What does it mean to "preach?"

Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ was inspired to write, "preach the word... (2 Timothy 4:2)." But what does it truly mean to "preach?" According to www.thefreedictionary.com, preach means, "to proclaim or put forth in a sermon." Ok, but that is not all there is to preaching. Preaching is not just proclaiming a sermon. There is a certain type of message that must be presented. And not everyone uses the word to present that message. Remember the two main elements in 2 Timothy 4:2, "preach" and "the word."

So I am to proclaim whose word? That of course would be the word of God. I must not waver or drift from what God has told all of us through the Bible. The difficulty in the religious world has been that many are only concerned with preaching a word that is sensitive to the hearers. Now listen, I do not mean that we are to be mean-spirited in our preaching. I am to always remember to "speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15)." But that word might be negative, it might be positive or it might be neutral. Again look at 2 Timothy 4:2, "preach the word, in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering and teaching." There it is, "convince" (neutral), "rebuke" (negative), and "exhort" (positive). This is what is called balance preaching of the word of God.

So are you, as a minister, preaching the word of God in a balanced and loving way? Remember to minister with your message.