Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: March 6, 2005
DOES “HARD” PREACHING PAY?
Fanning Yater Tant
NOTE: The following article was written in 1949 in the midst of one of the greatest
periods of growth for the Lord’s church. The lesson taught in this article is one
that preachers in the brotherhood would do well to take heed to.]
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For several years there has been a discussion within the brotherhood as to the
relative merits of “hard” preaching in comparison with “persuasive” preaching. By
this latter is meant the type of preaching that never refers to a denominational
church by name, uses the Dale Carnegie “method of approach” psychology, seeks
never to shock or offend anybody, and in general tries to “love” sectarians into
Christ rather than to teach them by a stern contrast of truth and error. Lately
there has grown up a rather definite school of thought in certain sections that a
“new era” is dawning among the churches of Christ. In this new and enlightened
age the emphasis is to be put on worship, work, love and fellowship. The old
“doctrinal” emphasis, it is felt, was all wrong. We must seek a new way of winning
people to the Lord. Men who emphasize the old “doctrinal” teaching must give way
to men who preach “love” and “fellowship.” Well, we’ve had occasion recently to
see some “hard” preaching results close at hand. Down in Lufkin, Texas, the
church of Christ has had a daily radio program for many months. The radio
stations there (two of them) have put no restrictions on brethren. In the matter of
calling names of denominational churches and preachers, Roy Cogdill, William
Thompson, Jr., and Luther Blackmon have not been at all hesitant. They have read
from Baptist Manuals, Methodist disciplines, Catholic Catechisms, over these
stations, telling the people exactly who it was in Lufkin that taught such
doctrines. They have referred to these denominational churches by name, and have
read the Bible in direct contradiction of the teachings of these churches. Now that
is about as “hard” preaching as even the “hardest” among us have ever desired or
attempted. So we were grateful to have a chance to weigh the results. We found
the town of Lufkin in a seething ferment because of such preaching. Men on the
street corners were discussing the matter; denominational preachers were
preaching about it in their pulpits; the Assembly of God pastor, after consultation
with other sectarian preachers in town, went on the air over both stations to try to
prove that “the so-called church of Christ was started by Alexander Campbell after
he had been withdrawn from by the Baptists.” He warned all the denominational
people to stay away from the services of the church of Christ, and to ask their own
pastors rather than those “hard” preachers any questions they might have in mind
as a result of the sermons of “these Campbellites.” And the result? In about one
year’s time something like a hundred people from denominational churches have
become obedient to the gospel of Christ. The Lufkin church has held eight gospel
meetings within the town and its immediate environs within that year, most of
them being conducted by the local preachers. These people who have been baptized
into Christ are taught; they have not “cast their lot with the church of Christ”
because they were friendly with the local preacher, nor because they enjoyed the
“fellowship” of members of the church. They are Christians because of a deep and
overwhelming conviction of the truth as it is taught in the New Testament.
We merely cite this as a case in point. We believe there is ample evidence
from all over the world to show that preaching that is truly effective is “doctrinal”
always, all ways, and forever!
“Preach The Word”
An Examination of 2 Timothy 4:1-5 – # 1
Ben Justice
The books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are “preacher” epistles. I repudiate the
notion that they are “pastoral epistles.” This is denominational terminology.
Denominations erroneously refer to preachers as “pastors.” The NT never refers to
preachers as “pastors.” In Eph. 4:11, Paul clearly distinguished between “pastors”
and “evangelists.” “Pastors” is simply another name for the “elders” or “overseers”
of a local congregation. Certainly, Paul addressed elders in I Tim. 3 and Titus 1,
but the trio of books was directed at preachers, namely Timothy and Titus. Hence,
they are “preacher” epistles. These books should be read on a regular basis by all
those who profess to be preachers of the gospel of Christ. I find myself regularly
reading through these wonderful books. It is truly unfortunate that many of “our”
preachers are now listening and reading the works of men like Swindoll, Graham,
Lucado, Dobson, etc. God Almighty has revealed a pattern for preaching within his
Word. That pattern is clearly set forth in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Certainly, the
NT in other places speaks of the role and responsibilities of preachers, but the
books of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are crucial in understanding their priorities.
Please note the following Scriptures from these books:
I Tim. 4:6 — “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a
good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,
whereunto thou hast attained.”
I Tim. 4:13-16 — “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14)
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on
of the hands of the presbytery. (16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
I Tim. 5:21 — “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect
angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing
nothing by partiality.”
2 Tim. 1:13 — “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
2 Tim. 2:2 — “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Titus 2:1 — “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”
Titus 2:15 — “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man
despise thee.”
Titus 3:8 — “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
. . .”
The above passages are but just a sampling that speaks of the priorities that
preachers have.
There are several “charges” Paul issued to Timothy. These are found in I Tim. 1:
18; 5:21; 6:13; 2 Tim. 4:1. It is in connection with the last and final charge of Paul
to Timothy that we wish to focus upon. The charge is very simply: “PREACH THE
WORD.” As 2 Tim. 4:1-5 reveals, there is much involved in preaching the Word.
The verses read as follows: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-
suffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry.”
Lord willing, next week, we will examine the above scriptures in detail.