What Makes a Good Preacher Tick?

When I think of this question… really … deep down, what is a God called preacher really about? Paul shows us in his own example to the Thessalonian Church what bold but humble shepherding looks like.

You say “Well, I’m not a preacher so this doesn’t apply.” But it does! You have a pastor… here’s the chance to see if his life and ministry parallel the life of Paul. Here is a chance to remind yourself of what a good shepherd values, and what he prioritizes.

Here’s the chance to observe from the Scripture what kind of man should be followed as he leads and to ask yourself if you are dug at Riddles Bend to follow as God leads.

I’m reminded of what Paul would eventually tell his current traveling companion Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:2 HCSB

Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 CSB

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.

kairos or akarios

Paul Preached with deliberate boldness

1 Thessalonians 2:1–3 HCSB

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result. On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.

There were noticeable results. (The masses didn’t come to Christ, but the SOME did)

There was ongoing opposition. (Instead of causing Paul to back down, he dug in. Note: He wasn’t taking a stand in order to keep some God and Country Patriotism… He was standing for Gospel truth, and looking to make disciples)

There was Gospel simplicity. No mixture of truth and error, pure and impure, no deception about the message or the messenger.

Paul served with focused motivation

1 Thessalonians 2:4–6 HCSB

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives —God is our witness — and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

Positively, his focus was on pleasing God, because God had approved Him for the mission, and entrusted him with the Gospel.

Negatively, his focus was not on

pleasing people so he did not

use flattering speech (This word is used only here in the Bible… fawning over someone.)

have greedy motives.. pretext… pretending one thing in order to get a benefit.connection- fawn over someone with money, in order to gain benefit.

seeking his own glory-We all know glory hogs in any walk of life, but Paul wanted to remind the Thessalanicans that he had not been that way.

Paul served with relentless motivation

1 Thessalonians 2:7–12 HCSB

Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1. He sought to not be a burden an any way. 7 and 9. Paul worked a secular job as he started this church (again no one could charge that he was in it for the money). He did whatever it took.

A. This is descriptive.. And often is commendable depending on the circumstances.

B. This is not prescriptive, in other words this is not a commanded pattern for all ministers in all places. 1 Corinthians 9.14

1 Corinthians 9:14 HCSB

In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.

2. He sought to not just share Gospel preaching, but to share his very life out of love. verse 8

3. He sought to conduct himself honorably. 10

4. He sought to nurture them like a father would a child. 11-12