Preachersagreement

A Preacher’s Agreement

Thesis: To state what should be expected of a preacher in his working with a congregation.

Introduction:

(1) Oftentimes, a question could be asked about the expectations of an individual and varying

      responses could be offered.

(2) In one sense it is good to know what people expect of you; e.g., 1 Chron. 12.32.

(3) Nonetheless, the final one to whom all will answer will be God (2 Cor. 5.10).

(4) Therefore, it behooves all Christians to turn to God in order to see what is expected of him/her

      by God for whatever role has been given him/her (cf. 1 Cor. 12).

Discussion:

I.  A Preacher should be a Faithful Christian.

    A.  Timothy was told first to take heed to himself (i.e., examine his manner of life; cf. 1 Tim.

           4.16).    

    B.  One is not to judge until he has first cast out the beam in his own eye (Matt. 7.1-5).

    C.  One cannot say one thing and then do another (cf. Rom. 2.1).

    D.  Obviously, the preacher, like all other Christians, is to be faithful (Rev. 2.10).

    E.  Nevertheless, that does not mean sinless perfection and/or devoid of making mistakes.

    F.  It does mean that I will try my best.

II.  A Preacher should be Knowledgeable

     A.  How can one teach what he himself does not know?

     B.  Henceforth, study will be required by me (cf. 2 Tim. 2.15).

     C.  Still, I will never know everything, but we do have an inspired book that has all of the

           answers that we need (cf. 2 Pet. 1.3).

III.  A Preacher must Faithfully proclaim God’s Word.

      A.  He must preach the word (2 Tim. 4.2).

      B.  He must speak sound doctrine (Titus 2.1).

      C.  He must not change nor alter the message (Rev. 22.18-19).

      D.  He must speak the truth even in the midst of opposition, etc.

      E.  Always, he must speak the truth in love (Eph. 4.15).

IV.  A Preacher is not exempt from other Christian responsibilities.

       A.  Contrary to popular belief, the preacher is not required to visit, do personal work, etc.

              just because he is the preacher.

       B.  The preacher is to do those things because those are the things that Christians are to be

             doing and the preacher is to be a Christian.

V.  A Preacher is not a Co-Elder.

      A.  The preacher’s responsibility is laid out best in 1 Tim. 4.16 whereas the elder’s

             responsibility is laid out best in Acts 20.28.

      B.  As the preacher, I serve under the eldership as a member of this congregation and will

             respect the decisions made in accordance to God’s will.

Conclusion:

(1) The expectations by God of a preacher is something up to which I will strive my very best to

      meet each passing day.

(2) I will need your help, support, prayers, and patience as I work along with each of you.

(3) It is my prayer that God will continue to bless the work here at Hardin and that we all will do

      the best that we can do.

(4) God only asks of us our best, can we give Him that?  Are we doing so even today?  If not, will

      we start even this morning?

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