1. What makes a preacher a "good" preacher?

a) Wears the "proper" clothing?

b) Uses "eloquent" speech?

c) Drives the "suitable" automobile?

2. I Thessalonians 2:1-12.

I. Message (verse 2).

A. Called the gospel of God because it originated with God.

1. Galatians 4:4 – "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law."

B. The gospel is the power of God.

1. Romans 1:16 – "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

C. Because Paul understood the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, he was ready to preach the gospel.

1. Romans 1:15 – "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."

D. The gospel is intended for all men.

1. Matthew 28:18-20 – "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

II. Manner.

A. Courageously (verses 2-4). Paul preached boldly despite his previous persecutions at Philippi and Thessalonica. This boldness does not come naturally, but has to be developed. There is no place in heaven for the fearful.

1. II Timothy 1:6-8 – "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God."

2. Revelation 21:8 – "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

B. Caringly (verses 7-8).

1. II Timothy 2:24-26 – "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."

C. Constantly (verse 9).

1. Acts 20:31 – "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

D. With character (verse 10).

1. II Corinthians 6:3 – "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed."

III. Motive.

A. Without covetousness (verses 5-6). Covetousness is a characteristic of false teachers.

1. II Peter 2:1-3 – "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

B. To please God (verse 4).

1. Galatians 1:10 – "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

C. Concern for the lost (verses 11-12).

1. Romans 9:1-3 – "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost. That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:" (Here Paul speaks specifically of his desire for his fleshly kinsmen, that is, the Jews. But certainly no on would deny that Paul had a concern for all the lost.)

D. Paul realized he was a debtor.

1. Romans 1:14 – "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise."

1. May we all strive to imitate Paul in:

a) The message he preached.

b) His manner of preaching.

c) His motivation for preaching.