Thanksgiving and a Servant's Heart

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-26-2025

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

 

Introduction: 

A.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and as I preach in the Book of First Corinthians, the timing is perfect! Giving thanks to God is much more than just “lip service”; it requires a response of giving back to the Lord.

 

B. Over the past two weeks, we have looked at the promise of the Lord to give us all things that pertain to life and godliness. These two, along with eternal salvation, constitute a debt that can never be repaid! 

 

C.  With that being said, though we can never fully repay God for His mercy and grace, we should spend the remainder of our lives trying to do so.  Twice, Paul referred to himself as a servant of God.

 

Romans 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

 

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

 

D.  Three times, Paul referred to himself as a “prisoner” of Jesus Christ. 

 

Ephesians_3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

 

Philemon 1   Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

 

Philemon 9  Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

 

E.  How do we try to repay God?  Servanthood!  Years ago, I preached a message titled “A Prison Without Bars.”  In the Old Testament, the bond slave.  Once entered, voluntary servanthood continues for the life of the servant.

 

1.  Christ Jesus became our example of servanthood.

 

John 13:4-5  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  (5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

 

Philippians 2:5-8  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

2.  The great Apostle Paul became a servant. 

 

Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

3.  In this portion of Scripture, the Apostle Paul opens his heart and reveals the spirit of true Christian service. On the Damascus Road, after his conversion, he asked the Lord a question:

 

Acts 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

a)  Paul was a man of immense learning, powerful intellect, and apostolic authority—yet he repeatedly calls himself a servant. Not a celebrity. Not a master. Not a ruler. But a servant.

 

b)  Paul had a passion to serve! He dedicated his life to following the Lord’s guidance and ultimately finished his course, writing 13 of the New Testament Epistles.

 

c)  The Christian life is not a pursuit of position, prominence, or praise. It is the pursuit of Christlikeness. And Christ Himself said, “the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45). A servant’s heart is the heart of the Savior.

 

F.  In 1 Corinthians 9:19–27, Paul describes what a servant’s heart looks like.  He became all things to all men that he might win souls for Christ.

 

G.  Characteristics of a true Servant.

 

1. A Servant Is Humble.  True servanthood begins with humility. A servant does not think too highly of himself and gladly takes the lowest place for Christ’s sake.

 

Philippians 2:5–7 — Christ “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.”

 

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

2. A Servant Is Obedient.  A servant’s primary duty is to carry out his Master’s instruction. Obedience is the outward expression of inward surrender.

 

1 Samuel 3:10  And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

 

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

 

3. A Servant Is Faithful.  Faithfulness matters more than talent or ability. A servant keeps going even when unseen, unthanked, and unappreciated.

 

1 Corinthians 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

4. A Servant Is Available.  God uses those who make themselves usable. A servant’s schedule belongs to the Master.

 

Isaiah 6:8  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.

 

5. A Servant Is Compassionate.  True servants care about people because God cares about people. Without compassion, ministry becomes mechanical.

 

Matthew 9:36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

 

Jude 22  And of some have compassion, making a difference:

 

6. A Servant Is Self-Denying.  Servants say “no” to themselves so they can say “yes” to Christ.  Self-denial frees the servant to focus on God’s work, not personal comfort.

 

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

 

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

7. A Servant Is Willing.  Servants gladly do the hard, hidden, and humble work of ministry. God’s work deserves excellence and diligence.

 

Colossians 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 

Romans 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

 

8. A Servant Is Meek and Patient.  A servant reflects the character of Christ in dealing with others. Meekness is not weakness—it is power under control.

 

2 Timothy 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

 

Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 

9. A Servant Is Loyal.  A servant is devoted first to God, regardless of circumstances. Loyalty is shown when service is costly.

 

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

10. A Servant Seeks the Master’s Glory, Not His Own.  Servants don’t serve for applause; they serve to exalt Christ. A servant never steals glory that belongs to the Lord.

 

John 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

11. A Servant Loves Others.  Love is the heartbeat of biblical service. Without love, service becomes empty labor.

 

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

 

1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

 

Galatians 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 

1 John 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 

12. A Servant Shows Christ in Their Life.  Servants represent the Master before the world. A servant’s life is a living message.

 

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

2 Corinthians 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

 

Conclusion:  Are we servants or must we be served?  The spiritual progression is: salvation, sanctification, and service.

A Psalm of Remorse

Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2025

Psalm 38

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This is another Davidic Psalm, as is designated in the opening of it.  Psalm 38 is one of the seven “Penitential Psalms” of David (along with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143).

 

1.  These psalms reveal a man’s heart broken under the weight of sin, crying out to God for mercy and restoration.

 

2.  David is experiencing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational consequences that are often the result of sin. It is a psalm soaked in grief, guilt, and sorrow.  This is the remorse of a saved man who knows he has grieved the heart of the God he loves.

 

3.  It is also a Psalm about hope in the mercy of God.  When Moses asked to see God’s glory, the Lord proclaimed that His glory was found in His goodness.

 

Exodus 34:6-7  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,  (7)  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 

B.  David, as a man after God’s own heart, failed God in many ways, but I believe the one failure that continued to haunt him was his sin with Bathsheba.  I believe this for several reasons:

 

1.  He was haunted by his sin with another man’s wife.  Death Sentence.

 

2.  He was haunted by the murder of one of his best friends.  Death Sentence.

 

3. He was haunted by the fact that his sin cost him the loss of a son.

 

4. He was haunted by his shame before Nathan, his friend and counselor. 

 

5.  He was haunted by the continued sword that would never leave his house and destroy many of his own.

 

C.  The title reads, “A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.” This means David is intentionally recalling his sin, sorrow, and the severity of God’s chastening — not to dwell on guilt, but to remind himself and others of the high cost of sin and the mercy of God in forgiveness.

 

D.  It is a Psalm of Remorse — a soul crushed beneath conviction, yet still looking up toward grace.  The broken heart of a believer under chastisement seeks mercy, forgiveness, and restoration from the Lord.  Remorse over sins and consequences that cannot be changed.  Water under the bridge cannot be restored.  Pain will not go away.  I have often said that I want to die with as few regrets as possible. 

 

E.  I chose this title because, as a man after God’s own heart, we still see the human side of this great king.  “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love!”  One of my favorites, yet unfavorite, parts of a song.  Unfavorite because I do not want to leave the God I love, and favorite because it gives me hope and joy that God never gives up on me!

 

F. I have often said that we need to leave this world with as few regrets as possible. My humanity often shows up, especially at the most inconvenient times. Thank the Lord again and again for 1 John 1:9! I wonder if it should be my Life Verse instead of Galatians 6:14?

 

G.  I am so glad that through it all, we will all end right, in heaven with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, without spot or blemish, faultless to stand before His throne.  That, my friend, is shouting ground!

 

H.  Let us break the Psalm down into three parts and get some help for ALL of us!

 

1.  The Guilt that David bore.  Verses 1-8.

 

a.  His plea for Mercy – Verse 1.  David felt the weight of the sin that he bore and asked God not to chasten him in “thy hot displeasure.”  He is not seeking mercy for his consequence but for the continuation of it.

 

b.  His burden for his Sin – Verses 2-4.  David understands that the chastisement that he is under is just.  David knew that God's chastisement was an act of divine love, not of divine hatred.  Whom the Lord loveth!

 

c.  The physical consequences of his sin – Verses 5-8.  Sin not only takes a spiritual toll on the child but can also have lasting physical consequences!

 

2.  The Isolation of David’s Choice.  Verses 9-14.

 

a.  A cry out of an open heart – Verses 9-10.  Sin became between David and God alone.  Others can pray for us, but only God can be with us in our remorse.

 

b.  Isolation from those close to his heart – Verse 11.  Sin will also isolate the believer because he/she cannot maintain fellowship.  The spiritual person will pray for the sinful, try to restore them, but must separate from them.

 

c.  Slandered by those who did not love him – Verses 12-14.  Often, our sin gives the adversaries of God an occasion to blaspheme.

 

3.  David’s hope in the Lord.  Verses 15-22.

 

a.  David’s faith in the Lord – Verses 15-18.  Even in times such as these, David’s confidence in God never failed.

 

b.  David did not try to cover or “soft soap” his sin; he openly and truthfully confessed it.  True remorse leads to confession, not concealment.

 

c.  Remorse without repentance is despair, but remorse with confession becomes restoration.

 

d.  David’s cry for deliverance – Verses 19-21.  When all lovers, friends, and enemies else forsake him, David pleads for God to come near to him.  Even while enemies rejoice in his fall, David pleads for the nearness of God.

 

e. David does not look to ritual or to reformation, but to redemption.  This is the heart of all true repentance: a sinner seeking help from his Savior.

 

Conclusion: Thank the Lord that there is always a road back to fellowship with God!

 

1.  Sin brings suffering. The pleasure of sin is temporary; the pain is lasting.

 

2.  Conviction is mercy. God’s arrows are painful, but they point us back to Him.

 

3.  Confession restores fellowship. Remorse without confession hardens; confession brings healing.

 

4.  God’s mercy is greater than our sin. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20).

Thanksgiving 2025 - Part 2 - All Things That Pertain unto Life and Godliness

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2025

2 Peter 1:1-4; Matthew 6:31-33

 

Introduction:

 

A.  This coming Thursday, we will celebrate the goodness of God on Thanksgiving Day.  I call the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas and the New Year the most wonderful time of the year.  A month and a half of worship in a very special way. 

Part 2

B.  Last week, I used two texts on the subject: 2 Peter 1:1-4; Matthew 6:31-33.  I want to review these two texts again this morning, as they demonstrate the goodness of God in both spiritual gifts and physical ones.  In both texts, the physical blessings of life precede the spiritual gifts of godliness.  But in both texts, we find that in life, the spiritual gifts precede the physical ones.  Until we get saved and live for Christ, we will miss out on many of the blessings that God has for us in this life.

 

1.  In 2 Peter, Peter looks back as he mentions physical gifts before spiritual ones.  “Hath given” is past tense as Peter reviews the goodness of God in hindsight.  “ALL things that pertain unto life” speaks of the goodness of God in His marvelous grace through salvation, sanctification, and service. 

 

2.  GOD HAS SUPPLIED!  Notice verse 3:  “according as his divine power” tells us where our blessings come from.  The world giveth and taketh away, but the Lord giveth and giveth and giveth!  Peter looks back to the past.  This is found in the words “hath given.”  Therefore, he sees the blessings of life came after the blessings of godliness.

 

2 Peter 1:1-4  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:  (2)  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  (3)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  (4)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

3.  In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord gives three perspectives.

 

a)  The perspective of the worried saint.  Verse 31: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”

 

b)  The perspective of the world.  Verse 32: “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:).

 

 

c)  The perspective of the Lord.  Verse 33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 

4.  Our Lord Jesus Christ also places the importance of spiritual gifts as being sought first, as they lay the groundwork for the blessings of God upon His children in general.  He mentions the physical blessings that men so often seek and live for, along with the worries that come with them.  He then concludes by emphasizing the importance of seeking spiritual blessings and allowing God to meet physical needs.  GOD WILL SUPPLY!

 

Matthew 6:28-34  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  (29)  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  (30)  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  (31)  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (32)  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  (33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

C.  Last week, we saw the spiritual gifts that God has given to us that we might be saved from sin and set apart in this present evil world for service. 

 

1.  This morning, I want to examine just a few of the physical blessings that come from being saved and living for God. The problem that exists is that men want the physical blessings of God without the godliness.

 

2.  Our Lord spoke of the world view in Matthew 6:28-32. The worldly seek all physical blessings without being saved or being saved and not living a godly life. They go over their heads in debt and eventually, at worst, go bankrupt, or at best, they burn out their lives trying to be successful in this world without God.

 

3.  The Lord said that if we seek the godly things, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then He would add all these things to go along with it. Now, we can seek the worldly without the godly, or we can live a saved life of consecration to God and allow God to give us what we need and much of what we desire.

 

D.  Now, let us look at the results of godliness.  God HAS given to us all things that pertain unto life here on earth—the goodness of God in the land of the living.  A song says,

 

“There's a roof up above me, I've a good place to sleep.  There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.  You gave me your love, Lord, and a fine family.  Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me.”

 

E.  A little personal testimony.  I stand amazed this morning when I think of where God brought Barbara and me from to where we are today.  We would never have dreamed we would be where we are.  God has been so good to us!

 

1.  I thank God this morning that Barbara and I have a beautiful home in which to live. 

 

a.  By beautiful, I do not mean a high-dollar home that is just a house.  I am thankful that we have a home where there are peace, companionship, love, and spiritual unity. 

 

b.  It is a loving home, it is a safe home, it is a place of refuge from the storms of this life, it is our ultimate vacation spot. 

 

c.  It is a comfortable home.  It is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, dry when it rains, and it is ours! 

 

d.  It is a spiritual home.  It is a home where the Bible is read and prayer is made.  Both of us are saved and serving.

 

e.  In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord did not mention a place to live as a necessity of life. 

 

1)  Our Lord said, “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20)

 

2)  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:16) 

 

3)  Paul said, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:8) 

 

2.  I thank God for the food on our table. 

 

a.  We have an abundance of food in our cabinets, freezers, fridge, and goodies to nibble on in between meals.  In a world of hunger, we are full and need nothing.

 

b.  Thursday, there will be turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, cornbread, and desserts.  I said that to say this, not only food on our table, but PLENTY to eat. 

 

c.  Never forget to ask for the blessing of God before you eat as every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights!  In a world of starving people, God has given us more than we can eat or desire to eat!

 

d.  In this world of starvation, we fight obesity!

 

3.  I thank God that we have shoes on our feet. 

 

a.  In the Garden of Eden, the Lord made the clothing for Adam and Eve.  Fig leaves did not cover but the skin coats did!  In the First Mention of clothing, what man made was not what God gave.

 

b.  In our home, we can pick and choose from many different colors and designs as our closets are full, our dresser is full, and our chest of drawers is full.  God has been so good to us in the raiment department.

 

c.  We have many pairs of shoes for both dress and casual.

 

4.  I thank God for our families.

 

a. Kids and grandkids.  We are a close-knit family.  Today, we do not have all our grandkids with us, but we are thankful for those who are close and will see Thursday!

 

b.  Our Kentucky family.  We are a close-knit family.  We were raised in a close-knit home where family mattered, and love abounded and still abounds.

 

c.  Our Church family.  We are a close-knit family.  As far as I am concerned, Temple Baptist is the greatest church on earth.  I believe that every pastor should think that his church is the greatest.

 

Conclusion:  I want to end this sermon with three verses of Scripture that point us to the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day.

 

Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 

Psalms 103:1-2  A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  (2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Treading Out the Corn

Temple Baptist Church - 11-19-2025

1 Corinthians 9:7-18

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Last week, I preached on the subject:  Doeth God Take Care For Oxen?  This Old Testament principle is given in verse nine to establish the obligation of the church to take care of the Pastor who is doing the work of the ministry!

 

B.  In Bible times, an ox “treading out the corn” refers to the way grain was separated from its husk—what we would call threshing.

 

1.  The “corn,” also called the “corn of wheat,” was usually wheat or barley. It was cut and placed on the threshing floor—a hard surface—where an ox walked in a circular path. As the ox trampled the harvested stalks, the husks broke loose and separated from the grain kernels. Some farmers used the ox to pull a threshing sledge to help with separation. Afterward, the threshing floor was winnowed by tossing the grain into the air so that the chaff could blow away, while the grain fell back to the floor to be gathered.

 

2.  It was natural for the ox to lower its head and eat some of the grain.  Some cruel men would put a muzzle on the ox to keep it from eating the grain.  God commanded kindness to working animals.

 

3.  Paul used it to teach that ministers deserve support for their labor in the Word.  This is the background behind Deuteronomy 25:4: “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.”

 

4.  According to the law in Deuteronomy 25:4, the ox could freely eat some of the grain as it worked.  This illustrated humane treatment of the ox and the fairness in labor, and a principle Paul applied to gospel ministry in 1 Corinthians 9:9-14.

 

5.  In the believer, the “husk” is the old nature, and the grain is the new nature.  To remove the “husk” of the old nature, it takes a lot of threshing!  The threshing of the pastor and the “winnowing” or the breath of the Holy Ghost.

 

6.  This threshing is the work of the pastor using the Word of God which allows the Holy Ghost to separate the “husk” from the grain.

 

C.  “Who is feeding your ox?” was a message I preached many years ago.  In the ministry, you have good pastors and bad ones.  Many pastors are lazy, unloving, unequipped for the ministry, and many not called of God!  I do not want to dwell on these, but if they are not “treading out the corn,” they do not need to be fed.

 

1.  Some Shepherds Are Brutish - Jeremiah 10:21  For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.  (Insensible; stupid; as brutish men.  Unfeeling; savage; ferocious; brutal.)

 

2.  Some Shepherds Are Divisive - Jeremiah 23:1  Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

 

3.  Some Shepherds Are Lazy -  Jeremiah 23:2  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

 

4.  Some Shepherds Are Greedy - Isaiah 56:11  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

 

D.  God called men, though still faulty men at best, who will get the work of the ministry done.  The real pastor is God called according to Ephesians 4:11, which says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.”   

 

E.  The pastorate involves both obligations and responsibilities. It is not just an easy way to earn a living. It is a bittersweet experience and is reserved for the man called by God. Here are some of the pastor's obligations.

 

1.  He Is To Feed The Flock - Jeremiah 23:4  And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

 

Ezekiel 34:23  And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

2.  He Is To Protect The Flock - Ezekiel 34:5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

 

Amos 3:12  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear; so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria in the corner of a bed, and in Damascus in a couch.

 

John 10:11-12  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

 

Luke 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 

3.  He Is To Gather The Flock  - Jeremiah 31:10  Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock

 

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

4.  He Is To Guide The Flock - Psalms 23:1-2  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 

          1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

5.  He Is To Correct The Flock - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

Titus 2:15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

1 Timothy 5:20  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

 

6.  He Is To Love The Flock - Matthew 9:36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

 

2 Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.  (In spite of what people do to him.)

 

7.  He Is To Be An Example To The Flock - 2 Corinthians 6:3-10  Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

8.  He Is To Fellowship With The Flock - John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;