This was the question that Peter asked of Cornelius upon arriving at his home in Caesarea (Acts 10:29). Being a Jew, Peter had deeply imbedded apprehensions about going to the home of a Gentile. Although an angel had appeared to Cornelius and instructed him to send for Peter, and the Holy Spirit had told Peter to go, he still wanted to know the purpose for which he had been sent. Cornelius responded, "We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God" (v. 33).
I can and should ask the same question of you. Why have you asked me to come and work with you here at Knollwood? What are your expectations of me and my work? Let's make sure that we are on the same page as we begin our work together.
I have come to Knollwood to do the work of an evangelist. That work consists, primarily, of preaching the word of God.
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:1-2).
This passage constitutes the "marching orders" for all evangelists. We are authorized by God to preach His word. We are to preach all of God's word. Paul told the elders in Ephesus that he had "kept back nothing that was helpful" to them, and had not shunned to declare to them the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:20, 27). Evangelists are to preach the word in a way that is easily understood, thus allowing God's word to enter good and honest hearts and produce fruit (Luke 8:15, Isaiah 55:10-11).
My preaching must be confined to the word of God. God does not allow me to use the pulpit as an opportunity to propagate the theories and wisdom of men, to tell stories that make people laugh or cry, or to play the "devil's advocate" in such a manner that causes listeners to question their faith. I am to be ready to preach sound doctrine, and must avoid fables and foolish talk which will draw men away from the truth. Although I must be careful to preach the truth in love, my goal is not to tickle the ears of those who hear me, but to please God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge my efforts as a preacher.
I am charged by God to convince, rebuke, and exhort as I labor patiently among you as an evangelist. There are times when men need to be convinced of the truth, rebuked of the error in their thinking and in their lives, and exhorted to live faithfully before God and man. Such preaching will not always be pleasant, but it will always have a single purpose - to bring about man's salvation.
In order to preach the word, I first must know what the word says. Paul told Timothy to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV). I cannot preach what I do not know, understand, or believe.
Because of the importance of my task, you can expect that I will spend much time studying the word of God. A lack of study will result in shallow preaching, which will create a spiritually shallow congregation that is "ripe for the picking" with regards to error and apostasy.
Another responsibility that I have as an evangelist is to set a good example before all people.
"In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you" (Titus 2:7-8).
Timothy was told, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4:16, emphasis mine, HR). If the life that I live does not harmonize with the gospel that I preach, such will become a stumbling block and offense to those who are within my sphere of influence. While I must be careful to preach the word of God, I must also be careful to practice what I preach. One cannot be emphasized above the other.
For what reason have you sent for me? I trust that it is to do the work that God has given to the evangelist. While I may not do everything perfectly, I will do my best. I covet your prayers as we begin our efforts together. I also welcome your thoughts, suggestions, and even your corrective criticism. We are laboring together, and the important thing is that God's will be done.