Why do so Many Modern Preachers Focus on Old Testament Teachings?
Why the Focus on Old Testament Teachings?
It's concerning that many modern preachers predominantly teach from an Old Testament perspective, often misrepresenting God's current relationship with His people under the New Covenant. This approach fails to recognize the transformative work of Christ and the new relationship we have as sons of God "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" - (Galatians 3:26 KJV).
The New Testament clearly establishes that we now live under a better covenant "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6 KJV). Jesus Christ has become our High Priest and mediator of this new covenant "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).
When preachers exclusively focus on Old Testament principles without properly contextualizing them through the lens of Christ's finished work, they risk promoting a relationship with God based on law rather than grace "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17 KJV).
As born-again believers, we are now part of Christ's church, with Jesus as our head "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence" (Colossians 1:18 KJV). This new position grants us direct access to the Father through Christ "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV).
Modern teaching must emphasize our position as new creatures in Christ "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new"(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV), operating under the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than the constraints of Old Testament law…
The Shift from Old to New: Why Modern Preaching Needs a Fresh Perspective…
In the landscape of modern Christian teaching, a concerning trend has emerged: many preachers predominantly focus on Old Testament teachings without properly contextualizing them through the lens of the New Covenant. This approach not only misrepresents our current relationship with God but also undermines the transformative power of Christ's finished work "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth" (Romans 10:4 KJV).
The fundamental issue lies in failing to recognize that we now operate under a radically different covenant. The New Testament explicitly declares that we have received a "more excellent ministry" through a "better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6 KJV). This isn't merely a slight improvement – it's a complete paradigm shift in how we relate to God.
Jesus Christ's role as our High Priest and mediator of this new covenant is crucial to understanding this transformation. As the scripture affirms, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV). This direct mediation through Christ fundamentally changes our approach to God and our understanding of His nature.
When modern preachers exclusively emphasize Old Testament principles, they risk creating a dangerous imbalance. The danger isn't in teaching from the Old Testament itself, but in failing to interpret these teachings through the transformative lens of Christ's completed work. This oversight can lead believers into a relationship with God based on legal requirements rather than the grace that Jesus brought "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17 KJV).
Consider the profound implications of our new position in Christ. As born-again believers, we are now integral parts of Christ's church, with Jesus himself as our head "And he is the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18 KJV). This position isn't merely honorary – it grants us unprecedented access to the Father through Christ's blood "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV). This direct access was unimaginable under the Old Covenant system, where only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year.
The reality of our new identity in Christ cannot be overstated. Scripture declares that "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). This radical transformation should be reflected in how we teach and understand our relationship with God.
Modern preaching needs to emphasize several key aspects:
- The Grace-Based Relationship: Teaching should highlight our position as children of God through faith in Christ "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" - Galatians 3:26 KJV, moving beyond the servant mentality prevalent in the Old Testament.
- Direct Access to God: Believers need to understand their privilege of approaching God directly through Christ "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace" - Hebrews 4:16 KJV, without the need for intermediary priests or elaborate rituals.
- Spirit-Led Living: Focus should be on living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" - Romans 8:14 KJV rather than through external rules and regulations.
- New Covenant Privileges: Teaching should emphasize the better promises and superior position we have under the New Covenant "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old" - Hebrews 8:13 KJV.
This doesn't mean we should discard the Old Testament – far from it. The Old Testament remains valuable for understanding God's character, learning from historical examples, and seeing how God's redemptive plan unfolded "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4 KJV). However, its teachings must always be filtered through the lens of Christ's finished work and our New Covenant reality.
For modern believers, understanding this distinction is crucial. We live in an era where the Holy Spirit dwells within us "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV), where we have direct access to God's throne of grace, and where our relationship with God is based on sonship rather than servitude.
The challenge for contemporary preachers and teachers is to maintain this delicate balance: honouring the entire counsel of God's Word while clearly presenting the revolutionary nature of the New Covenant. This requires careful study, spiritual discernment, and a commitment to presenting the full picture of God's redemptive plan.
As we move forward in our understanding and teaching of God's Word, let's ensure we're not inadvertently pulling believers back under a system that Christ has fulfilled "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law" (Galatians 3:13 KJV). Instead, let's embrace and proclaim the fullness of what Jesus accomplished, leading people into the freedom and intimacy that the New Covenant provides.
Remember, we are no longer under the law but under grace "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14 KJV). This truth should permeate our teaching, inform our understanding, and transform our relationship with God. It's time for modern preaching to fully embrace this reality and lead believers into the abundant life that Christ promised – a life characterized by grace, freedom, and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father...
Key Takeaways:
- We live under a better covenant: Jesus Christ established a New Covenant that replaced the Old Testament system with better promises and a direct relationship with God.
- Christ is our mediator: We now have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, eliminating the need for intermediary priests or elaborate rituals.
- Grace, not law: Our relationship with God is now based on grace rather than adherence to Old Testament laws and regulations.
- New identity in Christ: Believers are new creatures in Christ, with the privilege of being called children of God rather than servants.
- Spirit-led living: The Holy Spirit now dwells within believers, guiding them internally rather than through external rules.
- Old Testament context: While the Old Testament remains valuable for learning, its teachings must be interpreted through the lens of Christ's finished work.
- Balanced teaching needed: Modern preachers should present the full counsel of God's Word while emphasising the revolutionary nature of the New Covenant
