From maturner@netnitco.netWed Aug 28 15:00:13 1996 Date: Wed, 28 Aug 1996 14:35:06 -0500 From: "Mark A. Turner" Reply to: garyslist@creature.tn.org To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: S> Ten Attitutdes For Preachers Ten Attitudes For Preachers (1 Thessalonians 2:1-13) (While handouts are being passed out I read the following poem: What A Preacher Needs) WHAT A PREACHER NEEDS "The strength of an ox, The daring of a lion, The harmlessness of a dove, The gentleness of a sheep, The vision of an eagle, The perspective of a giraffe, The endurance of a camel, The stomach of a horse, The faithfulness of a prophet, The fervency of an evangelist, The tenacity of a bulldog, The wisdom of an owl, The industry of a beaver, The versatility of a chameleon, The hide of a rhoncerous, The disposition of an angel, The bounce of a kangaroo, The loyality of an apostle, The tenderness of a shepherd, The devotion of a mother, And then, he would not please everyone!" --Author unknown Introduction: 1. If the preacher has the right attitude we all will have reason to give thanks to God. 2. When those who hear the preacher have the right attitude God's Word works in us. 3. So, even though we will focus our attention on preachers it is necessary that we all have the right attitudes. Discussion: I. Attitude of being "bold in God...," v. 2. A. Acts 9:27 and Ephesians 6:20. B. Boldness is "freedom from stress." II. Attitude of "not pleasing men, but God," v.4. A. The preacher realizes his accountability is before God. B. James Needham has a great poem about pleasing God instead of men. A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT "When I preach there are some who say, They could listen to me all day. Others think I preach too long, Or, that I go about it wrong. Some say my sermon's deep. Others say I put them to sleep. Some say I hold them spellbound, Others squirm, and just look around. Some call me an orator. Others say I'm a perfect bore. Some think I've too much fight. Other's think I preach just right. Some affirm I'm much too bold. Others say I'm much too old. Some folks feel I've met success. Others say my work's a mess! Some have said my pay's too low, As they observe the pace I go. Others assert my salary's peak Is far too high for three hours a week! >From all of this it's plain to see, That as a preacher, I'm up a tree! I can't please men of such discord, So, I'll just try to please the Lord! James P. Needham 3/11/75 III. Attitude of not using "flattering words," v.5. A. Using flattery is not the same as commending good among brethren. B. Flattery is what the false teachers use, Romans 16:18. IV. Attitude of not seeking "glory" from men, v. 6. A. The preacher doesn't seek nor receive any position of honor. B. Paul never sought such glory. V. Attitude of being "gentle" "as a nurse...," v. 7. A. On the word gentle, Vine's says, "...with trying children." B. Compare the qualities of a preacher found in 2 Timothy 2:24. VI. Attitude of being "affectionately desirous" of brethren, v. 8. A. Notice that the preacher was desirous of "you" not, "your possessions." B. Romans 9:3. VII. Attitude of "labour and travail," v. 9. A. This may refer to "tentmaking" during the day and preaching at night. B. Preaching must be unceasing, "night and day." 1. There are abuses among prachers today. 2. Someone said,, about a preacher, "On the surface he is kind of deep, but down deep he's real shallow." VIII. Attitude of being "behaved" at all times, v. 10. A. "Holily" before God. B. "Justly" before man. C. "Unblameably." IX. Attitude of exhorting, etc. "as a father doth his children," v. 11. A. The preacher exhorts, etc. each, "every one." He treats them as individuals. B. McGarvey said exhorting has two ideas. One of "rousing the slothful" and one of "omforting the sorrowful." X. Attitude of gratitude, that is, "thank we God," v. 13. A. Be grateful first toward God. B. Also, be grateful toward brethren and commend them. Conclusion: 1. These attitudes can be applied to every Christian here today. 2. What is your attitude toward God and your fellow Christians? 3. Every invitation is offered with the attitude expecting God's Word to work in those that believe. a. If you are a Christian who needs to repent, then do so, today! b. If you have not become a Christian, then do not wait, another day! By: Mark Alan Turner Woodmar, 8-25-96, a.m. Mark A. Turner maturner@netnitco.net 5966 Park Place Home: 219-933-4765 Hammond, In. 46320 Work: 219-845-8942