What Does a Word and Power Movement Look Like? Part 2, Preaching and Teaching

In the first part of this series, I began to explore how a Word and Power movement values having doctrinal absolutes that are in line with historic Christian orthodoxy.  In this post, I will explore a similar theme.  I will suggest briefly that Word and Power churches should have an unapologetic commitment to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, the Bible.  

Without spending too much time complaining, it does seem that in many places, clear and precise preaching and teaching has fallen on hard times.  The reasons are many.  Some want the teaching to be short and "practical" (as if the Bible by itself was somehow not practical).  Others want the teaching to be "relevant."  Practicality and relevance are not bad things in themselves.  I would suggest however that by simply and plainly teaching the Bible (which seems to primarily be the responsibility of the elders of the Church, though not exclusively), relevance and practicality take care of themselves.

Some ministries so emphasize teaching that they forget to preach, admonish, and exhort.  Others make the opposite mistake.  The truth is that Jesus Himself used both approaches and there really is a lot of overlap between them (Luke 4:15, 43-44).  The job of the man occupying the pulpit is to both convey information from the text and its backgrounds, well as to exhort, rebuke, and admonish the hearers to do something about it, all under the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures themselves put a high premium on the clear and regular teaching of the Bible to the Church.  Consider these Scriptural examples:

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (Acts 2:42 NKJV)

In this example, the fledgling Church gives great attention to hearing the Word of God being preached by gifted men.

 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God.

Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.  (Nehemiah 8:5-8 NKJV)

This has to be one of the most clear Scriptures about how the Word read, taught, and preached can affect a whole community of people.  It is not just enough for the man of God to read from the Word, he must help the people understand the reading.  Another thing in these verses that stands out is the there were many men who read the Word and taught.  Part of this may have been a logistical necessity with the virtually the whole nation gathered together, but I still believe that churches should make room for a number of gifted men to use their gifts of teaching and preaching.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.  (1 Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.  (1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV)

These two examples speak for themselves, but I want to point out a few things.  Firstly, Paul instructs young Timothy to "give attention" to the reading and expounding of the Word.  This tells me that preaching is not an obligatory exercise between worship sets, but something that has to be an emphasis in Timothy's life and ministry.

Secondly, as verse 16 makes plain, eternal destinies ride on how Timothy discharges his ministry.  Now of course I believe in justification by faith alone, but if the Word is not taught properly and regularly, people may never actually hear the Gospel and be saved!

Thirdly and finally, the last Scripture I referenced makes plain that teaching and preaching are hard work.  The elders "labor" in word and doctrine.  I am not an elder, but I have prepared and delivered sermons before.  Believe me, it is hard work! 

All of that said, I am only beginning to scratch the surface of what a Word and Power movement might, by God's grace, look like.  I hope that I can have some small part to play in God bringing it to fruition.  Amen.