The Preacher's Attitude Toward "Preach the word..." (2)

In this series we are taking a glimpse at First and Second Timothy and Titus, reminding ourselves of some of the responsibilities of gospel preachers.

1. The faithful preacher must not "...entangle himself with the affairs of this life..." because as a soldier he is a warrior that pleases "...him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (II Tim. 2:4). It is not wrong for a preacher to earn his living in secular work. Paul did this on some occasions. But, his mind is not to be filled with worldly things which crowd out the spiritual. Fully supported preachers need to give full time to their work. Brother, you are not fully supported so you can get out and earn more money on the side.

2. He endures all things for the elect's sake, that they may be saved (II Tim. 2:10). Therefore, he does not complain about how he is treated.

3. Put them in remembrance and charge them not to strive about words (II Tim. 2:14). The need for constant reminder of those things we already know is great. Would it not be wonderful if we did not strive about words, but kept our doctrinal speech pure and clean?

4. He studies (gives diligence) to be approved before God (II Tim. 2:15). As you listen to sermons, ask yourself, Is this man trying to be approved of God or of men?

5. He is to rightly divide (handle aright) the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). Every preacher has to watch his teaching to make sure that more and more he is closer and closer to what the text actually says.

6. He must "...shun profane and vain babblings..." (II Tim. 2:16). Certain talk must be avoided if we are to be spiritually minded and pleasing to God. Speculations of men are vain.

7. He must be a vessel unto honor meet for the master's use (II Tim. 2:21). If a church cannot see a preacher live what he preaches, his influence will not be for good. He will not be effective as a proclaimer of Divine Truth. All men sin, and that includes preachers. Churches must give preachers time to grow, but there must be an evident effort on the part of the preacher to live right and set a good example. There have been too many (and one would be too many) preachers who preached one thing and lived another. Brother, if you do not intend to live right, your first need is to repent. Then you may need to consider another line of work. I understand that in the medical field, there is a saying that goes like this, "First, do no harm....." It is well for us preachers to keep that in mind. One fast way to do harm is to let our mind be filled with the corruption of the world. Remember Paul's admonition to Timothy, "Keep thyself pure...." (I Tim. 5:22). Also, remember the words of Solomon, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). A worldly minded preacher will not develop a spiritually minded church.

Brother, what do people see? Do they see a deeply spiritual person whose life evidences a pure mind set on things above and not on things on the earth? Ask, What am I passing on to the next generation?