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Verse:For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! —1 Corinthians 9:16
Some people say that contemporary Christian (and even Adventist) preaching is in crisis. There are indeed too many rhetorical devices that do not lead to a deep conversion experience with Christ. Perhaps we should rediscover the real meaning of preaching from great preachers like Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892), known as the “Prince of Preachers.” On March 18, 1861, he moved with his congregation permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, where he preached for more than thirty years. In a lecture titled “Sermons —Their Matter,” Spurgeon declared, SERMONS should have real teaching in them, and their doctrine should be solid, substantial, and abundant. We do not enter the pulpit to talk for talk’s sake; we have instructions to convey important to the last degree, and we cannot afford to utter pretty nothings.
Our range of subjects is all but boundless, and we cannot, therefore, be excused if our discourses are threadbare and devoid of substance.
If we speak as ambassadors for God, we need never complain of want of matter, for our message is full to overflowing.
The entire gospel must be presented from the pulpit; the whole faith once delivered to the saints must be proclaimed by us.
The truth as it is in Jesus must be instructively declared, so that the people may not merely hear, but know, the joyful sound.39 In the same lecture, Spurgeon added, “Of all I would wish to say this is the sum; my brethren, preach Christ, always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our one great, all-comprehending theme. The world needs still to be told of its Saviour, and of the way to reach him... We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man’s fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through an atonement, and salvation as the result of faith, these are our battle-axe and weapons of war”.
Spurgeon combined both cognitive and existential elements.
His words of advice are very helpful, not for us to criticize other preachers but for us to take into consideration whenever we are asked to share God’s Word with others.