How to treat pastors (5 points)

• 1^st – Providing for pastors… vs. 17-18 (2 points)
  • 1^st – Let the ELDERS who rule well be COUNTED WORTHY… vs. 17
    • Let the ELDERS – three terms used interchangeably for church leaders in NT…
      • 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!
    • COUNTED WORTHY – present / passive / imperative – having been weighed as worthy…
      • Command for the congregation (passive) to examine the WORTHINESS of Pastors…
      • What qualifies them as WORTHY – they RULE / and LABOR!
    • RULE WELL – proistēmikalos – to watch over and protect the church – and do it WELL…
      • One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit – the ability to LEAD – Romans 12:8
      • In other words men do not CHOSE to lead – they are CALLED to lead!
      • If a Pastor is not leading WELL – it is likely because he is not CALLED!
    • LABOR – kopiaō – (kapoy) to work till you are exhausted – ready to pass out…
      • Where RULING WELL speaks of the GIFT of God to LEAD in the church…
      • LABOR speaks of the EFFORT a Pastor is required to give for the church…
      • They LABOR in the Word of God and in Doctrine – they always STUDY – II Timothy 2:15
      • I have heard pastors say before that they are just – let the Spirit lead – when they teach…
      • What they really mean is that they did not STUDY – and are NOT prepared!
      • A pastor MUST reply on the Holy Spirt – but a good teaching does not happen by accident!
      • It is NOT easy to prepare a Bible Study – it takes TIME / EFFORT – to LABOR in the Word…
      • And it is the responsibility of the church to examine the teachings of the pastor…
      • Did he LABOR in the word and doctrine – making sure the sheep are well fed!
  • 2^nd – WORTHY of DOUBLE HONOR… vs. 17-18
    • DOUBLE HONOR – there are two possibilities as to what DOUBLE may refer to…
      • DOUBLE may speak of – First HONOR – giving a Pastor RESPECT because he LEADS…
      • Second HONOR – providing for a Pastor FINANCIALLY because he LABORS…
      • Could also mean – providing DOUBLE for a Pastor who both LEADS and LABORS (two jobs)!
      • That means twice as many cookies after service for the pastor!
    • The example of an Ox…
      • The Law commanded – do NOT muzzle the ox when he is treading – Deuteronomy 25:24
      • The Ox was LABORING in the field – and therefore had a right to eat from it!
      • I Corinthians 9:9-11 – “Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?”
    • The LABORER is WORTHY of his reward – Luke 10:7
      • Pastors sow spiritual seed (the Word of God) LABORING in the field (the church) …
      • As they are LABORING by teachings the Word and LEADING the people…
      • They then should reap the REWARD / WAGE – being taken care of practically by the people!
      • Those who minister to the spiritual needs of the church – pastoral ministry…
      • As much as possible – should be provided for practically by those within the church…
      • If a pastor has to work to support himself practically – little time for the church…
      • It is a blessing to the people to provide for the pastor to free him up to minister!
    • A pastor should NEVER demand – or even ask – to be provided for…
      • I Corinthians 9:15 – “I would rather die than lose my distinction of preaching without charge.”
      • 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?”
    • Because a man does not CHOSE to be a pastor – he is CALLED by God…
      • If a pastor chose his profession – then he might expect payment from the church…
      • But since it is God who choses – it is God who will pay his salary – I Corinthians 9:17
      • If you asked me to build you a bench – I would expect you pay me for the work…
      • But if someone else asked me to build it for you – they would be the one to pay!
      • If a pastor is truly called by God – you will know because God will provide for all his needs!

• 2^nd – Accusations against Pastors… vs. 19-21 (4 points)
  • 1^st – Do NOT receive an ACCUSATION… vs. 19
    • ACCUSATION – katēgoria – 4x in NT – accusation of sin or wrongdoing…
      • Inevitably there will be problems in the church…
      • Any time you get a bunch of sinners together (even Godly ones) there will be problems…
      • There is no such thing as a perfect church – they do not exist…
      • If we ever did find one – and joined – it would no longer be a perfect church!
      • As believers in Jesus – the church – we are still sinners / we still make mistakes!
    • The question is what to do if the PROBLEM is a PASTOR in the church…
      • Too often we ignore what is happening around us – justifying it is not our problem…
      • What we fail to recognize is that the bad example of others does affect us…
      • And we need to be involved in our church – take a stand for Jesus!
    • DO NOT receive (imperative) – without two or three witnesses…
      • When an ACCUSATION is brought against a pastor – it MUST be VERIFIED…
      • To prevent someone from making a false ACCUSATION – personal vendetta / or agenda… 
      • Someone might make a convincing ACCUSATION – but it was just their perspective…
      • We must NOT just listen to one side – take the time to hear the whole story!
      • Proverbs 18:17 – “The first to speak… sounds right – until the cross-examination begins.”
  • 2^nd – Those who are SINNING… vs. 20
    • SINNING – hamartanō – (present) – to miss the mark / wander from the path…
      • NOT talking about something done in the PAST (present) – it is an ongoing action…
      • If a Pastor is VERIFIED to be living in a lifestyle of SIN…
    • REBUKE – imperative – to bring light / or to expose…
      • Unrepentant sin cannot be allowed to continue in a spiritual leader…
      • The SIN of a Pastor – must be EXPOSED to the WHOLE church (before all) …
    • That others may also FEAR…
      • The reason for EXPOSING the SIN of a Pastor – is for an example…
      • Because the power of example is amazing – people tend to follow – good or bad…
      • Galatians 5:9 – “A little leaven [sin] leavens the whole lump.”
      • When sin goes unchecked it encourages others to sin…
      • Just as a little mud can quickly contaminate – make all the water unclean…
      • A little sin can quickly spread out and infect a whole family or church!
      • Therefore a Pastor is to be EXPOSED publicly – to TEACH the people to FEAR sin!
      • If people – see a Pastor living a compromised lifestyle – with NO consequences…
      • Then they will begin to think it is acceptable to God – follow a BAD example…
      • But the sin of a Pastor is EXPOSED – people learn to FEAR living in sin!
  • 3^rd – Is a Pastor to be removed because of SIN…
    • There is a difference between SIN and TRANSGRESSION…
      • SIN – suggests an accidental error – trying to live for God – but missing the mark…
      • The command here is the EXPOSE the SIN publicly – teaching the people not to SIN!
      • But there is no command to REMOVE the Pastor because of SIN!
    • TRANSGRESSION – to intentionally step across the line – rebellion!
      • David had been anointed as King of Israel – yet Saul would not step down…
      • Instead he hunted down – and tried to kill David so he could keep the throne…
      • One day Saul went to relieve himself in a cave – where David was hiding…
      • David could have easily risen up and killed Saul – yet he refused…
      • David understood Saul was accountable to God – I Samuel 26:10
      • I Samuel 24:6 – “It is a serious thing to attack the Lord’s anointed one…”
      • If a Pastor is caught in TRASNGRESSION – intentionally rebelling against the Lord…
      • The church must likewise EXPOSE him – hoping for repentance…
      • If there is repentance – there is forgiveness – and should be restoration!
      • If NOT – then PRAYERFULLY (Lords anointed) – seek God on how to remove him!
      • Since it is the Lord who CALLED the Pastor – He is the one to FIRE the Pastor!
  • 4^th – Do not show partiality… vs. 21
    • No PREJUDICE or PARTIALITY…
      • Paul CAHRGED (took an oath) before God / Jesus / and the elect angels in heaven…
      • OBSERVE these instructions – dealing with HONORING / ACCUSING pastors…
      • Without PREJUDICE – forming an opinion before the facts are known
      • Without PARTIALITY – to join a group – we would say have a BARKADA…
      • In other words do not forget to PAY a pastor – just because you do not LIKE him!
      • And do not PROTECT a pastor who is caught in SIN – just because he is your friend!
    • Timothy was to implement these rules – regardless of who the pastor was!
      • James 2:1 – “My dear brothers… how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?” [NLT]
      • In the world the most important thing is – WHO you know…
      • But the WHO you know – should not work in in the church / or with pastors…
      • If there is favoritism because of WHO you know – it will lead to division!
• 3^rd – Do not lay hands… vs. 22 / 24-25 (4 points)

• 1^st – LAY HANDS… vs. 22
  • The basic doctrine of laying on of hands – Hebrews 6:2
    • According to the Bible – we lay hands on people for several reasons…
    • We LAY HANDS on people for HEALING – Acts 9:17
    • We LAY HANDS on people to send them out to PREACH the Gospel – Acts 13:2
    • We also LAY HANDS on leaders who are called to LEAD in the church – Acts 6:6
  • The church is to LAY HANDS on those who are doing the ministry…
    • ORDAINING men who are ALREADY serving – ministering in the church!
    • Too often churches ask for applications / résumés – when to fill a need…
    • But God raises up servants for the church – from WITHIN the church… 
    • All we need to do is LOOK – see who God is USING in the church…
    • Then LAY HANDS on them – to acknowledge the CALLING God has given to them!
• 2^nd – Do NOT lay hands SUDDENLY… vs. 22
  • SUDDENLY – quickly – in other words do not be in a rush…
  • God is not in a hurry to put someone into a position of leadership…
  • Never be in a RUSH to LAY HANDS on a man – call someone a pastor!
  • I am not really a fan of titles – they tend to puff people up – and separate…
  • And while it is easy to give the title – almost impossible to take it back…
  • Better to give TIME – make SURE God is CALLING someone – before LAYING HANDS!
• 3^rd – Not all SIN is EVIDENT… vs. 24
  • CLEARY EVIDENT – to be transparent / defining how you live your life…
    • Some SINS are very obvious – it is easy to see someone is NOT ready to MINISTER …
    • But other sins FOLLOW AFTER – they are more subtle – you do not see them right away…
    • Yet no sin will be able to remain HIDDEN – it will come out eventually!
    • When we sin – we may think that no one noticed – we think we get away with it…
    • There may not even be immediate consequences – making us think God is OK with it…
    • God is patient – because he wants us to repent – admit to our sin – II Peter 3:9
    • But that does not mean that we will get away with our sin – Galatians 6:7
    • Numbers 32:22 – “Be sure your sin will find you out…”
  • Therefore be patient – make sure there are no HIDDEN issues with someone…
    • Make sure there is no hidden sins – make sure they are a good choice…
    • Before we LAY HANDS on them and raise them up to MINSITER in the church!
• 4^th – Not all GOOD WORKS are EVIDENT… vs. 25
  • GOOD WORKS – kalos – the external evidence of a heart dedicated to the Lord – FRUIT…
  • Likewise some are very obvious – it is easy to see someone is READY to be MINISTER…
  • But if there is a CALLING – make no mistake – it CANNOT be HIDDEN!
  • CANNOT be HIDDEN – ou dynamai kryptō – there is NO POWER that can HIDE it!
  • If someone is CALLED to MINISTRY – there will be GOOD FRUIT validating the CALLING…
  • But not all FRUIT is immediate – it might take years for the FRUIT to come out…
  • That should be VERY encouraging to us – because we might ask – what is my CALLING…
  • Be patient – no need to do anything SUDDENLY – the FRUIT CANNOT be HIDDEN!
  • Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

• 4^th – Do not share… vs. 22
  • 1^st – Do NOT SHARE…
    • SHARE – koinōneō – (imperative) to have FELLOWSHIP with – the SINS of others…
      • The word thinks sin is OK – after all EVERYONE is doing it…
      • But just because everyone does it – does not make it right!
      • II Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers…”
      • That does not mean we avoid people who are struggling with sin…
      • If we are not out in the world – we cannot show the world the hope of Jesus!
      • Though we are in the world – we should not be FELLOWSHIPING with them – John 17:15
    • Be careful who we spend your time with…
      • We MUST NOT invest our hearts into friends / family who live in SIN…
      • Do not seek their counsel or advice – they are not going to point us to the Word!
      • People will either draw you closer to – or father away from Jesus…
      • Surround ourselves with godly men / women – those who encourage us walk in the Lord!
      •  I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
  • 2^nd – Keep yourself PURE…
    • PURE – hagnos – adjective of the noun hagios – to be HOLY / SET APART for Jesus!
    • Philippians 4:8 – “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
    • We must set our mind on the things of God – fill your thoughts with Jesus!
    • This is why it is so important that we spend time in the Word…
    • Like a bath for our mind – it cleanses and purifies our thoughts!
    • Psalm 101:2 – “I will be careful to live a blameless life… I will refuse to look at anything evil.”

• 5^th – Take your medicine… vs. 23
  • 1^st – Do NOT just drink water (imperative) …
    • Use (imperative) a little wine for your stomach – and frequent infirmities…
    • Timothy was to mix wine with his water – so he would STOP getting sick…
    • Apparently – the water in Ephesus was not the purest – so it caused problems!
    • By mixing in a LITTLE wine – it would help kill any bad microbes in the water…
    • Paul was not telling Timothy to DRINK – he was telling him to take his MEDICINE!
  • 2^nd – There are some who take this passage as an encouragement to DRINK…
    • The Bible does not say that it is sin to drink – it is wrong to be drunk – Ephesians 5:18

How do we TREAT Pastors – like FAMILY – because they are just us!

The Bible does not say you cannot drink- it does say it is sin to be drunk…

Many people try and live by the POWER of alcohol – to get through the day…

Many drink to forget how terrible life is – but it makes you bitter in the end…

The moment they sober up – the reality of their poor choice is there to greet them!

Because the alcohol has no power to change their lives!

Does that mean we should never drink…

Can we drink – wrong question – should we drink – right question…

As with all things – pray and ask the Lord if He wants us to drink…

If we can drink with a clean conscience – then no problem…

If the Spirit is convicting us of drinking – ask Him to take away the desire to drink!

Romans 14:23 – “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

3^rd – Why would the Holy Spirit include this…

I have to think it is to show Pastors are just like ANYONE else!

They have to trust the Lord to take care of their needs – just like we do…

They can fall into SIN – make mistakes – just like we do…

They have to be careful who they spend time with – just like we do…

They even have to take their medicine when they get sick – just like we do…