Paul the apostle knew that “the end of the age” — “the end of days” — the close of the Jewish era — were “upon” those who lived in his lifetime (1 Corinthians 10:11). In the same century, James the apostle wrote, “The judge stands at the door”.
There is a “day of the LORD” for every nation that raises itself against God and His people. Isaiah prophesied “the day of the LORD” for Babylon (Isaiah 13:10), as also did Ezekiel for ancient Egypt.
Many have no idea how quickly this world is going pear-shaped. “The times of the Gentiles” — a “time” for each great empire down through history — have now all but ended. It is now time for watchfulness — not with fear in our hearts but faith, as we await our soon-coming Lord and his worldwide kingdom.
It is also time for many ministers to move from teaching to preaching; from expounding the Bible to pounding demonic opposition into submission. If you teach but don’t preach, here are some tips on how to get started:
First, our sample text. “By faith [the people of Israe] passed through the Red Sea as [though] on dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do likewise, were drowned.” (Hebrews 11:29)
Second, do not connect this verse to other texts as you would when teaching. Preaching is about the economy of words, and the narrower the focus and the fewer words, the greater the release of power. The old saying applies: “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” A hard one, but one that is especially true when evangelizing.
Third, spend no more than a few minutes on the verse’s biblical background as an introduction. Any more than that and you’ll likely start teaching instead of preaching. The attention of your listeners will then drop because they’ll have expected more from the introduction.
Fourth, make the truth of the text relevant to today’s world. You’ve painted the picture and put in the person, and now it’s time to pull out the principle. In reference to the verse above, I would list three things which gave God’s people the faith to descend to and cross over the Red Sea.
Having been saved by the blood of the Passover Lamb, they had grasped the God-given opportunity to separate from Egypt and so escape from slavery forever. And they were now being guided and guarded by the presence of the living God.
Likewise, having been saved by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, we have grasped the opportunity to escape from the old life of bondage, we are ready to obey the prompts of the Holy Spirit.
Fifth, you need to list the reasons why others may try to do what you will do but will fail. They are not forgiven and so will be unable to grasp the opportunity. Not understanding the leading of the Spirit of God, they will resist His prompts.
Sixth, contrast the two kinds of people: those who have found the way to a new life and those who haven’t. You are not adding new texts but driving home a truth that is based on a single text. It’s like driving home a 6″ nail by hammering its head with well-aimed and repeated blows.
Seventh, you need to close with the way out for your listeners. It might well be the way out you found and the way out that they can too. You can do this by (a) telling them to begin by asking God for His forgiveness. This is available through the lifeblood that Jesus shed for them on the Cross; (b) by them being willing to leave the old life behind; and (c) by them following the prompts of the Spirit of God (which by now they’ll be feeling in their hearts.
You have not sought to convict them of their sins — you’ve left that the Spirit of God, who will have been speaking to them through your words, and far better than you ever could.
Finally, end with a call for those who want to get out of guilt, out of the old life, and willing to do what they know in their hearts they must do, if they really do want to be free.
Preach this way and you’ll move from teaching those who are saved to preaching to those who need to be, and know it. Hammer home the verse as you would the head of that 6″ nail, until you’ve driven home your message. Do this and you’ll soon see some results!
There are, of course, differences in gifts, but it is good to keep the above points in mind so you’ll not fall back on teaching, which is less challenging than preaching but also less rewarding than soulwinning. I am primarily a teacher, so I know that teaching is no less rewarding in other ways, but that’s another subject.
I also know that there are tough times in church ministry when the anointing to preach soul-stirring messages to believers just isn’t there, and you have to teach until the situation changes. (A church ‘split’ is one of these times.) Preaching elsewhere, especially overseas, is also a way to keep the power anointing flowing.