Preaching What Is Needed versus Preaching What Is REALLY Needed

If one has an opportunity to preach at a Baptist church, he might choose to preach on how Belief in Christ is necessary to salvation. That would be needed there since it is the truth (John 3:16), but might not be as needed as preaching on something that demands a change in that audience’s life (like how baptism should be done “for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38). Similarly if one has an opportunity to preach at a church of Christ, he might choose to preach on how Baptism is necessary to salvation. That would be needed there since it is the truth (Mark 16:16), but might not be as needed as preaching on something that demands a change in that audience’s life.

As just one of many examples of what I am talking about, suppose one gets an opportunity to preach at a “conservative” church of Christ where the women are allowed to speak up from their seat to help with the announcements in the assembly. One could choose to preach on Hope there, and that would be needed there since it is the truth (Rom 8:24), but that wouldn’t be preaching on what is really needed there. On the other hand, discussing I Cor 14:34-35 and how verse 35a proves even speaking up in a submissive / non-leading way (like asking a question to learn) is condemned, would be one thing that is really needed at that particular congregation.

See the difference? Preaching truth that demands a change from your audience takes a lot more courage than preaching truth the audience already agrees with and/or is already practicing. The latter will usually get you accolades (Luke 6:26), while the former will usually get you not invited back (II Tim 4:3). But truth that demands a change is what is REALLY needed (Acts 20:26-27,20,31, Ezek 3:18) – in any Bible teaching situation.

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