Sermon 041998pm

1Co. 9:16-19                                       The Heart of a True Preacher                           04/19/98

Ordination Service                                                                                                    FBC Ballwin

I.     Introduction                                                                                                                      620

Democracy has created an environment where most people in the world today are concerned with their rights.  People are lobbying for individual rights, campaigning, making laws, suing, picketing, striking, etc..  This context is addressing the rights of a true preacher.  However, a true preacher is not compelled by or overly concerned with his rights!

II.    The Rights of a True Preacher

a. The necessities to sustain life (v. 4),  b. A believing wife (v. 5),  c. To be financially compensated for the preaching of the gospel (v. 6-12a),  d. To not exercise the right of financial compensation for specific reasons (v. 12b),  e. All Christian rights & liberties are established by the Lord (v. 14), f. The true preacher yields his rights to the Lord’s will -  Matt. 28:18; Jas. 4:13-15

III.   The Yielding of a True Preacher

A.     The man of God is under compulsion or “for necessity” [kjv] (v. 16b)

“a duty that is imposed upon someone for their advantage” = needful (Jer. 20:9; Rom. 1:14)

B.      The preacher of the gospel must be called (1Co. 1:1a) – undeniable & unmistakable = clear!

C.      The preacher of the gospel must be sent (Rom. 10:13-15)

D.     A true preacher is born a preacher, not made (Gal. 1:15; Jer. 1:5; Lk. 1:13-15)

Seminaries, bible schools, colleges, training & education do not make a preacher.  People cannot make a man a preacher, he must be born a preacher.  God uses people to assist him in his growth & maturity!  Paul was well into his adulthood before he knew that God was calling him, yet as we see he was set apart from his mother’s womb.  Once God calls a man into this area of ministry, he recognizes this COMPLUSION and he yields to it.

The Heart of a True Preacher, pg. 2

IV.  The Motives & Motivation of a True Preacher

The motives & motivation of a true preacher are not his rights; he’s not concerned with what he can get from his service to the Lord, but he more concerned with what he can GIVE to the Lord!  What is it then that motivates this man of God – What’s in his heart?

A.     Love for Christ (2Co. 5:14a)

B.      The Fear of disobeying God (1Co. 9:16c)

C.      The desire to be a faithful steward before God (v. 17)

Paul knew that he did not call himself into the ministry “against my will” & so he wanted to be faithful to the call.

D.     The desire to remove obstacles from the preaching of the gospel (v. 18; 1Th. 2:9; 2Th. 3:8-9)

He was not a preacher for hire; a hireling that simple chased after churches money – He removed that distraction!

E.      A Love for lost souls & the desire to see sinners saved (v. 19)

F.      That great reward in heaven (Matt. 25:21; 1Co. 3:5-14; 1Pe. 5:1-4)

Therefore, my beloved brethren as a fellow elder, preacher & steward of this glorious gospel ministry entrusted to us, I exhorted to maintain that true heart of love for Christ & for the souls of people (all people), stir up that desire to remain faithful before & remove every obstacle from the preaching of the gospel.  And remember to stay humble…I close with the words of Peter as he encourage the elders & suffering Christians in 1 Peter 5:6-11!