Who and What is a Pastor?

Pastor Appreciation Day

· Today is a special day, it is Pastor Appreciation Day!

· This is the day we all come together and honor our Pastors through words of sentiments and acts of expressions through tears and laughter.

· Today is going to be slightly different because most of the time we honor our Pastors for their acts that benefits us or for their personalities because they make us laugh and teach us stuff.

o BTW Pastora is way funnier than Pastor Abe.

· Today you will be informed what is a True Pastor biblically

· Let me ask you a question how do you honor a person who holds a position or if you truly don’t know what they do or the warfare they go through?

· They just don’t simply wake up Monday morning with an instant download for the next Sunday sermon.

They live life just like we do, and we lack as children of the house in honoring them

Examples - These examples are as a collective group

1. Not participating on Morning Matters calls

2. Consistently coming late to church know what time the service starts

3. Not being engaged when you walked through these doors if it is prayer or worship

4. Not notifying the Pastors areas that you are gifted in so when the timing is right you can serve in the house somewhere.

5. Not tithing to the house that provides your spiritual food for growth

6. Even to leaving the sanctuary dirty and leave the church

· This message is not intended to be a rebuke or what you do wrong

· but I share this to have you reflect on how much we still need to grow.

· This message is not praising a man for his works,

· but obey what they Word says how we should obey and treat the person HE has placed over this church we call home.

· That is how we honor Christ by obeying what His Word says.

· My heart is,

If we are taking today to show honor to our Spiritual leader that is it not only for a few days then back to our old ways,

Today’s message is for us to understand that we are blessed to have a Pastor and we truly honor our Pastor not only as the man he is, but honor the position that Jesus set it place for our benefit.

· Cool, we good?

Let’s look at the 2 main passages that we will break down for today’s context

Ephesians 4:7–16 (CSB)

7. Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

8. For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.

9. But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth?

10. The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.

11. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

12. to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

13. until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

14. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.

15. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

16. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

John 21:15–19 (CSB)

15. When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him.

16. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

17. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.

18. “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19. He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

Who and What is a Pastor????

IT’S A CALLING

a. All callings have qualifications

b. A calling requires honor

Let’s look at the background throughout the Bible.

One of five gifts given to the Church for leadership by the ascended Lord (Eph. 4:8, 11). Whereas apostles, prophets, and evangelist minister in the Church at large, pastors and teachers serve in the local congregation.

The NT imagery comes from an OT and Palestinian background. In the Jewish economy, the shepherd who tended a flock of sheep or goats held a responsible position.

Great flocks had to be moved from place to place, and it was necessary that they be guarded from wild animals and robbers.

Because of the fundamental role of shepherding in the ancient world, the word “shepherd” became a common term for a ruler.

The kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt were often referred to as shepherds who protected their people.

This imagery formed the background for the OT, where the same usage is found in multiple OT passages.

God is pictured as the shepherd of Israel, concerned for every aspect of his people’s welfare.

Rulers and leaders of the people are often referred to as shepherds (cf., e.g., Nm 27:17; 1 Kgs 22:17; Jer 10:21; 12:10; 22:22; 23:1, 2).

By the time of Jeremiah, “shepherd” begins to be used as a title for the coming Messiah.

God himself undertakes to provide for his flock (Jer 23:3; 31:10; Ez 34:11–22) and promises to provide faithful shepherds who are concerned for his people (Jer 3:15; 23:4).

He explicitly promises that he will be their God and will set the Messianic Son of David as shepherd over them (Ez 34:23, 24).

The OT imagery continues in the NT.

God is pictured as a shepherd concerned for his sheep (Lk 15:4–7) “leave the 99 for the 1” passage

And Jesus refers to himself as the promised Messianic Shepherd

Matthew 10:16 - “Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves

Matthew 25:32 - All the nations, will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

John 10:1–30 - Jesus reference himself as the Great Shepherd

Ephesians 4:11 (lb) speaks of leaders of the church as shepherds or pastors, and this usage continued in the early church and down until the present day.

Paul says they are special people given to the church by God to care “for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God.”

Pastors and teachers together formed a group which complemented the work of apostles, prophets, and evangelists. The titles “bishop” and “elder” refer to the same office in the NT (cf. Acts 20:17, 28; Ti 1:5, 7), and “pastor” seems to be practically synonymous with them, as shown by Jesus being referred to as “the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pt 2:25 kjv). The verb “to shepherd” is used to describe the work of local church leaders (Jn 21:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Pt 5:2), and often the congregation is called a flock. It is the pastor’s responsibility to build up the body of Christ by watching over the congregation (Acts 20:28; Heb 13:7) and countering false teaching (Acts 20:29, 30). More detailed information regarding the duties and responsibilities of pastors is found in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, which have come to be called the “pastoral letters.”

As used by the NT, “pastor” designates both an endowment (given natural capacity, power, or ability for ministry) and the one who fulfills ministry,

The pastoral ministry is referenced in the NT and also may be performed by

a presbýteros (Elders) (1 Pet. 5:1f)

an epískopos (Overseers) (1 Tim. 3:2)

or even both (cf. Acts 20:17, 28).

It’s more than an office, it suggests a moral or spiritual relationship.

A pastor must be

faithful to Christ the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 2:25; cf. He. 13:20),

Self-sacrificing (cf. Jn. 10:11),

Seeking the lost (cf. Mt. 18:12–14).

Use of “pastor” as a title for the congregation’s leader derives substantially from the Geneva Bible. Following Calvin’s sharp, formal distinction between poimḗn (Latin for pastor) and didáskalos (“teacher,” Lat doctor) in his commentary (comm on Ephesians [Eng. tr. 1965], pp. 179f; cf. also Inst. iv.3.1–8), the Geneva translation adopted the Latin term instead of “shepherd,” which both Wyclif and Tyndale had used. See Shepherd; Ministry.

2. A Pastor has major responsibilities

Lets talk about PASTOR IS A CALLING

· Calling – to receive an invitation for a particular purpose

We all have callings

first off, our salvation is a calling because the Lord Jesus Christ wanted us to receive eternal life.

Even though we have free will,

There are consequences we receive when we disregard God’s call

§ Acts 13:46 - Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles

A calling for a Pastor is more of a summon

To be summoned - denoting someone whose participation or presence has been officially requested (for something); especially a request to which refusal is not an option.

Genesis 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh.

Because a seasoned Christian understands God’s command and the results of disobedience.

Jonah 1 – God calls Jonah to go to Ninevah and preach to them so they can repent.

He does the opposite and tries to run from

And he goes through a whole bunch stress and drama because his disobedience.

1. Jonah goes a boat, God sends a storm, Jonah confessed it was his fault and the sailors threw him overboard.

2. The God sends a Giant fish and swallows Jonah.

3. Jonah is in the belly of the fish; he uses his time wisely and prays to the Lord for three days

4. The Lord hears his genuine prayers and the fish threw him up on dry land

5. God gave Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh. This time he obeyed and preached God's message. The Ninevites believed and repented, and God spared them.

He is the God of second chances.

I am sharing this story because when God has a calling on your life, He is persistent!

I mentioned that everyone has a calling on their life, so when God calls you for any task it would be wise to respond, life will be a lot simpler this way.

Did you know, The OT mentions that we were going to have someone who would lead us in our spiritual journey.

Ezekiel 34:23 CSB – Pastor is a calling

“I will establish over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd”

· The role of shepherd will be returned to the Davidic Messiah, who will care for God’s sheep properly. Jesus fulfills that role and alludes to the imagery in John 10:1–18. “The parable of the Good Shepherd”

Jeremiah 3:15 CSB – Pastor is a calling

“I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill.”

The leaders of Israel and the aristocracy (which means leaders of a few) are called ro’im (Roeem) (Hebrew meaning “shepherds”)

This term is used in Jer 2:8.

The reference was the seeking of Yahweh’s heart contrasts the rebellious heart and acts of Judah, who did not return with her whole heart (see v. 10 and note).

The metaphor of the shepherd as ideal ruler is also applied to the Davidic messiah

Lets break down some terms and facts prior to moving on, so you can understand the basis foundation of each of our first callings which is the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why do we keeping seeing the word Shepherd

This term often used metaphorically.

Leaders of nations are often referred to as shepherds or as shepherding their people

And metaphorically depicted as God’s pastoral care of Israel in the OT.

And to depict how Jesus and his leaders attended to the Church in the NT.\

A shepherd primary responsibility is the leading, protection, careand supervision for a flock.

Fun Fact

Why are we called “Sheep”

Sheep are mentioned more than any other livestock in the Bible.

indicating their economic importance meaning wealth

WE ARE A HOT COMMODITY!!!!

Sheep are domesticated, meaning they are settled into one place under the care of one family.

Sheep don’t jump from pasture to pasture because their shepherd didn’t pay enough attention to them.

Or the shepherd didn’t recognize the gifts they had

Since they are domesticated, they are attentive when they shepherd speaks

They trust the shepherd to guide them to the correct location, protect them from enemies and provide them with the correct food

Sheep are used as a sacrificial offering (Lev 1:10)

Meaning that we are top quality, only the top-quality sheep was able to be sacrificed.

Naturally hollow, sheep horns were used for holding olive oil which is normally used for anointing the Lord appointed kings (1 Sam 16:1)

And Sheep horns was used as musical instruments (trumpets)

We were made to be used for worship

Archaeological records indicate that the ancient world placed great importance on documenting sheep.

Scribes kept records that included the type of animals in the flock and the production of wool or dairy products.

These records provide insight into government flocks, which were entrusted to shepherds. Written contracts included the shepherd’s payment in sheep products and newborn lambs.

Furthermore, displays that a good shepherd in facts keeps track of his flock, but also, they are required to.

Pastor is a calling

- Ephesians 4:7-11

1 Peter 5:1–4 (CSB)

1. I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed:

2. Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly;

3. not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

4. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

All callings have qualifications.

Titus 1:5 (CSB)

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town.

· The use of elder here is the Greek word is presbyteros, which means someone is who mature enough and selected to oversee.

· Elder is first used in the OT as the older men who were in charge the synagogues and reading of the Torah.

· Elders are synonymous with Pastors but that is only amongst only other five-fold leaders.

· As we do have elders in this house, they have authoritive power but it is limited within a scope because the are considered overseers beside the Pastor, But a Pastor the responsibility to guide the whole church and will be held accountable for it.

Qualifications means

a quality or skill that fits a person

a condition or standard that must be complied with

not open to discussion or reconsideration

it’s non-negotiable

Qualifications Titus 1: 6-11

They MUST be blameless

Have only one spouse

with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion.

not arrogant

or hot tempered

not an excessive drinker

not a bully

not greedy for money

hospitable

loving what is good

sensible

righteous

Holy, self-controlled

Hold to the faithful message as taught

Able to encourage with sound teaching

refute those who contradict it

Silence the people who spread lies and deception for their own gain or the gain of the enemy

Because Pastoring is a calling, we are called to honor.

WE ARE CALLED TO HONOR

Hebrews 13:17 (CSB)

Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

We see the author of Hebrews give a direct order to everyone.

Obey your leader and submit to them because the burden they carry for your soul

And the responsibilities that carry a heavy penalty if the don’t steward them

With everything that have going on in their life like

Marriage

Work

Kids

Bills

Personal Struggles and desires because they are human

Plus their flocks

Marriages

Financial Issues

Spiritual needs

· 13:17. If former leaders were to be remembered and their teachings retained (vv. 7–8), present ones were to be obeyed. Their responsibility before God was to be recognized and their shepherding tasks should not be complicated by disobedience. (So that their work will be a joy possibly should be, “so their accounting [to God for you] may be with joy.”)

Galatians 6:6 CSB – We are called to honor

Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.

· One responsibility of each believer is to shoulder the financial support of the pastor-teachers in the church

· This concept of voluntary giving to provide for the Lord’s servants was revolutionary since Jews were taxed for the support of their priests and Gentiles paid fees, made vows, etc., to sustain their religions.

· The admonition is clear that as a teacher shares the good things of the Word of God, a believer is to reciprocate by sharing all good things with his instructor.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 CSB – We called to honor

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 -18 CSB – We are called to honor

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

· Paul is referencing two scriptures on this verse Deuteronomy 25:41 & Luke 10:7

o Luke 10:7 - Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t move from house to house.

· Now you super theologians out there saying that it says elders.

· We covered the word Elder as a OT & NT term

· Pastors ARE to be a preacher and teacher. Hence why they deserve double honor.

· This passage also talking about what a Pastor is worth.

o Men you will spend a minimum $40 a week or two weeks for a haircut

o Woman you will spend $100 dollars for your hair or nails

o Young Adults you will invest in places to eat every time you fellowship and that is $50 minimum.

· The bible is not saying to do not do these things but due to your part to help support your Pastor.

· No one is asking to pay his mortgage or his Tesla car note. The Word is simply saying to give according to the Lord. When we tithe to the house and are allowing the Pastors not to stress with rent or light bill or equipment we may need.

o Or if someone is need that they can give without wondering where they can get it from.

o I don’t if ya know this, but Pastor does not get a residual check from heaven or God doesn’t zelle Pastor Abe personally. God uses His body to bless the Pastor.

o Our Pastor doesn’t ask for a stipend like other churches may do, he simply asking for us to obey what scripture says

o If you are not currently Tithing, it’s never too late.

o Remember Mark 12:17 Jesus said give to God what is God’s

Acts 20:28 CSB – Responsible for caring

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

· Paul turned to the future responsibilities of the elders in Ephesus.

1. First, they were to guard and attend to themselves and all the flock.

2. Significantly before they could provide for the flock they had to care for their own spiritual well-being.

· The example I love to use is, then you are on a plane they tell you in case of an emergency put the mask on first then help the person next to you