Good Preaching
When some think of good preaching, they imagine a certain style of delivery. Yet others think of what they deem to be their interpretation of anointing. Still, others consider it to be the level of exegesis or exposition that makes a good preacher. There would be others who would argue that a good preacher needs to be able to hold your attention or tell good stories. Most of these opinions regarding what makes a good preacher have to do with personal preferences more than a Biblical understanding.
I would consider Paul the Apostle’s preaching good. After all, the Holy Spirit used him to pen most of the New Testament we read. When writing to the church at Colossae, he spoke of what motivated him in his proclamation of truth.
Colossians 1:26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Up until that time, a mystery had been hidden that had only recently become known to the saints. It was this mystery that moved Paul to preach. But what was this mystery?
It was the mystery of how God willed to make known the riches of the glory of Christ in you, the hope of glory!
Throughout history, various notions of glory and its attainment have been discussed. The glory of God, in particular, has been the subject of many a preacher. However, in this context, the message is crystal clear: ‘Christ in you’ is the ultimate hope of glory. This profound truth was the cornerstone of Paul’s preaching.
Paul warned and taught every man in all wisdom. What does that actually mean? I look at that, and I perceive him to be saying that regardless of whatever wisdom a man professes to possess, Paul was ready to warn him to put his faith in Christ alone for the hope of glory as it was God’s will that this should be the way of salvation for any who would desire to know God and experience His life and presence.
Paul believed and preached that the only way to be presented as perfect before God was to be presented in Christ Jesus. He believed this so deeply and profoundly that he declared it was the reason he labored, striving according to His mighty working in Paul.
Paul had this desire to make this known to all, and with God’s power working in him, he could not help but preach Christ Jesus as the means of being presented as perfect before God and as the only hope of glory! Good preaching sets Christ at the center, presents Christ as the only hope of glory, and makes sure those listening realize that putting their faith and trust in Christ is the wisest and most reasonable thing there is. Good preaching seeks to unveil the finished work of Christ and all its benefits to those who believe and will put their faith in Jesus alone. Good preaching makes Christ known! It magnifies Christ! It enjoys putting Jesus center stage, in the spotlight for all to see! It does not appeal to the flesh for righteousness and hope. It points to Christ Jesus!
Good preaching remains true to the New Covenant Gospel of Jesus.
