Should We Preach with Authority?

-by Shane Idleman.

A few years back, I listened in astonishment as postmodern leaders
talked about replacing "preaching" with "having a conversation." At
first, I thought that maybe they were confusing individual conversations
with how we should speak to the masses, but I was wrong. They
felt that we should stop "preaching" from the pulpit, and start being
more passive and less confrontational. Never mind the fact that
Jesus said, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities
also, because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43). But
according to many postmoderns, it's time to replace... preaching
with conversing.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not questioning cosmetic issues such as
styles of worship, ambiance, lighting, and mood. I'm challenging
the dangerous practice of removing foundational principles - Spirit-
empowered preaching is foundational.

I'm also not suggesting that we never converse with people; quite
the contrary... We must be slow to speak and quick to listen, but
when we are called to preach, a whole new dynamic takes place.
the Spirit of God speaks, convicts, draws, heals, breaks, restores,
wounds, and rebuilds. In the book, Spirit Empowered Preaching,
the author said, "It must be understood that the preacher does not
share, he declares. Preaching is not a little talk. It is not a fireside
chat. To substitute sharing and discussion for preaching is to risk
the integrity of the gospel itself."

"What does this have to do with me; I'm not a pastor, or a preacher,"
you might ask. It has a great deal to do with any Christian regard-
less of his or her calling. Let me explain. There is a very troubling
trend in the evangelical church, as a whole. Foundational doctrines
such as the cross, sin, judgment, and repentance were declared
openly in the early hours of church history, as well as in American
history-when revivals and awakenings spread across our landscape.

Today, these foundational truths are often neglected, watered-down,
or avoided altogether in the hope of "not offending," "securing an
audience," or being "user-friendly." Judgment is never mentioned;
repentance is never sought; and sin is often excused. This leaves
people confused and deceived because they believe in a cross-less
Christianity that bears no resemblance to Jesus' sobering call to
repentance. Even though you may not be a Christian leader, we all
are called to share God's Word with others-especially the difficult
truths. Then we are also able to offer hope.

"To convince the world of the truth of Christianity, it must first be
convinced of sin. It is only sin that renders Christ intelligible"
(-Andrew Murray; 1794-1866). In other words, the crucifixion only
makes sense in light of the consequences of sin. "Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners" (I Timothy 1:15), yet, we're
not suppose to mention sin, repentance, or judgment?

Again, the good news about Christ can only be appreciated with
the bad news as the backdrop. There are times when the saints
must be fed, and there are times when the sinners must be
warned (-C.H. Spurgeon). Preaching, witnessing, teaching, and
so on must be done with God-given authority to truly be effective.
When we fail to proclaim God's Word faithfully, we run the risk of
"encouraging sin" and "perverting the words of the living God."
(cf. Jeremiah 23).