Series: Action [#76]
A LETTER OF CONCERN- THE PASTOR
1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Introduction:
I preached a similar Sermon from this Passage, 19 years ago. It is obvious that my treatment as Pastor has greatly improved. Last Sunday, Bel Aire honored me with a love offering and lunch; and Karen and I are very appreciative. It is interesting that today’s Sermon is about Pastors. It’s probably best, since you have already given Karen and I a love offering. I saw a survey about what a perfect Pastor looks like and I want to share it with you.
A perfect Pastor…
* Preaches exactly 12 minutes.
* Frequently condemns sin but never upsets anyone.
* Works from 8 a.m. until midnight.
* Makes $60 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives about $80 a week to the poor.
* Is 28 years old; but has preached for 30 years.
* Is gentle and handsome.
* Gives himself completely to the people; but never gets too close to anyone, so he won’t be criticized.
* Speaks boldly on social issues; but must never become politically involved.
* Has a burning desire to work with teenagers; but spends all of his time with senior citizens.
* He makes 15 daily calls to Church families, visits shut-ins and the hospitalized, spends all his time evangelizing the un-churched, and is always in his office when needed.
So what does the Bible say a Pastor should be doing? Let’s look at 4 descriptions of a pastor in our text this morning.
1 Corinthians 4:1
A Pastor should be a…
1. Servant of Christ.
The word “servant” in our text means “under rower.” An under rower was a galley slave who rowed a ship from the bottom tier of the ship. These were the “low lives” of the slave world. Their job was to move that ship forward for their captain.
The Pastor is to be an under rower for the Kingdom of God. He is to move the Church forward for the Captain of the ship. Who is the Captain? It is God. How does the Pastor know God’s direction? By listening to God speak to Him through Scripture and prayer. That means that the Pastor’s prayer time must be a priority. Statistics show that the average Pastor prays 5 minutes a day.
1 Corinthians 4:1-8
A Pastor should be a…
2. Steward.
It is interesting that Paul says that a Pastor is to be an under rower, which was a very insignificant slave; and then he turns right around and says that the Pastor is to be a steward, which was a very influential slave. A steward was a slave who was given the responsibility of managing the master’s house. Our text tells us that God has entrusted His Word to Pastors and that they need to be faithful in the management of that Word. This is not saying that God’s people are not supposed to study His Word on their own.
Now as a under rower for Christ and one who is entrusted with the Word of God comes much criticism; but Paul said, “I don’t care if you talk bad about me.” As a servant and steward for Christ, what people think doesn’t really matter. What matters is what God thinks.
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
A Pastor should be a…
3. Spectacle to the World.
The Pastor is on show to everyone around him. The Pastor is held to a higher standard by the world than other Christians. Is that fair? Of course not, but that is how it is. Notice that verses 12-13 tell us that Pastors are expected to handle problems and criticism like God would handle it, not like the world. Paul also wanted the Christians to understand that they were to live a godly life as well.
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
A Pastor should be a…
4. Spiritual father.
Paul tells the Corinthians that he looked at them as his spiritual children and he was their spiritual father. He wasn’t saying he was God; but he was saying he was going to lead them by example. He was also going to correct them through the Word. A Pastor should be regarded as a spiritual father. The Pastor should be concerned for the security, comfort, and growth of the congregation God has called him to.
Conclusion:
The moment I figured out that God called me to Pastor this Church and not to be popular, is the moment that God could use me. You are no different. When you stop worrying about what others think, or what others are doing; and start being concerned about what you are supposed to do for God, then God will begin to use you.
