Preaching to the Converted

Today I read a statement that grabbed my attention.  In describing a political speech a reporter mused, "It sounds like he is preaching to the converted."  The ironic thing is as one who preaches I can say with absolute certainty the converted need preaching as much as the unconverted, for this is a way God has designed for people to know God and grow in grace.  While a Gospel presentation may be tailored to an unbelieving audience for salvation, going on with God is important too.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:17-21, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. ¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. ²⁰ Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."  Contrary to the views of some, the Gospel is not merely the starting point of our walk with Jesus but guides us in following Jesus faithfully.  Being washed in the water of the word renews our minds, reveals our need for God's grace, skewers selfishness and prompts us to seek our Saviour.  We who are saved ought to work out our salvation, exercising ourselves unto godliness.

The church needs to be under the preaching of God's word, including the choir.  The best preachers are those who sit personally under the preaching of scripture by the Holy Spirit to their own hearts first before they present it themselves.  Preachers do not sit in the place of high and lofty knowledge insulated from the folly of men, for they themselves are mere men numbered among the most foolish and weak.  If a preacher does not realise this about himself, he will be a fraction the preacher he could and ought to be.  God is able to speak divine truth through the weakest instruments even through silent, small creatures like the ant.  These faithful workers caught the attention of king Solomon and taught him lessons, a man filled with the wisdom of God.  Having responded to the word of God we read out of sheer need, we are thus equipped to present it as truth we have tested ourselves as eyewitnesses of God's faithfulness.

The converted need preaching as well as the preacher, for unto us which are saved it is the power of God.