10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain – Titus 1:10-11 NIV
Sometimes you’ll hear how women ought to be silent in the church and should not preach or teach. Well come on now. The Bible also talks about how some men also need to be silent in the church as well. A good example is right here in Titus chapter 1:11, where Paul clearly wrote: “They (men who are false teachers) must be silenced.”
When Paul left Titus on the island of Crete, one of his major responsibilities had to do with counteracting the false teaching and loose living of certain church leaders. How was Titus to do this? He was to silence them and to remove them if necessary from the fellowship.
This sort of assignment for pastors is not something new. Paul said the same thing to Timothy. He was told to “instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor pay attention to myths and endless genealogies” (1 Tim. 1:3-4). Again, notice the idea of how some men were needed to keep silent in the church.
Paul also brought this to attention of the Corinthians. However, there the issue was not false doctrine, but the use of speaking in tongues out of order or without an interpreter.
“If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, LET HIM KEEP SILENT IN THE CHURCH” (emphasis mine) – 1 Cor. 14:27-28 NASB
So let’s not single out the women only. Men are also told to keep silent in the church, especially if they are promoting false doctrine of causing disorder by an improper use of one’s spiritual gift.
Now why am I saying this? Because men are given by God the primarily task of leadership in the church. In many cases, we have done a fairly good job. But we have also done our share of adding catastrophe. We don’t hear too much about the need for men to keep silent in the church especially cankerous men whose goal is to bring division and disrupt homes and worships services. But it’s there in the bible.
The pastor cannot have tunnel vision and go after the sisters and put muzzles on them without also looking at how some of the brothers may also need a muzzle as well. This is why it is good for every church to have an Elder Board or a Church Council made up of godly leaders who will also closely monitor the pastor. There are times when even the head shepherd must be told to change his message or clean up his act or be given a muzzle.
It seems that one day a kindergarten teacher was helping one of her students put on his cowboy boots? He asked for help, and she could see why. Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn't want to go on. Finally, when the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat.
She almost cried when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet." She looked down and, sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. But she managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on—this time on the right feet. And it was only then that he announced, "These aren't my boots." She bit her tongue rather than scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to. And once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet.
No sooner had they got the boots off then he said, "They're my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear 'em today." Stifling a scream, she mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the ill-fitting boots on his feet again. Helping him into his coat, she asked, "Now, where are your mittens?" To which he replied, "I stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots."
No church and no leader ever gets things right the first time around. Doing church as a team takes practice and often trial and error. Asking some people to speak could be risky. Putting some people in leadership is also risky. Sometimes the risk is rewarded with success and sometimes it is not. You have your good days and those bad ones as well.
Even the pastor, mustering up the grace and courage not to say what he feels is rewarded when he too keeps silent in the church.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Parable of the Race
Michael Patton shared this parable called “The Parable of The Race.”
“In a town of ultimate boredom called Mundane, there was a great announcement. It was the announcement of a race. A great race that all could enter. A race that would rescue them from boredom. Most people did not believe that such an event would be held in Mundane so they scoffed. Others immediately prepared with great enthusiasm and joy.
Both the scoffers and the enthusiasts arrived at the appointed place on the day of the race. The scoffers sat and watched while the others prepared to run by stretching and making sure their shoes were tied. They lined up looking ahead with the intensity, fear, and excitement that accompanied such an event.
The gun sounded and off they went. Yet something very curious and unexplainable happened. They all stopped running after they had passed the starting line. Not only this, but they acted very peculiar. One person fell on his knees crying, thanking God that he crossed the starting line. Others gave each other high fives and hugs shouting, “Hooray, we are now race runners, we are now race runners.” Some shook hands and congratulated each other. One group relaxed and complemented one another on how well they crossed the starting line. Five or six others all gathered together and formed a prayer circle. They prayed that others would cross the starting line as they had.
Many others wanted to experience this joy so they decided to start the race as well. They were immediately stopped by the well-wishers who had started before them. They decided to stay as well. After a few days, there were people handing out pamphlets along with a certificate to all those who crossed the starting line. The pamphlet told them that once they had started the race they were guaranteed to finish. The certificate was to recognize their achievement in finishing the race even before they finished. It became very high on the agenda of all the race runners to make sure that people who had started knew of their assurance of completion. So much so that there was a printing press built right at the starting gate which produced millions of the pamphlets.
After a few months, there were so many who had crossed the starting line that they decided to build a town right there. They called this town “Starting Line Village.”
The spectators were confused. “I thought a race had to be finished,” they said to one another. They interviewed the people of Starting Line Village. “Why did you start the race and not continue?” they would ask. This made the people of Starting Line Village very uncomfortable. They would immediately show their certificate saying that they were guaranteed to finish. When people would encourage them to run the rest of the race, they would be ridiculed for not trusting the pamphlet. They were called legalists and were accused of trusting too much in their own ability to finish the race rather than the words on the pamphlet.
Finally, many of the watchers in the crowd became fed up with those in Starting Line Village and decided to run the race themselves with the intent to finish. They refused the certificates and left the people of Starting Line Village to hand out the pamphlets alone.”
Comments: This parable speaks volumes, know what I mean? Especially concerning so many within Christendom. We tend to get people so pumped up and excited about starting the race that we forget to also encourage them to continue running and most of all, cross the finish line.
Here is what we normally do. At the end of the year, we look at our stats – How many people raised their hands to receive Jesus as their Savior? 1420 decisions! Awesome! How many baptism? 1043 water baptisms! Way too cool!
Getting people to start the race is awesome, but what if we were to ask this question: How many of the 1420 decisions, i.e. those who started the race, how many of those are still running? The answer: "We just don’t know." Why? Because we got no follow up program in place to keep track of such people and if we did, such a program would take away significantly from the positive number we had to begin with.
You see, we seem to go away with such a lofty attitude that “Wow, so many people are being saved!” We are pros when it comes to helping people cross the “starting line” but just how effective are we in helping those same people continue running long after they started all the way up to completion?
This is what Luke said of Jesus while He was busy preaching and teaching: 22And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.23And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, 24"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able – Luke 13:22-24 NASB).
The disciples ask, “Lord, why are there just a few people being saved?” Now why would the disciples ask this sort of a question? Here are some possible reasons:
First, a great multitude that had once been following Jesus had subsided to a faithful few (see John 6:66). Second, although great multitudes came to hear Jesus, the Lord’s message on counting the cost (or don’t cross the starting line if you are not intending to finish the race) had dwindled them down to size (cf. Luke 14:25-33). Third, Jesus Himself had stated that only a “few” will find the narrow way (Matt. 7:14; Luke 13:24).
Jesus clearly taught that scores of people will cross the starting line, but only a few will end up finishing the race they started. Those who do are the ones who are truly saved.
Jesus uses a very interesting word in Luke 13:24. He said, “strive” to enter the narrow gate. The word signifies a great conflict and struggle. Jesus was not suggesting salvation by works or effort, but in order to fit and continue on the “narrow road” of life, one must struggle against pride, a natural love for sin, and the world’s opposition to the truth.
Think about it. We are often times obese with regards to our pride, our love for sin and our natural inclination to go after strange teachings. Jesus said, “If you are going to find the narrow road and begin to walk on it, then you must be able to wrestle fervently all through your journey with pride, sin and error. And if you are not willing to wrestle or strive against these things, then you will not finish the race.”
Well, what happens if I don’t finish the race? Look at what Jesus said in verses 25-27 of Luke 13: 25"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'
26"Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';
27and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.'
Notice closely verse 26: “We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets.” Jesus says in verse 27, “That wasn’t Me!”
Folks, this is horrific, when you think about it. Imagine fellowshipping with Jesus and listening to Him teach, and then finding out in heaven that it wasn’t Him during those times?
You say, “How can I know for sure?” Simple: When you cross the starting line, DON’T STAY THERE! CONTINUE RUNNING UNTIL YOU REACH THE END!
Jesus will meet you at the starting line, but then He will take off and lead the rest of the way. If you or I do not follow and stay in step with Him, but decide to build our comfort living by staying at the starting line, then we will have disqualified ourselves from the race.
Paul encourages the Corinthians:
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you– unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5)
The author of Hebrews says:
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.” (Heb. 4:1)
In Revelation, it is only those who overcome who are promised eternal life:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7; emphasis mine)
James speaks about a faith that does not save:
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (Jam. 2:14)
Remember in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, there are three types of seeds that sprout (start the race), but only one truly takes root (finishes the race).
“In a town of ultimate boredom called Mundane, there was a great announcement. It was the announcement of a race. A great race that all could enter. A race that would rescue them from boredom. Most people did not believe that such an event would be held in Mundane so they scoffed. Others immediately prepared with great enthusiasm and joy.
Both the scoffers and the enthusiasts arrived at the appointed place on the day of the race. The scoffers sat and watched while the others prepared to run by stretching and making sure their shoes were tied. They lined up looking ahead with the intensity, fear, and excitement that accompanied such an event.
The gun sounded and off they went. Yet something very curious and unexplainable happened. They all stopped running after they had passed the starting line. Not only this, but they acted very peculiar. One person fell on his knees crying, thanking God that he crossed the starting line. Others gave each other high fives and hugs shouting, “Hooray, we are now race runners, we are now race runners.” Some shook hands and congratulated each other. One group relaxed and complemented one another on how well they crossed the starting line. Five or six others all gathered together and formed a prayer circle. They prayed that others would cross the starting line as they had.
Many others wanted to experience this joy so they decided to start the race as well. They were immediately stopped by the well-wishers who had started before them. They decided to stay as well. After a few days, there were people handing out pamphlets along with a certificate to all those who crossed the starting line. The pamphlet told them that once they had started the race they were guaranteed to finish. The certificate was to recognize their achievement in finishing the race even before they finished. It became very high on the agenda of all the race runners to make sure that people who had started knew of their assurance of completion. So much so that there was a printing press built right at the starting gate which produced millions of the pamphlets.
After a few months, there were so many who had crossed the starting line that they decided to build a town right there. They called this town “Starting Line Village.”
The spectators were confused. “I thought a race had to be finished,” they said to one another. They interviewed the people of Starting Line Village. “Why did you start the race and not continue?” they would ask. This made the people of Starting Line Village very uncomfortable. They would immediately show their certificate saying that they were guaranteed to finish. When people would encourage them to run the rest of the race, they would be ridiculed for not trusting the pamphlet. They were called legalists and were accused of trusting too much in their own ability to finish the race rather than the words on the pamphlet.
Finally, many of the watchers in the crowd became fed up with those in Starting Line Village and decided to run the race themselves with the intent to finish. They refused the certificates and left the people of Starting Line Village to hand out the pamphlets alone.”
Comments: This parable speaks volumes, know what I mean? Especially concerning so many within Christendom. We tend to get people so pumped up and excited about starting the race that we forget to also encourage them to continue running and most of all, cross the finish line.
Here is what we normally do. At the end of the year, we look at our stats – How many people raised their hands to receive Jesus as their Savior? 1420 decisions! Awesome! How many baptism? 1043 water baptisms! Way too cool!
Getting people to start the race is awesome, but what if we were to ask this question: How many of the 1420 decisions, i.e. those who started the race, how many of those are still running? The answer: "We just don’t know." Why? Because we got no follow up program in place to keep track of such people and if we did, such a program would take away significantly from the positive number we had to begin with.
You see, we seem to go away with such a lofty attitude that “Wow, so many people are being saved!” We are pros when it comes to helping people cross the “starting line” but just how effective are we in helping those same people continue running long after they started all the way up to completion?
This is what Luke said of Jesus while He was busy preaching and teaching: 22And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.23And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, 24"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able – Luke 13:22-24 NASB).
The disciples ask, “Lord, why are there just a few people being saved?” Now why would the disciples ask this sort of a question? Here are some possible reasons:
First, a great multitude that had once been following Jesus had subsided to a faithful few (see John 6:66). Second, although great multitudes came to hear Jesus, the Lord’s message on counting the cost (or don’t cross the starting line if you are not intending to finish the race) had dwindled them down to size (cf. Luke 14:25-33). Third, Jesus Himself had stated that only a “few” will find the narrow way (Matt. 7:14; Luke 13:24).
Jesus clearly taught that scores of people will cross the starting line, but only a few will end up finishing the race they started. Those who do are the ones who are truly saved.
Jesus uses a very interesting word in Luke 13:24. He said, “strive” to enter the narrow gate. The word signifies a great conflict and struggle. Jesus was not suggesting salvation by works or effort, but in order to fit and continue on the “narrow road” of life, one must struggle against pride, a natural love for sin, and the world’s opposition to the truth.
Think about it. We are often times obese with regards to our pride, our love for sin and our natural inclination to go after strange teachings. Jesus said, “If you are going to find the narrow road and begin to walk on it, then you must be able to wrestle fervently all through your journey with pride, sin and error. And if you are not willing to wrestle or strive against these things, then you will not finish the race.”
Well, what happens if I don’t finish the race? Look at what Jesus said in verses 25-27 of Luke 13: 25"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'
26"Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';
27and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.'
Notice closely verse 26: “We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets.” Jesus says in verse 27, “That wasn’t Me!”
Folks, this is horrific, when you think about it. Imagine fellowshipping with Jesus and listening to Him teach, and then finding out in heaven that it wasn’t Him during those times?
You say, “How can I know for sure?” Simple: When you cross the starting line, DON’T STAY THERE! CONTINUE RUNNING UNTIL YOU REACH THE END!
Jesus will meet you at the starting line, but then He will take off and lead the rest of the way. If you or I do not follow and stay in step with Him, but decide to build our comfort living by staying at the starting line, then we will have disqualified ourselves from the race.
Paul encourages the Corinthians:
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you– unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5)
The author of Hebrews says:
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.” (Heb. 4:1)
In Revelation, it is only those who overcome who are promised eternal life:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7; emphasis mine)
James speaks about a faith that does not save:
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” (Jam. 2:14)
Remember in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13, there are three types of seeds that sprout (start the race), but only one truly takes root (finishes the race).
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The Unforeseen Work of Pastor-Teachers, Part 3
When seeking the office of Pastor, Paul told Titus the following: He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9).
In my last two blogs on this verse, I shared the positive side of a pastor’s work: He is to hold fast the faithful Word. In other words, the pastor must be completely loyal to the Scriptures. There will be times when the Bible will contradict his experiences and go against what the majority is teaching. When such times come, will he be true to the Word of God?
But there is a negative side to the work of the pastor and it is this: He must refute those who oppose it. While on the one hand the pastor is to encourage others by teaching and taking the necessary time to explain sound doctrine, he must also on the other hand “refute” or “oppose” those who differ. This can at times not be a pretty or joyful task. But it must never be abandoned or given over to someone else to do.
“Refute” literally means “to speak against.” Here is the bottom line: The pastor will be spending much of his time and effort correcting those WITHIN the church who oppose the message of the Bible. What makes the pastor’s job so serious is not the threat that comes from the outside of the church, but the subtle threat that stems from within.
When Paul was saying goodbye to the leaders of the Ephesian Church, this is what he said to them: 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30 NIV).
Notice the three serious tasks Paul gives to these church leaders:
First, they were to keep watch over themselves. Anyone can drift – anyone! This is why it is so very important for leaders to constantly be in the Word. Again I say that doing devotions is necessary, but not enough. Leaders have got to get down and deep into the understanding of the Scriptures. It is not wise to always float on the surface. You have to dive down where the treasures are and a lot of hidden secrets remain to be found. You cannot stay down there for too long because you got to come up and be in the real world. Leaders who spend too much time in deep study that they don’t balance it out with serving and helping others become too heavenly minded that they are no earthly good especially to others.
Furthermore, leaders need to keep one another in check and accountable. If a leader goes astray or off on a tangent of some sort, his comrades need to pull him back in and shape him up. Beware of the lone pastor or leader who refuses help and fellowship from others. Such a person will become a problem in due time.
Second, Paul also said to watch or guard “all the flock.” Sheep don’t know and often cannot discern the spiritual dangers that are out there. But pastors can. Woe to the church that has a pastor who for some reason cannot discern such things. Like Jesus once said, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Luke 6:39).
Guarding the flock is an awesome work God has bestowed on pastors. This doesn’t mean that the pastor has to know every detail of TV watching a church member does; nor does he have to know every movie a members sees. But what he does need to do is to make sure that they grow in their knowledge of God (2 Pet. 3:18). And if he gets wind that a church member goes astray on some things, he gently brings them back to the truth – correcting, refuting and if necessary, rebuking.
For example, some Christians believe that it is absolutely necessary for others to “pray in tongues” in order to manifest the Spirit. This sort of teaching is clearly man-centered and off track with what the Bible teaches. The whole idea of praying in tongues lacks biblical support let alone the idea of tying it to the visible realities of the Holy Spirit. How much better to attach the “fruit of the Spirit” in Gal. 5:22-23 to the presence of the Spirit in a person’s life?
Thus when I hear of such things from a church member who tells me that they attend a bible study and this is what they hear, I do the following: I take the time to teach the attendee what the bible says. I give him or her passages from the bible and explain the context and meaning and refute the other side scripturally. Then I tell them, now go back and share with those in your bible study what you have learned.
What have I done? I am building and strengthening a disciple. And if God grants me success, I will also turn such a person into a useable leader in the church. You see, one of the best ways to combat false teaching is not always to go after the source directly. Some situations demand just that. However, if I can go after the source using a disciple who is teachable, then I will achieve two things: First, I will help train a disciple to become more discerning and to handle accurately the Word of truth, and Second, I will attack the source, not directly, but indirectly through a teachable church member.
Now when should a Pastor go directly to the source of error? Well, a church leader needs to learn to pick and choose his battles wisely. Some things like “praying in tongues” to me is not that big of a deal. But what I do find to be a big deal are things that fall into the following three categories:
1. Salvation
2. Knowledge of God
3. Christian Living
If I hear of any teaching in my church that contradicts the clear teachings of the Bible that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing, if I hear that there is someone who teaches against this and I discover the source, I will go directly to the source and confront it. I mean, this is a matter of life and eternity, know what I mean? Error in salvation cannot be tolerated.
If I hear something about God is being taught that clearly contradicts His nature, and diminishes Him in the eyes of others and brings Him down to the level of man, I will confront the source. This too will not be tolerated. We live, believe and practice ministry based on our knowledge and understanding of God. It is crucial therefore that we hold a high view of God which is the Scriptural view.
If I hear that a form of Christian living is being taught that contradicts what the bible teaches, I will confront the source. It is one thing for believers to be living in sin, it is another thing for such things to be taught to be alright with God. We all have our faults and Christians need to be reminded to repent and turn back to God if there is a sin in their lives that they are holding onto. But if those same believers teach others that God accepts their sin and so likewise others should not have to worry about doing it as well, then we got a major problem that must be confronted directly.
So Paul tells the leaders at Ephesus to guard themselves and the flock of God.
Third, “shepherd the church of God.” The idea of shepherding involves three primary things: Leading, guarding and feeding. The illustration of leading is found in 1 Peter 5, where Peter says this: To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
The best way to lead is with a willing heart and by a godly example. Notice that Peter says to take care of the sheep that are “under your care,” and “those entrusted to you.” Again, it is high and honorable calling to be a Pastor. God grants to each one a flock – some large and some not as large. Whatever the amount, those who are under your care are those you are responsible for. Lead them well.
The idea of teaching comes from 1 Timothy 5:17: The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
It is hard work to preach and teach. A typical 35 minute message will take 20-25 hours to prepare. On some Sundays, I preach two different messages for each of our two services. So during the week I am sitting on my fanny for about 30-35 hours in preparation. I also lead a Men’s Bible study twice a month, teach a bible study at the First Insurance Building on Beretania twice a month, and sometimes asked to fill in at a Midweek Service, Life Change, and recently was asked to fill in at Growing Deep, Growing Strong. It’s all good. Pastors are called to teach. This comes with the calling.
So in summary, to shepherd the church means three things:
1. To Lead – 1 Peter 5
2. To Teach – 1 Timothy 5
3. To Guard – Acts 20
Okay, now this is the part I’ve been trying to get to. Paul tells the leaders at Ephesus that “from among your own selves, men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30).
He goes on to repeat himself in the very next verse by saying, “Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years, I did not seek to admonish each of you with tears.”
This is what Paul wanted Titus to catch. This is negative side of being a pastor. False teachers will come into the church and false teachers will arise from within the church. Therefore, “be on the alert.”
Thus the pastor has a dual role: He is both to proclaim the Word and to defend it. The proclamation is the positive side and the defending it is the negative. Both are critical and both are necessary. The person whom God puts in charge of a flock who is somehow unable to do these two critical tasks, ought to seek help and guidance so he can be the shepherd of God he was meant to be.
In my last two blogs on this verse, I shared the positive side of a pastor’s work: He is to hold fast the faithful Word. In other words, the pastor must be completely loyal to the Scriptures. There will be times when the Bible will contradict his experiences and go against what the majority is teaching. When such times come, will he be true to the Word of God?
But there is a negative side to the work of the pastor and it is this: He must refute those who oppose it. While on the one hand the pastor is to encourage others by teaching and taking the necessary time to explain sound doctrine, he must also on the other hand “refute” or “oppose” those who differ. This can at times not be a pretty or joyful task. But it must never be abandoned or given over to someone else to do.
“Refute” literally means “to speak against.” Here is the bottom line: The pastor will be spending much of his time and effort correcting those WITHIN the church who oppose the message of the Bible. What makes the pastor’s job so serious is not the threat that comes from the outside of the church, but the subtle threat that stems from within.
When Paul was saying goodbye to the leaders of the Ephesian Church, this is what he said to them: 28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:28-30 NIV).
Notice the three serious tasks Paul gives to these church leaders:
First, they were to keep watch over themselves. Anyone can drift – anyone! This is why it is so very important for leaders to constantly be in the Word. Again I say that doing devotions is necessary, but not enough. Leaders have got to get down and deep into the understanding of the Scriptures. It is not wise to always float on the surface. You have to dive down where the treasures are and a lot of hidden secrets remain to be found. You cannot stay down there for too long because you got to come up and be in the real world. Leaders who spend too much time in deep study that they don’t balance it out with serving and helping others become too heavenly minded that they are no earthly good especially to others.
Furthermore, leaders need to keep one another in check and accountable. If a leader goes astray or off on a tangent of some sort, his comrades need to pull him back in and shape him up. Beware of the lone pastor or leader who refuses help and fellowship from others. Such a person will become a problem in due time.
Second, Paul also said to watch or guard “all the flock.” Sheep don’t know and often cannot discern the spiritual dangers that are out there. But pastors can. Woe to the church that has a pastor who for some reason cannot discern such things. Like Jesus once said, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Luke 6:39).
Guarding the flock is an awesome work God has bestowed on pastors. This doesn’t mean that the pastor has to know every detail of TV watching a church member does; nor does he have to know every movie a members sees. But what he does need to do is to make sure that they grow in their knowledge of God (2 Pet. 3:18). And if he gets wind that a church member goes astray on some things, he gently brings them back to the truth – correcting, refuting and if necessary, rebuking.
For example, some Christians believe that it is absolutely necessary for others to “pray in tongues” in order to manifest the Spirit. This sort of teaching is clearly man-centered and off track with what the Bible teaches. The whole idea of praying in tongues lacks biblical support let alone the idea of tying it to the visible realities of the Holy Spirit. How much better to attach the “fruit of the Spirit” in Gal. 5:22-23 to the presence of the Spirit in a person’s life?
Thus when I hear of such things from a church member who tells me that they attend a bible study and this is what they hear, I do the following: I take the time to teach the attendee what the bible says. I give him or her passages from the bible and explain the context and meaning and refute the other side scripturally. Then I tell them, now go back and share with those in your bible study what you have learned.
What have I done? I am building and strengthening a disciple. And if God grants me success, I will also turn such a person into a useable leader in the church. You see, one of the best ways to combat false teaching is not always to go after the source directly. Some situations demand just that. However, if I can go after the source using a disciple who is teachable, then I will achieve two things: First, I will help train a disciple to become more discerning and to handle accurately the Word of truth, and Second, I will attack the source, not directly, but indirectly through a teachable church member.
Now when should a Pastor go directly to the source of error? Well, a church leader needs to learn to pick and choose his battles wisely. Some things like “praying in tongues” to me is not that big of a deal. But what I do find to be a big deal are things that fall into the following three categories:
1. Salvation
2. Knowledge of God
3. Christian Living
If I hear of any teaching in my church that contradicts the clear teachings of the Bible that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing, if I hear that there is someone who teaches against this and I discover the source, I will go directly to the source and confront it. I mean, this is a matter of life and eternity, know what I mean? Error in salvation cannot be tolerated.
If I hear something about God is being taught that clearly contradicts His nature, and diminishes Him in the eyes of others and brings Him down to the level of man, I will confront the source. This too will not be tolerated. We live, believe and practice ministry based on our knowledge and understanding of God. It is crucial therefore that we hold a high view of God which is the Scriptural view.
If I hear that a form of Christian living is being taught that contradicts what the bible teaches, I will confront the source. It is one thing for believers to be living in sin, it is another thing for such things to be taught to be alright with God. We all have our faults and Christians need to be reminded to repent and turn back to God if there is a sin in their lives that they are holding onto. But if those same believers teach others that God accepts their sin and so likewise others should not have to worry about doing it as well, then we got a major problem that must be confronted directly.
So Paul tells the leaders at Ephesus to guard themselves and the flock of God.
Third, “shepherd the church of God.” The idea of shepherding involves three primary things: Leading, guarding and feeding. The illustration of leading is found in 1 Peter 5, where Peter says this: To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
The best way to lead is with a willing heart and by a godly example. Notice that Peter says to take care of the sheep that are “under your care,” and “those entrusted to you.” Again, it is high and honorable calling to be a Pastor. God grants to each one a flock – some large and some not as large. Whatever the amount, those who are under your care are those you are responsible for. Lead them well.
The idea of teaching comes from 1 Timothy 5:17: The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
It is hard work to preach and teach. A typical 35 minute message will take 20-25 hours to prepare. On some Sundays, I preach two different messages for each of our two services. So during the week I am sitting on my fanny for about 30-35 hours in preparation. I also lead a Men’s Bible study twice a month, teach a bible study at the First Insurance Building on Beretania twice a month, and sometimes asked to fill in at a Midweek Service, Life Change, and recently was asked to fill in at Growing Deep, Growing Strong. It’s all good. Pastors are called to teach. This comes with the calling.
So in summary, to shepherd the church means three things:
1. To Lead – 1 Peter 5
2. To Teach – 1 Timothy 5
3. To Guard – Acts 20
Okay, now this is the part I’ve been trying to get to. Paul tells the leaders at Ephesus that “from among your own selves, men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:30).
He goes on to repeat himself in the very next verse by saying, “Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years, I did not seek to admonish each of you with tears.”
This is what Paul wanted Titus to catch. This is negative side of being a pastor. False teachers will come into the church and false teachers will arise from within the church. Therefore, “be on the alert.”
Thus the pastor has a dual role: He is both to proclaim the Word and to defend it. The proclamation is the positive side and the defending it is the negative. Both are critical and both are necessary. The person whom God puts in charge of a flock who is somehow unable to do these two critical tasks, ought to seek help and guidance so he can be the shepherd of God he was meant to be.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Unforeseen Work of Pastor-Teachers, Part 2
[The Pastor] may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict – Titus 1:9
As I wrote in my last post, some have come to me with a curious desire to be a pastor. This is good. It all begins with having an inner desire (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1). But the inner desire is only the beginning. Next, is a huge part in becoming a pastor and that has to do with meeting the qualifications listed for holding such an Office. Finally, the next thing to closely look at is the type of work that pastors are to perform.
Now watch this – out of the list of qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the only one listed that is not listed in terms of character is the phrase, “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).
So, if anyone reading this blog is seeking the office of a pastor, then here are the standards the bible gives:
1. An inner desire – 1 Tim. 3:1
2. Godly Character – 1 Tim. 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9
3. The ability to teach – 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9
Note: There is no voice calling from heaven; no special sign or dream given in one’s sleep; no near death experience that awakens the soul for such a task. Of course, God can certainly use such things, but my point is this: If you hear a voice from heaven calling you to be a pastor, but you do not meet the qualifications mentioned in both Timothy and Titus, I can assure you the voice you heard was not God. If you had a special dream or were given a miraculous sign all pointing to you being a pastor, but you are not able to teach the Word, dismiss such things. It wasn’t of God.
When the hoopla of emotional ecstasy has settled, those three indicators mentioned above will shine bright and never be removed or diminished. If any one of the three are diminished, then I personally would not put much faith in your experience. The Lord will never contradict His Word by giving you an experience that goes contrary to sound doctrine.
Spending time in God’s Word daily is not an option for the one called to the office of Overseer. And as I mentioned in my past post, I am not talking about merely having one’s daily devotions. Your day must be consumed with the Word. You will do all you can do fight and wrestle for every bit and ounce of time needed to feed your soul on God’s Word and to tread in deep water. Your people must understand that when you offer to them the Word of God, you have no Plan B. Plan A is the Bible and if the bible is not embraced and you begin to see people leave your church, you will be tested to see if you do come up with a Plan B.
For some, Plan B is the Bible plus something else, usually it will involve something of the world to some measure. You have to be committed in your heart and mind that it is only the Word of God that is totally inspired and therefore, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Why is this necessary? So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Don’t try to be cute and walk the edge mingling the Word of God with worldly ideas. You got to bring your people to Christlikeness, not what you think is the likeness they should have. Only by feeding them God’s Word will you help them to achieve this to the glory of God.
You won’t hear psychiatrists, such as John White put it this way:
Until about fifteen years ago psychology was seen by most Christians as hostile to the gospel.
[But today] let someone who professes the name of Jesus baptize secular psychology and present it as something compatible with Scripture truth, and most Christians are happy to shallow theological hemlock in the form of psychological insights.
Over the past fifteen years there has been a tendency for churches to place an increasing reliance on trained pastoral counselors. . .To me it seems to suggest weakness or indifference to expository preaching within evangelical churches. . .Why do we have to turn to human science at all? Why? Because for years we have failed to expound the whole Scripture. Because from our weakened exposition and our superficial topical talks we have produced a generation of Christian sheep having no shepherd. And now we are damning ourselves more deeply than ever by our resource to the wisdom of the world.
What I do as a psychiatrist and what my psychologist colleagues do in their research of their counseling is of infinitely less value to distressed Christians than what God says in His Word. But pastoral shepherds, like the sheep they guide, are following (if I may change my metaphor for a moment) a new Pied Piper of Hamelin who is leading them into the dark caves of humanistic hedonism.
A few of us who are deeply involved in the human sciences feel like voices crying in the godless wilderness of humanism, while the churches turn to humanistic psychology as a substitute for the gospel of God’s grace (Flirting with the Word, pp. 144-17).
Folks, those are some powerful words. But so true and so right on. That’s why a solid commitment to teach God’s Word expositionally (which is the ability to explain the Scriptures of its meaning and not merely disseminate application at the expense of meaning and understanding) is a major task for all pastors.
Read what John Stott said:
Expository preaching is a most exacting discipline. Perhaps this is why it is so rare. Only those will undertake it who are prepared to follow the example of the apostles and say, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word to serve tables. . .We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:2, 4). The systematic preaching of the Word is impossible without the systematic study of it. It will not be enough to skim through a few verses in daily bible reading, nor to study a passage only when we have to preach from it. No. we must daily soak ourselves in the Scriptures. We must not just study, as through a microscope, the linguistic minutiae of a few verses, but take our telescope and scan the wide expanses of God’s Word, assimilating its grand theme of divine sovereignty in the redemption of mankind. “It is blessed,” wrote C.H. Spurgeon, “to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your spirit is flavored with the words of the Lord, so that your blood is Bibline and the very essence of the Bible flows from you” (The Preacher’s Portrait, pp. 30-31).
So when Paul told Titus that the pastor must be able to exhort in sound doctrine this is what he had in mind. This is the positive side of the calling. But there is a negative side as well. That side we will look at shortly.
As I wrote in my last post, some have come to me with a curious desire to be a pastor. This is good. It all begins with having an inner desire (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1). But the inner desire is only the beginning. Next, is a huge part in becoming a pastor and that has to do with meeting the qualifications listed for holding such an Office. Finally, the next thing to closely look at is the type of work that pastors are to perform.
Now watch this – out of the list of qualifications mentioned in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, the only one listed that is not listed in terms of character is the phrase, “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9).
So, if anyone reading this blog is seeking the office of a pastor, then here are the standards the bible gives:
1. An inner desire – 1 Tim. 3:1
2. Godly Character – 1 Tim. 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9
3. The ability to teach – 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9
Note: There is no voice calling from heaven; no special sign or dream given in one’s sleep; no near death experience that awakens the soul for such a task. Of course, God can certainly use such things, but my point is this: If you hear a voice from heaven calling you to be a pastor, but you do not meet the qualifications mentioned in both Timothy and Titus, I can assure you the voice you heard was not God. If you had a special dream or were given a miraculous sign all pointing to you being a pastor, but you are not able to teach the Word, dismiss such things. It wasn’t of God.
When the hoopla of emotional ecstasy has settled, those three indicators mentioned above will shine bright and never be removed or diminished. If any one of the three are diminished, then I personally would not put much faith in your experience. The Lord will never contradict His Word by giving you an experience that goes contrary to sound doctrine.
Spending time in God’s Word daily is not an option for the one called to the office of Overseer. And as I mentioned in my past post, I am not talking about merely having one’s daily devotions. Your day must be consumed with the Word. You will do all you can do fight and wrestle for every bit and ounce of time needed to feed your soul on God’s Word and to tread in deep water. Your people must understand that when you offer to them the Word of God, you have no Plan B. Plan A is the Bible and if the bible is not embraced and you begin to see people leave your church, you will be tested to see if you do come up with a Plan B.
For some, Plan B is the Bible plus something else, usually it will involve something of the world to some measure. You have to be committed in your heart and mind that it is only the Word of God that is totally inspired and therefore, profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. Why is this necessary? So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Don’t try to be cute and walk the edge mingling the Word of God with worldly ideas. You got to bring your people to Christlikeness, not what you think is the likeness they should have. Only by feeding them God’s Word will you help them to achieve this to the glory of God.
You won’t hear psychiatrists, such as John White put it this way:
Until about fifteen years ago psychology was seen by most Christians as hostile to the gospel.
[But today] let someone who professes the name of Jesus baptize secular psychology and present it as something compatible with Scripture truth, and most Christians are happy to shallow theological hemlock in the form of psychological insights.
Over the past fifteen years there has been a tendency for churches to place an increasing reliance on trained pastoral counselors. . .To me it seems to suggest weakness or indifference to expository preaching within evangelical churches. . .Why do we have to turn to human science at all? Why? Because for years we have failed to expound the whole Scripture. Because from our weakened exposition and our superficial topical talks we have produced a generation of Christian sheep having no shepherd. And now we are damning ourselves more deeply than ever by our resource to the wisdom of the world.
What I do as a psychiatrist and what my psychologist colleagues do in their research of their counseling is of infinitely less value to distressed Christians than what God says in His Word. But pastoral shepherds, like the sheep they guide, are following (if I may change my metaphor for a moment) a new Pied Piper of Hamelin who is leading them into the dark caves of humanistic hedonism.
A few of us who are deeply involved in the human sciences feel like voices crying in the godless wilderness of humanism, while the churches turn to humanistic psychology as a substitute for the gospel of God’s grace (Flirting with the Word, pp. 144-17).
Folks, those are some powerful words. But so true and so right on. That’s why a solid commitment to teach God’s Word expositionally (which is the ability to explain the Scriptures of its meaning and not merely disseminate application at the expense of meaning and understanding) is a major task for all pastors.
Read what John Stott said:
Expository preaching is a most exacting discipline. Perhaps this is why it is so rare. Only those will undertake it who are prepared to follow the example of the apostles and say, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word to serve tables. . .We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:2, 4). The systematic preaching of the Word is impossible without the systematic study of it. It will not be enough to skim through a few verses in daily bible reading, nor to study a passage only when we have to preach from it. No. we must daily soak ourselves in the Scriptures. We must not just study, as through a microscope, the linguistic minutiae of a few verses, but take our telescope and scan the wide expanses of God’s Word, assimilating its grand theme of divine sovereignty in the redemption of mankind. “It is blessed,” wrote C.H. Spurgeon, “to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your spirit is flavored with the words of the Lord, so that your blood is Bibline and the very essence of the Bible flows from you” (The Preacher’s Portrait, pp. 30-31).
So when Paul told Titus that the pastor must be able to exhort in sound doctrine this is what he had in mind. This is the positive side of the calling. But there is a negative side as well. That side we will look at shortly.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Unforseen Work of Pastor-Teachers
Sometimes I will be asked, “Pastor Rich, what does it take to be a pastor?” I respond by asking, “Why are you thinking about it?” If the answer is yes, then I will give a more detailed explanation. If the answer is no, then I will merely share a very short reply.
But let’s say that the answer is “yes.” By and large, there are many factors that come into play, but the main one is a bona fide calling of God. You do not want to step into the position of a pastor unless you are certain God has called you.
Next, I will ask, “How are you as a student of the Scriptures?” The typical response I get is, “Yeah, I faithfully have my daily devotions.” I then reply, “You got a long way to go still. If all you do is have your daily devotions, then you are not doing nearly enough.”
Paul, told Titus who was a pastor on the island of Crete one pastoral responsibility that he had to take seriously: You need to “be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:6).
From this one phrase, we see that the one major responsibility that a pastor has is both positive and negative.
From the Positive Side
The pastor is called to exhort believers in sound doctrine. He is to spend much of his waking hours strengthening the saints in both the knowledge of God’s Word and their obedience to the Word.
The word, “exhort” basically means “to encourage.” It literally means “to call alongside of” for the purpose of giving support, strength and help. A pastor will exhort his people publicly from the podium on Sundays, but then needs to come along side of them and give private support and strength as well. The pulpit provides the scattering of the seed, while the private time involves adding water to the seed so that it will grow.
Therefore, I will ask the inquirer: “Are you good at exhorting people? Because much of your time will involve doing just that.”
Next Paul used the word, “sound” which comes from the Greek word from which we get our English word, “hygienic.” It has the basic meaning of being healthy and wholesome, referring to that which protects and preserves life.
What is said by Paul to be healthy and wholesome? Doctrine! Sound doctrine is what protects and preserves the spiritual health of God’s people. What is doctrine? All the teachings of the bible. It is the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27). Paul told the elders at Ephesus that while he was with them, he declared to them the “whole counsel of God.” He held nothing back. If the Word of God taught it, then Paul preached it.
Now in order to teach doctrine, it will become a demanding task. It will consume much of your time. You will have to do all you can to guard whatever time you have been allotted. There will be meetings for you to attend. There will be fellowships for you to show up at. There will be unexpected house call, hospital visits and emergencies that will come and take away from your study time in God’s Word. Some times others will be show up unannounced. Sometimes you will think to yourself, “I am just going into the store, pick up some eggs and hurry out.” Bu then someone you know sees you and wants to talk. What you thought was going to be less than five minutes, ends up being 20-30 minutes.
My point is this: Your study time in God’s Word will be tested. When you do get the time alone with God that you desired, you will want to sleep or do something else. You got to sit yourself down in your chair and not get up until you have dealt a major blow in understanding the bible passage that you are to preach on this coming Sunday. Your sides will hurt. Your stomach will growl. Your head will think of easier, faster and betters ways – use a DVD, find a guest speaker, preach an old sermon long forgotten, etc. If you are called to be a pastor, you must resist such side streets and go down the rough and long road of pain in order to master your knowledge of God’s Word.
Sure it is tough and hard and wearisome. This is why James said, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). We pastors will one day give an account before the Lord on not only of the things we preached and taught, but also to what degree and intensity did we prepare our messages. The pastor must learn how to work both harder and smarter.
Therefore, simply doing your daily devotions is not nearly enough. Do not think that the only time you need to study God’s Word in depth is when you are scheduled to teach or preach it? You need to study God’s Word daily, and this is in addition to your devotions.
Here’s an example that I do which I learned along the way. For me, and I think for everyone else as well, the best way to learn God’s Word is through repetition (Isa. 28:10). This is why the bible puts a high premium on memorization (Ps. 119:11) and meditation (Josh. 1:8).
Here is how I go beyond just having my daily devotions. I take a book in the bible – now I am reading through the Book of 1 John and I read through it once a day for 30 days. I read through the book each time in one sitting through various translations. Then I spend the rest of the time reading through it gathering important data – such as words that are frequently used, topics that reoccur, and themes that stand out. I underline phrases, words, and read commentaries so I can understand the text and hear what others have to say about it. I write my own title for each chapter. I do this for 30 days – one reading per day. I do this so that after 30 days or reading through 1 John, I know the book much better than I did before. I also give God’s Word an opportunity to work in my heart and change me from within. I know what each chapter speaks about and I know where many of the verses are found just by knowing where such verses are on the pages of my bible.
On a shorter book like 1 John, I can do this, but longer books such as Matthew that has 28 chapters, reading it all in one sitting per day would be too long for me. So I divide the book into four sections of seven chapters. I read through the first seven chapters for 30 days. After the 30 days, I read through the next seven chapters for 30 days. After that, I read through the third section of seven chapters for 30 days, etc. until I complete the whole book. It will take me four months to read through the Book of Matthew 30 times. But once I am through, I understand Matthew a lot more than when I first started.
I do this with the Gospel of John, Luke and Mark. Longer New Testament books, I divide them into smaller sections at least seven chapters and read those chapters for 30 straight days, once per day in various translations to begin with and then settling down with the one translation I use most often – The New American Standard Bible. By this method, of reading each New Testament Book for 30 days, I will have read through the entire New Testament in two and a half years. Imagine the familiarity one will have of the New Testament?
I do not do this with the Old Testament because much of the Old Testament is narrative or story telling. But some books of the Old Testament I apply this method to, such as the wisdom books or books that are more didactic in nature – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.
For example, I take one chapter in Proverbs and read it everyday for seven days. Every Sunday, I move onto a new chapter in the Book of Proverbs. I don’t switch chapters until I have read a chapter seven times once per day. I use the time to seek to understand every single proverb that is written. If I come across a proverb that I do not understand, I find out what it means, so when I read through it during the week, I know what it says and now have a greater idea on how to apply it to my life.
I also, seek to locate other examples in the bible that support a proverb. For example, in reading through Proverbs 27, verse 1 states: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” I then try to seek examples elsewhere in the bible where this teaching is supported. So I remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 and I write this in the margin of my bible next to Proverbs 27:1. I also remember that James says that “all boasting is evil” (James 4:16), so I write this passage down also in the margin of my bible next to Proverbs 27:1.
So by the time I have read through a chapter in Proverbs seven times, once per day for a week, I not only understand each Proverb better, but I also have great examples and illustrations to use to further support the principle. I don’t often time finish finding examples for all the proverbs, but I try to find as much as I can and then move on to the next chapter. I know that I will eventually come back and read the chapter I finished, and read it over again for seven days and pick up where I left off.
I have various web browsers on my iphone and bible applications which I use during the day for review of the chapters I’ve been reading.
Now this is all in addition to reading certain books, studying more depth certain bible passages, writing blogs, and I still have not gotten to my weekly sermons.
So when someone comes to me saying, “Pastor Rich, how does one become a pastor,” the one thing I look for is how great of a student of the bible the person is. He may not be that great to begin with – for that’s how it is with all of us in the beginning, but I try to ascertain, how much of a longing do you have to understand the Word of God?
If all you have on a consistent basis is merely your daily devotions that just won’t do. You got to be miles and miles – now watch this – ahead of the people you are called to shepherd and watch over. You cannot just keep in step with them or try to stay one or two steps ahead of them. You got to be way out in front in your knowledge and understanding and application of the bible. And if you are not way out in front, then you have no business pastoring a group of people.
In Words We Live By, Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery. In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code:
1. I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2. I will take cash and food stamps—no checks.
3. I will rob only at night.
4. I will not wear a mask.
5. I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores.
6. If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7. I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8. I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.
Likewise when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God's perfect law.
Ask yourself, “How good of a student of the Scriptures am I?”
Tomorrow we will look at the negative side that Paul told Titus about.
But let’s say that the answer is “yes.” By and large, there are many factors that come into play, but the main one is a bona fide calling of God. You do not want to step into the position of a pastor unless you are certain God has called you.
Next, I will ask, “How are you as a student of the Scriptures?” The typical response I get is, “Yeah, I faithfully have my daily devotions.” I then reply, “You got a long way to go still. If all you do is have your daily devotions, then you are not doing nearly enough.”
Paul, told Titus who was a pastor on the island of Crete one pastoral responsibility that he had to take seriously: You need to “be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:6).
From this one phrase, we see that the one major responsibility that a pastor has is both positive and negative.
From the Positive Side
The pastor is called to exhort believers in sound doctrine. He is to spend much of his waking hours strengthening the saints in both the knowledge of God’s Word and their obedience to the Word.
The word, “exhort” basically means “to encourage.” It literally means “to call alongside of” for the purpose of giving support, strength and help. A pastor will exhort his people publicly from the podium on Sundays, but then needs to come along side of them and give private support and strength as well. The pulpit provides the scattering of the seed, while the private time involves adding water to the seed so that it will grow.
Therefore, I will ask the inquirer: “Are you good at exhorting people? Because much of your time will involve doing just that.”
Next Paul used the word, “sound” which comes from the Greek word from which we get our English word, “hygienic.” It has the basic meaning of being healthy and wholesome, referring to that which protects and preserves life.
What is said by Paul to be healthy and wholesome? Doctrine! Sound doctrine is what protects and preserves the spiritual health of God’s people. What is doctrine? All the teachings of the bible. It is the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27). Paul told the elders at Ephesus that while he was with them, he declared to them the “whole counsel of God.” He held nothing back. If the Word of God taught it, then Paul preached it.
Now in order to teach doctrine, it will become a demanding task. It will consume much of your time. You will have to do all you can to guard whatever time you have been allotted. There will be meetings for you to attend. There will be fellowships for you to show up at. There will be unexpected house call, hospital visits and emergencies that will come and take away from your study time in God’s Word. Some times others will be show up unannounced. Sometimes you will think to yourself, “I am just going into the store, pick up some eggs and hurry out.” Bu then someone you know sees you and wants to talk. What you thought was going to be less than five minutes, ends up being 20-30 minutes.
My point is this: Your study time in God’s Word will be tested. When you do get the time alone with God that you desired, you will want to sleep or do something else. You got to sit yourself down in your chair and not get up until you have dealt a major blow in understanding the bible passage that you are to preach on this coming Sunday. Your sides will hurt. Your stomach will growl. Your head will think of easier, faster and betters ways – use a DVD, find a guest speaker, preach an old sermon long forgotten, etc. If you are called to be a pastor, you must resist such side streets and go down the rough and long road of pain in order to master your knowledge of God’s Word.
Sure it is tough and hard and wearisome. This is why James said, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). We pastors will one day give an account before the Lord on not only of the things we preached and taught, but also to what degree and intensity did we prepare our messages. The pastor must learn how to work both harder and smarter.
Therefore, simply doing your daily devotions is not nearly enough. Do not think that the only time you need to study God’s Word in depth is when you are scheduled to teach or preach it? You need to study God’s Word daily, and this is in addition to your devotions.
Here’s an example that I do which I learned along the way. For me, and I think for everyone else as well, the best way to learn God’s Word is through repetition (Isa. 28:10). This is why the bible puts a high premium on memorization (Ps. 119:11) and meditation (Josh. 1:8).
Here is how I go beyond just having my daily devotions. I take a book in the bible – now I am reading through the Book of 1 John and I read through it once a day for 30 days. I read through the book each time in one sitting through various translations. Then I spend the rest of the time reading through it gathering important data – such as words that are frequently used, topics that reoccur, and themes that stand out. I underline phrases, words, and read commentaries so I can understand the text and hear what others have to say about it. I write my own title for each chapter. I do this for 30 days – one reading per day. I do this so that after 30 days or reading through 1 John, I know the book much better than I did before. I also give God’s Word an opportunity to work in my heart and change me from within. I know what each chapter speaks about and I know where many of the verses are found just by knowing where such verses are on the pages of my bible.
On a shorter book like 1 John, I can do this, but longer books such as Matthew that has 28 chapters, reading it all in one sitting per day would be too long for me. So I divide the book into four sections of seven chapters. I read through the first seven chapters for 30 days. After the 30 days, I read through the next seven chapters for 30 days. After that, I read through the third section of seven chapters for 30 days, etc. until I complete the whole book. It will take me four months to read through the Book of Matthew 30 times. But once I am through, I understand Matthew a lot more than when I first started.
I do this with the Gospel of John, Luke and Mark. Longer New Testament books, I divide them into smaller sections at least seven chapters and read those chapters for 30 straight days, once per day in various translations to begin with and then settling down with the one translation I use most often – The New American Standard Bible. By this method, of reading each New Testament Book for 30 days, I will have read through the entire New Testament in two and a half years. Imagine the familiarity one will have of the New Testament?
I do not do this with the Old Testament because much of the Old Testament is narrative or story telling. But some books of the Old Testament I apply this method to, such as the wisdom books or books that are more didactic in nature – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.
For example, I take one chapter in Proverbs and read it everyday for seven days. Every Sunday, I move onto a new chapter in the Book of Proverbs. I don’t switch chapters until I have read a chapter seven times once per day. I use the time to seek to understand every single proverb that is written. If I come across a proverb that I do not understand, I find out what it means, so when I read through it during the week, I know what it says and now have a greater idea on how to apply it to my life.
I also, seek to locate other examples in the bible that support a proverb. For example, in reading through Proverbs 27, verse 1 states: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” I then try to seek examples elsewhere in the bible where this teaching is supported. So I remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34 and I write this in the margin of my bible next to Proverbs 27:1. I also remember that James says that “all boasting is evil” (James 4:16), so I write this passage down also in the margin of my bible next to Proverbs 27:1.
So by the time I have read through a chapter in Proverbs seven times, once per day for a week, I not only understand each Proverb better, but I also have great examples and illustrations to use to further support the principle. I don’t often time finish finding examples for all the proverbs, but I try to find as much as I can and then move on to the next chapter. I know that I will eventually come back and read the chapter I finished, and read it over again for seven days and pick up where I left off.
I have various web browsers on my iphone and bible applications which I use during the day for review of the chapters I’ve been reading.
Now this is all in addition to reading certain books, studying more depth certain bible passages, writing blogs, and I still have not gotten to my weekly sermons.
So when someone comes to me saying, “Pastor Rich, how does one become a pastor,” the one thing I look for is how great of a student of the bible the person is. He may not be that great to begin with – for that’s how it is with all of us in the beginning, but I try to ascertain, how much of a longing do you have to understand the Word of God?
If all you have on a consistent basis is merely your daily devotions that just won’t do. You got to be miles and miles – now watch this – ahead of the people you are called to shepherd and watch over. You cannot just keep in step with them or try to stay one or two steps ahead of them. You got to be way out in front in your knowledge and understanding and application of the bible. And if you are not way out in front, then you have no business pastoring a group of people.
In Words We Live By, Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery. In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code:
1. I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2. I will take cash and food stamps—no checks.
3. I will rob only at night.
4. I will not wear a mask.
5. I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores.
6. If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7. I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8. I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.
This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.
Likewise when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God's perfect law.
Ask yourself, “How good of a student of the Scriptures am I?”
Tomorrow we will look at the negative side that Paul told Titus about.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)