Theocentric Preaching
If we are preaching from the word of God, it should be theocentric (God-centred). Because Word of God is pointing us to God and his majesty. God is the only remedy for all the problems and sickness. There are so many prescriptions are there in the market for the troubled life of people. But the remedy is brief and shallow. Only God can completely heal. The ultimate solution is in God.
The job of a preacher is to show the glory of God to the people. Turn the attention of troubled people to God and his power. Show them the Glory and power of God when all the other paths are closed. Our greatest need, as we walk through the wilderness of this present age, is to see what the Apostle John saw on the Isle of Patmos - a glimpse of the glory of God. And share it with our listeners.
Yet, as preachers, we forget to do so. We want to connect with the congregation. We want to preach practical sermons. We want to be relevant. We want to discuss the real issue of society. And our sermons are titled "How can I lead a better life" "Financial abundance", "Stress-free life", "successful life" etc. We replace theology with therapy. Theology with practical application. We seldom speak about God and his power. The self has acquired center stage. We started to believe that theology is not practical and the study of the word of God is irrelevant today. But the truth is that this self-centered preaching is of no use. God and his mighty power and his ability to do miracles need to be preached. Only that can increase the faith of the people who listen to the preaching.
The job of a preacher is to show the glory of God to the people. Turn the attention of troubled people to God and his power. Show them the Glory and power of God when all the other paths are closed. Our greatest need, as we walk through the wilderness of this present age, is to see what the Apostle John saw on the Isle of Patmos - a glimpse of the glory of God. And share it with our listeners.
Yet, as preachers, we forget to do so. We want to connect with the congregation. We want to preach practical sermons. We want to be relevant. We want to discuss the real issue of society. And our sermons are titled "How can I lead a better life" "Financial abundance", "Stress-free life", "successful life" etc. We replace theology with therapy. Theology with practical application. We seldom speak about God and his power. The self has acquired center stage. We started to believe that theology is not practical and the study of the word of God is irrelevant today. But the truth is that this self-centered preaching is of no use. God and his mighty power and his ability to do miracles need to be preached. Only that can increase the faith of the people who listen to the preaching.
What is theocentric Preaching?
We are not running a coaching class for self-motivation which tells the people that they can do many things. That is self-centered, not God-centered. The ultimate aim of the preaching is to lead as many as possible to heaven. As explained, our duty is to (Jude 1:22) "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh".
Not helping people to earn a lot of money and live a life that is worthy of hell. Our people need a God-centered preaching. There is no reward for other than that. Only we can have name and fame in this world by preaching thing that people love to listen. Holiness, Purity, Truthful life and the experience of Holy Spirit is to be preached regularly. So that we can prepare a group for the second coming of Jesus.
The great and foremost commandment is that "Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." That is what we need to preach and teach primarily. That only makes people understand the Glory of God.
The bible was given to reveal God to His people so that they might know, love and worship Him. Basically, the Bible is a book about God and His work with regard to mankind. We know God and understand his requirements through the bible. From the beginning to the end it talks about God. That is why it starts with "In the beginning, God...." We can learn the mistakes of our forefathers and lead a godly life by using the Bible which helps us reach heaven.
If the bible is theocentric (God-centered), our preaching must be theocentric. Our culture is plagued with pragmatism, materialism, and relativism. We are not appointed to boost this culture. We are appointed to preach God and his glory. We are not preaching about the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen and eternal. Asaph was seeing things around and was greatly distressed (Ps.73) until he entered the temple of God. People are distressed and troubled. We need to take them to the temple of God so that they can see the things eternal. Once they see the things at heaven, they won't worry about the things around them.
Apostle Paul tried to preach Christ Crucified. That is why he said “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) Jesus Said "I am the Way" "No one comes to the father except through me" The bridge between God and men is Jesus Christ. That is what we need to know and preach. He is Immanuel - God with us. The holy spirit is the one who leads us in this present world and helps us to reach God. We need to preach the triune God and His majesty. Jesus came to this world to save sinners. He loved people of all walks of life.
Our preaching should lead the people to God. Then they will know God as Asaph knew: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25–26). Can anything be more relevant to our daily lives than God-centered preaching? Can anything be more satisfying than showing the glory of God to our listeners?
Not helping people to earn a lot of money and live a life that is worthy of hell. Our people need a God-centered preaching. There is no reward for other than that. Only we can have name and fame in this world by preaching thing that people love to listen. Holiness, Purity, Truthful life and the experience of Holy Spirit is to be preached regularly. So that we can prepare a group for the second coming of Jesus.
The great and foremost commandment is that "Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." That is what we need to preach and teach primarily. That only makes people understand the Glory of God.
The bible was given to reveal God to His people so that they might know, love and worship Him. Basically, the Bible is a book about God and His work with regard to mankind. We know God and understand his requirements through the bible. From the beginning to the end it talks about God. That is why it starts with "In the beginning, God...." We can learn the mistakes of our forefathers and lead a godly life by using the Bible which helps us reach heaven.
If the bible is theocentric (God-centered), our preaching must be theocentric. Our culture is plagued with pragmatism, materialism, and relativism. We are not appointed to boost this culture. We are appointed to preach God and his glory. We are not preaching about the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen and eternal. Asaph was seeing things around and was greatly distressed (Ps.73) until he entered the temple of God. People are distressed and troubled. We need to take them to the temple of God so that they can see the things eternal. Once they see the things at heaven, they won't worry about the things around them.
Apostle Paul tried to preach Christ Crucified. That is why he said “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) Jesus Said "I am the Way" "No one comes to the father except through me" The bridge between God and men is Jesus Christ. That is what we need to know and preach. He is Immanuel - God with us. The holy spirit is the one who leads us in this present world and helps us to reach God. We need to preach the triune God and His majesty. Jesus came to this world to save sinners. He loved people of all walks of life.
Our preaching should lead the people to God. Then they will know God as Asaph knew: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25–26). Can anything be more relevant to our daily lives than God-centered preaching? Can anything be more satisfying than showing the glory of God to our listeners?
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