![]() ![]() The Protestant Reformation birthed hospitals, schools, many other relief efforts, and provided a stimulus to science, literature, etc. When the church takes care of its primary purpose, God works through it to provide relief to others. This is the work of every preacher, says Dr. ![]() It takes a specialist to isolate the radical problem and deal with it. The danger is that the church will tinker with the general symptoms and not address the cause. The primary task of the church is to deliver the truth about humanity and the remedy in Christ. The primary task of the church is not to make a person happy, good, or even well off. They can ease the pain of the human condition, but they cannot change the heart. Other agencies, politicians, cults, false religions, and nonprofits can do their work, but they cannot preach the gospel. As those who have the good news, Christians must tell the truth. Martyn Lloyd-Jones opens the word of God and confronts the tendency to depreciate preaching at the expense of other forms of activity. In this sermon titled “No Substitute,” Dr. Renewed preaching always heralds the dawn of reformation. The preacher’s priority is not to serve tables, but to do the ministry of the word and prayer. The world did not stop Christ from doing miracles, but they crucified Him for His preaching. Lloyd-Jones proclaims that Jesus did not come into the world to heal the sick He came to save sinners. He further points out how the emphasis on entertainment has damaged the power of the pulpit saying, “So much time is spent creating the atmosphere that there’s no time to preach in the atmosphere.” This downgrade impacts those outside the church. Essays are not sermons, and eloquent oratory can be the form replacing the substance. Lloyd-Jones explains that it is one thing to be a master of fine phrases, but not the master of the sacred text. Another reason preaching has suffered is that with all the availability of information through radio, TV, and books, there is less perceived need for preaching. He begins recounting those who make light of the orator’s ability, suggesting that if a man is a great speaker, then he is not honest. Lloyd-Jones identifies the key reasons why preaching has suffered a serious downgrade in the church today. In this sermon titled “Primacy of Preaching,” Dr. However, preaching is still its primary task. Without question, there are things in the church that are wrong, such as traditionalism and institutionalism. The world says it is outdated, but to Christians, it is the way God intended His word to be taught through the ages. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims the most urgent need in the church today is that of preaching. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |