The Pastor

1 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 ensamples to the flock.  (4)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Introduction:  If we could and we cannot, but if we could interview all of Peter’s competitors, and ask them “Do you feel or think Peter will ever become a religious leader, a man of God or a pastor/preacher?”  What kind of an answer do you suppose you would get?  I would imagine they all would say NO.

              If we could go back and interview those people, those I called friends prior to my 45 birthday, and asked the same question.  Outside of mostly NO you would find several belly laughs and snickers, but I would be honestly surprised if you found one yes.

              Awhile back we were in Palestine, Texas, and I was thumbing through the phone book, looking up names of people we knew.  I found, that except for a few people we worked with, our acquaintances were all from Calvary Baptist Church.  Before we got saved, we didn’t have any friends, only people we worked with, our family visited, that was our sum total, we were loners, until Jesus got our hearts.  And it was good to go back to our home church and visit friends.  We have expanded our family here at Fundamental Baptist and it is great to be back home where Sharil and I belong.

              This is also true here at Fundamental, we are knit for the duration God has given us, as family and friends.

              Andrew, Peter’s brother, sought Peter and led him to the Lord, physically and spiritually.  God uses those who are willing, sometimes they do not meet our concept.  Yet, God sees their heart, as He saw Peter’s and the chiefest of sinners Paul.

              In these few verses, Peter is addressing the elders.  We could imagine a fellowship of preachers, where Peter had been addressing the congregation, the brethren, now he has switched to ones who really need a good preaching.  (We find in our Bible the words the pastor, the elder the bishop and the shepherd.  These words are essentially synonymous defining the under shepherd, the leader of the God given flock.  There is only one other office for the church and that is Deacon.  The Deacon is elected to serve the Lord by serving the Pastor, not controlling or leading, but serving the Pastor.

I.            THE MANNER OF THE PASTOR

              A.           Feed The Flock

                             1.           This is NOT the Pastor’s flock

                             2.           It is God’s flock

                                           i.            It is His sheep

                                           ii.           They are His lambs

                             3.               This feeding

i.                Is Spiritual

ii.               Not physical

              B.           The Pastor Is The Under-Shepherd

                             1.           The Pastor must

                                           i.            Walk the walk

                                           ii.           Talk the talk

                             2.           It is never

                                           i.            Do as I say, not as I do

                             3.           The Pastor is under authority of God

                                           i.            He must pray

                                           ii.           He must study God’s Word

iii.             He must yield to God’s authority

a.               Jesus the Christ

(Proverbs 27:23)  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

iv.             He must be diligent

              a.           Focused on his given  mission

                                           v.           Be concerned for the sheep

                                                          a.           Know their state

                             4.           All this and more is a God given assignment

II.           THE MOTIVE OF A PASTOR

A.              A Willing Yielded Acceptance

1.               The key is willing

2.               Yet being yielded to God must also be there

3.               It should never be for:

              i.            Pay

              ii.           Someone said you would make a good Pastor

ii.               Forces other than The Holy Spirit

              B.           The Pastorate Is An Heart Thing

                             1.           The call is from God

                                           i.            No other source

(1 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!

                             2.           The “…necessity…” is lad upon me

                             3.           The compassion to lead

                             4.           The compassion to do God’s will

             

Conclusion:         A person who steps up to the pastorate, with the motive of money, fame, fortune, has it all wrong.

              A Pastor preaches because God has called him.

One of my problems when I first talked to Bro Huntress, was he was telling me the pay package.  I didn’t really want to hear that, it was tempting me.  My prayer time in the ensuing days, was just that, God I want to go where you want me, stay here and continue not getting paid, or somewhere else.

              God through prayer showed me that by considering coming in view of a call, that if I were called I would be focusing (being diligent) about the church.  Whereas, while I Pastored in Arkansas, my focus was finding part time work to pay the bills, instead of the church.  The church was becoming secondary in my focus.

Faith of The Heart

Ephesians 6:10-24  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  (16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  (18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  (21)  But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:  (22)  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.  (23)  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  (24)  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen..

INTRODUCTION:   Our faith is constantly being challenged.  Just listen to the news, local and mostly the national news.  They don’t want to acknowledge Christmas.  One network refused to play a paid commercial to thank our troops for what they are doing and wishing them a Merry Christmas.  (They finally backed down and played it; reluctantly.)

            When you watch the Discovery Channel, the History channel, everything started before God.  All their shows are pointed at showing God does not exist and the world exists by man.  Listen to Alus Gorus the receiver of a “Nobel PEACE Prize” for touting how man is mis-managing the environment, and how close we are to destroying the earth.  All of this is designed, yes designed, to kick your faith and get you on the side of secular (worldliness) knowing and believing God has no control over you.

           

There are something’s we need to understand

I.          WHAT IS FAITH!   

             A.       Faith Is Believing God

(Psalms 37:3)  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

                        1.         Trusting in the LORD. (Jehovah)

                                    i.          Committing yourself to the             

                                                LORD

                                    ii.         Trusting He will meet your             

                                                needs

            B.        FAITH Is Taking God At His Word.

(1 John 5:13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

                        1.         That you may know

                                    i.          IF you believe

            C.        FAITH Is Believing Without Seeing.

(Hebrews 11:1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

                        1.         Believing without complete                                                  understanding

            D.        FAITH Is Hearing And Then Believing.

(Romans 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

                        1.         How can you get faith without                                             hearing God’s Word

            E.        FAITH Is Believing Then Taking Action.

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1.              Call on His name in belief

2.              Salvation then happens        

We need to understand

II.        WHAT FAITH ISN’T!         

            A.        FAITH Does Not

                        1.         Shield us from physical        

                                    Suffering

                                    i.          Paul suffered many times

(2 Corinthians 11:24-27)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

            B.        FAITH Does Not

                        1.         Shield us from loss of earthly possessions.

                                    i.          Paul consider earthly things

                                    ii.         Of no value

(Philippians 3:7-9)  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

                        2.         Consider Job

                                    i.          He lost it all

                                    ii.         He believed

iii.            He had faith

iv.            He regained it all and more

C.             FAITH Does Not

1.     Guarantee us a life of ease and luxury.

(Hebrews 11:8-10)  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.  9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:  10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

            D.        FAITH Does Not

                        1.         Shield us from grief.

(1 Peter 5:8-9)  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We need to understand

III.       WHAT FAITH DOES!

            A.        FAITH Saves

                        1.         God saves us through our Faith

(Ephesians 2:8-9)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

                                    i.          It is not earned

                                    ii.         No work at all

                                    iii.        It is a gift of God

                                                a.         Given

                                                b.         No strings

                                                c.         No contracts

            B.        FAITH Justifies.

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

                        1.         Justified = Just as if we had never              

                                                       sinned

            C.        FAITH Strengthens.

(Philippians 4:13)  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

                        1.         Christ strengthens me

                                    i.          Therefore through Him I do           

                                                all things

            D.        FAITH Reaches Out To Others.

CONCLUSION:        Faith is what we have if we have called upon the Lord and asked for the salvation that will be given. 

            However, it is the same faith that talks to your neighbor; or friend; or grandchild about Jesus the Christ.

            It is a Faith of sharing, a sharing and desire of wanting all you know to want to be with you in Heaven.

            We get our spiritual strength by leading others to Christ.  By being in church hearing the Word of God we are strengthened.

This is where we go back to the verse we started with

(Ephesians 6:16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

            Our first thoughts are of the round garbage can shields we used to use when we played Gladiators as a young boy.  This shield is the body length shield which protects us against those fiery darts which are thrown at us. 

            What are those darts?

                        Alcohol

                        Drugs

                        Divorce

                        Anger

                        Vanity

                        Pride

                        Adultery         etc.

            Our protection is our Faith, the very thing we all claim, yet some don’t listen while they are here, others won’t come to here, some are hit and miss attendees.

            How do you expect not to have major trials when you haven’t used your shield of faith. 

            When we each were first saved our arms got tired carrying that big shield around, yet things happened and we would pick the shield back up.  Some found by being here with their shield life was easier, not without trials, but those trials were easier to handle.

            It is always easier with help than being alone.  Jesus is there with you if you are with Him.  Where did you leave Him.  Go back to Him.

            If you haven’t made the decision to accept Christ and His help during your problems, this is the time to do it.

Isaiah’s Christmas Message

(Isaiah 7:14)  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

(Isaiah 9:6)  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The first verse is prophecy foretold which came about around 2000 years ago.

The second verse also foretells of the coming of the Lord in the very first portion, the remainder is still prophecy, yet to come.

Have you noticed the names we will call Jesus in the millennium?

Some we already call Him

                                               

            Prince of Peace,             Wonderful,       Counselor,

However, some of these names might stick in our craw.

            The mighty God, The everlasting Father

This baby Jesus "The Mighty God?"                     

This baby Jesus "The everlasting Father?"

I.          THE COMING OF JESUS

                       

(Isaiah 7:14)  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

A.        This Was Stated 700 To 800 Years Prior To Jesus Birth.

1.         A virgin birth,

i.          A birth like no other

2.         Joseph and Mary were more than engaged,

i.          But not married

(Matthew 1:18)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

3.         Before they came together

4.         Mary became a virgin mother

5.         It had never happened before

i.          Nor has it happened since

(Matthew 1:23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

B.        Here in Matthew his name is stated as Emmanuel

1.         In Isaiah it is spelled Immanuel,

i.          One letter difference in 700 to 800 years.  

ii.         Either way Emmanuel still means “God with us”.

(Micah 5:2)  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

C.        Jesus Has Been Since The Everlasting,

1.         The Man-God Jesus,

i.          Was told before hand

ii.         Where he would come from. 

2.         The book of Micah was written about 650 to 750 years before Christ.

II.        THE CHARACTER OF JESUS

(Luke 1:31)  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

            A.        His name Jesus

1.         Jesus is another form of the name Joshua

            i.          "Jehovah is Salvation"

(Luke 1:32)  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

            B.        He Shall Be Great

                        1.         The Son of the Highest

i.          He will have the throne of David

                                    ii.         God will give it to Him

(Philippians 2:9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

            C.        A Name Above Every Name

                        1.         God has exalted Him

                                    i.          A very special name

(Revelation 19:16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

            D.        A Name Is Written   

                        1.         On His vesture

                                    i.          His clothing

                        2.         On His thigh

                                    i.          His clothing

                                    ii.         Not a tattoo

CONCLUSION:  Where have you put the Wonderful name of Jesus.

IS HIS NAME IS AT THE TOP

I had the nicest Christmas list,

 The longest one in town.

 Till Daddy looked at it and said,

 "You'll have to cut it down."

 I knew that what he said was true

 Beyond the faintest doubt,

 But was amazed to hear him say,

 "You've left your best friend out."

 And so I scanned my list again,

 And said, "Oh, that's not true!"

 But Daddy said, "His name's not there,

 That friend who died for you."

 And then I clearly understood,

 'Twas Jesus that he meant;

 For Him who should come first of all

 I hadn't planned a cent!

 I'd made a Christmas birthday list,

 And left the Savior out!

 But, oh it didn't take me long

 To change the list about.

 And tho' I've had to drop some names

 Of folks I like a lot,

 My Lord must have the most because

 His Name Is At The Top. 

                                                            Unknown

            Do you have the sweetest name we know attached to your heart or just sitting on a shelf collecting dust like maybe your Bible; your prayer life.

Where is your salvation, on your shoulder, and ready to fight over it or            

Is it in your heart, ready to live it?

Where do you put Jesus Christ this Christmas season?

We probably know that Jesus wasn’t born on this day.

This Christmas

            Remember Jesus when you are with your family,

            Remember Him when you are alone,

            No man knows your heart, only Our Lord and      Saviour, Jesus Christ.

If you don’t know Him don’t let this season pass without Him. 

WHERE THE CHRISTMAS STORY BEGINS

John 1:1-3  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 Introduction:      As Christmas arrives; there are several things that we as Christians must keep in mind: 

              First, we must keep in mind that the celebration of the birth of Christ is not something that God's Word instructs us to observe.

              Early Americans refused to observe the day of Christ's birth.

              Second, we must keep in mind that too often the focus of Christmas is directed to the giving and receiving of gifts.  Not that that is bad in it’s self, it is the focus, when Jesus the Christ should be the focus.

              The Christmas story is obviously much too big and far too important to God's story of redemption to reduce it to a dry recitation of historical facts, or to trivialize it into a carnival event. 

              Where is the spiritual content?

What good does all that we do for anyone when the historical facts are divorced from the reality of who that babe born and placed in a manger is?

              So, today, I want to take you back to where the Christmas story begins.  And where does the Christmas story begin?  At the beginning.                            

             

First
 I.           WE SEE THE IDENTITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

"In the beginning was the Word"

Here, John is making reference to the Second Person in the Holy Trinity, God the Son. 

              A.      Why Is The Lord Jesus Christ Designated “the Word?' 

(Revelation 1:8)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

                                1.           He, Jesus is God’s alphabet, the   beginning and the end

                                           i.            He, is God’s spokesman

                                           ii.           He, Christ Jesus made the un-understandable, understandable

                B.           The Holy Bible Is The Word of God.

                               1.           The Scriptures reveal God's mind,

                                           i.            Express His will,

                                           ii.           Make known

                                                          a.           His perfections, and

                                                          b.           Lay bare His heart. 

              C.           This Is Precisely What The Lord Jesus Has Done For

                             The Father.

                             1.           “Word” is a means of manifestation. (visibility)
                             2.           “Word” is a means of communication. 
                             3.           “Word” is a method of revelation. 

              D.           Christ Revealed God! 

                             1.           He displayed His power,

                             2.           He manifested His wisdom,

                             3.           He exhibited His holiness,

                             4.           He made known His grace,

                             5.           He unveiled His heart. 

              E.           In Christ, And Nowhere Else, Is God Fully And Finally

                             Explained.

Next,

II.           WE SEE WHERE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS LOCATED

"and the Word was with God"

A.           The Word Was In The Presence Of God. 

1.           Jesus lived in fellowship with God. 

(Proverbs 8:22)  The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

2.           Reveals the blessed relation, which obtained from all eternity between the   

              Word and God.

3.          The fellowship, which existed between the Word and God before, ever the            

             world was. 

(Proverbs 8:30)  Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Third,
III.         WE SEE THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

"and the Word was God"

A.              Or, and God was the Word. 

1.           The Holy Spirit goes on to say, “and the word was with God,”

i.            Which denoted:

ii.           His separate personality, and 

iii.          Intimated His essential relation to the Godhead. 

2.        And, as though that were not strong enough,

i.            The Holy Spirit expressly adds, “and God was the word.” 

 Fourth,
IV.         WE SEE THE ETERNITY OF THE LORD JESUS  CHRIST

"The same was in the beginning with God."

A.           The “same,” that is, the Word;

1.               “Was,” that is, existed,

2.               Not began to be; “in the beginning,”

3.               That is, before time commenced; “with God,” that is,

i.                As a distinct Personality. 

B.           He was God, the Son, manifest in flesh. 

1.           And so fully and so perfectly did He reveal God, He could say,

(John 14:9)  Jesus saith unto him, … he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

C.            If the believer is to enter into a better,

 1.          Deeper,

2.           Fuller,

3.           Knowledge of God,

4.               He must prayerfully study the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures! 

D.     Let this be made our chief business,

a.             Our great delight,

b.             To reverently scrutinize and

C            Read about our Divine Saviour

       i.            As they are displayed upon  the pages of  the Holy Bible,

       ii.           Then, and only then, shall we

(Colossians 1:10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

(2 Corinthians 4:6)  For God, who commanded … to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Finally,

V.           WE SEE THE CREATIVITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

A.           Notice, that the whole of creation is here

ascribed to the Word –

1.               This would not be true if He were

i.                Himself a creature,

a.      Even though the first and the highest creature. 

2.               Just as He was before all things, and therefore, eternal;

3.               So was He the Originator of all things, and therefore, omnipotent."

CONCLUSION: It is His coming from there to here that gives us cause to celebrate Christmas, does it not?  And Christmas is the event of His arrival from somewhere else to here.

              Where was He in the beginning?  Who was He in the beginning?  What was He is the beginning?

              In the beginning, way back at the start, in eternity past, He is the Word.  He is always from the beginning with God.  He is always from the beginning Himself God.  This means that He is eternal.  And He created everything. What will you do with Christmas? 

              There are some things that need thinking about this Christmas season.  There are some issues to ponder.  There is a Savior to embrace. 

              Who He is now He has always, from eternity past, been. 

(Hebrews 13:8)  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

              Consider Him on that basis and it is more likely that you will celebrate Christmas correctly.