Charge to Chris Reed
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
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. 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I want to exhort and encourage you brother, as you launch begin the life of ordained ministry, from bookend passages out of the letter to the Hebrews. Listen to the way the Pastor begins his letter and the way he ends it.
(Read passage…)
What I read in ch. 13 is an exhortation to the congregation to obey their leaders, but here’s why I’m using it to exhort you.
God provides shepherds in his church (pastors) to lead his people by his Word under the authority of the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. (Jesus Christ strengthens his people to do God’s will as they follow his word and trust in their leaders.)
Did you notice this in the bookend? The first words out of his mouth are that in these last days God has spoken to us in his Son. Jesus as the radiance of the glory of God is the full, complete and final word of God. Brother, when it comes to the proclamation of the Word, you have nothing new to say! The final word has already been given and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
There will, for sure be varied ways that you apply God’s word to the students and others in your care, but those applications must always be rooted in the eternal word. The world changes, but the word never does.
Secondly, notice the last word from the Pastor. Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep. You shepherd and care under his authority. And, remember this, you’re sheep too. Don’t get it twisted. You’re an under-shepherd and a sheep simultaneously. You give care and are in need of care at the same time.
And this is a note for our presbytery committee who has oversight responsibility. Part of their work is to make sure that you are receiving the pastoral care that you need as a sheep.
This is important because the work is crucial. Why does he charge them to obey their leaders and submit to them?Because part of the way that Jesus ministers to his people is by providing them with godly shepherds in the local church. Part of the way he watches over their souls is by providing shepherds in the church to watch over, to care for their souls. That word translated as “soul” is not just a reference to the “spiritual” part of you. It’s a reference to your life as a whole. In other words, pastoral care in the church isn’t simply caring for some compartmentalized, non-material aspect of life. It relates to the whole of life.
Chris, godly pastoral care is a major aspect of the way that Jesus cares for his people.
Whatever trajectory your ministry calling takes you, brother, may the testimony of those God blesses you to serve be that they know you’ve been with Jesus. May the ministry of the word preached from your mouth, the ministry of care you give on the campus, in the hospital, in the community, or wherever your feet tread—may the fragrance of that ministry always be the radiance of the glory of God in Jesus Christ.
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.