A SUCCESSFUL PREACHER-1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim.  4:1-8

Intro: Many equate success with large crowds, huge buildings, varied degrees and recognition. Jesus, on the other hand, equates success with obedience and service. Therefore, to be a successful preacher, does not demand that you have more people than your neighbor.

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! Don't major on minors and never preach opinion as a Word from God!

2. The Character Of It – (Ill. Be instant) To be at hand, or ready!  Our duty is to feed the sheep. Shame on the preacher who has an undernourished flock.

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. When you stand before a congregation there are people listening who are broken and in need of a word from the Lord. 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.

II. v.5 THE MARK OF HIS MISSION--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.

B. v. 5b He Works (Contrary to popular opinion, the preacher does work more than one hour per week. 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.

2. He Evangelizes Sinners – The preacher is constantly about the business of sharing his faith.

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.

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.

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!

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. 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!

Conc:  The world, the church and even some in your own family will not understand you. But, be a man of God! 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.