GOD GAVE US PASTORS

 Taught at Bible Study on 10-21-2019

GOD GAVE US PASTORS

 

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15

 

October is Pastor Appreciation month….a time when we recognize the work and sacrifice of Pastors and give them honor.

Many do not fully realize what all their pastor does for them and the Church.  They spend countless hours and even sleepless nights praying for various ones in the congregation.  

They cry, pray, and fast for souls they see going astray.  They visit the sick, make hospital calls (sometimes in the middle of the night), and emergency runs during a crisis (thankfully the police are understanding most times).

They counsel and advise.  They try to lead and guide.

They grieve when someone does not listen to their words and ends up in a mess.  Then tries to comfort and help them work things out when they come back to the Pastor in tears pleading with him to fix it.

The Pastor makes house calls trying to reach out to lost souls or backsliders, working outreach in an effort to see Church growth as souls are birthed into the Kingdom. 

Sometimes, he is the one running to pick people up for Church and then getting them back home afterward.  All while trying to prepare for the service.

The Pastor is usually the first one at Church trying to get things ready for the Service and he is usually the last one to leave: making sure the sound system and audio are turned off, turning off lights, turning off the AC/Heat units, making sure doors are locked because there is no one else available to do it.

The Pastor is sometimes the janitor as well because there are few or none who are able or willing to help with repairs around the Church.  In 2018, on Pastor Appreciation Day, our pastor was up on a ladder changing a light bulb and adjusting the projector screen because there was no one else available to do it.  (Bro. Robert helps where and when he can – and does a lot – but he can’t do everything)

The modern day mindset of a Pastor’s duties

The modern day mindset is that the Pastor should also be there not just to feed them spiritually but also to mow their lawn, make repairs around the house, babysit, help pay bills or buy groceries, run errands for them or take them here or there when asked, etc and do it all for free with a smile…which are misconceptions of a pastor’s duties.

We live in a day when people only want to hear a motivational, feel-good message.  Anything less is considered harsh and labeled unloving, uncaring, and judgmental.  That is unbiblical thinking.

A resigned Pastor was invited to come back and preach at a Church that he formerly pastored.  He preached the clear Word and named sins that people needed to get out of their lives.  Some heeded the preached Word and with tears, came to the altar to repent. 

One particular man rose up indignant and responded, “How dare he?! He knows better than to preach like that!”  I was shocked that he would speak against the man of God like that and didn’t respond but wish I had said, “No, sir, he knows better than to not preach like that.”

People today do not fear to speak against Man of God like they used to.  People have lost their fear of God and respect for the office of the Pastor.

God has set Pastors as the watchman over our souls

Pastors have a fearful responsibility.  They’re human and don’t like to or want to deal with people getting angry with their words but God has mandated for them to warn against sin.

Ezekiel 3:17-21

When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die;
and thou givest him not warning,
nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way,
to save his life;
the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity;
but his blood will I require at thine hand. 

Yet, if thou warn the wicked,
and he turn not from his wickedness,
nor from his wicked way,
he shall die in his iniquity;
but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Again, when a righteous man
doth turn from his righteousness,
and commit iniquity,
and I lay a stumblingblock before him,
he shall die:
because thou hast not given him warning,
he shall die in his sin,
and his righteousness which he hath done
shall not be remembered,
but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man,
that the righteous sin not,
and he doth not sin,
he shall surely live,
because he is warned,
also, thou hast delivered thy soul.

If the Pastor does not warn against sin, that person’s blood will be required of the Pastor at judgment day.  (see also Ezek 33:1-9 + Ecc 12:9-12)

That’s a heavy and fearful responsibility!  Especially, in this day and time when people do not feel that is the Pastor’s place.  

Paul admonished Timothy (a young Pastor) to not only PREACH the Word, but he was also to REPROVE (tell a fault) and REBUKE (forbid, charge, admonish).  THEN he followed up by instructing him to EXHORT (intreat, beseech) with all long-suffering and doctrine.

Sometimes the Pastor has to speak clearly and reprove and rebuke a sin – not that he wants to but because we are living in a time when people do not want to hear that what they’re doing is contrary to the Word of God and is a sin.  Instead, they are turning their ears away from the Truth. 

2 Timothy 4:2-4

Preach the Word;
be instand in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the Truth,
and shall be turned unto fables (a falsehood).
2 Timothy 4:2-4

Paul also admonished Timothy that those who sin were to be rebuked before all (publicly). (1 Timothy 5:20)  This is contrary to current modern theology, but it is Bible. 

Pastors are not trying to humiliate someone and rarely has our Pastor ever had to address a sin publicly.  The goal is repentance and restoration, but sometimes sins have to be addressed.

Paul actually named names and called out sins – he would be considered judgmental and unloving by today’s standards – but he was warning against false doctrines, false prophets, and wolves in sheep’s clothing and trying to stop sins that were spreading like a cancer.

Paul issued some strong teaching to the churches and instructions to the Pastors.  After, he concluded with “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thess 5:25)

Pastors face and deal with things many most likely will never know about. 

Paul listed many of the perils (dangers) he faced that most did not think about.  He was stoned, beaten, thrown in prison, shipwrecked, faced robbers, made many journeys which wearied his body.  But he also faced dangers from his own countrymen and false brethren.

He was weary, tired, and in pain at times.  There were times he was hungry and thirsty. There were times he was cold and not properly clothed.  He would fast often to see strongholds broken and those who were captive to sin set free. Not to mention the things he had to deal with daily and also the care of the Church. (2 Cor 11:23-28)

There are many things Pastors deal with but will never mention it.

Our Pastor needs our prayers. We need to pray for our Pastor and all Pastors – they carry a heavier load than we realize or can comprehend.

We need to thank God for Pastors who are more concerned about our soul than about hurting our feelings in an effort to get us ready for Heaven.

 

 

 

Romans 10:14-15, 17

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 heart?
and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach except they be sent?
as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.

So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God.

Hearing the preached Word of God helps to increase our Faith and develop us into mature Christians in Christ.

 

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15

The Pastors goal is to help us grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.  But we have to do our part by showing up for feeding times.

The Gospel only works on the hungry and thirsty. 

Thank God for Pastors!  Thank God for our Pastor!

And I know he’s thankful for those who love God, love His Word, and are faithful to prayer and Church attendance…it makes his job a little easier.  😊