“Characteristics Of Preachers”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

Knowing that the preacher, due to the public nature of his work, is subject to public scrutiny and criticism from time to time, I thought it would be good for us to examine what God considers godly characteristics of a preacher of the gospel. Many are confused as to the nature of a preacher’s work, and how he ought/ought not be. Let us take the Bible and learn what ought and ought not be a part of the preacher’s life. While we could study this subject in various ways and from multiple Bible passages, in keeping with our monthly Bible reading schedule, I have chosen to focus this article on I Thessalonians 2:1-12. Please read that section of Scripture, and then study with me. Godly characteristics of the preacher include:

Boldness (v. 2)

                   Boldness is missing from much of our preaching today. Yet, this was characteristic of Paul’s preaching (Acts 13:46, 14:3). In fact, such an attitude is encouraged no less than 31 times in the Scripture. It is imperative that we be “bold,” i.e., “to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor .... to venture plainly” (Strong’s) in our preaching. There is a world of lost sinners to teach, and Satan fights daily to try to keep them in his clutches. However, armed with the “sword of the Spirit” and wearing “the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18), let us be bold and attack his strongholds and win those precious souls to Christ. This is what the folks did in the first century, and it is what needs to be done today.

“Speaking The Gospel In Much Contention” (v. 2)

                   Let no one deceive himself into thinking that preaching is “easy” and “free from worry.” A casual reading of Acts 17:4-8 lets us know that when the apostle Paul was in Thessalonica, he had to deal with contention (“an effort or anxiety:--conflict, fight, race,” Strong’s) among the people who did not like the message of the gospel! In like manner, we will face much of the same thing when we proclaim the word of God boldly to people who do not wish to yield their will to God’s and repent. Preaching the gospel is not for the faint of heart, nor the thin-skinned!

Not Deceitful … Guile (v. 3)

                   The apostle Paul had no intention of misleading people, but spoke the truth clearly (Rom. 9:1; II Cor. 11:31; Gal. 1:20; I Tim. 2:7). Any man who wishes to preach must be honest (Rom. 12:17; II Cor. 13:7-8; Eph. 4:29; Col. 3:9). Dishonesty/Deceit will ruin a man’s reputation and his effectiveness in the spreading of the gospel. After all, if we cannot trust a man to speak the truth concerning “earthly” things, how can we trust him if he tells us about “heavenly” things? Despite what some may say, we cannot separate our “religion” from the other aspects of our lives!

“Not As Pleasing Men, But God .... Nor Of Men Sought We Glory” (v. 4, 6)

                   Let the preacher never forget who he is serving! Paul told the Galatians, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). Preachers work for the Lord, and with the brethren! Let there be no mistake about that. Reversing the prepositions in that phrase is the recipe for apostasy. Those who try to please men rather than God are like those described in II Timothy 4:3-4. They are like the people described in Galatians 1:6-9, where the apostle said they should be “anathema” for changing the words of God.

Not Using Flattering Words (v. 5)

                   Flattering words, such as insincere praise or exaggerated compliments, do nothing to help a lost soul who needs to repent of sin. Christ taught His apostles not to use such words (Matt. 23:7-12). Even in Job’s day, Elihu knew not to “accept a man’s person” nor “give flattering titles unto man” (Job 32:21). Let us learn that lesson today!

Not Covetous (v. 5)

                   A preacher preaching for money will not preach for the Lord (I Tim. 6:10)! God said covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5). This fact has not changed. Unfortunately, some claim to be preachers, but are, in fact, idolaters because they are covetous. Yes, may every preacher be paid according to his work (I Cor. 9:14), but let God defeat every man preaching for money. I thank God for men like the apostle Paul who sacrificed in years gone by, and that the gospel was preached around the world, and that souls were (and are) saved.

“Gentle” (v. 7)

                   Preachers must remember to be gentle in dealing with people. Men, like sheep, must be led to the living water, not driven (Jn. 4:10, 14; Ps. 23:2). Let us show gentleness to those who are lost, as well as to the saved. There is a time for having “compassion, making a difference” and a time to “save with fear, pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 22-23). “Boldness” and “gentleness” are not contradictory. This chapter makes that clear (v. 2, 7). A preacher must be both! There are times when people need gentleness. Remember, we have all been lost in sin (Rom. 3:23), and showing some gentleness when folks are vulnerable can make all the difference in the world (Gal. 6:1)!

Sacrificial (v. 8)

                   A preacher of the gospel will be like Paul, who said, “We were willing to have imparted unto you … our own souls because ye were dear to us.” To the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (II Cor. 12:15). Serving in the work of a preacher demands sacrifice. Often, men sacrifice time with their families, they sacrifice “climbing the corporate ladder,” and they make many other sacrifices to serve God and spread His word. This is not a drudgery, for they gladly do it, as Paul said. Yet, let us never forget that a faithful preacher will willingly sacrifice himself if he thinks this will help one more soul go to Heaven!

“The Gospel Of God” (v. 8-9)

                   This is the focus of the preacher’s teaching and work (II Tim. 4:2). Paul reminded the Thessalonians that “we preached unto you the gospel of God” (v. 9). This was his motivation in every place that he went (I Cor. 1:17, 2:2, 5). This must be the preacher’s motivation today. There is a world of lost people that need to be saved before it is too late (II Cor. 6:2). A faithful preacher of the gospel will be stirred as Paul was in Athens (Acts 17:16-17) and as Jeremiah was before the Jews (Jer. 20:9). He will look for ways to spread the gospel so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to be saved. The Thessalonians had been instilled with this same drive, for they were motivated to spread God’s word throughout “Macedonia and Achaia” and “every place” (I Thess. 1:8)! The “gospel of God” saves us (Rom. 1:16). Let us demand the gospel be taught daily!

“Labor and Suffering” (v. 9)

                   A stereotype often joked about is one of the “lazy preacher who works two hours a week.” While this is not true of the vast majority of those preaching the gospel, a preacher mustn’t be guilty of contributing to the stereotype! Preaching God’s word is work from beginning to end (II Tim. 4:5; Col. 1:28-29). When we forget this, we open ourselves up to covetousness, i.e., just preaching for the money! (see: v. 5)

Behaving “Holily And Justily And Unblameably” (v. 10)

                   How necessary it is that our behavior reflect what we preach! This is true whether we preach from the “pulpit” or preach from the “kitchen table”! Our behavior needs to reflect our teaching. In other words, practice what we preach! When we look into the Bible, we see that there are many good people for us to follow. For example, what the apostle Paul taught is what he practiced (I Cor. 9:27, 11:1). In like manner, Ezra of old practiced what he taught, as did Jesus (Ezra 7:10; Acts 1:1). Brethren, do your actions match your preaching? Some need to repent!

Exhorting, Comforting, and Charging (v. 11)

                   This is the final responsibility noted in this section. The preacher is to “exhort,” “comfort,” and “charge” that men and women, “walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory” (v. 12)! Paul’s prayer for the Colossians was that they might do this as well (Col. 1:9-10). How this type of living is needed today! Christians need to be reminded of who they are serving and why. Let us then use I Thessalonians 2 as an exhortation to walk worthy of God that we might see Heaven one day.

Conclusion

                   As you studied this chapter, did you notice that these characteristics need to be in all Christians, and not just the “preacher”? Think about it!