Spirit-Anointed Preaching, Part 4

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2

The ministry of the man called to preach the Word of God should be characterized by four biblical qualities:

Fearless: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). The man of God must not be afraid of what people think or say about his preaching if it is square with the Word of God.

Faithful: He must be faithful in his study and proclamation of God’s Word, not relying heavily on another’s insight but on what God gives him through prayer and meditation. He must also be consistent in his daily walk with the Savior.

Fruitful: The pastor’s ministry should be productive in terms of his spiritual growth in Christ as well as the growth of those who sit under his teaching.

Fervent: The minister’s love and devotion to God should be the heartbeat of his ministry. Literally, he should be “boiling hot” (the Greek word-picture of fervent) in his hunger to know and serve Christ. Passionless preaching usually comes from a lukewarm heart.

The pastor who is fearless will lead; the pastor who is faithful will persevere; the pastor who is fruitful will be involved in the lives of others; the pastor who is fervent will help awaken dormant and dead souls.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it...” Ezra 7:10