(Clip) What Is Preaching
John Piper explains that preaching is the act of heralding the king's message, calling sinners to repentance and faith through the proclamation of the gospel.
This sermon emphasizes the concept of preaching as heralding, akin to a town crier delivering a message from the king. It highlights the urgency and authority in proclaiming the message of the king, calling people to lay down their rebellion and receive pardon and blessings through the sacrifice of the king's son. The preacher's role is to passionately share the message, exalting and explaining the truth with love and excitement, inviting others to see the greatness of the king's offer.
Full Transcript
What is preaching? The word here, preach, is the word herald. Herald. It's not teaching.
It's not conversing. It's not sharing. It's heralding.
Heralding, before there was internet or television or radio or telephones or telegraph, was what a town crier did to bring messages, for example, from the king. And it would sound like this. Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye.
And the people start to gather. They know that's the voice. That's the herald.
The herald standing in the town square. Hear ye, hear ye. You take your scroll.
The king has a message for you from the royal scroll with the imperial seal. All of you who have hated the king, belittled the king, conspired against the king, are hereby instructed and invited and compelled by the king, at cost of your life, to appear before his representative and lay down the arms of your rebellion. And if you will lay down the arms of your rebellion, and you will swear fealty to your king, he will, because of the sacrifice of his son, on that day pardon all your treason and all your discontencing of his glory.
And at a time appointed by his counsel, he will come to you, and he will live with you, and he will adopt you into his family, and you will receive every conceivable blessing in his treasures. Thus saith the king. That's heralding.
It's not teaching. Oh, it's got teaching in it. We call it Bethlehem expository exaltation.
It's a preacher loving what he has seen, and being so thrilled with it, he just, do you see what the king has for you?
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Definition of preaching as heralding
- Difference between preaching and teaching or conversing
- Historical role of a herald or town crier
-
II
- The king’s message and its authority
- Call to lay down rebellion and swear fealty
- Promise of pardon through the king’s son
-
III
- Invitation to receive blessings and adoption into the king’s family
- The preacher’s passion for the message
- Preaching as exaltation and proclamation
Key Quotes
“The word here, preach, is the word herald.” — John Piper
“Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye.” — John Piper
“All of you who have hated the king, belittled the king, conspired against the king, are hereby instructed and invited and compelled by the king, at cost of your life, to appear before his representative and lay down the arms of your rebellion.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Listen to preaching as a call to respond to the king’s message, not just as information.
- Recognize the authority of the gospel and the urgency to lay down rebellion against God.
- Embrace the invitation to receive pardon and blessings through faith in the king’s son.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does preaching mean according to John Piper?
Preaching means heralding the message of the king, not merely teaching or conversing.
How is preaching different from teaching?
Preaching is a proclamation that calls people to respond, whereas teaching is more about explaining or sharing information.
What is the role of the preacher in preaching?
The preacher passionately proclaims the gospel message, inviting sinners to repent and receive the king’s pardon.
Why is the image of a herald important?
It illustrates the authority and urgency of the gospel message being announced publicly and clearly.
What is the ultimate invitation in preaching?
To lay down rebellion, swear fealty to the king, and receive pardon and blessings through the king’s son.