What Are the Pastors’ Roles in the Church?
Notes
Transcript
If you'll open your Bibles to the book of Acts, chapter 14.
We'll begin in chapter 14 and then move over to .
Little Background!
The local church is one of God's essential means of growth for Christians. Knowing this, beloved, it's important that we all understand what the Scriptures then have to say about our local church.
And specifically, what does the Scripture have to teach us about our roles in our local church? Our responsibilities in our local church? And then how do we relate to one another in our local churches?
I will tell you that I keep seeing an issue arising again and again. And that issue is this: it's Christians who know Scripture in the sense of theology. They have an understanding of theology and doctrine, but they really seem to have a struggle as it pertains to how they should function and what their role is in their local church.
And that's what I want to preach on today. And next sunday.
How are we to behave in the household of God? I want to preach toasy specifically on pastors.
What is their role? What is their responsibility to the congregation?
And then next Sunday, Lord willing, I'll preach on what is the congregation's role and responsibility and how do they relate to the pastor.
Beloved, the more we understand God's Word in these areas, the better we can function as God has intended us to and have healthy, biblical local churches.
God's Glorious Church
📷
Pastors: God Called or Church Called?
if some of you I've talked to in the past maybe that are discerning a calling in your life maybe to a pastoral call - to be an elder in a church. And I want to help bring distinction and clarity to what that role and responsibility is. And then, finally, to all of us as members of local churches, I want to help us better understand what is the pastor's role and responsibility? And how should he relate to us? And then tomorrow after we see that role and responsibility, how should we relate to our pastors knowing their role and responsibility?
Beloved, the more we understand God's Word in these areas, the better we can function as God has intended us to and have healthy, biblical local churches.
Woodlawn Baptist Church
My overarching goal then is this: The glory of God in the local church.
March 6, 2005
I'm tackling a broad topic - no doubt. So, this will not be an exhaustive study. There will be some things that I do leave out. And I've prayed and studied numerous passages, but we'll be focusing in on one particular passage each hour together.
Introduction
Before we look at , 'm going to read to you
:14-
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
other people, add your name to the list, and so on? There's a story about a church that decided to
I wanted to read that to help you see this: Scripture speaks to how we are to behave in the household of God.
I wanted to read that to help you see this: Scripture speaks to how we are to behave in the household of God.
include in their newsletter something similar. It had some tongue-in-cheek suggestions for church
It speaks a lot. And it speaks explicitly on how we are to behave in the household of God. Now let's look at .
A little bit of context here, we have Paul and Barnabas. And they're out preaching the Gospel to people and they want to fulfill the Great Commission. They want to make disciples. And Paul knew that if he's going to be faithful in the making of disciples, that there needs to be a healthy church there.
21 After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Let's look at v. 21-23 here. "When they had preached the Gospel to that city and had made disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium at Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Note here v. 23 then. "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed." You had Christians - converts, born again, regenerate people - coming together and meeting. Paul wanted to strengthen them.
You had Christians - converts, born again, regenerate people - coming together and meeting. Paul wanted to strengthen them.
members unhappy with their pastor: "Simply send a copy of this letter to six other churches who are
Add your name to the bottom of the list. In one week you will receive 16,436 ministers, and one of
And one of the things he felt he needed to have done was the appointing of elders in local churches. Why? Because Christians gathering together without oversight of pastors or elders is not right.
I get that wording from . Just listen to this. He says something very similar to Titus.
tired of their ministers. Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.
I get that wording from . Just listen to this. He says something very similar to Titus.
5 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.
Paul looked at genuine, born again Christians coming together without the oversight of pastors and said that's not right. So he goes with Barnabas and they appoint elders. He writes to Timothy. He writes to Titus. Hey, I want you to go and appoint elders because why? Because without elders, things are not right.
Add your name to the bottom of the list. In one week you will receive 16,436 ministers, and one of
Let's turn now to as we look at what is the role and responsibility of pastors.
them should be a dandy. Have faith in this letter. One man broke the chain and got his old minister
But I want you to know according to Scripture, that's not in order. And God is concerned about that.
17 Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders of the church.
back."
But just to be clear again, the notion of Christians gathering together unorganized, without the oversight of elders, to Paul says that's not right. Now we live in the providence of God. In other words, if we don't have elders, we don't say, well, we need them. Let's just throw men in there. We don't do that. This takes time. And we want to be patient upon the Lord. But we should be working towards this end and praying towards this end. I hope we can see, beloved, we need to be a part of local churches. We need to have elders.
So Paul says go get the Pastors and bring them here. He has a lot to say to them, but I'm going to zero in now on v. 28-31 just because of our time.
Preacher jokes abound don't they? They're like Aggie jokes. It seems like everybody has one.
Let's turn now to as we look at what is the role and responsibility of elders. Let's start in v. 17 and then we're going to focus in on v. 28-31. V. 17 tells us though, "Now Miletus, he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church to come to him." So Paul says go get the elders and bring them here. He has a lot to say to them, but I'm going to zero in now on v. 28-31 just because of our time.
28 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. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
"Do you
acts
Let me first note for you here this: Elders, overseers, and pastors are one and the same person or people. It's describing the same office.
"Do you know how I knew I wanted to become a preacher? I woke up one morning with a strong urge for fried chicken and feeling like being lazy, so I knew I was called to preach.
know how I knew I wanted to become a preacher? I woke up one morning with a strong urge for fried
Let me first note for you here this: Elders, overseers, and pastors are one and the same person or people.
chicken and feeling like being lazy, so I knew I was called to preach.
Elders, overseers, pastors are one and the same person. Look again, v. 17, to the elders. V. 28, "whom the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." To shepherd, care for, pastor. That's the verb form of the word "pastor" that we use there.
" "Preachers work how many hours per week? Three!"
" "Preachers work how many hours
And I want to point that out to you to understand elders are pastors. Pastors are overseers. Overseers are elders. It's describing the same office.
per week? Three!"
What's the first admonition starting in v. 28 that Paul gives to these elders here in Ephesus?
Some people like to think of creative things to say on the way out the door.
Some people like to think of creative things to say on the way out the door.
Now, let's look at this. What's the first admonition starting in v. 28 that Paul gives to these elders here in Ephesus?
"That was a nice little talk
1. Pay careful attention to yourselves.
1. Pay careful attention to yourselves.
"That was a nice little talk preacher." I came across some others I thought you'd enjoy this morning.
28 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.
Pastors, elders here - myself included - your number one responsibility is to guard and nurture your own soul. That is the most important thing. You need to pay careful attention to yourselves.
preacher." I came across some others I thought you'd enjoy this morning.
Pastors, elders here - myself included - your number one responsibility is to guard and nurture your own soul. That is the most important thing. You need to pay careful attention to yourselves. My heart breaks as I keep reading about pastors falling into grevious sin and disqualifying themselves. They need to be paying careful attention to themselves.
6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money,
We noted that elders must be qualified, but notice this when you look at the qualifications in Scripture, all of the qualifications are in the present tense.
We noted that elders must be qualified, but notice this when you look at the qualifications in Scripture, all of the qualifications are in the present tense.
• "You always manage to find something to fill up the time."
We noted that elders must be qualified, but notice this when you look at the qualifications in Scripture, all of the qualifications are in the present tense.
We noted that elders must be qualified, but notice this when you look at the qualifications in Scripture, all of the qualifications are in the present tense.
"
And what that means is they must be qualified, but they must remain qualified. How do they do that? By paying careful attention to themselves.
• "I don't care what they say, I like your sermons."
As the proverbs tell us, "above all else, guard your heart."
With that being said:
I asked the church last week to vote for us to stop having Sunday night services. The meeting didn’t go well. We will have another meeting next sunday after church to vote on it. Here is why I asked the church for that.
I preached over 140 messages in 2019. It takes me 20hrs every week to prepare sermons. by the time that I write sermons, make a few phone calls. Plan for the future of the church. Plus work another 25-30 hours on my other job. I was working 50+ hrs a week. My own soul was empty and God reminded me of that during my vacation.
I was so busy doing that I stopped looking after your own soul; I stopped paying careful attention to your own soul.
• "If I'd known you were going to be good today I'd have brought a neighbor."
We need to look no further than Jesus Christ as our example. If you remember back in , He's teaching in the synagogue. He begins to heal and He goes to Peter's home. It tells us that the whole city came to Him and He healed and cast out demons starting at sunset. Needless to say, this seemed to go on into the evening. But what do we read right after that? Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He went away to a desolate place and He prayed. Pastors, don't get so busy with pastoral work that you stop guarding and nurturing your own soul.
"
Pay careful attention to yourselves.
• "Did you know there are 243 panes of glass in the windows?"
Pastors are called to lead by example. Paul tells Timothy in
12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
, set for the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. What is the first responsibility of all believers and pastors as well? To pay careful attention to your soul. To watch out your own soul. Saints, can I encourage you in something here? You pray for your pastor's soul. You pray that your pastor would pay careful attention to his own soul.
The best way for me to do this is for me to pay careful attention to my soul.
You pray for your pastor's soul. You pray that your pastor would pay careful attention to his own soul.
You have a chance to go beyond that not to only pray but to actively give me back 5-8 hrs a week that I can care for my soul. That I can care for my family. By coming and voting next week.
• "We shouldn't make you preach so often."
2. Pay careful attention to all the flock.
2. Pay careful attention to all the flock.
I have to admit that preachers have done much to hurt themselves. We usually think of the televangelists and how they have ripped off the masses. They have given pastors, preaching and the Lord's true churches a bad name, but it's not just them. In fact, you probably know a pastor or two who has hurt his credibility because of his own sin or character flaws.
Well, it goes on in v. 28📷. They're not only to pay careful attention to themselves, but they're to pay careful attention to what? To all the flock. To all of the flock.
28 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.
televangelists and how they have ripped off the masses. They have given pastors, preaching and the
This morning as I address the subject of pastors, I want you to know that although there is much fun to be had at the expense of pastors, and there is much fun to be had with your pastor, pastoring one of the Lord's churches is no laughing matter.
Pastors are to pay careful attention to all of the flock. Paul uses shepherd language here because that's what pastors are. They're shepherds. They look after the flock that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers of.
Pastors are to pay careful attention to all of the flock. Paul uses shepherd language here because that's what pastors are. They're shepherds. They look after the flock that the Holy Spirit has made them overseers of.
Lord's true churches a bad name, but it's not just them. In fact, you probably know a pastor or two who
be had at the expense of pastors, and there is much fun to be had with your pastor, pastoring one of
1 assumptions here:
you are committed to a local assembly overseen by a pastor.
the Lord's churches is no laughing matter. In fact, it is what I believe to be the highest and most
If someone walks by today and I meet them on the street and they're a Christian, I don't go, well, I'm a pastor, I must oversee and pay careful attention to your soul. There are ones under my care that God has entrusted to me.
important calling on the face of the earth. Pastoring and preaching are second to none, and as I spend
Pastors have concerns over things like this: Are they truly saved? Are they genuinely converted? Are they savoring Jesus Christ above everything else? Are they growing in conformity to the image of Christ? Are they abounding in love?
In fact, it is what I believe to be the highest and most important calling on the face of the earth. Pastoring and preaching are second to none, and as I spend today and the next two Sundays speaking about pastoring and preaching, I want you to go away with a better understanding of and a deeper appreciation for the men God has placed in your lives we call pastors.
today and the next two Sundays speaking about pastoring and preaching, I want you to go away with a
Pastors, let me exhort you in this. Paying careful attention to the souls of sheep is not just a corporate thing done; it's an individual thing done. Just like you look after your own soul individually - you want to know, where am I at? You're looking also individually at the sheep entrusted to your care.
Pastors have concerns over things like this: Are they truly saved? Are they genuinely converted? Are they savoring Jesus Christ above everything else? Are they growing in conformity to the image of Christ? Are they abounding in love?
better understanding of and a deeper appreciation for the men God has placed in your lives we call
Pastors have concerns over things like this: Are they truly saved? Are they genuinely converted? Are they savoring Jesus Christ above everything else? Are they growing in conformity to the image of Christ? Are they abounding in love?
pastors.
In order for me to do that I need one thing: TIME. Time to get to know you.
Time to get to know you.
As much as possible, hear this message as I speak about pastors in general and not about me in particular. We are in the middle of a series of messages concerning the Lord's churches. So far as the Bible teaches, there are two ordained offices in the church: that of the pastor and the deacon. I want to be very clear with you this morning that I am not preaching this message for recognition, but because God wants you to understand the office of pastor. I want to deal with two things in particular: first, what is meant by the call? We talk about pastors being God-called, and we talk about them being called by a church. Second, I believe that as members of the Lord's churches, there are certain responses we owe to pastors in light of his calling.
3. It is the Holy Spirit that makes men pastors.
3. It is the Holy Spirit that makes men pastors.
28 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.
particular. We are in the middle of a series of messages concerning the Lord's churches. So far as the
Next, we see what? V. 28 again, "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers."
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers."
It is the Holy Spirit that makes men pastors. There's no program that can make a man a pastor. There's no seminary that a man can be put through and out pops a pastor in the end. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that men are made pastors. It's a work of God.
Bible teaches, there are two ordained offices in the church: that of the pastor and the deacon. I want to
It is the Holy Spirit that makes men pastors. There's no program that can make a man a pastor. There's no seminary that a man can be put through and out pops a pastor in the end. Those places are good. They have their place. They train men how to study the Bible, how to put together sermons, how to preach, how to organize, but know this for sure, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that men are made pastors. It's a work of God.
be very clear with you this morning that I am not preaching this message for recognition, but because
The Holy Spirit is the one that makes one a pastor not a church calling or vote. And what do they do? What do they oversee? They oversee the affairs of the church and the sheep.
God wants you to understand the office of pastor. I want to deal with two things in particular: first, what
You think of that word: they oversee it. Pastors oversee. Peter gave a very similar admonition in . He says that they're not to be domineering over those "in your charge, but being examples."
Beloved, listen to this. Pastors oversee. They are in charge of the affairs in the local church. Yes, they are to be servant leaders like Christ is a servant leader. They are to be humble as Christ was humble. But don't mistake this: They are to oversee.
And you can't be passive when you're overseeing the affairs of the church and the sheep.
is meant by the call? We talk about pastors being God-called, and we talk about them being called by a
Aren't they supposed to be servants? Yes, they are to be servants. But know this, in the overseeing of the church, and as Peter says here, for those "in your charge," - they have charge over you.
When you have charge over people, notice this, you have to make decisions. And Peter and Paul put that responsibility to the pastors to make decisions, to have charge over these things.
I know some of you are not happy with my decision to bring this to the church for a vote. You may not think that is the right decision.
But remember this. I’m not lording it over you. You have a choice to vote.
church. Second, I believe that as members of the Lord's churches, there are certain responses we owe
to pastors in light of his calling.
And pastors, you need to make decisions. Prayerfully, carefully. And you do get input and talk with the congregation, but at the end of the day, it is those that Peter says and Paul says are overseeing or in charge that do make these decisions.
When someone does make decisions, there are always people who don't like those decisions. There are always people who don't agree with those decisions. And that doesn't mean your pastors are not doing what they're supposed to do.
When someone does make decisions, there are always people who don't like those decisions.
Understand the Calling
We'll talk about more of this tomorrow, but I want us to know this. When someone does make decisions, there are always people who don't like those decisions. There are always people who don't agree with those decisions. And that doesn't mean your pastors are not doing what they're supposed to do.
There are always people who don't agree with those decisions. And that doesn't mean your pastor are not doing what he is supposed to do.
First let's consider what it means to be God-called. In , the apostle Paul was writing to the young pastor Timothy and was encouraging him to fulfill his calling as the pastor of the church at Ephesus. He told Timothy that some were living contrary to sound doctrine, which is according to the gospel of Christ. Then I want you to see what he said to Timothy in verses 11-12.
They are to oversee the affairs of the church.
young pastor Timothy and was encouraging him to fulfill his calling as the pastor of the church at
Pastors job is not to please everyone in the congregation.
Pastors job is not to please everyone in the congregation.
11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me. 12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—
Ephesus. He told Timothy that some were living contrary to sound doctrine, which is according to the
The job of the pastor is to look to the Word of God, pray for the grace of God, and make decisions for the edification of the church and the glory of God.
gospel of Christ. Then I want you to see what he said to Timothy in verses 11-12.
The job of the pastor is to look to the Word of God, pray for the grace of God, and make decisions for the edification of the church and the glory of God. And those are hard decisions to make sometimes.
And those are hard decisions to make sometimes.
Now let's take a look at
"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."
So elders are to pay careful attention to themselves. They're to pay careful attention to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers.
So elders are to pay careful attention to themselves. They're to pay careful attention to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers.
Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the
1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”
4. Pastors are to shepherd the church.
4. Pastors are to shepherd the church.
28 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.
"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry."
Overseers, shepherd - pastor the church. They must know the sheep. We saw that earlier. They must lead the sheep by example watching over their own souls. And they must feed the sheep or pastor or shepherd the sheep.
That word is the word we translate in as "pastor." The NASB renders it "shepherd."
. Paul says,
ministry."
Overseers, shepherd - pastor the church. They must know the sheep. We saw that earlier. They must lead the sheep by example watching over their own souls. And they must feed the sheep or pastor or shepherd the sheep.
, he said,
Now let's take a look at . Paul says,
What do we feed the sheep as pastors? We feed them the full counsel of God's Word. And yes, a lot of that comes through what we do right here - standing up and preaching the Word of God.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work."
But it goes beyond the pulpit. It goes into lives. It goes into conversations across tables with each other where we are caring and shepherding and sharing truth with each other face to face.
In , he said,
And then, finally this,
The call to pastor. The call to preach. What does it mean? In all the times I've heard people ask how you know whether God is calling you to preach, the answer is almost always the same: "You just know."
"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated [or called] unto the gospel of Jesus
And then, finally this, they are to protect the sheep. Look at v. 29. "I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disiples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years, I did not cease night and day to admonish everyone with tears."
5. Pastors are to protect the sheep.
5. Pastors are to protect the sheep.
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them.
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.
1
Jesus says that, "I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
. "I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock, and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disiples after them. Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years, I did not cease night and day to admonish everyone with tears."
Christ.
In our church, we're working through the Gospel of John. You remember in chapter 10 where Jesus says that, "I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Pastors, I want to exhort you to lay down your life for the sheep. In , when Jesus says that, He is contrasting Himself with the Pharisees. He calls them hirelings. He says that when the hirelings see the wolves come, they walk away, because they don't care for the sheep.
Pastors to lay down your life for the sheep.
In , when Jesus says that, He is contrasting Himself with the Pharisees. He calls them hirelings.
He says that when the hirelings see the wolves come, they walk away, because they don't care for the sheep.
"
Guarding the church against wolves is not fun. It's very hard. But we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ to lay down our lives; to lay down our comfort; to lay down our reputations, and defend the church from wolves.
The call to pastor. The call to preach. What does it mean? In all the times I've heard people ask how you
I always had in my mind that this protecting of the church would be from outside coming in. I thought, yes, we'll protect against heresy from coming in.
We'll protect against the cults from trying to break in.
We'll be protecting the church from all that's trying to get into the church.
But if you paid attention here to what Paul said here, he said, "fierce wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock and from your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw disciples away after them. Therefore, be alert."
know whether God is calling you to preach, the answer is almost always the same: "You just know.
Yes, we must equip our people and protect them from outside assaults of the enemy and untruth and heresy. But I would say even more pointedly you must protect the church from wolves within, infiltrating the assembly, teaching twisted things - sometimes outright heresy and sometimes by magnifying something else above Jesus Christ and the Gospel as the centrality of the church.
"
I'll tell you that these wolves typically come into the church very passionate people, speaking a lot openly with seeming joy about the Word of God. They're often very vocal. And another characteristic of them is they're often very likable. And the reason why is they draw people unto themselves. But it's not too long before they begin to teach twisted things to the sheep.
God is at work in the world today seeking and saving those who are lost. God's call is a divine invitation from God Himself to join Him in that work in an official, lifetime work. It is an invitation because God won't force anyone to do something against his will. It is an invitation because when God calls a man, he has a choice to make. He doesn't have to do it. He doesn't have to accept the invitation. But listen, God's call is more than an invitation. It is a heart-wrenching compelling to do the work of the ministry.
So here's the summary again of what we've seen so far.
The pastor, the elder, the overseer is one office. It must be a biblically qualified person. They must remain qualified.
The pastor must know the sheep. They must feed the sheep. They must lead the sheep. And they must protect the sheep.
from God Himself to join Him in that work in an official, lifetime work. It is an invitation because God
When a man is surrendered to God, filled with the Spirit of God, the work of the ministry becomes that man's burning desire, and aside from his relationship with God, it is what consumes him.
And we think about those things and we say again, who is sufficient for these things? But by the grace of God, He gives the grace for us to do these things. Only by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit can these things be done.
won't force anyone to do something against his will. It is an invitation because when God calls a man,
In closing, I want to take you to one more passage of Scripture that we'll be in again next sunday. That's if you'll turn there. We'll end on this.
he has a choice to make. He doesn't have to do it. He doesn't have to accept the invitation. But listen,
If I had to choose one verse in the Bible to summarize the role of elders or pastors or overseers - one verse in the Bible - this would be the verse.
It says, "obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. And let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
God's call is more than an invitation. It is a heart-wrenching compelling to do the work of the ministry.
One summary statement for what pastors or elders are: They are soul watchers. They watch over the souls of the sheep. And then the closing, loving, reminding exhortation. "...As those who will give an account." Men, we will give an account for these. But we are not intermediaries. We don't stand in between the sheep and Jesus Christ. You all have intimate, personal relationships there. But God has entrusted to under-shepherds to watch over the souls of the sheep which He purchased with His own blood. And that keeps me up many nights thinking about that. This is the most serious calling in the world. And I pray that we as pastors, we heed this calling carefully. I pray you as saints, you see the high calling that has been put before your pastors.
17 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.
When a man is surrendered to God, filled with the Spirit of God, the work of the ministry becomes that
Church as a pastor I’ll give an account to God one day of how I pastor and shepherded his people. No church member will give an account on how they shepherded the church. The one God called and appointed will. So I take this calling very serious and it scares me at times because I know that God will hold me accountable.
man's burning desire, and aside from his relationship with God, it is what consumes him.
Church some may not like the idea of the pastor being an overseer of the church, leading the church and giving direction to the church. Some like the idea that the pastors only preaches and the church themselves makes all the decisions.
That is not a biblical model. You may not like it and you may want to say I’m not doing that. I’m not following this.
I want you to know this. You are not rebelling against the pastor. You are rebelling against scripture. You are rebelling against God and I would urge you to repent and turn to God.