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The role of pastors in church… (6 points)
- 1st – Church government… (2 points)
- 1st – The three words used to describe a LEADER in the church…
- These terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
- BISHOP – describes their responsibility – to lead / oversee the people…
- PASTOR – describes their purpose – to teach and protect the people – Ephesians 4:11
- ELDER – describes their age – experience they have earned so they can help the people!
- God established leaders in the church – to establish order…
- Imagine if everyone just did what they wanted to in church…
- There was no one leading – no one directing and organizing the believers…
- No one to establish the time to have Bible Study / no one leading the service…
- Imagine a Sunday service were everyone was trying to share all at once…
- There would be chaos – and ministry cannot happen effectively in chaos!
- I Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace… But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”
- God is a God of order – He works through structure…
- There is a balance – we are to be open to the Spirit – we are to be flexible…
- But we are also to be wise – we are to make plans – we are to be organized…
- That is why God has established order in His church – Pastors / Deacons…
- Not that we are organized by men – we look to the Word of God / Jesus to lead us…
- But by the Grace of God leaders are appointed to lead us according to the Word!
- Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God…”
- These terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
- 2nd – The four different types of church Government…
- Episkopos government – defined by a church that is overseen by one leader…
- Based off of I Timothy 3:2 – the word for BISHOP is Episkopos…
- It focuses on one centralized authority within the church – one leader!
- Catholicism is the largest Episkopos church in the world today…
- Although there are many churches – they are all under the authority of one leader!
- The benefit of this kind of church is that the leader is free to follow the Lord…
- The downside is there tends to be very little accountability for the leader!
- Presbyteros government – defined by a group of elders who oversee the church…
- Acts 14:23 – “They had appointed elders [Presbyteros] in every church…”
- Elders – literally older men who are wise – are the ones who lead the church…
- It focuses on the need for a group / board – to make all the decisions…
- Assuming that there is greater wisdom in a multitude of counselors!
- Baptist churches are known for their boards – for their group of elders
- The benefit of this kind of church is there is much greater accountability…
- The downside is it can be hard to make decisions – come to an agreement!
- Congregational government – defined by a democratically elected leadership…
- Christ is the head of his church – Colossians 1:18 – no need for a person to lead…
- All believers are priests – I Peter 2:9 – so we can all be a part directing the church!
- This model of the church actually has no example in the New Testament…
- It became popular over the last 400 years with the rise of democracy…
- The problem with it is – it is almost impossible to get everyone to agree on anything!
- Moses / Israel – a church government defined by a blended model …
- Moses was called by God to speak for Him to the nation of Israel – Exodus 20:18-19
- But the work was too much for one man – other men helped him – Exodus 18:17
- In this model Jesus is the head of the church – and He makes all decisions…
- But He calls one man to be His representative to a congregation – Moses…
- But that leader does not work alone – he has a group of elders to help him out!
- The benefit of this kind of church – is the leader is free to follow the Lord…
- But there is still a group of men who make sure that he is accountable…
- Which is why this fourth model is the style of church government we follow!
- Episkopos government – defined by a church that is overseen by one leader…
- 1st – The three words used to describe a LEADER in the church…
- 2nd – The calling of a pastor… (2 points)
- 1st – If a man DESIRES to be a BISHOP… vs. 1
- If (since) – the question is in the first-class condition – it assumes the answer is yes…
- MAN (masculine pronoun) – as we discussed last week – this position is only for men…
- DESIRES (middle) – 3x NT – stretch out to try and grasp something beyond our reach…
- BISHOP – 4x in NT – the word literally means to oversee / watch over / examine…
- Only here in NT used to describe the OFFICE / ROLE of a PASTOR in a church
- A man may grasp for the role of a Bishop / Pastor – but it is a CALLING from the Lord…
- Being a Pastor is not about an education – no diploma or degree can qualify a man…
- It is not a profession – it is not a career – not a job…
- It is not about collecting a salary – making money – or being famous…
- It is a CALLING from God to LOVE and FEED His people!
- Acts 1:4 – Jesus told the Disciples to WAIT…
- WAIT for the promise of the Father – the baptism of the Holy Spirit…
- If the disciples had tried to build the church on their own – if they had not WAITED…
- The book of Acts would have ended with chapter 1 – there would be no church…
- But because of the POWER of the SPIRIT – the Gospel went out into the world!
- We often think in order to be used by God – we need to be trained / prepared…
- That is why churches require men to have a college degree – preparation!
- Preparation had its place – it is good to be a student of the Word – II Timothy 2:15
- The disciples had the BEST Bible College the world – 3 years with Jesus!
- But that was not enough – in order to be used they needed the power of God!
- You can have all the training and degrees – but if God is not with you – nothing…
- You can have no education – if God is working through you – you are unstoppable!
- The question is whether or not God has called someone to be a pastor…
- If a person tries to step in and simply fill a role – the results can often be disastrous…
- If they try to serve God in their strength – then they have to maintain the work…
- But if God is the one who does the work then He is the one who maintains it!
- John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”
- If (since) – the question is in the first-class condition – it assumes the answer is yes…
- 2nd – He DESIRES a GOOD WORK…
- DESIRES (different word) – 16x in NT – from root word meaning to burn with desire…
- 1st – If a man DESIRES to be a BISHOP… vs. 1
- GOOD – kalos – emphasizes the outward appearance of the goodness…
- WORK – 176x in NT – business or employment – we might say JOB!
- I once had a wise Pastor tell me – only be a pastor if you HAVE too!
- Jeremiah 20:19 – “His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.”
- Being a pastor is not something someone CAN do – it is something they MUST do…
- They see the lost world around them – and they just HAVE to do something…
- They HAVE to tell people about Jesus – they HAVE to tell them about the Word!
- 3rd – Seven things a pastor MUST be… vs. 2 (7 points)
- 1st – A BISHOP (pastor) must be BLAMELESS… vs. 2
- BISHOP – episkopos – 7x in NT describing the ROLE of someone who oversees the church…
- MUST be – these are not optional – they are necessary qualifications!
- BLAMELESS – 3x in NT – does not mean perfect – but that he cannot be accused!
- When we step out to serve the Lord – people are going to attack us…
- So it is important that they do not give people any ammunition to work with…
- What is ok for other people – is not acceptable for Pastors – a different standard!
- 2nd – A pastor must be the HUSBAND of one wife…
- HUSBAND – meaning again a pastor cannot be a woman – I Timothy 2:12
- Some say a pastor MUST be married – he is to have one WIFE…
- This is likely not the meaning – Paul was not married – I Corinthians 7:7
- There are advantages for a pastor to have a wife – if she has a heart for ministry…
- She can minister to the women and / or children within the church!
- But I have also known men who wanted to be pastors – and their wife stopped them!
- Some also say a pastor cannot be DIVORCED / remarried – ONE wife…
- This is also likely not the meaning – the Bible gives three allowable reasons for divorce…
- The wife has an ongoing affair – the husband is free to remarry – Matthew 19:9
- The wife is an unbeliever / leaves – the husband may remarry – I Corinthians 7:15
- The wife dies – the husband is then free to remarry – Romans 7:2
- A pastor should be blameless – he should not be responsible for the divorce…
- But even then – there is grace – we are not defined by our past – just Jesus!
- The husband of ONE wife – simply means he cannot have multiple wives!
- 3rd – A pastor must be TEMPERATE…
- TEMPERATE – 3x in NT meaning they are not to drink alcohol…
- Paul repeats this in I Timothy 3:3 / Titus 1:7 – NOT given to wine…
- Can you imagine a pastor coming to Sunday service – drunk / or with a hangover…
- The Bible does NOT say it is wrong to drink – but we CANNOT get drunk – Ephesians 5:18
- The ONE exception is for PASTORS – they CANNOT drink at all…
- Because a drunk pastor is not going to be able to teach the people!
- Because the Pastor is an example to the church – so he is not to drink ANY alcohol!
- 4th – A pastor must be SOBER MINDED…
- SOBER MINDED – 4x in NT meaning to have self-control…
- Our minds are literally a battleground for the control of our actions – Galatians 5:17
- Do we choose to live for pleasure / the moment – or do we live for the Lord…
- A pastor needs to have self-control / not ruled by his emotions or desires…
- So he can be an example for the church on how to live for Jesus Christ!
- If we saw a pastor out gambling / or smoking at the local sari-sari store…
- It would stumble a lot of people – so a pastor is held to a higher standard!
- 5th – A pastor must be GOOD BEHAVIOR…
- GOOD BEHAVIOR – kosmeo – 2x in NT meaning well arranged (outward appearance) …
- A pastor is to set an example by how he ACTS – he is be a role model for the church!
- Not that a pastor cannot joke / laugh / or be playful…
- It is NOT a good example for a pastor to look like he has been sucking on kalamasi!
- But a pastor needs to never forget the weight of his calling – he represents Christ!
- 6th – A pastor must be HOSPITABLE…
- HOSPITABLE – 3x in NT – the word literally means to be friendly to strangers!
- A pastor should always be willing to open up his home / even to strangers…
- Any time of the day / or night – willing to put on a pot of rice / offer cold water…
- By doing so they show the Love of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
- So then they can tell others about the opportunity to know Jesus – Romans 2:4
- 7h – A pastor must be ABLE TO TEACH…
- ABLE TO TEACH – 2x in NT – meaning to be skillful / able to teach the Word
- Pastors need to teach the Word – faith comes by hearing the Word – Romans 10:17
- That means the pastor takes the time to study the Word – II Timothy 2:15
- So that he can share the truth of the Word with the church!
- Famine of the Word – Amos 8:11
- The biggest problem in the world today – is people do NOT know the Word of God…
- And the ones who should be teaching them – the leaders / pastors – do not!
- Hosea 4:6 – “My people are being destroyed because they do not know me. It is all your fault, you [pastors], for you yourselves refuse to know me.”
- ABLE TO TEACH – 2x in NT – meaning to be skillful / able to teach the Word
- 1st – A BISHOP (pastor) must be BLAMELESS… vs. 2
- 4th – Five things a pastor CANNOT be… vs. 3 (5 points)
- 1st – A pastor must not be Given to WINE – we already talked about this
- 2nd – A pastor must not be VIOLENT…
- VIOLENT – 2x in NT – Titus 1:7 – looking to hit others…
- I often get people trying to egg me into a debate on the church Facebook page…
- They come looking for a fight – they want to get into an argument…
- But there is nothing edifying about getting angry and yelling at others just to prove a point!
- A pastor should not be looking for a fight – going out to pick a fight!
- 3rd – A pastor must not be GREEDY FOR MONEY…
- GREEDY FOR MONEY – 3x in NT – always in relation to church leaders
- The word means to get money by using dishonorable means – cheating others…
- A number of years ago I was watching a Christian Tele-Evangelist on TV…
- He said – if you do not send in money now – God will blame you for people going to hell!
- Too many pastors today abuse they authority they are given in the church…
- They use the pulpit as a means for personal gain – taking advantage of people…
- The result is people are wary of the church – the Gospel message become tainted…
- They are not there to love and feed the people – they come to cheat them…
- Those pastors who take from the people – fall under the judgment of God!
- Ezekiel 34:2 – “Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep?”
- 4th – A pastor must not be QUARRELSOME…
- QUARRELSOME – 2x in NT – Titus 1:7 – looking to get into a fight…
- The same idea as a pastor must not be VIOLENT – but Paul adds the contrast…
- A pastor should instead be PATIENT – more often translated as GENTLE…
- A pastor should be GENTLE with people – wanting to hear the problems of people…
- At the same time he should not argue with those who are sharing with him…
- A lot of being a pastor is listening – do not rush in with their great wisdom…
- Investing time in people – then they will be open to what a pastors says!
- 5th – A pastor must not be COVETOUS…
- COVETOUS – a-phil-argyros – literally to not LOVE SILVER (money) …
- A pastor should not be in ministry to see what he can GET from the people…
- He should be in ministry to see what he can GIVE to the people!
- II Corinthians 12:14 – “I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.”
- 5th – Where a man learns to be a pastor… vs. 4-5 (3 points)
- 1st – A pastor must RULE (oversee) his own house WELL…
- RULE WELL – kalos – emphasizes the outward appearance of the goodness…
- The outward appearance of the family of a pastor should be – SUBISSION – all REVERENCE…
- In other words a man should have proven himself as a PASTOR in his HOME…
- If a pastor cannot RULE his own family – how can he take CARE of the church of God!
- In many ways the family is the proving grounds for new pastors…
- If a man does not pray with his wife and kids / read the Word to them…
- Why would God trust you to read and pray and take care of HIS kids!
- 2nd – First Ministry – once a man becomes a pastor – he needs to keep loving his family…
- Unfortunately – the kids of Pastors – are famous for being out of control!
- Because the pastor spends so much time at church – he neglects his family…
- Essentially his kids grow up without a dad – they are bitter towards God about it!
- A pastor needs to make sure that he is taking care of his FIRST ministry!
- 3rd – Older kids – when a pastor has older kids who are out of control…
- The responsibility of dads is to teach their children about Jesus – Ephesians 6:4
- But there comes point when the kids are going to grow up and make their own decisions…
- We can guide them – but in the end we cannot make their choices for them!
The passion to LOVE and FEED His people – and build them up in their walk with the Lord!
6th – The maturity required for a pastor… vs. 6-7
1st – A pastor must NOT be a NOVICE… vs. 6
NOVICE – only here NT – to be newly planted – a new believer…
God is not in a hurry to put someone into a position of leadership…
Because fruit takes time to grow – we want to wait and see what God does in someone…
Because it is easy to give the title – almost impossible to take it back…
Give it time and make sure there is a calling of God on someone to be a pastor!
I Timothy 5:22 – “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily…”
Lest being lifted up in PRIDE – he fall into the same condemnation as the devil…
Satan never went through any trials – he never lacked for anything…
He went immediately into paradise / the worship leader of the heaven…
And one day he decided in PRIDE to claim to be equal with God – Isaiah 14:14
If a young believer is raised up too fast – no trials / never lacking anything…
He can get puffed up in pride – the sin of satan – and he will end up falling – Proverbs 11:2
2nd – A pastor MUST have a GOOD TESTIMONY… vs. 7
GOOD [kalos] TESTIMONY [martyr] – we would say a GOOD reputation…
Among those who are OUTSIDE – speaking of unbelievers – people NOT in church…
LEST – the pastor fall into the REPROACH and SNARE of the DEVIL [accuser]…
I Peter 5:8 – “The devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Satan is like a Lion – and he is determined to devour us – destroy our lives!
Satan is the accuser – he desires to condemn us – Revelation 12:10
There is NO DOUBT – Satan has a target on the back of EVERY pastor – Luke 22:31
And he would love nothing more than to take down a PASTOR – cripple the whole church!
So it is critical that a pastor live a life that even among UNBELIVERS – is above REPROACH!
3rd – Often people look at this list – and think it is a TO DO list…
Maybe someone says – I want to be a pastor – and that is a good thing!
But they look at the qualifications and think – who can be like this!
SEVEN things a pastor MUST be / FIVE things a pastor must NOT do…
Must have a good FAMILY / NOT a NEW believer / have a GOOD reputation!
But it is NOT a to do list – it is the what God is doing in us list…
Someone knows they ARE a pastor because they see God doing these things in their life!
Because it is not about a position – it is about the CALLING of God on a man…
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