Oxen and Rock Stars
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Here is the practical advice to the congregation that needs a pastor. By the way Every church needs a pastor. There are no special churches that don’t need a pastor. By the way the pastor needs a church. I don’t go with the lone ranger preacher that just decides what to do with no backing or authority of the church behind him. Well we’ll just serve God. right!! through the church that Jesus died for and in line with the pastor that Jesus gifted to the church.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Message: Oxen and Rock Stars
Elders again…
Notice with me that there is a word that was used in verse one. This is the same word but the context lets us know in what way it is meant to be used. The word is elder.
Elder in verse one is dealing with the senior men of the congregation they are busy about the work of prayer. We know this because of the context.
He will follow it up with elder women, young men, and young women.
Elder in verse 17 is the same word different context. Here he is back to the context of the pastor.
One muzzle or double honor.
Here we find two previous bible passages used to describe one individual.
The first is the image of double honor.
We find that a double portion (Deut 2:17)
Went to the first born son who would shoulder the responsibility of leading the family at the passing of the Father. Because of the responsibility there should be a consideration made.
We find that in the church Paul has called for Honor (I Tim 5.3)
The widows are to be given Honor. There is no doubt that this was to include many things. Respect, kindness, love, and yes financial renumeration.
John Clarke says:
1 Timothy 1. Elders Are to Be Honored according to Principles from Scripture (17–18)
“Almost every critic of note allows that timee here signifies reward, stipend, wages. Let him have a double or a larger salary who rules well.” (Clarke)
So there is a call for the pastor to be cared for in the same way that the widow would.
Then he elaborates on his point by using an allusion in Moses’ words.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
This point is such an important picture for Paul that he actually uses in his letter to Corinth.
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Now I don’t know how much I like being compared to an ox, but Paul pulls the context of this verse to an understanding of what to do for your pastor. God’s literal concern was that he knows the human heart well enough that he knows that man will disregard the life of his own animals for the prospect of a little gain. And to make a buck more will even labor his animal to death keeping back the profit of the field from the one that works the grain. What God was commanding and Paul is commanding is that the ox should not have to sacrifice the good of his life for the good of those he serves.
The ox should have enough lead and no muzzle so that when he is working hard he can stop drop his head get some nourishment and then keep treading.
My wife and I love that this church never requires us to choose between time with our family or a church to serve. We have never felt like we are hurting us or our kids to serve you and this is to your credit.
Now, I can’t tell you if there is a less needed passage to any congregation of any time in history. South Knollwood you have done so much to care for me and my family. and you do it with such thoughtfulness and care it is humbling.
I will tell you that there are many pastors that serve in churches where they feel under provided and under appreciated. South Knollwood don’t change a thing, but don’t take it for granted.
Now the ox speaks to the provision…
But vs 19 goes back to those that would use the church for wrong purposes.
Why? because that is the context of this letter False teacher and those that would use the church for their own gain.
Peter warns of the same…
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
It is no virtue to follow pastors that have commited crime and wish to cover for sin. It is no virtue to silently stand by and never speak up to wrong done by leaders.
It was the generation right before mine that acted as if the ministry was big enough and the pastor powerful enough than it was okay if he had a few problems.
There are churches even today that instead of seeing criminal staff members arrested will allow sin to continue and just move the criminal.
This is not Christianity.
Neither is it Christian to run around on a witch hunt.
Paul is looking for God’s people to treat sin in a godly way. Sin gets dealt with and good men can be followed. Understand that men will let you down. Their sin should be dealt with. But this can make us skiddish and keep us from trusting anyone. No that isn’t what’s called for so.
When sin happens treat it Biblically.
Matthew 18.15-20
Go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that "every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;
and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
But this is my pastor,
Right but if not you are guilty of another sin.
Partiality
This is the problem with the rock star status that is given to Pastors. No matter which denomination does it. The elevated and fan base was not meant for Pastors. I think I could argue its not good for anyone but especailly in the church. The untouchable unaproachable position our celebrity driven culture has bestowed on rock star preachers is a death to God’s plan for a church.
Here is the principle that it all rides on…
Why honor a man who can sin?
Why call out sin even in a man who has done good?
Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Because we don’t know the sins of sinners. God does.
We don’t know the good done by saints. God does.
Some sins will come out and burst out in front of God and everyone.
Some will come out on judgement day and God will deal with it.
Some good will be noticeable and can be rehearsed in the ears of all the fans.
Some good will go unnoticed and no one this side of glory will see it but God will deal with it.
My late uncle Ed Fuller after serving in Papua New Guinea as a missionary said,
“It is so strange coming back to the states where pastors can be made much of. I know for a fact that there are pastors in New Guinea that no one knows their alive and their treasure will out weigh any pastor in America.”
Church this calls for a humility doesn’t it.
The humility to love people who can let you down. And the humility to care enough about him to see him as a sinner who needs a church like this one.
Afterword:
I view the role of the church to be a hospital not a museum for saints. We are to use this Gospel today for hurting marriages and people. And because of that there is a role that the church plays in ministering to the wayward and even the sinner.
We know that Jesus’ words were
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
To the church in Corinth Paul said,
Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
This last year I had friends that were arrested for doing a crime. Sadly, though repentant he was unable to find a church in his area that would let him come and worship. What has happened to them is that they are currently ostracized from church. Not the church in which he did wrong - any church.
Churches with a big gospel are to small to give grace to someone who needs corrected and healed.
I’ve also seen it done the right way. We here at knollwood from the time i became the pastor have had men and women with sin in their story. Our church is going to minister to hurting people. And some of those people are going to have pasts that are destructive and consequences and victims. We are not trying to cover sin or crime. But we have a responsibility to extend help and ministry to the families of those that make horrible decisions. and to attempt to show kindness and love to the repentant.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
This means…
We are going to demonstrate wisdom.
Preacher why do we have a
two person rule when working with kids?
A manned check in system
Video cameras
Moving security team
Background Checks for anyone working with minors
Abuse prevention protocols
Why don’t we let men work in the nurserys?
So that we can minister to people that have sin in their past.
And provide the very best care we know how for your children.
Here is what I want from you.
Know that we want to help as many as we can.
Know that we want to protect every single child.
Know that we want to protect every innocent minister.
Know that South Knollwood is doing all possible to never be a soft target.
Know that there is a limit to what we can do. When you are here in this church you are foolish to let your children run free range. It is not wise to come to the house of God and unplug from your role as trainer, protector, and socializer.
I want you to find this to be a sanctuary of relief. But your kids are protected when they are in our care. There is nothing about walking through the front doors of this church that automatically makes this a safe space.
Have your kids with you.
Keep an eye on your children.
Teach them to shake hands and converse with adults.
Give them a pew and help them learn a little discipline.
This is the role of every parent.
Please do not check out because you think you know your environment. Your role of parent is the first protection for a child.