The Pastor - God’s Gift To The Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 12-2-2020

Hebrews 13:7; Ephesians 4:11-16

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Hebrews 13:7 is close to being a Full Mention verse on the pastor.  I want to take time with this verse to establish the purpose and work of the pastorate with the local church.  Thus: Ephesians, chapter 4.

 

B.  So many in both the pulpit and the pew are ignorant of the proper relationship of the pastor to the church.  It was meant to be a working relationship that works!   In our day:

 

1.  Families or individuals who run churches are running pastors off.  These do not want pastors, they want preacher/visiting men who allow them to run the church.  Because some of them have experienced a pastor who has gone bad, they will not allow another to take their biblical place of oversight in the local church.

 

2.  Or, charlatan or dictatorial pastors are running the people off.  God’s men are not to be either self-serving or are they to be lords over God’s heritage.  Many pastors who have had bad experiences with bad churches insulate themselves from further injury through isolation or separation from the people.

 

C.  For the local church to properly function, both the pulpit and the pew are to be working in biblical harmony!

 

D.  Along with the evangelist—the missionary—the pastor/teacher is God’s gift to the local church.  The local church cannot biblically function without him.  I emphasize “HIM” because the woman is neither qualified nor called to be a pastor. 

 

1. The pastor needs to be a God called man.  Never be afraid of asking a potential pastor about both is salvation experience and call to the ministry.

 

2.  The pastor needs to be a biblically qualified man.  Never be afraid to ask a potential pastor about his family, life, or convictions.

 

3.  The pastor needs to be a God sent man.  Though there is a time and place for pulpit committees, allow the Lord to lead in the selection of a new pastor to get the right one.  God wants the local church to get the right pastor more than the people do.

 

4.  The pastor needs to be a joy to the local church.  As a minister, he is to minister or give his life to the people.

 

E.  Remember the pastor’s obligation to and work within the local church.

 

1.  The Perfecting of the Saints. (vs 12).  To bring to a place of spiritual maturity, service, and then leadership.

 

Hebrews 6:1-3  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.

 

2.  The Work of the Ministry. (vs 12).  The work of the pastor is not to maintain the church; it is not to be “soul winner in chief;” it is not to plan everything or run everything.  This is the work of the saints within and without the local church.  The man of God is to spend his time in the Word and Prayer while ministering to the saints.  Being there with them and for them when needed. 

 

Acts 6:2-4  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  (3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  (4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

3.  The Edification of the Local Church. (vs 12).  Edifying – architecture – to structure – to make sure that the local church is biblical in its work: in Jerusalem, Judah, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth. Not as Lord of God’s heritage but taking the oversight thereof.

 

1 Peter 5:1-3  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  (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;  (3)  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

 

4.  The Consistency of the Faith. (vs 13).  “Till we all”  It is a ceaseless work as we have babes in Christ, “babies” in Christ, and the mature in Christ.  There is preaching that must be re-enforcement; again and again and again because, while we have older saints, we have saints and children of all ages.

 

Hebrews 5:11-14  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (12)  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  (13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

5.  The Unity of the Faith. (vs 13). Earnestly contending for the Faith; continually following the Old Paths of the Faith in an ever changing world; studying the Word (rightly dividing the Word of Truth) - teaching and preaching sound doctrine; feeding the sheep (both milk and meat); protecting the unity of the Faith.

 

Jeremiah 6:16-17  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.  (17)  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

 

6.  The Defense of the Local Church (vs 14).  Wolf watching!  False teachers and false “brethren” are everywhere.  They are teachers, not students; they are leaders, not followers; they are eloquent and articulate in their speech but doctrinally incorrect!  We are Biblicists; we are textualists; we are Bible believers.

 

Acts 20:28-31  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30)  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

 

7.  The Love of the Saints. (vs 15-16).  A pastor’s love must be real; it must be universal; it must be overlooking!  Two things that I emphasis to young preachers: 1) Love your people beyond their faults 2) never take the ministry personal.

 

2 Corinthians 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

 

1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.