INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Recruit and Train
2. Restore and Train
3. Rehearse and Train
Introductory Remarks.
1. In the life cycle of the church, there will always be the need for laborers. If the church is busy with evangelism, there will always be young men and women from whom we could recruit, hire, and train for the work that must go on inside before it can venture into the harvest. Because faithful men and women occupy seats within our assemblies, many are willing to work but feel unequipped to do the work of evangelism and to lead in the church's worship: singing, praying, scripture reading, communion, teaching, and preaching! This, however, is not their work. It is ours!
2. First, we will consider the need to recruit and train workers: “The harvest truly is plentiful.” Millions have not yet heard the message of salvation. We need only look into our own communities. Our youth has not only abandoned families but also the church. The reason being, if we might ask, is: “I see no opportunity to serve; I am not equipped to do the 'work of the ministry,' nor to participate in the worship service in any capacity. The business of leadership is not only to watch and lead, but also to anticipate the church's needs and to meet them by advertising, recruiting, training, and motivating capable men and women for service in the Lord’s church. Let’s consider point one of this Lecture.
BODY OF LECTURE
I RECRUIT AND TRAIN
A. Background of our text. “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest,’” Matthew 9:35-38.
B. Jesus recruited and trained. First with 12, then with 40. Some perceive it was 40 twice! I come here today to encourage and motivate all, and to share some thoughts and mannerisms in recruiting and training preachers, teachers, and workers in the business of soul-winning and inspiring worship!
1. We must recruit and train these young men and women. Every successful business constantly advertises, recruits, and trains men and women to fill projected workforce losses due to health, death, promotions, and retirement.
2. There is no formal way to do this. Many successful businesses, such as the U.S. Armed Forces, Amazon, and Walmart, use a hands-on approach.
3. Why not the work of the church? We have bulletin boards, church directories, and bulletins; these could be our first tools in advertising, recruiting, promoting, and motivating the congregation.
C. Equipping one for military service. Not one enlistee was sent into battle without training. Every non-commissioned officer in the Army, in any leadership capacity, is a trainer. I might suggest,
1. Ministers are trainers as well as preachers. If you do not have an understudy, you might want to ask
yourself why, because I am! I thank God today for Jim H. Warren, my beloved father (pops) in the gospel! I suggest that he would be pleased with his son, for which I humbly accepted and cherished being called by him. Pops is the name my sons call me, too. If you have not met them, you will today.
2. The leadership in the church is also a trainer. The church bulletin is a good place to start your advertising for workers. Place a “sign-up sheet” in the foyer to recruit volunteers, or make announcements once or twice a month. Many will sign up, and if you ask why, they will tell you mainly because you asked for help!
3. You can prepare, schedule, and advertise a TRAINING DAY for those who desire to serve in the worship service, i.e., leading prayer and singing, communion, collection, and even teaching and preaching. Have “small break-out groups” for these volunteers so they can focus their time and learning in the area they desire to serve the church. They will come! Serve breakfast and even lunch for attendees, it will be money and time well invested in our young people! Have a morning and afternoon session.
ILLUSTRATION: You have talented men and women in the assembly. Ask them if they would be willing to assist in these training ventures. Reach out to sister congregations. If you are here today and ignore this message, “Can you say you’re a servant of Christ?” This is the Lord's charge to us!
4. Leadership Training. There are programs available for appointing elders and deacons.
5. Personal Evangelism Workshops. The “biggest obstacle in personal work is overcoming rejection by others.” Fear of failure can be overcome with practice and understanding of the listener’s fears as well as your own. Who wants to be told “you are traveling the wrong way,” Matthew 7:13-14.
6. We must be good stewards of advertising, recruiting, and training men and women to do the work of evangelism, edifying, and building up the church’s membership.
D. A personal note. I spent 7 and 1/2 years in the military as an Army Recruiter. I found these same skills helpful in identifying, recruiting, and training young brothers in the Art of Preaching. These are skills that must be taught, fine-tuned, and practiced if these young brothers are going to be great preachers and teachers. It is our work as ministers and leaders to share our pulpits with aspiring young men in this work. “The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are too few.”
E. How did Jesus do it? He called them, taught them, empowered them, and sent them into the harvest. Training must be organized, using a “hands-on” approach to study, teaching, and preaching. Luke wrote: “The former accounts I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,” Acts 1:1-8; Acts 2:1-4; John 16:13-15. Jesus did, then taught them to do, by commandments!” We: Do, teach, and demonstrate! Show Them How.
1. Lecture, demonstrate, allow them time to practice, and critique them in their lesson design, development, and delivery. This same approach can be applied to training song leaders, communion and collection, and prayer leaders. Many want to work! Give them the tools!
NOTE: Let their mistakes be before us, their peers, and small learning groups, but not before the congregation during the worship service (this is their greatest fear). You might remember yours!
ILLUSTRATION: Prepare handouts, printed materials, examples from the scriptures (no better place to start), and furnish books and other literature as handouts. Search the Internet for resources.
2. A good place to start is with SermonCentral.com for teaching and preaching. You might find me online (Ron Freeman, Evangelist). Share your training, preaching, and study resources with others!
3. These young men and women will always be our students in the Word of God. They should be able to speak to you regarding anything they are doing in the Lord’s work! We must share our resources and talents with them, and then allow them to share their messages and talents with the congregation. I will give guidance in this effort later in the Lecture. Next, let’s consider point two of the Lecture.
II RESTORE AND TRAIN
A. Introductory remarks. There is a tremendous need to RESTORE AND TRAIN others for service. “The laborers are too few.” Some have already been trained but never utilized! The church has lost many of its potential laborers because it has failed in putting them to work. Others, because there is no “plan” or “vision” to restore and engage these members in the church's work.
1. It is not a matter of necessity; it is a matter of vision. Who in the congregation where you work and preach is reaching out to those who have left the safety of the church, not always because of a desire to venture into old habits and relationships once abandoned?
a. Hosea wrote: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” Hosea 4:6.
b. Solomon penned: “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” Proverbs 29:18.
c. Paul inscribed: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted,” Galatians 6:1.
2. But also, because we were not wise enough to put these young people and older adults to work. We encouraged them to come back home, but never forgave them or put them to work immediately to show them our forgiveness, love, and confidence in them! WE PUT THEM ON PROBATION. Prisoners are put on probation upon release. PARDON MEANS TRUE FORGIVENESS!
3. Jesus put Peter to work after his boastful remarks and shameful behavior. There was no probation. Forgiveness means “A FULL PARDON.” You might want to read the Master’s words of encouragement to Peter again, in John 21:14-23.
B. Background of our text. Jesus is in Samaria speaking to his disciples: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their (John the Baptist and His) labors,” John 4:35-38. Jesus is teaching,
1. There is no specific time for the harvest of souls. “The field is white, ready for harvest.” Procrastinators make excuses for when it is right to do certain things in life. Solomon wrote,
a. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that is wise winneth souls,” Proverbs 11:30.
b. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven, a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted, Etc.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-9. Jehovah asks the people during Jeremiah's preaching. Observe,
c. He wrote: “Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” Jeremiah 2:21. The Lord said,
d. ”Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up,” Matthew 15:13.
2. Jesus continued: “Behold, I say to you, lift your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together,” John 4:36; John 4:14.
a. “For in this the saying is true: One sow and another reap,” John 4:37.
b. “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors,” John 4:38.
ILLUSTRATION: Philip in Samaria. Christ sowed (planted), now Philip has entered into His labor (watered). Luke wrote: “When they (Samaritans) believed Philip's preaching of the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:1-12. Philip’s work in Samaria was not by chance. IT WAS ORDAINED OF GOD!
c. Paul wrote Corinth: “I plant, and Apollos water, but God giveth the increase,” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.
d. Some of our faithful members are visiting and worshipping with our sister congregations, mainly because they want to work but find no opportunities with us! Provide them the opportunity and put them to work! Let’s speak a bit about another work. That is,
C. Restoring the erring members. There is a season of restoration as well as one of harvest. How about equipping young men and women to help in this work? Each week, Brother Willie Ivy mentions these saints. Praying for the saints who have lost their way! There is a tremendous need for men and women to help with this effort! However, they must also be trained.
ILLUSTRATION: Restoration team training. Why not! The need is there; find those who care!
1. Those you select and train must be men and women with compassion. There is no formal way to do this work either. Sometimes, all these wayward members need is someone to listen. Many hurt saints have wandered away from the church. These can, and urgently need to be restored!
2. Many of them have NOT left the assembly to return to a life of sinfulness. Some have felt rejected and unworthy in the assembly.
a. We work hard to win them to Christ, and then leave them to grow on their own.
b. How can a tree grow without sunshine and water?
c. Let them see your smile and feel your warm embrace.
d. Once they see you are sincere, they will enter the assembly smiling and hugging you!
ILLUSTRATION: Some of our aged sisters and brothers have no one to care for them. The only hug they receive or the only smile they see comes when they enter this assembly. The house of God is a place of healing and forgiveness! Let “brotherly and sisterly love continue,” Hebrews 13:1. Call these elderly saints, and inquire into their well-being. Let them know you care!
3. The prayer of the faithful saints can avail much. But a warm, friendly visit will be needed to encourage those injured by the church to return. They must learn to forgive. Brethren,
4. Sermons regarding these efforts would be a great starting point. Lead from the pulpit! Brothers, we are all leaders; however, not all of us are elders or deacons. We must show leadership in our work! Consider the parable of,
ILLUSTRATION: The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-32. The Master gave this parable because of the sinful behavior of the scribes and Pharisees. Luke wrote,
a. “Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him (Jesus) to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them,’” Luke 15:1-2.
b. Luke continues: “So, He spoke a parable to them: What is the message?” Regarding,
1) A Lost Sheep, Luke 15:3-7. See Mark 5:1-20. Jesus left a “great multitude to save one,” Mark 4:1.
2) A Lost Shilling (coin), Luke 15:8-10. It’s essential to find things we've lost due to our carelessness!
3) A Lost Son(s), Luke 15:11-32. Rejoice over the lost having returned, and pray for the lost at home!
c. His Conclusion: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents,” Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10. There was rejoicing over one, but sadness over the other.
5. Many behave like the “Elder Son” rather than the “Father” in this parable. You might want to focus your final lesson on some “Lessons Learned” for the church. Here are some suggestions,
a. Self-righteousness and self-judgment of some members, Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-2; 14:10-13.
b. Dangers of a “hostile church environment.” Compare this with a loving and welcoming church.
c. Deceitfulness, hypocrisy, envy, and evil and abusive speaking. Lay these aside, 1 Peter 2:1-3.
d. Describe the evils of “partiality, selfishness, conceit, and disorder,” 2 Corinthians 12:19-21.
e. Remind them about loving and visiting one another! See 1 Peter 1:22-23; 1 Peter 3:8-12.
f. Explain the fruits of “genuine (pure heart) of charity,” 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Paul’s Poetry on Love!
D. Scriptures for restoration. The Bible is filled with scriptures about forgiveness and restoration.
1. The reward. James wrote of it, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back. Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins,” James 5:19-20.
2. The manner of restoration, Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1. See also Matthew 18:21-35.
ILLUSTRATION: Confesses and forsakes. Solomon: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy,” Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9; Psalms 103:8-11.
3. The prayer warrior: “The effectual (capable and powerful), fervent (passionate and intense) prayer of a righteous man avails much,” James 5:13-16; Job 42:8. Read Hezekiah’s prayer, 2 Kings 20:1-6.
ILLUSTRATION: Prepare and send faithful men and women into this work, not those mentioned in Jesus’ parable! Prayer warriors will “turn many into the way again, by their compassion and love.”
E. Reason for restoration. To warn, save, and reclaim the wayward! Here is another outline for you to start building a lesson on the need to restore the wayward, seek the lost, and deliver our own souls by just warning both. Jehovah called on Ezekiel for this work.
ILLUSTRATION: Jehovah’s Message to Ezekiel. “I have Made You A Watchman,” Ezekiel 3:17-21. 1. We are all “watchmen” in this work. Consider this outline,
a. The Watchman Warns.
b. The Wicked is Warned.
c. The Wayward is Warned.
d. Conclusion: If you warn them, their blood will not be upon thy head. If you do not warn them, their blood will be required at thy hands. If you warn them, you will have delivered thy soul. The elders are the “watchmen of the flock,” Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24; 1 Peter 5:1-4.
2. Paul warns EPHESUS’ ELDERS of the coming apostasy, grievous wolves, their work in overseeing the flock, and having “an inheritance among all those who are sanctified,” Acts 20:28-32.
ILLUSTRATION: “Paul’s Farewell to Ephesus,” Acts 20:17-35.
a. Paul's Commitment to Ephesus.
b. Paul’s Commission to Ephesus.
c. Paul’s Character in Ephesus.
d. Conclusion: What a sad departure Luke paints of Paul and these leaders on the beach. Showing the kind of relationship that should exist between the eldership and preachership, loving and cherishing each other. This was indeed a “tearful departure” between Paul and Ephesus’ elders!
ILLUSTRATION: The church that had a “Bar-beque” after the minister left was a sure sign that they were glad that he had departed. The beloved minister and his wife will be invited to the BBQ and honored before leaving. Discuss “Southside Church of Christ,” Baton Rouge, LA, after responding to Hurricane Gustav, 2008-09. [Katrina, Rita, and Gustav]. Beloved brethren,
3. I reject the “notion of a pulpit preacher!” Brothers, you are leaders! THERE COULD BE NO ELDERSHIP without you! Paul penned: “And he (Christ) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…but speaking the truth in love,” Ephesians 4:11-15.
4. Our work is to “put in place the leadership.” Paul charged both Timothy and Titus to do this work! 1 Timothy 3:1ff; Titus 1:5ff. These leaders and their families can help in restoring the wayward!
5. Train, install, and utilize the leadership team to assist in this work of restoration of the erring and wayward. Show them respect and work as a team for the glory OF GOD! “For we are God’s fellow- workers, you are God’s field, you are God’s building,” 1 Corinthians 3:9-11—the NKJV.
NOTE: The “eldership and deaconship,” not a promotion of the “good o’ boy network!” It is installing men and their families to lead, guide, and conduct the church's business. Oh, it’s BREAK TIME! Now, let’s consider our last point in this Lecture.
III REHEARSE AND TRAIN
A. Introductory remarks. Now we will investigate the need to rehearse and train: “Pray, the Lord of the harvest, that he might send out laborers into His harvest.” We send sound, capable, and faithful men into the harvest. Paul’s instruction to Timothy. He wrote: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also,” 2 Timothy 2:2. This is what the Lord told the “eleven” before His ascension, Matthew 28:18-20.
1. Teach as you go into all the nations.
2. Teach and baptize those who believe.
3. Teach them all things I commanded you.
4. Conclusion: Jesus’ Great Commission is to: “Go into all the nations, to teach and preach to them the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. All those who believe and are baptized will be saved (forgiven) of their past sinful lives, and added to the church,” Acts 2:36-47. He instructs them further not only to teach and baptize, but also to teach them to observe all the things I have commanded.
5. Some of our congregations call this: “Second Teaching.” Perhaps some of the erring and wayward members could be attributed to the lack of their “second teaching.” I will not say in every case, because there is no evidence. This is again our work, as well as the leadership.
B. Background of our text: After the persecution that arose over Stephen, it took God’s providence to move the believers out of Jerusalem. Luke wrote: “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them…And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:4-8. Philip undertook this work without the blessing and commission of Jerusalem. He saw the need and went to work helping the neglected believers in Samaria. He’s building on another’s foundation: THE LORD!
ILLUSTRATION: Recall that Philip was a “deacon,” Acts 6:1-7. Who later became an “evangelist.” Stress this point to deacons (preachers) and elders (teachers) in our congregations. This is the NTP! However, others,
1. Traveled as far as “Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to the Jews only.” These were the Hebrews, who ignored the Hellenists in their preaching. They preached only to the Hebrews—those born in Jerusalem and Judea. Being biased towards other Jews born and raised in other countries. Like Barnabas (Cyprus) and Paul (Tarsus). These were being groomed to help those being neglected by their Jewish brothers after being scattered into other countries.
2. “But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene.” Some were men of color! Not much is written about them and their work in the early church. However, it was men like these who opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Luke continued,
3. “Who, when they had come to Antioch:” These brothers embraced those being neglected. They,
a. “Spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.” Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews:—called also Grecians. They followed the Greeks' manners, customs, and worship, and spoke the Greek dialect. In the NT, these were Hebrews born in foreign lands and spoke both Hebrew and Greek.
BLB.org. The sin of “partiality” began and was visible early in the church! See Acts 6:1; 9:29; 11:20.
b. Luke shared: “And the hand of the Lord was with them.” Notice the results of their work!
c. “And a great number believed and turned to the Lord,” Acts 11:19-21.
d. Unfortunately, children have no say in who their parents might be, or the land in which they were born! It is the heart of unbelief that will behave similarly today!
ILLUSTRATION: Men of color have been busy in the work of the Lord, from the 1st Century. Don’t let anyone say we have not done anything in the church of our brotherhood! Dr. Marshall Keeble! See Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Keeble/. We have no reason to be ashamed!
4. However, the church at Jerusalem stepped to the forefront in its missionary efforts. Observe,
C. The Jerusalem church heard of the work in Antioch. Luke inscribed: “Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem.” Notice, the church has ears! Church buildings do not have ears; people who worship in them do. What did they do? Freeman!
1. First, His commission: “They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.”
2. Further, His consolation: “When he came and had seen the grace of God.”
a. “He was glad and encouraged them all.” Rejoiced over what he was witnessing!
b. “That, with a purpose of heart.” Set your heart upon this one thing.
c. “They should continue with the Lord.” Cleave to the Lord!
3. Next, His character: “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” Men like Barnabas will build upon another man’s foundation.
4. Finally, “Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul (Paul). And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch,” Acts 11:22-26. It’s alright to pray to the Lord of Harvest. But sometimes we have to get up, go, and find HELP!
D. The church at Antioch: “Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simon (not Simeon) who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away,” Acts 13:1-3. Notice the leadership team in Antioch. THE MISSIONARY CENTER TO THE GENTILE NATIONS!
1. Barnabas, from Cyprus, Acts 4:36-37.
2. Simon and Lucius from Cyrene, Acts 13:1.
3. Manaen, brought up with Herod, Acts 13:1.
4. Paul, from Tarsus, Acts 9:29-31; Acts 11:25-26.
5. Some of these were men of color, as well as men born and raised in nations of color.
a. Let me discuss briefly what success God had wrought through the hands of these two men (PAUL AND BARNABAS) working together to open the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
b. After their return to Antioch from their first missionary journey. They gave a report to Antioch!
c. Luke recorded: “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So, they stayed there a long time with the disciples,” Acts 14:27-28. Recall,
ILLUSTRATION: Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul. He convinced him to return to Antioch and work with the leadership there. He did, and the rest is history. However, the church faced significant challenges, which they would overcome through men of faith! That’s another lesson!
d. For now, I want to say a few words about “rehearse and practice.” I left this for our last thoughts together. It seems we can remember the last point of the sermon or Lecture. This is one point I desire all ministers and leaders to remember after this Men’s Day Fellowship has concluded. Let’s talk about
providing our student ministers with the time to,
E. Rehearse and Practice. If there is a hurdle for our younger ministers to get over, it is “having sufficient time in the pulpit to practice and perfect their preaching skills.” Some ministers seem to find it difficult, or even an imposition, to give way even to the students they are training.
1. Over the years, I have heard these kinds of excuses: “Brother Freeman,”
a. “I’m in a lesson series, and therefore, I don’t dare interrupt; I must complete this critical series.”
b. “I appreciate you visiting, but if you had called, I might have worked you into the morning worship in some fashion (nothing said about preaching).”
c. “We had some problems in the church, and the leadership is fearful of visiting ministers.”
d. “I have a young preacher I’m training who will be preaching this Lord’s Day.”
e. There are many more, you may have heard them yourself! Remember, I have a young preacher,
ILLUSTRATION: It seemed to me every Lord’s Day, I had prepared to preach, a visiting minister was passing through. Brother Warren would take me aside and say, "Son, this minister is passing through and needs some financial help. Will you give way?” Of course, I said: “Yes!” He would say: “Maybe he will say something in his lesson you can use next week?” And of course he did! In those days, ministers helped each other in times like these.
e. Conclusion. Of course, you have also heard words like these or even other excuses. The man often looked guilty when he looked at me in the front row while I was supporting him in his lesson. Observe,
1) I accuse none; I’m just presenting what has happened to me, and what will happen to you as well.
2) Some ministers behave as if the pulpit belongs to them, and no one else should expect to stand before the congregation to encourage it!
3) Men who are confident and competent will never fear who will stand before the congregation.
4) They are ready to “confirm and defend” the gospel of Christ without reservation! Now, concluding,
2. Student preachers. I hope no one here misunderstands my use of the words “student preachers.”
After 63 years of preaching, I still consider myself a student preacher. We can learn from each other. No one among us is “original” in their preaching and teaching. We are all student preachers and teachers of the Word of God. If you declare yourself as such, you are not preaching the “gospel of Christ.” His message remains the same, whether there are many or only one in the teaching and preaching setting. Now, our approach may differ, but the message will remain the same.
3. There is an art in the presentation of the word; it must be taught, demonstrated, and practiced.
a. Ministers, evangelists, preachers, and church leaders must allow their younger ministers the time and place to develop their skills in preaching. Here’s where we fail them. Paul reminds,
1) Timothy of his Public Life - an example before the church and the public. “These things command and teach. Let no man despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity,” 1 Timothy 4:11-12.
2) Timothy of his Pulpit Life - example in study, preaching, and work.
a) “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine.”
b) “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership,” 1 Timothy 4:13-14. “And the laying on of my hands,” 2 Timothy 1:6.
3) Timothy of his Private Life - example before God.
a) “Meditate on these things, give yourself entirely to them, that your progress (profiting) may be evident to all.” See also 2 Timothy 2:15.
b) “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you,” 1 Timothy 4:15-16. We must,
b. Allow them sufficient time to practice their preaching. Give them the time you wanted when you
started preaching, give it to them! Encourage them and do it before the church.
1) Practice should preferably occur before their peers and in their home congregations. These, however, need not be student preachers. They can invite close friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
2) After some skill is developed, preaching could be done in other local churches and during 3–4-night gospel meetings. We can help them prepare for these missionary efforts.
3) As much exposure as possible could be made available to developing ministers to perfect their skills in delivering the word of God. He is one of the church’s most valuable helpers to the preacher!
c. The leadership and ministers could elect the younger minister to present the "pattern of conversion" (POC) after local singing gatherings. We speak here of the "invitation." They will be asked to give a short presentation and then deliver the invitation. It is up to us to prepare them!
ILLUSTRATION: Brother Warren would have me come on the Saturday before I preach and present my lesson to him. He would critique me and offer pointers on speaking with more confidence and excitement. He told me on one occasion: “Put some fire in that lesson, or put that lesson in the fire!” There is nothing more valuable to the ones we train than to hear from us our blessings and a “job well done.” Sometimes all I could say is: “Amen, Amen, and Amen!”
ILLUSTRATION: The brother who stole “from his brother.” Men’s Day in Phoenix, AZ, years ago!
NOTE: With the permission of the sponsoring congregation, I will present the invitation of Christ. Some may feel the need to respond. Thank you for this opportunity.
4. After the invitation, we will be open for QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS!
CONCLUSION
A. Outline: Here’s what we have discussed,
1. Recruit and Train
2. Restore and Train
3. Rehearse and Train
B. Summarize main points.
1. This outline has been provided for you to use. None of these ideas was mine alone. I have borrowed from the Master, Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and others.
2. I pray that someone was helped here today, if not many, or even better, all of you.
3. I seek no glory or honor, I come humbly, “Lift Jesus” for he said: “If I be lifted…I will draw.”
4. I’m the servant of the Lord for the church of Christ and all men and women who “believe and desire to be obedient to Him.”
C. Invitation. Present God's pattern of conversion. Jesus said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor," Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: "repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: "Save thyself," Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
