Thursday, January 09, 2014

Marsha Iddings: The Preacher's Job Description (Titus 1:9-16 NKJV)

holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:9-16 NKJV)

The preacher of God's word has a big job description here.  Previously, Paul lays out the qualifications of the preacher and now the duties.  

This is an underpaid, unappreciated job for the most part.  It makes me wonder about those who have great popularity and fancy homes that most of their congregations can't afford.  

In my experience, the preachers who try to stick to the Biblical job description are the ones who are constantly attacked by those who are of great influence in the church and are often run out by them so he can be replaced by someone who is popular and will tickle their ears.

This is one of the hardest jobs in the world and those who take it on and do it according to the qualifications and job description and few and far between and need great prayer.

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