1 00:00:00,220 --> 00:00:03,460 As you can imagine, it is an unspeakable joy 2 00:00:03,460 --> 00:00:06,140 for my wife Diana and myself 3 00:00:06,140 --> 00:00:07,140 to arrive at this day, 4 00:00:07,140 --> 00:00:10,100 when our son can be officially recognized 5 00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:12,119 as a shepherd 6 00:00:12,119 --> 00:00:16,679 in a church of the blood- bought people of God. 7 00:00:16,679 --> 00:00:18,660 It is also a sobering reality 8 00:00:18,660 --> 00:00:21,660 in light of what we have heard. 9 00:00:21,660 --> 00:00:23,780 And mine is to bring a charge to you, 10 00:00:23,780 --> 00:00:27,630 the congregation of Grace Community Church 11 00:00:27,630 --> 00:00:29,410 as to your responsibilities 12 00:00:29,410 --> 00:00:32,480 in receiving a pastor to be among you 13 00:00:32,480 --> 00:00:34,210 and as the Scriptures say, 14 00:00:34,210 --> 00:00:37,270 to be over you in the Lord. 15 00:00:37,270 --> 00:00:39,870 And I want to bring to you from God's Word, 16 00:00:39,870 --> 00:00:42,190 six areas of responsibility 17 00:00:42,190 --> 00:00:44,130 given to you by the Lord 18 00:00:44,130 --> 00:00:46,850 as you receive a new pastor. 19 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:48,610 And I'll get right to it. 20 00:00:48,610 --> 00:00:50,170 The first one is this: 21 00:00:50,170 --> 00:00:53,160 Recognize him according to the gifts 22 00:00:53,160 --> 00:00:55,730 and graces God has given. 23 00:00:55,730 --> 00:00:57,260 Someone has said, 24 00:00:57,260 --> 00:00:59,989 "Only God can make a minister. 25 00:00:59,989 --> 00:01:02,700 Only God can make a pastor." 26 00:01:02,700 --> 00:01:04,430 And that's true isn't it. 27 00:01:04,430 --> 00:01:06,900 Because only God can furnish a man 28 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:08,570 with the graces of character 29 00:01:08,570 --> 00:01:10,730 and the gifts of leadership and preaching 30 00:01:10,730 --> 00:01:13,360 that are needed to shepherd the flock of God. 31 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,490 Only God can make a pastor. 32 00:01:15,490 --> 00:01:18,020 Now that doesn't mean that there are not people 33 00:01:18,020 --> 00:01:20,030 who run into the pastorate 34 00:01:20,030 --> 00:01:21,999 not having been called and sent by God. 35 00:01:21,999 --> 00:01:23,300 There are men who do that. 36 00:01:23,300 --> 00:01:27,620 In our day, sadly, there are even women who do that, wrongly. 37 00:01:27,620 --> 00:01:28,840 Why do they go? 38 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:31,080 In some cases, they go to try to live up 39 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:33,320 to the misguided expectations of others. 40 00:01:33,320 --> 00:01:35,510 Perhaps a father who says, 41 00:01:35,510 --> 00:01:37,500 "My son is going to be a pastor." 42 00:01:37,500 --> 00:01:40,040 In other cases, a man likes to study theology 43 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:42,729 and he thinks, "Well, that would be a nice job. 44 00:01:42,729 --> 00:01:44,450 Being holed up in a room, 45 00:01:44,450 --> 00:01:46,510 reading theological books all day. 46 00:01:46,510 --> 00:01:48,770 I think that'll be a nice gig!" 47 00:01:48,770 --> 00:01:52,400 Others are very sociable, and they would say: 48 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,589 "You know, I like to socialize with people 49 00:01:54,589 --> 00:01:57,050 and being a pastor I get to socialize with people. 50 00:01:57,050 --> 00:01:59,189 I think I'd like to be a pastor." 51 00:01:59,189 --> 00:02:01,170 More culpably, sadly, there are people 52 00:02:01,170 --> 00:02:04,010 who like to exercise control and power 53 00:02:04,010 --> 00:02:05,420 over other people. 54 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:08,690 And they enter the ministry for that wrong reason. 55 00:02:08,690 --> 00:02:10,869 And others, because of a large ego, 56 00:02:10,869 --> 00:02:13,190 they like to be front and center 57 00:02:13,190 --> 00:02:14,929 and be the center of attention. 58 00:02:14,929 --> 00:02:17,020 There are people, there are men, 59 00:02:17,020 --> 00:02:18,480 sadly even women, 60 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:20,989 who seek to run into pastoral ministry 61 00:02:20,989 --> 00:02:25,260 without having been called and sent by God. 62 00:02:25,260 --> 00:02:30,019 But only God can equip, and call, 63 00:02:30,019 --> 00:02:34,140 and send a true shepherd. 64 00:02:34,140 --> 00:02:37,050 And your job, church at Laredo, 65 00:02:37,050 --> 00:02:40,200 therefore is not to make a man a pastor. 66 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:41,910 You can't do that. 67 00:02:41,910 --> 00:02:46,009 It is to recognize the man and men 68 00:02:46,009 --> 00:02:47,999 that God raises up among you 69 00:02:47,999 --> 00:02:50,419 to be in that calling. 70 00:02:50,419 --> 00:02:53,119 And that's what you are doing today. 71 00:02:53,119 --> 00:02:54,750 You are recognizing, 72 00:02:54,750 --> 00:02:57,609 based on the qualifications given by God 73 00:02:57,609 --> 00:03:01,209 in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 74 00:03:01,209 --> 00:03:03,209 you are recognizing a man 75 00:03:03,209 --> 00:03:05,909 whom you believe God has give you 76 00:03:05,909 --> 00:03:08,329 to shepherd your souls. 77 00:03:08,329 --> 00:03:12,119 Your work is the work of recognition. 78 00:03:12,119 --> 00:03:15,049 And may I say, that I heartily concur 79 00:03:15,049 --> 00:03:18,069 with what is being done today. 80 00:03:18,069 --> 00:03:20,549 If I might say some personal words 81 00:03:20,549 --> 00:03:24,189 as the father of this young man, 82 00:03:24,189 --> 00:03:27,889 I have marveled at the grace of God 83 00:03:27,889 --> 00:03:31,649 that has brought him to this day. 84 00:03:31,649 --> 00:03:35,939 I never groomed my son to be a pastor, 85 00:03:35,939 --> 00:03:37,459 because it was my conviction 86 00:03:37,459 --> 00:03:39,790 that I don't make men pastors. 87 00:03:39,790 --> 00:03:42,379 I never even imagined it. 88 00:03:42,379 --> 00:03:45,729 Quite frankly, for many years - 89 00:03:45,729 --> 00:03:47,839 and his brother and sister are here 90 00:03:47,839 --> 00:03:49,419 and can testify to it - 91 00:03:49,419 --> 00:03:51,789 Jeremy was our fun-loving, 92 00:03:51,789 --> 00:03:54,419 people-loving jock. 93 00:03:54,419 --> 00:03:57,849 Much more likely to have a soccer ball on his foot 94 00:03:57,849 --> 00:04:01,519 than a book in his hand. 95 00:04:01,519 --> 00:04:03,139 But it's been amazing to watch 96 00:04:03,139 --> 00:04:05,579 what God has done. 97 00:04:05,579 --> 00:04:07,359 Beginning midway through college, 98 00:04:07,359 --> 00:04:11,009 when he decided to plant his flag for Christ. 99 00:04:11,009 --> 00:04:13,929 Started a fellowship of Christian athletes on campus, 100 00:04:13,929 --> 00:04:15,909 and from there on after, 101 00:04:15,909 --> 00:04:17,880 every Sunday night at eight o'clock, 102 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,180 he would be teaching his fellow college students 103 00:04:20,180 --> 00:04:21,650 from the Bible. 104 00:04:21,650 --> 00:04:25,420 And then there was the first professional contract in Finland 105 00:04:25,420 --> 00:04:27,920 where he had a premature mantel 106 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,640 of leadership responsibilities thrust upon him; 107 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:33,720 where he was looked to teach and lead 108 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,760 a rather immature group of saints. 109 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:38,560 And we did a lot of Skype-ing, 110 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,800 across the Atlantic that year. 111 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:43,690 But it was then that I began to see in him 112 00:04:43,690 --> 00:04:45,600 a shepherd's heart. 113 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:47,230 He would review with me a letter 114 00:04:47,230 --> 00:04:50,630 that he was writing to someone twice his age 115 00:04:50,630 --> 00:04:52,140 giving counsel. 116 00:04:52,140 --> 00:04:54,220 And as I read that thing I said: 117 00:04:54,220 --> 00:04:57,050 "I could not do any better than that!" 118 00:04:57,050 --> 00:04:58,380 The truth-content, 119 00:04:58,380 --> 00:05:00,300 and the love and grace in that letter! 120 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:01,850 And I began to see... 121 00:05:01,850 --> 00:05:03,690 I began to say to myself: 122 00:05:03,690 --> 00:05:05,950 "If I know anything of what a pastor is, 123 00:05:05,950 --> 00:05:07,540 of what a shepherd's heart is, 124 00:05:07,540 --> 00:05:11,120 I'm beginning to see it in my son." 125 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,420 And then, two years spent 126 00:05:14,420 --> 00:05:16,650 in the Conway's home 127 00:05:16,650 --> 00:05:19,470 and in the church in San Antonio 128 00:05:19,470 --> 00:05:21,950 for which my wife and I 129 00:05:21,950 --> 00:05:24,660 are tremendously grateful 130 00:05:24,660 --> 00:05:27,440 for the influence, Tim and Ruby, 131 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:30,830 of your home, your lives, 132 00:05:30,830 --> 00:05:33,620 the influence of the church. 133 00:05:33,620 --> 00:05:36,670 It has been hugely challenging 134 00:05:36,670 --> 00:05:39,600 and formative in our son's life. 135 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,590 And we are forever grateful 136 00:05:41,590 --> 00:05:45,550 for God's usefulness of you in his life, 137 00:05:45,550 --> 00:05:48,870 bringing him to this day. 138 00:05:48,870 --> 00:05:51,470 So, church of Laredo. 139 00:05:51,470 --> 00:05:53,350 You can't make a pastor; 140 00:05:53,350 --> 00:05:54,710 now or in the future. 141 00:05:54,710 --> 00:05:57,180 But you are called to recognize 142 00:05:57,180 --> 00:06:00,370 those whom God has gifted and called. 143 00:06:00,370 --> 00:06:01,760 And you're doing that today. 144 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,240 The second thing that is your responsibility 145 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:07,080 is to receive him as a loving gift 146 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,610 of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ. 147 00:06:10,610 --> 00:06:20,460 I turn briefly (or just listen) to Ephesians 4:9-11. 148 00:06:20,460 --> 00:06:22,120 You are to receive him 149 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,070 as a loving gift of your glorified Savior. 150 00:06:26,070 --> 00:06:33,270 In Ephesians 4:9-11 we read: 151 00:06:33,270 --> 00:06:36,070 "Now this expression, 'He ascended', 152 00:06:36,070 --> 00:06:38,040 what does it mean except that He also 153 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,530 had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 154 00:06:40,530 --> 00:06:43,060 He who descended is Himself also 155 00:06:43,060 --> 00:06:46,160 He who ascended far above all the heavens, 156 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:47,900 so that He might fill all things." 157 00:06:47,900 --> 00:06:49,260 And notice verse 11 158 00:06:49,260 --> 00:06:51,110 "And He gave some as apostles, 159 00:06:51,110 --> 00:06:52,509 and some as prophets, 160 00:06:52,509 --> 00:06:54,759 and some as evangelists, and some as..." 161 00:06:54,759 --> 00:06:58,149 as the Greek would likely have it, "pastor-teachers." 162 00:06:58,149 --> 00:07:01,000 Jesus descended to live a perfect life 163 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,890 that we could not live, and died a death 164 00:07:03,890 --> 00:07:06,720 in our place that we deserved to die! 165 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,390 And then He was raised from the dead, 166 00:07:09,390 --> 00:07:11,830 He was ascended to the Father, 167 00:07:11,830 --> 00:07:14,060 and He's glorified at the Father's right hand 168 00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:16,240 and from that place of glorification, 169 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:18,630 He has given gifts to His Church. 170 00:07:18,630 --> 00:07:22,170 Rather, He has given men as gifts to His Church! 171 00:07:22,170 --> 00:07:24,390 He gave apostles and prophets. 172 00:07:24,390 --> 00:07:26,060 Earlier in that letter it says 173 00:07:26,060 --> 00:07:28,420 the church is built upon the foundation 174 00:07:28,420 --> 00:07:31,480 of the apostles and New Testament prophets. 175 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:32,890 He gave evangelists. 176 00:07:32,890 --> 00:07:35,390 Christians disagree as to what an evangelist is. 177 00:07:35,390 --> 00:07:37,050 I would take it to mean those who 178 00:07:37,050 --> 00:07:39,140 take the gospel into virgin territory. 179 00:07:39,140 --> 00:07:41,670 But he gave pastor-teachers. 180 00:07:41,670 --> 00:07:44,150 And church at Laredo. 181 00:07:44,150 --> 00:07:46,669 The point for you is this: 182 00:07:46,669 --> 00:07:51,450 Jesus Christ, your ascended, glorified Lord, 183 00:07:51,450 --> 00:07:55,060 is giving you a gift today! 184 00:07:55,060 --> 00:07:57,440 It's a gift of His love! 185 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:01,330 It's a token of His grace and favor! 186 00:08:01,330 --> 00:08:02,940 Little flock in Laredo, 187 00:08:02,940 --> 00:08:05,010 Jesus has His eye on you. 188 00:08:05,010 --> 00:08:06,889 He has not forgotten you! 189 00:08:06,889 --> 00:08:08,450 He loves you 190 00:08:08,450 --> 00:08:10,170 and is giving you a gift. 191 00:08:10,170 --> 00:08:11,210 Someone has said: 192 00:08:11,210 --> 00:08:12,860 "Pastors are not needed 193 00:08:12,860 --> 00:08:14,570 for the being of the Church, 194 00:08:14,570 --> 00:08:15,919 but for its well-being." 195 00:08:15,919 --> 00:08:17,530 And I think that's true. 196 00:08:17,530 --> 00:08:18,590 Acts 14:23 says, 197 00:08:18,590 --> 00:08:20,770 "When they had appointed elders 198 00:08:20,770 --> 00:08:22,660 for them in every church..." 199 00:08:22,660 --> 00:08:25,840 The idea was they were already churches 200 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,940 before they had elders. 201 00:08:27,940 --> 00:08:30,740 Elders are not needed for the being of the church, 202 00:08:30,740 --> 00:08:32,328 but for its well-being. 203 00:08:32,328 --> 00:08:33,919 If the church is to flourish 204 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:36,658 and grow internally and spiritually, 205 00:08:36,658 --> 00:08:40,169 if it is to expand numerically and evangelistically, 206 00:08:40,169 --> 00:08:42,259 it needs shepherds. 207 00:08:42,259 --> 00:08:43,990 Jesus loves you. 208 00:08:43,990 --> 00:08:45,209 He has His eye on you. 209 00:08:45,209 --> 00:08:50,089 He is giving you a gift, today, of a pastor. 210 00:08:50,089 --> 00:08:53,069 Receive him as a gift 211 00:08:53,069 --> 00:08:55,299 of Christ's love for you. 212 00:08:55,299 --> 00:08:59,710 Thirdly, you are to respect him 213 00:08:59,710 --> 00:09:03,600 for the sake of his diligent labor among you. 214 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,639 And for that I turn you to 1 Thessalonians 5, 215 00:09:06,639 --> 00:09:08,539 just two verses. 216 00:09:08,539 --> 00:09:12,339 Either turn there or just listen. 217 00:09:12,339 --> 00:09:15,050 "But we request of you, brethren, 218 00:09:15,050 --> 00:09:16,050 that you appreciate those who 219 00:09:16,050 --> 00:09:18,670 diligently labor among you 220 00:09:18,670 --> 00:09:20,749 and have charge over you in the Lord 221 00:09:20,749 --> 00:09:22,529 and give you instruction..." 222 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:23,669 Now listen to this, 223 00:09:23,669 --> 00:09:26,679 "and that you esteem them very highly in love 224 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:28,800 because of their work." 225 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:30,460 Now let's unpack briefly, 226 00:09:30,460 --> 00:09:32,339 some of those words. 227 00:09:32,339 --> 00:09:35,939 The word "appreciate" is actually the word "to know", 228 00:09:35,939 --> 00:09:38,430 but it's understood in the Hebraistic sense 229 00:09:38,430 --> 00:09:41,430 of having regard for, cherishing, 230 00:09:41,430 --> 00:09:43,670 paying attention to. 231 00:09:43,670 --> 00:09:45,579 The word "esteem": 232 00:09:45,579 --> 00:09:48,579 consider, think, account, 233 00:09:48,579 --> 00:09:50,319 it means to have deliberate 234 00:09:50,319 --> 00:09:52,799 and careful judgment. 235 00:09:52,799 --> 00:09:54,809 "Esteem very highly." 236 00:09:54,809 --> 00:09:57,339 That's the word used in Ephesians 3:20 when it says: 237 00:09:57,339 --> 00:09:59,759 "God is able to do super abundantly 238 00:09:59,759 --> 00:10:02,079 beyond what we ask or think." 239 00:10:02,079 --> 00:10:06,050 You are to super abundantly esteem him, 240 00:10:06,050 --> 00:10:09,629 but for his work, his diligent labor. 241 00:10:09,629 --> 00:10:11,860 And that word "labor" means 242 00:10:11,860 --> 00:10:14,999 wearisome effort, intense labor, 243 00:10:14,999 --> 00:10:16,930 it actually comes from a verb that means 244 00:10:16,930 --> 00:10:19,980 to beat the breast in grief. 245 00:10:19,980 --> 00:10:23,309 He is to be a hard diligent worker, 246 00:10:23,309 --> 00:10:27,839 sometimes to weariness of body and soul. 247 00:10:27,839 --> 00:10:29,329 And he admonishes you, 248 00:10:29,329 --> 00:10:31,269 he puts in your mind truth 249 00:10:31,269 --> 00:10:33,169 that leads you back into the way. 250 00:10:33,169 --> 00:10:34,470 You put all this together 251 00:10:34,470 --> 00:10:36,249 and this is what you get: 252 00:10:36,249 --> 00:10:40,600 You are to know, pay attention to, 253 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,899 have regard for the laborious work 254 00:10:43,899 --> 00:10:46,899 that your pastor is doing among you. 255 00:10:46,899 --> 00:10:48,980 What does that mean practically? 256 00:10:48,980 --> 00:10:50,860 Take some time to think 257 00:10:50,860 --> 00:10:52,840 about the many hours he takes 258 00:10:52,850 --> 00:10:54,920 to study the Word of God, 259 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:56,319 in order to teach it 260 00:10:56,319 --> 00:10:58,439 and preach it and counsel it 261 00:10:58,439 --> 00:11:02,329 accurately and profitably for your soul. 262 00:11:02,329 --> 00:11:04,330 Give attention to the hours he spends 263 00:11:04,330 --> 00:11:06,370 in prayer over your souls. 264 00:11:06,370 --> 00:11:07,900 Men in the ministry are to give 265 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:09,740 more time to prayer like the apostles: 266 00:11:09,740 --> 00:11:11,440 "We will give ourselves to prayer 267 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:13,009 and the ministry of the Word." 268 00:11:13,009 --> 00:11:14,879 And he's gonna be laboring hours 269 00:11:14,879 --> 00:11:16,579 in prayer over you individually. 270 00:11:16,579 --> 00:11:18,179 And think about those hours 271 00:11:18,179 --> 00:11:20,509 he's spending in prayer for your needs, 272 00:11:20,509 --> 00:11:24,189 for your souls, for your struggles, 273 00:11:24,189 --> 00:11:27,269 for your hurts, for your sins. 274 00:11:27,269 --> 00:11:29,609 Take stock of the hours he will spend, 275 00:11:29,609 --> 00:11:30,800 and does spend, 276 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:33,420 sitting down with you as families; 277 00:11:33,420 --> 00:11:36,490 giving you a spiritual check-up. 278 00:11:36,490 --> 00:11:38,110 Checking up in how you're doing 279 00:11:38,110 --> 00:11:39,349 in your devotional life. 280 00:11:39,349 --> 00:11:42,030 How are things in the marriage? How is your family life? 281 00:11:42,030 --> 00:11:43,719 How are you training your children? 282 00:11:43,719 --> 00:11:45,129 How are you using your gifts 283 00:11:45,129 --> 00:11:46,769 for the edification of the church? 284 00:11:46,769 --> 00:11:48,730 How can you be a better witness 285 00:11:48,730 --> 00:11:51,730 to the lost ones around you? 286 00:11:51,730 --> 00:11:53,559 And consider also the many hours 287 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:57,309 that he spends counseling you one on one; 288 00:11:57,309 --> 00:12:01,060 listening patiently, and then seeking to give 289 00:12:01,060 --> 00:12:05,040 thoughtful, wise, and biblical advice. 290 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:06,610 Think of the times that you 291 00:12:06,610 --> 00:12:08,369 or a loved one has a crisis, 292 00:12:08,369 --> 00:12:11,389 and maybe lands in the hospital. 293 00:12:11,389 --> 00:12:14,199 Who is likely to be the first one 294 00:12:14,199 --> 00:12:16,379 at your bedside to pray, 295 00:12:16,379 --> 00:12:18,829 to comfort, to minister? 296 00:12:18,829 --> 00:12:22,399 It's likely going to be your pastor. 297 00:12:22,399 --> 00:12:24,389 And as you think about these things, 298 00:12:24,389 --> 00:12:26,929 God is saying to you as a church: 299 00:12:26,929 --> 00:12:30,589 "Super-highly esteem him 300 00:12:30,589 --> 00:12:32,689 for that diligent work 301 00:12:32,689 --> 00:12:35,009 that he is doing among you." 302 00:12:35,009 --> 00:12:38,970 And may I make a logical deduction from this? 303 00:12:38,970 --> 00:12:42,550 As you super-highly esteem him, 304 00:12:42,550 --> 00:12:47,009 will you look for ways to express that to him? 305 00:12:47,009 --> 00:12:48,959 I've been a pastor for a lot of years, 306 00:12:48,959 --> 00:12:51,399 and one of the things I've noticed over the years 307 00:12:51,399 --> 00:12:54,089 is people tend to appreciate their pastors, 308 00:12:54,089 --> 00:12:57,599 but rarely tell them. 309 00:12:57,599 --> 00:12:58,450 You ask a man: 310 00:12:58,450 --> 00:12:59,979 Do you appreciate your pastor? 311 00:12:59,979 --> 00:13:01,459 "Oh, our pastor is wonderful! 312 00:13:01,459 --> 00:13:03,730 He feeds us so well on the Word of God, 313 00:13:03,730 --> 00:13:07,579 He's such a patient, loving counselor to us!" 314 00:13:07,579 --> 00:13:10,350 Have you ever told him that? 315 00:13:10,350 --> 00:13:13,519 "Well, I think there was a time a few years ago. 316 00:13:13,519 --> 00:13:17,319 I might have mentioned something." 317 00:13:17,319 --> 00:13:20,319 You know men, it doesn't work in marriage 318 00:13:20,319 --> 00:13:22,759 to be like the proverbial guy who 319 00:13:22,759 --> 00:13:23,879 said to his wife, 320 00:13:23,879 --> 00:13:26,410 "Look, I told her I loved her when I married her, 321 00:13:26,410 --> 00:13:29,439 and if I change my mind, I'll let her know." 322 00:13:29,439 --> 00:13:31,860 Now that doesn't work in marriage, does it? 323 00:13:31,860 --> 00:13:33,320 You can hardly tell your wife 324 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,470 enough times in the day, "I love you!" 325 00:13:36,470 --> 00:13:39,559 Assuming it's sincere. 326 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:40,949 People of God, 327 00:13:40,949 --> 00:13:44,000 express your appreciation 328 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,100 for your pastor and his labor. 329 00:13:46,100 --> 00:13:48,679 "Oh, but I don't want him to get a big head!" 330 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:50,570 Let me tell you, God knows how 331 00:13:50,570 --> 00:13:53,410 to keep a man's head small. Okay? 332 00:13:53,410 --> 00:13:54,410 God knows wonderfully 333 00:13:54,410 --> 00:13:56,040 how to balance encouragement 334 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:57,269 with humbling. 335 00:13:57,269 --> 00:13:58,939 You leave that to God! 336 00:13:58,939 --> 00:14:00,829 And you just seek to encourage him, 337 00:14:00,829 --> 00:14:02,509 and there are many ways to do that. 338 00:14:02,509 --> 00:14:03,702 And church at Laredo, 339 00:14:03,702 --> 00:14:04,895 from what I know of you, 340 00:14:04,895 --> 00:14:06,209 I need to just commend you, 341 00:14:06,209 --> 00:14:07,859 because you have expressed 342 00:14:07,859 --> 00:14:10,709 your esteem and respect in so many ways. 343 00:14:10,709 --> 00:14:11,920 Material gifts, 344 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:14,920 household furnishings for his apartment, 345 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:19,020 money for books, books; 346 00:14:19,020 --> 00:14:20,680 you've already done much of that. 347 00:14:20,680 --> 00:14:21,949 You know the highest way 348 00:14:21,949 --> 00:14:23,980 that you can show respect for your pastor 349 00:14:23,980 --> 00:14:26,839 however is to allow the Word of God 350 00:14:26,839 --> 00:14:29,030 that he teaches, preaches, and counsels 351 00:14:29,030 --> 00:14:30,749 to take root in your life, 352 00:14:30,749 --> 00:14:32,259 and to let him see the fruit 353 00:14:32,259 --> 00:14:33,499 being born in your life 354 00:14:33,499 --> 00:14:35,230 from what he's laboring in. 355 00:14:35,230 --> 00:14:40,749 That's the greatest way to show him respect! 356 00:14:40,749 --> 00:14:42,769 Here's a fourth thing: 357 00:14:42,769 --> 00:14:45,649 Rejoice his heart by your obedience, 358 00:14:45,649 --> 00:14:48,279 and some of you know where I'm going with that. 359 00:14:48,279 --> 00:14:51,579 Hebrews 13:17 360 00:14:51,579 --> 00:14:56,029 Rejoice his heart by your obedience. 361 00:14:56,029 --> 00:14:57,660 The writer to the Hebrews says: 362 00:14:57,660 --> 00:15:00,459 "Obey your leaders, submit to them. 363 00:15:00,459 --> 00:15:02,659 they keep watch over your souls 364 00:15:02,659 --> 00:15:04,549 as those who will give an account. 365 00:15:04,549 --> 00:15:06,599 Let them do that with joy, 366 00:15:06,599 --> 00:15:08,149 and not with grief, 367 00:15:08,149 --> 00:15:11,769 for that would be unprofitable for you." 368 00:15:11,769 --> 00:15:13,999 We live in a moral universe, 369 00:15:13,999 --> 00:15:15,889 and God reigns over this universe, 370 00:15:15,889 --> 00:15:17,829 He is the absolute authority 371 00:15:17,829 --> 00:15:19,829 and King of this universe! 372 00:15:19,829 --> 00:15:21,489 By nature, we are in rebellion 373 00:15:21,489 --> 00:15:23,250 against His authority however. 374 00:15:23,250 --> 00:15:24,239 The Bible says, 375 00:15:24,239 --> 00:15:26,700 "we've all turned to our own way." 376 00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:28,729 But when we've become rightly related 377 00:15:28,729 --> 00:15:31,239 to God through faith in Jesus Christ, 378 00:15:31,239 --> 00:15:34,400 we become a submissive people. 379 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,730 Submission becomes a watch-word 380 00:15:36,730 --> 00:15:38,239 for the child of God. 381 00:15:38,239 --> 00:15:40,259 We submit ultimately to God, 382 00:15:40,259 --> 00:15:42,649 but one of the ways we show our submission to God 383 00:15:42,649 --> 00:15:44,839 is by submitting to the human authorities 384 00:15:44,839 --> 00:15:47,139 that God has put over us. 385 00:15:47,139 --> 00:15:49,509 Wives, be submissive to husbands. 386 00:15:49,509 --> 00:15:51,259 Children, obey parents. 387 00:15:51,259 --> 00:15:54,049 We are to obey the governing authorities. 388 00:15:54,049 --> 00:15:58,689 Employees are to obey employers. 389 00:15:58,689 --> 00:16:02,369 And God has called His redeemed people 390 00:16:02,369 --> 00:16:05,369 to put themselves into local assemblies, 391 00:16:05,369 --> 00:16:07,519 churches, where there are elders, 392 00:16:07,519 --> 00:16:08,989 pastors, overseers, 393 00:16:08,989 --> 00:16:12,369 who are over them in the Lord. 394 00:16:12,369 --> 00:16:16,910 And this text of Scripture calls us to obey them. 395 00:16:16,910 --> 00:16:20,309 Literally "to be persuaded" by them. 396 00:16:20,309 --> 00:16:22,209 And to submit to them, 397 00:16:22,209 --> 00:16:25,709 literally "to give way to, to yield" to them. 398 00:16:25,709 --> 00:16:31,600 And let me point to a two-fold responsibility that this gives us. 399 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,109 On the one hand, 400 00:16:33,109 --> 00:16:36,489 obey your leaders, submit to them... 401 00:16:36,489 --> 00:16:39,229 Brothers and sisters in the church of Laredo, 402 00:16:39,229 --> 00:16:43,679 when your pastor labors in the Word of God, 403 00:16:43,679 --> 00:16:47,090 to tell you what biblical words mean 404 00:16:47,090 --> 00:16:51,519 what biblical sentences mean, in context, 405 00:16:51,519 --> 00:16:56,449 near and far, consistent with systematic theology, 406 00:16:56,449 --> 00:16:59,670 the doctrine fitting in with the other doctrines of the Bible, 407 00:16:59,670 --> 00:17:01,550 consistent with biblical theology, 408 00:17:01,550 --> 00:17:03,160 consistent with the whole sweep 409 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:04,970 and totality of God's revelation; 410 00:17:04,970 --> 00:17:07,740 when he is getting out of God's Word 411 00:17:07,740 --> 00:17:10,060 what is pretty clear the Holy Spirit 412 00:17:10,060 --> 00:17:11,510 put into God's Word, 413 00:17:11,510 --> 00:17:14,080 and he's giving it to you accurately, 414 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,660 brothers and sisters, obey it! 415 00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:18,770 Do what it says! 416 00:17:18,770 --> 00:17:20,320 Believe what it says! 417 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:22,280 Think the way you're supposed to think! 418 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,020 In doing so, you won't so much be 419 00:17:24,020 --> 00:17:26,250 obeying a fallible man, 420 00:17:26,250 --> 00:17:28,300 but you'll be obeying God 421 00:17:28,300 --> 00:17:31,900 and that will be to the blessing of your soul! 422 00:17:31,900 --> 00:17:35,370 It will also bring him joy! 423 00:17:35,370 --> 00:17:38,050 Remember what the elder Apostle John said? 424 00:17:38,050 --> 00:17:40,670 "I have no greater joy than this, 425 00:17:40,670 --> 00:17:42,630 than to hear of my children 426 00:17:42,630 --> 00:17:44,550 walking in the truth." 427 00:17:44,550 --> 00:17:47,590 And a true shepherd has no greater joy 428 00:17:47,590 --> 00:17:50,040 than to hear of his spiritual children 429 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,030 walking in the truth. 430 00:17:53,030 --> 00:17:56,590 Rejoice his heart by obeying, 431 00:17:56,590 --> 00:17:59,590 not what he says, but what God says! 432 00:17:59,590 --> 00:18:01,640 And there will be a wonderful circle 433 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,630 of celebration and joy. 434 00:18:03,630 --> 00:18:06,290 You will be blessed for doing what God says, 435 00:18:06,290 --> 00:18:08,010 and he will have joy 436 00:18:08,010 --> 00:18:10,450 for seeing the people under his care 437 00:18:10,450 --> 00:18:11,930 walking in the truth. 438 00:18:11,930 --> 00:18:14,430 But I need to qualify that 439 00:18:14,430 --> 00:18:17,930 for the balance of truth. 440 00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:21,440 I had an old Amish bishop or minister once say to me: 441 00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:23,330 "For every mile of road, 442 00:18:23,330 --> 00:18:26,330 there's two miles of ditch." 443 00:18:26,330 --> 00:18:30,820 And I'm always concerned about balancing truth. 444 00:18:30,820 --> 00:18:32,460 The main duty people have got is: 445 00:18:32,460 --> 00:18:34,350 obey your leaders when they bring you 446 00:18:34,350 --> 00:18:35,690 the Word of God, 447 00:18:35,690 --> 00:18:39,460 but I need to say this for the balance of truth. 448 00:18:39,460 --> 00:18:44,690 All human authority is limited. 449 00:18:44,690 --> 00:18:48,860 All human authority has boundaries. 450 00:18:48,860 --> 00:18:51,860 Only God has absolute authority. 451 00:18:51,860 --> 00:18:54,130 And you are to obey your pastor, 452 00:18:54,130 --> 00:18:56,010 as long as he is bringing to you 453 00:18:56,010 --> 00:18:58,010 the Word of God. 454 00:18:58,010 --> 00:18:59,930 But when he goes outside of the bounds 455 00:18:59,930 --> 00:19:01,020 of the Word of God; 456 00:19:01,020 --> 00:19:04,560 when he misaligns himself with God and His Word, 457 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:06,290 may I say that you are to 458 00:19:06,290 --> 00:19:10,440 conscientiously and respectfully disobey. 459 00:19:10,440 --> 00:19:12,060 We see that in the Scriptures, 460 00:19:12,060 --> 00:19:14,210 when the Hebrew midwives were commanded 461 00:19:14,210 --> 00:19:15,360 to kill the Hebrew baby boys. 462 00:19:15,360 --> 00:19:18,100 Exodus 1:17 says, "They feared God 463 00:19:18,100 --> 00:19:19,950 and did not do as the king of Egypt 464 00:19:19,950 --> 00:19:21,490 had commanded them," 465 00:19:21,490 --> 00:19:22,630 but let the boys live. 466 00:19:22,630 --> 00:19:24,200 They defied the human authority 467 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:25,790 and God blessed them for it. 468 00:19:25,790 --> 00:19:28,070 In the New Testament, the apostles 469 00:19:28,070 --> 00:19:30,200 are told by Jesus, "Go and preach!" 470 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:32,190 The human authorities come and say, 471 00:19:32,190 --> 00:19:34,100 "Stop teaching in this name!" 472 00:19:34,100 --> 00:19:37,220 And they were put on the horns of a dilemma, weren't they? 473 00:19:37,220 --> 00:19:38,356 If you got two horses 474 00:19:38,356 --> 00:19:40,403 and they're going in opposite directions, 475 00:19:40,403 --> 00:19:42,630 you better jump on one, and let the other go. 476 00:19:42,630 --> 00:19:43,630 If the boat is moving, 477 00:19:43,630 --> 00:19:44,840 departing from the dock, 478 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:46,160 you can't stay on the dock 479 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,110 and jump on the ship at the same time. 480 00:19:48,110 --> 00:19:49,560 You gotta make a choice. 481 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,360 And they said, "Whether it is right 482 00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:53,100 in the sight of God to listen to you 483 00:19:53,100 --> 00:19:54,600 human authorities or to God, 484 00:19:54,600 --> 00:19:55,560 you be the judge. 485 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:57,170 We cannot stop speaking 486 00:19:57,170 --> 00:19:59,070 the things we've seen and heard." 487 00:19:59,070 --> 00:20:00,690 And a chapter later, they said: 488 00:20:00,690 --> 00:20:04,950 "We must obey God, rather than men." 489 00:20:04,950 --> 00:20:06,260 I have passion for this 490 00:20:06,260 --> 00:20:08,270 because for nearly eleven years, 491 00:20:08,270 --> 00:20:11,220 I have worked among one of the most legalistic groups 492 00:20:11,220 --> 00:20:12,830 claiming to be Christians 493 00:20:12,830 --> 00:20:14,170 anywhere on planet earth: 494 00:20:14,170 --> 00:20:15,620 the Old Order Amish. 495 00:20:15,620 --> 00:20:17,430 And I have seen what man-made rules 496 00:20:17,430 --> 00:20:19,060 and traditions do to 497 00:20:19,060 --> 00:20:21,460 sear the conscience of people 498 00:20:21,460 --> 00:20:24,060 and keep them from understanding the Gospel. 499 00:20:24,060 --> 00:20:26,430 And so I sound this as a balancing note. 500 00:20:26,430 --> 00:20:28,990 And friend, it's no small matter. 501 00:20:28,990 --> 00:20:31,310 It's a matter of Lordship. 502 00:20:31,310 --> 00:20:32,870 Who will be Lord? 503 00:20:32,870 --> 00:20:34,540 There's only one Person 504 00:20:34,540 --> 00:20:35,810 who has the right to be 505 00:20:35,810 --> 00:20:37,810 the Lord of your conscience, 506 00:20:37,810 --> 00:20:39,950 your soul, and your life. 507 00:20:39,950 --> 00:20:41,700 Romans 14:9 tells us: 508 00:20:41,700 --> 00:20:44,410 "For to this end, Christ died 509 00:20:44,410 --> 00:20:47,200 and lived again that He might be Lord 510 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:49,390 both of the dead and the living. 511 00:20:49,390 --> 00:20:51,460 But you, why do you judge your brother?" 512 00:20:51,460 --> 00:20:54,670 It's the context of Christian liberty of conscience 513 00:20:54,670 --> 00:20:57,180 where it's not a moral issue. 514 00:20:57,180 --> 00:20:59,140 Christian, don't judge one another. 515 00:20:59,140 --> 00:21:02,450 Let Christ be the Lord of your brother's conscience. 516 00:21:02,450 --> 00:21:05,910 You never want to sacrifice the Lordship of Christ 517 00:21:05,910 --> 00:21:07,660 over your conscience. 518 00:21:07,660 --> 00:21:10,010 Now, am I saying that because I think 519 00:21:10,010 --> 00:21:12,190 there's any realistic danger 520 00:21:12,190 --> 00:21:15,430 that my son, your pastor, will lord it over you? 521 00:21:15,430 --> 00:21:17,840 I don't have that concern in the least. 522 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:20,830 And as I know, the pastors represented here, 523 00:21:20,830 --> 00:21:23,390 they are not those who lord it over. 524 00:21:23,390 --> 00:21:26,150 They are humble servant-leaders. 525 00:21:26,150 --> 00:21:29,650 But some of you have been under abusive leadership. 526 00:21:29,650 --> 00:21:31,300 And you need to be warned. 527 00:21:31,300 --> 00:21:33,240 Human authority is to be obeyed, 528 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:37,430 only insofar as it obeys God and His Word. 529 00:21:37,430 --> 00:21:40,110 So, submit to your pastor. 530 00:21:40,110 --> 00:21:42,040 When he's bringing you the Word of God 531 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:44,880 publicly or privately, do what it says! 532 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,100 Submit, but make sure he's giving you 533 00:21:48,100 --> 00:21:51,550 the Word of God, not his own opinions 534 00:21:51,550 --> 00:21:53,790 because he has no warrant from heaven 535 00:21:53,790 --> 00:21:55,440 for giving you anything other than 536 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:58,260 what God says in His Word. 537 00:21:58,260 --> 00:22:05,450 Fifthly of six: Imitate him insofar as he imitates Christ! 538 00:22:05,450 --> 00:22:08,290 Now you notice they all start with "R" don't they? 539 00:22:08,290 --> 00:22:11,630 And if you like alliteration as I do, you can say: 540 00:22:11,630 --> 00:22:16,710 "Resemble him as he resembles Christ!" 541 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:21,490 In Hebrews 13:7, we are told: 542 00:22:21,490 --> 00:22:24,270 "Remember those who lead you, 543 00:22:24,270 --> 00:22:26,540 who spoke the Word of God to you 544 00:22:26,540 --> 00:22:28,990 and considering the result of their conduct, 545 00:22:28,990 --> 00:22:31,240 imitate their faith." 546 00:22:31,240 --> 00:22:34,320 I'm thankful that my son has practiced that. 547 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:36,430 He has learned a lot of faith 548 00:22:36,430 --> 00:22:38,550 at Grace Community Church in San Antonio, 549 00:22:38,550 --> 00:22:41,530 the kind of faith we've heard powerfully proclaimed. 550 00:22:41,530 --> 00:22:43,950 And he's walking in the path of that faith, 551 00:22:43,950 --> 00:22:46,090 and I'm grateful - grateful to God; 552 00:22:46,090 --> 00:22:49,120 grateful for the human instruments that He uses. 553 00:22:49,120 --> 00:22:53,390 Paul said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." 554 00:22:53,390 --> 00:22:55,590 And Paul said to Timothy, 555 00:22:55,590 --> 00:22:57,790 "Don't let them despise your youthfulness, 556 00:22:57,790 --> 00:22:59,720 but set the believers an example 557 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:04,020 in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." 558 00:23:04,020 --> 00:23:06,630 Examples are meant to be imitated. 559 00:23:06,630 --> 00:23:08,240 Now make no mistake about it, 560 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,930 Jesus is our exemplar. 561 00:23:10,930 --> 00:23:14,000 He is our example par excellence. 562 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,090 But Jesus has gone to Heaven, 563 00:23:16,090 --> 00:23:18,520 and Jesus has given us human role-models 564 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,510 that we are intended to imitate. 565 00:23:20,510 --> 00:23:22,520 That's one of the things pastors do. 566 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:23,520 Peter said, "Don't lord it over." 567 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:25,450 To elders, "Don't lord it over 568 00:23:25,450 --> 00:23:27,200 those committed to your charge, 569 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:29,430 but be examples to them." 570 00:23:29,430 --> 00:23:32,300 You see, the reason overseers 571 00:23:32,300 --> 00:23:34,050 in 1 Timothy 3 must be - 572 00:23:34,050 --> 00:23:36,610 and there's a little Greek participle of necessity - 573 00:23:36,610 --> 00:23:38,980 "An overseer must be (dot dot dot)!" 574 00:23:38,980 --> 00:23:41,990 The reason they must be those things is because 575 00:23:41,990 --> 00:23:44,810 all the people of God ought to be those things. 576 00:23:44,810 --> 00:23:46,500 We all ought to be above reproach. 577 00:23:46,500 --> 00:23:49,000 We all ought to manage our households well. 578 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,600 We all ought to be gentle and considerate 579 00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:53,400 and have our children under control 580 00:23:53,400 --> 00:23:54,630 with all dignity. 581 00:23:54,630 --> 00:23:56,880 We all ought to have good reputations. 582 00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:58,280 Pastors must be those things, 583 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,280 because all people ought to be those things. 584 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:03,620 Here's another reason to study your pastor, 585 00:24:03,620 --> 00:24:06,110 to know him, to consider him 586 00:24:06,110 --> 00:24:08,440 not only that you might esteem him, 587 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:11,440 but that you might imitate him 588 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:14,630 in so far as he is imitating Christ. 589 00:24:14,630 --> 00:24:17,700 And then finally, remunerate him 590 00:24:17,700 --> 00:24:20,030 according to his merit. 591 00:24:20,030 --> 00:24:21,900 Remunerate him - that means pay him - 592 00:24:21,900 --> 00:24:23,380 according to his merit. 593 00:24:23,380 --> 00:24:25,870 1 Timothy 5:17 says, 594 00:24:25,870 --> 00:24:28,300 "The elders that rule well are to be 595 00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:29,300 considered worthy of double honor, 596 00:24:29,300 --> 00:24:31,720 especially those who work hard 597 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:33,630 at preaching and teaching. 598 00:24:33,630 --> 00:24:35,980 For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle 599 00:24:35,980 --> 00:24:38,080 the ox while he is threshing' ." 600 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:41,480 Here's a biblical basis for paying pastors. 601 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:44,240 Now that doesn't mean that all pastors need to be paid. 602 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:47,070 You have some from San Antonio who are bi-vocational, 603 00:24:47,070 --> 00:24:48,740 they're not paid by the church. 604 00:24:48,740 --> 00:24:50,810 But the Bible says there are some men 605 00:24:50,810 --> 00:24:53,380 who work especially hard in preaching and teaching, 606 00:24:53,380 --> 00:24:56,080 who ought to be given double honor. 607 00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:58,130 In the context of that chapter, 608 00:24:58,130 --> 00:25:00,380 it means monetary pay. 609 00:25:00,380 --> 00:25:02,300 Widows were to be honored 610 00:25:02,300 --> 00:25:03,980 in the sense that they were 611 00:25:03,980 --> 00:25:05,880 to be put on the roles of the church. 612 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:07,810 They were to be financially supported. 613 00:25:07,810 --> 00:25:09,540 And the statement about the ox 614 00:25:09,540 --> 00:25:11,630 really seals it, doesn't it. 615 00:25:11,630 --> 00:25:13,100 Don't muzzle the poor beast, 616 00:25:13,100 --> 00:25:14,930 he's treading out the grain. 617 00:25:14,930 --> 00:25:17,420 Take the muzzle off, let him nibble on some grain. 618 00:25:17,420 --> 00:25:19,840 Well, God cares about animals. 619 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:22,670 The righteous man has regard for the life of the beast. 620 00:25:22,670 --> 00:25:24,040 But He cares far more about 621 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:26,780 those who labor in His spiritual vineyard. 622 00:25:26,780 --> 00:25:30,610 There's a place for paying pastors. 623 00:25:30,610 --> 00:25:31,910 So. 624 00:25:31,910 --> 00:25:35,150 And here again, church of Laredo, 625 00:25:35,150 --> 00:25:37,560 I commend you. 626 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:40,220 You have taken good care of your pastor so far, 627 00:25:40,220 --> 00:25:44,580 according to the means that God has given you. 628 00:25:44,580 --> 00:25:47,100 Beyond the salary you have given him, 629 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:50,060 you have given him household furnishings, 630 00:25:50,060 --> 00:25:52,440 money for books, books, 631 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:54,710 extra-monetary gifts, 632 00:25:54,710 --> 00:25:56,980 bonuses, loaning him a car 633 00:25:56,980 --> 00:26:00,680 when his car is in repair in the shop. 634 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,050 And here's something very creative. 635 00:26:03,050 --> 00:26:06,490 More than once, somebody at the church in Laredo has, 636 00:26:06,490 --> 00:26:07,570 at a social event, 637 00:26:07,570 --> 00:26:09,550 stolen his keys, 638 00:26:09,550 --> 00:26:11,840 taken his car out to the gas station, 639 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:13,790 filled it with gas, brought it back, 640 00:26:13,790 --> 00:26:15,670 put the keys back in the same place. 641 00:26:15,670 --> 00:26:17,270 Leaving him wondering: 642 00:26:17,270 --> 00:26:18,680 "I thought it was half empty. 643 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:20,540 How did it get filled?" 644 00:26:20,540 --> 00:26:23,410 Many have been the expressions of love 645 00:26:23,410 --> 00:26:26,780 that you have given to my son, your pastor. 646 00:26:26,780 --> 00:26:30,850 We as parents are deeply grateful for that, 647 00:26:30,850 --> 00:26:34,560 but above all, God is going to bless you for that. 648 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:35,880 Because in doing it - 649 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:39,260 since he is a gift of the glorified Christ to you - 650 00:26:39,260 --> 00:26:43,350 to do it for him, you're doing it for Christ. 651 00:26:43,350 --> 00:26:45,200 Have you noticed that Jesus 652 00:26:45,200 --> 00:26:47,540 takes very personally, first of all, 653 00:26:47,540 --> 00:26:50,900 the things done against His people. 654 00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:56,080 "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" [Acts 9:4] 655 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,130 He also takes very personally the things 656 00:26:58,130 --> 00:27:00,510 that are done for His people. 657 00:27:00,510 --> 00:27:04,410 "Insofar as you have done it to the least of these My brethren, 658 00:27:04,410 --> 00:27:06,750 you've done it unto Me." [Matthew 25:40] 659 00:27:06,750 --> 00:27:10,280 In taking care of your shepherd, your under-shepherd, 660 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:12,180 you're doing it for Christ. 661 00:27:12,180 --> 00:27:15,050 And the Lord Jesus will bless you for it. 662 00:27:15,050 --> 00:27:17,980 So, people of God in Laredo, 663 00:27:17,980 --> 00:27:21,710 but also in San Antonio, Corpus, Austin, 664 00:27:21,710 --> 00:27:23,830 or whatever church you represent, 665 00:27:23,830 --> 00:27:26,220 take these things to heart. 666 00:27:26,220 --> 00:27:28,730 Look to the Lord Jesus for the grace 667 00:27:28,730 --> 00:27:32,430 to carry out these privileges and responsibilities. 668 00:27:32,430 --> 00:27:34,740 Recognize the men among you 669 00:27:34,740 --> 00:27:37,740 who display the gifts and graces 670 00:27:37,740 --> 00:27:40,150 that fit them to be a pastor. 671 00:27:40,150 --> 00:27:44,860 Receive him as a loving gift of the glorified Christ. 672 00:27:44,860 --> 00:27:48,780 Respect him for the sake of his diligent labor among you. 673 00:27:48,780 --> 00:27:52,640 Rejoice his heart by obeying the truth 674 00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:55,180 that he brings to you, publicly and privately. 675 00:27:55,180 --> 00:27:57,940 Imitate, or resemble him, 676 00:27:57,940 --> 00:28:02,260 insofar as he imitates Christ. 677 00:28:02,260 --> 00:28:03,910 And take care of him materially, 678 00:28:03,910 --> 00:28:07,060 as he sows spiritually among you. 679 00:28:07,060 --> 00:28:08,920 Take care of his material needs. 680 00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:12,010 That is God's pattern. 681 00:28:12,010 --> 00:28:14,600 Well, may God richly bless you 682 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:17,230 with growth in grace internally, 683 00:28:17,230 --> 00:28:20,660 with additions of souls saved from the community, 684 00:28:20,660 --> 00:28:22,030 and may your loving, 685 00:28:22,030 --> 00:28:24,240 victorious Lord Jesus Christ, 686 00:28:24,240 --> 00:28:25,760 in the days ahead, 687 00:28:25,760 --> 00:28:28,430 give you additional elders - 688 00:28:28,430 --> 00:28:30,950 because plurality is His norm - 689 00:28:30,950 --> 00:28:34,057 and even deacons. Amen.