Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

The Gospel Identity of the Elder

The Gospel Message of the Elder

The Gospel Suffering of the Elder

The Gospel Charge of the Elder

The Gospel Reward of the Elder

The Gospel Heart of the Elder

Paul demonstrates these concepts out of his own life, as he says in 1 Cor 11:1 “1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

Illustration: in 2019, after a year and a half of serving this church as the pastor, and several years of serving in other capacities, I left a job not knowing how I would replace that income.

As I gathered my things together to leave for the last time, I received a phone call asking if I would be interested in part-time work.

I said yes, and I thanked God for his perfect provision.

As I approached a year of working part-time, I began to search for another job.

We got by fine most months, but we were regularly hit with expenses that were beyond what a Church’s salary and part-time labor could account for.

No health insurance, had to replace a vehicle, no retirement savings.

I could still afford to take things slowly, so I did.

Eventually I was sat down by my boss, who was fully aware of my job search and that I could leave at any moment, he told me he was going to end his contract with the City and if I was interested, he wanted to recommend I take his place as a full-time Director.

I said I was interested, but I needed to talk to my wife about it first.

I took my lunch break and went home.

Cassie was visiting her sister in GA, so I called her and told her what happened.

Now, you probably have never seen this, but any time there is a major change, my wife is good about taking the stance of “Don’t get excited, slow down, and let’s make sure this is actually a good thing.”

So when she answered, “That’s great!

You should do it!”

I took that as a confirmation that this was the God-provided path.

I had no idea.

What I didn’t know was that just an hour earlier, as I was sitting down with my boss to discuss my future role at the City, Cassie was taking a pregnancy test.

She had just found out Seth was on his way, I didn’t know yet, but she takes the test and gets to witness God reach out and say, “Here’s how I’m going to meet this need.”

We celebrated Seth’s second birthday this week.

Seth Jireh Ringl.

Seth because it was not in our plans to have another child while I was working part time, but God appointed that we have another child.

Jireh because our God, Jehovah Jireh, saw our need and provided for it.

I have never gotten to the point where I’ve fully replaced the level of income I had in 2018, but I can stand here and tell you God provides.

Exposition

Focus passage:

Verse 31

A transition. “Be alert” so that you may be committed to God and the ministry of His Word.

Verse 32

The mention of an inheritance should be noted.

This is the great reward that we should all look forward to, not earthly gain.

Eph 1:18 “18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

Col 1:12 “12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

1 Pe 1:3-4 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”

In light of this reward, let us examine verses 33-34:

Verses 33-34

Paul’s method of ministry was to work to support his needs and not make any request of support from those he would minister to.

Let’s think of other times Paul has addressed payment.

So which is it?

Do we serve for an eternal reward?

Or do we “make a living” from serving God?

Not at odds with his other statements that concern the minister’s pay.

It is an intensely personal calling.

Remember the first week in this series:

Most are called to subsist on their ministry, some are called to labor for their ministry.

Let’s finish examining this passage and move into a few short points of application:

Paul is giving an example of what the elders should do.

The elders should provide example for the members of the church.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” is not a direct quote from one of the Gospels, but a part of oral tradition, being passed along as a teaching of Christ.

How do we give to God?

We must work to support our families, our church and its leadership, and ministry.

We work to support our families.

God cares about the 90% as much as he cares about the 10%.

Our work must first care for our daily needs.

We work to support our church.

As members of the church, we are co-laborers in Christ.

We support our church family.

(An extension of our previous point.)

We support our church programs.

(Not in support only, but also in attendance.)

We support our church leaders.

(My feelings on pay.)

I’ve been asked how we can bring on another elder.

I said this publically in our last business meeting, I have repeated it in private in front of several of you, I would ask our stewardship committee consider this as we approach a business meeting at the end of August.

The enjoyment of the Church parsonage is a great benefit, and we do not believe we need anything else.

I so strongly believe in our need for biblical eldership that I would, if you’ll excuse the phrase, put my money where my mouth is, and ask that the additional payment given to me be placed elsewhere, where it can build our church’s leadership.

We work to support evangelism.

All of this is for the greater need of sharing Christ crucified in Bagdad, Santa Rosa, our nation, and our world.

FBC Bagdad’s mission is to help people follow Jesus in our Church, our Neighborhoods, and our World.

It’s the great commission:

How to respond:

First, examine yourself inwardly.

What is your state before God?

What is the state of your family?

Second, are you a supporter of God’s church?

Do you give?

Do you attend?

Do you pray?

Do you volunteer?

Finally, examine your fruit and the fruit of FBC Bagdad.

Are people hearing God’s word?