2Tim.
4:1-8 THE MARKS OF A SUCCESSFUL PREACHER
Intro: When seeking advice it is always best to seek it from an expert. No
one is more qualified than Paul to give advice to preachers. In this
challenge to Timothy, we can find much spiritual meat for our own call
to service.
Tonight, as we consider the duties of the man of God, let's determine in
our own hearts to fulfil God's demands and be the best preachers we
can be for the glory of God. Tonight, let's look together at The Marks Of
A Successful Preacher.
Many equate success with large crowds, huge buildings, varied degrees
and recognition. Jesus, on the other hand, equates success with
obedience and service, Ill. John 13:17. Therefore, to be a successful
preacher, does not demand that you have more people than your
neighbor. It does demand, however, that you be obedient to the Lord
and a servant to those around you. With these things in mind, let's look
into the Word of God and see those things that God says marks success
in the ministry.
I. v.2-4 THE MARK OF HIS MESSAGE
A. v.2a His Preaching
1. The Content Of It – (Ill. Preach the Word) The Word will stand when
the world is on fire! Ill. 1 Pet. 1:25; Isa. 55:14; Psa. 119:89. Always stick
with the Book! Don't major on minors and never preach opinion as a
Word from God! Ill. The Bible will never fail you, so beware that you
never fail the Bible!
2. The Character Of It – (Ill. Be instant) To be at hand, or ready! Ill. You
should always have something cooking! Ill. 1 Pet. 3:15. Become a
diligent student of the Word of God, 2 Tim. 2:15. You'll be glad you did,
and so will everyone who hears you. (Ill. Our duty is to feed the sheep –
John 21:15-17. Shame on the preacher who has an undernourished
flock!) Always have a word from God, or just keep your seat! (Ill. This
word also means "Urgent." Our message is vital and should be preached
with vitality and urgency. Always shoot for the heart of your hearers.)
B. v. 2b His Passion
1. He Exposes Sin – (Reprove – To convict; Rebuke – To charge sharply,
to warn) Never be afraid to preach against sin! God is looking for a man
who has a backbone of steel, one who will boldly stand up and thunder
against sin and evil. But, always remember, keep it biblical! Stay in the
Book! Will people get angry? Yes! But, the smile of God is far more
valuable than the favor of men.
2. He Encourages Saints – (Exhort – To call to one’s side) When we
preach, we are to thunder against sin, but we are also to encourage and
comfort the people of God. We do this not by our intellect, or by our
great swelling words of wisdom, rather, we do it by simply taking the
Word fo God and pointing His people to a Biblical solution to their
problems. Never forget, when you stand before a congregation there are
people listening who are broken and in need of a word from the Lord. Be
a teacher – Ill. Doctrine – In true Bible preaching, there is always
explanation and application if God’s Word.
C. v. 2c-4 His Patience
1. v. 3-4 The Attitude Of The People – There will always be those who
reject the message and the messenger. If you preach the Word of God,
do not be surprised if there are those who will walk away from you or try
to walk over you. Not everyone loves preaching! (Ill. The majority of
folks will love you and thank God for someone who will stand on the
Word! Thank God for those people!)
2. v. 2c The Attitude Of The Preacher – Longsuffering – Patience! How
do you preach to people who determine the size of your paycheck? The
size of your home? The model of you automobile, etc? You do it with
patience! How do you face people week after week who are against your
ministry? You do it with patience! If they hate you, love them! If they
attack you, love them. If they turn on you, love them. Regardless of what
the congregation does, you just love them and be an example of
steadfastness and consistency. Keep on preaching the Word and stand
by the stuff! Most importantly, preach the Truth, but always do it in love.
Never out of hate or anger, but out of love for the sheep, Eph. 4:15. Ill.
The people will take preaching if they know they are loved. You earn the
right to lead in preaching!
III. v.5 THE MARK OF HIS MISSION
(Ill. The God called preacher is a man on a mission!)
A. v.5a He Watches – The wise preacher is an observer. He is sober and
patient. He learns from all that goes on around him. Most importantly, he
watches himself – 1 Tim. 4:12, and he watches his sheep for dangers
both without and within.
B. v. 5b He Works (Ill. Contrary to popular opinion, the preacher does
work more than one hour per week. Ill. Those who bother to attend
regularly know he works at least 3!)
1. He Endures Suffering – The godly preacher pays a price for the
privilege of ministry. He prays, studies, preaches and sacrifices. He
weathers the storms and the attacks, all the while, finding feed for the
sheep. He faces the same difficulties and problems that every other
member of the congregation faces, and at the same time, he helps many
of them bear their burden also. It is not an easy life, and if you are not
truly called, then get out now. However, it is a blessing to be hand
picked by Almighty God for a special place of service. For me, the
rewards outweigh the sacrifice.
2. He Evangelizes Sinners – The preacher is constantly about the
business of sharing his faith. He does this on a personal, as well a
public level. He strives to fulfil the great commission – Mark 16:15.
C. v. 5c He Witnesses – He declares the validity of his calling and
ministry by the faith he practices before God and the life he lives before
men. The preacher must never forget that others are looking at him. He
must never fear, because if the Lord has called him, He will certainly
equip him also – 1 Tim. 1:12.
III. v. 6-8 THE MARK OF HIS MINISTRY
A. v. 7a He Is A Fighter – (Ill. The context of Paul’s life) Fought = to
agonize. Pictures wrestlers in the Olympic games. The man of God is to
be a fighter. He is to stand up boldly for the truth and at the same time,
he is to stand boldly against evil. We must remember that our fight is
never with deacons, congregations or other preacher, but our fight is
with the devil and his demons – Eph. 6:12.
B. v.6, 7b He Is A Finisher – Finished – To bring to absolute completion.
Paul is telling us that he left nothing undone that he had been assigned
to do. This ought to be our goal! Do not be a quitter! Be a finisher! So
that when we stand before the Lord, He night be able to say, "Well
Done!" And you might be able to say, "I have finished my course!" (Ill.
The course of life is uncertain. God, however, isn’t! Heb. 12:1-2; Heb.
13:8
C. v. 7c-8 He Is Faithful (Ill. All servants ought to be – 1 Cor. 4:2)
1. v. 7c He Is Vigilant – He keeps the faith. (Ill. How we got the Gospel we
have – 2 Tim. 2:2) Your duty before God is to handle the message with
love and pass it along exactly as you received it! (Ill. German army
changed the sign posts in WWII and nearly defeated the allies at the
Battle of the Bulge!) Ill. We have no right to change the signs. Be faithful
to the Word of God!
2. v. 8 He Is Victorious – One day, the last sermon will have been
preached and the last battle fought. In that day, if you have been God’s
man, He will reward you openly for all you have endured secretly! (Ill.
Matt. 25:21) He will give you a crown that you can, in turn, lay down at
His feet!
Conc: Men, be men of God! The world, the church and even some in
your own family will not understand you. But, be a man of God! You will
be different, because you are. You will look at things differently and you
will be often misunderstood, but be a man of God. The world and the
church needs you to be a man of God. Always stand for Him, even if you
are found to be standing alone and you will be a successful preacher.
