In Romans 10:14 the Apostle Paul raises one of the biggest questions of life: “how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Then, just three verses later he makes what is really a startling claim about preachers and preaching: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (10:17).  Flowing between the lines of this remarkable statement is the fact that preaching, when done faithfully, is the very “word of Christ” to His people and to the world!

In light of this truth, it was Dr. D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, arguably one of the greatest of modern preachers, who said that “the main task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God” (Preaching & Preachers, p. 19).  No one who reads the Bible faithfully could argue against this.

Surprisingly, this is where the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel can help us tremendously.  As we discovered last Lord’s Day, a wealth of truth regarding the essential ministry of preaching may be gleaned from the opening chapters of his prophecy.  You will remember that we were able to extract a basic definition of preaching from Ezekiel 2:7–“speak My words to them.”  Simply expressed, preaching is the delivery of God’s Word by a God-called man to God’s redeemed people, and to the world.

But what about the preacher himself?  What are the characteristics that should distinguish and identify him? What are his duties and obligations?  Well, once again Ezekiel comes to our aid.

As we examine Ezekiel 2:8-3:3 for a second time this coming Sunday, we will uncover a portrait of a faithful preacher.  Here is what he must do and what he must be.  Here is his divinely-ordained job description.  Here is what all preachers must engage in. Here we will find what every Christian Church must seek and expect in a preacher.

Let me encourage you to prayerfully reflect upon this passage and its wider context (2:1-3:4) as we prepare to come together in worship this Lord’s Day.  And let us get on our knees and beseech our Sovereign King to enable our spiritual ‘ears’ to hear and respond to the voice of our Great Shepherd!