We use the terms preaching and teaching interchangeably in most churches today. Actually, the word preaching has disappeared in many circles as the word teaching and the practice of teaching has become more in vogue. Preaching has become a word that speaks of a style rather than a word with a purpose. In the verse above it clearly says that Jesus taught and preached. When we examine the word teaching in the Greek it has the implication of discourse. It carries with it a picture of one explaining a topic and allowing questions or discussion about the subject. The word preaching is defined as the "heralding" of a message. When a message is heralded there is no discussion among the audience. In olden times a herald would receive a message of importance from an authority, often the Monarch, and the herald would shout forth the message of great importance that directed the behavior of the people under the lordship of that Monarch. Certainly after the herald delivers his edict there is a place for the teacher to give more explanation to those hearing the herald to assist them in their obedience. But there is not a discussion for the audience to decide if obedience to the command is warranted. As followers of Christ there is a place for both preaching and teaching but there is not a place of rejecting the message of Scripture.
This brings us to the question, will the preacher be heard in our day? Is there a place in this hour for the one called to "preach" the Gospel of the Kingdom? Will the herald be heard? Will the "crier" be obeyed? A few years ago I wrote about what I felt had become an idol in the American Church. That idol is "understanding." "If I understand then I will obey." God doesn't always give us understanding before He requires us to obey. The scripture says that Abraham went out (obeyed) not knowing. That is true faith. Obedience is not to a man's voice but to God's voice, His Word! I'm not implying that believers should obey everything that comes out of the mouth of the preacher, but we need to lay hold of those sacred Words of Scripture heralded by mere men as they are the very word of God and receive them and obey they without offense if it requires discomfort to us. There is a place for preaching in all seasons and all generations. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 'Preach the Word!" As members of the Body of Christ may we raise our preference beyond the pleasant easily received, easily understood words to also be open to the Truth that is simply declared with an expectation to obey! Then the Scripture says that after that teaching and preaching of Jesus, "AND HEALING ALL KINDS OF SICKNESS AND ALL KINDS OF DISEASES AMONG THE PEOPLE." Something happened when people heard and obeyed the word of God that had been taught and preached. It still can today and we should expect it in faith.
and healing all kinds ofMark 1:34; Luke 4:40; 7:21; Acts 10:38and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 39:39 39 ch. 9:35; 13:54; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:15; Johch. 24:14; Luke 4ch. 8:16; 14:35, 36; Mar
