Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 4:11-12 - The Fourfold Foundation of Biblical Preaching

This authority with which the pastor delivers the Lord’s message is built on a fourfold foundation. First, he has a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture. If he is in any way unsure of the veracity of the Bible, his preaching will lack authority. The second stone in his foundation of authority is the right interpretation of Scripture. If he is uncertain as to its meaning, how will he effectively proclaim the message. The third foundation stone is to enforce the teaching of the Word. If practicing members of the church are living in unrepentant rebellion against the teaching of the Bible, that is not okay. The fourth foundation stone is the church’s knowledge that the preacher does not need to say what they want to hear and that he must not worry that he may offend some. The entire family of faith understands that the preacher must proclaim what pleases God or be guilty of rebelling against God himself.