Theses on Preaching: the Word Preached is the Word of God

From chapter 1 of the Second Helvetic Confession:

Wherefore when this Word of God is now preached in the church by preachers lawfully called, we believe that the very Word of God is proclaimed, and received by the faithful; and that neither any other Word of God is to be invented nor is to be expected from heaven: and that now the Word itself which is preached is to be regarded, not the minister that preaches; for even if he be evil and a sinner, nevertheless the Word of God remains still true and good.

This claim, that the Word of God preached is the Word of God, strikes many as presumptuous and extreme. This may be due in part to the fact that thosewho most frequently assert it in our day happen to be professional preachers. Nonetheless, it's a fairly straighforward application of Romans 10:14-15.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they preach unless they are sent?

In confessionally reformed circles, this doctrine is widely accepted. However, I don't believe the preaching class, as a whole, has really grappled with its implications. Hence, I hope to present a few theses on preaching which will explain what I believe are important and neglected implications of the thesis that the Word of God preached is the Word of God.