Sermon preferences are as varied as tastes in music. Should sermons be upwards of an hour or only thirty minutes? Is it better to systematically preach through books of the Bible or to follow a liturgical calendar? Everyone will not agree with my conclusion, but I hope to show some biblical and pastorally wise reasons for preaching the gospel every week.
I’ve sat under many different kinds of preaching and preached many sermons. I started as a Baptist, and there was a particular emphasis on the practical application of the text of scripture. In the years I sat under Presbyterian preaching, the text was exposited with a focus on a blend of historical commentary, theological precision, and biblical exegesis. In the few years I’ve sat under Lutheran preaching, there has been a consistent proclamation of the gospel, but I’ve never felt the sermon was merely a repeat. Each of these traditions had its strengths, but scripture strongly connects preaching with the gospel.
Take a few moments to look up all the passages containing the words preach or preaching. It will be clear that there is a connection to the proclamation of the gospel (Luke 9:6, Acts 8:2, and Galatians 1:9), the good news (Matthew 11:15, Acts 10:36, and Romans 10:15), and Christ (Romans 16:25, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 2:12, and Philippians 1:15). Jesus’ hermeneutical paradigm (Luke 24:13-49) and Paul’s intense focus on gospel proclamation (1 Corinthians 1:31-2:5) are powerful reminders of the centrality of the good news in understanding and proclaiming scripture to the people of God. Spurgeon, often called the prince of preachers, offers wisdom.
“Of all I would wish to say this is the sum; my brethren, PREACH CHRIST, always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our one great, all-comprehending theme.”
These combined aspects make it clear that the gospel is no mere footnote, epilogue, or optional supplement. Paul highlighted the primacy of the gospel over his liberty, pronouncing a stern reminder to himself and the Corinthians should he not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Broken record preaching is imperative for broken people. We sinners with idol-factory, merit-obsessed hearts need the constant reminder that salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ alone. It’s stunning how quickly we go from hearing the gospel of grace to wondering if God loves us because we haven’t read our Bibles in a few days. One moment we are comforted with the words of eternal life, and an hour later, we find ourselves basing our faith on moral performance. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians is a stark reminder of how quickly we can become bewitched and turn away from the gospel.
We come to faith by sheer grace only to have preachers chip away at it through their oratory law chiseling or causing erosion through extensive elaboration on the historical background in neglect of the good news. Make no mistake that there is a place for the law, but mere behavior modification is not the purpose for believers. Bringing the context of a passage into the spotlight can be tremendously helpful and provide clarity. Yet, if a pastor nails the exposition, commentary, background, and application but omits the gospel, it’s like deciding to forego a needed transfusion to take some gummy vitamins.
Preaching should be expository because the word of God is where the power is in conjunction with His promises and Spirit. However, it should always deliver the gospel because the scripture points us toward the good news, and its proclamation reorients our hearts to the kingdom. Varied tastes in music do not negate the foundational elements of notes, rhythm, and timing. Preferences for sermons do not change the significance of faithfulness to the text nor the centrality of Christ crucified for sinners. Imagine studying hymns’ compositional structure and elements of musical theory in great detail but never singing them. Broken record preaching isn’t choosing between exposition and gospel proclamation. It’s making sure that we always sing the ultimate theological refrain.