Sermon Central
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Pitfalls Along The Way
Contributed by James Groce on Jul 15, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: When one yields to the high calling of God we become very vulnerable to heartbreaks and distortions. To pastor is a demanding role, almost like a mother and child.
A HEART TO HEART TALK WITH PASTORS
Key verse to keep in heart: Psalms 119:165; Great peace have they which love Thy law; AND NOTHING SHALL OFFEND THEM (meaning that NOTHING in the Word will ever be offensive to those that love the Word).
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which HANG DOWN, and the feeble knees; 13. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lamed be turned out of the way; BUT RATHER LET IT BE HEALED. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 15. Looking diligently LEST THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP TROUBLE YOU, and thereby many be defiled.
MATTHEW 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
THERE ARE TERRIBLE PITFALLS, THAT WE CAN ACCIDENTALLY FALL INTO THESE PITFALLS AND BE DESTROYED. WE MUST IDENTIFY THESE PITFALLS AND AVOID THEM AT ALL COST.
When one yields to the high calling of God we become very vulnerable to heartbreaks and distortions.
To pastor is a demanding role, almost like a mother and child.
To pastor is easy, if there is JOY, because we see the rewards and fulfillment in being a servant of the Most High.
We see, as we preach the word, and while working with the great JOY, that in leading others in the things of God and in their personal development,
we can find great satisfaction.
This is good, but this is the way the enemy will attack and come against us:
Negative, heart breaking, disappointments in others --- then we question our self and lose our JOY in ministry. People that we were meant to save, because of their response and attitudes, can become our greatest trial. As one pastor jestingly said, “Pastoring would be great if it were not for people!” No other “job” on earth can even start to compare to that of “preaching the word” to people.
Beware when you fail to see the “people” because of the “person,” or the “body” because of a “member.” More than one pastor has allowed the few to strangle the many!
When we get blinded to the “big picture,” then we head for the valley of tears, we doubt self, we doubt others, and we doubt God. God designed us to have a full JOY tank, then the enemy comes and puts his water in our tank and we find the PAIN of Ministry.
God designed His ministers to be vulnerable.
God had Moses put down his rod and it turned into a snake.
God said, Pick up the snake by the tail.
Wait, we know any good snake handler picks up a snake from the back of the head. Why God? Why must I pick up the snake? Why pick up a snake in an illogical way?
Does God know the good rules of snake handling?
SURE HE DOES!
God was teaching Moses, you have to lean not to your own understanding but to the ways of God for effective ministry.
God wanted to teach Moses that he would always be vulnerable and should always be cautious of the potential of a “strike.” Moses would have to depend on God to be his provider and waymaker and protector.
We must learn that it is God that must control the snake and not us. And as long as the snake remains in God’s control all is well. We do not minister in our own power. Don’t forget this.
We get good in people skills, and love, and then, we think we are doing something. Then some negative stroke fells us, and we are back where we should be, depending on God.
Many have been the negative strokes that hit preachers, which have put them on their knees.
You don’t have to go to your knees? You can get bitter and strike back and defend your ego, or you can trust God.
God wants His leaders totally dependent on Him.
Sure, God could have pulled the teeth of the lions before Daniel was dropped by friends into the PIT. Sure, God could have killed the lions with lightning, sure God could have killed Daniel’s opposition, but God had a plan and God’s plan would lift up His Holy Name.
Not only did the friends have a lesson to learn, so did Daniel.
You want to learn without the lions? I do to?
Never hear of God’s adults? Always God’s children?
God always wanted us, His children, to be totally dependent on Him. We want to be God’s adults and do things our way? He wants us to trust Him.
God says: YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED ME!
We cannot let unhealthy members dictate an unhealthy mind set in the ministers.
