A Pastor's Appreciation

Background to passage: possibly the last two letters written of the NT, maybe after John was released from exile on Patmos. Second shortest book in the NT, only to 3 John by about 40 words. The main thrust of the letter is two-fold, one a reminder encouraging them to love one another and secondly a warning about false teachers that are going from church to church.

2 John 1–2 ESV

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

2 John 12–13 ESV

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

Opening illustration: Statistical years for divorce in marriage, pastors and churches similar to marriage

Main thought: The letter begins and ends with a thread of John’s closeness to the flock in a pastoral way. This morning, on pastor appreciation Sunday, I want to share how this pastor’s appreciation for this congregation has grown in two ways.

1) In the Truth (v. 1-2)

2 John 1–2 ESV

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

1) In the Truth (v. 1-2)

Explanation: Two things happened the first week that I was the pastor of WHBC: 1) took me to shoot clays with all the men, 2) put me up to lead worship on Christmas Eve Sunday morning. I definitely had mixed feelings, lol. Regardless of how I shot or how I sang, I knew the truth that we were brothers and sisters in Christ because of our common salvation.

Luke 8:19–21 ESV

19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Illustration: many of us have experienced this when we go on some sort of mission trip or endeavor. We meet people of like faith and are instantly drawn to them; instant family; instant commonality, not because of time or knowledge or interests, but because of being born into the family of God.

Application: In truth, in the Truth, we are family. Much deeper than biological connection, and enduring spiritually, we are brothers and sisters and coheirs with Jesus. We are the family of God, the body of Christ. We are bride of Christ. We are the elect from before the foundation of the world. We are the church gathered at Western Heights with a common faith and common mission to glorify Christ, advance the kingdom, make disciples, and take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

2) In Joy (v. 12-13)

2 John 12–13 ESV

12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

2) In Joy (v. 12-13)

Explanation: over the years there are so many instances of your care for us, at the risk of leaving people out, I want to recognize a few. Now that the kids have gotten older, more cars in the driveway (until half of them went to college), insurance goes up, Knox eats enough for two UT football offensive lineman, I have started to do more stuff on my own. But at this point I don’t have many tools. So, I have become the church bum. At my house right now are Mike’s two sanders, Jimmy’s air compressor, Gene Smith’s weed eater that he gave me, Wesley Neal’s lawnmower (both of those because they got tired of me borrowing them), and probably other things. Tickets to see TN/AUB game, TN/AL game, tickets to see Taylor Swift.

Some have given effort and time. I think about Todd getting mashed up against the wall moving bedroom furniture up the stairs. Mat working on my garage. Terri and Stafford watching my dog, and many of you who have come and let her out during the day sometimes. Times when Rusty has rushed to my house to see how wet the ceiling is when we find a leak. Standing outside listening to stories of Henry Neal because Wesley let me use his garden. There’s probably a buttermilk pie that Terri has made for dozens of potlucks, just for me. Meals, fellowships, and dinner X 100, Mackenzie is sad that she can’t eat with us today. Some of you have helped me drag deer across creeks and up hills.

Much has been shared experiences from freezing cold Easter sunrises, weddings, hospitals, funerals, Sunday School parties and fellowships. We weathered COVID together. Ministry together like Panama City, Griffin disaster relief, Peru, Mission Serve in Mobile, NC, and in LaGrange. Freezing food distributions and roasting food distributions. You willingness to receive other ministries, and reconcile with others.

Illustration:

Application: Just like most relationships, time, effort, sacrifice, and shared experiences knit hearts and lives together. As I look back over seven years, out time together has been sweet. Of course, with any marriage, there have been ups and downs. God sprinkles difficulty among the victory to humble and shape us into the people and church that he desires.

I know that today is supposed to be a day that you appreciation me and my family (which deserve so much more credit than anyone realizes), I want you to know that my love for you has grown, and I don’t tell you that enough. Most of our ministry we have been far from family. The Church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been our family.

Closing illustration:

Recap