Bob Russell is senior minister at Southeast Christian Church

Why is it that when one man preaches everyone listens and is encouraged and when another preaches even the best of the saints struggles to pay attention? The difference isn't usually that one is more spiritual or more prepared than the other; the difference is that one preacher is gifted to preach - anointed to preach - and the other is not.

1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 14 list the different gifts within the body of Christ.

"And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:28-29).

Preaching (prophesying) is a gift from God. Like musical, athletic, or organizational skills, it needs to be developed and polished, but there are certain innate abilities that are given to one called to preach.

When a young man delivered a boring, confusing message in homiletics class, his professor gently suggested he should consider another phase of ministry.

"But I have the gift of preaching!" the young man kept insisting. Finally the professor said, "Well, maybe so. But no one has the gift of listening to you!" Preaching begins with a proper identification of gifts.

Preaching is an extremely important gift from God. In his letter to Corinth, Paul emphasized the fact that some gifts are more important to the edifying of the church than others.

"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues" (14:5).

If the people are regularly fed by practical, Biblical preaching, the church can experience serious problems yet remain strong. But if the preaching is anemic, the malnourished congregation becomes feeble and vulnerable to strife and division.

Preaching should be eagerly desired by those seeking God's gifts.

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1).

In recent years preaching has been de-emphasized in many circles. Young people are led to youth, worship, and music ministries with little encouragement to preaching. They study for social work, counseling, missions and "I'm keeping all my options open," but few are eager to be senior ministers. The church needs to again challenge its youth with the primacy of preaching if it's going to have a vital future.

Have you ever gone to someone's house expecting to be fed but your hosts thought you ate before you came? About 7:30 p.m. you whisper to your mate, "I don't think we're going to get anything to eat."

About 8:30 your host asks, "Would you like some popcorn?" "Yes!" you respond eagerly. About 9:30, you politely leave. But where do you go? You head straight for a fast food restaurant because, when you're hungry, you will find something somewhere to eat.

When people come to church spiritually famished but are served up pop psychology, social action, human opinion, or plain boredom, they leave discontented and begin searching elsewhere for spiritual nourishment. Only the gifted preaching of the milk and meat of God's Word will satisfy the deep hunger of the soul.

That's why the Apostle Paul reminds us, "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort" (1 Corinthians 14:3).

*This article first appeared in The Lookout.

Bob Russell is an accomplished preacher at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., and author of 13 books. His latest, released in June 2002, is titled "Jesus Lord of Your Personality." His sermons are heard several times weekly on "The Living Word" a nationally syndicated radio program. He also writes a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing.