FAITHFULLY EXPOUNDING SCRIPTURE

One of the most fascinating of all the preacher’s tasks is to explore both the emptiness of fallen man and the fullness of Jesus Christ, in order then to demonstrate how He can fill our emptiness, lighten our darkness, enrich our poverty, and bring our human aspirations to fulfillment. For to encounter Christ is to touch reality and experience transcendence. He gives us a sense of self-worth or personal significance, because He assures us of God’s love for us. He sets us free from guilt because He died for us, from the prison of our own self-centeredness by the power of His resurrection, and from paralyzing fear because He reigns... He gives meaning to marriage and home, work and leisure, personhood and citizenship... The main objective in preaching is to expound Scripture so faithfully and relevantly that Jesus Christ is perceived in all His adequacy to meet human need.

-- John Stott in Between Two Worlds

NOTE: John R. W. Stott, Anglican pastor, theologian and evangelist, died July 21, 2011 at the age of 90. In 2005 Time magazine ranked him as one of the 100 most influential people. To learn more, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stott.


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