Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #13
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
The Pastor’s Perspective
The minister must realize that his most precious resource is his people. People come with all sorts of issues and idiosyncrasies. The pews will be filled with various personalities and multiple problems. The people perspective has been the downfall of many a man of God. A man of God may possess all sorts of abilities; but if he does not have the ability to lead and love people he will foolishly fail.
 

1. Love the People.
   If a man of God can love his people, success may be in the future. In loving his people; he can cover up many of his flaws. Let love have its free course in your life in developing your people.

 

1. Listen to the People.
   The man of God can greatly win the hearts of his people by lending them a willing and listening ear. I have known many ministers become great pastors by simply listening. The sympathetic ears of Gods man can sooth the hurting hearts of the flock.

 

1. Liberate the People.
   The man of God must not try to carry the load himself. The successful minister fully realizes that his people are competent and worthy of helping to carry the load. The gifts of his flock must be identified and utilized.

 

1. Labor with the People.
   The greatest asset the man of God will ever utilize is his willingness to labor with his flock. The work of a man will magnify the words of a man and mobilize his people to rally around his desires.

 

1. Locate the People.
   It has been the failure of many ministers in not knowing his people. A good minister will understand his people, their nature and their needs.

 

1. Lead the People.
   "The minister that desires success must realize that leadership is not effective that is not earned." The man of God can lead if he earns his leadership.

 
The man of God must protect his leadership as if it were gold. The day a man loses his ability to lead; that man’s days are numbered. The minister must avoid the allurement of sin. Nothing will bring a minister as quickly as his known association with sin.

1. Guard his Family.
2. Guard his Flesh.
3. Guard his Finances.
4. Guard his Future.

It is the wise minister that faithfully guards himself against the pitfalls that will rob and ruin him. The enemy often lies in wait for the opportunity to trip and trip Gods men. In understanding this truth, we should be aware and alert at all times.
 
10 Concerns for the Pastor’s Family:

1. Do not become overbearing on them.
2. Do not allow family to become the enemy.
3. Do not overlook the needs of your family.
4. The minister's family is not perfect, and he should not expect them to be.
5. The man of God needs to say yes to his kids as much as possible, the time will come when he must say no. The times of saying yes will ease the pains of no.
6. The wise minister will leave his issues and fires at the office. The more you share with your spouse, the greater her burden.
7. The minister's home should be a refuge, not a place to rehash the issues.
8. The pastor’s children did not ask to be the pastor’s kids! A good shepherd leads his sheep; he certainly does not drive them. The man of God must love his kids, listen to his kids; then he can lead his kids!

1. The Lord called you; he did not call your wife!
   The minister's wife must be allowed to say no, she does not always have to go.
2. Take some time away, unhitch the wagon and go out and have some fun with the family.

 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #12
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
PRESSURES OF THE PASTOR
 
The man of God will face many obstacles as he leads the flock of God. He will need the people to pray that his courage will remain in the midst of the obstacles. The streams that we cross are not always smoothly flowing; but often they are raging and overflowing the banks. In facing obstacles the man of God must have courage.
 

1. The Storms of Life.
   It has been well stated that a person is either, "in a storm, has just came out of a storm; or will be heading into a storm." Life is full of storms and the man of God must have courage to stay in the ship as the storm rages. In the storms of life must not make any decisions that could harm him once the storms have passed; it will pass. The man of God must stay his hand until the storm moves beyond his territory. The man of God must settle his heart in the midst of this treacherous time. In the midst of this grievous storm God's man must secure his hope that God will take him through the storm.

 

1. The Sorrows of Life.
   The man of God will face many sorrows as he goes from day to day. In Acts chapter 9 the Lord informed his newest Plowman that his path would be filled with many sorrows. The man of God did not choose the path of sorrows, but God foresaw these sorrows. The sorrows that faced the apostle would be used to utilize the testimony of Paul. The testimony of Paul was magnified by his path of suffering. In sorrows the apostle must maintain his courage and continue serving his Lord.

 

1. The Struggles of Life.
   If the minister could see the future and realize the coming struggles that will pop up in his path; he would possibly renounce his calling. The truth of the matter is that these coming struggles will prove to be valuable occasions. The caterpillar will never evolve into a butterfly without that harsh struggle within the cocoon. The struggles of life can break the man of God that faces them without courage. The struggles of life can make the man that allows Godly courage to swell up within his soul.

 

1. The Silences of Life.
   The time will come when the voice of God is hard to discern. The quietness will become so loud that it pains the ear that has to hear it. In these painful times the man of God must cling to his inner courage. In these times he must stand firm in a courageous spirit. The man of God must not flee, nor should he fold his tent up and quit. The voice of God may be silent; but he has not abandoned any of his precious servants.

 
10 Helps to Relieve the Pressures from the Pastor:

1. What you did not finish today will remain until tomorrow. The world functioned well before your arrival and it will function upon your departure.
2. Goals are great to achieve; but you are not a failure if they go unmet.
3. God's success system is not the same as man's success system. The measuring stick of man is temporal; but the measuring stick of God is eternal.
4. Even Moses had to have a Jethro in his life. The man of God must allow the help of others.
5. Keep the main thing as the main thing!
6. Do not carry around a load that someone else can carry.
7. Practice saying "NO".
8. It only takes one to have a pity party.
9. God has always brought you "through" and he will bring you "through" again!
10. The thing that you are worrying about today will not be an issue next year.

 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #11
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
The Portrait of the Pastor (I Peter 5:1-4)
I Peter 5:1-4, The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
 
Notice some things that these verses say to the Man of God.
 

1. The Man of God Must Feed the Flock (I Peter 5:2a)

The word "feed" means "to shepherd a flock, to rule, govern, nourish, and serve." The church needs the preaching of God's Word if it is to be nourished and strengthened. Most men fail to do this today because preaching the Word demands preparation, and that is hard work. Staying in the Word of God so that you can nourish your people and yourself will help you to have the wisdom you need to pastor your people and to maintain a Christlike attitude in your life. It's when we lose that Christ-like attitude that we get ourselves into trouble by creating problems of our own making.

1. This is an imperative statement, not a suggestion.
2. This is an identifying statement, sheep cannot live on goats food.
3. This is an involving statement, this will take: time, toiling, training, tenderness.

 
2. The Man of God Must Fight the Foes (I Peter 5:2b-3)
Peter continues to share the mission of the pastor. He is to take "oversight." means "to inspect, care for, to look after carefully, or to oversee." "Not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." The pastor is to serve the Lord willingly, not by constraint. This word "constraint" means "by force, torture; a state of distress, trouble, calamity, or pressure." The pastor's heart, however, needs to be in his ministry. This word "willingly" doesn't suggest that a pastor is never discouraged or that he does not have days when he is not enthusiastic about ministry. A man is not to enter the ministry for the purpose of having a financial career or making money. We are not to pastor for the money, but because God has called us to pastor. We are to feed the flock, not fleece the flock. A pastor is not to be greedy for money. Making money and getting all the money he can out of the people is not to be his motive for ministry. This issue of filthy lucre, however, does not mean that a pastor should never be paid. On the contrary, Paul taught that the pastor should be financially taken care of by the church. He is not in the ministry for money, but the church is to take care of his financial needs. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. Peter addresses an important point here about pastoring. The pastor is not to lord over God's heritage. We are to be overseers, not overlords. Paul spoke about this same issue of domination. The phrase "lords over" means "to bring under one's power, to subdue, to dominate, to be master of someone, to put into subjection, to control." Lording over the congregation is not the same as leading the congregation. The word "example" carries the idea of the pattern for which something is made, an example to be imitated." Your life is to leave a good mark on others. It is to be an example, a pattern that others can follow to serve the Lord. Sheep are animals that are led, and the same is true of the church. Lead by example. This is what Paul did with his life (I Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; I Corinthians 1:11).
 
NOTICE: The life of the preaching will be determined by the life of the preacher!

1. Not as forced labor -not by constraint, but willingly
2. Not for filthy lucre - not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind
3. Not as feigned lords - Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
4. But with faithful lives - but being ensamples to the flock.

 
3. The Man of God Must Face the Father (I Peter 5:4)
The Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ is going to return and appear again. When this happens, the labors of the pastor, the under-shepherd of the church, will be rewarded. Keeping your eye on the return of Christ will help you in the ministry. It will give you hope that the Lord is returning soon, perhaps today. It will motivate you to be faithful.

1. The Appearance of the Shepherd’s Chief
2. The Accounting of the Shepherd’s Career
3. The Awarding of the Shepherd’s Crown

  
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #10
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
Partnering with Your Pastor
We are one body made up of many members (I Corinthians 12). God's plan is that God's pastor and people work together. Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
 
Exodus 17:9-13, And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
 
In Exodus 17, Moses had his hands lifted toward Heaven, no doubt holding that staff in his hands, and the children of Israel prevailed in battle.  When his arms would lower due to fatigue, the Amalekites gained the advantage. However, Aaron and Hur step forth and hold the hands of Moses up until the battle was won. The task Hur accomplished that day may not sound like a lot, however, had it not been for the work of this man, Moses would not have had the strength to do his job and Joshua would never have been able to lead Israel to victory in the battle. Had they not been there, the battle would have been lost and Israel would have been defeated!
 
1.Members like Hur are Absolutely Precious.
Preachers spend hours praying and preparing their sermons. Meanwhile, the congregation spends hours before the Lord in their prayer closets lifting up the hands of God’s men. In the church, there is a number of people who are praying, fasting, and carrying the load. No price could ever be placed on what people like Hur are worth to the church!
 
2.Members like Hur are Always Participating.
Hur wasn't a great leader like Moses. He wasn't a great General like Joshua. He wasn't a great High Priest like Aaron. He wasn't a warrior like those in the army. He was just Hur. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Hur, however, what he did he did willingly, actively and faithfully. He could hold up hands and he did the best job he could! By holding his hands up to the Lord, Moses shows his dependence on God. Israel’s strength and victory depended on their faith in God. They showed this by prayer and obedience. In this situation, when Moses stopped praying, God’s power stopped flowing (Hebrews 7:25). Our only hope of victory comes from relying on God. We should embrace the privilege we have to “therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy”. (Hebrews 4:16).
 
3.       Members like Hur are Advocating Prayer.
R. A. Torrey used to say that the chief purpose of prayer is that God may be glorified in the answer. If you can't pray like you want to, pray as you can. God knows what you mean. And you have good help—the Advocate who is God's Son and the Paraclete who is God's Spirit. They will take your feeblest prayer and make it perfect. The devil is in constant conspiracy against a preacher who really prays, for it has been said that what a minister is in his prayer closet is what he is, no more, no less. Prayer may not get us what we want, but it will teach us to want what we need. God is not impressed by length or loudness in our prayer. He sees the heart and when we have prayed our hearts into acceptance of His will and our wills into obedience to it, we may calmly wait for the answer. The thermometer of a church is its prayer meeting.
 
We are all essential to the proper functioning of the body of Christ! There is a great work to do and there is room for all who want to be involved in the Lord's work. Although we can’t do everything, remember, that the Lord has placed us in His body in the place that pleased Him (I Corinthians 12:4-27). It isn’t important if you can’t do what others can do, it is important that you do what you can do. Thank God for those people who know they can't do everything but are determined to do something!
 
When the enemy strikes, our only hope is the LORD. Daily, dependable prayer is the fundamental foundation of the successful Christian life. The measure of any Christian is their prayer life. The lifting of Moses’ raised hands was a sign of intercession. “Moses’ hands grew heavy” (Exodus 17:12). Jesus never gets tired of interceding for us! “He ever liveth to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25). While we fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12), He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34)! In our battles we also must go to the throne of God holding up our hands and saying, “LORD, this is out of my control. I need Your help”
 
We all need holding up. We all need our arms, or our faith supported up by the arms or faith of another. Like Moses, Aaron, and Hur, we are all part of the great “cloud of witnesses” and it is our responsibility to point others to Christ, while at the same time, keeping your eyes on the LORD (Hebrews 12:1-2). Nothing means as much to we minister’s like the Hur’s within the congregation who are holding our hands up in prayer.
 
We are a Team working for the same Goal, to see:
Sinners Saved
Saints Strengthened
Scriptures Spread-out
Saviour Satisfied
 
Questions to Consider:
Who can you lift up today? 
What is something you can you today to lift the burdens of another?
 
Points to Ponder:
You can start lifting up those around you right now by encouragement and edification.
You’ll find that while you are lifting up others, you will in turn find yourself being lifted!
 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #9
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
The Pastor and His Sermon Preparation
 
God is a God of order. The Scriptures tells us “Let all things be done decently and in order (I Corinthians 14:40).” Everything that is said or done in a worship service is important. However, it is the sermon, the preaching of the Word of God that is the most important part of the worship service. The pastor is fully aware of this; therefore, he must always take his sermon preparation very serious. The preacher who is Spirit driven, Spirit led, and Spirit dependent will also be Spirit empowered! Preaching is truly the Spirit's ministry. What the Holy Spirit illumines in the study, He will empower in the pulpit. True, we need to prepare for what we have studied, but Oswald Chambers said, “The thing to prepare is not the sermon, but the preacher.”
 
In preparing a message I prescribe the following pattern:
     

1. Supplication:

As pastors we pray that each message must be birthed in, bathed in, and brought in prayer.
1.    The Example of Jesus
If time alone with the Father was important to Jesus it should be of the utmost importance to each of us as men of God.  In meditating Jesus would come apart from the crowd and often even His disciples.  The Lord needed this time to discern the voice of God in His every movement.
 
2.    The Experience of Jesus.
In coming apart from the crowd Jesus would often be found praying to His heavenly father.  In watching His movements, we find Him praying in the garden, on top of the mountain, He even spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying to His Heavenly Father.  If time alone with God was important to Him, we must ask ourselves if it is important to our lives.  In meditating we allow the voice of God to talk to us.
 

1. Selection:

Listen to the Holy Spirit and He will lead you to what topic and text to preach and teach from.
 

1. Study:

Reading, Research from Concordances, Dictionaries, Commentaries, Take notes, and etc. I have had the privilege of setting under great men as they taught me the Bible and I have taken detailed notes from their teachings. I have many books in my library concerning how to prepare sermons and how to preach.  Allow God to prepare you by soaking in the glory of His Word through diligent study of the Bible.
 

1. Structuring:

Many messages are like model cars.  They come in hundreds of pieces with no instructions on how to put them together.
 
Every message must have three things:

1. The Introduction. This is the starting place.  You must use this to get the minds of the people from where they are to where you want to preach to them.

 

1. The Ingredients. This is the statement proclaimed.  This is what you want the message to say.  These ingredients should be in a progressive manner, progressing toward the intended end. When you finish a message, it should have said something.

 

1. The Invitation. This is the stopping plan.  The closing part of the message should lead right into the invitation service without any disrupting change of thought.

 

1. Spirit-Teaching.

As preachers we are quick to confess the need for the Spirit's power in our preaching, but we fall short when it comes to explaining how to involve the Holy Spirit in our preaching. This is a time in meditation and prayer where you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you what He wants to teach others through you.  Many times in this time He will show you what He wants to do with the message.  This is important time.
 

1. Seasoning.

This is closely related to the last one, but there is a different. This time is also a time of meditation and prayer, but this time you are asking God to anoint you, and saturate you with the Holy Spirit.  You must ask God to give you the right Spirit to preach His message in.  Many great messages are ruined because they are delivered in the wrong spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit, the Spirit controls us inwardly, and we submit all of our desires, attitudes, and motivations to Him because we are walking according to the Spirit. His agenda for glorifying Christ becomes our agenda in preaching. We die to the flesh in order that we can live according to the Spirit. I believe this type of submission to the Spirit's control is the foundation for Spirit-led preaching.
 

1. Sermon.

The sermon is the finished product that the man of God takes to the pulpit to deliver to his people.

1. His Passage.

A sermon is not truly a sermon without having a Biblical foundation. It may be a good speech or moving message, but without the Scriptures it is no sermon.
 

1. His Preparation.

The man thoroughly prepares himself and his message. A sermon will never reach its full potential with the appropriate time spent in preparation. In calling a man, God also called him to prepare.
 

1. His Process.

The finished product of his passage and his preparation will be his presentation of a sermon. The finished product that he has went through in conceiving a real sermon.
 
 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #8
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
The Plight of the Pastor
A true God called pastor will continue to preach, teach and lead God’s flock even when he never receives any thanks, recognition, or compliments. It is amazing how many church members are misinformed of the responsibilities a pastor.
 
When a church seeks a pastor, they often want one who has:
The strength of an eagle,
The grace of a swan,
The gentleness of a dove,
The friendliness of a cat-bird,
The cheerfulness of a robin,
The assurance of a barnyard fowl,
The industry of a sparrow,
The patience of turkey-buzzards,
The night hours of an owl,
And when they catch tat bird,
They expect him to live, on the food of a canary.
 
How to Discourage Your Pastor:
1)Never attend a Sunday evening service or prayer meeting.
2)Go to church when its “convenient”.
3)Always come late, and leave before he closes in prayer.
4)While he preachers, never give him your attention, but always whisper.
5)Acts cold to show your dignity.
6)Never appreciate his efforts.
7)Tell him what wonderful messages you have heard at other churches.
8)Criticize him before your family and children.
9)Don’t make him feel welcome in your home.
10)Accuse his wife of running things.
11)Never pray for him and never offer him help.
12)Always do the opposite of what he suggests.
13)Gather your support group together to oppose him business meetings.
14)Never take your Sunday guests to hear him.
 
How to Get Rid of Your Pastor:
1)Look him straight in the eye when he is preaching and say “AMEN Preacher…Preach ON!”. He will preach himself to death in a few weeks.
2)Shake his hand and hug his neck and brag on his good points. He will soon work himself to death!
3)Increase your giving to the church so much that the Pastor will get a raise and a month’s vacation paid, your Pastor will go into shock and die.
4)Rededicate your life to Christ and ask your pastor if you can assist him in any way from now own. He will probably have a heart attack!
5)Have the church to unite in prayer for the preacher. He will soon become so effective that some larger church will soon take him off your hands. 
 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #7
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
The Honorable Pastor (I Timothy 3:7)
I Timothy 3:7, Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
 
Pastors are a gift to the church:
1.Ambassador for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20)
2.Angel of the Church (Revelation 1:20)
3.Apostle (Luke 6:13; Titus 1:1)
4.Bishop (I Timothy 3:1)
5.Elders (I Timothy 5:17)
6.Evangelists (Ephesians 4:11)
7.Fishers of men (Matthew 4:19)
8.Laborers (Matthew 9:38; I Corinthians 6:11)
9.Messengers (II Corinthians 8:23)
10.Ministers (II Corinthians 6:4; Romans 15:16)
11.Overseers (Acts 20:28)
12.Pastors (Jeremiah 3:15; Ephesians 4:11)
13.Preachers (Romans 10:14; I Timothy 2:7)
14.Servants (Titus 1:1; Judges 1)
15.Shepherds (Jeremiah 23:4)
16.Soldiers (Philippians 2:25; II Timothy 2:3-4)
17.Stars (Revelation 1:20)
18.Stewards (I Corinthians 4:1; I Peter 4:10)
19.Teachers (Isaiah 30:20; Ephesians 4:11)
20.Watchman (Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 33:7)
21.Witnesses (Acts 1:9; 5:32)
 
Paul list’s seventeen requirements for a God called pastor of the local church. One of these qualifications is a good report. This good report carries the idea of his testimony, witness, record, or evidence given. A pastor must have a good report (testimony) with those who are outside the church. The prophet Samuel had this reputation in the Old Testament. I Samuel 9:6, And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go. We are not just to have a testimony, but we are to have a good testimony. The pastor’s position is seen in his call, he must live humbly and must live honorably. Those that are “without” are the unsaved outside the church. The world may not and seldom does agree with a godly pastor, but his manners ought to be the kind that causes the world to respect him anyway. How he does business in the world and how he behaves in the world will not be unnoticed by the world.
 
He needs a good report so he will not fall into the snare of the devil. How can he make a spiritual impact on those who do not respect him? Any misconduct upon the part of the leader, opens the gate for the devil to deceive the members. A God called pastor must have a good testimony in the outside world. The man of God must live in such a way in front of the ungodly world that they respect him. That means being real and genuine at all times. A pastor desires to honor the Lord in his private life, in his public life, and in his personal life. Unbelievers must never be pushed farther away from Jesus because of the life and witness of the pastor. When a preacher falls into sin it damages the testimony of the church in the community. So many preachers have fallen into reproach by their ungodly conduct. A pastor never wants to be guilty of bringing dishonor themselves, their family, their church, and especially to the Lord. Unbelievers are watching his life and they want to see if his practice lines up with his profession. A pastor will live humbly and honorably in the world because they have submitted under the Lordship of Christ. A God called pastor is not unaware of the snares of the devil. The Devil wants to trip up the man of God, ensnare, and destroy the life and testimony of the man of God.
 
Pastors make great strides and sacrifices for the flock God has called them to watch over. Encourage your pastor today and let him know how the Lord is using his teaching, his preaching, and his example in your life. A pastor puts all of his heart into his sermons as he preachers with passion to challenge the people to love the Lord and to labor for Him. When a pastor knows he has made an impact in the life of someone can be momentous encouragement that can help him when he faces hard times. Pastors face some of the most difficult pressures. There are days when pastors carry the weight of the world, and for reasons of confidentiality, all they can do is bottle it up. These burdens and more can mount up to make the stresses of ministry seem at times nearly unbearable. I encourage you to pray for your pastor. You will find that the more you pray for your pastor, and especially his preaching ministry, the more you will get fed from the pulpit. There are many men who have taken the role of pastor. Only those called of God of are those who truly shepherd God’s flock. If the Lord has given you , then you are truly blessed.  Encourage your pastor today and let him know how the Lord is using his teaching, his preaching, and his example in your life.
 
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​Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #6
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
The Pastor and His Preaching (II Timothy 4:1-2)
 
II Timothy 4:1-2, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
 
According to II Timothy 4:1-2, the man of God is to preach the Word of God. He is to be ready to preach at all times. Whether if it’s loved or loathed, or if it will be well received or widely rejected. The preacher is to preach the Word of God with passion. The preacher should preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The minister is held accountable to preach the Word.
 
I Corinthians 1:18, For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:21, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. It was preaching what God chose to reach the people for the message of salvation. NOTICE: God chose the foolishness of preaching; NOT FOOLISH PREACHING! There is a difference.
 
I Corinthians 9:16, For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! It is impossible to overemphasize preaching. It is even impossible to fully grasp the importance of preaching. When one considers the charge from II Timothy 4:1-2 and the warning from I Corinthians 9:16. Both God and Jesus are watching to see if the preacher is preaching the Word. The preacher will be held accountable of his preaching at judgment. The minister's place and position in the Lord's kingdom will be determined by how faithful he was in preaching the Word.
 
Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
 
The Gospel (Romans 1:16). In this you could take the subject, “The Gospel” and go throughout the entire Word of God preaching on the Gospel. The word Gospel means good news. 
 
1. The Person he Mentions, “I”
2. The Proclamation that he Makes “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”
3. The Product that he Magnifies, “the gospel of Christ…IT is”
4. The Picture that he Makes, the gospel is “the power (dynamite) of God”
5. The Prospects he Masters, “Everyone that believeth…”
 
I Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
In I Corinthians 15:1-4 we find that the Gospel is the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Christ. This is the good news that every sinner needs to hear.
 
A. Christ died for our sins… This speaks of the Payment for our Sins.
B. That He was buried…This speaks of the Putting away of our Sins.
C. That He arose again….This speak of Power over our Sin.
 
1. The Person of the Gospel, “the gospel of Christ” Not of the church, or a man, but of Christ Jesus.
2. The Power of the Gospel, “the power of God unto Salvation”  Note the word unto.
3. The Prospects of the Gospel, “To everyone… Jew, Greek, gentiles, all sinners
4. The Plan of the Gospel, “believeth” Other references like John 3:16, John 5:24, Romans 10:9-10, etc.
 
Here’s hope: THE WORLD’S GREATEST STORY (JOHN 3:16)
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God…The world’s greatest Person
So loved the world…The World’s greatest Passion
That He gave His only begotten Son… The World’s greatest Presentation
That Whosoever…The World’s greatest Prospect
Believeth in Him…The World’s greatest Plan
Should not perish…The World’s greatest Promise
But have everlasting life…The World’s greatest Possession
 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #5
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
Your Relationship with Your Pastor (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24)
 
Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you … 24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
 
The pastor of a church is in a precarious position; he can't please everyone! It is not going to happen.

• If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he's too old for the young people.
• If he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has no children, he's setting a bad example.
• If he preaches from his notes, he has canned sermons and is too dry; if he doesn't use notes, he has not studied and is not deep.
• If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if he doesn't use enough illustrations, he isn't clear.
• If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he doesn't preach against sin, he's a compromiser.
• If he fails to please somebody, he's hurting the church; if he tries to please everyone, he is a fool.
• If he preaches about money, he's a money grabber; if he doesn't preach on tithing and giving to the Lord, he is failing to develop the people.
• If he drives an old car, he shames his congregation; if he drives a new car, he is setting his affection on earthly things.
• If he preaches all the time, the people get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest speakers, he is shirking his responsibility.
• If he preaches the Truth, he is offensive. If not, he is a hypocrite.
• If he preaches an hour, he is windy. If he preaches less, he is lazy.
• If his wife sings in the choir, she is being forward. If not, she is not interested in her husband's work.

 
As you can see from this list, pastors and their families need a lot of prayer and encouragement. Hebrews 13 closes with the issue of caring for the pastor and having a good relationship with him. A considerable burden is placed upon those in leadership to be the example to those required to so follow.
 
 “Remember them “. What clearly is implied is that the pastor of a church holds a position of authority in the church. The word “remember” means we should be “mindful, hold in our memory, and make mention” those who God has placed in authority. The idea is continuous remembrance. Leaders are never to be forgotten. If a person has been faithful in proclaiming and teaching God's Word, we are to remember them and never forget them. In essence, we should pray for the leaders of the Church.
 
“Whose faith follow”. Paul is admonishing the Hebrew Christians to follow those leaders who lived and died by faith. Simply he is telling us to follow those leaders who have demonstrated faith in their lives and have had success by being faithful. A leader who faithfully proclaims God's Word is a leader to follow. Literally we should imitate those who have lived what they have preached and who have experienced what God promised to those who are consistent in their faith.
 
“Considering the end of their conversation “. The idea is that we ought to focus upon the end of life, especially in regard to those in spiritual leadership. Paul tells us why we should follow the leaders. The word “considering” here is referring more to the consistency of the rulers. The purpose of consideration is that we understand what made our leaders successful.
 
A person who handles the Word of God with skill and in the power of the Holy Spirit is serving in the highest and noblest profession on earth. You should consider the issue of their lives, how that they kept on believing the doctrine of Jesus Christ (the doctrine concerning His person and work) until they died, and then you should follow (imitate) their faith and keep on believing the doctrine of Jesus Christ, for this doctrine is eternal and changeless. It was true when your leaders taught it to you, it is yet true today, and it will always be true. Before you follow someone consider the end of their conversation. Has the person you’re following been successful in God’s eyes? If the man of God loves the Lord and lives for the Lord, then he is a man worth following after.
 
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Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #4
 
October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.
 
A disgruntled man wrote a letter to the editor: It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for thirty years, and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister's time might be more profitably spent on something else?
 
For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued... finally ended by this letter:
Dear Sir: I have been married for thirty years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly my wife's cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet... I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago.
 
What is preaching? Preaching is the art of communicating the message of God from the Scriptures to the hearts and lives of people in a comprehendible manner.
 
As preachers we are commanded to Preach the Gospel, Mark 16:15, this means to herald for the good news of salvation. Mark 16:15, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Preach the Word, II Timothy 4:2, this means preach the whole counsel of the Word of God. II Timothy 4:2, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
 
When God called me to preach, I knew I had very little to offer God, but I knew that His Word was powerful and could change lives forever. I have asked God to let my preaching be dominated with His Word, rather than my opinion, my advice, or my experiences. I love the admonition of Paul to Timothy; to preach the Word! Preach means “to cry out, herald, or exhort.” Haddon W. Robinson states, “Preaching should so stir a man that he pours out the message with passion and fervor. Not all passionate pleading from a pulpit, however, possesses divine authority. When a preacher speaks as a herald, he must cry out ‘the Word.’ Anything less cannot legitimately pass for Christian preaching.” II Timothy 4:2,“…be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
 
1. Readiness
The command to, “Be instant in season, out of season” carries the picture of a soldier on duty, ready for battle at any moment. Preaching is not something we do only when we feel like it or when the audience is receptive to our message. Later Paul reminds us in II Timothy 4:3–4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” The preacher needs to stay with the task of preaching whether he feels like it or not…. The preacher must be faithful to preach the Word regardless of whether listeners welcome it, reject it, or ignore it.”
 
2. Reprove
This word carries the idea of a lawyer cross-examining or questioning a witness. Refuting error or proving something wrong is a huge part of the preacher’s responsibility. A few verses earlier in II Timothy 3:16, the Holy Spirit reminds us that the Word of God is profitable for reproof. In Titus 1:9–11 we see that a preacher must be one who is, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Ephesians 5:11 states, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Bryson explains, “To reprove in preaching means to present the axioms of the Christian faith or to refute in a reasoned manner the errors marshaled against the faith.”
 
3. Rebuke
When people turn from the truth of God’s Word, often the next step is into sin. As preachers, we must be willing to confront people with what the Bible says about their sin. In I Timothy 5:20, Paul stated, “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” In Titus 1:12–13, he says, “…the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” Like Nathan of old, the preacher must be willing to expose sin and declare, “Thou art the man.” Preaching must reach the conscience of a man if change is to take place.
 
4. Revive
The word exhort in our passage has a double meaning, in that it means “to comfort” as well as “to urge.” Many today are hurting in despair, discouragement, and disappointment. The preacher must revive the heart of the despondent with the Word of God. But he must also urge and persuade the apathetic to action. Reviving the indifferent to obedience is needed today in this Laodicean age of Christianity. The preacher of God’s Word must exhort God’s people to awaken out of their sleep and redeem the time.
 
5. Remain
Then Paul tells the preacher that he must do all of this with, “All longsuffering and doctrine.” Preaching requires a faithful patience. The seed must be sown, then watered, cultivated, fertilized, and, in time, harvested. Preaching the Word is the task of a born-again believer who has received a unique call of God. When God calls anyone to expound the Bible, He bestows the gift of expounding. God gives abilities to interpret, skills to communicate, and competence for speaking. But God’s gifts do not come without human cooperation. The preacher must study the Bible. To preach the Word means to act as if everything in preaching depends on God and to work as if everything depends on the preacher.
 
“The message of the Biblical preacher is the most important message in the world. It calls for an all-out human effort coupled with the supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit, in both preparation and presentation. This involves hard work. There is no substitute.” Preaching requires a 24/7 commitment. The message cannot be separated from the messenger. Good food served with dirty hands is undesirable. The construction of our homiletics and the condition of our hearts must be in harmony.
 
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PREACHING
     Preaching is:
P- Not just performing, it is Proclaiming.
R- Not just rattling the tongue, it is Revealing the Truth.
E- Not just Excitement but it is also Enlightenment.
A- Not just Action, but it is Unction.
C- Not just Contact, but it is also Contents.
H- Not just getting something off your Heart but it is getting the truth into their heart.
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for my pastor that You would protect Him, provide for Him, and may He feel Your presence with Him in times of discouragement. In Jesus name, AMEN.
 
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