FEED
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God..." (Hebrews 13:7)
Pastors are responsible for making sure the flock is fed the word of God. This is accomplished through the preaching & teaching of the Word.
We are instructed to honor the spiritual authority in our lives because they have been entrusted to communicate God's Word to us. One of the best ways you can allow your Pastor to pastor you is by hearing the Word of God when it's being shared. (And that means you must be in church when they're doing so.)
If a person says, "I don't feel like I'm being fed", more than likely the Pastor hasn't changed the Gospel message they're feeding...but rather the parishioner is too "full" & isn't exercising what they've been fed.
LEAD
"Remember them which have the rule over you...whose faith follow..." (Hebrews 13:7)
The Scriptures (Acts 20:28) teach that Pastors have been made overseers by the Holy Ghost & their charge is to lead the flock. The Pastor operates as an under-shepherd, appointed by the Holy Spirit, to lead God's people under the direction of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus.
Every Pastor (and every spiritual leader) will one day have to stand before Jesus Christ Himself to give an account for how they executed the great responsibility that was given them to oversee His church.
Pastors lead. You can go to them for spiritual leadership, counsel, insight from God's Word in every major decision you make in life. This is how you allow your Pastor to pastor you. Too often, Pastors get the leftovers of people's decisions & have to help people "piece" together what's left. It's much better to stay under good teaching from a Pastor, who's proven their leadership, then to freelance like a free agent who, when they find themselves in trouble, wander back to the flock bleeding.
If you'll let your Pastor pastor you, not only will you be in order, you'll be protected under their covering. A Pastor cannot cover what won't come under cover.
INTERCEDE
"...Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you...Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints." (Hebrews 13:17, 24)
In the early days of the church, with the growth that was being experienced, there arose a great amount of "details" that had to be taken care of. These things included such things as taking care of the widows and those in need. With the increase of responsibility for the church, it became necessary for men to be appointed to serve by ensuring that these practical (temporal) needs were being met. (We call these men "deacons" today.) In particular, take note of why the Apostles felt the need to delegate these responsibilities to these men.
Acts 6:2-4 "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."
The spiritual leaders of the church recognized prayer & preaching as two of their primary responsibilities - ones that absolutely could not be neglected.
One of the primary responsibilities that God has given to a Pastor is to pray for the membership of the church. There are some battles that can only be won on our knees. God has called the Pastor to labor for God's people on his knees.
One of the best ways you can allow your Pastor to pastor you is by letting him know how to pray for you. Confide in your Pastor. Tell him how to pray for you specifically. Let your request be made known.
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"...considering the end of their conversation." (Hebrews 13:7)
Though God gives your Pastor authority to lead God's people spiritually, He does not do so without accountability. The Pastor is to lead the church by example. (1 Peter 5:3)
This is one of the reasons that God has given specific qualifications for Pastors. It is not something that just anyone can do. (Although some, who can't serve well under another Pastor, think that they're going to pastor one day.)
Only God can truly produce the caliber of character, calling & commitment required to serve in this level of spiritual leadership. It must be PROVEN & proven with evident testimony by those who keep watch.
See, a Pastor not only KEEPS WATCH for predators that would sneak into the fold & steal away sheep, they also FEND for God's people. Paul warned about the "wolves" that would enter into God's church in Acts 20:28-29.
Pastors today are FIGHTING off the wolves of False Doctrine, False Prophets & Strife-Causers. Sometimes your Pastor may do something that doesn't make sense to you. But, remember, he is responsible to look after your spiritual well-being! Allow him to caution you about potential dangers in your life.
These are THREE things (plus one) that I wanted to share with you today. More to come.
Be blessed & may your FAITH be strong as your join with your PASTOR in WINNING THE FIGHT!
#Room
