Brethren, Pray For Us
I Peter 5:1-4
Acts 20:28-31
Ephesians 4:11-13
Purpose: To explain the responsibilities that pastors have.
Aim: I want the listener to select pastors wisely and pray diligently for them.
INTRODUCTION: I have a two fold purpose for reviewing what the Bible teaches about pastors. First, in a couple of weeks you will have an opportunity (if you are a member here) to select up to three more pastors for this church and you should know what you are asking them to do. Second, pastors really need your thoughtful and consistent prayers.
Pastors really appreciate it when you pray for them, but the way one bulletin announcement put it was probably not what most pastors have in mind. ✔ The Church Board has voted to pray for the Pastor’s speedy recovery. The vote was 5 to 4.[Johnson, D. (2000; 2004). Did You Read That?. Thomas Nelson Publishers.]
Pastors also need your encouragement, but not like an imaginary letter that was written to the Apostle Paul from the head of a mission board:
Rev. Saul Paul
Independent, Missionary
Corinth, Greece
Dear Mr. Paul:
We recently received an application from you for service under our Board.
It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to pass as a bonafide missionary.
We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye trouble. This is certain to be a real handicap to an effective ministry. Our Board requires 20–20 vision.
At Antioch you opposed Dr. Simon Peter, an esteemed denominational secretary and actually rebuked him openly and publicly. You stirred up so much trouble at Antioch that a special Board meeting had to be convened at Jerusalem. We cannot condone such actions.
Do you think it is fitting for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We hear that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the church at Philippi, you admitted that they are the only church supporting you. We wonder why.
Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren reported that you did two years time at Caesarea and were imprisoned at Rome.
You made such trouble for the businessmen at Ephesus that they refer to you as “the man who turned the world upside down.” Sensationalism in missions is uncalled for. We also deplore the shocking “over-the-wall-in-a-basket” episode at Damascus.
We are appalled at your obvious lack of tactful behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gate, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of the book by Dailus Carnagus, “How to Win Jews and Influence Greeks.”
You have caused much trouble wherever you have gone. You opposed the honorable women at Berea and the leaders of your own nation in Jerusalem. If a man cannot get along with his own people, how can he serve foreigners?
You admit that while serving time at Rome that “all forsook you.” Good men are not left friendless. Two fine brothers by the names of Demas, and Alexander the coppersmith have notarized affidavits to the effect that it is impossible for them to cooperate with either you or your program.
We know that you had a bitter quarrel with a fellow missionary, Barnabas. Harsh words do not further God’s work.
You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been a pastor. In one of these letters, you accused a church member of living with his father’s wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly; and the poor fellow was expelled.
You spend too much time talking about the “second coming of Christ.” Your letters to the people of Thessalonica are devoted almost entirely to this theme. Put first things first from now on.
Your ministry has been far too flighty to be successful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy, and now you are talking about a wild goose chase to Spain. You cannot win the whole by yourself. You are just one little Paul.
In a recent sermon you said, “God forbid that I should glory in anything save the cross of Christ.” It seems to us that you ought also to glory in our heritage, our denomination and our program, the unified budget, and the World Federation of Churches.
Your sermons are much too long at times. At one place, you talked until after midnight and a young man was so asleep that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first twenty minutes. “Stand up, speak up, and then shut up” is our advice.
Someone has reported that you are a thin, little man, bald, frequently sick, and always so agitated over your churches, that you don’t sleep very well. He reports that you trudge around the house praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night’s sleep will give you zest and zip, so that you wake up full of zing.
We find it best to send only married men into foreign service. We deplore your policy of persistent celibacy, Simon Magus has set up a matrimonial bureau at Samaria, where the names of some very fine widows are available.
It hurts me to tell you this, Brother Paul, but in all of my twenty-five years experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Mission Board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice.
Most sincerely yours,
J. Flavius Fluffyhead
Foreign Mission Board Secretary
[J. Harold Smith, “Your Good Neighbor,” November 1952. 10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
Seriously, though, pastors really do need encouragement. This is why there are several examples in the Bible when pastors asked for prayer. For example:
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. (NAU)
Colossians 4:3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; (NAU)
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; (NAU)
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for us. (NAU)
Praying for your pastors will not only help them, it will provide a rich benefit for you. As Gardiner Spring wrote in his Plea to Pray for Pastors some two hundred years ago:
If a people are looking for rich sermons from their minister, their prayers must supply him with the needed material; if they seek for faithful sermons, their prayers must urge him … If God’s people are going to expect powerful and successful sermons, their prayers must make him a blessing to the souls of men. Would they have him come to them in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace … ? If so, their prayers must urge him to pray.… It is in their own closets that the people of God most effectively challenge their beloved ministers to take heed to the ministry they have received from the Lord Jesus.… When the churches cease to pray for ministers, ministers will no longer be a blessing to the churches.[Gardiner Spring, A Plea to Pray for Pastors (reprint, Hoschton, Ga.: Shiloh Publications, 2000), 3–4, 7–8.]
Before we get into the specific duties of a pastor, we need to ask two very important, but general questions.
I. What Titles Are Given to Pastors in the Bible?
A. Shepherd
Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (NAU)
Doing the work of a shepherd is one of the most unskilled jobs a person can get. It doesn’t take a college degree to take care of sheep. They even train dogs to guard sheep. Caring for sheep may not be rocket science, but caring for God’s people takes integrity and self-sacrifice.
B. Elder
This title emphasizes the maturity of a pastor. Acts 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (NAU)
C. Overseer
✔ “Elder” is primarily a Jewish term, while “overseer” is primarily a Greek term.
The Greek word for OVERSEER is used six times in the NT and it means “to look after others.” In addition to I Peter 5:2 which we will look at in a minute we find this word in:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: (NAU)
1 Timothy 3:1-2 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, . . . (NAU)
Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, (NAU)
1 Peter 2:25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian [OVERSEER] of your souls. (NAU)
These three terms refer to the same position. 1 Peter 5:1-4 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight
Those whom God designates as leaders are called not to be governing monarchs but humble slaves, not slick celebrities but laboring servants. The man who leads God’s people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness.
Jesus Himself gave us the pattern when He stooped to wash His disciples’ feet, a task that was customarily done only by the lowest of slaves (John 13). If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has the right to think of himself as a bigwig.[MacArthur, J. (1998, c1991). The Master’s plan for the church (electronic ed.) (16). Chicago: Moody Press.]
II. Why Should We Have More Than One Pastor?
A. It is modeled in the New Testament
Just as the Bible does NOT tell us how many deacons a church should have, it also does not tell us how many pastors a church should have.
There is evidence that the churches in the first century had more than one pastor because the Bible regularly refers to elders in the plural.
Acts 14:21-23 21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, . . . they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (NAU)
In Acts chapter 15 “elders” is used in the plural in verse 2,4,6,22 & 23.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders [plural] of the church [singular] and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; (NAU)
1 Peter 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, . . . (NAU)
B. No one man has all the gifts a church needs
Some pastors are better at organizing the church, some are better at public teaching, some are better at casting a vision for the church. Men with different gifts and abilities can balance each other out, and better serve the congregation.
C. There is safety in numbers
Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. (NAU) No one man is going to make all of the pastoring decisions.
D. There is more protection against criticism
Pastoral decisions are made by a group of men instead of just one. If done properly, it helps those with disagreements to focus on the situation rather than on a personality.
E. Leadership becomes more stable
If one pastor leaves there are other pastors who can carry on the shepherding of the flock until a replacement can be found.
F. Members get more involved
When the pastoring is only being done by paid employees, the congregation tends to depend on those men to do all the equipping and shepherding. When lay people get involved it spurs others to get involved.
✔ The child of apathy is criticism. It is easy for a person to come to the point where he takes everything for granted and begins to criticize any imperfections he finds. Author Thomas Hardy said he had a friend who could go into any beautiful meadow and immediately find a manure pile. We shouldn’t have that kind of perspective. [MacArthur, J. (1998, c1991). The Master’s plan for the church (electronic ed.) (22). Chicago: Moody Press.]
Now let’s get more specific.
III. What Do Pastors Do?
1 Pet 5:1-4 A. Pastors humbly lead the church
Let’s look at the passage in first Peter again. 1 Peter 5:1-4 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (NAU)
Vs.1-2a 1. By giving guidance “shepherd the flock of God”
In verse 2a SHEPHERD is a command. This is the same command that Jesus gave to Peter in, John 21:16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” (NAU)
To SHEPHERD includes the idea of feeding, caring, leading, guiding, and protecting.
Vs.2b-4 2. By showing humble passion “with eagerness”
Here Peter is telling pastors HOW to shepherd: “exercising oversight”
Paul said that his life was like this: Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me . . . (NAU)
Jesus laid down this principle of church leadership in, Matthew 20:25-26 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, (NAU)
✔ Good pastors don’t drive the flock, they lead the flock.
False pastors do not really help people grow in their holiness. Ezekiel 34:4 Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. (NAU)
Acts 20:28-31 B. Pastors guard the church
Acts 20:28-31 28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (NAU)
Vs.28-30 1. By opposing false teachers “overseers, to shepherd the church”
There are times that Paul publicly named those who were hindering the Gospel.
2 Timothy 4:14-15 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. (NAU)
Galatians 1:7-8 7 . . . there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (NAU)
Vs.31 2. By helping believers intimately “admonish...with tears”
Paul dealt with believes on an intimate level. He didn’t just publicly teach general principles. He got closely involved in the lives of the Christians around him so he could apply biblical principles individually. Counseling other Christians is most effective when a pastor spends time with the people he’s trying to help.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (NAU)
Eph. 4:11-13 C. Pastors train the church
Ephesians 4:11-13 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (NAU)
Vs.11-12a 1. By teaching believers how to serve “equipping”
Pastors need to TRAIN believers in how to live for Christ, but they also need to SHOW believers how to live for Christ.
EQUIPPING is used for “mending” nets in Matthew 4:21.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore [for proper use] such a one in a spirit of gentleness; . . . (NAU)
2 Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (NAU)
Vs.12b-13 2. By pursuing unity in the faith “the unity of...a mature man”
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, [or “put yourselves in order”] be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (NAU)
Hebrews 13:20-21 20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NAU)
✔ What have we learned? ✔ A pastor’s job is to be a mature example (an elder) ✔ as he teaches and guides the flock (a pastor) ✔ and guards the direction of the believers in the church (an overseer).
Acts 20:17,28 From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (NAU)
CONCLUSION: Pray that God will raise up godly shepherds.
Spiritual leadership is not won by promotion, but by prayers and tears. It is attained by much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold, uncompromising, and uncomplaining embracing of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified.
This is a great price, but it must be unflinchingly paid by him who would be a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth and in hell.”[Samuel Logan Brengle, quoted in Spirit of Revival, Life Action Ministries, Vol. 28, No. 1, March, 1998, p. 40. 10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only thing, but it is the chief thing. The great people of earth are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time to pray. - S. D. Gordon [10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Dallas: Biblical Studies Press.]
✔ Let’s pray often for each other, so that Bethel Chapel would grow to glorify God greatly.
