ORDINATION SERMON
Acts 13:1-4 & 1 Timothy 5:17-19
A WORD FOR THE PASTOR
INTRODUCTION
This morning, I want to share some thoughts from the Word of God. I have chosen two passages for our meditation. The first is Acts 13:1-4.
· “1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”
Let me first put our text in proper perspective. I want you to observe three sets of statements in our text. The first set of statements is found in V.2 that says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted...” and in V.3 that says, “And when they had fasted and prayed....” These two statements describe the first requirement for ordination that we shall call COMMUNION. The second set of statements is found in V.2 that says, “The Holy Ghost said, ‘Separate me Barnabas and Saul...and in” V.3 that says, ”And laid their hands on them....” These two statements describe the second requirement for ordination that we shall call CONSECRATION. The third set of statements is found in V.2 that says, “For the work whereunto I have called them.” and in V.3 that says, “They sent them away” as well as in V.4 that says, “Being sent forth by the Holy Ghost....” These statements describe a third requirement for ordination that we shall call COMMISSION. Communion, Consécration, Commission.
Let us look at the first requirement for ordination that we call—
COMMUNION
V.2 = “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted...”
V.3 = “And when they had fasted and prayed...”
Who are “they?” According to verse 1 they are the “prophets” and “teachers” in the church of Antioch. These people are the leaders of the church. Paul and Barnabas belong to this group.
The point I am making is that Paul and Barnabas are men of prayer. Pastors must likewise be men of prayer. Paul and Barnabas were fasting and praying, along with the other leaders of the church. Praying is talking to God. Another term for the act of praying is communion. Fasting is praying in a higher dimension.
The apostles declared, “We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Prayer is the first ministry of the early Christian leaders. E.M. Bounds says, “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use--men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.” Alfred Lord Tennyson observed, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”
Edward Payson said, “Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then, my dear brother; pray, pray, pray” (Preacher and Prayer, E.M. Bounds, 1907, p. 32). E. Stanley Jones explained what prayer does to a pastor: “Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God” (Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome, K Hughes, Tyndale, 1988, p. 73).
The first requirement is Communion, the second is—
CONSECRATION
V.2 = “The Holy Ghost said, ‘Separate me Barnabas and Saul...”
V.3 =”And laid their hands on them...”
The Greek word translated “separate” is aphorizo and it means to distinguish from the others, to single out, and to set aside for a special service.
The Holy Spirit wants Paul and Barnabas to be different, to be special, to be dedicated to God. Laying of hands is an act of consecration.
Laying of hands is also an act of sanctification or setting aside for a holy purpose. Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to Dan Edwards after the latter’s ordination as a missionary, "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God" (Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, p. 65).
The first requirement is Communion, the second requirement is Consecration, the third is—
COMMISSION
V.2 = “For the work whereunto I have called them.”
V.3 = “They sent them away.”
V.4 = “Being sent forth by the Holy Spirit...”
The Greek word translated “called” is proskaleomai” and it means to summon, to invite, and to call to oneself.
God has called you to Himself. He commissions you to be His servant. Not the servant of the church. Not the deacons. Not the rich financiers.
If you do not lose sight of this, you will be in good shape. Gov. John Sununu, who served as Chief of Staff of the first George Bush’s White House, was once asked by a reporter, “Your job is very difficult, isn’t it?” He answered, “No, it isn’t.” The reporter thought John Sununu had misunderstood him, so he asked the question again. John Sununu answered more emphatically, “No, it isn’t. I only have one constituent.” He means, “I only have to please one person, the president.” It is the same with us, we only have to please God.
Secondly, our ministry is people, not programs. Unless the programs are simply tools in our ministry to people.
Our ministry is to bring people to God. They need Him. He is the answer to their needs. There was a song that highlights this truth in a very profound way. “Everyday they pass me by/ I can see it in their eye/ Empty people filled with care/ Headed who knows where/ On they go through private pain/ Living fear to fear/ Laughter hides the silent cries/ Only Jesus hears.// We are called to take His light/ To a world where wrong seems right/ What could be too great a cost/ For sharing life with one who’s lost/ Through His love our hearts can feel/ All the grief they bear/ They must hear the words of life/ Only we can share.// People need the Lord/ People need the Lord/ At the end of broken dreams/ He’s the open door/ People need the Lord/ People need the Lord/ When will we realize/ That we must give our lives/ For people need the Lord/ People need the Lord// (“PEOPLE NEED THE LORD” Words & Music: Greg Nelson/Phil McHugh; Sang by Steve Green).
Because our ministry is people, the results are eternal. Daniel Webster succinctly puts it, "If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something, which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”
Thirdly, our commission is to preach the Word. The Word of God is our message. We are entrusted with it. There is no substitute to the Word of God. Preach the word in season and out of season.
The Word of God has eternal values. Don’t hide it. Broadcast it to the world. Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."
The Great Commission is not about programs and tasks but about people. Our ministry is people. Don’t ever forget that.
CONCLUSION
Our text identified three requirements for ordination, namely: communion (he is a man who is in touch with God), consecration (he is a man who is dedicated to the service of God), and commission (he is a man with a mission).
A WORD FOR THE CONGREGATION
INTRODUCTION
Our second text is 1 Timothy 5:17-19.
· “17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages. 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”
According to our text, the congregation has a threefold ministry to their pastor. They are: praise, provide, protect.
The first of the threefold ministry of the congregation to their pastor is praise.
PRAISE (Praise your pastor)
V.17 = “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor...”
"Let the elders who rule well..." The word “rule” implies that these men are bosses, that they are somehow in charge, that they are lords or governors in the congregation.
A better translation of proisteo is “to lead.” In ancient times, this word is used of the leader of an army who stands before and leads the army. He goes before them, leads the way, sets the pace and the direction of their march.
As applied to the pastor, he does not “drive” the people; he leads them. He leads them by teaching and preaching the Word of God. Whether people follow or not depends entirely upon how much respect he has built in their eyes by his personal character, his abilities, and his gifts.
Observe further that our text says they “are to be considered worthy of double honor...” “Double honor” could mean especial esteem and recognition. The title “reverend,” which will be the title of your pastor after ordination, comes from an old English word meaning to revere or to respect very highly.
How do you do that? Commend him for his messages. Apply his teachings in your life. Volunteer for a ministry. Invite him for dinner. The month of October is Clergy month. Give him a plaque. Send him and his wife for a week’s vacation in Hawaii. Buy him a new suit. Be creative.
First, praise; second, provide—
PROVIDE (Provide for your pastor)
V.18 = “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,’ and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”
The first part of this verse is a quote from Deuteronomy 25:4: "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." This saying refers to a practice during Bible times of not restraining the ox that threshes the wheat to eat some of it. The ox that threshes the wheat deserves it. Paul explains, "Does God care for oxen? Is that why he said that?" "No," Paul says, "he wrote that for us" (1 Corinthians 9:9-10).
The second part is a quote from our Lord Jesus Christ: "The laborer deserves his wages" (Luke 10:7, RSV). Let me emphasize that this is the Lord speaking. What is He saying again? “The pastor deserves his salary.” Did you hear that? The pastor deserves to be supported. Paul is very clear in pointing out that this is a decree by God. Listen: “14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). This is God’s will. He ordained it.
I like the translation of King James Version. Instead of “wages” it uses the term “double honor.” Many churches today are violating God’s Word. They are disobedient to this command. Instead of “double pay” they give their pastors “no pay.” We can’t blame pastor’s kids not wanting to be a pastor because it scares them to see their father in such a pitiful condition. After the church service, a little boy told the pastor: "When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money." "Well, thank you," the pastor replied, "but why?" "Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had."
The translation called “The Message” renders verse 17 this way: “Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching.” Sermon and lesson preparations are hard work. They require long hours. Pastors hardly have time left to earn a living. If they take a job, there is hardly any time left for sermon preparation. They will be too tired to study for their sermons. And there is hardly any time left for other ministries.
First, praise; second, provide; third, protect—
PROTECT (Protect your pastor)
V.19 = “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”
Protect your pastor. Do not entertain any accusation against your pastor unless you have sufficient proofs. Apply the principles of Matthew 18:16-17 on everybody including the pastor.
Your pastor needs protection from other areas, too. Protect him from stress, discouragement, temptation, sickness, failure, etcetera. Don’t talk behind his pastor. Sometimes Sunday evening dinner is roasted minister.
Senator Robert Kerr wrote this prayer for his pastor. I strongly recommend it to you. “Lord, let me be a pillar of strength to hold my pastor up, not a thorn in his flesh to sap his strength, nor a burden on his back to pull him down. Let me support him without striving to posses him. Let me lift his hands without placing shackles around them. Let me give him help that he may spend more time in working for the salvation of others and less time in gratifying my vanity, or struggling with my indifference or repeated neglects. Let me strive to serve the church more and happy as he serves me less and others more. Amen.”
CONCLUSION
The three requirements for ordination are: COMMUNION, CONSECRATION, COMMISSION.
The threefold ministry of the congregation to their pastor: PRAISE, PROVIDE, PROTECT.
There is a song that I think is fitting for this occasion. It is entitled “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” You can be the “wind beneath my wings “ for each other. Let me read some portions of it.
Ø It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face?
You were content to let me shine, that’s your way,
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength...
Ø Did you ever know that you’re my hero,
And everything I would like to be.
I can fly higher then an eagle,
’Cause you are the Wind Beneath My Wings.
Ø It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
But I’ve got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth,
Of course I know it,
I would be nothing without you.
Ø You let me Fly so high
Oh Fly, Fly so high against the sky, so high
I almost touch the sky..
Thank you....thank you....thank GOD for you.
