunction with other forms and kinds of preaching and then thirdly Reformation preaching is church centered and by the enemy. A couple of things. First, the reformers brought preaching back into the church. Previous to the Reformation.

A lot of preaching took place out in fields around town squares and it was done on special occasions, but now the preaching was brought back into the church. Secondly, the reformers brought the bit back into the center of that place where the church met alerts and setting off to the side and having the altar at the center of the building. Now they move the pulpit furniture to the center and elevated it to say this is what's really important. This is what were primarily about and through the reformers brought preaching back to the people of the church so no longer are the services held in Latin language that people didn't understand. Reformers believe that teaching people from the Bible in a language that was their own was a priority. They persisted in it says not just is not enough just to give people pictures through stained-glass images. People need to hear the preached word and then for the reformers were stored preaching to place a priority within the churches worship service so not only did they move the pulpit furniture in and redesign over overhaul the interior design, but they also highlighted preaching as central in their gatherings. The sermon was at the center of the worship so want to show you this room quickly. If you would glance at chapter 4 and you see in this text that he turned to the priority the centrality of biblical preaching is highlighted right here.

Chapter 4 consists of Paul's final words he says in verse seven, the time of his departure is at hand. I fought a good fight, I finish the race. I've kept the faith. And indeed Paul soon would be poured out as a drink offering, so what are his parting words to son in the faith, and his ministerial protégé Timothy was the highlight was he emphasize in this last chapter of his last preserved letter with his departure in view well versus two through five consists of nine imperatives nine commands in the last one in verse five is the summary of them also. Here's the conclusion King James reads make full proof of your ministry. Timothy is telling him fulfill your ministry discharge all the duties of your ministry. What duties does Paul have in mind here.

While the immediate context of thinking about those first 83 this together beginning at verse one I charge the before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom preach the word as number one or two the incident or ready in season and out of season. Number three reproof number four rebuke number five, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Because the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But verse five, number six watch thou in all things. Number seven, endure afflictions number eight do the work of an evangelist number nine summary command make full proof of your ministry. So, did you notice in that list which one heads the list in which one is developed then by the next four commands what is adverse to preach the word that's on the forefront of Paul's mind and did you pick up something of the tone of this text, the solemnity of it may look at how he begins with verse one. He says, in essence, I solemnly urge in the presence of God in the presence of Jesus Christ.

He will someday judge living and dead preachers. I think in context when he appears to set up his kingdom proclaim the message preach the Scriptures, which are God breathed and profitable preaching of the word of God has to be kept at the center of church life is the heart of church life wise in some ways it's a critical because of this point. Reformation preaching is corrective okay if you look at the context of Paul's charge in chapter 4. Preach the word to go back and look at chapter 3. Good look at chapter 3 of second Timothy, what's the context in which he appeals the Timothy to engage in this persistently first verse of chapter 3, Paul writes this know also, that in the last days that period of time that begins with the earthly ministry of Jesus. According to Hebrews 1 in the last days perilous times. Savage season, shall, or be present. Why are they perilous times. Paul explains in verses two for a list at 19 representative characteristics of mankind in these last days that will challenge a faithful preaching of the word such to draw your attention because of time to the first one and then the last one in the kind of book in the holistic verse two for men shall be lovers of their own self and diverse work, lovers of pleasure more than her instead of lovers of God and then you got the prevailing spirit of these last days. In verse five we see the same spirit entering the church of Jesus Christ today having or holding along with the characteristics that he just named having an outward form of godliness, true religion Christianity, but denying the power thereof that you think these people that are described here are going to endure their gonna put up with biblical preaching for very long. Now, and that's why look at chapter 4 verse two again, notice the fourth, the third fourth fifth commands that Paul gives in his final charge. The Timothy there to be seasons when people even with in that the visible church, you will not endure biblical preaching because it has this corrective nature to it, but Timothy was to persist in reproving and rebuking and exhorting he was to work with the word in doing what the word does he was to convince people of their error and the wrongdoing he was to go beyond just saying you're wrong to rebuking them the saying stop it. Stop living like that and then to exhort them as a father to come alongside them and urge them appeal to them to live the way they knew they were supposed to live so to preach the Bible faithfully and persistently as the preacher collectively and so that's why this kind of preaching is Reformation. It is transformational because we believe in semper reprimand that we believe in always reforming.

According to Scripture. That's why we keep asking the question, is this biblical because the Bible is our ultimate governor and her ultimate standard CS version who is not a reformer but he said that the word of God can take care of itself.

He described like a lion he said look at those people over there trying to protect that lion in the cage, you'll need a protected you just need to let it out. He says let the Lord of the forest come forth who will dare to encounter him. What does he want with your guardian care. Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lionlike majesty and it was soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversary. Let the lion loose God's appointed means for that is the preaching of his word.

The next Reformation preaching is contextual and by that I simply mean it's it's prophetic. It's it's taking that corrective word and situating it within a particular setting and applying it with force bringing it to bear upon the lives of the people in front of you see that the reformers they were taking the truth of the gospel, never going up against the adversary of Rome. They were going up against these false religious ideas and perversions of gospel truth. They were prophetic in that nature. They were courageous to speak the word of God in their contemporary context and course.

That's what Paul's doing in second Timothy three and that's what he tells Titus to Crete in Titus chapter 1 and then lastly Reformation preaching is Christ centered Paul says in Colossians chapter 1 verse 28 him we preach that is Jesus Christ.

We preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, we may present every man perfect or mature Christ the preaching of the word. The inscription rated word necessarily means the preaching of the incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, the proclaim the message is to proclaim the Messiah Jesus and the reformers were committed to the preaching of the glory of God the glory of the gospel in the face of Jesus Christ and perhaps hear more than any other area we entered present they need a Reformation in preaching to not just preach academically, not just preach from the head to the head preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen again. Christ is present powerfully in the preaching of his work. So let me encourage you to value what we need and what we want we want Reformation.

We want transformations, we have to pull the button we have to pull the PTO and unleash the power through preaching that is courageous and Christ centered and expository) father we ask for your grace to magnify what you have magnified to set forward in ways that are helpful in transformative the truths of Scripture. We pray that Jesus Christ would be magnified in our churches that we would continue to prioritize the proclamation of the gospel that we would no way diminish what you have appointed as the means by which you accomplish your purposes. We pray for a continuing Reformation in our own hearts and lives continuing Reformation in our churches to knowing Reformation in this world as we are faithful to the task as we fill our duties and responsibilities Christian Scott glorify yourself preaching the word Jesus name, amen.

You've been listening to a sermon preached by Carrie McGonagle of the Bob Jones University religion faculty join us again next week as we conclude the study series on the Reformation here on The Daily Platform