Paul's Role Model For Preaching

Preaching has changed today. Many do not even call it preaching anymore. They call it giving a talk. So many preachers are speaking to felt needs to the exclusion of hard Bible truth. They are telling people what they want to hear. Preaching sounds more like Dr. Phil pop psychology than Bible truth.

Paul did not preach that way. Don't get me wrong. Paul had a tender heart for his hearers. That did not mean he tried to impress those same hearers with flattering speech. To flatter means to give lavish and insincere praise and compliments.

Some preachers preach flatteringly so they can get more money, a larger love offering, or an increased salary. Hard sermons offend and convict. Some preachers are greedy and they will avoid preaching anything that will offend. They fleece their flocks. They manipulate people and the money they give. I have seen this repeatedly. Preachers who drop hints, who expect someone to pick up the tab. I've had church members tell me over the years they have known preachers who never picked up the tab. They expected to be blessed, given cheaper rates, or for others to foot the bill.

If you preach flatteringly people will be more prone to give financially. Is that the point? Is that what God will hold preachers accountable for preaching? Is it all about how much money preachers can shove in their pockets? Are preachers like a free agent sports figure looking for the highest bidder?

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 (NASB)
⁵  For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—
⁶  nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 

Some preachers love the spotlight. They think they are the most important person in the room. They are self promoters. I am thinking of a nationally known television and radio preacher who is always promoting his next best selling book, his next ministry assignment, or his next television appearance.

The word glory means praise and honor. In any worship gathering all the praise and all the honor belong to the Holy One alone. Just like preachers can preach for greed they can also preach for pats on the back and for compliments.

Preach for the glory of God. Preach so God is praised, exalted, and magnified. Preach for God's honor and not your own.

Many years ago I got invited to preach in a church in East Texas. I had heard some troubling things about that church but welcomed the opportunity to preach God's word. I could not believe my eyes when I walked into the sanctuary and saw a portrait of the pastor next to the choir loft with a spotlight shining on it. The pastor did not even show up for the start of the service. He showed up at least thirty minutes after the beginning. He sauntered down the center aisle to the pats on the back, the hand shakes, and the fan fare of a rock star. The whole thing sickened me.

God does not share His glory with anyone. God does not call preachers to preach flatteringly to get better offerings out of greed. Nor does He call preachers to preach for their own glory.

Paul might have a hard time finding a pastorate if he were alive today. He would not tell people what they necessarily wanted to hear but he would tell them what they needed to hear from God. He was not motivated by money. He did not seek His own glory but endured ill treatment for the honor and praise of God. His example serves as a good model for preaches of every generation and any era. Take heed.