What is a Pastor Supposed to Do?
Position, Relation & Function of a Church Leader
Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim 3:1-7
Three Biblical Terms:
• Elder
– Presbuteros (RELATION); Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5
• Shepherd
– Poimen (FUNCTION); Acts 20:28;
I.
A Pastor is to occupy the vantage point of seeing God’s plan (wisdom), seeing God’s people
(care), and seeing God’s enemies (guard)
a.
Needs time
to seek God first; faith time
b.
Needs face time
with people
c.
Needs authority
to preach the word with such force that God’s enemies flee; no foot hold
for Satan (grumbling, disobedience in stealing tithes, passive-aggressive hall
talk)
II.
A Pastor is to be relationally older; spiritually more mature; generationally a
discipler. (2 Tim 2:2)
a.
Pastor in Russia wouldn’t ordain deacon as next pastor because he was too young (82 &
59).
b.
My "best" sermons on raising a family were before I had kids (I'm being facetious).
III.
A Pastor is to provide service ministry in leadership for the flock.
a.
Problem with our consumer culture: customer is
always right. Church member is not a
customer; pastor is not a hireling
(see John 10:11-13).
b.
Irony: He is also one of the flock; pastor’s family
is part of the church. The old quote "Preacher’s kids always the worst…"
c. No
CEO, No Super Hired Holy Men, Flock
doesn’t pay the preacher (God does); Levitical role; Being will to die for
the flock. Not hired but called. Called
for life.
Paul said the true badges of our ministry are the ones we disciple (1 Cor
9:12); this is a CALLING by God to
ministry that no one else can duplicate (see also 2 Tim 1:9; Acts 9:15; Acts
13:2).
He said the true
apologetics of our ministry is which personal rights we surrender in
order to spread the gospel (1 Cor 9:3, 12); this is a COST, but no loving sacrifice is in vain (see also Luke 14:28; Matt
8:20).
The true
compulsion of our ministry is our inability to stay silent while
people need the Lord (1 Cor 9:16); this requires a COMMITMENT, holding strong to the end, knowing that He is with us
(see also Luke 9:62; 2 Tim 2:3-7; 1 Tim 4:15).
The true
reward of our ministry is our sacrificial offering even when we feel we
deserve more (1 Cor 9:18); this requires CONSECRATION, staying clean to be useful in His service (see
also 2 Tim 2:20-21; 1 Tim 4:12; Tit 1:7-9). RA Pledge: “Keep myself clean in mind and body”.
CF. “I do all things for the sake of the
gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it” (1 Cor 9:23).
Testimony of Fidget:
Almost Aborted. Bio mother died, drug addict. God hid her license. Raised
adopted. Studying to be pastor. PASTOR:
Abortion to Adoption.
Testimony of Quest:
Almost Suicide. Tragic divorce, step-father cruel, step-father molested Quest’s
sister, hated. Unofficially “Adopted” by Toad’s Dad, loved, led to Christ,
discipled, Bio father found Jesus. Now godly relationship. PASTOR: Suicide to Disciple.
Testimony of JP & Josh: Lost in Moscow.
Praying for Your Pastors
• Pray
for His Position: SPIRITUAL VISION
• Pray
for His Relation: SERVANT LEADERSHIP
• Pray
for His Function: SACRIFICIAL PROTECTION
Conclusion: Who do you pastor?
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