All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) Just what does this scripture mean, and what does it have to do with contextual preaching? Just what is contextual preaching? Mr. Webster gives this definition of contextual: the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light upon its meaning.
I would like to use some words here from Kenneth Kuykendall “ there is nothing more dangerous to the Church than taking a passage of scripture out of context.” Just what does this learned man of God mean? I will once again use his own words as he wrote them, “ Contextual preaching considers the truth of God in the sequence order, and framework that was intended by the Holy Spirit. Any other means exalt man’s thoughts over Gods.”
Wow! How many times have you heard a sermon preached on just a sentence out of the Bible that may or may not been what the original writer had intended? I know I have heard many in my lifetime. I guess they meant well but still they were wrong in their application. I personally believe that this is why we don’t see signs and wonders following the preaching of Gods word. (Mark 16:20)
Preaching should never be a launching pad for our own ideas and thoughts. It may get temporary results, but at what cost? Putting people under condemnation is never what the Holy Spirit intended, in fact it was just the opposite in Romans 8, verse 1 and verse 9. The organized church of today is paying the price for self centered preaching. We have lost the power of God and put the wrong people in charge of it!
Just look at United Methodist Church as an example, (since I am Methodist by the way) They have split the Church up by wrong “PC” decisions. The children of today need more than a fast talking preacher, they need to see a living, breathing, God who is alive in their modern realm of existence. A God who loves them, and cares about them, their hurts, their diseases, their lack of identity to say the least.
If you read through the epistles of Paul you will find that he wrote using a continuous theme or purpose. Preach the Word as it was given to you by me, be true to the text as you received it from me, teach no other doctrine, and rebuke those who do. He has shown us that as Christians we have the mind of Christ, (1 Corinthians 2:16) we can know how He thinks, as it is contained in the New Testament for us. Paul was very much concerned about preaching the word as he preached it. So why do we do it differently?
Preaching by not using the contextual theme as it was written is void of divine authority, or in other words when we fail to say it like God said it, when He wrote it. Any other way it will only be words spoken by man without any life changing power, only condemnation and confusion. In our eagerness to say something that we believe will help someone understand our thoughts we sometimes say something that the scriptures do not support. We use the text that supports our sermon, or belief, but may not be what it really says in context.
We are in essence putting words in Gods mouth that He did not say. The Holy Spirit will only validate what God said, not our wishful intention. This is what I mean when I use the terminology of contextual preaching. Therefore if a message being preached is done so out of context, the Holy Spirit cannot and will not act upon this erroneous claim by us. It is always a risky approach to preach what it means to us, when in reality it only matters what God meant when He said it.
The verse means what it said, and it is defined by what the paragraph or chapter as God wrote it through the hands of men. To believe otherwise is making our God too small! God was more than able to get His point across to those who were writing letters to the Church when it was being formed so long ago. Our opinions of what it says may be different when we only read part of what the whole context of the subject the writer was trying to convey.
I believe I have explained my point on contextual preaching and I hope you will use the information to help you understand why the Church does not see signs and wonders as shown in the book of Acts in the Bible. You, the reader, needs to know what the Bible says so you won’t be deceived by those who preach another gospel. How do you do this? Read the word of God daily, and not just read it, but study it, and then write down what you learn. This is the only way you will ever know if you really understand what you read.
Start today and make it your habit to become a student of the Bible. It’s fun finding out what you thought you knew is sometimes not what it really says. I have been going to Church since I was a young boy, and heard so many things that later in my life I found to be wrong or misrepresented by those who taught it. You alone, are responsible for what you hear and believe. So study to show yourself approved, (2 Timothy 2:15) a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Keep yourself busy with the work of ministry, enjoy your life that God has given you, and always remember, you will make it, just don’t give up. Tell someone today that God loves them just as they are, and be blessed as you see a smile on their face. See you next week.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 