Being Pastoral

Vision 2019: Looking 4-1 Being Pastoral Ephesians 4:7, 11-14 Introduction: I. Pastor/Teacher A. The Responsibility Leviticus 10:8And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, 9Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses. KJV a. From birth we learn, learning should never stop. We learned how to talk from our family. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to learn this skill without an example and guidance from someone who already had this skill. To say that a baby could learn to talk all by himself is absurd. babies need someone to show them how to talk. Piano lessons from Mrs. Claire Thomas, then the two Piano Professors in college. Each served their purpose pressing & stretching me to go farther increasing ability with the intent to reach maximum expression. b. It is the same with learning the Bible. You must read it for yourself, ask Holy Spirit to teach you, but all through the Bible, New Testament included, there are teachers to share insight & challenge the student to walk deeper in the things of God. B. Sheep trusts the Shepherd a. As Pastor, I realize you are entrusting your eternal spirit & soul to me to teach truth which leads to eternal life. b. YHWH was the first teacher, He spoke and the worlds came into existence. Every teacher is trying to take the student to the next level of where they know they are capable. Father walked & talked with Adam instructing & teaching him. The student is responsible for what he is taught. (BIBLE) II. Pastors/Teachers are Gifts Remember the application: Teaching is for the equipping of the Body of Christ. A. Teacher & Learning Acts 8:26-31 (BIBLE) The Eunuch who was a man of authority & power said How can I understand unless someone guides, instructs, explains to me. To be taught you must be willing to learn & submit to the authority of the teacher. Jesus said, the student is never greater than his teacher. a. There are areas which each of you are more skilled than someone else because you have invested time to learn. I should not try to do the job of any of my children, they have each been trained & invested their learning resources to advance their skills. b. It is the same with being Pastor/Teacher, I spend a lot of time in prayer, reading & research to bring direction to the Body of Christ, the congregation, the flock G-d has placed in my care. That is one reason I am very guarded of this pulpit. B. Teacher & Wisdom a. Teaching suggests direction. This is where I must truly lean on Holy Spirit to fill my mouth with His Word because each one I speak to are at varied levels of maturity, even the desire to grow. Some are on the meat of the Word while others who hear me preach are on the milk of the Word, and that is OK as long as you are growing towards maturity. b. Listen to the words of Paul to his student Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. NLT C. Teacher & Sharing a. 2 Timothy 3:17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. NLT A person should look for the spiritual and religious well-being of others as well as himself; as Yaaqob (Jacob) sent for Yehudah (Judah) to learn, that is get direction, from Yosef (Joseph). http://www.betemunah.org/teacher.html b. Genesis 46:28And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to direct his face (to get directions, guide him, to lead the way) unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. KJV This scripture is revealing the restoration of relationship. III. Conclusion A. Parent to Children a. The greatest & most imperative of teacher to student is the parent to the children. Not in secular learning; "Oh, but they must have an education to have a great, high-paying career!" "They need to know about the world, then they can 'choose' for themselves about God." b. NO! You are commanded by Hashem, Eternal, Infinite One to teach your heritage/children their spiritual walk. Just as Vicki & I walk under the mantle of Pastor/Teacher in this House, you are the Priest of your home & responsible to teach your children the way of God. Be a teacher. B. This is what you must trust teaching will do when you "Let Go" of your knowledge/teaching: Let Go Open your hand. Gravity pulls. Wind swells. Everything settles into place C. The reason we can do this is because of the resurrection of Christ. - He asks us to: * Repent * Live by Faith * Be Baptized * Be Filled with His Spirit Conclusion: PRESENT THE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION – EVERY WEEK – AND THE NEED TO COME FORWARD IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST.