Articles
A Good Preacher
A Good Preacher
Timothy and Titus were Paul's companions. As Paul writes to these men who helped him in his work, he addresses them with several words that describe their work. They do the work of an evangelist (2Tim. 4:5), they teach (1Tim. 4:11), and they are servants (often translated with the word 'minister', but it means one who serves another (2Tim. 4:5). These are not titles but descriptions. Older preachers would tell younger men who wanted to be 'preachers', to read these three books every week. They encouraged them to let God define the work of such preachers, and not men. Thus Paul good say: "If you…, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ" (1Tim. 4:6-7).
The first order of business for anyone who wants to preach (or teach, be an elder, be a leader, etc.) is to BE what God wants you to be. As Paul said in Romans: "you who would teach others, do you not teach yourselves?" (Rom. 2:21). Hence the preacher must be "trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness…" (1Tim. 4:6-7). As a servant of Jesus, he must "Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness" (1Tim. 6:11). Concerning the things that Timothy had learned from Paul, he was to "Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress" (1Tim. 4:15). Timothy was to "… set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1Tim. 4:12). He was to devote himself " to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Tim. 4:13). As to his character, Paul further wrote that the "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness" (2Tim. 2:22-25).
Taking care of such personal character building, a preacher can then be a good servant of the Lord. Thus he will:
- Put them in remembrance 1T 4:6
- Command and teach - 1T 4:11
- Command these things - 1T 5:7
- Teach and urge these things 1 Tim. 6:2
- Remind them of these things - 2T 2:14
- Declare these things - exhort and rebuke - Titus 2:15
- Insist on these things - Titus 3:8
The life and work of a preacher as taught by Paul is different than the expectations of many churches today. The work of such godly men is still sorely needed both by the world and among God's people. So I read these books and ask myself: "What kind of preacher are you?" Humbling thought. Hugh DeLong
