Preach the Word

“But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied” (Acts 12:24)

We begin this morning a new series of messages from the book of Acts. I can’t tell you at the outset how long the series will be. Suffice it to say that it will be lengthy, as the book is far too rich to gloss over in a quick fashion.

Now as I’ve read and re-read the book in anticipation of preaching through it, several very significant themes emerged, each worth stressing. My hope is that over the course of this series we will touch on these as we move through the book and cover the appropriate passages.

At the outset however, let me take the opportunity to show you one of the themes that has been quite instructive to me as I’ve prepared for this series of messages. It is best summarized in the passage I cited above. Take a look at it again. What I have in mind is the numerous times throughout Acts where the power of the word of God is referenced. Listen to a small sample of what I mean.

“And they devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching” (2:42).

“For we cannot but speak of what we have heard” (4:20).

“And every day in the temple and from house to house they did not cease teaching and preaching” (5:42).

“He preached boldly in the name of Jesus” (9:28).

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith” (16:5).

“Paul was occupied with the word” (18:9).

“So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” (19:20).

I trust you can see from this small sample that the act of preaching played no small part in the life of the new church, as well as in the spread of the gospel throughout the known world. What I want us to see from this is that the same truth holds true for us in our day. In other words, the lifeblood of the church and the spread of the gospel is the act of preaching. Preaching is God’s designated mechanism whereby the “manifold wisdom of God” is brought to his people.

Thus, as we begin a new series of messages at the start of this New Year, I would ask you to do two things. First pray for me as I seek to honor God in preparing messages each week. And second, come each week prepared to hear from God (not from the preacher). My part is to prepare. Your part is to come prepared to listen. If we do these two things in partnership, God will be glorified and his people will be blessed.