In a previous article entitled, “Only Singing-Only Saints,” we discussed the pattern of authorized singing in worship to God, that being, singing and singing only! We also compared and discussed the pattern of benevolence in the New Testament Scriptures, that being, aid from the treasury of the local church is to be given to needy saints and needy saints only!

As we noted, there are a number of other patterns revealed in divine scripture that Christians must follow and which is incumbent on abiding in the “doctrine of Christ” (2 Jn. 9-11). In this short article, we will discuss the pattern of sound teaching and preaching as it is revealed in the scriptures! Paul commanded Titus to, “...speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Tit. 2:1), and he told him the what and the why in the verses following! The word “sound” in this passage means, uncorrupt, safe or wholesome words–words of truth (1 Tim. 6:2-5)!

First, sound teaching and preaching must be according to the oracles of God! The apostle Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God....” (1 Pet. 4:11). All preaching must be based on divine revelation. That means, no opinions or doctrines of men! The preaching that pleases God has only one basis–the Word of God, hence Jesus proclaimed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17)!

Second, sound teaching and preaching must be for the purpose of edification! The apostle Paul wrote. “...Let all things be done unto edifying.” To edify means to build up or instruct in the faith. Therefore, all teaching must be for the purpose of building up the students in the knowledge and confidence in the faith–the Gospel of Christ. Hence, preaching and teaching must be scriptural and to the point!

Third, sound teaching and preaching must be based on the wisdom of God! Paul instructed the Corinthian brethren that his preaching was not according to the “wisdom” of men. Said he, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought.” (1 Cor. 2:4-6). Today, many who preach do not preach the truth as did Paul. Many preach the doctrines and commandments of men, and a perverted gospel of which there are numerous divine warnings to shun and avoid (Matt. 15:7-8; Gal. 1:6-10; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Cor. 4:5).

Fourth, sound teaching and preaching must be with love! Paul instructed the saints of Ephesus saying, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:11-15). The souls of men must be the focal point of all preaching. Paul preached that he might “save some” (Rom. 11:14; 1 Cor. 9:22). Preaching and teaching must be for ths spiritual good and welfare of those being taught–which is real Bible love. True Bible love is not a mushy, gushy whimpering style of preaching. True love puts God commands first and instructs others to do so, without which on one can be saved (Eccl. 12:13; Matt. 22:37-40; Jn. 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 Jn. 2:3, 4; 3:22, 24; 5:2, 3; 2 Jn. 1:6). Preaching and teaching cannot and must not be for entertainment or satisfaction and praise of men (Gal. 1:10).

Fifth, sound teaching and preaching must be boldly spoken! The manner of life of a Christian must be lived in a bold manner, hence teaching and preaching is included in our manner of life! The Hebrew writer said, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6). Titus was so instructed by Paul–“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Tit. 2:7-8). Paul urged the Ephesian saints to pray that he might open his mouth and speak boldly as he ought to speak. To speak boldly implies that preachers and teachers are not to tickle the hears of this who refuse to hear and accept the truth. It is interesting to note the boldness with which Paul addressed the Corinthians especially, in the first letter. The Corinthian brethren had many issues with which Paul dealt boldly so that they might be saved. Preachers and teachers today must do likewise, even when unpopular subjects need attention, such as, forsaking the assembly, attitudes, divorce and remarriage, proper giving, error and compromise and marking false teachers (Rom. 16:17-18)!

Sixth, sound teaching and preaching must be without compromise or excuse! In religion in general, there are more lies told than in any realm. Why? Because many religious preachers and teachers have compromised God’s word so as to serve and please men. Paul wrote, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). The preaching of the gospel is to be without “in my opinion,” “I think,” or “maybe this or that.”  Scriptural teaching and preaching must be forthright, direct and without compromise. Many teachers and preachers have “sold out” and are fearful of teaching the truth as they ought to preach and teach. Jesus warned His apostle to not fear man, when He said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). John warned in Revelation 20:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” The word “fearful” means timid or faithless. So, those who wring their hands and compromise the truth because they are spiritual cowards, are in the same class of those who buy the services of a whore, according to inspired writer. Notice the classes of people John groups together in this admonition.

Seventh, sound teaching and preaching requires that we defend the faith! Jude exhorted the saints to defend the faith. Said he, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Why did Jude say this? He tells us in verses 4-19 and opens his dissertation in verse 4 by stating, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was “set for the defence of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17, 7). Preachers and teachers must be ready to defend the gospel and brethren from the attack of false teachers, and defend against every form of evil such as cowardly and spineless brethren, luke-warm elders, spiritual softness, men-pleasers, political correctness, the moral evils of society, and preachers and teachers who have denied the faith (Acts 5:28-42; 6:9-10; 15:1-2;17:17; 19:8; 1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).

Finally, sound teachers and preachers must declare “all the counsel of God”! Paul did so! Paul explained to the elders in Ephesus, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Paul was not a graduate of Dale Carnegie’s course on “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” His preaching and teaching was for the purpose of  convicting and convincing sinners to obey the gospel so their soul’s would be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. This means teachers and preachers must not do as religious leaders did in Jeremiah’s day–calling good evil and evil good! Isaiah pronounced a woe to those who did so by saying, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him” (Isa. 5:20-23). Paul realized his responsibility to boldly proclaim the truth, for he said, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:16)! Hence he commanded Timothy, by the authority of Christ, to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:2).

Conclusion: I have only scratched the surface or as is sometimes said, I have only touched the “hem of the garment” on this subject. But, with out any doubt or reservation, there is a pattern of sound teaching and preaching revealed in the book of God. If your teachers or preacher are not soundly teaching and preaching the truth, demand that they do so! If they do not, then get ones that will! Let all teachers and preachers of God’s word search their hearts and their teaching and preaching openly under the scrutiny of God’s word, so that God’s word is glorified, declared and taught without excuse or equivocation–soundly! And, may the hearers take heed to what they hear so that their souls will be saved eternally (Mk. 4:24)! – tgmc