“WHAT IS A PASTOR TO DO?” Pt. 4 (continued)
(The Church – God’s Masterpiece)
by Pastor-teacher Dennis Rokser
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: 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; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples
to the flock. And when the chief
Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
In our previous articles
we have been searching the Scriptures together to precisely ascertain the
concepts embodied in the term… “feed (shepherd) the flock of God.” Thus far, we observed that…
A.
Shepherding God’s flock involves PROVISION… as a pastor is
to feed the flock of God the very Word of God.
B.
Shepherding God’s flock involves PROTECTION… as a pastor
must carefully guard and watch over the flock of God for those dangerous
predators that would harm them spiritually.
C.
Shepherding God’s flock involves PRAYER… as a pastor needs
to engage in a ministry of intercessory prayer for people’s needs.
D.
Shepherding God’s flock involves PERSONAL EXAMPLE… as a
pastor must personally model the biblical truths he publicly teaches.
The
importance of a pastor’s personal example is further highlighted for us in 1
Thessalonians 2:1-6.
For
yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in
vain: But even after that we had
suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we
were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor
of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we
were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not
as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor
a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we
might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
Five times in these six verses the apostle Paul appeals to this
church’s personal knowledge (“you know”) of the historical facts
surrounding their visit to Thessalonica.
This Pauline missionary team exhibited a model ministry…
a. by
being willing to preach in spite of severe persecution. (2:1-2)
Having
been beaten and publicly flogged at Philippi, it would have been natural to
forsake Gospel preaching at Thessalonica.
Yet they displayed supernatural courage (“in [by] our God”)
that set an unforgettable example for these believers to follow.
For
our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among
you for your sake. And ye became
followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and
Achaia. (1 Thess. 1:5-7)
Are you
devoted to the preaching of the Gospel of grace entrusted to you even though
you may be persecuted for Christ’s sake?
b.
by their
message being the Gospel from God.
But
even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye
know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of
God with much contention. For our
exhortation was not of deceit… (1 Thessalonians
2:2-3a)
Positively, they preached the good news of Jesus Christ which came from God (“the Gospel of God”). This is the message all preachers and teachers must emphasize.
For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith. (Romans 1:16-17)
Negatively, their message was “not of (ek – out from as a source or origin) deceit” or error. Their preaching was thoroughly scriptural and true. It was not laced with pop psychology, non-scriptural church tradition, or human viewpoint opinions. Dear pastor friend, can this be said of your sermons or messages?
c.
by
their pure motives… “nor of uncleaness.” (2:3b)
This
missionary team was motivated by the love of God to fulfill the will of God in
preaching the Gospel. Their motives
were not of personal gain, power or prestige.
Is it possible to preach the right message with the wrong motives? Yes!
But
I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in
all the palace, and in all other places;
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are
much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of
good will: The one preach Christ of
contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set
for the defence of the gospel. What
then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
(Philippians 1:12-18)
In laying bare the motives of his ministry to the Ephesian elders gathered at Miletus, Paul could honestly write…
I
have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. (Acts 20:33)
Can you honestly confess
this to others?
d.
by
their honest methods… “nor in guile.”
(2:3c)
Their methods were not deceitful. Personal examination would uncover no manipulation, gimmicks, or false premises. Their exemplary methods caused Paul to express to the Corinthian church…
For
we are not like so many others, hucksters who peddle the word of God for
profit, but we are speaking in Christ before God as persons of sincerity, as
persons sent from God. (2 Corinthians 2:17, NET)
Can
a similar commendation be given regarding your church in the areas of
preaching, giving, evangelism, and youth ministry?
e.
by
their godly aim.
But
as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4)
They viewed the Gospel as a sacred trust to be proclaimed to others with a view to pleasing God regardless of the human response. Men-pleasing must never circumvent pleasing our Lord who keeps on examining (“which trieth”) our hearts.
As a pastor, I am repeatedly bombarded, like waves pounding the seashore, with constant pressure to compromise biblical convictions for the sake of ecumenical pseudo-unity; or to utilize church growth gimmickry to obtain ecclesiastical “success;” or to water-down my biblical teaching in order to side-step unfavorable personal reactions; or to cave in to the prevalent neo-evangelical mindset of “the-end-justifies-the-means” to achieve godly objectives. Yet, Galatians 1:10 keeps ringing in my ears.
For
do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet
pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
(Galatians 1:10)
Dear
believer friend, remember that God not only examines your heart now, but will
examine it later at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
But
with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's
judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that
judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge
nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light
the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the
hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:3-5)
At the judgment seat of Christ will you hear the “praise of God” and “well done thou good and faithful servant”?
Therefore
also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be
pleasing to Him. For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed
for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
(2 Corinthians 5:9-10, NASB)
Years
ago, Richard Baxter declared in writing…
It is a
palpable error of some ministers, who make such a disproportion between their
preaching and their living; who study hard to preach exactly, and study little
or not at all to live exactly. All the
week long is little enough, to study how to speak two hours, and yet one hour
seems too much to study how to live all the week…. Oh how curiously have I
heard some men preach; and how carelessly have I seen them live!”[1]
Like a
defense attorney displaying significant pieces of evidence, Paul next sets
forth three pieces of evidence to support his claims and to counter some slanderous
accusations that the Thessalonians believers had heard.
a.
Piece of
evidence #1: the missions team did not
use flattering words at any time.
For
neither at any time used we flattering words… (1
Thessalonian 2:5a)
Their message and methods did not appeal to the lusts of the flesh, nor
were they ear-tickling (2 Timothy 4:3).
They did not seek to make a favorable impression in order to gain
influence for selfish advantage.
Instead, they spoke “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). And who were the verifying witnesses to
this?… “as you know.”
b. Piece of
evidence #2: the missions team did not
use their ministry as a pretense (“cloak”) for “covetousness.”
For
neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness. (1 Thessalonians
2:5b)
This flat denial of greed (“covetousness”) again addresses the
issue of motive. They never used the
ministry to mask their greed for personal enrichment or aggrandizement. Unlike many today, these men did not use this
church as a stepping stone for pastoral promotion to bigger and better
things. And who was their verifying
witness to these motives? “God is
our witness.”
While God is sovereign in His placement of pastors, the shepherd that
changes churches every three years stays long enough to accomplish little to
nothing. Furthermore, he sends a
message of non-loyalty to the rest of the church that is often-times easily
followed.
Can you honestly appeal to God as your witness when it comes to the
purity of your motives for ministry?
c.
Piece of
evidence #3: the missions team did not
seek glory from anyone.
Nor
of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have
been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1
Thessalonians 2:6)
This evidence supports their aim to please God alone. They did not seek the praise of men but only the praise of God. This stands in stark contrast to some of the believing chief priests of Jesus’ day.
Nevertheless
among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees
they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more
than the praise of God. (John 12:42-43)
Too
many in our day seek “celebrity status” from the Christian community. They like their names on the spiritual
superstar marquee. They are like
Diotrophes of old, “who loveth to have the pereeminence among them” (3
John 9).
Warren
Wiersbe writes…
In
spite of what some “success preachers” say, God’s goal for our lives is not money
but maturity, not happiness but holiness, not getting but giving. God is at work making people more like His
Son, and that’s what Christian service is all about. Your purpose in serving isn’t to build the biggest church or
Sunday school class, the greatest choir, or the most efficient band of
usher. Your purpose is to build people
of Christian character whom God can bless and use to build others. You can use all kinds of gimmicks and
techniques to gather a crowd or build an organization, but that’s not the same
as building His church.[2]
Who did
Paul use to act as verifying witnesses to this claim of a singular godly aim?
…”neither of you, nor of others.”
Would those who know you – your wife, your children, congregation, or
community – stand on the witness stand of human judgment to testify on your
behalf that your singular aim was to please God, not people? Listen to Paul’s account to the Ephesian
elders:
And
from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto
them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all
humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the
lying in wait of the Jews: And how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have
taught you publickly, and from house to house,
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts
20:17-21)
Dear friend, while personal criticism may be difficult to handle, human praise may be even more subtly dangerous. If you have begun to believe human applause or your own press clippings, it is time to “get over it.” Humble yourself in sackcloth and ashes and give God the glory.
I
am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven
images. (Isaiah 42:8)
Thus
saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But
let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that
I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness,
in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Personal pride, like a deadly cancer, can slowly erode your dependence on the Lord so that you “make flesh” your “arm” (Jeremiah 17:5). Listen to this sad, brief epitaph of King Uzziah of Judah and be warned of the leprosy of arrogance.
And
he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of
God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
(2 Chronicles 26:5)
But
when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the
LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the
altar of incense. (2 Chronicles 26:16)
Then
Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he
was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the
priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the
priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they
thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the
LORD had smitten him. And Uzziah the
king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house,
being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his
son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
(2 Chronicles 26:19-21)
Is this shift in dependence happening in your walk and service to the Lord?
Dear friends, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 screams at each of us about the importance of our example and a godly testimony – both toward the saved and the lost. This is also highlighted for us in Titus 2 when scriptural instructions are given to encourage godly lifestyles among the various groups in the church – mature men (2:2), mature women (2:3), young women (2:4-5), young men (2:6-8), along with servants (2:9-10). But what were the objectives this? Three purpose statements earmark the intent behind these scriptural imperatives.
·
“that
the Word of God be not blasphemed.”
(2:5)
·
“that
he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil to say of you.” (2:8)
·
“that
they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” (2:10)
Being a godly testimony not only has edificational implications toward believers, but evangelistic impact toward unbelievers. Holy living, by God’s grace and as the fruit of sound doctrine, forms a credible platform for effective evangelism. On the other hand, legitimate criticisms of Christian carnality are employed by the unsaved to disregard the Gospel and justify their unbelief. Thus, someone has aptly said, “An unholy pastor is like a stained glass window – a religious symbol that keeps the light out.”
Can a
bald man effectively sell hair–restoring oil?
Is someone who is dying of food poisoning a good advertisement for a
local restaurant? In the same manner, a
“saved-from-the-power-of-sin” life speaks loudly to the lost about the
potency of a “saved-from-the-penalty-of-sin” message. And the over-arching message the unsaved
need to hear regards “God our Saviour.”
Dear
pastor friends, the Bible makes it clear that the way a leader lives speaks so
loudly that you can’t always hear what he says. By God’s grace may we increasingly be able to humbly and
honestly say to others…
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9)
Be
ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 11:1)
Ye
are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved
ourselves among you that believe. (1 Thessalonians
2:10)