God’s word is clear that the most important part of a church service is preaching.  The only preaching that is approved by God is when it is from His word (2 Tim 4:1-5).  A proclaimer may be clever and full of jokes but that is not preaching.  Preaching is to teach with conviction and authority what Scripture says.  Preaching is communication laid before the people in such a way that they can understand clearly the passage being taught.  It involves on the part of the preacher, a thorough study of the passage including the original language, the context, the culture, the parts of speech (passing verbs, etc.), comparing this passage with all of scripture on the same subject, and so much more.  God’s word is bread to a hungry man.  To give him only fluff, such as stories and clever antidotes, is to let the hungry starve.

At Sovereign Grace Baptist Church our preachers are committed to expository preaching.  That means that after a thorough exegesis of a passage we proclaim it in a verse by verse way.  This teaches those in attendance that God and His word is the authority.  It also keeps the preacher committed to preach the word and to not stray from it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says it all, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” That is, God exhaled it or God’s spirit moved holy men to write it (2 Pet1:16-21).  “And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” That is, God’s word taught or preached to a man, woman or child will positively affect all areas of their life.  It will instruct them in truth and how to live to please God and it will correct them when they stray away.  “That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  That is, God’s word is essential to equip God’s people for good works.  It takes more than trying harder or being sincere.  Good works that we were created to do only flow out of the person who has been equipped from God’s word. 

In some churches people exalt their pastor and will follow him anywhere.  At Sovereign Grace Baptist Church we exalt Jesus Christ as taught in scripture and we are taught to follow Christ always.  We desire people to believe in the Jesus that is revealed in God’s word, not the one that is in their mind. Wrong views of the Godhead are very common and must be replaced with the true.  God’s word is truth, therefore, it must be taught and taught with out the personal views of the preacher.  This rarely happens unless the preacher is committed to the expository method.

The modern church of our day calls the time of music the “worship service,” not the preaching.  The song leader is now the worship leader.  However, God’s word teaches that the words of music are to teach and admonish one another (CF Col 3:16). This then is the same thing a preacher must do.  Both the music and the preacher exalt God and instruct God’s people.  Therefore, both are part of the worship service.  Therefore only songs that truly reflect God’s word should be sung.  If the preacher is to preach the word so the music is to be true to God’s word.