Can our preaching really save those who hear?
It would be good to begin with reading 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, IT PLEASED GOD BY THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE.”
It is by the preaching of the Gospel that the Lord draws people to Himself. What is meant by the “foolishness of preaching”? It means that preaching the Gospel is what the world considers to be foolishness. Indeed, it is the “wisdom of God” that the world thinks of as folly. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Let’s consider what we read in Romans 10:14-15, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” It is through the hearing of the true Gospel message that men are brought to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by the preaching of the Gospel by those who are sent that men hear the Gospel message. Who are those who have been sent to share the Gospel? Every believer has been given that responsibility and privilege. All believers are instructed in 2 Timothy 4:5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry.” What does the evangelist do? The word ‘evangelist’ is defined as “a preacher of the gospel.” So…if you have been saved, you have been sent to tell others how they can be saved. We have the instruction of the Lord to His disciples after His resurrection in Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Yes, indeed, by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ souls can be saved. The Lord is pleased to use us to share the good news of salvation for all who will put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. Are you actively involved in sharing Christ with others? May we all, as believers on the Lord, share the attitude that Isaiah expressed in Isaiah 6:8 when he said to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.” (CC) (718.6)