The Preacher's Attitude Toward "Preach the word..." (1)

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Tim. 4:2-4). "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine...These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. let no man despise thee" (Tit. 2:1,15).

What obligations do those verses put upon one who would stand before others and proclaim the "....unsearchable riches of Christ"? Much of the answer is to be found in First and Second Timothy and Titus: three letters written to young preachers. These three books need to be absorbed by any aspiring young preacher. Consider some things God expects of a "...good minister of Jesus Christ...":

1. "...charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (I Tim. 1:3)

2. exhort and instruct men in praying (I Tim. 2:1-8)

3. teach modesty and proper relationship between men and women (I Tim. 2:9-15)

4. instruct concerning the qualifications and work of elders and deacons (I Tim. 3; 5:17-20 and Titus 1:5-16)

5. warn about apostasy (I Tim. 4:1-6)

6. be a good example (I Tim. 4:12; I Tim. 6:11ff). A poor example destroys your effectiveness as a teacher

7. study and meditation (I Tim. 4:13-16). Live with what you preach, meditate on it, think about it

8. show proper consideration for others (I Tim. 5:1,2)

9. instruct concerning proper care of widows (I Tim. 5:3-16)

10. to do these things without respect of persons (I Tim. 5:21)

11. be godly and content (Tim. 6:6-10). You are not likely to get rich. And if getting rich is your goal, do not preach

12. gratitude for godly parents and grandparents (II Tim. 1:5)

13. "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me..." (II Tim 1:13)

14. "...endure hardness..." and if you cannot do so, you better not preach. Just as there will be "fathers and mothers in Israel" there will be false brethren. You may not always be treated kindly

15. teach the truth to faithful men (II Tim. 2:2).