Paul’s Preaching

~ 3 Critical Aspects of Preaching ~

The Apostle Paul provides an exhortation to the elders of the Ephesian church which includes three foundational points. 

The Gospel of the Grace of God (the basic message of Paul’s preaching)  ~  “Paul said to them: ‘You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me…  none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God’” (Acts 20:18b-19a, 24). 

The Kingdom of God (the subject of Paul’s preaching)  ~  “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more” (Acts 20:24-25). 

The Entire Word of God (the content of Paul’s preaching)  ~  “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27). 

additional comment  ~  The following verses emphasize the responsibilities of elders—who have responsibility for the spiritual health of other Christians.  “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.  Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Peter’s Preaching

~ 3 Point Sermon – Forgiveness and Peace or Judgment ~

The scene is Peter preaching to Cornelius and his household.  In ten verses in Acts 10 Peter presents three critical aspects of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Preach Peace (only through the Blood of Jesus Christ)  ~  “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.  The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all’” (Acts 10:34-36). 

Preach Judgment (for those who do not accept Jesus Christ)  ~  “The Word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that Word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.  And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.  Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.  And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:36-42). 

Preach Forgiveness (in the Name of Jesus Christ)  ~  “And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.  To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:42-43).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Good Preaching, 3of3

~ Examples of Good Preaching ~       

In this post we will look at two examples of the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts.

PREACHING IN ACTS 10  ~  In this chapter we find Peter preaching to the household of Cornelius. Notice five critical elements of his message. 

Salvation Is Available To All People  ~  “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’” (Acts 10:34-35)

Peace With God Only Comes Through Jesus Christ  ~  “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all’” (Acts 10:36). 

Jesus Christ Was Crucified And He Rose From The Dead  ~  “And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead” (Acts 10:39-41).

Judgment Will Come On Unrepentant  ~  “And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead” (Acts 10:42). 

Jesus Christ Has Paid The Price Of Your Sin  ~  “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Jesus Christ offers forgiveness if you admit your sin and turn to Him as your only Savior.

PAUL’S PREACHING IN ACTS 20  ~  In this chapter Paul is encouraging and exhorting the elders of the church in Ephesus. 

The Gospel Of The Grace Of God  ~  After briefly reminding them of his past Paul says, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). The grace of God was a basic component in Paul’s preaching. 

The Gospel Of The Kingdom Of God  ~  “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more” (Acts 20:25). The kingdom of God was the object of Paul’s preaching. 

The Gospel Of The Whole Word Of God  ~  “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Notice that Paul’s instrument for preaching was the whole content of God’s Word. Paul sought to provide a complete and balanced approach in explaining God’s Word.

a key principle:  A clear conclusion is that preaching is about God, and what He can do, and is willing to do, in individual lives.

side note:  One thing which bothers me is a modern trend which has changed the terminology of past eras. For example, when referring to an “historical account” given in Scripture it is referenced as a “story” from Scripture. Excuse me! Historical records are a lot different than stories—many of which are pure fiction.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .