Why I Preach the Bible

Why do I spend so much time preaching the Bible?  I may be able to get more people in the pew if I preached "10 ways to be a better father" or "How to engage a sinful culture".  Why spend any time reading the Bible if people can do this on their own.  Actually, my reason is quite simple - God tells me to do it.

Paul says to a young pastor named Timothy in his second letter to him in chapter 4 and verse 1, "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word." It is fascinating that this comes in a section referencing times when it is difficult to preach the gospel.  In a world that is out of control what is it that a pastor can do to ensure his faithfulness to God?  Preach the Word.  And, Paul exhorts Timothy to do so.  This is more than a suggestion, it is a strong command.  It is a command that is judicially binding, as it requires witnesses.  And the witnesses that testify to Timothy's need to preach the Word are as follows:  God himself, Jesus Christ who is judge of living and the dead, by the appearance of Christ and the kingdom of God in its entirety!  Every time I preach, I preach in the presence of these witnesses and therefore am exhorted to make sure that my message is the Word of God!