Scripture-free Sermons!

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"Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of My love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may shower righteousness on you!" (Hos 10:12)

The meditation and study of God's Word has played a vital role in the revivals or restoration movements recorded in the Old Testament. The revival under King Josiah and that under Ezra are examples (2 Ki 22:8-11; Ezra 7:10). Amos prophesied of days of famine, not of bread or water, but of the Word of God (Am 8:11,12). I believe these days are already upon us! We hear only stories and experiences from many pulpits and very little exposition of God's Word. News of the preacher's latest overseas trip becomes the body of the sermon. Comparing Scripture with Scripture has become a lost art. People want everything light—light music, light reading and light sermons!

The resurrected Christ missed no opportunity to expound the Scriputres to His disciples. "He expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself, beginning at Moses and all the prophets" (Lk 24:27) to the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. The disciples were waiting for the Holy Spirit, constantly meditating upon the Scriptures. We see Peter explaining to the disciples what was "written" in the Book of Psalms (Acts 1:15-17,20).

I am nobody to judge anyone, but very few "preach the Word" (2 Tim 4:2). Paul's prediction has come to pass: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...and will turn their ears away from the truth" (vv3,4). Preachers have come down to stay at people's level instead of raising them to the standard of the Scriptures. Because extempore preaching is more popular than expository teaching, even those who are called to be Bible teachers (Eph 4:11) have become mere Gospel preachers. Milk is necessary but how long? No maturity without strong meat! The long-awaited revival will come when God's Word is given its due place (Isa 66:1,2). The Word is the seed, and the Spirit is the rain (Isa 30:23; Hos 10:12).

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a medical doctor turned Bible teacher without any formal theological training. His preaching was based solely on Scripture and on a systematic study of the Biblical text. He not only stimulated the minds of his listeners, but also strove to satisfy their spiritual needs. Will not God give us again men like Dr. Martyn?


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