1) Elevator Preaching – Have you ever been in an elevator? Most of us have and most of us have listened to the music being played in these elevators. It is easy to listen to because it is just background noise. It does not stay with you and is not very descriptive. The Bible speaks of those who preach smooth and flattering words in Isaiah 30:10.
2) Health and Wealth Preaching – Most of the time this kind of preaching can be heard on the television. Men such as Joel Osteen and the late Oral Roberts, have made people believe that God will reward His people monetarily. To hear some of these men, you would think that for every dollar put into the collection plate, He will give you back $100 or $1000. The term “seed faith” was coined by Oral Roberts. There's no question that this philosophy will attract followers.
3) Storytime Preaching – There are some preachers who want to speculate on every subject. For centuries men have read the book of Revelation or Matthew twenty-four and other passages and speculated about the second coming of Christ. Jesus plainly states that no one knows the day or hour. Men will speak of the signs and nations and earthquakes and the battle of Armageddon. They will develop great theories and then be proven wrong. Other men address areas that we are told to avoid (Titus 3:9). Not every question deserves a response. In fact, only a fool will try to answer a foolish question (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2,14). There are some things we are told to simply leave alone (Deuteronomy 29:29).
4) Entertainment Tonight Preaching – The apostle Paul stated, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
5) Gospel Preaching – This kind of preaching is based upon God’s word. It is committed to a study of the Scriptures and how it applies to us. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). This preaching is simple and bold. Its effectiveness is in God’s power and not the speaker (1 Corinthians 2:4). It will edify the saint and rebuke him if he is in error (2 Timothy 4:2). Finally, this preaching will teach us of God’s grace in His Son and how we are to be saved (Acts 20:32).
Dear reader, what kind of preaching do you desire? What kind are you listening to? What kind will please God and lead you to salvation?
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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