By the Word Worked: Encountering the Power of Biblical Preaching

by Fleming Rutledge, Kimlyn Bender (series_editor)

In By the Word Worked, Fleming Rutledge exhibits a lifetime of wisdom gained from reflection upon the power of the Word of God to address, convict, comfort, and exhort the church. Rutledge contends that the Word of God is the very lifeblood of the church, with preaching, based upon Holy Scripture, calling the church into existence, determining its identity, providing its calling and commission, and enabling its faith in the ultimate triumph of its Lord. Despite Satan's interference, the revelation of God in his Word continues to show itself triumphant, relevant, transformative, and powerful in the modern era. Rutledge asserts that the continued proclamation of the Word of God is for the church life itself, never to be neglected even in the face of intense and targeted adversity.

In this initial volume of the Parchman Lectures series, Rutledge provides an incisive presentation of the power of the Word of God in its verbal form of Christian proclamation. Her call is for the reader to rediscover preaching that is not centered on human potential and the authenticity of the self, but on a divine Word of God that comes to us from outside ourselves, the Word of the Gospel, a Gospel that is both powerful in its effect and urgent in its appeal. These lectures challenge prevailing practices and paradigms in preaching but also present a faithful vision of Christian proclamation that is effective "by means of the Word worked."

Genres: Nonfiction

94 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2024

Reviews

[Matt Francisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last lecture is worth the purchase price alone. Rutledge powerfully reminds us that there is a very real spiritual battle being waged every time we preach - and that Jesus has won a decisive victory.

[Jon Anderson]

Short but powerful work on preaching based on the Parchman Lectures delivered at Truett Seminary (I think). I wish I had discovered Rev. Rutledge earlier in my calling but glad she came on my radar a few years ago.