Stirring Up the Gift: A Service of Ordination

TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:3-6

TOPIC: Stirring Up the Gift: A Service of Ordination for Josh Earls

Pastor Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church of Center Point, Alabama

Preached at the Arapaho Road Baptist Church on the occasion of my elder son’s Ordination to the Christian Ministry, Sunday, November 8, 2009, 5:00 p.m.

First, on behalf of myself and the Earls’ family, allow me the privilege of expressing our appreciation to the family of faith here at Arapaho Road Baptist Church in Garland, Texas for this tremendous opportunity. I have been a pastor for over 28 years now and I have preached in many places around the world and quiet often many of those times were very meaningful and emotional. But none compare to this moment.

To have the opportunity to deliver a biblical word of exposition at my first born son’s ordination into the Christian Ministry is without comparison the most meaningful moment of my ministry. Thank you.

There are certain dates that make an indelible impression upon our lives. We all have them. Those significant dates that have impacted my life and thus the life of my son who is to be ordained for ministry here today would include:

· May 14, 1973 – the day I first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gave my heart to Jesus. That is the turning point date that changed everything in my life and my future.

· September 17, 1978 – the day I was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Eastside Baptist Church in Blacksburg, SC.

· July 25, 1981 – the day I said “I do” to my lovely bride, Josh’s mom

· October 25, 1981 – the Sunday we were called to our first church in Whitesboro, Texas

· December 27, 1981 – the date of my own ordination to the Christian Ministry.

· July 31, 1983 – the day the Doctor placed in my arms my first son, Joshua Douglas Earls

· November 7, 1985 – the day my little girl Jessie came into our lives

· October 3, 1988 – the day our family was made complete when God gave us another son, Jordan Keith Earls, or Jordy as many of you know him.

And now we add another date that will forever be important to the Earls’ household.

· November 8, 2009 – the day our son, Josh Earls, is ordained into the Christian ministry!

The Apostle Paul in writing to his young son in the faith, Timothy, spoke much of the call to the Christian ministry. In 1 Timothy 2:5-7 he says, 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle.

The word “appointed” is from the Greek word τίθημι [tithemi /tith·ay·mee/] which in its elementary meaning conveys the idea of “a God-ordained selection.”

Those whom God calls, or God selects, as preachers of the Gospel and ministers of the Christian faith are His ordained.

Earlier Paul had told Timothy how very thankful he was to God for his own calling to the ministry. 1 Timothy 1:12, And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Although I have no time to exegete the following passages from 1 Timothy, listen to the instructions given by the Elder Paul the Apostle to young Timothy who was following in Paul’s footsteps.

I Timothy 4:6, 11-16

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed….11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

You may also want to remember the admonition of Paul in 1 Timothy 5:17 when he said, 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. The word “honor” also being translated as “pay” or “payment.”

There are many, many other references Paul uses in his pastoral letters to Timothy when referring to his calling and his placement into the ministry, and you would do wise to do a careful study of these, but I will choose just one other.

2 Timothy 1:3-6

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

So what is Ordination and why do we do it?

What is Ordination?

2 Timothy 1:6, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

In I Timothy 4:14, Paul recalling the choice of Timothy for the ministry, notes that it was “with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery (elders).” In other words, men already in the official ministry were recognizing the qualifications of another who was joining their ranks, and publicly affirming their approval.

This “laying on of hands” was, and is, a symbolic practice. It was used in the Old Testament for ordaining special offices (Num. 27:18, 23), for symbolizing the transfer of guilt from the sinner to the sacrificial animal (Lev. 16:21), and for the bestowal of blessing (Gen. 48:14, 20). In each case it symbolized the transfer of something. In the New Testament the symbolism also refers to the communication of some blessing, but the “laying on of hands” is always symbolic.

In the Baptist tradition there are two and only two ordained officers of the church, the pastor and the deacon. Involved in that ordination is the “laying on of hands” by those who have already been ordained to the gospel ministry (either as a pastor or a deacon). The willingness of one to submit to such a practice is a clear indication that the individual being ordained is accepting the biblical role for which he has been selected, and his willingness to carry out that role.

In short, your ordination by this church today is an official acknowledgement by the church of your calling and ministry giftedness. You are set apart by the church as led by the Holy Spirit to use those gifts in fulfillment of your call. The laying on of hands declares all of this symbolically. There is no transference spiritually from one believer to another.

So we may be lead to ask, then why ordain? After all, the great Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon called ordination, “empty hands on empty heads” and was never ordained himself.

Why Ordain?

2 Timothy 1:6, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you,

1 Timothy 4:14-16a, Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them.

The key words are “to stir up the gift of God which is in you,” and “the gift in you.” God has given you a gift son; gifts to know and understand the Scriptures, to communicate that gift to others, a gift of helping others come to know and understand Christ as Savior and Lord.

We, the ordaining counsel gathered by this church and the church itself, ordain or set you apart for the Gospel Ministry with a challenge to use that gift with the best of your ability; to remain faithful and committed to that call and gift God has given you.

Ordination recognizes that calling and giftedness, and sets you apart for special service. The call is to continue and finish with faithfulness; to run the race with endurance; to finish the course.

Look for a baton somewhere on Thursday

Prayer