The Equipping Ministry, Student Workbook, SW15

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T H E E Q U I P P I N G M I N I S T R Y

9. When all is said and done, what role does the power of God play in the effective preaching of the Gospel of Christ today? How do we as preachers obtain this supply and unction from God? Explain.

The Ministry of Proclamation: Kerygma (Part 1)

Segment 2: The Call, Character, and Content of the Preaching Ministry

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

To understand the breadth and depth of the preaching ministry in the NT is to understand it in terms of the call to preach, the character of the preacher, and the content of the preaching ministry. The call revolves around the recognition and acceptance of the divine call to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and his Kingdom as a life shaping vision from the Lord. The Holy Spirit’s movement in the heart and life of a person is crucial to the call, and is usually confirmed in the Church. As such, the preaching ministry is not a job, but rather a commission associated with the Spirit’s gifts, endowments, and direction. The character of the preacher is an important element in the preaching ministry, especially in the sense that “who we are is more important than what we do.” The cardinal virtue of preaching is the courage to speak his message without fear or intimidation, and its cardinal vice is cowardice, failing to say what God has entrusted because of fear of others or risk of suffering. The content of the NT preaching ministry centers upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, especially in the proclamation of the Good News of salvation and life through faith in his name. The apostles proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth as crucified, risen, and ascended as Lord of the earth, the sacrifice made for the sins of the world. Our objective for this segment, The Call, Character, and Content of the Preaching Ministry , is to enable you to see that: • The breadth and depth of the preaching ministry in the NT is to understand it in terms of the call to preach, the character of the preacher, and the content of the preaching ministry. • The most important element in all of the preaching ministry is the authenticity of the divine call to proclaim the message of God. This divine call is based on God’s sovereign choice, and involves a divine unction and

Summary of Segment 2

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