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Come And See |
A PREACHER AND PREACHING In light of our upcoming gospel meeting, I thought it would be helpful to review the responsibilities of a gospel preacher that we might appreciate the work this man must do. This will benefit us all, in understanding his duties and for members to understand the work of the preacher (more than just two days a week...) A study of I & II Timothy and Titus shows a preacher must: Maintain sound doctrine. (1:3-4; II Timothy 4:2) A preacher must be nourished in the words of faith and good doctrine (4:6b; Titus 2:1; See II Tim. 1:13; II Tim. 3:10-17) An evangelist must take heed to doctrine (4:16), that he might save himself and those that hear him. He must have sound speech (Titus 2:8; I Pe 4:11), and must not be timid but speak with authority letting no man despise Him. (Titus 2:15) When teaching, he must refuse certain words (4:7a ; See also 6:3-5; 6:20-21; II Tim. 2:16; II Tim. 2:23-24; Titus 1:14; Titus 3:9; Titus 3:10-11) In order to be able to do his work, he must make sure to study (4:13), meditate on spiritual things (4:15) even give himself wholly to study, for he must be approved of God (II Tim. 2:15). This will also allow him to rightly divide the word (II Tim. 2:15b) and preach “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:20, 27) as he preaches the things that will profit all. Have godly characteristics (1:5) As a minister of Christ he must hold the faith (1:19), be given to prayer (2:1-8), behave in the church (3:15) , be gentle, apt to teach, and patient. (II Tim. 2:24b) In doing these things he is an example as he exercises himself unto godliness (4:7), with contentment (6:6-11a), that follows righteousness (6:11b; II Tim. 2:22) As he serves the Lord he must also honor widows indeed (5:3) and to avoid getting involved in the sins of others (5:22). The goal in this is to keep the commandments of God without spot (6:14). These are the commands that have been committed to his trust (6:20) Defend the faith/ stand for the truth (1:18) If need be, a minister must rebuke the sin of an elder (5:20), while he may reprove, rebuke, and exhort any who are in need. (II Tim. 4:2b). This is what he must do as he fights the good fight (6:12) and instructs those who oppose the truth (II Tim. 2:25-26) It is actually commanded of evangelists to stop the mouths of those who teach falsely (Titus 1:10-11). These false teachers must be rebuked (Titus 1:13). As he works with a congregation he must put the brethren in remembrance of the scriptures(4:6), while charging them that are rich (6:17-19) teaching others to teach (II Tim. 2:2) while remembering that Jesus was resurrected (II Tim. 2:8; I Cor. 15:12-17) When brethren get into an argument he is to charge the brethren to strive not about words to no profit. (II Tim 2:14; Eph. 4:29)
If anything is lacking in a congregation, it must be set in order by the one preaching (Titus 1:5) One must preach obedience to those in authority (Titus 3:1a), while reminding brethren to be ready for every good work (Titus 3:1b) The minister must be reminded to speak evil of no man and not be brawlers (Titus 3:2) as he reminds brethren to be gentle, showing all meekness to all men (Titus 3:2) In his preaching one must constantly be affirming the need for remembering our salvation and to maintain good works (Titus 3:8) He must be willing to suffer (4:10; II Tim. 1:8; II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:5; II Tim. 3:11-12) as well for his work. Be an example in all things (4:12) Since the things done may “appear to all” (4:15), one must make full proof of the ministry (II Tim. 4:5). An evangelist must be the pattern of good works (Titus 2:7-8) This is why it is said that it is “better to see a sermon than to hear one”, or some might say “practice what you preach.” This is to assure that the one preaching will not be hypocritical in his efforts to motivate a congregation to work for the Lord
Treat members properly Just as the church is indeed a family, a minister is told to treat the older men as a father (5:1a), younger men as brothers (5:1b), older women as mothers (5:2a) and younger women as sisters (5:2b). This is to be done “with all purity” (See 5:22b). Many preachers have been ruined by getting involved in relationships they ought not be in. Part of the work is to make sure to not have partiality (5:21) all must be taught (Titus 2:2-6), older men and women to have proper conduct, while young men and women are to be instructed in righteousness. Teach the plan of salvation The very first things that a preacher should be concerned with is preaching to save the lost. (I Corinthians 1:18,21) He must also be willing to heed God’s word when it is preached (James1:21-22) and therefore we preach to all the plan of salvation: (See the preaching of this plan in Acts 8:35-39) One must hear the gospel (John 12:48) believe in Jesus as God‘s Son (John 8:24), repent of their sins (Luke 13:3,5) confess the name of Christ in their belief (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37) and be baptized (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21) for the forgiveness of their sins. When one has done this they are saved, and then they must be taught to be faithful until death enduring to the end (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10) Use this article as and opportunity to obey God! Will you heed God’s plan to come and be saved? It is through the preaching of the gospel that you can be saved. |
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