There are a variety of answers one may get to such a question, it depends on who is asked: Some say...  We need positive, upbeat sermons.  Sermons that make people feel good about themselves.  Sermons that do not make people feel guilty or condemned. Generally, the KIND OF PREACHING that is needed today is not the kind people want...  Short!  More illustrations, stories, and humor!

Many want sermons that are SMOOTH, EASY, and NOT TOO DIRECT... Isaiah 30:8-10 – Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10. Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Others want a sermon that does not make them or others FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE... Jeremiah 5:30-31 – A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? When it comes to PREACHING, we need to think more seriously about WHAT IS NEEDED instead of what is wanted...

Some think success is measured in NUMBERS, but it is God who gives the INCREASE... 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 – I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Many focus attention on what PLEASES THE CROWD, but PLEASING GOD is what counts... 1 Thessalonians 2:4 – But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Today many focus on ENTERTAINMENT, but the honest heart SEEKS FOR TRUTH... Luke 8:15 – But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

To see the KIND OF PREACHING that is NEEDED, we want to look at what many have viewed as one of the GREATEST GOSPEL SERMONS. The SERMON has been titled by many as the...

This SERMON was PREACHED by our Lord and it might help us answer some questions we have about the KIND OF PREACHING WE NEED... To see the KIND OF PREACHING that is NEEDED, we want to look at what many have viewed as one of the GREATEST GOSPEL SERMONS.

Christian’s are taught to HUNGER and THIRST after RIGHTEOUSNESS... Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Righteousness is found in the GOSPEL and we should DESIRE IT... If we HUNGER & THIRST after RIGHTEOUSNESS Jesus promised we would be FILLED. Romans 1:16-17 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Matthew 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Christian’s are taught to be the SALT OF THE EARTH...

SALT not only makes food TASTE GOOD, but it PRESERVES... Does YOUR LIFE make people want to sample Christianity? There is a story of an ancient king who asked his daughters how much they loved him. One said, “I love you like salt.” The king was offended until she served him breakfast without salt.

Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Christians are taught not to shine their light, but to let their LIGHT SHINE...

We must be faithful in our ATTENDANCE, people see it... Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We must be HOSPITABLE, FRIENDLY, and INVITE OTHERS INTO OUR WORLD... Romans 12:13 – Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

We must ENCOURAGE, ADMONISH, and SHOW CONCERN for the brethren... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

We must put Christ FIRST and SET OUR AFFECTIONS on things above... Colossians 3:1-2 – If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

We must live PURE LIVES in an ungodly world that others may see the TRUTH... 1 Peter 4:3-4 – For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

All of these points deal with the kind of people we must be, and it’s all a part of PREACHING. 2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Matthew 5:20 – For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus EXPOSED RELIGIOUS SECTS, so people could understand and not be deceived...

The Pharisees were guilty of teaching doctrinal error... Matthew 15:1-4 – Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2. Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4. For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

Jesus made it plain, there was no excuse for perverting the truth... Matthew 15:7-9 – Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8. This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Some complain when they hear preaching against DENOMINATIONALISM... But let me ask you, what do you think THEY DO?

Yet, the BIBLE SAYS... THEY say WE are wrong and that BAPTISM IS NON-ESSENTIAL! Mark 16:16 – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

THEY say WE are wrong about the ONE CHURCH! Acts 2:47 – Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Yet, the BIBLE SAYS...

THEY say WE are wrong and the NAME IS UNIMPORTANT! Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 – Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Yet, the BIBLE SAYS...

THEY say WE are wrong in TEACHING A PATTERN! Colossians 3:17 – And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Hebrews 8:5 – Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Yet, the BIBLE SAYS...

Jesus made it plain, WHO He was speaking about and WHAT the sin was... Matthew 23:29-33 – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Jesus preached WHAT WAS NEEDED and dealt with SPECIFIC PROBLEMS... Christ did not avoid any subject, because it was too HOT or CONTROVERSIAL...

HATRED (This is what caused them to nail Jesus to the cross)... Matthew 5:23-24 – Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

LUST (The modern dance, immodest dress, and indecent movies all contribute to this)... Matthew 5:27-28 – Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

ADULTERY (It is getting so common today that many think it’s lawful)... Matthew 5:31-32 – It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

SWEARING (Breaking promises and using God’s name in an irreverent way)... Matthew 5:33-37 – Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

VENGEANCE (This is something that Jesus did not do and neither should we... Matthew 5:38-39 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

LOVE (This is something that Jesus did and something we must do)... Matthew 5:43-45 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

HYPOCRITES (This is when you are acting as if you are one person when you really are not that person at all)... Matthew 6:1-2 – Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

FORGIVENESS (If we do not forgive others God will not forgive us)... Matthew 6:14-15 – For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

MATERIALISM (There has never been a society where the temptation has been greater)... Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

WORRY (This is a problem many of us have and we must rid ourselves of it)... Matthew 6:25 – Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

PRIORITY (The sin of putting God and His kingdom second or third)... Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING (This is being guilty of doing what you condemn others for)... Matthew 7:1-5 – Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Christians must demand BIBLE PREACHING that makes APPLICATION... John 16:7-8 – Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Christians are taught that SALVATION lays on the STRAIT and NARROW WAY... Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Jesus promised that He would build HIS CHURCH... Matthew 16:18 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Paul taught that there was only ONE BODY and that it was the CHURCH... Ephesians 1:22-23 – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Paul taught that Jesus is the SAVIOR of the ONE BODY, the CHURCH... Ephesians 5:23 – For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.

Gospel preaching must be PLAIN so that no one will feel comfortable in a lost condition... Acts 24:25 – And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Christians are taught that they must be OBEDIENT to the Fathers WILL... Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We must MEET God’s conditions, in order to receive God’s FORGIVENESS... Luke 6:46 – And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 1 John 5:3 – For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The SUMMATION of New Testament teaching reveals the PLAN OF SALVATION... Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. John 8:24 – I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Luke 13:3 – I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts 8:37 – And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. HEAR: BELIEVE: REPENT: CONFESS: BE BAPTIZED:

Christians are taught that SALVATION comes not by HEARING ONLY, but by HEARING and DOING... Matthew 7:24-27 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The KIND OF PREACHING we need today is the KIND JESUS PREACHED... Matthew 7:28-29 – And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. What are you going to do now that you have heard the TRUTH? Our hope is that YOU will...