What is good preaching? Should it be the goal of the preacher to build numbers by entertainment? Should one’s success in preaching be measured by the numbers on the board at each service or is there a different standard that we must use? Can one serve as an evangelist for a small congregation and still be called a “good” preacher?

There are some groups in our culture that should not be consulted to determine what “good” preaching is described as. Our society does not define what “good” preaching is. The church does not define what “good” preaching is. Simply stated, the Bible determines what is good preaching. What does the Bible state about its proclamation to members of the body and to the lost?

Biblical preaching reveals God’s power to save lost humankind. Paul understood that the proclamation of the gospel contained within it the ability to save lost human beings. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The good news will propel the lost to Jesus if the respond to it in a correct fashion.

Biblical preaching reveals the truth to people—even when it is not popular. The Apostle Paul was not popular with some of the brethren at Galatia for standing against those teachers who wanted to combine elements of the Old Testament Law with the Law of Christ. Sadly, he became their enemy for teaching the truth. Galatians 4:16 says, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” One needs to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)—even when a topic is not well-received. It could be that is the sermon an audience needs to hear.

Biblical preaching focuses on the word of God for, by it, faith is produced and grown. Faithful preaching results in faithful people. Romans 10:15-17 says, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith is not developed and maintained by preaching that is devoid of scripture. Faith does not happen by sharing man’s wisdom with even the best of intentions. Preaching develops faith by preaching that reveals the word of God to its listeners. If one looks at the New Testament, it becomes evident that the writers and preachers of the New Testament quoted from and used scripture in their discourses. Why would any person seek to do otherwise?

Biblical preaching is done even when people find it offensive and unappealing. When Paul addresses Timothy about the work of an evangelist, he never encourages young Timothy to put his finger to the wind and determine the direction of doctrinal change. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” We are not called to preach smooth things (cf. Isaiah 30:10-11) to an audience we wish to placate.

Biblical preaching emphasizes Christ and baptism. This is exactly what Philip did when

he engaged the Ethiopian Eunuch. Philip preached Christ to the eunuch (Acts 8:35) and the proclamation of Christ culminated in the eunuch being immersed. Acts 8:35-38 reads, “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” One cannot preach Christ without preaching baptism (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15-16).

Biblical preaching exposes false teaching and error. Paul warned Timothy about the false teachers that would corrupt the church. In warning Timothy, compromise or backing down were never offered as options. He said in 2 Timothy 4:3-5, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” The climate in our culture is unbridled acceptance of any person’s doctrine or moral values no matter how alien one’s position is from what scripture teaches.

Hopefully, you hear biblical preaching from the one who mounts your pulpit. Audiences should demand nothing less from these men than the proclamation of the truth (John 17:17). There may be other hallmarks of biblical preaching, but this provides a general list of what is expected of those who publicly proclaim the word of God. To offer less, it to imperil the souls of the ones who come to feast upon the word in Bible study and worship settings.