How to correctly assess a minister

Introduction

This texts continue to talk about how to correctly judge and relate to christian leaders and ministers.

Two extremes - glorifying the leaders of the church or to disrespect them.

So how should we view and relate to ministers.

I. Servant

1. explanation

-by this idea we are told that he is there not for himself but for the people.

Matthew 20:25-28

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

-He is there to advance his personal interest but to take care of the spiritual interest of the people, he is there for their needs.

-He is embodying Jesus Christ who served as and humbled himself.

2. illustration

-Think of an apple tree. He has been planted in a garden not to produce fruit for himself, but for others.

3. application

-therefore we must not be worshiped or glorified because ultimately he is just a tool in his master’s hand (celebrity pastors). Pointing to Christ.

-do not make your spiritual life to be about a spiritual leader

-Pray for him, because he is just a human servant

-he is there for you and you are not there for him (you do not serve the leader, the leader serves you) -

II. Manager

1. explanation

a) a manager has authority from his master to perform the tasks assigned to him (he is leading)

b) a minister is using God’s word to serve the people and serve their spiritual needs. God gave him the authority to help them spiritually

by the word (v.1, v.6) not by personal opinion, human tradition or wordly philosophies

Jeremiah 3:15

‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding

with faithfulness (v.2) (Noah, Jeremiah, Isaiah)

with love (v.14b)

with authority (he is Christ’s representative)

1 Corinthians 4:19-21

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Titus 2:15

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

2. illustration

-think about a policeman who has received authority from someone higher than him which is the american government to enforce the rule of law for benefit of the whole community. The state gave him authority to serve you in a sense, right? But he must do so by book, by following the rule of law.

3. application

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

a. respect

b. submission according to the bible, not other sources like David Koresh

III. Example (v.11-v17)

1. explanation

a) he must be ahead of you and therefore an example in:

dedication (hunger, thirst, homelessness and lack of proper clothing)

patience (persecution and slander)

humbleness (blessing with )

sacrifice (the scum of all the world, the refuse of all things)

He is to show Christ so you can become more like Christ!

2. application

-do like he does, but do not expect perfection