R sbc
July 11, 2004
Sunday Night
The Book of Hebrews
Subject: “The Pastor”
Texts: Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24
Intro: The pastor of a NT church no doubt in my mind is the greatest position a man can have on this earth. I say this not because of me, but because of the office. It is important for a great number of reasons.
(1.) It is great because God created the office not man:
(2.) It is great because The Lord calls it a good: I Tim 3:1
(3.) It is great because it is the office that God choose to direct his church.
Ephesians 4:11-13 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:
In our message tonight we want to see what your duty toward a pastor is according to the word of GOD. This duty is described by three words at least in these text.
I.. “ REMEMBER THEM”..VS 7
The word “remember” means to call to mind, to think on them. I have said many times that I am no different than any of you, with exception that I am your spiritual leader. This doesn’t change the fact that I am a man, that I have faults, that I sin, that I am above you.
1st. To remember the pastor you must know him:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.
2nd. To remember the pastor you must love him:
How sad it is for churches to have men over them and yet they despise them. I know that in some cases people dislike the pastor because of some personailty hang up, or some bad judgement on his part, or for no apparent reason. If you remember in this chapter Paul said Let brotherly love continue... keep it up.
The clear apparent reason he gives for this: “ They have spoken unto you the word of God” If a church has a pastor that is preaching the word of GOD to them, they are called upon to remember him. This is my absolute duty to you tonight. Even though I have other duties this is my primary responsibility.
Before me or any other pastor can speak the word of God to you he must without any question study his bible: 2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Jesus ask the Apostle Peter: John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Two things inhance this responsibility on the pastors part:
(1.) His faith:
This is not talking about his personal faith, but rather his firm conviction on truth. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God anddivine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it...
(2.) His manner of life:
That is the way he lives and conducts himself. You don’t want a pastor who’s life doesn’t stack up to his godly life. A man of God who pastor’s a church must always be on guard with regard to his testimony and were he goes and what he does.
I know this applies to all of us with regard to our christian life, but it especially applies to anyone who is in leadership: Listen to what Jesus said:
Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Remember the pastor tonight: remember that he needs your prayers, remember that he is a man, remember him on special occasions such as his birthday, his aniversary, which you have done. Remember his wife and family, remember to offer him help, remember to be considerate of him and his, remember to respect him...
Don’t misunderstand this, but to address him as “Jack” is not the proper way to address your pastor...Bro Jack, Pastor Jack, etc. If you do it I want correct you but believe when you do it I think about it.
II... “OBEY THEM”..VS 17 What a responsibility. This word “obey” means to listen to, to hearken to, to comply with.
If a christain does not obey the Lord and his word, I could never expect them to obey me. I am not trying to get you to obey me as much as I am preaching that you ought to obey the Lord. The Apostle Peter said:
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
He gives the reason why you should obey the pastor,
(1.) Because he has the rule over you.
Which means that he has the leadership over you. It is the same word used of children, when it says children obey your parents, the reason they have the leadership responisbility over you. Following the pastor’s leadership sometimes is not the popular thing to do. As long as I am following the LORD you have the divine obligation to follow me.
Have I led you wrong? Not to my knowledge. That is not to say I can’t, but I want do it intentially. If I am wrong you can let me know I am in a Christian way.. If I am right with the Lord I will submitt to it.
(2.) They watch for your souls:
Parents here tonight do you understand how that you must watch for your children’s life and try to lead them right, that is my job to do the same with you. I must watch for your souls. How can I do that?
a. When I preach the truth to you I am watching for your soul...
b. When I counsil you I am watching for your soul.
c. When I offer advise to you I am watching for your souls.
(3.) The reason I must watch for your souls:
I must give an account:
Since the LORD has called me, Since the LORD has placed me as overseer of this flock, since he gives me messages to preach to you, it stands to reason that I must give an account to him how I have conducted myself as the pastor of this flock. What an aweson responisibilty.
I must do it with joy: When I loose the love and the joy of this office I should step down, not only me but any preacher. I love this church and it is as joy to serve you.
Paul told the saints at Rome:
Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
This was seen in all of his writings:
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved. I have been privileged to have christian friends all over this great country, and I love them, but not like I love you. I long too for you this flock all of these that are here.
III... “SALUTE THEM” VS 24
Means to draw close and greet them. This in reality is a greeting. Paul used this word 13 times in his closing letter to the Romans. When you fail to salute your pastor you disrespect him. I do not mean that you have to go out of your way to speak to me, but I make it easy for you and I try to greet all of you...
2 Corinthians 13:12-13 Greet one another with an holy kiss. 13 All the saints salute you. Now I am not sure about this, no just kidding. It is a jesture to that culture that Paul was writing to. I have seen it all of my life and so have you. It comes back to leadership... that have the rule over you.
Close tonight
Why should you do all these things with me and the next pastor in your life?
(1.) Because it is a command of the bible:
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
(2.) Because it shows that you do indeed love and respect your overseer.
I know that I must earn your trust, and must in turn respect you to get respect. It is something I work at and I know that you must work at it too.
(3.) Because it is the same as doing it unto Christ: Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
(4.) Because it pleases the Lord:
Anytime the LORD gives us commandments and we make ever effor to obey them, it pleases him that made us. Nothing happens by chance, it is by the divine rule of GOD. God has so chosen to set up his flock of the church with it’s overseer and we are duty bound to carry out our resposnibilty to him.