50 Days of Wisdom

The preacher's authority comes from the Word of God, as long as it is the Word of God, and the Word of God is binding, and thus we are in a position of commanding people with authority to respond. Now, there are some elements of this authoritative preaching. Number one is the content. In Titus 2:1, Paul instructs Titus to "speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine." What are "these things"? That would be all the things that are revealed in Scripture. That means, you should avoid all the things that are not revealed in scripture. That means, avoid the kind of teaching that is indicated in the latter half of chapter 1—the kind of teaching that comes from rebellious men, empty talkers, and deceivers. Avoid the kind of teaching that upsets entire families, the things they should not be taught but are taught for the sake of sordid gain, and the kind of things that could be classified as Jewish myths and the commandments of men who turn away from the truth. These are the kinds of things to avoid, and the things to teach are all those things that are suitable for sound doctrine. Why? Because according to 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." Therefore,the source of our content is "these things." These two words, confine, conform, and set the borders that limit what we do in our ministry to very narrow boundaries. It's just so very clear. Therefore, we preach only what Scripture has revealed as the Word of God and command people to hear it, to believe it, and to respond to it. That's pretty simple, and yet it's so often avoided. Paul was demanding this as the foundation of all ministry. So that's the content of our ministry. Now, secondly, the method. And what is the method? He says, "Speak. Speak." So, we speak it so that you hear it and understand it. Speaking is the first objective. And then Paul adds, "and exhort." That's when you take the Word of God and command people to respond to it. Exhorting is the second objective. And it's the power of the preacher, using all biblical means at his disposal, to bring to bear what the person understands upon their life. So you're moving to believing and appropriating. I don't want you to just understand in the sense that you get the point, or you get the interpretation, or you get the doctrine that is taught; I want that to press against your soul so that you embrace it with a desire to appropriate it. And then Paul adds, "and reprove". Reproof means to put people under conviction and make them feel the weight of their own rebellion, resistance, and spiritual pride that will not bend the knee. So, we are preaching for clarity of understanding, for personal appropriation, and for conviction on the heart so as to move the person who has heard and understood and believed in the direction of full submission and full obedience. Now, you can see here that this methodology is crystal clear. We have the things that come from God that constitute sound doctrine in the Scripture. And our responsibility is to disseminate these things to people. How do we do that? By speaking. Preaching is a speaking gift and still the God-ordained way. Speak; and then, having spoken the truth, come alongside and put the pressure on; exhort them to believe it and apply it; and then hit them with the conviction that if they do not, there is a price to pay. Therefore, we understand that content and method are necessary elements of authoritative preaching. Repent and believe! GTY.org (90-350) – A Call for Authoritative Preaching

Today's Wisdom

Day: 983

July 28, 2026

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Grace and peace,

My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, "I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.

The Truth in Love,

Mark Paul - Servant of God

Now grant, O Lord, that when the souls who read these books cast their eyes upon these lines, their minds may be illuminated and their consciences convinced and awakened, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and be converted so that You may heal them. Amen!