Sam Swann Ordination Sermon: How should a pastor behave?

Ordination Sermon: How Should a Pastor Behave?

1 November 2020: Phillip Wright (Central Clovis)

A charge to Phillip Wright:

Phillip, I am thankful to be a part of this service, I count it a great privilege to be the one to issue a charge to you, and I consider it an honor to be your friend.

General Norman Schwarzkopf, who commanded the US Forces during the first Gulf War, told a group of car dealers gathered in Dallas, one of the rules of the military. Rule #14: When in charge, do right.”

That is good advice for a pastor. While we do not really think of pastoral leadership as being in charge, or being “the boss”, we would acknowledge leaders need to lead. We need spiritual leaders to oversee, and to shepherd us as we serve the kingdom.

We need pastors who understand, as Henry Blackaby has written, “Spiritual Leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda.” (Spiritual Leadership, Henry and Richard Blackaby, page 20)

Paul was talking about this very thing when he said in

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NASB95

14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

We understand that the church is not a building; it is made up of the followers of Christ. It is not an organization, although we may be organized. It is not an audience to be entertained; instead, we gather in the presence of the Lord of the “audience of One”, we gather to worship God. We are the family of God brought together by our common commitment to Jesus Christ.

As we gather, there are certain things that are expected of us. Paul spent the first part of this letter to Timothy warning against false doctrine and the misuse of the Law. He wrote concerning prayer and the conduct of men and women. He then gave very clear instructions concerning the qualifications of those who would be leaders in the church. It is to these that Paul is referring back to. “I hope to come soon, but just in case I can’t here are some things all of you need to know concerning your behavior.”

Though Paul is addressing the behavioral standards for all of God’s people we can assume that if the church is supposed to behave a certain way, then certainly pastors are to behave a certain way. So, today we are going to look at how a pastor is supposed to act among God’s people.

How is a pastor supposed to behave?

First, pastors should be men of character.

A pastor’s integrity is the single most important thing he has. It doesn’t matter how gifted a man is, if he doesn’t have integrity his ministry will not be long nor will it be very effective. Once again I want to quote General Norman Schwarzkopf: “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character but if you must be without one, be without strategy.” Vance Havner once said, “God is on the lookout today for a man who will be quiet enough to get a message from Him, brave enough to (teach) it, and honest enough to live it.”

Second, a pastor ought to lead with humility.

The idea of humility is a foreign concept in our world today. Humility is seen as a weakness. If you are strong you take control. You push and shove until you get what you want.

In Mark 10, after James and John tried to jockey for the best position in the Lord’s kingdom, Jesus told all of the disciples

Mark 10:42–45 NASB95

42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Philippians 2:3–4 NASB95

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Again, Paul’s instructions here are for every believer but it also applies to those who lead.

Someone once said, “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.” A pastor ought to lead with

humility.

Third, a pastor ought to serve with steadiness.

Ministry is hard work, but we must never give up. Sometimes, we who are in leadership aren’t sure if people are following us or chasing us. It is tough, but we must remember that we serve at the pleasure of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And He tells us in

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus is saying, “When you don’t think that you can go any further, remember I am right there with you, rest in my strength.” We persevere, and we hang tough, not because we are tough or

strong, but because He is strong. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we serve with diligence.

Fourth, a pastor should be an obedient follower of Jesus.

This almost sounds like a no brainer, but we have all seen the results of pastors who are so worried about leading they forget they are followers as well. It has been said, “Don’t ever follow any leader until you know whom he is following.” The Apostle Paul left no doubt, whom he was following. In 1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB95

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

In the Old Testament, Joshua told the people, “But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship…As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” The prayer of every pastor should be as the psalmist in Psalm 25:4-5 – “Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation, I wait for You all day long.” And in Psalm 86:11 – “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.”

One pastor has said, “True spiritual leaders recognize their utter dependence on God. So they regularly fill their heart and mind with His Word.” (Spiritual Leadership, Henry and Richard Blackaby, page 182) A pastor ought to seek God’s face and obediently follow. This charge can be summed up by reading what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:2-3

1 Peter 5:2–3 NASB95

2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

So Phillip, go out there and knock ‘em alive!

Prayer

(Portions of this message are from The New Minister’s Manual, by Paul Powell.

Pages 90-97)

18 October 2005: Calvary Baptist Las Cruces

1 October 2006: Calvary Baptist Las Cruces

23 May 2010: Matt Thackerson (First Bapt West ABQ)

21 April 2013: Ryne Swann (EHBC ABQ)

28 July 2013: John Miller (FBC Grants)