OUTLINE:
The Transcendent Word
The Word of God is timeless and boundless. We, of particular circumstances, are able to relate to others regardless of when or where they live/lived. The Word unifies our hearts with our Lord's and others.
Transport Yourselves
As I teach these lessons, imagine yourselves being in one of the seats in India. Make yourself "present" and consider how each lesson was received by grace through faith. Consider the fellowship you would experience.
The Gospel
Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate, humbled Himself to die on our behalf. Thus He became the sinless sacrifice to pay the penalty of our guilt. He rose from the dead to declare with power that He is Lord over all, and He offers eternal life freely to sinners who will surrender to Him in humble, repentant faith.
“imitate their faith”
Christian pastors are to lead by example. The sheep of Jesus Christ are commanded to submit to their pastors and follow their example. This puts the pressure of actually being an example on the shoulders of the pastor. The responsibility of the pastor is great.
False Pastors
Unbelievers cannot be pastors, of course. Also, any believer that has not been given the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher by God is a false pastor. Men do not choose to be pastors, God chooses.
The Great Shepherd
Jesus Christ is our Great Shepherd. He is the One who ultimately leads His flock. Since He is now seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven, He has anointed individual undershepherds to carry on His work on earth.
All Authority
This means that any man who exercises authority/oversight over a congregation of sheep has been delegated that authority from the Great Shepherd, Himself, Jesus Christ. This also means that any exercise of authority must be consistent with the will of Jesus.
Jesus Christ Is the Word
The Holy Bible is the very mind of Christ, the Word of God, the Son Himself (Jn 1:14). We must treat the Word as we would treat Jesus Christ in the flesh, as the ultimate authority in our lives. Pastors derive all leadership authority from the Word.
Deu 4:2
You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Self-Appointed “Pastors”
These aren’t actually real pastors, only counterfeits. We do not assign spiritual gifts to ourselves; rather, we are appointed by God (1Co 12:4-11).
The Key To Shepherding
The key to becoming a pastor is simple. God chooses you. If He chooses you, He appoints you. If He appoints you, He provides you with all the necessary abilities, by grace, to perform your duties as unto the Lord. These duties will reflect the heart of Christ towards His own sheep.
“a hired hand”
This refers to a person who isn’t really a chosen undershepherd. The proof arises when they are put to the test. Since they desired pastorship for personal reasons, their convictions will fail eventually, leaving the sheep exposed.
“the unity of the faith”
Jesus Christ motivates His true undershepherds to guide all sheep to a life of unity. Believers are family, after all, members of one Body, the Church, the Bride of Christ. We are said to be “in Christ”, which means He is the very essence of our unity!
All Authority
This means that any man who exercises authority/oversight over a congregation of sheep has been delegated that authority from the Great Shepherd, Himself, Jesus Christ. This also means that any exercise of authority must be consistent with the will of Jesus.
All Pastors Are Servants of the Word
In order to serve honorably under the Great Shepherd, an undershepherd must serve the Word - he must both submit to its authority and teach from that authority, as the bedrock of his ministry. Above all, pastors must be humble servants.
So, You Think You’re a Pastor?
The greatest way to lead is to first learn how to follow. In fact, our great example, Jesus Christ, was subservient to His Father’s plan. If you think you may have the spiritual gift of pastor-teacher, then submit yourself to the Word. Commit yourself with the same fervency of those who have preceded you, starting with Jesus.
Pastors Are Unique
Not every pastor has the same type of ministry. Do not try to mimic another's ministry. While pastors can share and learn from each other, the pastor's calling, his sheep, his ministry will be unique to him.
Identifiable Fruit
Self-appointed pastors will reveal themselves by being unable to fulfill the requirements clearly stated in Holy Scripture (e.g. in the pastoral epistles). We are given very practical guidelines to discern true pastors (e.g. marriage, family, communal life, spiritual readiness, etc.).
1Ti 3:4-5
He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).
1Ti 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.