The Primacy Of Preaching Series

THE PRIMACY OF PREACHING

Mark 1:35-39

(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday Morning November 17th, 2024)

I am so excited that we finally get to begin our journey together. There is so much about Antioch that I do not know. However, I have learned that one of the greatest aspects of a new relationship is the joy of discovery. I look forward to learning about this church as a whole and especially becoming familiar with the individuals who make up this congregation.

It is also true that there is a lot about me that you do not know. Fortunately, in His infinite wisdom, God has led me to a text that will show you a little bit about who I am and hopefully help you see what my priorities will be as your pastor.

Just before my first pastorate I went to my pastor and I asked him, “what advice would you give me about being a pastor?”. He didn’t hesitate, he smiled and said, “love your people; if you do that, everything else will fall into place”. I have done that for the last 16 years and I can assure you, Edwin Talley’s advice was spot on! I cannot make you a lot of promises, but today on November the 17th, 2024 I promise that I will love you. Even if you refuse to love me in return, by the grace of God I will love every member of this church.

Back in 2005 when I surrendered to the call to preach I went to another former pastor of mine and I asked him, “what advice would you give me about preaching?” His advice was simple and biblical, he quoted the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:2 and said, “preach the word”.

I don’t seek to be entertaining; I don’t tell jokes (I am not opposed to humor in a sermon, I am just not good at it so I don’t do it), I don’t tell a lot of personal stories, but I strive diligently to “preach the whole counsel of God”.

There are many scriptural reasons that I focus on preaching but one of the primary reasons that I do so is because Jesus put a great emphasis on preaching. That fact is illustrated in our selected text. I would like to look at one of many interesting encounters between Jesus and Peter and preach on “The Primacy Of Preaching”.

In the opening verses of this chapter Mark provides us with a brief summary of the ministry of John the Baptist. Then he tells us about the baptism of Jesus, His temptation in the wilderness, the call of His first Disciples, and His authoritative teaching in a synagogue in Galilee.

This first chapter of Mark also records many of the miracles that Jesus performed including: the healing of a leper, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, and there is a great summary of His healing of a vast multitude in verses 32-34:

v32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

In response to the many miracles of Jesus a vast multitude of people were seeking Him. In one of the most astonishing moments of His earthly ministry, instead of returning to the crowds Jesus informed His Disciples that they would press forward and go to other towns so that He could “preach there also”. With such an action Jesus illustrates the importance of preaching the gospel.

- As we examine The Primacy Of Preaching, we will begin by considering:

I. THE PREACHER’S PREPARATIONS

v35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Jesus is the Son of God and if it was important for Him to get away from the crowds and the other demands of ministry to spend time with His Father, then it is important for us as well. Furthermore, prayer is of paramount importance for those who stand and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, preaching and prayer are intertwined.

Leonard Ravenhill said, “The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off. Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer”.

I can’t make you a lot of promises, but I can assure you that long before I come into the office, (in fact usually long before the sun comes up) I will “depart to a solitary place and pray”.