Unapologetic Preaching

I love to fish trout fish! I spend a lot of my free time in the spring time wading in the tailwaters of Brookville Lake, trying to snag a big rainbow. Like most fishermen, I have a favorite spot. In the tailwaters there is a hole in the river bottom that is perfectly situated to hold big fish. Just one problem, there is no way to get into the river at this spot. In order to get to this hole, I have to park 200 yards down river, and walk-up stream to it. Walking against a river current for 200 yards is uncomfortable, tiring, and can be dangerous but the reward outweighs the risk. 

Moving in the opposite direction of anything is always a challenge. Especially when we are moving in the opposite direction of the world. As Christians, when it comes to truth, we find ourselves constantly walking against the current of the rest of humanity. Why is this? It is because we obey not what the world says is truth but what Jesus says is truth. Jesus who is the truth and has all authority on earth and in heaven.

In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul says to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”. 

Here Paul tells us as Christ followers to be ready at all times to proclaim the truth of God’s Word against the lies of the world. He tells us to be ready to convict, reprimand, and encourage with truth, and to do so in all patience and steadfastness in our teaching. We call this UNAPOLOGETIC PREACHING. Proclaiming the authority of God’s Word without apology. 

We are to do this because Paul states that a time is coming when the people of the world gather up teachers who tell them the lies they want to hear, the ones that keep them comfortable in their sin that they enjoy. They will turn their ears from the truth because the truth shows us our sinfulness. This is why the Gospel is offensive to the world. Church, this time is here! Day in and day out we see clip after clip and story after story of the “wise teachers of the world” teaching the opposite of God’s word and calling it truth…and people are believing it. 

Church, we are to boldly proclaim the truth of God’s Word! We are to preach it unapologetically in our homes, at our offices, no matter where we are standing, we must be prepared to proclaim that without faith in Christ we are dead in our sins. We must show the world that they are on a path to destruction, BUT they can be saved through the shed blood of Jesus!

And when we do this we will offend no doubt and we will be persecuted, but Paul tells us to continue on to “endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

Jesus let us proclaim the truth boldly! Lord give us the strength to walk against the ways of the world and proclaim you and your truth unapologetically no matter what persecution comes our way. Even if it means our life, may you be glorified and may the lost come to know your Gospel and place their faith in it. Make us fearless of man. Equip us Lord, use us for your glory! And on our final day, let us be confident that we fought the good fight, finished our course, and glorified you above all things. I pray this all in your name Jesus, Amen.