The apostle Paul wrote: “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world
through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness
of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:21—NKJV).
Why did Paul refer to preaching as foolishness? From the viewpoint of many
in the world and perhaps some in the church the following may be part of
the reason. Preaching is not entertaining enough. Many today want to be
entertained. The Bible tells of a certain reverence and awe that occurred
during the Word being proclaimed. One of the Old Testament Minor Prophets,
Habakkuk describes the attitude during worship: “But the LORD is in his
holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” (Hab. 2:20). A
worshipper today might declare: “How boring!” Yet we cannot equate preaching
with entertainment. They are two entirely different
areas. The purpose of preaching is not to entertain. The job of
the preacher is to proclaim the Word of God. David wrote: “I have preached
righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips,
O LORD, thou knowest” (Psa. 40:9). The first words Jesus preached were:
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat. 4:17). Peter stated,
“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).
John F. McArthur Jr., in his book Ashamed of the Gospel states “Nothing
in Scripture indicates the church should lure people to Christ by presenting
Christianity as an attractive option. Nothing about the gospel is optional”
(72). He further declares: “There seems almost no limit to what modern
church leaders will do to entice people who aren’t interested in worship
and preaching. Too many have bought the notion that the church must win
people
by offering an alternative form of entertainment” (70). Preaching
causes me to make a change. Throughout the Bible many were changed by preaching.
On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 thousands were pricked to their hearts
and gladly received the message and were baptized. The jailer in Acts 16
heard the spoken Word and was baptized (Acts 16:30-31). Felix however did
not want to change and when Paul preached to him he stated “Go thy way
for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts
24:25). There is no
doubt about it, preaching can change a person. Many unfortunately
simply do not want to make a change. If a person hears preaching long enough,
there is a likelihood something in that person’s life will change. The
Gospel may not be obeyed, but change might come. It is easier for some
to stay where they are than to make a change. Preaching gives a message
that means responsibility. In a day and time when everyone seems to
be a victim taking responsibility for actions is not a popular message.
Whenever evil occurs, excuses are made for the person’s actions. Perhaps
they were mistreated as a child. Maybe they simply did not get enough attention.
There may have been discrimination of some kind in life, and that person
reacted in a negative way. Sin today is condoned because many do not want
to take responsibility. When Jesus said “except ye repent, ye shall all
likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), He was preaching a message that was hard
for some to obey. If a person repents, that person must admit wrong in
life. There must be an acknowledgment of sin and wrong doing. In our day
where negativism, truth, and responsibility are wrong, that is something
few want to do. For the above reasons, we can understand why preaching
seems foolish to some. To the child of God however it is “the power of
God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). If a person tells me “I enjoyed your sermon”
it usually means, I said something they found of benefit. Whenever the
Word of God is preached, great benefit can come. If the heart of the listener
is right, faith and obedience can result (Acts 2:41). Thanks be to God
for the foolishness of preaching!
Bill Brandstatter, Vienna, IL