If the only hope for the gospel’s effectiveness lies in the work of God as he blesses the preaching, then the preacher’s first priority is to preach so as to be pleasing to God. This has both negative and positive implications.
Negatively, the preacher must not think that his hearers can be won over by clever arguments. Though a preacher should show how the gospel message brings wholeness and happiness, he must not try to appeal to materialistic and selfish desires.
Positively, the preacher must be faithful to the message of Scripture and live with integrity before the face of God.
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.