Preaching Helps

Be informative. Peter said, "let this be know to you" (Acts 2:14). We always want to give people fresh insight and new understanding. This, like the first point we brought out, is going to take diligent study. It doesn't come easy. There's no shortcut to hard work. It also has to do with our imparting the mind of God to the people which will require us "having been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13), spending much time "seated at His feet" (Luke 10:39). We need to be able to give them, "thus says the Lord." Lets dig into the word and seek the face of the Lord so we too can say, "let this be known to you."

Be exhortative. "And give heed to my words." We must be challenging. It does little good to give people information if we're not going to move them to put it into action and implement it into their life. "We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1). If they don't give heed to the word preached they could easily let the truth of God's word slip away from them. "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17). "For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith, in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2).

Our people will not profit from our ministry unless we some how get them to put the Word into practice. It won't be easy and often they won't like it, but we must challenge them to "give heed to our words." The bible says, we are to "provoke one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). It was Simeon of Cyrene who was pressed into service to bear Jesus' cross(Mark 15:21), and very likely it was the same Simeon in Acts 13:1 who became one of the leaders in that great church. We never know what might become of those we challenge. Let's press our people into the service of the Master!

Get to the point. Peter didn't beat around the bush. He went right to the point. After giving careful explanation as to what had taken place on the day of Pentecost he quickly told them, "you nailed to the cross... and put Him to death" (Acts 2:23). After the healing of the lame man, he was quick to tell them, "you disowned the Holy and Righteous one... and put to death the prince of life" (Acts 3:14-15). Notice he said you not someone in general. We must stop playing games with people and set the truth forth plainly. If God has called you to preach the Word don't quit! Remember, the "gifts and callings of God are without repentance" (Romans 11:29). God's Word will not return void. He will prosper your work and ministry in due season.