Responsibilities Associated With Preaching

Introduction:
    When is the last time you’ve heard a lesson on the responsibilities of preaching? Preachers don’t often preach on this subject. Curtis Flatt has said that good preachers don’t like to preach lessons on this subject because they don’t like to talk about themselves, and that poor preachers don’t like to throw the light of the truth on themselves. In our text, Paul sought to show the Corinthians the most important thing is the message preached and NOT the one preaching. The point of preaching is to make known the manifold wisdom of God. What are some of the responsibilities associated with preaching?

I. Preaching is not to be done with excellency of speech.
    A. 1 Cor. 1:21; 2 Cor. 10:10—power is in the message of truth—not in the man.
        1. Paul not well respected as a speaker. Didn’t let this stop him.
        2. When the gospel preached in simplicity—it will convict the tender, honest heart.
    B. Good words/fair speech are what false teachers rely upon.
        1. Rom. 16:18; Acts 20:30; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Col. 2:4
        2. This is not to say that grammar, confidence, and polish are not necessary!

II. Preaching is to be done with fear & trembling.
    A. 1 Cor. 2:3—responsibility for preaching/teaching is t r e m e n d o u s !
        1. Js. 3:1—heaven/hell is connected w/the one who stands in the pulpit.
    B. This involves the necessity of practicing what is preached.
        1. 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8—preachers/teachers must be an example!
        2. Nothing more discouraging than to find a dishonest preacher.
    C. Must approach humbly.

III. Preaching is to be done boldly/earnestly.
    A. 1 Cor. 2:6-7—gospel to be boldly proclaimed.
        1. 2 Tim. 4:2—preach in season & out of season.
        2. To be serious in nature—not a time to tell jokes, rely on book quotes from man.
    B. Acts 9:27, 29—stand up & preach it for what it says.

IV. Preaching is to be done w/sincere motives.
    A. Goal = to preach gospel & gospel only.
        1. Not to make a name for self, be a “brotherhood watchdog”; not to create a following.
        2. Look at Paul’s motives—1 Cor. 1:13-17
    B. Phil. 1:14-18—to build up Christ, not to tear down others.
    C. Must approach w/a spirit of love—not w/a axe to grind.

V. Preaching is to be a proclamation of the gospel.
    A. 1 Cor. 2:7—what did Paul preach?
        1. No room for another gospel—Gal. 1:7-9
        2. Acts 20:27—must preach the whole counsel of God.
    B. Rom. 1:16—there is no substitute for the gospel.
    C. Rom. 10:13-15—there is no substitute for preaching.

If the gospel is preached as it ought to be—there are people who will hear/obey.