WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEACHER – PREACHER - ELDER?

  1. One who is enthused (enthusiastic comes from a Greek word meaning inspired), excited, to the point of desiring to tell about something that they feel will help or interest others.
    1. If you earnestly look for a solution that is important to you and to others and find it, what is the first thing you want to do? Tell it to someone who is looking for the solution, or maybe even someone who is not necessarily looking for the solution but because you are so excited about what you have found, you feel you must share it!
    2. Even shy people are able to talk about something that excites them!
  2. Who makes a good teacher or preacher?
    1. One who knows what they are talking about (have the correct information).
    2. One who knows how to communicate what one knows so that others will be able to understand it.
    3. One who tells what needs to be told while holding the interest of others. (Make it vivid, alive and exciting by making it applicable, showing the urgent need to the listener!).
    4. Many times truth can be told but if the application and urgency is not present it can sound boring.
  3. How are good teachers and preachers made?
    1. Is it all talent? No!
    2. How talented were fishermen (Peter and others), herdsmen (David), and dressers of sycamore trees in public speaking?
    3. What was the dynamic of Peter, David and Amos?
      1. They had a passion for God and doing what He told them to do!
        1. Peter, a fisherman, after being with Jesus, making mistakes, even denying that he knew Him because of fear of being killed, finally proclaimed the Christ until his untimely death which was brought on because of his preaching!
        2. David, a shepherd boy went against Goliath, the giant with a sling shot and some stones in the name of God and killed him with the first stone. He trusted in God and God was with him. Even though David became king over all Israel, he never stopped serving God. His power was in His faith and trust in God to help him and the same God who helped David will help any spokesman today who will proclaim His word.
        3. Amos, went to prophesy against the Kingdom of Israel whom Jeroboam, had led astray. Amaziah the falsely appointed high priest of Israel (not of the Levitical priesthood as approved by God) rebuked Amos for coming to speak against Israel and commanded him to go down to Judah and “earn his living.” Amos, the dresser of Sycamore trees was so powerful in his preaching that Amaziah sent a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel: “Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words.11 For this is what Amos is saying: “‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their native land.’”12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. 13 Don’t prophesy anymore at Bethel, because this is the king’s sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom.” 14 Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. 15 But the LORD took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ 16 Now then, hear the word of the LORD. You say, “‘Do not prophesy against Israel, and stop preaching against the house of Isaac.’ 17 “Therefore this is what the LORD says: “‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be measured and divided up, and you yourself will die in a pagan country. And Israel will certainly go into exile, away from their native land.’” Amos 7:10-17 (NIV).
        4. Any man or woman who has a passion for serving God today will be helped by Him.
  4. Men cannot become teachers or preachers unless they have a passion and desire to step out on faith and allow God to use them!
  5. Nor can men become elders unless they go through teaching and training (applying what they have learned).
  6. Some are more talented than others but the less talented can sometime reach people that others do not. It is not all about being a “Super Star,” it is about loving and serving God!
  7. If we desire to increase the number and quality of teachers and preachers they must be taught the truth and taught how to teach the truth. This is very possible and with God’s help, it will be done!
  8. What is needed today are men who have faith in God and who have a clear view of our purpose on this earth.
    1. Our purpose is to walk true to our calling “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
    2. God gave gifts to men and it is up to men to accept them and act on them 11 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16 [NIV]).
      1. The apostles and prophets were appointed by God a position that needed to be filled in that day. Once they fulfilled their office, (part of which was to record the teaching of God, once and for all delivered to the saints [Jude v.3 ], no others were appointed (much like certain offices in our government today which have accomplished their purpose by those appointed).
        1. When that which was perfect (the word of God) was delivered and written, there was no need for apostles and prophets because all truth was recorded for us in God’s Holy and Divine word. Paul, speaking of miraculous spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4f) said, 8 ‘Love never fails. But where there But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now (while Paul was writing) we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then (when perfect revelation comes) we shall see face to face. Now (while he was still writing) I know in part; then ( when perfect revelation comes) we shall see face to face. . Now (while he was still writing) I know in part; then (when all revelation is put together [in the Bible]) I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 [NIV]).
      2. Evangelists pastors and teachers are part of the make up of the church today and are necessary to fulfill the work. These offices are still open to those who qualify for them.
        1. We need to remember to teach and train so that when young men grow to maturity they will be ready to fill the office of whatever they have been given the talent to do or have shown themselves mature enough to fill!
  9. No teacher starts out a full-fledged teacher in our public schools. They have to go through schooling first, then student training, etc. Teachers must be taught and then allow them to train before they can develop.
  10. No preacher starts out a full-grown preacher. He must first be taught, and then he begins his preaching and grows into whatever he allows God to make him.
  11. The question is, how are we doing today in planning to teach and train teachers, preachers and elders?