Preaching and Teaching..The Man that's approved by God!

Apostle Paul dedicated over 30 years of his life to proclaiming the gospel in the world and teaching Christ followers how to live and serve like Jesus Christ. He did this humbly and passionately. He maintained clear objectives, and he emphasized godliness in his preaching and teaching. 2,000 years later, the Church and the world is still feeling the impact of his teaching. More than this, God continues to be glorified in it! For me, Paul is a great source to learn the art of preaching and teaching from! The focus of Paul's preaching and teaching was not popular culture. It was Jesus Christ, God in human flesh: holy and righteous, sacrificed and risen, ascended and exalted. In his epistles alone, "Jesus" appears 213 times and "Christ" 375 times! Paul preached and taught with a deep love for God, and a compassion for souls! Paul taught and preached because he loved God. Let's examine his words to the Christ followers at Thessalonica. He said, "but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts" (1 Thess. 2:4). Paul taught and preached because he cared for the souls of people. Again in his epistle to the Christ followers at Thessalonica, "But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children." "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:7-8). It doesn't get any clearer than this! As pastors and elders, do we love God and care about others in our teaching and preaching? Are we feeding them sound, wholesome biblical doctrines? Are we protecting them from false teachers and their teachings? Do we aim to please God in our teaching and preaching? Do we hurt for condemned souls? Do we long for the growth and progress of Christ followers? If not, we need to ask for more of the Lord's heart to be conformed in us! When this takes place, we'll teach and preach more than God's truth; we'll transmit God's heart! Jeremiah, when speaking of God said it best, "Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15). As I share this, I have more than 26 years of teaching the Word of God behind me. Looking ahead, the teaching and preaching of apostle Paul continues to challenge and help me become better at accurately handling the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). My prayer is that God would continue to shape us into God-exalting, Christ-centered, and Holy Spirit-empowered men who teach and preach the Word of God. Your move. Be encouraged!