The Pastor's Joy

Introduction: Being a pastor is a calling that comes with highs and lows. From the birth of a new baby, to the passing of a loved one we experience it all with the families. We rejoice when one is saved and cry when one leaves. Being a pastor is an emotion roller coaster. A pastor can experience every emotion a human can in the course of a week. From anger, sadness, and frustration, to laughter, joy and excitement.

In one of my classes this week a friend and pastor explained it perfectly. He said “every monday morning I want quit. I am emotionally drained from the preaching of the word on Sunday and I don’t even want to think about the next Sunday. But then I am reminded of Jeremiah 20:9 which says: Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak anymore in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay”

Even though I have only been preaching since 2015, I can honestly say that preaching is the easy part. Pastoring is what is hard. Every pastor hopes to see a fire of revival every Sunday in the church he pastors but many times are left wondering if they missed the mark with the message.

The truth of the matter is this: aside from the joy we get from God and our family, our joy comes from you.

Let’s look at Paul and where his joy came from:

Scripture Reading:

1 Thessalonians 2:13–20 KJV 1900

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Proposition: There are three aspects of the church that bring joy to the pastor.

Transition: The Pastor’s joy comes from

Seeing You Grow In the Word- Vs 13

Exposition

Received, Welcomed, Working

2 Tim 3:16 “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”

Illustration- As an aircraft maintenance technician we had books called Technical Orders and Job Guides. Anytime we did a job we were to follow the manual step by step. If we skipped a step or tried to shortcut the job we would be in trouble. We believed that the ones who wrote the book knew what they were doing and the outline for doing the job was provided for the safety of the workers and the aircrew.

Application-

So What?-

The Bible was written by inspiration of God by men of God. The whole purpose of scripture is to bring you to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and draw you closer to God.

He does this by giving you a foundation of who God is and what He expects (doctrine), by convicting you of your sin (reproof), by showing you how to correct it (repentance) and how to avoid it in the future (instruction in righteousness)

Now What?-

You must first believe! Receive the word as it comes from God, not me but from God

You must welcome the word, whether it brings joy and peace or conviction

You must allow the word to change your life and use it to continue growing you in your spiritual life.

Transition: Seeing you grow in the Word brings the pastor great joy, but as you grow and allow the spirit to transform you the second aspect that brings the pastor joy is...

Watching Your Perseverance Yield Fruit- Vs 14

Exposition- Followers = imitators

They had followed the example that was set by the church in Jerusalem.

Yes they had suffered and that is primarily what Paul was speaking to, but suffering and persecution does not stop the mission of the church.

They still supported missions, they still continued to spread the Gospel, they still continued to meet in homes and pray together and worship

Application-

So what?-

Every church is going to have ups and downs.

This church is no exception. It is how you handle yourselves in the midst of suffering that prove your faith and determination to follow God.

It’s easy to lay down and quit when the numbers aren’t good, when things aren’t going your way, when life brings you pain and heartache, when Satan attacks and you feel defeated.

But you are more than mere men and women. You are more than conquerors. You are the church and Jesus said upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail!

Now What?- Now you must dig in, now you must continue to push forward, now you must continue the spiritual battle against the enemy who wants to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ stopped. Now is the time to show the world the love of Jesus and continue to support and serve the church in whatever capacity you can so that the lost will come to know Jesus as savior and lives can be forever changed.

Illustration- The Battle in Bastogne was one of the most brutal battles that the 101st Airborne had encountered in WWII in Europe. It was freezing, the men had very little supplies and were not properly dressed for the temperatures. The Germans would fire flares at night to keep them awake and send mortars blowing up the trees around them. There was no end to the physical and psychological pain that they were experiencing and no replacements in sight. The men were beat down and the moral was at an all time low. The commanding officer told them “men we are gonna hold this line and there isn’t one German who can take that from you”. This small statement gave them hope and they persevered and held the line until tanks came and cleared the way.

Transition: Your growth and your perseverance are two aspects that brings a pastor great joy, but there is one final aspect we must look at...

Being In Your Presence - Vs 17-20

Exposition-

Paul longed to be in their presence.

He loved their fellowship, their hearts, their desire, their commitment to serving God

Even when he thought about the bad things that happened to him and Jason in Thessalonica it brought him joy to remember them personally.

But what excited Paul even more was the fact that even if he couldn’t return to them in this life, he would be in their presence at the glorious appearing of Jesus!

Application

So What?

Even as Paul says our hope, joy and crown of rejoicing is not just limited to now! What brings a pastor joy? The fact that we will be celebrating and worshipping around the throne together!

What we do today is a practice run of what we will be doing for eternity for those who are believers in Christ.

A pastor’s joy comes from knowing you are saved from the pits of hell

So yes, it brings me great joy to see your smiling faces on Sundays and Wednesdays. It is a great encouragement to be here with you. (And believe it or not you are missed and I notice when you aren’t here)

What brings the most joy is to see the response to the Word, the response to the Holy Spirit, and knowing that we will be together in Heaven.

Now What?

Now you must ask yourself “have I been a faithful member of this church, doing everything I can to promote the gospel”.

Have I been a faithful member to attend service regularly and respond to the Holy Spirit

Have I accepted Christ as my Savior and followed with scriptural baptism?

Conclusion: Watching you grow and persevere in the Lord and being with you does in fact bring great joy to me as a pastor, but knowing that you are saved is the greatest thing that brings joy. You must now ask yourself the questions i raised earlier and ask God to reveal it to you. You must respond to the call of the Holy Spirit. Is there room for improvement in your life? If there is then there is room at the alter for you today.