1 00:00:00,597 --> 00:00:03,196 Well, good evening to you all. 2 00:00:03,196 --> 00:00:08,848 It is a privilege to be with you all again. 3 00:00:08,848 --> 00:00:10,171 I just want to begin 4 00:00:10,171 --> 00:00:11,792 by going to the Lord in prayer 5 00:00:11,792 --> 00:00:14,186 and just asking Him for His grace 6 00:00:14,186 --> 00:00:17,032 over our time now as we come to the Word. 7 00:00:17,032 --> 00:00:18,335 I know we've prayed. 8 00:00:18,335 --> 00:00:20,269 I just want to ask that we pray again. 9 00:00:20,269 --> 00:00:26,870 So, let's pray. 10 00:00:26,870 --> 00:00:33,123 Father, it's in the name of Jesus that we come. 11 00:00:33,123 --> 00:00:35,495 Father, thank You. 12 00:00:35,495 --> 00:00:39,578 Thank You for saving us. 13 00:00:39,578 --> 00:00:42,528 God, I often wonder where we would be 14 00:00:42,528 --> 00:00:43,837 when we're gathered, 15 00:00:43,837 --> 00:00:47,623 had You not saved us. 16 00:00:47,623 --> 00:00:50,234 And here we are, Lord, 17 00:00:50,234 --> 00:00:54,634 gathered together to worship You, 18 00:00:54,634 --> 00:00:57,061 to open Your Word, 19 00:00:57,061 --> 00:00:59,127 to grow, 20 00:00:59,127 --> 00:01:03,460 to praise You, to be transformed. 21 00:01:03,460 --> 00:01:05,402 God, thank You for changing us 22 00:01:05,402 --> 00:01:09,027 that we desire these things; 23 00:01:09,027 --> 00:01:10,647 Lord, that people would take time 24 00:01:10,647 --> 00:01:13,961 out of their schedule to gather. 25 00:01:13,961 --> 00:01:18,059 Lord, we pray that You would grant 26 00:01:18,059 --> 00:01:20,586 much grace now. 27 00:01:20,586 --> 00:01:24,263 God, that this wouldn't be mere men speaking. 28 00:01:24,263 --> 00:01:25,809 It would be the Spirit coming 29 00:01:25,809 --> 00:01:27,754 and opening the Word to us. 30 00:01:27,754 --> 00:01:30,156 In my own heart, I pray, God, 31 00:01:30,156 --> 00:01:32,590 that You would work. 32 00:01:32,590 --> 00:01:34,116 Lord, help me. 33 00:01:34,116 --> 00:01:36,575 Teach me. 34 00:01:36,575 --> 00:01:38,179 God, and we do pray that this is 35 00:01:38,179 --> 00:01:39,979 more than just information, God. 36 00:01:39,979 --> 00:01:43,831 That it is a transforming work of the Holy Spirit. 37 00:01:43,831 --> 00:01:47,014 So help, as we sang a few moments ago, Lord, 38 00:01:47,014 --> 00:01:50,779 do speak to us now through Your Word. 39 00:01:50,779 --> 00:01:55,147 In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. 40 00:01:55,147 --> 00:01:56,699 If you'll open your Bibles 41 00:01:56,699 --> 00:02:01,095 to the book of Acts, chapter 14. 42 00:02:01,095 --> 00:02:03,544 We'll begin in chapter 14 43 00:02:03,544 --> 00:02:07,015 and then move over to Acts 20. 44 00:02:07,015 --> 00:02:09,457 But before we look at Acts 14, 45 00:02:09,457 --> 00:02:13,780 I just want to share a little bit to kind of set the stage 46 00:02:13,780 --> 00:02:16,612 of where we're going tonight if you will. 47 00:02:16,612 --> 00:02:19,528 I can tell you as a Christian and as a pastor 48 00:02:19,528 --> 00:02:22,794 that I have a great burden for the local church. 49 00:02:22,794 --> 00:02:26,669 And I'm sure all of you do sitting here as well. 50 00:02:26,669 --> 00:02:28,592 As we read through the New Testament, 51 00:02:28,592 --> 00:02:31,656 we see Scripture assumes something. 52 00:02:31,656 --> 00:02:34,765 The Scriptures assume that we as Christians 53 00:02:34,765 --> 00:02:38,069 are committed to a local body of believers. 54 00:02:38,069 --> 00:02:40,530 It assumes that you're in and committed 55 00:02:40,530 --> 00:02:42,998 to a local church. 56 00:02:42,998 --> 00:02:45,101 The notion that some people have - 57 00:02:45,101 --> 00:02:46,894 what may have been referred to as 58 00:02:46,894 --> 00:02:49,750 "lone ranger Christianity," 59 00:02:49,750 --> 00:02:51,446 where you have believers 60 00:02:51,446 --> 00:02:53,755 who are not committed to a local church 61 00:02:53,755 --> 00:02:57,296 is unheard of in Scripture. 62 00:02:57,296 --> 00:03:00,868 The local church is one of God's essential means 63 00:03:00,868 --> 00:03:03,974 of growth for Christians. 64 00:03:03,974 --> 00:03:05,969 Knowing this, beloved, it's important 65 00:03:05,969 --> 00:03:08,300 that we all understand what the Scriptures 66 00:03:08,300 --> 00:03:10,951 then have to say about our local church. 67 00:03:10,951 --> 00:03:13,180 And specifically, what does the Scripture 68 00:03:13,180 --> 00:03:16,386 have to teach us about our roles 69 00:03:16,386 --> 00:03:17,931 in our local church? 70 00:03:17,931 --> 00:03:20,723 Our responsibilities in our local church? 71 00:03:20,723 --> 00:03:23,713 And then how do we relate to one another 72 00:03:23,713 --> 00:03:26,971 in our local churches? 73 00:03:26,971 --> 00:03:29,879 I will tell you that I keep seeing 74 00:03:29,879 --> 00:03:33,055 an issue arising again and again. 75 00:03:33,055 --> 00:03:34,797 And that issue is this: 76 00:03:34,797 --> 00:03:38,751 it's Christians who know Scripture 77 00:03:38,751 --> 00:03:40,187 in the sense of theology. 78 00:03:40,187 --> 00:03:43,103 They have an understanding of theology and doctrine, 79 00:03:43,103 --> 00:03:45,293 but they really seem to have a struggle 80 00:03:45,293 --> 00:03:48,703 as it pertains to how they should function 81 00:03:48,703 --> 00:03:53,540 and what their role is in their local church. 82 00:03:53,540 --> 00:03:56,422 And that's what I want to preach on today. 83 00:03:56,422 --> 00:03:58,190 And tomorrow. 84 00:03:58,190 --> 00:04:00,406 How are we to behave 85 00:04:00,406 --> 00:04:04,879 in the household of God? 86 00:04:04,879 --> 00:04:07,380 I want to preach tonight specifically 87 00:04:07,380 --> 00:04:12,004 on pastors, elders. 88 00:04:12,004 --> 00:04:13,450 What is their role? 89 00:04:13,450 --> 00:04:17,632 What is their responsibility to the congregation? 90 00:04:17,632 --> 00:04:19,542 And then tomorrow, Lord willing, 91 00:04:19,542 --> 00:04:22,582 I'll preach on what is the congregation's role 92 00:04:22,582 --> 00:04:23,793 and responsibility 93 00:04:23,793 --> 00:04:26,705 and how do they relate to the pastor 94 00:04:26,705 --> 00:04:29,029 or the elders. 95 00:04:29,029 --> 00:04:33,219 My hope this evening is to bring a reminder 96 00:04:33,219 --> 00:04:35,908 and an exhortation to those of you in here 97 00:04:35,908 --> 00:04:38,717 who are pastors - myself being one. 98 00:04:38,717 --> 00:04:41,382 I want to remind us of what our role is, 99 00:04:41,382 --> 00:04:43,980 what our responsibility is. 100 00:04:43,980 --> 00:04:45,654 I also hope that if some of you 101 00:04:45,654 --> 00:04:47,239 I've talked to in the past maybe 102 00:04:47,239 --> 00:04:49,779 that are discerning a calling in your life 103 00:04:49,779 --> 00:04:52,528 maybe to a pastoral call - 104 00:04:52,528 --> 00:04:55,199 to be an elder in a church. 105 00:04:55,199 --> 00:04:57,596 And I want to help bring distinction and clarity 106 00:04:57,596 --> 00:05:00,504 to what that role and responsibility is. 107 00:05:00,504 --> 00:05:02,044 And then, finally, to all of us 108 00:05:02,044 --> 00:05:04,386 as members of local churches, 109 00:05:04,386 --> 00:05:06,375 I want to help us better understand 110 00:05:06,375 --> 00:05:09,371 what is the pastor's role and responsibility? 111 00:05:09,371 --> 00:05:11,130 And how should he relate to us? 112 00:05:11,130 --> 00:05:14,551 And then tomorrow after we see that role and responsibility, 113 00:05:14,551 --> 00:05:17,081 how should we relate to our pastors 114 00:05:17,081 --> 00:05:21,520 knowing their role and responsibility? 115 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,407 Beloved, the more we understand God's Word in these areas, 116 00:05:24,407 --> 00:05:26,067 the better we can function 117 00:05:26,067 --> 00:05:28,112 as God has intended us to 118 00:05:28,112 --> 00:05:32,954 and have healthy, biblical local churches. 119 00:05:32,954 --> 00:05:34,908 My overarching goal then is this: 120 00:05:34,908 --> 00:05:37,552 The glory of God in the local church. 121 00:05:37,552 --> 00:05:40,277 The glory of God in the local church. 122 00:05:40,277 --> 00:05:43,295 My co-pastor preached on these two subjects 123 00:05:43,295 --> 00:05:44,764 in our church. 124 00:05:44,764 --> 00:05:46,524 It's something that we are striving 125 00:05:46,524 --> 00:05:48,769 to regularly put before our people 126 00:05:48,769 --> 00:05:51,395 because you may have a knowledge of these things, 127 00:05:51,395 --> 00:05:53,493 but very often, having a knowledge of them 128 00:05:53,493 --> 00:05:55,535 is different than living in light of them 129 00:05:55,535 --> 00:05:57,760 as you function in your local churches. 130 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,255 So it's important that we keep putting these things 131 00:06:00,255 --> 00:06:03,290 before ourselves and before our people. 132 00:06:03,290 --> 00:06:06,889 I'm tackling a broad topic - no doubt. 133 00:06:06,889 --> 00:06:09,439 So, this will not be an exhaustive study. 134 00:06:09,439 --> 00:06:12,243 There will be some things that I do leave out. 135 00:06:12,243 --> 00:06:14,833 And I've prayed and studied numerous passages, 136 00:06:14,833 --> 00:06:17,974 but we'll be focusing in on one particular passage 137 00:06:17,974 --> 00:06:22,197 each hour together. 138 00:06:22,197 --> 00:06:24,389 Before we look at Acts 14, 139 00:06:24,389 --> 00:06:27,999 I'm going to read to you 1 Timothy 3. 140 00:06:27,999 --> 00:06:30,322 If you just want to write that reference down. 141 00:06:30,322 --> 00:06:34,446 1 Timothy 3:14-15. 142 00:06:34,446 --> 00:06:37,643 Listen to what Paul says to Timothy. 143 00:06:37,643 --> 00:06:40,161 "I hope to come to you, 144 00:06:40,161 --> 00:06:42,721 but I'm writing these things to you 145 00:06:42,721 --> 00:06:45,542 so that if I delay, 146 00:06:45,542 --> 00:06:49,162 you may know how one ought to behave 147 00:06:49,162 --> 00:06:51,324 in the household of God, 148 00:06:51,324 --> 00:06:54,223 which is the church of the living God, 149 00:06:54,223 --> 00:06:58,606 a pillar and buttress of truth." 150 00:06:58,606 --> 00:07:01,246 I wanted to read that to help you see this: 151 00:07:01,246 --> 00:07:04,971 Scripture speaks to how we are to behave 152 00:07:04,971 --> 00:07:08,755 in the household of God. 153 00:07:08,755 --> 00:07:10,567 It speaks a lot. 154 00:07:10,567 --> 00:07:13,486 And it speaks explicitly on how 155 00:07:13,486 --> 00:07:18,586 we are to behave in the household of God. 156 00:07:18,586 --> 00:07:21,221 Now let's look at Acts 14. 157 00:07:21,221 --> 00:07:22,667 A little bit of context here, 158 00:07:22,667 --> 00:07:25,060 we have Paul and Barnabas. 159 00:07:25,060 --> 00:07:28,651 And they're out preaching the Gospel to people 160 00:07:28,651 --> 00:07:31,365 and they want to fulfill the Great Commission. 161 00:07:31,365 --> 00:07:33,669 They want to make disciples. 162 00:07:33,669 --> 00:07:35,514 And Paul knew that if he's going to be 163 00:07:35,514 --> 00:07:37,982 faithful in the making of disciples, 164 00:07:37,982 --> 00:07:42,351 that there needs to be a healthy church there. 165 00:07:42,351 --> 00:07:46,337 Let's look at v. 21-23 here. 166 00:07:46,337 --> 00:07:49,602 "When they had preached the Gospel to that city 167 00:07:49,602 --> 00:07:51,361 and had made disciples, 168 00:07:51,361 --> 00:07:53,307 they returned to Lystra 169 00:07:53,307 --> 00:07:55,957 and to Iconium at Antioch, 170 00:07:55,957 --> 00:07:58,320 strengthening the souls of the disciples 171 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:01,679 and encouraging them to continue in the faith 172 00:08:01,679 --> 00:08:04,498 and saying that through many tribulations 173 00:08:04,498 --> 00:08:07,412 we must enter the kingdom of God." 174 00:08:07,412 --> 00:08:09,972 Note here v. 23 then. 175 00:08:09,972 --> 00:08:12,802 "And when they had appointed elders for them 176 00:08:12,802 --> 00:08:16,147 in every church with prayer and fasting, 177 00:08:16,147 --> 00:08:18,142 they committed them to the Lord 178 00:08:18,142 --> 00:08:21,515 in whom they had believed." 179 00:08:21,515 --> 00:08:25,947 You had Christians - 180 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:29,074 converts, born again, regenerate people - 181 00:08:29,074 --> 00:08:31,382 coming together and meeting. 182 00:08:31,382 --> 00:08:34,628 Paul wanted to strengthen them. 183 00:08:34,628 --> 00:08:37,412 And one of the things he felt he needed to have done 184 00:08:37,412 --> 00:08:42,417 was the appointing of elders in local churches. 185 00:08:42,417 --> 00:08:44,284 Why? 186 00:08:44,284 --> 00:08:47,953 Because Christians gathering together 187 00:08:47,953 --> 00:08:52,087 without oversight of pastors or elders 188 00:08:52,087 --> 00:08:56,467 is not in order. 189 00:08:56,467 --> 00:08:58,480 It's not in order. 190 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:02,546 I get that wording from Titus 1:5. 191 00:09:02,546 --> 00:09:04,380 Just listen to this. 192 00:09:04,380 --> 00:09:07,277 He says something very similar to Titus. 193 00:09:07,277 --> 00:09:09,734 "This is why I left you in Crete, 194 00:09:09,734 --> 00:09:12,865 so that you might put what remained in order 195 00:09:12,865 --> 00:09:15,622 and appoint elders in every town 196 00:09:15,622 --> 00:09:17,690 I directed to you." 197 00:09:17,690 --> 00:09:20,386 Paul looked at genuine, born again Christians 198 00:09:20,386 --> 00:09:25,181 coming together without the oversight of elders 199 00:09:25,181 --> 00:09:27,699 and said that's not in order. 200 00:09:27,699 --> 00:09:31,927 So he goes with Barnabas and they appoint elders. 201 00:09:31,927 --> 00:09:35,620 He writes to Timothy. He writes to Titus. 202 00:09:35,620 --> 00:09:38,197 Hey, I want you to go and appoint elders 203 00:09:38,197 --> 00:09:39,624 because why? 204 00:09:39,624 --> 00:09:41,551 Because without elders, 205 00:09:41,551 --> 00:09:46,976 things are not in order. 206 00:09:46,976 --> 00:09:50,674 Christians gathering together 207 00:09:50,674 --> 00:09:55,193 in an organic way may seem very romantic. 208 00:09:55,193 --> 00:09:58,148 It has a romanticism to it. 209 00:09:58,148 --> 00:10:00,555 Kind of this: hey, we're just getting together. 210 00:10:00,555 --> 00:10:03,845 We're just doing our own little thing here. 211 00:10:03,845 --> 00:10:06,049 But I want you to know according to Scripture, 212 00:10:06,049 --> 00:10:09,397 that's not in order. 213 00:10:09,397 --> 00:10:12,870 And God is concerned about that. 214 00:10:12,870 --> 00:10:17,056 Now, listen, beloved, I know some of you 215 00:10:17,056 --> 00:10:21,239 don't have biblical churches near you. 216 00:10:21,239 --> 00:10:23,339 And many of you are praying 217 00:10:23,339 --> 00:10:25,063 that God would do just that - 218 00:10:25,063 --> 00:10:28,749 that He would raise up elders 219 00:10:28,749 --> 00:10:31,182 in the local churches where you're at. 220 00:10:31,182 --> 00:10:33,173 And I just want to encourage you, 221 00:10:33,173 --> 00:10:34,544 keep praying. 222 00:10:34,544 --> 00:10:36,567 Remain steadfast in those prayers 223 00:10:36,567 --> 00:10:39,150 that God would raise up elders 224 00:10:39,150 --> 00:10:41,750 in the churches that you're at. 225 00:10:41,750 --> 00:10:44,380 Others of you, you just may need to move 226 00:10:44,380 --> 00:10:46,438 to be in a local church. 227 00:10:46,438 --> 00:10:48,689 If there's not a local church in your area, 228 00:10:48,689 --> 00:10:51,105 I can't think of a better reason to move 229 00:10:51,105 --> 00:10:53,534 than to be a part of a local church 230 00:10:53,534 --> 00:10:57,279 with biblical oversight through pastors. 231 00:10:57,279 --> 00:10:59,362 But just to be clear again, 232 00:10:59,362 --> 00:11:03,785 the notion of Christians gathering together 233 00:11:03,785 --> 00:11:07,820 unorganized, without the oversight of elders, 234 00:11:07,820 --> 00:11:12,206 to Paul says that's not right. 235 00:11:12,206 --> 00:11:14,236 Now we live in the providence of God. 236 00:11:14,236 --> 00:11:16,155 In other words, if we don't have elders, 237 00:11:16,155 --> 00:11:17,774 we don't say, well, we need them. 238 00:11:17,774 --> 00:11:19,550 Let's just throw men in there. 239 00:11:19,550 --> 00:11:21,399 We don't do that. This takes time. 240 00:11:21,399 --> 00:11:23,787 And we want to be patient upon the Lord. 241 00:11:23,787 --> 00:11:26,429 But we should be working towards this end 242 00:11:26,429 --> 00:11:29,698 and praying towards this end. 243 00:11:29,698 --> 00:11:31,694 I hope we can see, beloved, we need 244 00:11:31,694 --> 00:11:34,926 to be a part of local churches. 245 00:11:34,926 --> 00:11:39,432 We need to have elders. 246 00:11:39,432 --> 00:11:42,958 Let's turn now to Acts 20 247 00:11:42,958 --> 00:11:45,252 as we look at what is the role 248 00:11:45,252 --> 00:11:56,480 and responsibility of elders. 249 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:58,217 Let's start in v. 17 250 00:11:58,217 --> 00:11:59,884 and then we're going to focus in 251 00:11:59,884 --> 00:12:02,585 on v. 28-31. 252 00:12:02,585 --> 00:12:04,967 V. 17 tells us though, 253 00:12:04,967 --> 00:12:08,116 "Now Miletus, he sent to Ephesus, 254 00:12:08,116 --> 00:12:10,277 and called the elders of the church 255 00:12:10,277 --> 00:12:11,915 to come to him." 256 00:12:11,915 --> 00:12:14,325 So Paul says go get the elders 257 00:12:14,325 --> 00:12:15,708 and bring them here. 258 00:12:15,708 --> 00:12:17,169 He has a lot to say to them, 259 00:12:17,169 --> 00:12:20,430 but I'm going to zero in now on v. 28-31 260 00:12:20,430 --> 00:12:22,024 just because of our time. 261 00:12:22,024 --> 00:12:25,067 So if you'll read along with me there. 262 00:12:25,067 --> 00:12:28,171 To the elders Paul says, 263 00:12:28,171 --> 00:12:31,992 "Pay careful attention to yourselves 264 00:12:31,992 --> 00:12:34,139 and to all the flock 265 00:12:34,139 --> 00:12:37,885 in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers 266 00:12:37,885 --> 00:12:41,775 to care for (or shepherd) the church of God 267 00:12:41,775 --> 00:12:44,598 which He obtained with His own blood. 268 00:12:44,598 --> 00:12:46,537 I know that after my departure, 269 00:12:46,537 --> 00:12:49,710 fierce wolves will come in among you 270 00:12:49,710 --> 00:12:51,629 not sparing the flock, 271 00:12:51,629 --> 00:12:53,251 and from among your own selves 272 00:12:53,251 --> 00:12:56,621 will arise men speaking twisted things 273 00:12:56,621 --> 00:12:59,475 to draw away the disciples after them. 274 00:12:59,475 --> 00:13:01,118 Therefore, be alert, 275 00:13:01,118 --> 00:13:03,415 remembering that for three years, 276 00:13:03,415 --> 00:13:05,349 I did not cease night and day 277 00:13:05,349 --> 00:13:10,333 to admonish everyone with tears." 278 00:13:10,333 --> 00:13:12,650 Let me first note for you here this: 279 00:13:12,650 --> 00:13:17,818 Elders, overseers, and pastors 280 00:13:17,818 --> 00:13:21,683 are one and the same person or people. 281 00:13:21,683 --> 00:13:24,244 Elders, overseers, pastors 282 00:13:24,244 --> 00:13:26,590 are one and the same person. 283 00:13:26,590 --> 00:13:29,607 Look again, v. 17, to the elders. 284 00:13:29,607 --> 00:13:31,641 V. 28, "whom the Holy Spirit 285 00:13:31,641 --> 00:13:34,299 has made you overseers." 286 00:13:34,299 --> 00:13:37,911 To shepherd, care for, pastor. 287 00:13:37,911 --> 00:13:41,051 That's the verb form of the word "pastor" 288 00:13:41,051 --> 00:13:42,524 that we use there. 289 00:13:42,524 --> 00:13:44,343 And I want to point that out to you 290 00:13:44,343 --> 00:13:47,285 to understand elders are pastors. 291 00:13:47,285 --> 00:13:48,916 Pastors are overseers. 292 00:13:48,916 --> 00:13:50,844 Overseers are elders. 293 00:13:50,844 --> 00:13:53,919 It's describing the same office. 294 00:13:53,919 --> 00:13:55,751 That's important for us to note 295 00:13:55,751 --> 00:13:57,576 first and foremost. 296 00:13:57,576 --> 00:13:59,167 If you want to see that again 297 00:13:59,167 --> 00:14:00,439 for further study, 298 00:14:00,439 --> 00:14:02,724 you can look at 1 Peter 5 299 00:14:02,724 --> 00:14:04,679 where Peter exhorts the elders. 300 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,184 And again, he uses all three words 301 00:14:07,184 --> 00:14:09,182 that we use for the office of elder 302 00:14:09,182 --> 00:14:11,471 in one clear thought there. 303 00:14:11,471 --> 00:14:13,048 He writes to the elders 304 00:14:13,048 --> 00:14:14,459 about their oversight, 305 00:14:14,459 --> 00:14:17,695 and he calls them to pastor or shepherd the flock. 306 00:14:17,695 --> 00:14:20,628 Elders, overseers, pastors. 307 00:14:20,628 --> 00:14:24,905 Notice also too in v. 17 this: 308 00:14:24,905 --> 00:14:27,383 every place in Scripture where we see 309 00:14:27,383 --> 00:14:29,729 elders or pastors addressed, 310 00:14:29,729 --> 00:14:32,724 it's written in the plural form. 311 00:14:32,724 --> 00:14:34,224 Meaning what? 312 00:14:34,224 --> 00:14:38,364 That the Scriptures look to having a plurality - 313 00:14:38,364 --> 00:14:41,450 more than one elder in the church. 314 00:14:41,450 --> 00:14:42,818 More than one pastor. 315 00:14:42,818 --> 00:14:44,678 And again, I understand that we live 316 00:14:44,678 --> 00:14:46,134 in the providence of God. 317 00:14:46,134 --> 00:14:47,665 What do I mean by that? 318 00:14:47,665 --> 00:14:49,824 That God may have raised up a pastor, 319 00:14:49,824 --> 00:14:51,438 an elder in your church, 320 00:14:51,438 --> 00:14:53,024 or He's going to. 321 00:14:53,024 --> 00:14:55,380 And although, no, we don't have two yet 322 00:14:55,380 --> 00:14:57,732 which is what Scripture directs us towards, 323 00:14:57,732 --> 00:15:00,243 we should be working and praying towards 324 00:15:00,243 --> 00:15:03,922 the raising up of more men to become elders. 325 00:15:03,922 --> 00:15:07,100 A plurality of elders. 326 00:15:07,100 --> 00:15:09,674 We don't just say we've got one pastor. 327 00:15:09,674 --> 00:15:11,463 Let's find another one so we can be 328 00:15:11,463 --> 00:15:14,056 obedient to Scripture and have a plurality. 329 00:15:14,056 --> 00:15:16,095 These men need to be qualified 330 00:15:16,095 --> 00:15:18,004 according to Scripture. 331 00:15:18,004 --> 00:15:21,294 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1. 332 00:15:21,294 --> 00:15:23,105 So that qualifying, 333 00:15:23,105 --> 00:15:25,633 that discerning of calling 334 00:15:25,633 --> 00:15:27,538 and discerning of the gift of teaching, 335 00:15:27,538 --> 00:15:29,026 it takes time. 336 00:15:29,026 --> 00:15:30,795 And so we want to be patient, 337 00:15:30,795 --> 00:15:33,000 but we need to be working towards 338 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,089 a plurality of qualified elders, 339 00:15:37,089 --> 00:15:41,932 pastors, overseers. 340 00:15:41,932 --> 00:15:44,185 Notice this too. 341 00:15:44,185 --> 00:15:46,960 Within a plurality of elders, 342 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:50,166 they are co-equals. 343 00:15:50,166 --> 00:15:54,094 Elders and pastors are co-equals. 344 00:15:54,094 --> 00:15:58,287 It is true that they have unique giftings 345 00:15:58,287 --> 00:16:01,046 within the plurality. 346 00:16:01,046 --> 00:16:03,989 And so you might find in some scenarios 347 00:16:03,989 --> 00:16:07,349 where an individual pastor or elder 348 00:16:07,349 --> 00:16:10,494 is given to the preaching and teaching 349 00:16:10,494 --> 00:16:12,010 of the Word. 350 00:16:12,010 --> 00:16:13,989 We know the qualifications teach us 351 00:16:13,989 --> 00:16:17,599 that all elders must be able to teach. 352 00:16:17,599 --> 00:16:20,668 But Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 5:17, 353 00:16:20,668 --> 00:16:23,556 some of them may be given 354 00:16:23,556 --> 00:16:25,830 or set aside for the preaching and teaching 355 00:16:25,830 --> 00:16:27,025 of the Word. 356 00:16:27,025 --> 00:16:29,699 And so, these plurality of elders 357 00:16:29,699 --> 00:16:32,916 that are qualified according to Scripture, 358 00:16:32,916 --> 00:16:35,035 they collectively shepherd 359 00:16:35,035 --> 00:16:37,120 the flock of God together. 360 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:38,743 One of them may be given 361 00:16:38,743 --> 00:16:41,238 to the preaching and teaching of the Word. 362 00:16:41,238 --> 00:16:43,695 And we're going to get into that text tomorrow, 363 00:16:43,695 --> 00:16:45,555 so I'll leave that there for us. 364 00:16:45,555 --> 00:16:46,939 Now, let's look at this. 365 00:16:46,939 --> 00:16:49,143 What's the first admonition 366 00:16:49,143 --> 00:16:52,482 starting in v. 28 that Paul gives 367 00:16:52,482 --> 00:16:56,663 to these elders here in Ephesus? 368 00:16:56,663 --> 00:16:58,200 Look at v. 28. 369 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,000 The first admonition is this: 370 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:04,894 "Pay careful attention to yourselves." 371 00:17:04,894 --> 00:17:08,236 Pay careful attention to yourselves. 372 00:17:08,236 --> 00:17:11,906 Pastors, elders here - myself included - 373 00:17:11,906 --> 00:17:14,763 your number one responsibility 374 00:17:14,763 --> 00:17:19,633 is to guard and nurture your own soul. 375 00:17:19,633 --> 00:17:21,600 That is the most important thing. 376 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:24,262 You need to pay careful attention 377 00:17:24,262 --> 00:17:25,923 to yourselves. 378 00:17:25,923 --> 00:17:28,839 My heart breaks as I keep reading 379 00:17:28,839 --> 00:17:33,625 about pastors falling into grevious sin 380 00:17:33,625 --> 00:17:36,421 and disqualifying themselves. 381 00:17:36,421 --> 00:17:40,229 They need to be paying careful attention to themselves. 382 00:17:40,229 --> 00:17:43,847 We noted that elders must be qualified, 383 00:17:43,847 --> 00:17:45,778 but notice this when you look 384 00:17:45,778 --> 00:17:47,948 at the qualifications in Scripture, 385 00:17:47,948 --> 00:17:51,249 all of the qualifications are in the present tense. 386 00:17:51,249 --> 00:17:52,623 And what that means is 387 00:17:52,623 --> 00:17:54,164 they must be qualified, 388 00:17:54,164 --> 00:17:57,740 but they must remain qualified. 389 00:17:57,740 --> 00:17:59,236 How do they do that? 390 00:17:59,236 --> 00:18:04,059 By paying careful attention to themselves. 391 00:18:04,059 --> 00:18:06,598 As the proverbs tell us, 392 00:18:06,598 --> 00:18:09,802 "above all else, guard your heart." 393 00:18:09,802 --> 00:18:13,800 Pastors sitting here today, I want to warn you in something: 394 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,963 Don't get too busy 395 00:18:16,963 --> 00:18:20,482 where you stop looking after your own soul; 396 00:18:20,482 --> 00:18:22,676 where you stop paying careful attention 397 00:18:22,676 --> 00:18:25,635 to your own soul. 398 00:18:25,635 --> 00:18:27,517 Pastoring is a busy work. 399 00:18:27,517 --> 00:18:29,809 It is a hard work. 400 00:18:29,809 --> 00:18:32,397 But you must pay careful attention 401 00:18:32,397 --> 00:18:34,162 to yourself. 402 00:18:34,162 --> 00:18:36,510 We need to look no further than Jesus Christ 403 00:18:36,510 --> 00:18:37,880 as our example. 404 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:39,893 If you remember back in Mark 1, 405 00:18:39,893 --> 00:18:42,728 He's teaching in the synagogue. 406 00:18:42,728 --> 00:18:45,184 He begins to heal and He goes to Peter's home. 407 00:18:45,184 --> 00:18:48,105 It tells us that the whole city came to Him 408 00:18:48,105 --> 00:18:50,792 and He healed and cast out demons 409 00:18:50,792 --> 00:18:53,174 starting at sunset. 410 00:18:53,174 --> 00:18:55,461 Needless to say, this seemed to go on 411 00:18:55,461 --> 00:18:56,872 into the evening. 412 00:18:56,872 --> 00:18:59,812 But what do we read right after that? 413 00:18:59,812 --> 00:19:01,141 Very early in the morning, 414 00:19:01,141 --> 00:19:02,723 while it was still dark, 415 00:19:02,723 --> 00:19:05,463 He went away to a desolate place 416 00:19:05,463 --> 00:19:08,703 and He prayed. 417 00:19:08,703 --> 00:19:12,794 Pastors, don't get so busy with pastoral work 418 00:19:12,794 --> 00:19:14,902 that you stop guarding and nurturing 419 00:19:14,902 --> 00:19:18,373 your own soul. 420 00:19:18,373 --> 00:19:22,223 Pay careful attention to yourselves. 421 00:19:22,223 --> 00:19:26,121 Pastors are called to lead by example. 422 00:19:26,121 --> 00:19:29,220 Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4, 423 00:19:29,220 --> 00:19:32,675 set for the believers an example 424 00:19:32,675 --> 00:19:36,032 in speech, in conduct, in love, 425 00:19:36,032 --> 00:19:39,596 in faith, in purity. 426 00:19:39,596 --> 00:19:41,361 What is the first responsibility 427 00:19:41,361 --> 00:19:44,318 of all believers and pastors as well? 428 00:19:44,318 --> 00:19:47,047 To pay careful attention to your soul. 429 00:19:47,047 --> 00:19:49,809 To watch out your own soul. 430 00:19:49,809 --> 00:19:52,704 Saints, can I encourage you in something here? 431 00:19:52,704 --> 00:19:55,678 You pray for your pastor's soul. 432 00:19:55,678 --> 00:19:57,738 You pray that your pastor 433 00:19:57,738 --> 00:20:00,118 would pay careful attention 434 00:20:00,118 --> 00:20:05,347 to his own soul. 435 00:20:05,347 --> 00:20:09,081 You pray for his marriage that he would remain pure. 436 00:20:09,081 --> 00:20:11,677 You pray for his heart to be enflamed 437 00:20:11,677 --> 00:20:13,519 as he studies the Word 438 00:20:13,519 --> 00:20:17,638 and as he seeks God privately in prayer. 439 00:20:17,638 --> 00:20:19,504 Well, it goes on in v. 28. 440 00:20:19,504 --> 00:20:22,361 They're not only to pay careful attention to themselves, 441 00:20:22,361 --> 00:20:25,012 but they're to pay careful attention to what? 442 00:20:25,012 --> 00:20:28,203 To all the flock. 443 00:20:28,203 --> 00:20:29,804 To all of the flock. 444 00:20:29,804 --> 00:20:31,941 Pastors are to pay careful attention 445 00:20:31,941 --> 00:20:33,908 to all of the flock. 446 00:20:33,908 --> 00:20:38,031 Paul uses shepherd language here 447 00:20:38,031 --> 00:20:39,973 because that's what pastors are. 448 00:20:39,973 --> 00:20:41,494 They're shepherds. 449 00:20:41,494 --> 00:20:43,992 They look after the flock 450 00:20:43,992 --> 00:20:45,757 that the Holy Spirit has made them 451 00:20:45,757 --> 00:20:47,870 overseers of. 452 00:20:47,870 --> 00:20:48,947 Think of this. 453 00:20:48,947 --> 00:20:51,293 Who is that pastor responsible 454 00:20:51,293 --> 00:20:54,514 to pay careful attention to? 455 00:20:54,514 --> 00:20:57,416 This is another verse that clearly demonstrates 456 00:20:57,416 --> 00:20:59,862 the Bible assumes you are committed 457 00:20:59,862 --> 00:21:04,348 to a local assembly overseen by elders. 458 00:21:04,348 --> 00:21:07,370 If someone walks by today and I meet them on the street 459 00:21:07,370 --> 00:21:08,574 and they're a Christian, 460 00:21:08,574 --> 00:21:10,863 I don't go, well, I'm a pastor, I must oversee 461 00:21:10,863 --> 00:21:13,571 and pay careful attention to your soul. 462 00:21:13,571 --> 00:21:15,215 There are ones under my care 463 00:21:15,215 --> 00:21:18,413 that God has entrusted to me and my co-pastors. 464 00:21:18,413 --> 00:21:21,664 And so it assumes that you are in an assembly 465 00:21:21,664 --> 00:21:24,470 under the oversight of pastors 466 00:21:24,470 --> 00:21:30,140 who pay careful attention to your soul. 467 00:21:30,140 --> 00:21:34,372 Pastors, let me exhort you in this. 468 00:21:34,372 --> 00:21:37,834 Paying careful attention to the souls of sheep 469 00:21:37,834 --> 00:21:40,106 is not just a corporate thing done; 470 00:21:40,106 --> 00:21:42,516 it's an individual thing done. 471 00:21:42,516 --> 00:21:45,945 Just like you look after your own soul individually - 472 00:21:45,945 --> 00:21:48,036 you want to know, where am I at? 473 00:21:48,036 --> 00:21:50,314 You're looking also individually 474 00:21:50,314 --> 00:21:53,915 at the sheep entrusted to your care. 475 00:21:53,915 --> 00:21:56,847 Pastors have concerns over things like this: 476 00:21:56,847 --> 00:22:00,134 Are they truly saved? 477 00:22:00,134 --> 00:22:02,747 Are they genuinely converted? 478 00:22:02,747 --> 00:22:05,428 Are they savoring Jesus Christ 479 00:22:05,428 --> 00:22:07,857 above everything else? 480 00:22:07,857 --> 00:22:09,910 Are they growing in conformity 481 00:22:09,910 --> 00:22:11,156 to the image of Christ? 482 00:22:11,156 --> 00:22:16,573 Are they abounding in love? 483 00:22:16,573 --> 00:22:18,339 Pastors, we've got to know our sheep 484 00:22:18,339 --> 00:22:20,381 to know these things. 485 00:22:20,381 --> 00:22:23,147 So as we pay careful attention to our own soul, 486 00:22:23,147 --> 00:22:25,284 we do this proactively - 487 00:22:25,284 --> 00:22:27,455 not just reactively when we see 488 00:22:27,455 --> 00:22:29,589 one of the sheep begin to wander. 489 00:22:29,589 --> 00:22:31,542 Yes, we leave the 99 like Christ 490 00:22:31,542 --> 00:22:32,859 and go after the one, 491 00:22:32,859 --> 00:22:34,486 but we need to be proactive 492 00:22:34,486 --> 00:22:35,717 in our pastoring, 493 00:22:35,717 --> 00:22:37,976 praying for them and knowing them 494 00:22:37,976 --> 00:22:39,104 and tending to them, 495 00:22:39,104 --> 00:22:44,776 paying careful attention to their souls. 496 00:22:44,776 --> 00:22:47,690 How this is fleshed out in each church 497 00:22:47,690 --> 00:22:50,323 under the plurality of elders 498 00:22:50,323 --> 00:22:53,148 will look a little bit different in each church. 499 00:22:53,148 --> 00:22:54,875 But know this, you're called to pay 500 00:22:54,875 --> 00:23:00,510 careful attention to all of the flock. 501 00:23:00,510 --> 00:23:02,879 Next, we see what? 502 00:23:02,879 --> 00:23:05,078 V. 28 again, "Pay careful attention 503 00:23:05,078 --> 00:23:07,843 to yourselves and to all the flock, 504 00:23:07,843 --> 00:23:10,621 in which the Holy Spirit 505 00:23:10,621 --> 00:23:15,455 has made you overseers." 506 00:23:15,455 --> 00:23:22,860 It is the Holy Spirit that makes men pastors. 507 00:23:22,860 --> 00:23:26,902 There's no program that can make a man a pastor. 508 00:23:26,902 --> 00:23:30,046 There's no seminary that a man can be put through 509 00:23:30,046 --> 00:23:33,383 and out pops a pastor in the end. 510 00:23:33,383 --> 00:23:35,090 Those places are good. 511 00:23:35,090 --> 00:23:36,684 They have their place. 512 00:23:36,684 --> 00:23:38,756 They train men how to study the Bible, 513 00:23:38,756 --> 00:23:40,655 how to put together sermons, 514 00:23:40,655 --> 00:23:42,729 how to preach, how to organize, 515 00:23:42,729 --> 00:23:44,034 but know this for sure, 516 00:23:44,034 --> 00:23:46,433 it is the work of the Holy Spirit 517 00:23:46,433 --> 00:23:49,494 that men are made pastors. 518 00:23:49,494 --> 00:23:51,242 It's a work of God. 519 00:23:51,242 --> 00:23:52,771 They are gifted by the Spirit 520 00:23:52,771 --> 00:23:55,012 in the area of teaching 521 00:23:55,012 --> 00:23:58,339 and they are given a shepherd's heart, 522 00:23:58,339 --> 00:24:00,660 a love for the church. 523 00:24:00,660 --> 00:24:03,164 One of the things we always are looking for 524 00:24:03,164 --> 00:24:05,276 as we're seeking and praying for more elders 525 00:24:05,276 --> 00:24:06,751 to be raised up - 526 00:24:06,751 --> 00:24:09,253 not only their life and their character 527 00:24:09,253 --> 00:24:11,380 as it talks about in 1 Timothy 3; 528 00:24:11,380 --> 00:24:13,999 not only their gifting and their ability to teach - 529 00:24:13,999 --> 00:24:16,506 but do they have a burden and a love 530 00:24:16,506 --> 00:24:17,895 for the local church 531 00:24:17,895 --> 00:24:21,530 and the souls of the sheep in the local church? 532 00:24:21,530 --> 00:24:23,460 That is a defining mark 533 00:24:23,460 --> 00:24:26,446 of the Holy Spirit pulling someone in 534 00:24:26,446 --> 00:24:28,584 to become a pastor. 535 00:24:28,584 --> 00:24:30,947 And what do they do? What do they oversee? 536 00:24:30,947 --> 00:24:33,841 They oversee the affairs 537 00:24:33,841 --> 00:24:37,497 of the church and the sheep. 538 00:24:37,497 --> 00:24:40,986 You think of that word: they oversee it. 539 00:24:40,986 --> 00:24:43,589 Elders oversee. 540 00:24:43,589 --> 00:24:47,191 Peter gave a very similar admonition 541 00:24:47,191 --> 00:24:50,076 in 1 Peter 5:3. 542 00:24:50,076 --> 00:24:52,688 He says that they're not to be domineering 543 00:24:52,688 --> 00:24:56,718 over those "in your charge, 544 00:24:56,718 --> 00:25:00,050 but being examples." 545 00:25:00,050 --> 00:25:01,617 Beloved, listen to this. 546 00:25:01,617 --> 00:25:05,054 Pastors oversee. 547 00:25:05,054 --> 00:25:08,905 They are in charge of the affairs 548 00:25:08,905 --> 00:25:12,286 in the local church. 549 00:25:12,286 --> 00:25:15,451 Yes, they are to be servant leaders 550 00:25:15,451 --> 00:25:20,048 like Christ is a servant leader. 551 00:25:20,048 --> 00:25:24,068 They are to be humble as Christ was humble. 552 00:25:24,068 --> 00:25:28,344 But don't mistake this: 553 00:25:28,344 --> 00:25:32,027 They are to oversee. 554 00:25:32,027 --> 00:25:34,995 And you can't be passive 555 00:25:34,995 --> 00:25:37,001 when you're overseeing the affairs 556 00:25:37,001 --> 00:25:39,822 of the church and the sheep. 557 00:25:39,822 --> 00:25:42,376 Sometimes I think we get that confused. 558 00:25:42,376 --> 00:25:45,072 Aren't they supposed to be servants? 559 00:25:45,072 --> 00:25:47,246 Yes, they are to be servants. 560 00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:50,324 But know this, in the overseeing of the church, 561 00:25:50,324 --> 00:25:51,802 and as Peter says here, 562 00:25:51,802 --> 00:25:53,692 for those "in your charge," - 563 00:25:53,692 --> 00:25:55,685 they have charge over you. 564 00:25:55,685 --> 00:25:57,613 When you have charge over people, 565 00:25:57,613 --> 00:26:02,167 notice this, you have to make decisions. 566 00:26:02,167 --> 00:26:05,408 And Peter and Paul put that responsibility 567 00:26:05,408 --> 00:26:08,705 to the elders to make decisions, 568 00:26:08,705 --> 00:26:13,026 to have charge over these things. 569 00:26:13,026 --> 00:26:16,478 Passive people don't like to make decisions. 570 00:26:16,478 --> 00:26:17,858 And I want you to know this: 571 00:26:17,858 --> 00:26:20,767 pastorally, you are thrust into situations 572 00:26:20,767 --> 00:26:24,593 that are very difficult all the time. 573 00:26:24,593 --> 00:26:29,732 And pastors, you need to make decisions. 574 00:26:29,732 --> 00:26:32,432 Prayerfully, carefully. 575 00:26:32,432 --> 00:26:34,350 And you do get input 576 00:26:34,350 --> 00:26:36,587 and talk with the congregation, 577 00:26:36,587 --> 00:26:38,163 but at the end of the day, 578 00:26:38,163 --> 00:26:40,989 it is those that Peter says and Paul says 579 00:26:40,989 --> 00:26:42,937 are overseeing or in charge 580 00:26:42,937 --> 00:26:46,233 that do make these decisions. 581 00:26:46,233 --> 00:26:48,216 We'll talk about more of this tomorrow, 582 00:26:48,216 --> 00:26:50,112 but I want us to know this. 583 00:26:50,112 --> 00:26:52,822 When someone does make decisions, 584 00:26:52,822 --> 00:26:56,021 there are always people who don't like those decisions. 585 00:26:56,021 --> 00:26:58,401 There are always people who don't agree 586 00:26:58,401 --> 00:26:59,803 with those decisions. 587 00:26:59,803 --> 00:27:01,545 And that doesn't mean your pastors 588 00:27:01,545 --> 00:27:03,701 are not doing what they're supposed to do. 589 00:27:03,701 --> 00:27:08,690 They are to oversee the affairs of the church. 590 00:27:08,690 --> 00:27:10,763 Pastors, let me exhort you in this. 591 00:27:10,763 --> 00:27:12,100 Your job is not to please 592 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:15,015 everyone in the congregation. 593 00:27:15,015 --> 00:27:17,136 The job of the pastor is not to please 594 00:27:17,136 --> 00:27:19,281 everyone in the congregation. 595 00:27:19,281 --> 00:27:22,397 The job of the pastor is to look to the Word of God, 596 00:27:22,397 --> 00:27:23,955 pray for the grace of God, 597 00:27:23,955 --> 00:27:26,556 and make decisions for the edification of the church 598 00:27:26,556 --> 00:27:29,145 and the glory of God. 599 00:27:29,145 --> 00:27:32,548 And those are hard decisions to make sometimes. 600 00:27:32,548 --> 00:27:35,755 So elders are to pay careful attention to themselves. 601 00:27:35,755 --> 00:27:38,531 They're to pay careful attention to all the flock 602 00:27:38,531 --> 00:27:43,398 which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. 603 00:27:43,398 --> 00:27:46,163 They are to care for (v. 28) 604 00:27:46,163 --> 00:27:50,081 or shepherd the church. 605 00:27:50,081 --> 00:27:53,456 That word is the word we translate in Ephesians 4 as "pastor." 606 00:27:53,456 --> 00:27:56,280 The NASB renders it "shepherd." 607 00:27:56,280 --> 00:28:04,930 Overseers, shepherd - pastor the church. 608 00:28:04,930 --> 00:28:06,789 They must know the sheep. 609 00:28:06,789 --> 00:28:09,188 We saw that earlier. 610 00:28:09,188 --> 00:28:12,067 They must lead the sheep by example 611 00:28:12,067 --> 00:28:14,879 watching over their own souls. 612 00:28:14,879 --> 00:28:16,408 And they must feed the sheep 613 00:28:16,408 --> 00:28:21,258 or pastor or shepherd the sheep. 614 00:28:21,258 --> 00:28:24,235 What do we feed the sheep as pastors? 615 00:28:24,235 --> 00:28:28,433 We feed them the full counsel of God's Word. 616 00:28:28,433 --> 00:28:30,425 And yes, a lot of that comes 617 00:28:30,425 --> 00:28:32,719 through what we do right here - 618 00:28:32,719 --> 00:28:36,688 standing up and preaching the Word of God. 619 00:28:36,688 --> 00:28:38,983 But it goes beyond the pulpit. 620 00:28:38,983 --> 00:28:40,727 It goes into lives. 621 00:28:40,727 --> 00:28:43,769 It goes into conversations across tables with each other 622 00:28:43,769 --> 00:28:46,300 where we are caring and shepherding 623 00:28:46,300 --> 00:28:48,329 and sharing truth with each other 624 00:28:48,329 --> 00:28:50,620 face to face. 625 00:28:50,620 --> 00:28:52,806 Can I encourage all of us in something here 626 00:28:52,806 --> 00:28:54,692 that will really help pastors 627 00:28:54,692 --> 00:28:58,562 fulfill this call to shepherd the church? 628 00:28:58,562 --> 00:29:00,849 Deacons. 629 00:29:00,849 --> 00:29:03,427 Deacons are vital and essential 630 00:29:03,427 --> 00:29:07,270 to the local church functioning properly. 631 00:29:07,270 --> 00:29:10,492 What deacons do is they free the elders 632 00:29:10,492 --> 00:29:12,801 from that responsibility 633 00:29:12,801 --> 00:29:14,618 so that they can give themselves 634 00:29:14,618 --> 00:29:17,568 to the ministry of the Word and prayer. 635 00:29:17,568 --> 00:29:19,565 A deacon is a high calling. 636 00:29:19,565 --> 00:29:21,693 It's an important calling. 637 00:29:21,693 --> 00:29:23,812 And another thing that you should be praying 638 00:29:23,812 --> 00:29:25,974 for God to raise up in your local churches, 639 00:29:25,974 --> 00:29:28,561 because inevitably when there aren't deacons, 640 00:29:28,561 --> 00:29:31,460 those responsibilities fall to your elders, 641 00:29:31,460 --> 00:29:33,615 and what it does is it takes them away 642 00:29:33,615 --> 00:29:36,189 from the ministry of the Word and prayer. 643 00:29:36,189 --> 00:29:39,318 Pray that God would raise up qualified deacons 644 00:29:39,318 --> 00:29:41,468 for the church 645 00:29:41,468 --> 00:29:43,746 so the elders and pastors may be freed 646 00:29:43,746 --> 00:29:49,467 in their responsibility of preaching. 647 00:29:49,467 --> 00:29:52,718 Pastors know this: 648 00:29:52,718 --> 00:29:56,845 Shepherding a flock is a wearisome task. 649 00:29:56,845 --> 00:29:59,406 We could bring up any pastor in this room right now 650 00:29:59,406 --> 00:30:02,573 and he could share testimony after testimony 651 00:30:02,573 --> 00:30:04,765 of how wearying it is 652 00:30:04,765 --> 00:30:09,379 to faithfully and biblically shepherd the sheep. 653 00:30:09,379 --> 00:30:11,074 We look at these responsibilities 654 00:30:11,074 --> 00:30:12,470 and we often say to ourselves 655 00:30:12,470 --> 00:30:14,993 who is sufficient for these things? 656 00:30:14,993 --> 00:30:18,695 You find yourselves growing tired and weak and weary. 657 00:30:18,695 --> 00:30:24,140 Oftentimes, being tempted to have a pity party. 658 00:30:24,140 --> 00:30:25,622 But I want you to remember this 659 00:30:25,622 --> 00:30:28,701 what Paul says next. 660 00:30:28,701 --> 00:30:31,210 Paul says something very important. 661 00:30:31,210 --> 00:30:33,832 He says that the sheep were purchased 662 00:30:33,832 --> 00:30:38,044 with the blood of Jesus Christ. 663 00:30:38,044 --> 00:30:40,917 Pastors - and I'm speaking to myself here - 664 00:30:40,917 --> 00:30:42,904 this isn't really about us. 665 00:30:42,904 --> 00:30:45,326 This is about Him. 666 00:30:45,326 --> 00:30:48,387 This is a calling that we have, 667 00:30:48,387 --> 00:30:50,397 but these aren't our sheep ultimately. 668 00:30:50,397 --> 00:30:52,413 They've been entrusted to our care. 669 00:30:52,413 --> 00:30:54,098 They're His. 670 00:30:54,098 --> 00:30:58,094 And they were purchased with His blood. 671 00:30:58,094 --> 00:31:03,495 And because He is worthy, they are worthy. 672 00:31:03,495 --> 00:31:06,584 So don't look, pastors, within the congregation 673 00:31:06,584 --> 00:31:09,458 to find worth within them. 674 00:31:09,458 --> 00:31:12,191 Just like all of us at times, 675 00:31:12,191 --> 00:31:14,396 we're unkind. 676 00:31:14,396 --> 00:31:18,821 The notion of sheep is not a compliment in Scripture. 677 00:31:18,821 --> 00:31:21,856 It's hard at times. 678 00:31:21,856 --> 00:31:24,295 So, what do you do to motivate yourself? 679 00:31:24,295 --> 00:31:27,654 To get up again the next day and serve again? 680 00:31:27,654 --> 00:31:30,020 You remember that their value is tied 681 00:31:30,020 --> 00:31:32,388 to their union with Jesus Christ. 682 00:31:32,388 --> 00:31:35,750 They were purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ 683 00:31:35,750 --> 00:31:38,738 and there is nothing of more value on the earth 684 00:31:38,738 --> 00:31:40,438 than Jesus Christ. 685 00:31:40,438 --> 00:31:42,167 This is His church. 686 00:31:42,167 --> 00:31:46,412 1 Peter 5 tells us that there's one Chief Shepherd - 687 00:31:46,412 --> 00:31:48,058 the Lord Jesus Christ. 688 00:31:48,058 --> 00:31:50,637 And pastors are under-shepherds. 689 00:31:50,637 --> 00:31:52,633 And they've been entrusted with the care 690 00:31:52,633 --> 00:31:58,336 of His flock that was purchased with His blood. 691 00:31:58,336 --> 00:31:59,317 Remember this too: 692 00:31:59,317 --> 00:32:03,248 Jesus Christ identifies Himself with His church. 693 00:32:03,248 --> 00:32:05,446 He says what you do unto the least of these, 694 00:32:05,446 --> 00:32:08,052 you do unto Me. 695 00:32:08,052 --> 00:32:09,657 So pastors, know this, 696 00:32:09,657 --> 00:32:12,264 your love for Jesus Christ 697 00:32:12,264 --> 00:32:15,906 will be revealed in your love for the church. 698 00:32:15,906 --> 00:32:18,319 When you grow weary and tired, 699 00:32:18,319 --> 00:32:20,542 remember Christ. Remember His worth. 700 00:32:20,542 --> 00:32:26,496 Remember their worth in their union to Jesus Christ. 701 00:32:26,496 --> 00:32:30,216 May God help pastors remain faithful to the end 702 00:32:30,216 --> 00:32:34,103 in this calling that they have before them. 703 00:32:34,103 --> 00:32:35,671 Well, pastors here, we've seen 704 00:32:35,671 --> 00:32:38,117 are to know the sheep. 705 00:32:38,117 --> 00:32:40,063 They're to intimately know the sheep. 706 00:32:40,063 --> 00:32:42,476 They're to lead the sheep by example. 707 00:32:42,476 --> 00:32:45,766 They're to pastor or shepherd or feed the sheep 708 00:32:45,766 --> 00:32:47,371 the Word of God. 709 00:32:47,371 --> 00:32:49,489 And then, finally this, 710 00:32:49,489 --> 00:32:53,470 they are to protect the sheep. 711 00:32:53,470 --> 00:32:59,054 Look at v. 29. 712 00:32:59,054 --> 00:33:02,013 "I know that after my departure, 713 00:33:02,013 --> 00:33:05,671 fierce wolves will come in among you 714 00:33:05,671 --> 00:33:08,531 not sparing the flock, 715 00:33:08,531 --> 00:33:10,487 and from among your own selves 716 00:33:10,487 --> 00:33:13,715 will arise men speaking twisted things 717 00:33:13,715 --> 00:33:17,066 to draw away the disiples after them. 718 00:33:17,066 --> 00:33:19,395 Therefore, be alert, remembering 719 00:33:19,395 --> 00:33:21,925 that for three years, I did not cease 720 00:33:21,925 --> 00:33:24,280 night and day to admonish everyone 721 00:33:24,280 --> 00:33:27,518 with tears." 722 00:33:27,518 --> 00:33:29,797 In our church, we're working through 723 00:33:29,797 --> 00:33:31,559 the Gospel of John. 724 00:33:31,559 --> 00:33:32,808 You remember in chapter 10 725 00:33:32,808 --> 00:33:34,016 where Jesus says that, 726 00:33:34,016 --> 00:33:36,074 "I am the Good Shepherd, 727 00:33:36,074 --> 00:33:38,055 and the Good Shepherd lays down His life 728 00:33:38,055 --> 00:33:39,935 for the sheep." 729 00:33:39,935 --> 00:33:42,537 Pastors, I want to exhort you 730 00:33:42,537 --> 00:33:47,472 to lay down your life for the sheep. 731 00:33:47,472 --> 00:33:50,051 In John 10, when Jesus says that, 732 00:33:50,051 --> 00:33:52,462 He is contrasting Himself 733 00:33:52,462 --> 00:33:54,117 with the Pharisees. 734 00:33:54,117 --> 00:33:56,193 He calls them hirelings. 735 00:33:56,193 --> 00:33:58,337 He says that when the hirelings 736 00:33:58,337 --> 00:34:00,790 see the wolves come, 737 00:34:00,790 --> 00:34:02,308 they walk away, 738 00:34:02,308 --> 00:34:08,637 because they don't care for the sheep. 739 00:34:08,637 --> 00:34:12,610 Guarding the church against wolves 740 00:34:12,610 --> 00:34:16,468 is not fun. 741 00:34:16,468 --> 00:34:20,378 It's very hard. 742 00:34:20,378 --> 00:34:22,857 But we are to follow the example 743 00:34:22,857 --> 00:34:27,781 of Jesus Christ to lay down our lives; 744 00:34:27,781 --> 00:34:29,449 to lay down our comfort; 745 00:34:29,449 --> 00:34:34,599 to lay down our reputations, 746 00:34:34,599 --> 00:34:40,690 and defend the church from wolves. 747 00:34:40,690 --> 00:34:45,241 I was sharing with Mack and Tim earlier today, 748 00:34:45,241 --> 00:34:49,365 when I was thinking of the Lord's calling 749 00:34:49,365 --> 00:34:52,164 in pastoral ministry, 750 00:34:52,164 --> 00:34:54,193 I thought about the responsibility 751 00:34:54,193 --> 00:34:56,511 to protect the church. 752 00:34:56,511 --> 00:34:58,035 But I always had in my mind 753 00:34:58,035 --> 00:35:00,098 that this protecting of the church 754 00:35:00,098 --> 00:35:04,712 would be from outside coming in. 755 00:35:04,712 --> 00:35:06,679 I thought, yes, we'll protect against 756 00:35:06,679 --> 00:35:08,423 heresy from coming in. 757 00:35:08,423 --> 00:35:11,402 We'll protect against the cults from trying to break in. 758 00:35:11,402 --> 00:35:13,143 We'll be protecting the church 759 00:35:13,143 --> 00:35:16,128 from all that's trying to get into the church. 760 00:35:16,128 --> 00:35:17,854 But if you paid attention here 761 00:35:17,854 --> 00:35:21,320 to what Paul said here, 762 00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:26,677 he said, "fierce wolves will come in among you 763 00:35:26,677 --> 00:35:28,554 not sparing the flock 764 00:35:28,554 --> 00:35:31,950 and from your own selves will arise 765 00:35:31,950 --> 00:35:34,859 men speaking twisted things 766 00:35:34,859 --> 00:35:37,788 to draw disciples away after them. 767 00:35:37,788 --> 00:35:42,049 Therefore, be alert." 768 00:35:42,049 --> 00:35:45,478 Yes, pastors, we must equip our people 769 00:35:45,478 --> 00:35:48,376 and protect them from outside assaults 770 00:35:48,376 --> 00:35:51,385 of the enemy and untruth and heresy. 771 00:35:51,385 --> 00:35:54,519 But I would say even more pointedly 772 00:35:54,519 --> 00:35:57,127 you must protect the church 773 00:35:57,127 --> 00:36:01,846 from wolves within, 774 00:36:01,846 --> 00:36:04,374 infiltrating the assembly, 775 00:36:04,374 --> 00:36:06,828 teaching twisted things - 776 00:36:06,828 --> 00:36:13,521 sometimes outright heresy 777 00:36:13,521 --> 00:36:18,737 and sometimes by magnifying something else 778 00:36:18,737 --> 00:36:22,001 above Jesus Christ and the Gospel 779 00:36:22,001 --> 00:36:25,768 as the centrality of the church. 780 00:36:25,768 --> 00:36:28,837 Again, I think I could bring every pastor in this room up 781 00:36:28,837 --> 00:36:30,271 and they could give example, 782 00:36:30,271 --> 00:36:33,631 after example, after example 783 00:36:33,631 --> 00:36:38,284 of having to deal with this in the local church. 784 00:36:38,284 --> 00:36:39,950 I'll tell you that these wolves 785 00:36:39,950 --> 00:36:43,369 typically come into the church 786 00:36:43,369 --> 00:36:47,037 very passionate people, 787 00:36:47,037 --> 00:36:50,111 speaking a lot openly with seeming joy 788 00:36:50,111 --> 00:36:52,426 about the Word of God. 789 00:36:52,426 --> 00:36:54,709 They're often very vocal. 790 00:36:54,709 --> 00:36:57,038 And another characteristic of them 791 00:36:57,038 --> 00:37:00,530 is they're often very likable. 792 00:37:00,530 --> 00:37:02,711 And the reason why is they draw people 793 00:37:02,711 --> 00:37:05,210 unto themselves. 794 00:37:05,210 --> 00:37:07,226 But it's not too long before they begin 795 00:37:07,226 --> 00:37:13,800 to teach twisted things to the sheep. 796 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:15,234 And I want to exhort myself 797 00:37:15,234 --> 00:37:17,191 and all the pastors here: 798 00:37:17,191 --> 00:37:19,438 be on the alert. 799 00:37:19,438 --> 00:37:26,695 You guard the flock from within. 800 00:37:26,695 --> 00:37:30,470 Look at Paul's love for the church in v. 31. 801 00:37:30,470 --> 00:37:32,177 He says, "For three years, 802 00:37:32,177 --> 00:37:34,448 I did not cease night and day 803 00:37:34,448 --> 00:37:39,727 to admonish everyone with tears." 804 00:37:39,727 --> 00:37:42,180 You want to get a picture of what that looked like? 805 00:37:42,180 --> 00:37:44,593 Look back at v. 20. 806 00:37:44,593 --> 00:37:46,037 He says, "how I did not shrink 807 00:37:46,037 --> 00:37:48,556 from declaring to you anything that was profitable, 808 00:37:48,556 --> 00:37:53,330 teaching you in public and from house to house." 809 00:37:53,330 --> 00:37:57,051 It's beyond the puplit ministry. 810 00:37:57,051 --> 00:37:59,451 Admonishing with tears. 811 00:37:59,451 --> 00:38:01,634 It is often night and day. 812 00:38:01,634 --> 00:38:04,451 It is often repeated admonitions. 813 00:38:04,451 --> 00:38:07,444 But just as Christ, for the joy that was set before Him 814 00:38:07,444 --> 00:38:09,471 endured the cross, 815 00:38:09,471 --> 00:38:11,967 may pastors be faithful 816 00:38:11,967 --> 00:38:15,449 for the glory of God and the joy set before them 817 00:38:15,449 --> 00:38:17,981 to endure the cross. 818 00:38:17,981 --> 00:38:20,500 Beloved, our love for Jesus Christ 819 00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:25,537 is revealed in our love for the church. 820 00:38:25,537 --> 00:38:27,178 So here's the summary again 821 00:38:27,178 --> 00:38:29,305 of what we've seen so far. 822 00:38:29,305 --> 00:38:32,573 The pastor, the elder, the overseer 823 00:38:32,573 --> 00:38:34,418 is one office. 824 00:38:34,418 --> 00:38:37,486 It must be a biblically qualified person. 825 00:38:37,486 --> 00:38:39,871 They must remain qualified. 826 00:38:39,871 --> 00:38:41,648 There should be a working and praying 827 00:38:41,648 --> 00:38:43,850 towards a plurality of elders 828 00:38:43,850 --> 00:38:46,835 who collectively shepherd/pastor 829 00:38:46,835 --> 00:38:48,754 the church together. 830 00:38:48,754 --> 00:38:51,059 The elders must know the sheep. 831 00:38:51,059 --> 00:38:53,902 They must feed the sheep. They must lead the sheep. 832 00:38:53,902 --> 00:38:56,357 And they must protect the sheep. 833 00:38:56,357 --> 00:38:57,910 And we think about those things 834 00:38:57,910 --> 00:38:58,891 and we say again, 835 00:38:58,891 --> 00:39:01,467 who is sufficient for these things? 836 00:39:01,467 --> 00:39:03,480 But by the grace of God, 837 00:39:03,480 --> 00:39:06,213 He gives the grace for us to do these things. 838 00:39:06,213 --> 00:39:07,681 Only by the grace of God 839 00:39:07,681 --> 00:39:10,397 and the power of the Holy Spirit 840 00:39:10,397 --> 00:39:13,401 can these things be done. 841 00:39:13,401 --> 00:39:15,399 In closing, I want to take you to one more 842 00:39:15,399 --> 00:39:18,656 passage of Scripture that we'll be in again tomorrow. 843 00:39:18,656 --> 00:39:21,743 But I want to look at it from the pastoral perspective tonight. 844 00:39:21,743 --> 00:39:26,966 That's Hebrews 13 if you'll turn there. 845 00:39:26,966 --> 00:39:36,548 We'll end on this. 846 00:39:36,548 --> 00:39:39,998 If I had to choose one verse in the Bible 847 00:39:39,998 --> 00:39:42,014 to summarize the role of elders 848 00:39:42,014 --> 00:39:44,127 or pastors or overseers - 849 00:39:44,127 --> 00:39:48,703 one verse in the Bible - this would be the verse. 850 00:39:48,703 --> 00:39:51,912 It says, "obey your leaders 851 00:39:51,912 --> 00:39:53,456 and submit to them, 852 00:39:53,456 --> 00:39:58,021 for they keep watch over your souls 853 00:39:58,021 --> 00:40:00,933 as those who will have to give an account. 854 00:40:00,933 --> 00:40:02,811 And let them do this with joy 855 00:40:02,811 --> 00:40:06,087 and not with groaning, 856 00:40:06,087 --> 00:40:10,898 for that would be of no advantage to you." 857 00:40:10,898 --> 00:40:14,791 One summary statement for what pastors or elders are: 858 00:40:14,791 --> 00:40:17,159 They are soul watchers. 859 00:40:17,159 --> 00:40:22,653 They watch over the souls of the sheep. 860 00:40:22,653 --> 00:40:25,101 And then the closing, loving, 861 00:40:25,101 --> 00:40:29,685 reminding exhortation. 862 00:40:29,685 --> 00:40:32,846 "...As those who will give an account." 863 00:40:32,846 --> 00:40:36,351 Men, we will give an account for these. 864 00:40:36,351 --> 00:40:38,498 But we are not intermediaries. 865 00:40:38,498 --> 00:40:40,452 We don't stand in between 866 00:40:40,452 --> 00:40:43,320 the sheep and Jesus Christ. 867 00:40:43,320 --> 00:40:46,950 You all have intimate, personal relationships there. 868 00:40:46,950 --> 00:40:50,179 But God has entrusted to under-shepherds 869 00:40:50,179 --> 00:40:53,370 to watch over the souls of the sheep 870 00:40:53,370 --> 00:40:56,601 which He purchased with His own blood. 871 00:40:56,601 --> 00:40:59,091 And that keeps me up many nights 872 00:40:59,091 --> 00:41:02,614 thinking about that. 873 00:41:02,614 --> 00:41:05,956 This is the most serious calling in the world. 874 00:41:05,956 --> 00:41:11,135 And I pray that we as pastors, we heed this calling carefully. 875 00:41:11,135 --> 00:41:13,091 I pray you as saints, 876 00:41:13,091 --> 00:41:15,121 you see the high calling 877 00:41:15,121 --> 00:41:18,261 that has been put before your pastors. 878 00:41:18,261 --> 00:41:20,585 And tomorrow when we come back, 879 00:41:20,585 --> 00:41:23,054 now that you understand that pastor's role 880 00:41:23,054 --> 00:41:26,167 is to oversee and shepherd the flock, 881 00:41:26,167 --> 00:41:28,207 I'm going to help you understand then, 882 00:41:28,207 --> 00:41:30,044 well, how do I relate to them? 883 00:41:30,044 --> 00:41:34,566 And what is my responsibility back to them? 884 00:41:34,566 --> 00:41:37,219 So, let's close in prayer 885 00:41:37,219 --> 00:41:40,863 and pray that God would raise up 886 00:41:40,863 --> 00:41:45,501 biblically qualified pastors 887 00:41:45,501 --> 00:41:51,668 and that we would be faithful to our calling. 888 00:41:51,668 --> 00:41:57,654 Heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of Jesus. 889 00:41:57,654 --> 00:42:00,811 Father, it's maybe impossible to grasp 890 00:42:00,811 --> 00:42:05,386 the full extent of the value of the church 891 00:42:05,386 --> 00:42:09,623 purchased with the blood of Christ. 892 00:42:09,623 --> 00:42:12,765 But Lord, I pray that You would do 893 00:42:12,765 --> 00:42:14,397 what we have been speaking of - 894 00:42:14,397 --> 00:42:19,447 You would raise up biblically qualified men 895 00:42:19,447 --> 00:42:22,156 who are servant leaders, 896 00:42:22,156 --> 00:42:26,618 but who heed the call to oversee, 897 00:42:26,618 --> 00:42:30,819 to shepherd, to pastor this flock 898 00:42:30,819 --> 00:42:33,304 that Christ has purchased. 899 00:42:33,304 --> 00:42:35,317 God, that You help the men in this room 900 00:42:35,317 --> 00:42:37,052 who are considering that calling, 901 00:42:37,052 --> 00:42:39,011 that they would take it seriously. 902 00:42:39,011 --> 00:42:41,021 That You'd give wisdom to the churches 903 00:42:41,021 --> 00:42:42,813 as they discern these matters 904 00:42:42,813 --> 00:42:44,778 and wisdom to the elders 905 00:42:44,778 --> 00:42:47,244 in the raising up of other elders. 906 00:42:47,244 --> 00:42:50,017 And that God, You'd help us as pastors 907 00:42:50,017 --> 00:42:52,357 to be faithful to this calling 908 00:42:52,357 --> 00:42:55,619 of which we will give an account. 909 00:42:55,619 --> 00:42:57,740 Help us, O God. 910 00:42:57,740 --> 00:43:00,882 Help us in these things to grow in the understanding. 911 00:43:00,882 --> 00:43:02,759 Grant us the grace of Your Spirit 912 00:43:02,759 --> 00:43:05,040 to be faithful to the end, 913 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:06,246 for the glory of Christ 914 00:43:06,246 --> 00:43:09,200 and the edification of the body, we pray and ask these things, 915 00:43:09,200 --> 00:43:11,205 in the name of Jesus, Amen.