The Pastor And His Ministry

Temple Baptist Church - 3-21-2010

1 Corinthians 4:15-21

Introduction:

A. I have been preaching on the church for several weeks and want to continue along that line for a while. One of the most important gifts given to the New Testament local church is the pastor.

Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

1. His work is valuable (Without a pastor, churches falter)

2. His work is varied (I will deal with this aspect in a few minutes.)

B. It is of no wonder that pastors are under such satanic attack.

Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

1. His integrity is so often attacked. (If Satan can get to him, he can get to you!)

2. His family is attacked. (If Satan can get to them, he can get to the pastor. Then he can get to you!)

C. One of the problems associated with the pastor-church relationship is that of misunderstanding. Because churches are now run by trustees or deacon boards and pastors do not stay at churches for extended periods of time, the pastor’s office is neither understood nor filled scripturally.

D. It seems that almost everyone has a different view of the pastor’s work and, when not diligently taught, can often get either disappointed or offended. I may preach more than one message on this subject before moving on. I will try to set forth some things that are a part of the ministry and are essential to both the welfare of the local church and the spiritual growth of the believers.

E. Paul, when writing to the Corinthian Church, instructed them to follow him and his teaching. He was writing to them as a missionary pastor. Though they may have had 10,000 instructors, they had only one pastor. There are many great pastors, evangelists, and missionaries in America but you only have one pastor. He is a God called gift to the local church! He is a man but he is also God’s man! He is the will of God for you!

1. The Pastor Is A Father – vs. 15

a. Representative Of Respect - 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

b. Representative Of Authority - 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

2. The Pastor Is A Shepherd – vs. 16

a. As You Follow, He Guides - Psalms 23:1-3 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. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

b. As You Follow, He Guards - Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

3. The Pastor Is A Teacher – vs. 17

a. He Teaches By Example - 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.

b. He Teaches By Explaining - Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

4. The Pastor Is a Disciplinarian – vs. 18-21

a. The Power Of Discipline – 1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

b. The Progression Of Discipline - 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

c. The Purpose Of Discipline – Two fold.

1) To Recover The Sinful Member - 1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2) To Protect The Purity Of The Church - 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

5. The Pastor Is A Friend – vs. 21

a. He Is A Friend To The Family - Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

b. He Is A Friend To The Failing - 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.