Some Qualifications of a Gospel Preacher
Some Qualifications of a Gospel Preacher SOME QUALIFICATIONS
OF A GOSPEL PREACHER
G. H. P. Showalter
It always gives me a very profound pleasure to address a group of people whose engagements and influences are of noticeable importance in the church of our Lord. And such are preachers. I am speaking to a cross section of a group in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ that I esteem as the greatest of the great people in the world today. I say this advisedly. There are many great people in the world, but there are none greater than faithful gospel preachers whose life work is the salvation of men and women through the gospel. The Savior declared that among those born of woman, there had not arisen one greater than John the Baptist, and this is saying a great deal. Moses and Joshua Abraham, Iisaac and Jacob and all the prophets of the Hebrews before the time of Samuel and during the life of Samuel the prophet, and all the Hebrew prophets following, had lived and taught and written and died when the Savior made that interesting statement in regard to John the immerser. But what strikes us with peculiar force, is the state-ment our Savior makes that “he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.” I am speaking to a section of a group that is ordained of heaven and recognized by our Savior as the greatest of the great of all people.
There are numerous statements that could be made properly on an occasion like this in connection with the ministry of the word by those who have chosen to make this work the leading purpose of their lives. Then you are to be felicitated upon this decision to place yourselves under the instruction of capable, experienced, and faithful teachers of the word in this great institution of learning. Young men are entitled to the benefit of the experience of their elders, and this invaluable asset should be appropriated noth in a school like this and in all their associations in the community and the local congregation and in fact, wherever such influence is met. The more careful, prayerful, earnest study you give to the word of God under the tutelage of j our instructors in this school, the greater will be the possibility for a worthwhile influence in the church of the living God in the days that lie just ahead of you.
Several things are appropriate in connection with the preparation for preaching the gospel and in the carrying on of the work. A preacher should be all that any other Christian should be so far as character is concerned. Moreover, as a leader and exemplai, he should be possessed of those traits and qualities of character in an eminent degree. A Perfect Man
“Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace.”—Psalms 37:37. It is said of Noah that “he was perfect in his generation”. Genesis 6:9. Our Savior in the Sermon on the Mount addressed to his disciples said: “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father who is in heaven is per-fect.”—Matthew 5:48. The gospel preacher should be perfect. It is probable that not aH are familiar with the application and use of this word in the Bible and particularly in the New Testament. Those who are interested in the original language, will recall that the term here translated perfect signifies completion, going on to the end, the primary meaning of it is that there should be a completion of the work in which one is engaged, that no part of it should be left unfinished. The idea of perfection in moral and. doctrinal life and teaching is that there should be no quitting. The great creator in the beginning finished his work. When he had created all things including the creation of man in his own image, it is said that he looked upon all that he had made and behold, it was very good. He had completed his work and his work was without imperfections. Our Savior was made perfect through his suffering on the cross. In his death on the cross, he consummated the work that the Father had given him to do. In his own intercessory prayer he said to the Divine Father, “I have finished the work which Thou hast given me to do.” Every gospel preacher should be persistent in the Lord’s work. He should be always abounding in the work of the Lord. He should be always teaching the truth and preaching the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. It will be found that being perfect in Christianity implies and signifies that one should not be a quitter. A preacher cannot afford to be a quitter. If one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God, it is true of the gospel preacher who turns back from the business of his life which is that of carrying to lost men and women the message of life and of hope. A perfect Christian and a perfect preacher is not one who is conscious of his own high measure of goodness so much as the one who is faithful in doctrinal life, practice and service for the Master. A perfect life, a complete life, involves primarily the idea of going on to the end of life with a determination that will not fail and that will carry him forward to grace and glorify.
Qualifications of a Gospel Preacher
In all respects the gospel preacher should be a conspicuous illustration of all that it takes to constitute a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. In those qualities and graces that define and adorn a righteous life, and a genuine spiritual character, he should be an outstanding example. The attributes of the life of Christ should be prominent in his life just as they should be outstanding in the lives of all of the members of the church. However certain special preparations and qualifications that should be dominant jilt his life and practice may be noted.
1. He should he strong in the faith. If this is desirable and expected in all Christians, it is emphatically so in all of its leaders. A preacher who does not believe the Bible—all of it—is thereby disqualified for acceptable service either as an evangelist or as a local minister. There are difficulties to be encountered, and problems to be solved in every locality, where a weak faith will bring about compromise w'th popular denominational dogmas and doctrines and with their teachers and leaders. Of all persons that servant of the Lord who occupies a position that, in a very essential and conspicuous manner, makes him a representative of the church of Christ in any locality should think enough of the Bible and of the New Testament to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. This is primary, fundamental, and essential in those qualifications that make an acceptable, worthy, and successful preacher of the gospel of Christ.
2. He should speak the things that befit the sound doctrine. The gospel preacher is a public servant and must be qualified to deliver, in an acceptable and suc-cessful way, the message of truth publicly. Paul, in writing to Titus, enjoined upon him the solemn obligation to speak the things1 that befit the sound doctrine. The sound doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ should be distinguished from the unsoundness of the doctrines and commandments of men. It is easy enough to compromise with sin. There are constant dangers and possibilities of a failure to exalt the simplicity that is in Christ, and those benevolent and soul refining qualities that are a result of that spiritual culture which comes from a meditation upon and a constant study of the life and teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and the simple reqmrpments of the Lord as set forth in the great commission for the salvation of the alien from sin, and those traits of character that are magnified in the twenty-one epistles addressed to those who have accepted the terms of pardon and entered into the service of Christ under the new covenant. The man who does not persistently, urgently, and perseveringly set forth the doctrine of Christ in such a manner as to distinguish its soundness and salutary influence from the religious philosophies and speculations of men in this our day, is not only unbecoming as a professed follower of the Lord, but will be ultimately a pronounced failure in the great and responsible work entrusted to him as a special representative of our Lord in any locality.
3. He must be an example in all things. In manner of life the preacher is under peculiar and special obligation to be an example to others. To Titus, Paul wrote, “In all things showing thyself an example of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us” (Titus 2:7-8). “All things” is very comprehensive. A gospel preacher should practice what he preaches. He should not only be capable of preaching the truth, but he must conform his life to the requirements of the truth. One great trouble with the Pharisees, in the days of the Savior, was that they did not live according to what they taught. The Savior exhorted his hearers to do as they taught, but not to do as they did. A great part of the influence of any preacher is lost when his life is not an exhibition of and an illustration of what he teaches. Paul's language to Timothy is along the same line. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.” And he then adds, “Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:12-13). Timothy was required to be exemplary in his message, in his manner of life, and love, in faith, in purity, and in the practice of reading, exhortation, and teaching. The gospel preacher today who adopts this standard will realize a successful outcome in his efforts to save souls and to strengthen the church. The gospel preacher who does not stand for, uphold, and defend the sound teaching of the New Testament and make his life an exhibition of what he teaches, is disqualified for the work which he proposes to do.
4. A gospel preacher should be sober minded. In the letters of Paul to Titus and Timothy, he had much to say about the requirement of being sober minded. He instructed Timothy, himself, to be “sober minded,” and to teach old men, young women, and young men, in fact all others to be sober minded. Foolish talking and jesting is perhaps one of the most serious faults of preachers, though not always so recognized. A preacher can weaken his influence quickly and in a large measure, by light joking and foolish talking among the people. Not that he should be of a gloomy and sad spirit, but lightness and levity find no place in the heart and in the conversation of one who aspires to be a teacher of the manifold wisdom of God.
5. Every gospel preacher should be a close student of the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul. There is perhaps nothing that will contribute more to strengthen any preacher than a careful study of the life and history of this great man. All men have ideals. The great men in political history become the ideals for aspirants to distinction in the affairs of government. Great generals study, with the closest atten- ion, the lives of great military leaders. It is true in all elements of human endeavor and activity. It is very important in our religious life and essential for actual success in the ministry of the word of God. Paul declared of Timothy, “But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11 a). How attentive this young man must have been to study the details of the life and the elements that made up the character of this great leader and teacher whose life he sought to imitate. Paul exhorted the brethren to be followers of him, as he also was of Christ. There is nothing better for any man who would make a success of the great work of rallying souls to the cross of Christ and defending the Bound doctrine than to follow with particular detail the life of the apostle Paul.
6. Suffer hardship. “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ . . . Wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor: but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:3; 2 Timothy 2:9). In the day in which we live, there is little persecution, and there is often little necessity for enduring hardships. Preachers are usually treated quite well, both by people in the church and out of it. It is possible that a preacher may drift into a spirit of easy living and unwillingness to endure the “hardships” of life. Also since Paul says that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution,” it may be true that a lack of firmess and faithfulness is sometimes responsible for a preacher’s not having to endure what he rightly ought to suffer as a soldier of the cause he represents and the work he has to do. The gospel preacher must not disregard the necessity of suffering for Christ and for the testimony of the gospel.
7. Self Denial. Paul said to Timothey, “Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22 a). There have always been attractions in the world to lure the righteous man. from a course of righteousness, and there are particular temptations for a gospel preacher, to turn aside to the professions and avocations of a material character, and thus become neglectful of his work as a gospel preacher. In the parable of the sower, the Lord said of certain ones that “the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things choke out the word” (Mark 4:19). A gospel preacher has before him all that he can possibly do in the Lord’s work. It is a mistake when a preacher turns aside for money making. There are men in the world who are studying how to make money. They spend all of their time in this way. The preacher is at a disadvantage when he undertakes to compete with them, and we have many sad illustrations of where otherwise faithful, popular, and successful gospel preachers have been ruined by plunging into financial matters where they should have little or no merest, or concern. Even if it were otherwise permissible their lack of experience is responsible many times for their failure, so far as a successful outcome is concerned. Thus reproach is brought upon the cause of Christ. A preacher injures the church seriously when he contracts obligations that he cannot pay, or, by plunging and speculation, involves himself in indebtedness that he cannot liquidate.
8. Shun profane babblings. There has always been a temptation for leaders in church work to ensnare themselves in the entanglements of too much talking. Paul warned the gospel preacher to shun profane babblings. He did this for the reason that these things “will proceed further in ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:16). In almost every locality, there are men and sometimes women who make it their business to talk everything to everybody, and some cultivate the habit of idle talking to the extent that they become a common nuisance in the locality. Babbling is careless gossiping. The babbler talks about anything and everything—anybody and everybody. He talks much and usually knows little. Most preachers would do well to be slow to speak and swift to hear. By profane babblings is meant that which is blasphemous, godless, impious, irreligious, secular, unconsecrated, ungodly, unhallowed, unholy, unsanctified, wicked, worldly ; these are some of the synonyms of the word “profane.” It is bad enough for the church to suffer by reason of the profane babblings of any of its members, but it is disastrous to the cause of Christ when its ministers follow this vicious course with reference to their conversation. There is perhaps no one point at which a preacher should guard himself as carefully as in his manner of speech. He can be dignified without being prudish, and his vocabulary should be of a high order of sound speech that cannot be condemned. If this s not a positive guarantee for a successful work in his locality, it is undoubtedly one of the elements entering into such a guarantee.
9. A gospel preacher must he a fighter. “Fight the good fight of faith,” said Paul to Timothy (1 Timothy 6:12). This is the Spirit’s address to a gospel preacher. Too many preachers are timid when it comes to an actual defense of the truth. The cause of Christ does not suffer by being contrasted boldly and distinctively with error. That type of preaching and that type of behavior, on the part of the preacher that will weaken or break down, rather than urge and emphasize the doctrine of Christ, and contrast it with the doctrines and commandments of men, has always been a failure. There is nothing sinful and wrong in speaking the truth boldly and in opposing false doctrine and all manner of sin and wickedness with severity. You will never save lost people by making them feel that they are saved already. You will never make people recognize a need of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, if you so preach the gospel as to lead those in error to think there is no difference between truth and error. There is not one more important element in the character of a preacher today than that of real, genuine courage—courage of the martial type— a spirit to assail wickedness in high places and all sorts of false doctrine that is today being advocated, upheld, and defended by the leaders in error, and the exponents of the religious philosophies of men, and the theological speculations among us. Every faithful evangelist must be a fighter. The Lord’s army does not need soldiers that cannot, or will not, fight—no place for cowards.
10. Not a business man. I want to emphasize that a gospel preacher should not be a money maker, and he should not undertake to be a money maker. His income at best, in his adopted calling, w ill not be great, and he should live strictly within his income, and practice economy in order to this end. The preacher that starts out to be a money maker, and to acquire wealth, and accumulate material things of this world will certainly make, a failure of the ministry of the word. Paul wrote one great gospel preacher: “They that are minded to be rich fall into temptation, and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil; which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things— “the desire to be rich and the love of money” and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:9-11). And again the same preacher was required to “charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not high minded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches.” (1 Timothy 6:17). There was as much temptation in Paul’s day for a gospel preacher to reach out after money and to have a love of money as there is today. And gospel preachers then were as poorly qualified to be financiers as they are today. And the love of money was as prevalent and as dangerous as it is today. Therefore Paul said that some who had been reaching after this wealth were, on this account, led away from the faith, and Timothy was required to flee these things—shun, avoid them.
11. Not a meddler in other men’s matters. It is bad enough for anybody to be guilty of this sin, but it is almost inexcusable and unendurable for one in the position of a local evangelist to be thus ensnared. Several of the writers of the epistles have warned against this fault in the churches (1 Peter 4:15). It seems that it would hardly be necessary to mention such a matter in connection with the qualifications of the gospel preacher, whether he is general evangelist or a local minister. It remains however, that there are instances where preachers have been to such an extent culpable in this matter, that they have destroyed their opportunities for accomplishing good and have to pass on to other fields of labor. A preacher should preach the truth in love, with clearness and boldness and without fear or favor, but he should never permit himself to become a meddler or busybody in other men's affairs. Many preachers have crippled their usefulness, by undertaking to handle affairs that God has placed in the hands of the elders, and it has actuahy transpired that this meddling sometimes reaches out even beyond tne confines of the local congregation where the minister labors. No preacher, or even member, of one congregation is under obligation to enforce or undertake to enforce discipline among the members of another congregation.
12. Gospel preachers should be sympathetic, ten-derhearted, humble minded and should be impelled by love. The cultivation of these benevolent graces and attributes of character will give the preacher an effective approach to the people and will develop within him the Christ life. This is a good illustration of the manner of doing things. Failures are made many times, because things, though done, are not done in the right way. We are not going to accomplish great things in the church, unless the proper spirit is exercised. No preacher can restore the wayward without entering sympathetically and earnestly into his work. (Mark 16:4; 1 Timothy 1:5).
13. Diligence is one of the most essential things re-quired of any gospel preacher. In fact, it was necessary for the Spirit of inspiration to remind Christians, as recorded in numerous instances in the epistles. They tell us of the necessity of diligence in the Lora’s work, and the necessity of diligence is magnified in the work of gospel preachers. “Be always abounding- in the work of the Lord,” is the admonition of Paul, and there is no relationship in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ where there is more to do, than there is in the business of being an evangelist in a local congregation. No place for a lazy man —this position of being an “evangelist.”
14. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Human learning may have its place, but the grace of God must control the heart'of the man of God. The wisdom of this world, however desirable, on the part of some, cannot take the place of an acquiring of all the simple elements that adorn the lives of the children of God. Too much of the wisdom of this world may be a positive injury. It certainly will be, if acquired at the expense of an elimination of the benevolent attributes of the Christian character. Paul would tell the gospel preacher today to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
15. Finally, the gospel preacher is under a very special and peculiar obligation to avoid partiality in any of its forms. In the first place, he cannot fford, any better than anyone else, to be partial in observing the requirements of God. Paul enjoined Timothy to observe what the Lord required. A preacher cannot afford to have pets and favorites among the membership in the congregation. It is easy to be clannish. It is easy to neglect some, because of a preferenceTbr the society of others. A gospel preacher should, of all things have an esteem and regard that is impartial, for the different members of the congregation. Paul charged Timothy to do the requirements of God without preferring one above another—doing nothing by partiality. A gospel preacher will lose the esteem, love, and confidence of some unless he proceeds with a studied impartiality toward all.