WALKING IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES:
II TIMOTHY 4:2
AS I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THE JOB OF EVANGELSIT THAT GOD HAS CALLED ME INTO.
EVANGELIST THEY ARE A GIFT TO THE CHURCH!
THEY ARE TO BE A SOULWINNERS & TEACH THE CHURCH TO BE SOULWINNERS!
WE ARE TO PREACH AGAINST SIN!
MAKE THE DEVIL MAD & THUS GET HIM TO HATE YOU!
HOPEFULLY STIR THE CHURCH TO WAKE UP!
HELP THE PASTOR!
AS I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS!
HOW CAN I REALLY HELP THE PASTOR?
YES PREACH HARD AND GET THE CHURCH FIRED UP, STIR THEM TO DO SOMETHING FOR GOD!
YES TEACH THEM HOW TO WIN SOULS AND HOPEFULLY WIN SOME WHILE I’M HERE!
BUT I THINK ONE OF THE GREATEST HELPS I CAN GIVE IS TO
TEACH YOU HOW TO WALK IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES!
I BELIEVE THAT CHURCH MEMBERS
NEED TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF THE PASTOR IN THE LOCAL CHURCH!
THE PASTOR IS ONE WHO GOD CHOOSE TO PLACE OVER YOU TO FEED YOU, GUIDE YOU, PRAY FOR YOU, AND TEACH YOU THINGS OF GOD.
HE IS YOUR OVERSEER HERE ON THIS EARTH & HE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR HIS ACTIONS TO GOD.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
JUST THINK ABOUT THIS HEAVY BURDEN UPON THE PASTOR!
HIS HAS HIS OWN LIFE TO KEEP CLEAN
IF MARRIED HIS WIFE TO TAKE CARE OF
IF HE HAS CHILDREN HE MUST MEET THEIR NEEDS
THE CHURCH FINANCES
MISSONS TO SUPPORT AND PRAY FOR
THE AREA HE LIVES IN FOR THE SOULS GETTING THE GOSPEL OUT
SERMONS TO PREPARE TO FEED YOU
PRAYER LIFE FOR NOT ONLY HIS OWN BUT EVERY ONE IN HIS CHURCH, PLUS THOSE YOU ASK HIM TO PRAY FOR & MORE
YET HE WILL STAND BEFORE GOD ONE DAY AND GIVE AN ACCOUNT!
WHAT DO WE DO GRIEVE HIM BY BACK BITTING, MURRMERING, SLANDER, GETTING MAD,
LEAVE THE CHURCH.
I BELIEVE THEIR JOB IS MUCH HIGHER AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNTIED STATES.
IN OUR TEXT THE PASTOR IS TO:
1)REPROVE 2) REBUKE
3) EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING & DOCTRINE.
IT IS EASIER TO EXHORT THAN IT IS TO REPROVE, OR REBUKE
(MAY I SAY THE PASTOR DOES NOT LIKE HAVING TO THESE BUT IT IS HIS JOB)
NOTICE REPROVE AND REBUKE COME BEFORE EXHORT
WITH LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE (DOCTRINE IS THE WORD OF GOD, AND IF THE PASTOR IS WORTH HIS SALT, IT IS THE KJV)
WE AS PEOPLE MUST REALIZE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT A PASTOR HAS
STRONG CONVICTIONS (BIBLE BASED)
GREAT STUDY HABITS ( TO BE IN HIS BIBLE )
A GREAT PRAYER LIFE (SEEKING GOD FOR DIRECTION)
A COMPLETE SURRENDER TO GOD.
IF WE WOULD REALIZE THESE 3 THINGS IT WOULD HELP US UNDERSTAND THE POSITION OF A PASTOR
*IT IS NOT A SECULAR JOB- YOU JUST DON’T SAY I WANT TO BE A PASTOR, LIKE YOU WOULD CHOSE A CAREAR FIELD
*THE MINISTRY IS A CALLING FROM GOD NOT MAN
*WITH OUT A TRUE CALLING FROM GOD THE MAN WILL NOT LAST LONG AT ALL.
HAVE YOU EVER FELT I WISH THEY COULD WALK IN MY SHOES FOR AWHILE, & SEE HOW MY LIFE IS AND WHAT I GO THROUGH!
WITH THAT IN MIND THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO IN THIS MESSAGE.
LET YOU BE THE PASTOR AND WHAT WOULD YOU WANT IF YOU WERE TO PASTOR THIS CHURCH!
I HAVE FOUND IT INTERESTING HOW PEOPLE’S EXPECTIONS OF A PASTOR VARY!
HE SHOULD BE A PROBLEM SOLVER
(WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE THE PROBLEM)
SOME STRESS HE SHOULD BE AN ORGANIZER,
WHEN IN REALITY HE SHOULD BE AN AGONIZER
(HOW CAN HE DO THAT WHEN WE HAVE HIM PUTTING OUT FIRES)
OTHERS EMPHASIZE HIS PERSONALITY
(WHEN THEY OUGHT TO MAJOR ON SPIRITUAL POWER)
MANY THINK HE SHOULD HAVE VERY STRONG SOCIAL STRENGTHS
(WE SHOULD BE MORE WORRIED ABOUT HIS SPIRITUAL CONTACT WITH GOD)
HEY FOLKS GOD HAS NOT CHANGED, NEITHER HAS JESUS, OR THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND NEITHER HAS THE BIBLE
GOD EXPECTS GREAT THING FROM HIS PEOPLE
THERE WAS A GREAT PRICE PAID!!!
A PASTOR WANTS YOU TO BE ALL YOU CAN BE FOR GOD, COUNTRY, AND FAMILY
HE WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE.
I BELIEVE WE HURT THE CHURCH BY HINDERING THE PASTOR,
FOLKS DO THAT AND YOU HINDER THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM DOING HIS WORK.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God…
OUR ATTIUDES WILL DETERMINE THE ACTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
IF WE COULD WALK IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES?
IF WE AS A CHRISTIAN COULD REALLY DO THAT IT WOULD CHANGE OUR OUT LOOK ON THE PASTOR!
WE KNOW THAT WE CAN’T REALLY WALK IN HIS SHOES
BUT IF YOU WOULD TODAY
“WHAT WOULD YOU WANT FROM THE PEOPLE IF YOU WERE THE PASTOR”
1)IF YOU WERE IN THE PASTOR”S SHOES YOU WOULD WANT A PEOPLE OF CONVERSION
CONVERSION: SWITCH- TURN ABOUT- ABOUT FACE- CHANGE OF HEART- RE-CREATION- SUDDEN CHANGE- BREAK FROM THE PAST
THIS IS WHAT IS TO TAKE PLACE WHEN YOU GIVE YOU HEART TO THE LORD.
A CHANGE IN ONES LIFE
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
ONE EVANGELIST ESTIMENTED -THAT 50% OF THE CHURCH MEMBERS ARE UNCOVERTED.
ONE THOUGHT IT TO BE 75%-
NO WONDER THE PASTOR HAS PROBLEMS WITH HIS PEOPLE!!
NO WONDER THE DEVIL IS HAVING A HAY-DAY IN OUR CHURCHES!
NO WONDER THE WORLD IS GOING TO HELL- CHURCHES MEMBERS AREN’T SAVED THEMSELVES!
HERE IS WHAT WE FIND IN OUR CHURCHES TODAY:
*THE RELIGIOUS NICODEMUS:
HE CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT- JOHN 3 TELLS US THE STORY
NICODEMUS WAS A DEVOUTLY RELIGIOUS MAN-
BUT HAD NOT EXPERENCIED THE NEW BIRTH
THE SAME WE HAVE MANY RELIGIOUS CHURCH MEMBERS TODAY
*THE JUDAS’S:
A MAN IN THE INTER CIRCLE- HE WALKED WITH , HE ATE WITH HIM ,
HE SLEPT BESIDE Him, HE LISTENED TO JESUS ,
HE SAW THE MIRCLES AND YET NOT SAVED
DIED A SUICIDAL DEATH AND WENT TO HELL
THE SAME IN CHURCHES IN AMERICA THEY HEARD THE PREACHER,
THEY KNOW THE BIBLE,
THEY SERVED IN THE CHURCH YET LOST AND UNDONE!
THE BIGGEST PART OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH IS THIS:
THEY ARE NOT BORN AGAIN!
THUS THEY ARE NOT LED BY THE SPIRIT-
IF THEY WERE THEY WOULD NOT HINDER THE PASTOR
THE UNSAVED IS MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT
THEY THINK-THAN WHAT GOD THINKS
THE UNSAVED ARE NOT LEAD BY THE SPIRIT-
FOR THEY HAVE NOT THE SPIIRT
THUS LEADS TO FLESHLY & SELFISHLY MOTIVATIONS
RESULTS IS THEY CAN’T COMPREND THE THINGS OF GOD
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
SO IT STANDS TO REASON IF YOU WHERE PASTOR YOU WOULD WANT CHURCH MEMBERS THAT WERE SAVED!
QUESTION: ARE YOU BORN AGAIN OR PLAYING CHURCH
HINDING BEHIND YOUR BIBLE, AND FAKE SMILE?
2)IF Y0U WERE IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE OF CONTENTMENT
CONTENTMENT: Satisfaction, fulfillment, peace of mind, well being. happy,
PAUL SAID IN Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
PAUL HAD LEARNED THAT GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALL HIS NEEDS
PAUL POSSESSED AN UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE IN GOD
WISH THE CHURCH WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN THE SAME
OUR CHURCHES ARE FULL OF FOLKS WHO DO NOTHING BUT COMPLAIN
TOO MANY TIMES WE ARE LIKE THE CHILDREN OF ISREAL
GOD SENT MOSES TO DELIVER THEM OUT OF EGYPT
LATER- GOD SENT JOSHUA TO LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISE LAND
IN THE BOOK OF NUMBERS YOU WILL FIND THAT THE PEOPLE ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING WRONG.
Does this sound filmier?
Some never can seem to find a Pastor with which they may be content!
ALL WAYS PART OF CRUCFIYING - PREACHER AFTER PREACHER
NO MATTER WHO IT IS THEY FIND FAULT WITH THE MAN
THE MAN WHO GOD CHOOSE FOR THEM!
FOLKS GET UPSET WITH THE PREACHER - HE PREACHES TOO LONG
HE PREACHES TO SHORT - HE IS TOO LOUD
HE IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH - HE IS TO FORCEFULL
HE IS NOT FORCEFUL ENOUGH
NOT ENOUGH BIBLE IN HIS MESSAGES - TOO MUCH BIBLE
ON AND ON IT GOES
THE CHURCH IS TOO HOT - IT’S TOO COLD
THE PREACHER WIFE?
WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE
WAKE UP CALL THESE KIND OF PEOPLE IS NOTHING MORE THAN SATAN WORKING IN THEIR LIFES
TO TRY AND STOP THE WORK OF GOD
THINK ABOUT KORAH IN THE BOOKS OF NUMBERS
HE COMPLAINED AND LOOK WHAT IT GOT HIM
THE EARTH OPENED UP & SWALLOWED HIM UP & HIS FOLLOWERS
GOD DOES NOT TAKE LIGHTLY MURRMING AGAINST HIS MAN
THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH COMPLAINERS
THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED THE SECERT TO CONTENTMENT FOR THEM SELVES
WHO WOULD WANT TO PASTOR A CHURCH FULL OF COMPLAINERS?
IF WE WERE THE PASTOR WE WOULD WANT PEOPLE OF CONTENTMENT
ARE YOU CONTENTED TONIGHT?
I CHALLENGE YOU TONING BE A PEOPLE OF CONTENTMENT
3)IF YOU WERE IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES YOU WOULD PEOPLE OF CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE:TO HAVE BALANCE, LEVEL HEADEDNESS, WELL-BALANCED, WELL REGULATED MIND, POSE, SELF CONTROL, ASSUARANCE
ANY PASTOR YOUNG OR OLD, SHOULD HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS PEOPLE.
IF A BIBLE PREACHING PASTOR DOES NOT DAMAGE THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE IN REGARD TO HIS LIFE
THEN THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN HIM
UNLESS HE PROVES OTHERWISE BY HIS LIFESTYLE
IF THE CHURCH HAS A CLEAN LIVING, GODLY SPIRITUAL PASTOR
YOU SHOULD BE EXTREMELY THANKFUL TO GOD FOR HIM.
PAUL AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE BIBLE URGED THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM WHILE HE FOLLOWED THE LORD.
1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
GOD NEVER CALLED ANYONE TO FOLLOW A PERSON WHO IS A BAD EXAMPLE IN HIS PERSONAL CONDUCT
THUS IF HE IS CLEAN AND LIVING RIGHT YOU SHOULD HAVE CONFINDENCE IN HIM.
SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE JUST GOING TO FOLLOW THE LORD
MAY I SAY IF YOU WILL NOT FOLLOW THE MAN WHO GOD GAVE YOU
YOU WILL NOT FOLLOW THE LORD EITHER
THE PERSON WHO REFUSES TO FOLLOW GOD’S ORDAINED LEADERSHIP CANNOT WHOLLY FOLLOW THE LORD.
TO REJECT THE ONE WHO GOD SENDS TO LEAD US IS TO INSULT GOD,
& THUS REJECTING HIS PLAN CONCERNING HIS PEOPLE
IF YOU WERE THE PASTOR YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE CONFINDENCE IN YOU.
THUS TONIGHT I CHALLENGE YOU TONIGHT TO HAVE CONFINDENCE IN YOUR PASTOR
4)IF YOU WERE IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES YOU WOULD PEOPLE OF COMMUNUCATION
COMMUNICATION:BONDING, CONNECTION, UNION, YOKING, CONVERSATION, SOCIAL RELATIONS, SPEAKING, CONTACT
IN TODAY’S CHURCHES THERE ARE TOO MANY WHO DO NOT COMMUNCATE PROPERLY WITH THE PASTOR.
THERE ARE THINGS HE MAY NEVER KNOW, & HE NEEDS TO KNOW
BUT YOUR VOICE IS SILENT
MAY WE PEOPLE A PEOPLE OF COMMUNICATION
REMEMBER THE PASTOR IS NOT ALL KNOWING - GOD IS BUT NOT MAN
SO IT SATNDS TO REASON IF YOU WISH FOR THE PASTOR TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE YOU SHOULD TALK TO HIM
STORY WAS TOLD A STRANGER WALKING DOWN THE STREET ONE DAY
HE NOTICED A MAN STRUGGLING WITH A WASHING MACHINE
WHEN THE NEW COMER ASKED IF HE COULD HELP
THE OTHER MAN WAS REAL HAPPY
THE 2 MEN STARTED TO WORK WITH THE WASHER
AFTER AWHILE THEY STOPPED ALL OUT OF BREATH WITH FRUITLESS EFFORT
THE NEW COMER SAID TO THE OWNER WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET THIS WASHER IN THE HOUSE
THE OWNER SAID GET IT, I’M TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE
SO MUCH LIKE THE CHURCH TODAY
WE NEED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER
WORK TOGETHER WITH SAME CAUSE
WE AS MEMBERS SHOULD BE LIKE AARON & HUR IN EXODUS 17:9-12
WHEN THEY LIFTED THE HANDS OF MOSES- ISREAL WOULD BE WINNING THE BATTLE
IF THEY LET HIS HANDS DROP THE ENMENY WOULD BEGIN TO WIN
WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO LIFT UP THE PASTOR’S ARMS
LET HIM KNOW WE ARE PRAYING FOR HIM AND BEHIND HIM
WE SHOULD COMMUNICATE OUR LOVE & APPRECTION TO OUR PASTOR
SOMETIMES I WONDER IF ANY ONE CARES FOR ME
SO I COULD ONLY IMAJIN THE PASTOR FEELS THE SAME OF HIS PEOPLE
IF YOU WERE THE PASTOR YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE OF COMMUNICATION
THUS I CHALLENGE YOU TO COMMUNCATE WITH YOUR PASTOR
5)IF YOU WERE IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES YOU WOULD PEOPLE OF COOPERATION
COOPERATION:AGREEMENT, HARMONY, TEAMWORK, PULLING TOETHER, JOINING FORCES, JOINT EFFERT
THERE IS NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A CHURCH COOPERATING WITH IT’S PASTOR.
CO-OPERATION INVOLVES SUBMISSION
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
SOME HAVE THIS ATTUIDE
“NO PREACHER IS GOING TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO.”
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND A PLAIN, BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE.
Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
THIS MEANS W/THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH AS WELL W/EACH OTHER
YOU WOULD WANT PEOPLE OF COOPERATION
IN CLOSING 6) IF YOU WERE IN THE PASTOR’S SHOES YOU WOULD PEOPLE OF COMPENSATION:
COMPENSATION: That which is given or received as an equivalent for services
LET’S GO TO 1 Corinthians 9:4-14
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Does a soldier provide his own victuals? NO HE IS PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT
WE SHOULD PAY THOSE WHO LABOR FOR US IN THE MINSTRY
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
They should be made comfortable, or made rich.
They should receive so much as to keep their minds from being harassed with cares, and their families from want; not so much as to lead them to forget their dependence on God
1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
That they which preach the gospel. They who are sent forth by him; who devote their lives to this work; who are called and employed by him in this service.
Pastors all across America suffer because the church does not take care of them.
Then we wonder why his preaching is not like it should be.
He is out working another job to support his family while we lie at home fat & plenty.
He is taking care of your needs: hospital calls, family crises, trouble he comes, feeds you the word, prays for you, loves you, and there for you
He should be paid well for his trouble.
His job never ends, it is 24/7 & 7 days a week.
You expect to get paid for your time!
Should it be different for the Pastor?
If you were the Pastor you would want a people of Compensation!
Should be salary – home – food –All his needs – car – ins
IN CLOSING: LET ME ASK A QUESTION: DO YOU LOVE YOUR PASTOR?
THEN TREAT YOUR PASTOR THE WAY YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED!
YOU LOVE YOUR WIFE & FAMILY & YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM
IF YOU DON’T THE BIBLE SAYS YOU ARE A INFIDEL
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
SAME APPLIES TO THE PASTOR HE MUST TAKE CARE OF HIS.
DO WE WANT TO CAUSE OUR PASTOR TO BE AN INFIDEL?
THEN PUT YOURSELF IN HIS SHOES & DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR HIM & HIS FAMILY
HAVE YOU MISTREATED YOUR PASTOR GET DOWN HERE & GET RIGHT W/GOD
THEN TELL YOUR PASTOR YOU LOVE HIM – THEN TAKE CARE OF HIM
