A Pastor’s Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-20-22 Homecoming Service

3 John 1-4

 

Introduction:

 

A.  35 years in this pulpit have been both a privilege and a joy.  Where have the years gone?  Truly it has been like a vapor that has vanished away; faster than a weaver's shuttle the time has passed. 

 

B.  I remember the first day that my family was here like it was yesterday.  How the church looked that Sunday morning; the people that were here that first day; what I taught and preached from this pulpit.  Wonderful memories.

 

C.  Every time I turn on Easy Street, I remember following Bro. Harold and Mrs. Joan to their home.  As I turn on Lisbon Road, I can still see the tall pines that lined the road.  Bro. Carroll and Mrs. Iris went to get Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch.  I remember sitting on the couch and enjoying the afternoon with these families. 

 

D.  I remember the first time Tommy Holbrooks came for a revival.  We went shopping for a sound system for the church.  That was the first of almost 30 years of Tommy's coming to Temple.  I remember Bro. Jimmie Clark coming year after year and, later, Bro. Frank Pittman.  What a blessing it was to pastor such a special church.

 

E.  I look around this morning, and much of the "scenery" has changed over the years, but the church remains the same.  Special people sitting on special pews in a special church.  I am thrilled this morning for being allowed to stand in this special pulpit where so many special men of God have stood.

 

F.  I think back over the years of all the missionary families that have impacted our lives and how man missionary families have been impacted by Temple Baptist Church.  This small church and these special people are known around the world today because of its mission outreach.  Millions of dollars well spent sharing the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the earth.

 

G. It is special to find a church still standing in the same Old Paths that it walked in so many years ago.  Temple Baptist Church is "an anchor in the shifting sands" of religion.  They have left us, we did not leave them.  They changed, we did not.

 

H.  It is a special church that allows a man of God the opportunity to see them, their children, their grandchildren, and now their great grandchildren.  That is out of the ordinary in our day.

 

J.  Paul, when writing to the church at Thessalonica, said this: "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  (20)  For ye are our glory and joy." (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

 

K.  It has also been a bitter-sweet experience,

 

1.  To see many who helped to make this church what it is today who have gone home to be with the Lord.  I sure miss our brothers and sisters in Christ who died but will one day soon be forever with them.

 

2.  But also, it has been a joy to see those who came and picked up the sword of the Word of God and continued to walk in their paths. 

 

L.  What is a pastor's joy?

 

1.  The Joy of sweet Fellowship with God’s People.  What a joy to be here today with this special people! 

 

2.  The Joy of Encouraging God’s People.  In thick and in thin.  Just the joy of being there with you in the hard times as well as the good times.

 

The Joy of Bearing The Burdens of God’s People.  Praying for one another through tough times for you and also for this pastor's family. 

 

4.  The Joy Of Having A Part of Your Lives.  Barbara and I care about your families.  Watching as your children grow up while being exposed to old fashioned church.

 

5.  The Joy of Seeing God’s People Unified.  Unfortunately, there have been times when old "Slew Foot" tried to get his foot in the door, but we stood together in those times and God has rewarded us for it.  You did not leave and neither did I.  We are Temple and we are one!

 

6.  The Joy of Standing And Walking in The Old Paths.  Because of this, we have been called a lot of things.  Because of this, I have been called a lot of things, but one thing that we have not been called is "liberal."  The Bible calls it "the good way!"

 

Jeremiah 6:16  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.

 

THEY WERE AND ARE CLEAR PATHS; THEY WERE AND ARE STRAIGHT PATHS; THEY WERE AND ARE THE RIGHT PATHS!

 

7.  Joy of Giving Account For God’s Faithful People.  Temple, you have done well! 

 

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.

 

Conclusion:  May God keep us in His will in these last days and allow us to continue to do something for the glory of God and for the souls of a lost world!

Homecoming 2017

Temple Baptist Church - 3-26-2017

3 John 1-4

Introduction:

A.  I have often said that pastoring a church is a Bitter - Sweet Experience.  I love what I do.  I always wanted to do something for a living that I enjoyed and now I have that blessed privilege.  Pastoring is not always glory, but is always worthwhile.  I have no horror stories to tell and have no complaints to offer.  It has been like a good marriage: good times and hard times but that is what makes for a strong marriage, isn’t it?  You never learn how to love until your love is tested.  I married Barbara for live and we came here to stay.

B.  I also want to say that the sweetness far outweighs the bitterness.  I want to use the word bitterness in a right way though.  I am not bitter at anyone or any situation but, sometimes, there are hard pills to swallow in the pastorate. 

C.  Not everyone in the church will either do right or end up right and this brings sorrow to the heart of a true pastor.  I want everyone to do well and live for God.  I often think of these verses:

1.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of losing families to sin.

                        2   Sometimes there is the sorrow of losing families because of God’s Word.

3.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of losing brethren through death.

4.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of seeing the church become apathetic.

5.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of trying to help and being rejected.

                        6.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of having people falsely blame and avoid me.

                        7.  Sometimes there is the sorrow of preaching falling on deaf ears.

D.  We have a great church!  I love every one of you and apologize for none of you.  You have made my pastorate worth every mile of the way.  I am yours and you are mine.  I want our church to remain a great one and that requires constant vigilance.  Maintaining what we have requires a continuing continuance!  These past 30 years have been a joy to this pastor!

1.  I want the Lord to always be welcome in our church.  This may sound like an odd but the Lord is only welcome in churches who want Him to be their Lord.  We are not here to soothe our consciences nor are we here to be seen.  We are here to exalt Him and bow before Him in worship.  We are not here to be seen but we are here to see Him.  His presence is both welcome and wanted.

2.  I want us all to continue to experience a uniform Christian love in our church.  No big “I’s” or little “U’s” here.  From the pew to the pulpit and the pulpit to the pew, I want us to love one another with a whole heart fervently.  Our love is an overlooking love.  We are all imperfect; we all have both good and bad days; but we learn to look past the fault and see the need of each other.  As a pastor’s family, we need you as much as you need us.

3.  I want the Bible to continue to take precedent over all else in our services.  For us to magnify the Bible as God magnifies it.  To allow its free course and leaving it unbound.  We are often belittled or mocked because we continue to hold to the Old Path of Biblical Authority.  I will not spend any more time here as you know where I stand and I know where you stand.  We stand unified.

4.  I want to be a constant encouragement to you and for you to be encouraging to me.  We often take a beating in this world but the church is a place of refreshing and consolation.  It is a “filling station” that gets us through the remainder of the week.  That is what we worship on the first day of the week so that we get the week started off right.  We have Wednesday service to get us over “hump day.”  As the camel said on the commercial, “Hey, hey, Mike!  Know what day it is?”  With a scowl he replied, “Its hump day!”  Our encouragement of each other is what gets us over the humps in life.

5.  I want to remain your pastor as long as the Lord gives me strength and my mind holds out.  I have seen men of God who still had the mind but the strength was gone and I have seen pastors who had the strength and their mind was gone.  I never want to be a burden on the church.  I want to be a continual blessing!  I am yours as long as you will have me.

6.  I want to one day give an account for each of you with joy when I stand before the Lord at the Judgement Seat of Christ.  I want you to do well; I want you to be faithful; I want your soul to prosper and be in health; I want you to stay put and share with each other the love of Christ.

Conclusion:  Happy 30th Anniversary!

Demetrius: A Man of Good Report

Temple Baptist Church - 1-27-2016

3 John 12

 

Introduction:

 

A.  3 John was written to commend two men and condemn another. 

 

1.  It was written to Gaius but, in interpretation, was an admonition to a local church.  It is also prophetic of the conditions that would precede the second coming of the Lord. 

 

2.  Fortunately, we have two types of these people (Gaius and Demetrius) and, unfortunately, we occasionally have the third (Diotrephes) in our churches today.

 

B.  Tonight, I want to take a close look at a man named Demetrius.  This is the only mention of Demetrius and it only involves one verse of Scripture.  Acts 19 makes mention of Demetrius the silversmith but he is not the man of this book.

 

C.  Though there is only one verse offering a characterization of this man, God said a lot in a short sentence.

 

D.  I want to look at verse 11 as I lead up to our verse on Demetrius: 3 John 1:11  “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 

 

1.  John is admonishing Gaius to not be a follower of those who do evil but rather those who do good and points him to Demetrius.  The evil “hath not seen God” but the good “is of God!”  This is a strong statement concerning the spiritual state of both Demetrius and Diotrephes. 

 

2.  Demetrius us “of” God.  The preposition “of” denotes the origin of something or out of something.  Demetrius was a saved man whose life was derived from Christ Jesus.  As we take on the physical and psychological characteristics of our parents, the child of God takes on the spiritual characteristics of the LORD.

 

3.  Diotrephes “hath not seen God!”  I believe that many of these traveling troublemakers that go from church to church are not acquainted with our Lord!  I do not want this to be a blanket statement as all of us can get out of the will of God and have some of the characteristics of Diotrephes but people who do not love God’s people, God’s man, and God’s church probably fit into the category of the lost!

 

e.  Now, let us look at Demetrius’ report card. 

 

1.  When I was young, you were graded with A through F.  Each of these grades had a percentage number that it represented: A (90-100), B (80-99), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-60).  With letter grades, you knew where you or your children stood as far as their work was concerned. 

 

2.  Some gives grades of S (satisfactory or pass) and U (unsatisfactory or fail).  These grades do not tell you where your child is!

 

3.  I believe that the reason the LORD gave Demetrius a “good report” is to show that he passed and his work was satisfactory.  Not all students are A+ students!  If a C or D is the very best that a child can do, then his report card is good.  If an A is what a child is capable of and he or she gets a D, that is not a good report card.  God gives to all of us different talents and capabilities.

 

f.  Demetrius got a “good report” card in three areas:

 

1.  Demetrius got a “good report” of all men.  Men measure that which can be seen.

 

a.  A man to be followed.  This is not man-worship.  We hear a lot about “preacher worship.”  God ordained that we follow in the steps of good men who tread the paths before us.  Every generation does not have to re-invent the wheel.  Neither does each generation have to cut a new path.  Follow those who follow the Old Paths.

 

b.  A man to be imitated.  Demetrius could not only be followed; he could be imitated.  Godly men should be our examples and role models after which we pattern our lives.

 

2.  Demetrius got a “good report” of the truth itself.  The truth measures what a man is.

 

a.  A man who spoke the truth.  What Demetrius said was Biblical!  A man that spoke God’s Word without deviation or compromise.  God said what He meant and meant what He said.

 

b.  A man who lived the truth.  Demetrius was a man who lived what he believed.  To him who knoweth to do good and doeth it is a man of truth.

 

3.  Demetrius got a “good report” of God’s men.  God’s men measure that which a man can achieve.

 

a.  A man with spiritual potential.  God gives to every man and woman gifts to be used for the glory of God and the continuity/welfare of the local church.  It takes the God given gifts of all of us to make the church what it should and needs to be.  Each of you have something to contribute.

 

b.  A man who attained his potential.  We often hear the phrase “wasted potential.”  Demetrius lived up to the expectations of the man of God.  “To who much is given, much is required!”  Our talents are not to be hidden but to be used.  Demetrius was all for God that God intended him to be.

 

Conclusion:  Not everyone is a Gaius and, thank the Lord not everyone has characteristics of old Diotrephes, but everyone here in this church can be a Demetrius and receive a good report both here and at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

 

Be Careful of Old Diotrephes

Temple Baptist Church - 1-6-2016

3 John 9-11

 

Introduction:

 

A.  As we study the Book of 3 John, we find the mention of three people: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius.  Someone once said, “Two good eggs and a bad egg.”  Churches have not changed throughout the centuries as we still have these types of people in the church. 

 

1.  There are the Gaius people!  Faithful, loving, kind, gentle, serving, and basically trouble free in their maintenance. 

 

2.  There are the Diotrephes people!  We have disciples and, occasionally devils.  When I say “devils,” it is because they are divisive, disruptive, and destructive.

 

3.  There are the Demetrius people!  People that have nothing said bad about!  Good, honest people that allow the pastor to pastor.

 

B.  John is writing to commend Gaius for his godliness and service and but also to warn him concerning his associations in light of apostasy and the end times.  We need to guard our church against those who are self-serving instead of desiring to serve the Lord and others. 

 

C.  I want to take a short look at Diotrephes tonight.  The Bible gives this man a scrutiny that needs to be looked at closely.  How do you recognize and deal with Diotrephes?

 

1.  What Diotrephes is!  “who loveth to have the preeminence among them”    Diotrephes is actually easily recognized by spiritual people!  Old Diotrephes loves to have the pre-eminence and, therefore, stands out in the crowd! 

 

a.  They will normally show up only one at a time.  They do not function well in larger churches as those churches have a lot of people sharing the “limelight.”  Diotrephes people normally like smaller churches where they can “waltz” in and immediately be someone important. 

 

b.  These are often well educated, socially elite people.  Yes, well educated people can be right with the Lord but the Bible says, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  (28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:  (29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.  (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) 

 

c.  They are “The kind of people that we are looking for” to the more easily corruptible people.  They are self-serving.  It is all about them!  They have strong, take over personalities.  They will immediately step to the forefront of the church when there are special occasions or activities.  They are normally very talented and love to have their talent praised.  I have seen so many of these families that could be such a great asset to the local church but I have not been able to be their pastor.  I try to use our people who come and have talent to be used for the Lord but that talent is for the edification of the body of the church and for the magnification of our Lord Jesus Christ, not self-exaltation!

 

d.  What kind of people are we actually looking for in our church?  The Statue of Liberty’s inscription has a short poem written by Emma Lazarus that says,

 

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

 

e.  We want sinners that became saints through the New Birth.  We want disciples who are learners.  We want workers who only desire the rewards of the Judgement Seat of Christ.  We want people who will love all of our people instead of just a select few that can be manipulated.  We want people who will love and follow their pastor as he follows Christ.  We want people who put the desires of others ahead of self.  We want people who want Christ magnified instead of self-glorified.

 

f.  Learn to recognize them!  Your pastor normally knowns them as soon as they walk through the doors of the church.  It is an inward discernment that God gives to His man for the protection of the flock.  God’s man is a “wolf hunter” and is normally good at the job!

 

2.  What Diotrephes does!  “receiveth us not ... prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith” Diotrephes will never allow the pastor to become his pastor! 

 

Ephesians 4:11-16  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:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  (15)  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

a.  Diotrephes is his own pastor.  He is his family’s pastor.  God intended for all of us to have a pastor regardless of how spiritual the leader of our home is.  I need a pastor and have one!  These people operate very effectively without a pastor in their lives because they want no accountability to any man.

 

b.  Diotrephes is smarter than the pastor.  These people are teachers, not students.  They always like to teach others in the church.  They make to themselves disciples who follow them.  They know more about the Bible than God’s man and spend time trying to “help” God’s man doctrinally.  I know that I do not know everything about the Bible but I have a pretty good handle on what the Bible says and teaches.  They spend more time telling the pastor what they know than they do listening to what he teachers.

 

c.  Diotrephes will never follow the pastor.  They are leaders, not followers.  Before one becomes a good leader, they must become a good follower.  I never questioned my pastor before the Lord called me to preach.  I did not follow them blindly because they were men but I followed them wholly as they sought the leadership of the Lord.  Diotrephes will not receive God’s men.  They are not a friend of the evangelists who come preach.  They are not a friend of the missionaries that come and bless us with their presence.

 

d.  Diotrephes will eventually raise his voice against the pastor!  Diotrephes begins subtly!  Diotrephes will begin his work of division in the background at the first.  I said that these people are “devils” because only the ones controlled by Satan ever wish to divide a church.  His discontentment with the pastor and how the church is being operated begins with his finding listening ears of the more carnal babes of the church.  Diotrephes is good at locating his followers and will remain at a distance from the more spiritual of the people of the church.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10-13  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  (11)  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  (13)  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

 

e.  Diotrephes will become vocal!  Diotrephes will not remain quiet about his intentions forever.  Though he will undermine the pastor subtly in the beginning, the time will come when he will begin to voice his dissatisfaction openly.  Diotrephes is divisive!  “Prating” means a tattler who is mischievous (one who is disruptive, damaging, harmful, or malicious).  “Divide and conquer” is his motto and he is well organized in his attack.  I have heard their voices as they say “Our pastor is a good man but!”  The will of God for a congregation is never to maintain a distance from the pulpit but to love, accept, and follow God’s man.

 

f.  Diotrephes will run off visitors and even new believers!  I have watched as people within the church have set themselves as the “standard” for new people and the babes in Christ.  As a general rule, old Diotrephes will also be pharisaical!  He/she will be the only one in the local church that lives and acts right.  They will try to enforce their convictions and standards upon the weak.  This will either make the babes in Christ their disciples or, as is normally the rule, run them off.

 

 

3.  What to do with Diotrephes!  “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

 

a.  Recognize Diotrephes!  Help your pastor and church by looking over the flock.  Not to be a tale bearer but to help your pastor know when someone is not following the church or pastor.  Every one of you love this church, each other, and your pastor.  We pray for one another; we help to bear one another’s burdens; and we want only the best for our church.

 

b.  Report Diotrephes to the pastor!  Never take for granted that the pastor knows what is going on.  Make your report known to the pastor and not to others as the best way to work with problems in the beginning is to minimize them.  Once he knows, then you remain silent unless he needs to know of some other development that may not be known by the pastor.

 

c.  Remain at a distance from Diotrephes!  Evil communications still corrupt good manners.  If “Diotrephes” was right with the Lord, the matter could be easily settled.  I have an “Open Door Policy” and anyone can talk to me about anything.  If we cannot settle it, I will involve my deacons and other good men of the church if necessary.  If you wish, tell the disgruntled that they need to go with you to the pastor.  That normally quietens or stops the problem.   A wise young man once said, “When there is something that you do not understand, there is probably something that you do not know!”  Let God’s man handle the situation!

 

d.  Follow your pastor and fellowship with those who also follow him!  If you follow Diotrephes, though you may not agree with him, others that are weaker in the faith may follow your example.  Follow the man that God gave to you as your example as long as he follows Christ.  Sometimes, when there is division growing in the church, your pastor will do things that you do not understand. 

 

The Joy of Pastoring

Temple Baptist Church - 12-9-2015

3 John 4

Introduction. 

A.  I have often said that pastoring a church is a “Bitter – Sweet” experience.  I love what I do!  I cannot over-emphasis this enough!  I always wanted to do something for a living that I enjoyed and now I have that blessed privilege.  Pastoring is not always glorious, but is always worthwhile!

B.  There are many things that bring sorrow to a pastor’s heart.  I will name several before I get into the “good stuff.”  Before I begin, I want everyone here to realize that:

1.  God has never saved a perfect man!  Pastors are men of fault and failure just like you are.  Do not be too disappointed in your pastor when he does not live up to your expectations.

2.  God has never called a perfect man!  So many hold the pastor to a different standard.  Did you know that you are to be as good and godly as your pastor?  Did you know that you are to labor MORE in the ministry than your pastor as he is to give his time to the Word of God and prayer?

3.  God uses imperfect men because He is God and both the man and the work of the ministry are His.

C.  God’s men should have a threefold goal in mind.  2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

1.  To fight the good fight of faith.  1 Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2.  To finish the course set before him.  Acts 20:23-24  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  (24)  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

3.  To keep the faith once delivered which involves two things:

a)  Remain true to the Word of God.  Jude 3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

b)  Remain true to the Old Paths.  Jeremiah 6:16  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.

D.  When I speak of “bitter” in reference to the ministry of God’s men, I am not say that God’s men are bitter in spirit.  I am saying that the ministry, just like life, is full of ups and downs, good and bad times, winter as well as summer times, times of sorrow as well as happiness.

1.  The sorrow of the failures within the church.  2 Corinthians 11:28   Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 

2.  The sorrow or the rejection of truth.  2 Timothy 1:13-15  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (14)  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.  (15)  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

3.  Sorrow of losing families to sin. 2 Timothy 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

4.  Sorrow of losing families because of God’s Word. Galatians 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

5.  Sorrow of losing brethren through death. 1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

6.  Sorrow of seeing the church become apathetic. Revelation 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

7.  Sorrow of trying to help and being rejected. 1 Peter 3:16  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

8.  Sorrow of preaching falling on deaf ears.  James 1:21-22  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  (22)  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

9. Sorrow of facing the Lord with my pastoral failures.  1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

10.  Sorrow of having pastored people that I could not help.  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.

E.  And, yet, there are many things that bring both joy and rejoicing!  The joys greatly outweigh the sorrows.  I want to look to look at some things tonight that bring joy to this pastor’s heart.

1.  Joy of Fellowship with God’s People - Romans 15:32  That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

2.  Joy of Encouraging God’s People - 2 Corinthians 2:1-4  But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?  And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

3.  Joy of Bearing The Burdens of God’s People - 2 Corinthians 7:1-4  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.       

4.  Joy of Hearing That God’s People Are Steadfastly Serving  - 2 Corinthians 7:12-16  Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.  I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

Colossians 2:5  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:  For now we live,if ye stand fast in the Lord.  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;  Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

5.  Joy of Sharing The Ministry With God’s People - Philippians 1:3-11  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.  (Workers, visitation, teachers, choir - get involved!!)

6.  Joy of Seeing God’s People Unified - Philippians 2:1-4  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (Greatest heartache - bickering children!)

7.  Joy of A Godly Testimony of God’s People - Philippians 2:14-18   Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.  (So much said about hypocrites – it is refreshing to hear good about God’s people!)

8.  Joy of An Inner Witness With God’s People - Philippians 4:1  Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

9.   Joy of Leading Others To Christ - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.  (Some of you were came to Christ under my ministry.  Not that I am anything, but what a joy.  Just think of Tracy!)

10.  Joy of Giving Account For God’s Faithful People - 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.