Preaching Myths In Modern Pulpits (Part 10)

Myth 10. Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words.

This is a famous quote that Rick Warren uses regularly. The quote is supposed to come from a monk called Francis of Assissi. But historians have found no record of Francis ever saying those words. So it is a legend that sounds deeply spiritual to people who are spiritually shallow. Saying preach the Gospel, if necessary use words is like saying “wash always, if necessary use water”.

Every time the word "preach" appears in the New Testament it means loudly spoken. It is a verbal message. Being salt and light backs up the message but it isn't the message. We cannot live out the Gospel because Christ came to do what we cannot do. We are called to speak about the One Who lived the life that we cannot live, and live a life that bears witness to the work of the Holy Spirit.

The True Cross Centered Gospel is a Gospel where we have the responsibility to tell it to others. What a priveledge. God does not need us but has blessed us with a part to play in His redemption plan. It is a verbal message. Yes we should do good works because they are the fruit of true conversion and they back up the message we preach, but it isn't the message. We cannot “live out” the Gospel because Christ came to do what we cannot do. We are called to speak about the One Who lived the life that we cannot live, and live a life that bears witness to the work of the Holy Spirit.

And the Bible teaches that there are only two times when we should preach – in season and out of season!

Truth 10. The Gospel is a spoken message and the word “preach” in the New Testament always means loud proclamation. The Gospel cannot be lived, it can only be spoken because we speak of the One Who did what we can never do.

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