The Pulpit

1
The Pulpit

• Nehemiah 81-8

2
Preachers and Preaching

• Expectations and demands of preachers (some right
  and some wrong)
• Men Isa. 3010 Jer. 531 Matt. 1512 2 Tim.
  43
• God 2 Tim. 42 Acts 2027 1 Cor. 21-2
• Goal of gospel preaching Conviction and
  conversion of souls, Jno. 168 (2 Tim. 42)
• It is Gods work All must understand this and
  not cheapen it, disable it or invalidate it by
  turning it into the work and wisdom of men

3
The Pulpit is Not

• A soapbox to promote a personal agenda, Phil.
  115-16
• Not for self-promotion, cf. 2 Cor. 1012, 17-18
• Hidden agendas obscure the glory of the cross,
  Gal. 612-15
• A stage to entertain the audience,
  1 Cor. 21-5 (Acts 89-11) 2 Tim. 43-4

4
The Pulpit is Not

• A lectern for academia (human wisdom), 1 Cor.
  126-29 21, 4 Col. 28, 18
• Preacher must boldly preach truth, Eph. 619
• Not propose, suggest, offer options and theorize
• Bible produces faith, not doubt, 1 Tim. 14

5
When doubtful preaching is accepted, then
gradually

• The standard of absolute truth becomes relative
  (morals, doctrines)
• Sin in minimized, becoming differing yet honest
  opinions
• Worldliness invades thinking and churches
• Fellowship with sin and error broadens
• Distinctive message/meaning of the gospel is
  lost, 1 Pet. 29-10

6
The Pulpit is Not

• A rifle range to take target
  practice (pot shots) at one another, 3 Jno.
  9-10
• Document and address every issue, including
  identifying those in error, Matt. 166, 12
  2 Tim. 216-18 410, 14-15 3
  Jno. 9 Rom. 1617
• Do not preach attacks on a man
• Preach against the error men teach, while
  preaching the purity and simplicity that is in
  Christ, 2 Cor. 113
• Public and private teaching must work together,
  Acts 2020 (Matt. 1815) 2 Tim. 224-26

7
The Pulpit is

• A divine charge, 2 Tim. 41-2 (1 Cor. 916)
• The entire word of God must be preached,
  Neh. 88 Acts 2020, 25-27
• Make scriptural, practical applications
  that encourage, warn and rebuke, 2 Tim. 42
  (316-17)
• Be true to the message of truth, Acts 419-20

8
The Pulpit is

• A sober responsibility, (Jas. 31) 2 Tim.
  225-26 45
• It must be motivated by love of God, love for
  truth and love for souls, Phil. 115, 17
• Seize opportunities to serve and to save,
  1 Tim. 416 2 Tim. 45

9
The Pulpit is

• A perpetual work, 2 Tim. 45
• Repetition Continue preaching the same truth
  without fear, favor or faltering, Phil. 31 (2
  Pet. 112-15)
• Training and encouraging men to be preachers
  (Matt. 2820) 2 Tim. 22
• Sending and supporting sound gospel preachers,
  Rom. 1014-15 Acts 132-3

10

• The pulpit is a blessing from Christ, Eph. 411
• When misused, it becomes a curse, Gal. 16-9
  (Titus 110-11)
• Preach to us right things (Isa. 3010)