Every believer is eager to preach because they deeply desire to do something for the Saviour who delivered them from the bondage of sin. Many are drawn to preaching because it seems to be the most accessible or visible way to serve God. But if everyone wants to become a preacher within their small church, who then will be the listener?
Often, the unique styles and influence of well-known preachers inspire others to pursue preaching as a profession. Many begin with a sincere passion to share the Good News, but over time, they become captivated by the rewards that come with preaching—admiration, large crowds, praise, and even a kind of hero worship. Gradually, the original purpose fades, and they become more concerned with popularity and public opinion than with faithfully proclaiming Christ.
This shift in the focus of Gospel preaching is deeply concerning. What once began as a mission to glorify Christ has, for many, turned into a platform for promoting themselves or their ministries.
In addition, many churches, which often emphasize social development, face financial strain. In their desperation for funds, they sometimes turn to large gatherings of people from other faiths—especially during festivals—not to proclaim the sacrificial love of Jesus, but to secure donations. In doing so, they fail to share the very message that can save. Tragically, the enemy has managed to turn the sacred calling of reaching the unreached into a mere fundraising event.
What Should Be Preached?
But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (NIV)
In a Sunday gathering in the churches or members of the Bible Study Group, there are all kinds of people with different intentions. Some came to receive worldly blessings, some to find relief from their present pain and problems, and others to seek solace in the name of fellowship. There are very few who really want to grow in the love of God as well as in the knowledge of His Word. In such situations, most of the time, the people who did not come to grow in the love of God get hurt by the double-edged sword. Paul rightly narrated this situation in the above verses. The message helping a few listeners to grow has become a stumbling block for others because they need instant and temporary solutions, not a longstanding answer.
Is it necessary to cater to the people other than the real seekers? With spiritual insight, we know the answer is that it is not at all necessary to bother about others. But usually, we bother about them more and compromise our message while we fail to fill the hunger of the real seekers of the Word. Every Evangelist should be aware of the fact that they should concentrate on the real seekers and give them the pure Word, without any adulteration. We fail to do so because we think that we are doing something to soothe the seekers of worldly blessings rather than quenching the thirst of the real seekers. If we understand that the Gospel has its own power to transform people, we would not opt to satisfy the worldly needs of the people, but we will leave it to God, whether He is going to teach them to first seek Him and His Kingdom or not?
Does The Word Make Anyone Stumble?
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. – Isaiah 28:16 (NIV)
The Word does not harm anyone; instead, it brings healing to every wounded heart and gives abundant peace. It cuts through the ignorance within us, revealing the ultimate truth. When people willingly submit to this transformative work, the Word becomes the foundation of their lives. Peter clarifies the role of the Cornerstone, saying that for those who believe in Jesus and His works, the Cornerstone is precious. But for those who refuse to believe and choose disobedience, they stumble over the very provision meant to free them from fear and doubt. The Word is given for our correction—but if we resist that correction, we stumble and ultimately perish.
How The Corner Stone Become A Hindrance?
Many leaders emphasise teaching the Word of God but often overlook the call to live it out. When the Word of God is merely printed on the pages of the Bible, it is just ink on paper. Yet we call it the Living Word. Why? Because it is filled with the Spirit. When we allow that same Spirit to reign our hearts, the written Word becomes alive within us—as we begin to live it. Until we open our hearts to the living Spirit of God, the words remain just words.
Teaching the Word is vital, but it must guide learners not only toward ethical truths but ultimately toward God and His love. To grasp this, we can reflect on the example of the renowned teacher Gamaliel, who taught Saul the ethics and laws of the Word, yet failed to instill in him the love of God. Believers are often taught to focus on denominational differences, encouraged to remain loyal to their own while harbouring disdain for others, and are led to find pride and satisfaction in mere theoretical knowledge.
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. – Psalm 119:130 (NIV)
Today, with abundant access to Biblical resources on the internet, anyone can study themes and doctrines with ease. Many who are eager to preach gather material online and piece together sermons—not out of personal conviction, but because they lack firsthand spiritual experience. As a result, they depend on others’ experiences and teach their congregations to do the same. This is why teaching often takes precedence over truly experiencing God and His love.
Scrolling through screens is often easier than flipping through the pages of the Bible, and as a result, we tend to take in more information than necessary. While the internet is indeed a blessing that helps us learn about many subjects, when it comes to the Word of God, whether we read it from the printed Bible or from a digital device, we must do so in the company of its true author—the Holy Spirit.
The same Living Word that once illuminated the hearts of the humble has now become a stumbling block for both the pulpit and the pews. Whether we are preaching or listening, this is a crucial moment to surrender ourselves to God—not leaning on past miracles or borrowed insights, but trusting the Holy Spirit to give us fresh hope. Then, we will no longer rely on others’ experiences, but depend solely on God, placing our hope and faith in Him alone.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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