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Preaching: The act of preaching; a public religious discourse. to discourse on evangelical truths and exhort to a belief of them and acceptance of the terms of salvation. This was the extemporaneous manner of preaching pursued by Christ and his apostles. Matthew 4:10. Acts 10:14. To proclaim.
Greek: kerygma [kay’-roog-mah] =preaching [8]. a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by preaching. Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. "That which is proclaimed by a herald, in 1 Thess. 2:13, it is associated with logos, "a word," lit., "the word of hearing" so in Heb. 4:2, RV, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words.
In some ways the word for preaching could be substituted with ‘message’ for it is the message of the Cross unto salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (AMP) For the story and message [preaching KJV] of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.
After all, how crazy of a story is this. A man 2,000 years ago came to earth without a father, grew up and at the age of 30 began to teach about the Kingdom of God. Was so rejected that the religious rulers of the day had Him killed, only to raise on the 3rd day and came back as our savior from sin, sickness, disease and failure of any type or kind. WOW! It does not get any wilder than this.
It is no wonder that the educated and untaught in the Word have a very difficult time wrapping their head around such an absurd story. This is where it becomes the unique story of the ages and of all religions. He rose from the dead and offered total forgiveness for all the wrong, which everyman understands when they are doing wrong unless their heart has been hardened to the point of no return. Every religion focuses on the wrong we do but only Christianity zeros in on the way to rid your life of all the guilt and condemnation. The others just hope and pray that it will be OK and try as an act of the will to do good. But this just isn’t good enough. All our goodness is like filthy rags; it has no substance to it. Isaiah 64:6 (AMP) For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God's favor, hurrying us toward destruction].
Years ago, on one of my jobsites, I had an opportunity to discuss this idea with a very religious man who was one of the leaders of the denomination that my mother came out from. In my questioning, I asked him if he was going to heaven for sure. After contemplating it for a moment he asked me what I meant. I declared and questioned if he was born again and had his position in heaven when he passes on to the next life. Again, he patiently thought about it and simply responded this way. “I hope I have been good enough to make it and done enough to get there.”
This was a little perplexing to me and at the age of 26, I knew there was a problem with the answer but was not quite sure how to answer this important life transaction. As years have passed, I have recognized this issue in almost every church I have attended, and I see it even unto this day. It is a simple understanding of the idea, “are you righteous when you are born again or do you have to do more?” Honestly, there is nothing left to do for Christ has paid the complete price for all our sins, yesterday, today and forever. Colossians 2:10 (KJV) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. This is the message [preaching] of the cross and the reason it has become such a stumbling block. God wants us free, for whom the Son has set free is free indeed. John 8:36 (AMP) So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. This is the simplicity of the Cross and to add anything to it is a step in the wrong direction. Revelation 22:18 (NLT2) And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. Stay away from the foolish additions that so many church leaders attempt to present to their folks and keep it simple and forthright for this is the way God has made it and the world cannot handle its simple message [preaching].
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