Preach It

He comforted, trained disciples, confronted hypocrites, and Jesus performed miracles: Healing the sick, raising the dead, calming the seas, casting out demons, turning water into wine, and more. But what did He identify as his primary task before dying for our sins and rising from the dead? After He had done much of the above in the district of Galilee, we read in Mark, “He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.’” (Mark 1:38, emphasis added)

I was unaware of Jesus’ statement about the priority of preaching the word when I entered seminary at age 25. Despite having taught youth groups for four years and now beginning seminary, I was clueless about many things, including much of what the Bible had to say. I also lacked a clear direction for my ministry. I sometimes wondered if God had indeed called me to vocational service in the church.

Then one day, a fellow student and friend blurted out the following verse: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). “Preach the word,” those words changed the direction of my life.

Paul wrote the verse to a young pastor named Timothy. He was giving him the one practice that should be the priority of his ministry. Then, he wrote about a world that would turn away from God and embrace fables.

Today, we live in a world of fables and myths unimaginable to Paul, who had seen the worst of his day’s perverted philosophies and behaviors. Yet, you can look around and see that Paul’s exhortation to Timothy is more applicable today than ever. And nearly 40 years ago, when my seminary classmate quoted Paul’s words addressed to Timothy, I knew it was what I was supposed to do: “Preach the word.”

But as pastors, we have plenty to do. We should care in various ways for the flock of God. There is counseling, visitation, weddings, funerals, administration, prayer, planning, and vision-casting. We must lead the congregation with all that entails. But our primary task as pastors is to preach and teach the Bible! However, it’s easy to be distracted and focused on the plethora of ills in society and needs in our church, forming ministries to cater to each one.

When faced with the problems of youth, parents, singles, married couples, and families, one who feels called to pastoral ministry can be confused about where to focus. “What kind of ministry should I have?” There are plenty of life stages and areas of specific need from which to choose. There’s nothing wrong with need-based ministries, but the emphasis should be on the word, preached with accuracy and skill, with an eye toward the gospel’s message.

Who is called to preach? You may be surprised to learn that it is not just pastors. Don’t mistake thinking that preaching the word is relegated to the clergy. On the contrary, it is what you are here for as a believer. It doesn’t necessarily take seminary training, but a life that reflects a deep knowledge and reflection of Christ.

When Jesus delivered His Great Commission, He was not speaking to formally trained pastors. Instead, He gave His assignment to guys who initially ran and hid following His crucifixion, just what you and I might have done. Yet He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, emphasis added).

So Jesus commissioned them to preach, but not just them. He also sent us to preach with our words and lives.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” —Mark 16:15