Submission To Biblical Authority

Temple Baptist Church - 11-20-2013

Colossians 3:22

Introduction:  

A.  For the past few weeks, we have dealt with the authority or “pecking order” in the home.  Every member of the home is to be subject to God’s commands concerning their place in the home.  No one is without biblical authority or responsibility. 

B.  In our text verse for tonight, the Lord deals with the employer-employee relationship.  Without submission to God given authority, there can be no submission to God!  When we “buck” the system, “buck” authority in the home, “buck” the authority at work or school, we are “bucking” the God who ordained these authorities.

C.  From birth to death, each of us are under many kinds of authority.  It would do us well to recognize these authorities that the Lord had created and submit to them as unto the Lord.  Let us look at some of these authorities.

1.  There is the authority of God.  Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.  (The first commandment to be followed was given by God.)

2.   There is the authority of Christ.  Ephesians 1:20-22  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

3. There is the authority of Scripture.  2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4. There is home authority.  Colossians 3 and Ephesians 6.  There is the authority of the Lord over the father, the authority of the husband over both the wife and the children, and the authority of both husband and wife over the children.

5. There is pastoral authority.   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.

6.   There is governmental authority.  Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

1 Peter 2:13-14  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

7.    There is employer authority.  Ephesians 6:5-9  Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;  (6)  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  (7)  With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:  (8)  Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.  (9)  And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Submission To Biblical Authority

Temple Baptist Church - 9-7-2011

Ephesians 6:5-9

Introduction:

A. For the past few weeks, we have dealt with the authority or “pecking order” in the home. Every member of the home is to be subject to God’s commands concerning their place in the home. No one is without biblical authority or responsibility. In our text verses, the Lord deals with the employer-employee relationship. Without submission to God given authority, there can be no submission to God! When we “buck” the system, “buck” authority in the home, “buck” the authority at work or school, we are “bucking” the God who ordained these authorities.

B. As God deals with the employer-employee relationship, He sets forth examples of humility: the humility of the employee who works as hard for the bad employer as well the good one. It is easy to be a good worker in good circumstances for good pay under a wonderful employer. By the same token, these verses teach the employer—who has every right as an employer to run his business and command his employees—to be a kind, considerate employer. These analogies are to be patterned after our relationship with our wonderful, loving, compassionate, and kind Lord.

C. From birth to death, each of us are under many kinds of authority. It would do us well to recognize these authorities that the Lord had created and submit to them as unto the Lord. Let us look at some of these authorities.

1. There is the authority of God. Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (The first commandment to be followed was given by God.)

2. There is the authority of Christ. Ephesians 1:20-22 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

3. There is the authority of Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4. There is home authority. Ephesians 5:22-6:4 There are too many verses to print out here but you can see them in our context: the authority of the Lord over the father; the authority of the father over both the wife and the children and the authority of both husband and wife over the children.

5. There is pastoral authority. 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.

6. There is governmental authority. Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

7. There is employer authority. Ephesians 6:5-9

Pastoral Authority

Temple Baptist Church - 10-10-2010

I Peter 5:1-4

Introduction: I want to preach on this subject tonight, not because of our church where the pastor is respected and obeyed, because it is a subject both rejected and neglected! I heard a man once say, “Anything with two heads is a freak and will soon die.” So it is with the local church! God has a chain of command in the family; God has a chain of command in the government; God has a chain of command in the work place; God has a chain of command in the local church.

A. One of the most misunderstood aspects of the local church is that of pastoral authority. This problem has evolved for several reasons:

1. The operation of the local church has changed. The mission of the church has changed and churches have become social clubs. Instead of soul winning, saint feeding churches—they have evolved into entertainment centers for the unsaved or carnal believers.

2. The chain of command of the local church has changed. Most churches have become mirror images of other denominational churches. They are now operated by deacon and trustee boards or “mob” rule. This problem has evolved through the following problems.

a) The pastors of the local church keep changing on a regular basis. Some are voted out by the “once a year” evaluation of the pastor’s ministry while many have pastors who change churches more often than they change automobiles. God gets the blame for most of these moves when, in reality, it is because of either better salary and benefits or the pastor has used up most of his sermons. Pulpit Committees contacting pastors of another churches in order to fill their pulpits is a travesty. These pastors belong to other churches and, the last I heard, they were to be God called. When a pastor believes it the will of God to leave a church, I believe it to be the will of God for him to be honest with his present church and resign prior to seeking another.

b) The respect for the pastor of the local church has degenerated. The office of the pastor has been brought down to a “supervisor” status and we all know that everyone complains about the “boss!” Pastors are now spoken to on a first name basis instead of “Preacher,” “Pastor,” or simple “Brother So-in-so.” I was taught in the army to “salute the uniform,” and not the man.

c) The office of the pastor has been corrupted by hirelings. God called men are getting fewer and father between. Men of character, conviction, compassion, and call once filled the pulpits of our nation. I have seen a great change in the quality of men going off to Bible College these days and these men have little capacity to stand for the things of God.

B. We must learn to “Be Careful With God’s Man.” I want to forewarn our people again that God will hold the church responsible with the Pastor that God gives to them. I will give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ for each of you according to Hebrews 13:17. You will not give an account of God’s man at the Judgment Seat, therefore, you will give an account of him in this life. Every person who mistreated or maligned the man of God in the Scripture paid the price. You may not always understand what God’s man does or agree with what he does, but—as long as he is not teaching heresy or living in open sin—follow him and leave his discipline and guidance to God. You will be glad that you did!

C. Most church members do not want a Pastor. They want a preacher to give a generic, offend no one message and visit the hospitals and funeral homes. They want preachers who are “Yes Men” and obedient to the will of the people. God called pastors have God given 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;

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.

D. The Holy Ghost spent this entire chapter vindicating the man of God before the Corinthian people. There were those in the church who maligned God’s man to the people in his absence. Verse 2 says, “bold against some.” Verse 6 says, “revenge all disobedience.” Verse 11 says, “let such an one think this.” Paul was God’s man sent to the Corinthian Church.

Let us look at the subject of “Pastoral Authority” in these verses.

1. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Tempered – vs. 1

a. Tempered with Gentleness - 2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,

b. Tempered with Meekness - 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used Boldly – vs. 1-2

a. Boldness is not Dictatorship - Boldness keeps him from becoming a “Door Matt.”

b. Boldness is not Meanness – God’s man is to be loving and compassionate.

3. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used For Edification – vs. 8

a. God’s men are not to destroy the Lord’s Heritage.

b. God’s men are to build the Lord’s Heritage.

4. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used In Discipline – vs. 10-11

a. Paul identified the offenders – A pastor’s ear is to be always “to the ground” because this age old problem of disrespect and attack is always possible.

b. Paul isolated the offenders – vs. 11 “let such an one” He did not “take it out” on the rest of the church.

5. Pastoral Authority Is To Remain Elevated – vs. 12

a. God’s man is not just another man. He may look like just another man, but he is different.

b. God’s man is elevated. He holds the office of a Bishop or, as we call them today, a Pastor.

6. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Recognized As God Given – vs. 18

a. The Pastor is not man-called, mamma-called, or daddy sent! He is not a volunteer! He is not self-elevated to the office!

b. The Pastor is God Selected, God Called, God Anointed, God Equipped, God Led, God Chastised, and GOD PROTECTED!

The Word Of God

Temple Baptist Church - 2-15-2009

2 Timothy 3:14-17

Introduction:

A. We live in days where God’s Word has become a “take it or leave it” theology among both the lost and many professing saints. How convenient! Take what you want and throw out what you do not. Live by what you like and dismiss what you do not like.

B. The doctrine of the Word of God is the most important of all doctrines because it is in this King James Bible that I hold in my hand that we find the basis for every doctrine that we believe.

C. No wonder the Bible says “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

D. There is no room for compromise when it comes to the precious doctrines of inspiration, preservation, purity, and authority of the Bible. Here I stand!

1. The Bible Is An Inspired Book – 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Literally God breathed!)

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

2. The Bible Is A Pure Book - Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

3. The Bible Is A Settled Book - Psalms 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (You can believe it or not. It does not shake either God’s promise nor my confidence in this book!)

4. The Bible Is A Magnified Book - Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

E. This Bible is both true and works! Here are some reasons that it is so rejected:

1. God’s Word Confounds The Wicked - 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

2. God’s Word Convicts The Sinner - Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

3. God’s Word Converts The Seeker - 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

4. God’s Word Cleanses The Saint - Ephesians 5:26-27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

5. God’s Word Calms The Fearful - Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Psalms 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

6. God’s Word Comforts The Bereaved - John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

7. God’s Word Condemns The Rejecter - John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

The Election Is Over, What Now?

Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2008

Romans 13:1-7

Introduction:

A. The election is over and I did not get my way! I did vote against President Elect Obama in the election. I did not vote for John McCain thought I did give him my vote. I voted AGAINST a man, not for one. I did not vote again President Elect Obama because he was black! If a more conservative black man had run against Sen. McCain, I would have voted for him. This is not a black or white issue with this preacher. I voted against President Elect Obama because I could not vote for him with a clear, godly conscience.

B. The election was done in the right manner, the American way of electing a president, and the man with the most votes won!

C. God, in His sovereignty and providence, put President Elect Obama in office!

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Esther 4:14b and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for [such] a time as this? (By application, God is allowing our world to wax worse and worse because His coming is near. Prophecy is simply being fulfilled.)

D. I have heard preachers saying that all is now over for our country. We have had liberal presidents before and the nation survived. No doubt, there will be a “payday” for this election, but it is not over until it is over!

E. I did my best for my nation last Tuesday. I prayed for the election, tried to convince others to vote in a right manner in the election, and I exercised my citizen’s right and Christian’s obligation to vote. I would not change any of it.

F. Ok, the election is over so we need to “get over it” and get on with living for the Lord and striving to make a difference. Crying over “spilled milk” will not get the job done. What do we do now?

1. We Need To Pray For Our New Leadership – 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (Just because the election did not go my way does not mean that I will not back the President of the United States of America as long as I can do so biblically.)

a. I will pray for his safety. He will possibly be targeted for assassination because of his race.

b. I will pray for his salvation. He more than likely needs to be saved.

c. I will pray for his leadership. Our freedom to worship, soul win, and get out the gospel in other lands is at stake.

d. I will pray that he continues to support Israel.

2. Give Our New Leadership The Benefit Of The Doubt. He has not made one executive decision as of yet. We will find out what kind of a president he is over a period of time as he takes the helm of this nation and shows a distinct direction in leadership.

3. We Need To Continue To Be Unashamedly American. I am not ashamed of America nor of being an American! I love this nation and am proud to be a citizen of it. Some are not ashamed of this land but I am not. I do not agree with everyone or everything but that is not the issue. This is my country! I am an American! I will both live for and fight for her!

4. We Need To Refrain From Speaking Evil Of Dignities - 2 Peter 2:10-11 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. (This is a sign of the last day apostates. As I did in the military, I salute the uniform, not the man. Barack Hussein Obama is the President Elect of the United States of America! I will respect him as such to the best of my ability.)

Jude 8-10 Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

5. We Need To Continue To Be Good Citizens - Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
1 Peter 2:13-15 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (We are to submit! We are to obey! We are be good citizens of this great land. If someone does not like America, then they need to leave our nation.)

6. We Need To Continue To Be Good Christians - 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. (Others will lean more to the left because of the ridicule that Mr. Huckabee and others have received for standing for Christian values. Politicians will “court” the liberal left because the conservative right can no longer elect a president. I will continue to live a Christian testimony before this wicked world. We will become more and more unpopular as the days go by.)

7. We Need To Pray Hard For Now For A Good Man To Vote For Next Time - Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (If we do not like who got in this time, we have four years to work on another candidate.)

The Pastor’s Jealousy

Temple Baptist Church - 10-15-2008

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Introduction:

A. We have spent several weeks dealing with the three-fold heresy mentioned here in verse 4. False teachers have been and are certainly among us, bringing in damnable heresies! They have perverted the doctrine of Christ, the person of the Holy Ghost, and the glorious gospel of Christ. Satan’s desire is to blind the minds of the lost and bewitch the minds of the saved.

B. Paul is having to explain both his words and actions concerning these false teachers to the Corinthian Church. Many times, church members do not understand why the Pastor does the things that he does. He is sometimes regarded as too harsh or having his own “agenda” at heart when he deals with “wolves” among the sheep.

C. God has given his pastors discernment in the area of wolves and heresy that He has not given to others. The pastor is God’s shepherd to lead, guide, feed, comfort, love, chastise, and protect. He has both God’s command to follow and God’s enablement to accomplish those commands.

D. The pastor has been given the “oversight” of the church. Simply put: the work of watching over God’s sheep! While we all enjoy the sweet fellowship of the assembly, the pastor’s ever watchful eye is scanning the horizon for any sign of an enemy who would corrupt or interrupt the local church.

E. Notice with me the heart of God’s man as put forth by the Holy Ghost in these verses.

1. The Concern Of The Servant – vs. 1-3 “bear with me! … I fear!”

2. The Chastity Of The Bride – vs. 2 “espoused you…present you…chaste virgin to Christ”

3. The Craftiness Of The Serpent – vs. 3 “beguiled Eve…corrupted (you)”

4. The Coming Of The Apostasy – vs. 4 “he that cometh preacheth another”

5. The Caution Of The Apostle – vs. 13-15 “For such ARE false apostles, deceitful workers”

F. The Holy Ghost used the word “Jealous” in verse 2. Everyone of us understands what it is to be jealous. Before I was saved, we had a saying that speaks volumes about jealousy: “Never “monkey” with another monkey’s monkey!” “Mess” with me but don’t “mess” with my wife!

Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy [is] the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.

G. God is a jealous God and fully expects his “undershepherds” to be the same! DON’T “MESS” WITH MY CHURCH OR MY PEOPLE! I want to look at the work of the pastor in relation to the infiltration of these false teachers.

1. The Shepherd Work Is To Watch – It is the duty of the Pastor to watch over the sheep.

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

Psalms 78:70-71 He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

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; (To look upon; to inspect; to care for)

2. The Shepherd Is To Worry – It is the duty of the Pastor to keep the sheep on his mind and in his heart.

Psalms 40:17 But I [am] poor and needy; [yet] the Lord thinketh upon me: thou [art] my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

3. The Shepherd Is To Warn – It is the duty of the Pastor to give biblical warning.

Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

Acts 20:29-31 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.

4. The Shepherd Is To War – It is the duty of the Pastor to stand tall and fight when Satan roars against the church!

1 Samuel 17:34-35 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered [it] out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught [him] by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

John 10:12-13 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. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Acts 13:9-10 Then Saul, (who also [is called] Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, [thou] child of the devil, [thou] enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Pastoral Authority

Temple Baptist Church - 7-23-2008

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Introduction:

A. One of the most misunderstood aspect of the local church in our day is that of pastoral authority. This problem has evolved for several reasons:

1. The operation of the local church has changed. Churches have become social clubs and the mission of the church has changed. Instead of soul winning, saint feeding churches—they have evolved into entertainment centers for the unsaved or carnal members.

2. The chain of command of the local church has changed. Most churches are prototypes of other denominational churches that are operated by deacon and trustee boards. Many of these churches are characterized by “mob” rule.

3. The pastors of the local church keep changing on a regular basis. Some are voted out by the “once a year” evaluation of the pastor’s ministry while many have pastors who change churches more often than they change automobiles. God gets the blame for most of these moves when, in reality, it is because of either better salary and benefits or the pastor has used up most of his sermons. Pulpit Committees contacting pastors of another churches in order to fill their pulpits is a travesty. These pastors belong to other churches and, the last I heard, they were to be God called. When a pastor believes it the will of God to leave a church, I believe it to be the will of God for him to be honest with his present church and resign prior to seeking another.

4. The respect for the pastor of the local church has degenerated. The office of the pastor has been brought down to a “supervisor” status and we all know that everyone complains about the “boss!” Pastors are now spoken to on a first name basis instead of “Preacher,” “Pastor,” or simple “Brother So-in-so.” I was taught in the army to “salute the uniform,” and not the man.

5. The office of the pastor has been corrupted by hirelings. God called men are getting fewer and father between. Men of character, conviction, compassion, and call once filled the pulpits of our nation. I have seen a great change in the quality of men going off to Bible College these days and these men have little capacity to stand for the things of God.

B. A few weeks ago, I preached on the subject of “Be Careful With God’s Man.” I want to forewarn our people again that God will hold the church responsible with the Pastor that God gives to them. I will give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ for each of you according to Hebrews 13:17. You will not give an account of God’s man at the Judgment Seat, therefore, you will give an account of him in this life. Every person who mistreated or maligned the man of God in the Scripture paid the price. You may not always understand what God’s man does or agree with what he does, but—as long as he is not teaching heresy or living in open sin—follow him and leave his discipline and guidance to God. You will be glad that you did!

C. Most church members do not want a Pastor. They want a preacher to give a generic, offend no one message and visit the hospitals and funeral homes. They want preachers who are “Yes Men” and obedient to the will of the people. God called pastors have God given 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;

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.

D. The Holy Ghost spent this entire chapter vindicating the man of God before the Corinthian people. There were those in the church who maligned God’s man to the people in his absence. Verse 2 says, “bold against some.” Verse 6 says, “revenge all disobedience.” Verse 11 says, “let such an one think this.” Paul was God’s man sent to the Corinthian Church.

Let us look at the subject of “Pastoral Authority” in these verses.

1. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Tempered – vs. 1

a. Tempered with Gentleness - 2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,

b. Tempered with Meekness - 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used Boldly – vs. 1-2

a. Boldness is not Dictatorship - Boldness keeps him from becoming a “Door Matt.”

b. Boldness is not Meanness – God’s man is to be loving and compassionate.

3. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used For Edification – vs. 8

a. God’s men are not to destroy the Lord’s Heritage.

b. God’s men are to build the Lord’s Heritage.

4. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Used In Discipline – vs. 10-11

a. Paul identified the offenders – A pastor’s ear is to be always “to the ground” because this age old problem of disrespect and attack is always possible.

b. Paul isolated the offenders – vs. 11 “let such an one” He did not “take it out” on the rest of the church.

5. Pastoral Authority Is To Remain Elevated – vs. 12

a. God’s man is not just another man. He may look like just another man, but he is different.

b. God’s man is elevated. He holds the office of a Bishop or, as we call them today, a Pastor.

6. Pastoral Authority Is To Be Recognized As God Given – vs. 18

a. The Pastor is not man-called, mamma-called, or daddy sent! He is not a volunteer! He is not self-elevated to the office!

b. The Pastor is God Selected, God Called, God Anointed, God Equipped, God Led, God Chastised, and GOD PROTECTED!