The Local Church and the Pastor's Passion

Introduction

We are back in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 this morning. I did not finish my notes from last week’s message. So, I want to pick back up where I left off and continue into today’s message from there.

Last week’s topic from our text was the Pastor’s Pay.

1 Corinthians 9:7–11 KJV 1900

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

We were answering this question.

Does the spiritual labor of God’s man (the pastor) merit material wages? How much a price do you put on someone whose life is committed to ministering the principles of God’s Word?

Think about it in these terms.

Pastors spend much of their time promoting these Biblical principles through preaching, teaching, and counseling. We urge men and women to receive salvation and help them understand God’s plan of redemption. We seek to help others realize the reality of living an abundant and eternal life. We constantly encourage you to live a life that exhibits the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and even self-control. Is there merit in helping such men, as pastors, in their spiritual labor for the Lord? God’s answer is yes!

The GREATEST NEED in America is for more people to come to God seeking His salvation and have Him change their lives.

Romans 10:14 KJV 1900

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

God uses pastors to change people! Only God can change people. However, God chooses to use chosen vessels called pastors to be the instruments for change. Therefore, they are worthy of their hire.

Note what Christ told His disciples when He initially sent them into the surrounding villages to minister.

Matthew 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Why did He instruct them not to take any money? He would provide for them. They were His workman and “worthy” to His care. Additionally, the thought is that those to whom they ministered would take care of them as they went and ministered. God uses people. He uses His men to minister to the spiritual needs of others, and He uses the local church to take care of His ministers.

If you go back to our text and look down to verse 14, you will note:

1 Corinthians 9:14 KJV 1900

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

The Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself, “ordained” that pastors and missionaries should “live” of the gospel. God uses His people to take care of His man.

Galatians 6:6 says:

Galatians 6:6 KJV 1900

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Notice the word “communicate” here. It means “to have, share, or support.” Thus, the command is those taught to support those who teach in all good things.

Philippians 4:14 KJV 1900

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

This verse is a verse of praise. The Holy Spirit was pleased with the local church of Philippi. Why was He pleased? They did “communicate” with Paul’s affliction. His affliction was a prison sentence. At the time, he was in jail in Rome. The local church of Philippi took God’s Word at face value. They believed their responsibility was to help God’s man. So, they communicated by helping financially and materially as he was in jail. They did their duty, and God was pleased.

And, then, we have one last passage supporting our text this morning. You can find it in 1 Timothy 5 which says:

1 Timothy 5:17–18 KJV 1900

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Here again, the Holy Spirit points back to the O.T. Law. It is the exact quote we found in our text this morning. And, again, the Holy Spirit reiterates, “The labourer is worthy of his reward.” The exciting thing about this verse is its context. The context is the Holy Spirit’s letter to a pastor. Timothy was God’s man. The Holy Spirit used Paul to write this to help Timothy pastor Christ’s local church effectively and efficiently. Note that verse 17 speaks that the “elders” (another term for the pastor), especially those who rule well, are to “be counted worthy of double honour.” The word “honor” literally means “compensation.” Thus, if a pastor is doing well, he should be compensated double.

NOW, listen carefully; I am NOT using that text to increase my salary. I am simply sharing God’s Word with you. What you do with it as a church is your responsibility. My responsibility is to preach and teach all of God’s Word. As you will see going forward, there is more responsibility upon my shoulders than yours in many ways. There is much more to come in this chapter.

In fact, the subject of why we do what we do is noted in our text today. So, let’s read it.

1 Corinthians 9:16–23 KJV 1900

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

The Holy Spirit moves from the Pastor’s Pay to the Pastor’s Passion. There are several essential points to be noted here. The first of these is this.

The Pastor’s Call to Preach!

Remember the Holy Spirit is using Paul as an example. In verse 16, we see his passion. He says:

1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

You will note that Paul says he does not do what he does for its glory if you look closely. The last profession many men would choose is a preacher or a pastor. Trust me, Bible colleges are not being overrun by men seeking to be pastors. Truthfully, preaching the cross of Christ is a calling that many do not seek or desire. If you know Paul’s history, you will see that he wanted no part of Christ early in his professional life or much less to be a preacher of the gospel. A faithful pastor is not in it for the glory or the pay. This is why Paul stated, “I have nothing to glory of.”

A second meaning is this. The preaching of the gospel was never meant to bring glory to the preacher. Instead, the preaching of the gospel is about bringing glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, any preacher who uses the preaching of the gospel to lift himself up is no faithful preacher of the gospel.

So what then caused Paul’s desire to preach the gospel? Look again at verse 16 and note what he says in the middle of that verse.

1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Note the words “laid upon me.” In Greek, “laid upon” means to be pressed, compelled, constrained, required, duty-bound. Thus, Paul was driven by his calling to “preach the gospel.” God was the one who pressed upon Paul and compelled him to be a preacher. His call to this vocation was from God. For that reason, Paul’s entire life centered on doing just that. It became his charge, work, business, and call in life. There was nothing else he could do. Preaching the gospel was not a matter of choice. God chose him to do so. Therefore, if he did not preach the gospel, he would be disobeying God.

It is the same for every real preacher and pastor today. A man must receive an apparent and distinct call to preach.

I remember my call. God dealt with me on two different occasions about answering His call. The first came when I was a senior in High School. At the time, I, like so many high school seniors, wrestled with what I wanted to do with my life. Leading up to the night that I somewhat surrendered to God’s call, God brought several people into my life that greatly influenced my decision. However, it was during a time of a deep, family trial that God really got my attention. I still remember falling on my knees in my bedroom and pouring my heart out to God. I vowed that night to do anything He wanted me to do. I did not commit to preach that night; however, I made the commitment to follow Him.

After graduation, I enrolled in Bible college. The call to preach came that very first semester. When I initially enrolled, my major was Christian education. However, God had other plans. During that first semester, our college hosted a Mission’s Emphasis week. They brought in every missionary they could find to preach to us throughout the week. We had missionaries in our classes. We had missionaries each day in chapel. Our mission professor, Mr. Nash, was a veteran missionary from Brazil. He loved missions. He loved Brazil. He invited a veteran missionary from Africa to our class during that week. This veteran missionary shared with us his work in Africa. Part of his presentation included African believers singing hymns and choruses. It was right then that God spoke to my heart. You see, I had been resisting all week what I knew God wanted me to do. But at that moment, as I listened to the joy of those African believers, I couldn’t resist any longer. Right there and then, I answered God’s call to preach. Since that day, my only desire is to preach the gospel and see souls changed by its powerful message.

Later, in the book of Acts, Paul related his call.

Acts 26:14–18 KJV 1900

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

You see, every pastor worth his salt is one who received God’s call upon his life. They have felt God’s Word speak to them in much the same way that Isaiah did in Isaiah 6.

Isaiah 6:8 KJV 1900

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Some answer, “Here am I.” Some resist. However, for those who answer and heed God’s call, God places a fire within them that cannot be quenched. That is why Paul says, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel!” It is why I look forward to each Sunday when I can stand here behind this sacred desk giving you God’s Word.

Not only does the Holy Spirit show us the Pastor’s Call to Preach, but we also find from our text:

The Pastor’s Commitment to Accountability!

This thought goes back to the word “woe.”

1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

When a man accepts God’s call to preach, he commits to the accountability that comes with the call. Each faithful preacher or pastor faces judgment and woe if he fails to preach the gospel. For that reason, there is a sense of necessity and compulsion to preach. The word “woe” gives the sense of one day standing before God. If then Paul failed to preach the gospel, he would stand before Him one day with terrible regret and grief.

Note also verse 17.

1 Corinthians 9:17 (KJV 1900)

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

The understanding here is this. Each man who accepts God’s call is accountable, and no pastor or preach is exempt. Paul said that “if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward.” However, if he did unwillingly (“if against my will”), there was still “a dispensation of the gospel…committed unto me.” In other words, God called him to preach, and whether he willingly or unwillingly did it, God still would hold him accountable. The term “dispensation” means stewardship and is a word meaning management. A steward was the manager of a large household or estate. Thus, the preacher or pastor is a minister or manager of God’s home and estate. Each local church is God’s household. For that reason, God holds me accountable for how everything is managed within our assembly here.

God’s call upon a man to preach is his stewardship or trust given by God. It is interesting to note that whether or not a man followed through and preached did not matter; he is still responsible for God’s call. There is no release. Each man who receives a call from God to preach will stand before Him one day, giving account for his response.

Thus, the call of God upon a man to preach the gospel is a tremendous responsibility. A responsibility that is often noted in the New Testament.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV 1900

4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 Timothy 1:11 KJV 1900

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Titus 1:3 KJV 1900

3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

God places a trust also known as a stewardship of the gospel in the hands of each man He calls. Each pastor then has the responsibility of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. It is the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection. In the end, it falls upon the pastor (preacher) to do all that he can with this trust (stewardship). Essentially, it comes down to this thought. Whatever a pastor (preacher) does with the gospel is all that will be done - nothing more, nothing less. It is a great responsibility that we, as pastors, bear.

Let’s look at verse 18, and we are done for today.

1 Corinthians 9:18 KJV 1900

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

A Pastor’s Cherished Reward

The most cherished reward for a genuine pastor (preacher) is given in this verse. Last week, we learned that a pastor’s right is financial compensation. The Holy Spirit testifies how Paul chose not to receive payment from the Corinthians believers in this verse. Why did Paul refuse payment? He wanted the reward of preaching the gospel free of charge. What was the true reward for Paul? There were three things.

The privilege of seeing people saved free of charge.

The confidence of the people in him that he was free of greed.

The removal of any charge that he was in the ministry for comfort and money.

All of which brings us to two thoughts.

First, Paul’s desire to not receive payment does not mean that a pastor is to work for nothing or that a church is not to pay its pastor and pay him well. We just covered the answers to both last week. Instead, Paul did so for one primary reason. Paul had many enemies. His ministry was at the beginning of this marvelous age of the local church. He was an apostle and missionary traveling from city to city and even province to province. He understood that money was a powerful weapon that could be used by those who opposed him. Thus, he chose not to accept financial payment at that time so he may be held blameless.

The lesson for us is this. Pastors (preachers) should preach out of necessity and not for profit. That is the whole essence of our text today. We preach the gospel because we are compelled to do so. God’s call upon our life necessitates we preach. As preachers (pastors), we must not be driven by financial gain. We preach and minister for the sole purpose of helping others gain spiritual life and then grow spiritually. Our responsibility is to serve the Lord by serving others.

Conclusion

Here is the last thought about verse 18. There were times when Paul did support himself in the ministry. Paul needed money to buy food and live just like everyone else. And, there were local churches that later sent provisions to Paul as he was being held under house arrest. Paul, then, was not against pastors receiving pay and churches taking care of their pastor. That is not the point of these verses. The fact is this. Each minister of the gospel should constantly search his heart and be sure that his motivations for preaching and ministering are pure before God. As pastors, we must never forget we are accountable to God for stewardship of which He has entrusted us. This is something that the Holy Spirit warns us about.

Acts 20:28 KJV 1900

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Peter 5:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

INVITATION

To the unsaved, let me say this. I spoke about the gospel, the good news. The good news is about all Christ has done for us. Scripture is quite clear that...

Everyone needs a Savior - Romans 3:23 “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Jesus Christ died for our Salvation; He is the Savior we all need. - Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

He, as the Savior, offers you eternal life, which He purchased with His blood upon the cross. - Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Faith is the avenue to accepting His gift. - Ephesians 2:8-9 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

He saves any who will call upon Him today. - Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If that is you this morning, please accept Him as your personal Savior today!

To the saved, let me say this.

First, as your pastor, I need your prayers. The responsibility of preaching the gospel is a huge burden to bear. I need your help in carrying that burden. The best way to help me is to pray for me.

Second, perhaps God is dealing with you about your commitment this morning. Just as I committed years ago to follow God and Him alone, God might be dealing with you about a similar commitment. I would encourage you this morning not to resist; instead, may you submit to Him. I know for me that falling on my knees before Him cemented in my mind my commitment. The church altar has grown cold lately. I genuinely believe that leaving your seat, coming down to the front here, bowing before God making a commitment to Him will cement in your heart and life your responsibility. Will you do that today? Will your step out wherever you are and make your way to the altar this morning? Will you surrender all to Him?