This is a big topic of discussion among the church body, and as a topical preach I thought it would be a good thing to break down. This always surprises me on how strongly people feel on one side or the other, but is there a right side?

“preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. ” 2 Timothy 4:2

I will start right off and say that the most important thing is that the word of God is shared, unaltered. We are all called to be a light and witness and in that means we share Christ in all of our ways. Some of us are called to preach and some are not, how we receive the word is key on why we have all the styles. Also, we bring in our own unique life experiences and testimonies to share with our brothers and sisters.

As the pastor of Rock Church, I am firmly a topical preacher. What does that mean to me? That means based on the leading of the Holy Spirit for what I and the body needs, I share scripture that show the good, bad, and ugly of it. So yes that means sharing a difficult word and being genuine in my personal struggles of what I’m facing now and have been faced. That also means sharing a good, encouraging words and not fire and brimstone all the time. Topical preaching is not bad, nor is the line upon line preaching. People a lot of the time do confuse topical preaching with prosperity preaching.

I’ve said this many times from the pulpit,
God wants you to prosper but NOT in the way the world wants!

“Two things I have asked of You; Do not deny them to me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion.” Proverbs 30: 7,8

Our prayer should always be to have the portion the Lord has for us and be thankful for it. Be grateful for what you have and not envious of what others have. We should desire God’s prosperity for us as that is an eternal prosperity, what the world offers is very, very temporary. So let us show the Father that we are grateful and thankful so he can bless us. When He provides excess, be willing to give it if He asks for it. He got it there once and can do it again if need be.

Keep the faith and run it well! If you receive from line upon line teaching or by topical preaching, give that house you call home your all. Ask the Lord how you can serve more, give more, pray more and He will show you. Now if you are a good steward of that thing, He will give you more responsibility. Don’t be afraid of responsibility either, remind yourself that the Lord wouldn’t entrust you to do it if He didn’t you you can!

Let us daily seek God’s direction and help to be a better walking epistle!

Pastor Robert