Making the Main Thing the Main Thing

Biblical preaching must always occupy the leading place of influence in the life of any church.  At the core of any healthy congregation is a vibrant exposition of God's Word.  Unfortunately, though, many pastors are turning away from the central role of expository preaching and doctrinal teaching.  But in so doing, they fail to realize that new converts, first and foremost, need to be taught God's truth.  As a result, many other things are competing with--and even replacing--the primary role of biblical preaching in the church.  Christian concerts, drama, pageants, festivals, musicals, talk shows, and religious movies are establishing a greater foothold in the life of the contemporary church.  Some of these activities may have a place in the church, but they must never compete with nor overshadow the Spirit-energized proclamation of God's Word within a church. 

In diagnosing the ills of emphasis on these auxiliary methods, Martyn Lloyd-Jones lamented, "All this at best is secondary, very often, not even secondary, often not worthy of a place at all...The primary task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God."  He echoed the words of the chief pastoral voice of the Great Awakening, Jonathan Edwards, who declared, "The primary importance of the pastor is to be an expository preacher." 

Evangelical churches desperately need to return to the primacy of the apostles' teaching.  Preaching is the foremost responsibility of the preacher and the church.

Steve Lawson
Famine in the Land
Pages 33-34