UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
BISHOP BARHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEDGE
NAME: ABAHO ABIAS
ACCESS NO: K22619
REGISTRATION NUMBER: M22/BBUC/BD/040
YEAR: 3
SEMESTER: 1
COURSE UNIT: HOMILETICS
COURSE: BACHELOR OF DIVINITY
LECTURER: REV.ALEX KIFAARU
QUESTION: Examine the theological and biblical foundations of preaching and express how these are
relevant to your church ministry.
Theological Preaching is the act of proclaiming or communicating the message of God's
salvation through Jesus Christ to others, typically through spoken words, such as sermons,
speeches, or talks. It is a vital aspect of Christian ministry and is often carried out by pastors,
evangelists, and other Christian leaders.
In biblical context, preaching is often referred to as "proclaiming the word" or "preaching the
gospel" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 5:42). It involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with
others, explaining the meaning and significance of Scripture, and applying biblical principles to
everyday
"Preaching is the proclamation of God's Word in a way that is both faithful to the text and
relevant to the listener." - Haddon Robinson (Robinson, 2012)
"Preaching is the proclamation of God's Word in a way that is both faithful to the text and
relevant to the listener." - Haddon Robinson (Robinson, 2012)
"The primary task of preaching is to proclaim the Word of God with clarity, conviction, and
compassion." - Timothy Keller (Keller, 2015)"The primary task of preaching is to proclaim the
Word of God with clarity, conviction, and compassion." - Timothy Keller (Keller, 2015)
The following points examine the theological and biblical foundations of preaching and their
relevance to church ministry.
Firstly, the authority of Scripture is a fundamental foundation of preaching. According to 2
Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting
and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work." This passage highlights the importance of basing one's preaching on the Bible,
which is the ultimate authority for Christian living. As Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God
is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul
and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Moreover, the Trinity is a vital theological foundation for preaching that is God the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit work together to accomplish God's plan of salvation, which is the
central theme of preaching. In our church ministry, the role of each person in the Trinity in our
sermons is relevant in such way that it shows how they work together to bring about
redemption as Matthew 28:19 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Furthermore, the gospel message is a crucial aspect of preaching. The gospel is the good news
of salvation through Jesus Christ, and it is the core of Christian preaching. In our church
ministry, we emphasize the importance of evangelism and apologetics, using our sermons to
share the gospel with those who may not know Jesus. As Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who
believes."
Additionally, the importance of application in preaching cannot be overstated. Preaching is not
just about conveying information, but also about applying it to everyday life. In our church
ministry, we strive to provide practical applications for our congregants, helping them to live
out their faith in their daily lives. As James 1:22-25 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and
so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it
says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that
gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will
be blessed in what they do."
Moreover, the Holy Spirit is a vital component of preaching. The Spirit enables believers to
understand and apply the Scriptures, and he is also responsible for convicting people of their
sin and drawing them to Christ. In our church ministry, we emphasize the importance of
seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit in our preaching and prayer. As Romans 8:9-11 says, "You
are controlled not by the flesh but by the Spirit, since the Spirit lives in you and because you
have been placed in union with Christ Jesus... And if you belong to Christ Jesus you are no
longer controlled by your own self-interests but by God's Spirit."
Another important aspect of preaching is its relevance to contemporary issues. The Bible
addresses many contemporary issues that we face today, such as social justice, morality, and
ethics. In our church ministry, we strive to address these issues in our sermons, using biblical
principles to provide guidance and wisdom. As Isaiah 58:6-7 says, "Is not this the kind of fasting
I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of women's labor? Is it not to
break every yoke?"
Furthermore, the role of culture in preaching cannot be ignored. The culture in which we live
shapes our understanding of the world and our relationship with God. In our church ministry,
we seek to understand and engage with our culture, using it as a means to communicate the
message of salvation. As Philippians 2:5-11 says, "Your attitude should be one of humility... For
this reason also God highly exalted him (Jesus), giving him a name that is above every name."
Moreover, the importance of context in preaching should not be underestimated. The context
in which we preach can greatly impact its effectiveness. In our church ministry, we strive to
understand the context of our congregation and tailor our sermons accordingly. As Acts 13:15-
16 says, "The next Sabbath almost all the Jews from Antioch who were worshipers gathered
together to hear Baranabas and Paul tell about Jesus' miracles."
In addition, the use of storytelling in preaching is an effective way to communicate the message
of salvation. Stories have a powerful way of connecting people emotionally and intellectually
with the message. As Matthew 13:34-35 says, "Jesus spoke all these things to them in parables;
he did not say anything without first telling them what was meant." And as Hebrews 11:32-34
says, "And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell all about Gideon... Barak...
Samson..."
Furthermore, the importance of passion and enthusiasm in preaching cannot be overstated. A
passionate preacher can inspire and motivate their congregation to follow Jesus. As 2
Corinthians 5:14-15 says, "For Christ's love compels us... Because God was reconciling himself
through Christ everything has been made new!"
Moreover, the importance of authenticity in preaching is crucial. Preachers must be authentic
in their communication with their congregation. As Galatians 1:10 says, "Am I now trying to win
human approval? Or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to
please people I would not be a servant of Christ."
Finally, evaluation and feedback are essential components of effective preaching. Preachers
must continually evaluate their own preaching style and seek feedback from their congregation.
As Acts 20:31-32 says, "Remember that for three years I went around proclaiming solemnly...
warning everyone night and day with tears... So now I go away knowing that my death will take
place soon..."
In conclusion, these theological and biblical foundations provide a strong foundation for
effective preaching in any church ministry. By understanding these principles and applying
them in our sermons, we can communicate God's message effectively and inspire others to
follow Jesus.
REFERENCES:
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