What is the purpose of preaching?

A Calvinist might say the purpose of preaching is to bring glory to God, simply an aspect of our worship of God. An Arminian might say the purpose of preaching to express our love for the lost, pouring our life out for the those who need salvation.

Why should we cultivate, plant and water, if our effort does not alter the eternal outcome, heaven or hell, of anyone? Oh, I know, to bring glory to God.

 

For me the purpose of preaching is to clearly present the message of a particular passage of the Word of God so that people will respond to what the Holy Spirit is telling His people to do.

There is more involved, of course, but godly life change is the purpose.

 

2 Timothy 3:15 provides the answer to this thread.

 

I would think Calvinists and Arminians would both argue that preaching glorifies God, is a commanded part of Worship (though some non-Calvinists devalue preaching in favor of testionies, singings, etc.), and is necessary for the proclamation of the Gospel and for the building up of the body.

I fear this is intended for or will result in a bifurcation.

 

The purpose in preaching is to give God glory. That should be the purpose in all things done by believers. ( I am neither Calvinist nor Arminian) A peripheral result will be we will be fed, souls will be convicted, we will be encouraged, we will learn of God's character.

We do not need to focus on worship ie, prayer, preaching etc to have any other purpose. If its purpose is to glorify God all the rest will happen without any focus and worship is kept about God rather than man.

When you go to church for the purpose of being fed, encouraged etc. then you are not worshiping God but yourself.

 

AMEN! [edit] AMEN and AMEN! This is how the gospel saves us. Through obedience to the gospel we become well pleasing to God.

When Christ made Lazarus who was dead, alive, Lazarus 'came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes'. The Lord's commandment to those that stood by was to, 'Loose him, and let him go'.

 

The purpose for preaching the gosple is...

1) Primarily to present it to the lost so thay might come to Christ and be saved.

2) But it is also profitable for the saints of God to hear it preached for their edification, and instruction, so they can witness accurately

AiC

 

I apologize. I should've said it better. I fear this will be intended by some to cause or will invariably end up causing a bifurcation.

 

Scripture provides the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). So faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17) But how shall they hear?

14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 NASB)

 

To preach simply means to proclaim. Politicians preach but that doesn't make their preaching right. Biblical preaching is only about one thing; proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the lost. That's it; nothing else. Preaching to the regenerate only keeps them in their spiritual immaturity. Preachers who preach to the saved are performing an extra-Biblical task. We are to preach to the lost & to teach believers the deeper truths of Scripture. BTW, 2 Timothy 3:15 proves my point. Timothy's mother & grandmother didn't preach at him in dictatorial sermons, they taught Him from the Word. This kind of deep learning can only be accomplished by TEACHERS not by preachers.

True Biblical teaching must involve questions from the teacher & student alike. There must be interaction that challenges all parties to question their own beliefs & opinions. Church preaching is the lowest form of teaching & never encourages spiritual growth; only stagnation & immaturity through denominational rhetoric & dictatorial declarations.

True Biblical preaching is always performed in the world where the lost naturally congregate. It is evangelical in nature & cannot be separated from the object of evangelism without bastardizing it entirely. The "they" in Rom 10:14 are the lost, NOT the saved. It is never used in Scripture as a tool for convicting the saved; it can only produce false guilt founded in legalistic laws & standards. We should restore the Biblical gifts of preaching(evangelism) & teaching to the church & quit redefining Biblical terms according to man's traditions.

 

Yes, bringing the good news is done in a variety of ways, by cultivating, by planting and by watering. People who walk the talk are preaching all the time to those that witness their Spirit led lives.

 

Do you have scripture for that?

 

1Peter 2:12 Having your conversation(behavior) honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

Some cal's (or non-arms) devalue it as well, in fact some even think it to be unnecessary.

 

Not at all, why are you judging my intentions? I was merely following up on Toms statement concerning "non cals" and pointing out some "non arms" do the same.

It is also widely known there are hyper-cals that dont believe in the necessity of preaching. Again, not being divisive just stating facts.

 

This is a "debate forum" and debate is defined as, " To engage in argument by discussing opposing points." If you don't want anyone to offer opposing points you may want to blog instead. Plus, if you saw the comment to which Webdog was replying you would clearly see he was addressing Tom's statement by rightly pointing out that both "camps" have people who don't properly value preaching.