Preaching is a vital part of spreading the gospel and teaching others about God’s word. Here are some key Bible verses about preaching and what the Bible says about this important topic:
The Importance of Preaching
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
These verses emphasize the importance of preaching and teaching God’s word to others. Preaching helps spread the gospel so that people can hear, believe, and call on Christ. It is a vital ministry gift that equips the church.
Preach the Gospel
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)
“For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:13-14)
Preachers are called to preach the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. This should be the focus and heart of our preaching.
Preach the Word
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13)
“And he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:45-47)
Preaching should be centered on God’s word, the Bible. Preachers are called to preach Scripture, read Scripture publically, and open people’s minds to understand Scripture.
Preach Repentance and Forgiveness
“And he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)
“And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” (Mark 1:39)
“John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mark 1:4-5)
An important message in our preaching should be calling people to repentance and proclaiming Christ’s offer of forgiveness of sins.
Preach Christ Crucified
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
“But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
Paul resolved to focus his preaching on Christ crucified. Though foolishness to the world, preaching the message of the cross is the power of God for salvation.
Preach the Whole Counsel of God
“For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)
Preachers are called to preach the whole counsel of God’s word, not just their favorite topics. We should preach the Bible in its fullness as we warn, teach, and present others mature in Christ.
Preach with Boldness
“Praying at the same time for us, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:3-4)
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” (Acts 4:29)
We should pray for boldness in preaching God’s word and making the gospel clear. Bold preaching makes Christ known despite opposition.
Correcting, Rebuking, Encouraging
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
Preaching involves correcting and rebuking, but also encouraging followers of Christ. We must do so patiently and gently.
Using Gifts Wisely
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Those gifted in preaching should cultivate their gift and handle God’s word rightly as they serve others.
Prepared to Preach
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13)
Preachers must be prepared. We should prepare our minds, be diligent students of Scripture, and devote ourselves to teaching and public reading of God’s word.
Humble and Dependent on God
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” (1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
We should preach in humility, recognizing our dependence on God’s grace and power. He uses the weak to shame the strong.
Spirit-Empowered Preaching
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13, KJV)
“And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” (1 Corinthians 2:4)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
True preaching is empowered by the Holy Spirit, not mere human wisdom. The Spirit gives us power to effectively witness for Christ.
Live What You Preach
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,” (Titus 2:7)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
Preachers must back up their words with their lives. We are called to be examples of good works and practice what we preach.
Preach Sound Doctrine
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9)
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
“Teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
Faithful preaching requires holding to sound doctrine and giving instruction that accords with God’s word.
Preach in Love
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6)
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” (Philippians 1:9-10)
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:14)
Though we must preach truth, we should do it graciously and in love. Knowledge should produce love that binds the church together.
Results Depend on God
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Though we work hard in teaching and preaching, God brings the results. We plant and water, but true spiritual growth comes from Him.
Expect Opposition
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12)
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11)
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Faithful preaching often brings opposition and persecution. But we must patiently preach despite resistance.
In summary, these verses emphasize the vital role of preaching in spreading the gospel, the need to focus on Christ, sound doctrine, and the whole counsel of God. Preachers should preach in boldness and love, backed up by godly lives. Though difficult at times, preaching is empowered by the Spirit to build up believers and impact the lost.