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Pastor Who? Pastor You!
Contributed by Joshua Hill on Jan 24, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: This is a short form of a sermon on the priesthood of all believers.
Pastor Who? Pastor You!
January 24, 2004
Statistics show us that there are more than 2 billion professing Christians in the world. This staggering number is double that of those practicing the Muslim faith. The number of Christians worldwide is even greater than the number of the rest of the world religions combined!1 If anything can be said, our faith has helped us to grow into a mighty nation. However, there never seems to be an adequate number of Christians serving in ministry. We have churches with no pastors. We have areas in the mission field in dire need of help to reach those who have never heard the name Jesus. We have churches with no deacons to serve the congregation’s needs. We have personnel and grounds committees with no leadership. So, if there are 2 billion Christians, where have all the ministers gone?
The scriptures tell us in James 2:26 that “faith without works is dead.” As Christians, we are supposed to strive to be more Christ-like. By doing so, we are not only commanded to change our way of thinking, but also how we live are lives. Much like Christ served among us, we should also serve in his name and have a constant desire to do so. In 1 Peter 2:9, we as Christians are referred to as a “royal priesthood.” Peter tells us that we as God’s “chosen people” are all priests. You heard me right. I’m a priest and so are you. We are priests in God’s own royal priesthood and God expects us to actively practice it.
I’m not saying that everyone should grab a bible and jump behind a pulpit, but I am saying that we ALL have a part in God’s ministry and we should all strive to seek what God wants us to do.
A church somewhere needs someone to cut the grass. Maybe you should become a gardener. An elderly person somewhere needs a helping hand. Maybe you should become a carpenter. Somewhere, a homeless person is hungry. Maybe you should become a chef. Someone in your hometown is searching for God. Maybe you should be their pastor (or priest).
By doing your part in God’s royal priesthood, he is not asking you to drop your life and become a man or woman of the cloth. All he is asking for is for you to do your part. It could be as simple as just helping out in your local congregation or volunteering your hometown. What matters is that you obey God and strive to be the best Pastor You.
Other Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 3:9
Ephesians 2:10
1 According to www.adherants.com