Above all, a Gospel preacher is a simple Christian. He has neither titles nor a special suit to wear. Every day, he fights many of the same battles with Satan that other Christians fight. He gets sick on Sunday. He can be exhausted on Wednesday evening. He even visits the sick, when needed.
A preacher is also a proclaimer of God’s Word. He tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love. The story may be tarnished and pitted to some, but it is as fresh as rain in the desert to him. He loves to plant God’s Word in men’s hearts. He is extremely careful in what and how he preaches. Occasionally, he sees the most thrilling thing of all — the seed sprouts and bears fruit.
The Gospel preacher is an exhorter of the brethren. He tries to show them the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life. Along the way, he encourages many, and may even snatch a few from the fire. In so doing, he constantly returns to the freshness of God’s Word to encourage himself and to stimulate others.
A preacher is a defender of God’s Truth. In some way, he must have a steel hand inside a velvet glove. He must be like Jeremiah the prophet by being a defending wall to his people. It may often be a lonely position, but he must realize that he is never alone.
A preacher must be a rebuker of false teachers and doctrines. With firm gentleness and by the power of the Scriptures, he stops those who sow confusion. This requires much study, prayer and the overcoming of fear and dread. However, he realizes Jesus would not do less for him. The Gospel preacher is a builder of dreams. He has in his hands and in his heart the blueprint and pattern, God’s Word. He must rightly divide it and not be a workman who is ashamed when the Lord returns.
A Gospel preacher is a student of God’s Word. He studies it daily, trying to learn some new insight. He is constantly being renewed by it. Every sermon and Bible class impresses on him that it is truly inspired. He sees it resurrect people’s lives. The more he learns, the more he realizes his purpose in life. God’s purpose for man becomes his purpose.
