Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Our directive is to preach the gospel, to every
creature. Our preaching should in harmony with the principles of this “Great
Commission” command.
The ingredients or content of our preaching.
An ingredient is a constituent element of something,
the component. The ingredients of our preaching are Jesus’ commands, the Word
of God. Jesus says, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”
The breadth or scope of our preaching.
Breadth is the extent or range of something. The
extent of our preaching is “all” that He commanded. All 66 books
of the Bible are inspired and authoritative. We should reach the entire Bible,
the whole Bible.
The aim or purpose of our preaching.
An aim or purpose is the reason for which
something is done. Preaching is to evangelize or make disciples – preach the
gospel. When converts profess Christ, we baptize and then teach – instruct and
exhort to obedience (to all the things Jesus commanded). If we do not
evangelize and baptize, we have no one to disciple.
In fulfilling this command of our Lord Jesus
Christ, we should preach the entire Bible, focusing on Christ and him
crucified. Within the content, breadth, and purpose of our preaching, making “evangelistic”
appeals is appropriate. Preaching through all of the books of the Bible is
appropriate. Preaching what the Spirit moves to preach is appropriate.
Preaching that exhorts believers to grow in Christ-likeness and knowledge of
the Word is appropriate.
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