Lecture 13 – Essential Disposition

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IV. The disposition essential to the fulfilling of the duty and privilege

A. The disposition of the evangelist in relationship to the message he conveys

1. A burning conviction as to the objective reality of truths conveyed

1 Jn. 1:1-3
Gal. 1:11, 12
2 Tim. 1:13; 3:14-15
1 Cor. 2:1
2 Cor. 4:13

Benjamin B. Warfield, Faith and Life, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1990), pp. 240-242.

2. A present pressure of the truth upon our hearts as to the immediate and urgent relevance of the truths conveyed.

2 Cor. 5:20 – 6:2
Jn. 3:36

Gardiner Spring, The Power of the Pulpit, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), pp. 88-89.

3. An assured sense of the ultimate authority behind the truths conveyed and your position in conveying them

2 Cor. 5:20-21

Gardiner Spring, The Power of the Pulpit, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), p. 70;

Gardiner Spring, The Power of the Pulpit, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), pp. 71-72.

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B. The disposition of the evangelist in relationship to the magnitude of his task

1 Cor. 2:1-3

1. Note the Apostle Paul’s felt inadequacy, dread, and much trembling.

2. What was the cause of these feelings?

a) Negatively, they were not caused by

– The fear of men

Gal. 1:10
1 Thess. 2:4
Acts 20:24

– Uncertainty as to his message

Gal. 1:10-12

– Inexperience

Acts prior to chapter 18

– Uncertainty as to his call

Acts 26:18

– Apprehension about success in the eyes of men

2 Cor. 5:9
1 Cor. 4:3

b) Positively, they were caused by a present, intelligent awareness of the real factors involved in preaching

– The god of this world working in blinding power

2 Cor. 4:3

– The prejudice of Jew and Greek

1 Cor. 1:22-23

– His earthen vessel

2 Cor. 4:7

– His utterance being a divine gift given or withheld in sovereignty

Eph. 6:19

– His accountability as a watchman

Acts 20:20
2 Cor. 5:10-11

3. The acid test of this aspect of the disposition complex will be displayed in your actions

a) Prayerfulness before, during, and after preaching

b) Submission to every discipline which brings this into conscious

2 Cor. 12:9-10

c) Jealous guarding of God’s glory

1 Cor. 3:5-8

Gardiner Spring, The Power of the Pulpit, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), p. 77.

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C. The disposition of the evangelist in relationship to those to whom you preach

1. Your disposition with respect to the pitiable state of your unconverted hearers

2 Tim. 2:26
Titus 3:2, 3
Mt. 9:36
Jer. 9:1

2. Your disposition with respect to their dangerous state

Rom. 2:5
Heb. 10:31
2 Cor. 5:10
Acts 20:31
Lk. 19:41-42

3. Your disposition with respect to their salvable state

1 Tim. 2:1-4
2 Tim. 2:10
1 Cor. 9:22
1 Thess. 2:8

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D. The disposition of the evangelist in relationship to the ultimate triumph of his task

1. The assurance of triumph

Jn. 10:16
Rom. 10:13-15
Eph. 2:17
2 Cor. 2:14-17
Jn. 6:37

2. The outworking of the assurance

a) No tampering with the message to make it more acceptable to men

2 Cor. 2:17
1 Cor. 1:18-25

b) No crippling discouragement when we appear unsuccessful

1 Cor. 15:58
Gal. 6:9

c) No carnal pride when success is granted

1 Cor. 3
Rom. 9

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