Introduction
One of the greatest responsibilities entrusted to a believer is the call to proclaim the Word of God. Preaching is not a mere profession, performance, or personal choice—it is a divine command. To preach is to respond to the summons of the living God who has chosen weak vessels to carry His eternal message. Paul expressed this truth with urgency:
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
—1 Corinthians 9:16
This statement reveals that preaching is not optional for those called. It is a matter of obedience. To be silent when God has commanded us to speak is to walk in disobedience.
1. The Call Originates from God
Preaching begins with a call from the Lord Himself. It is not man’s idea, neither is it a human invention. The prophets of old understood this clearly.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
—Jeremiah 1:5
Jeremiah did not appoint himself; God chose him before birth. Likewise, Amos testified:
“The Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.”
—Amos 7:15
Preaching is therefore rooted in the sovereign will of God. It is He who separates, anoints, and commissions His servants to proclaim His Word.
2. The Weight of the Divine Command
The call to preach carries tremendous responsibility. It is a charge that cannot be ignored or treated lightly. Paul exhorted Timothy with these powerful words:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
—2 Timothy 4:1–2
The word “charge” means a solemn command, a divine mandate. Preaching is not based on convenience, popularity, or opportunity. It is an unshakable duty tied to eternal accountability before the Judge of all.
When the Lord commands, silence is dangerous. Ezekiel was warned of the consequences of withholding the message:
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning… the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
—Ezekiel 3:18
This shows the seriousness of preaching as a divine command. Refusing to speak is not harmless; it places responsibility upon the messenger.
3. Preaching is Proclamation, Not Opinion
When a believer preaches, the task is not to share personal ideas, philosophies, or cultural opinions, but to declare God’s Word with authority.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
—Isaiah 55:11
The power lies not in the preacher, but in the Word being proclaimed. This is why Paul reminded Timothy to focus on sound doctrine and avoid distractions:
“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
—2 Timothy 1:13
Preaching is about faithfully echoing God’s voice, not amplifying our own. The messenger must step aside so that the message shines forth.
4. The Preacher as a Servant and Steward
The preacher is not a master but a servant; not an owner but a steward. Paul beautifully described this in his writings:
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
—1 Corinthians 4:1–2
Faithfulness is the standard of heaven. Preachers are accountable not for results but for obedience. A steward does not alter the master’s instructions; he delivers them exactly as given.
To lead by preaching is therefore to carry out the divine assignment with humility, integrity, and loyalty to the One who sent us.
5. The Urgency of Preaching
The call to preach is urgent because eternity is at stake. The message is not about temporary matters but eternal destinies.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
—Romans 10:13–14
Without preaching, there is no hearing. Without hearing, there is no believing. Without believing, there is no salvation. This chain reveals the urgency of the divine command. The silence of the preacher can mean the loss of many souls.
6. Preaching Requires Boldness
Preaching as a divine command requires courage. God’s messengers often face opposition, rejection, and persecution. Yet they must speak.
Jeremiah once tried to keep silent, but the Word burned within him:
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
—Jeremiah 20:9
Likewise, Peter and John declared before the council:
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
—Acts 4:20
Preaching is a holy compulsion. The fire of the message within cannot be quenched by fear or opposition.
7. The Goal of Preaching: Transformation
Preaching is not entertainment. Its goal is transformation—turning hearts toward God, bringing conviction, and producing obedience.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
—Hebrews 4:12
When faithfully delivered, preaching cuts through excuses, exposes sin, and brings healing. It turns rebels into worshipers and doubters into believers. This is why Paul said:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
—Romans 1:16
8. The Reward of Obedient Preaching
Though preaching often involves sacrifice, the rewards are eternal. Paul looked forward to the crown of righteousness:
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
—2 Timothy 4:8
Faithful preachers may be ignored on earth, but heaven remembers. Souls won through obedience will be the everlasting testimony of their ministry.
Conclusion
Preaching is not a casual option; it is a divine command. God has called His people to lead by proclaiming His Word faithfully, urgently, and courageously. To accept the call is to step into eternal purpose; to reject it is to disobey the King of kings.
The world is desperate for truth, and heaven is seeking voices to declare it. Let us, therefore, rise to the divine command, proclaim the Word with boldness, and lead others into the light of salvation.
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
—Romans 10:15
Beloved, you are called to lead. Preaching is not just a task; it is your obedience to the One who called you. Step forth in faith, and let the Word of God flow from your lips to the ends of the earth.