Why Sermons Matter: How God Uses Preaching to Transform Lives

Culled from Chapter 1 of the eBook: “Faith Comes by Hearing” by Eric Otchere

Introduction: Preaching Still Matters Today

In an age of podcasts and posts, one might wonder: do sermons still matter? Absolutely. Preaching remains God’s chosen tool to awaken dead hearts, stir faith, and transform lives. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “The sermon is the battering ram that breaks open the gates of hell.” Chapter 1 of Faith Comes by Hearing makes a compelling case for why sermons are still God’s frontline weapon in spiritual warfare.

Preaching: God’s Method, Not Man’s Invention

Romans 10:17 declares, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Sermons are not mere religious speeches—they are divine appointments. From Moses before Pharaoh to Peter at Pentecost, God has used preaching to usher in deliverance, repentance, revival, and faith. The chapter notes, “Sermons are spiritual dynamite… not mere speeches but divine instruments—living, active, and ‘sharper than any two-edged sword’ (Hebrews 4:12).”

Biblical and Historical Evidence

In the Old Testament, Moses’ sermons moved Israel from slavery to covenant. In the New Testament, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and Peter’s sermon at Pentecost transformed crowds. As the chapter states, “Sermons reveal hearts; they don’t always change them, but they always confront.” The same God who worked through preaching in the Bible has worked through history’s revivalists like Wesley and Whitefield—proving sermons are timeless tools in God’s hand.

Conclusion: Your Response Matters

This article is culled from Chapter 1 of Faith Comes by Hearing. If you desire a deeper understanding of how God uses preaching to build faith and change lives, get your copy of the eBook today. And remember: sermons still matter. The question is—are you listening?

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Matthew 11:15