PRACTICAL PREACHING

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Introduction: In Acts 8, after the death of Stephen, Saul began to make havoc of the church. Great persecution came upon the church in Jerusalem. “And they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). But, in Acts 8:4, “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Now you might be wondering how the church went everywhere preaching while the preachers were still in Jerusalem. How could they preach without the preachers?

A. All members of the church of Christ are preachers

1. In Matthew 28:19-20 we see the twelve commissioned to preach

2. However, they were to teach all disciples to observe the same

B. According to Ephesians 4:12:

1. Saints must be equipped to do the work

2. All must understand and implement those necessary principles that characterizes practical preaching (Overhead #1)

a. Tool

b. Time

c. Tone

d. Temperament

I. Tools – “Preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2)

A. Consider what the word is:

1. Powerful (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18)

2. Enlightening (Psalm 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19; 2 Cor. 4:3-7)

3. Productive (Matt. 13:23; 1 Pet. 1:22-25)

4. Profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

B. Consider what the word does:

1. Equips

2. Perfects

3. Purifies

4. Penetrates

5. Guides

6. Guards (Psalm 119:11; 19:7-11)

II. Time – “In season and out of season”

A. In season refers to those times that are opportune and convenient.

1. Such times can be during regular periods of worship when such is expected.

2. Such can be appointed times when such has been scheduled (gospel meetings, studies, etc.)

B. Out of season refers to those times when it is not convenient and may even cause embarrassment. To be put on the spot. Such may be a time when such is being opposed.

1. Such times can be when someone questions you about your faith

2. Such may be a need to address sin at the time being committed

3. Such may be in a climate of hostility and opposition

C. In any event, the one who does the preaching and teaching must be constant. He must put forth the whole counsel; not just what people want to hear.

III. Tone – “Convince, rebuke, exhort . . .”

A. Convince (reprove) – means to persuade with words; preach to the intellect; convince of or make an argument for or against a practice

1. You must get the audience to agree with the truth of God’s word

2. You have to win your argument

B. Rebuke (convict) – preach to the emotions; get them to feel responsible for violating that which they have previously been convinced was the truth

1. Prick their conscience (Acts 2:37)

2. Get their feelings to line up with the facts

C. Exhort (Encourage) – get them to do what is right; give them hope; offer them the remedy (Eph. 4:4)

1. You got them to feel bad about what the did, now help them to feel better

2. You show them a way out of their woeful state by pointing them to the mercy of God (Acts 2:38-40)

IV. Temperament – “With all long-suffering and teaching”

A. The desired affect will take time

1. Plant does not grow right after you plant the seed

2. Must wait through the process

B. Must nurture the seed to aid in its growth

1. Done by further teaching

2. Consider the process as given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5-8

Conclusion: When you preach practically in accordance with God’s word, you will not only be successful, but also you will be considered faithful in fulfilling your ministry. This is indeed necessary to do because a time is coming when people will no longer want to hear sound doctrine, but will go after and uphold teachers that appeal to themselves. We must not give in to the temptation to use another tool beside the word, nor preach only in times of convenience when we will not be opposed, nor change the tone to suit individuals, nor alter the temperament because we don’t have patience. Preaching in the manner in which the Lord prescribes is the only way we can guarantee that our preaching will be both practical and effective.