 
POWERLESS PREACHING
People were amazed at Jesus' preaching "for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes" (Matt. 7:28-29). Paul's preaching was with "power and love and discipline" (II Tim. 1:7). While his speech and "preaching were not in persuasive words of (human) wisdom," there was a "demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (I Cor. 2:3-4). So powerful was the preaching of the apostles that the foundations of Judaism were shaken (Acts 4:16-18). Gentiles protested that they had "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).
What Was the Source of Their Power?
The power of their preaching did not rest in large numbers, social standing, worldly education, wealth or political clout. They were deficient in all of these. In the eyes of their contemporaries, "they were unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13). They were viewed as "a sect...everywhere...spoken against' (Acts 28:22). The fact is, they were weak in all the areas the worldly mind would see as essential to success. Yet God's power was "made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:9). The source of their great power was in the gospel they preached. "It is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16). Paul "determined not to know anything... (in his preaching) save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (I Cor. 2:2). With the gospel, they had the power of truth to oppose error (John 8:32). They had the sharp two-edged sword of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:17). The all-powerful Jesus was with them as they preached his gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). Like a mighty tidal wave, they were invincible; nothing could stop them.
Powerful Preaching of Our Predecessors
Our forefathers in the movement to restore original Christianity, found this power and harnessed it in their preaching. Satan was defeated on every hand. Sinners surrendered to their Lord. False teachers gave way before the assault. Multitudes were saved, churches were planted, the cause grew and prospered. With their famous book, chapter and verse delivery, they were revered by their brethren, feared by their denominational peers. Their gospel message was irresistible to thousands who crowded into the kingdom of Christ.
A New Approach
In our day a generation has arisen that went to a different school. They have imbibed a different spirit. A new way has been found to preach to modern sinners. We hear them presenting a beautifully crafted message with no gospel. They quote little or no scripture, they make no mention of God's will for man. Christ's church, his plan of salvation and his will for his church are downplayed or omitted. They much prefer drama, story telling and relating of personal experiences. They falsely assume:
1). That the old Jerusalem gospel will not attract modern man.
2). That words from the Bible will not be heard, understood and accepted.
3). That sinners would rather hear the speaker's ideas or quotes of some notable theologian or philosopher than God's Word.
4. That they can be faithful preachers of God even though they omit most, sometimes all of God's own message.
5).That converts they make will automatically learn and accept the Lord's true doctrine and church once they are recruited by their own non-Biblical approach.
Tragically, these "non-gospel" preachers are wrong on all counts. It is tragic for the lost souls who desperately need to hear the gospel (Mark. 16:15-16); tragic for the preachers who have failed to speak his words faithfully (Jer. 23:28); tragic for the church that supports such preaching and gets little or nothing in return. Is it too much to expect gospel preachers to preach the gospel? Is it unreasonable that the church of the New Testament present the message of the New Testament to a lost world?
Observant brethren know that liberal preachers of denominational churches have generally deleted God's word from their message over the last 40 years. Consequently, their faith is dead and their numbers are shrinking. Their missionary forces are drying up, their seminaries are closing. Why should we follow them down the broad road that leads to destruction?
May all who would speak for Christ, "Preach the word" (II Tim. 4:2). May every eldership insist that those who occupy the pulpit of their congregation be "men of the Book" who are not ashamed of the gospel (Rom. 1:16). And who preach the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). When God's word is exalted, Christ is glorified, souls are saved, the church is edified and increased.
To leave Scripture out of our message is to preach a powerless gospel! Satan is not threatened by such a message.
JHW
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