Prophetic preaching – the missing jewel of the evangelical church?

In these two extracts from his new book 'Prophetic Preaching – the Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church?' retired bishop and minister Wallace Benn calls evangelicals back to an understanding of preaching as being more than simply teaching.

Paul writes to the Corinthians: ‘Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy’ (1 Cor. 14:1). It is surely this kind of expository gospel preaching with application, which is Spirit-enabled and prompted, that the church most needs today. Peter models it for us in his sermon in Acts 2. This is what brings ‘upbuilding and encouragement and consolation’ (1 Cor. 14:3). It is this kind of preaching that, as on the day of Pentecost, brings conviction of God’s presence to an unbeliever and reveals the secrets of his heart (in other words, that he is a sinner and needs a Saviour – 1 Cor. 14:24–25).