The Preacher and the Pew

1. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-14 The Preacher and the Pew

2. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-10 • 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;

3. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-14 • 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,

4. Introduction • There can be a special relationship between the man in the pulpit and the Christian in the pew. • It takes time to develop such a relationship. • Learn each other. • There are some requirements for this to happen.

5. Requirements of the Preacher • 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing 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 dear to us. • Gentle – fair, moderate, not extreme, equitable • Desirous – strong affection • Willing – to be work, to be used • Loving – kind, compassionate

6. Requirements of the Preacher • Many think that to preach they must: • Like to talk • Like to eat – esp. chicken • Know Greek, Hebrew and English • Be “teched in the head” • Charles Hodge book “Your Preacher” • 3 times you need a preacher – “Hatched, Matched and Dispatched”

7. What the preacher should do • 1 Thessalonians 2:10-11 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, • Behave – manner of conduct • Exhort – confront to do what is right • Charge – Challenge to do more • Comfort - “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

8. What the pew should do • 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. • Remember – what you have learned, been taught • Walk – conduct your life accordingly • Work – do what God commands

9. What the pew should do • We respond to every sermon / lesson / class • Public response • Verbal response • Behavior response • With each sermon – ask 3 questions. • What is this sermon about? • What is it teaching? • Am I doing what this sermon teaches me to do?

10. Conclusion • The preacher has an obligation to preach and live the gospel message. • The pew has the responsibility to respond to the gospel message in a positive way.