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Notes To Young Preachers
by Bernie Parsons
July 01, 2003 - Slight Rev 06-02-2012
The desire to preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ is both honorable and challenging. The preacher is the means by which the
word of God is disseminated throughout the world.
Romans
10:13-15 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall
they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"
The harvest fields are plenteous and
ripe, but the laborers to reap the harvest are few. In other words, there are millions of
lost souls who need to hear the gospel, but few to take the word of God to them.
Matthew
9:37-38 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth
labourers into his harvest."
John 4:35
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto
you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to
harvest."
Remember that our duty is to the Lord,
and His body, the ekklesia, or called out.
Ephesians 4:11-16 “And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
With the desire to preach comes the
tremendous responsibility to preach only the word of God, realizing that anything else is
our opinion.
Matthew 23:5-8 “But all
their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge
the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats
in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”
James 3:1 “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we
shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Our thoughts, ideas, and opinions do
not save men--salvation comes by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the word of
God Almighty.
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
Ephesians
1:13 "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit
of promise,"
2
Thessalonians 1:7-9 "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall
be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power;"
I Peter
4:17-18 "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it
first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if
the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Luke 4:4
"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God."
Luke 8:21
"And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear
the word of God, and do it."
Luke 11:28
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep
it."
A warning that recurs in the scriptures is that we are
not to pervert the word of God -- that is, that we do not twist it to suit our own
preconceptions and traditional doctrines. We must resist the temptation to put our own
spin on the word of God, to taint it with our own doctrines, or even tint it ever so
slightly as we favor.
2
Corinthians 2:17 "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ."
2
Corinthians 4:2 "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in
craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
2 Peter 3:16
"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some
things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do
also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye
know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own stedfastness."
Galatians
1:6-12 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace
of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As
we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that
ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify
you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither
received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
There is a tendency by inexperienced
preachers and teachers to seek out the advice and wisdom of men on what to teach, and how
to teach it. Though there may be some helpful ideas found in men's writings, the Bible
tells us both what to preach and how to preach it.
John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless
among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did
not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise
of men more than the praise of God.”
Galatians 1:10-11 “For do I
now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should
not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was
preached of me is not after man.”
We preach the gospel of Christ, the
word of God. This gospel is contained in the scriptures, both Old and New Testament.
Mark 1:1
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"
1
Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when
ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men,
but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that
believe."
John 17:17
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
1 Peter 4:11
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him
do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through
Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
2 Peter
1:16-2:2 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto
you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him
from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.We have also a
more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of."
It is not our skillful handling of the word that makes
it effective.
2 Peter 1:16
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty."
1
Corinthians 2:1-3 "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know
any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness,
and in fear, and in much trembling."
2
Corinthians 10:9-10 "That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For
his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his
speech contemptible."
2
Corinthians 11:6 "But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have
been throughly made manifest among you in all things."
The power lies in the fact that what we
preach is the unadulterated word of the true and living God.
1
Corinthians 2:4 "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand
in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
1
Corinthians 4:19-20 "But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know,
not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not
in word, but in power."
1 Peter 1:23
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever."
Hebrews
4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the
eyes of him with whom we have to do."
Study to know the true meaning of God's
will.
John 5:39
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of me."
2 Timothy
2:14-15 "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that
they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth."
2 Timothy
3:14-17 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known
the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
Avoid presenting traditions of men as
gospel -- traditions destroy the body of Christ and the work of God.
1 Timothy
6:20-21 "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and
vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have
erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen"
Matthew
15:2-3 "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash
not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also
transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
1 Corinthians 9:7-11 “Who
goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of
the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I
these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of
Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take
care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is
written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope
should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great
thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 “Do ye
not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and
they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained
that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
John 16:2
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
Acts 5:28-29
"Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and,
behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood
upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather
than men."
2
Corinthians 11:23-28 "Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in
labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods,
once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own
countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; n weariness and painfulness, in
watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside
those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the
churches."
Matthew
10:24-28 "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is
enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they
have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his
household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be
revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in
light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them
which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able
to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Don't neglect the instruction of the
children. They are the future of the ekklesia -- the called out
in Christ, the future salt and light of the world.
Remind the parents, fathers particularly, that it is their responsibility to teach their
children in the Lord.
Deuteronomy
11:18 "Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and
bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And
ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and
when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou
shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:"
Be pure toward the ladies, and
respectful of the elderly. Set a good example to all.
1 Timothy
5:1-2 "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as
brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity."
1 Peter 1:22
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto
unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:"
Watch constantly your own life and
demeanor, which can damage and destroy the work of the Lord.
Colossians
4:5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man."
1
Corinthians 9:25-27 "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all
things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore
so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under
my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway."
Joshua 1:9
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither
be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Matthew
28:1-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
