65 Sermon Illustrations on Pastors

“POOR PASTORS; PRODIGAL PEOPLE”

Isaiah 56:9-57:13

========= Congregational Handout ========== January 22, 2012

A. Introduction

1. Why Poor Pastors?

2. Paul’s Warning

3. Isaiah’s Warning

4. Why Should We Be Concerned?

B. Poor Pastors – False Shepherds 56:9-12

1. Their Failure to Warn of Danger (9-10)

2. Their Self-Indulgence (11-12)

C. The Righteous Remnant Spared 57:1-2

1. Comforting the True

2. Sparing God’s People

D. Prodigal People 57:3-13a

1. Their Immoral Character (3-4)

2. Their Pagan Passions (5-8)

3. Their Misplaced Trust (9-11)

4. Their Coming Exposure (12-13a)

E. The Promise to the Righteous Remnant 57:13b

F. Conclusion

1. The Church’s Heating Plant

2. The Way to Revival

========== Text of Sermon Notes ==========

A. Introduction

1. Why Poor Pastors?

a. not poor in terms of money or possessions

b. the word pastor is just the old English word for shepherd

c. these pastors are spiritual shepherds who do their duty poorly

d. what is the duty of a pastor? of a spiritual shepherd?

2. Paul was returning to Jerusalem from his final missionary journey. He stopped at Miletus and called for a conference of the elders from the church of nearby Ephesus: elders who were shepherds, watching over God’s flock in that city. Paul challenged these men with the following and other words as found in Acts 20:27-30 – 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 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.

a. well, as Paul warned, the wolves came, and they are still here today!

b. so that the flock of God – His church – is suffers as a result

3. Isaiah had a similar message in the passage we just read

a. the period being foretold by Isaiah is uncertain

(A) perhaps it was the reign of Manasseh following Isaiah’s death

(B) perhaps it was the time of exile, as both Jeremiah and Ezekiel record, as well as the years that followed

(C) when the flock of God wandered away because of poor pastors

b. yet this passage is as relevant today as it was then

(A) wolves in sheep’s clothing are ravaging God’s flock

(B) people, churches, denominations have fallen away from God

(C) a high dignitary of one denomination recently responded to the criticism of his church’s practice in a certain area by saying in effect, ‘yes, the Bible does condemn what we are doing, but we do not think that the Bible applies any longer as to this practice.’

(D) with that kind of double-talk, there can be no question but that the visible church in Canada is in need of Holy Spirit revival

4. should we be concerned for the fate of modernistic, liberal churches?

a. shouldn’t we just be concerned for our own evangelical community?

b. In 1700 both England and France were dismally situated: culturally, politically, spiritually

(A) Louis XIV by revoking the Edict of Nantes had effectively removed all rights of French Protestants, so to many were pressured into conversion to Catholicism or fled to neighbouring nations

(B) In England, as a result of the 1662 Act of Uniformity, more than 2,000 Puritan ministers were expelled from the Established Church for refusing practices in the Book of Common Prayer

(C) the ruling classes in each country lived in luxury, the population in hardship: enterprising people left for the new world

(D) Louis XV was born in 1710, lived a godless life until dying in 1774; and 15 years later came the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution, the collapse of much of French soceity

(E) but England was spared that turmoil. Was it politics? no. Was it because of its navy? no. Three brothers, all born around 1700, trained and led a group of itinerant preaches who spread the message of Jesus Christ throughout England: these were Samuel Jr., Charles and John Wesley – revival came to England

c. the hope of this country is not in politics, nor in trade, nor in finance

d. the hope of this country is that the visible church of Jesus Christ return to the preaching of the Scriptures, the message of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

e. such a revival can only come by the work of the Holy Spirit

f. that is the why and the what of which we should be concerned

g. Paul was concerned; Isaiah was concerned

B. Poor Pastors – False Shepherds 56:9-12

1. Their Failure to Warn of Danger (verses 9-10)

a. Isaiah draws a frightening picture of the danger to God’s people: ‘All you beasts of the field, come near and devour; yes, and all you beasts of the forest. Israel’s watchmen are blind, knowing nothing; they are like dumb dogs, unable to bark; dreamers lying down, loving to slumber.’

b. ‘it’s quite safe,’ says Isaiah to the enemies of God’s people, ‘you can come in and spoil them; eat them up whole.’

c. why? because the watchmen – and that is a term that is used in the Bible to describe the prophets or shepherds that God had sent to warn and to teach His people – they are not doing their job

(A) these watchmen – shepherds, pastors – are spiritually blind jsut as many are in the church today – they cannot see the danger

(B) they know nothing – they have left the place of spiritual truth, God’s word to follow man’s ideas; to be politically correct, but doctrinally false

(C) they are like sleepy watchdogs who cannot even lift there heads to bark when the danger comes

(D) they follow there own dreams; they have lost the vision of God

2. Their Self-Indulgence (verses 11-12)

a. you will find in your handout references to where these false pastors are described in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, watchdogs changed into wolves: ‘They are greedy dogs, never getting their fill; shepherds without understanding, turned to their own way, completely to unjust gain.’

(A) qualifications are given in 1 Timothy 3:3, 8 that are to be met before a person becomes an overseer or deacon: they are to be ‘free from the love of money’ or ‘not … fond of sordid gain’.

(B) these shepherds fail on all accounts as do some shepherds in the church today who relish their power, prestige and position

(C) those same standards are that they be ‘temperate’ and ‘not … addicted to much wine’ – but listen how these false shepherds talk: ‘come,’ they say, ‘let me buy wine, and let us drink our fill of strong drink; that’s for today, and tomorrow will be even better!’

b. what a painful environment for those who love the Lord, then or now!

C. The Righteous Remnant Spared 57:1-2

1. God has a word of comfort for those who remain true: ‘The righteous perishes, and there is no man laying it upon his heart; and men of mercy are taken away, with none perceiving that from the presence of evil the righteous is taken away. He enters into peace; they rest upon their beds, whoever has walked straight before him.’

a. godly men are taken from this world in death – and the implication is that this is much before their expected time – but no one pays any attention – the people are so spiritually insensitive that they do not even ask, ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’

2. but God does this that His people be spared from even worse things

a. from the wrath that is to come

b. God takes home His own people in peace – Shalom – a word for the ultimate in health, spiritual health – and they will know His rest

c. a similar statement is made in Revelation 14:13 before the execution of the final wrath of God: ‘And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow with them.”’ – God will spare his righteous remnant

d. but when the wolves, the false take over from the true shepherds, the damage is done; the visible church, in the OT, Israel; in this day, the church that claims to be Christian; the true church suffers

e. church history tells us how this cycle has repeated before: poor pastors; prodigal people – falling away from the truth, from God

D. Prodigal People 57:3-13a

1. Their Immoral Character (verses 3-4)

a. ‘But come here, you sons of a sorceress, Offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute. Against whom do you jest? Against whom do you open wide your mouth And stick out your tongue? Are you not children of rebellion, Offspring of deceit’ (NAS)

b. using terms like son, child, or offspring of a person in relation to either a quality or a stereotype individual, is Scripture’s way of describing that person’s character

c. Israel, as a nation, has taken on the character of the idolatrous people around them: sorcery emphasising that they follow the anti-God, the Devil; adultery, that they are a false wife to Yahweh, the true God

d. How do these regard the truth? mocking; making faces and fun of

e. So are God’s people mocked and belittled today; ‘fundamental’ is used in derision; ‘evangelical’ with a grin; ‘Bible believer’ as belittling; ‘Born again’ as a joke – and this coming as often as not from leaders in churches claiming to be Christian

2. Their Pagan Passions (verses 5-8)

a. these verse, which I will not read again, combine a picture

(A) the just announced adulterous character of the so-called people of God in their relationship to Yahweh, their Redeemer & Saviour

(B) with the pagan, immoral worship practices that they had adopted from the surrounding religions and nations

b. to describe how far they had fallen from God’s purposes for them

c. when the people of the world, unbelievers, can no longer distinguish the church of Jesus Christ – the Christian – from any other person, from any other religion – then that church has ceased to be the salt of the earth and the light to the world – it needs radical revival

3. Their Misplaced Trust (verses 9-11)

a. God now refers to a past event: the attempts by Ahaz to seek alliance with the king of Assyria: ‘You went to the king with oil; you multiplied your perfumes; you sent your ambassadors even afar; you deeply abased yourself, even to hell. The length of your journey tired you out, but you did not say, “there’s no hope!” You found new strength, and so you did not faint. Of whom were you anxious and fearful that made you to be false? … and did not remember me, nor lay it to heart? Is it not that I held my peace for so long that you do not fear me?’

b. the seeking of help from anyone but God by the people of God is an affront to almighty God – these people had gone in time past to great lengths to woo the help of Assyria – and with each step towards the world their reverence and fear for the Rock-Solid God diminished

c. God’s patience with His people did not result in their repentance

d. how often God’s people seem to adopt worldly wisdom and worldly methods to run the church of God, to organize its programs

e. but the church is, or it should be, engaged in a spiritual warfare, and only spiritual weapons will work: ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.’ (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) – and it is notable that these verses are speaking of strongholds – fortresses – existing within the church, not outside; in the minds of professing Christians, not in unbelieving enemies.

4. Their Coming Exposure (12-13a)

a. God will not allow this situation to continue indefinitely

(A) we pray in the Name of Jesus and for His sake

(B) for the sake of God’s great Name, the church which bears His Name will be purified until it again carries out His mission

(C) God will demonstrate the truth: ‘I, I will make conspicuous your righteousness and your works for what they are: but it will not profit you.’ – Judah was going through all the form of sacrifice that Moses had established – righteous deeds – but God was having none of it – read Isaiah 1:10-17 – He was fed up with sacrifices

(D) so also, God will tolerate only so long the form without substance that takes the place of worship in much of the church today

b. Israel pretended to worship God, but their trust was elsewhere, so God warns them ‘When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, And a breath will take them away. …’ (NAS) – we need that the wind of the Holy Spirit sweep away all the things in the church – our church and our lives – which do not honour Him, that revival may come to the people of God

E. The Promise to the Righteous Remnant 57:13b

1. to those who remain faithful, this promise is given: ‘… But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land And will possess My holy mountain.’ (NAS) – pray that God’s visible church, His holy mountain, might be again possessed by those who indeed are His people, who take refuge in Him

F. Conclusion

1. the church’s heating plant

a. a group of five students were visiting London and thought that they would like to hear the famed C. H. Spurgeon preach. Arriving early at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, they were standing outside the door, when a portly man approached them offered to show them around, and asked if they would like to see the church’s heating plant. Well that wasn’t why they had come, but it being early, and not much else to do, they agreed. Going downstairs, opening a door, the guide whispered, ‘This is our heating plant.’ In surprise the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, asking a blessing on the coming service. Their guide, Charles Spurgeon, then introduced himself to them

b. this is the way to revival: ‘If … My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

2. I don’t know who first said it, but it should be our prayer, too: ‘Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me! ‘

=========== References ===========

1. © 2012 by Garth Hutchinson, Faith Fellowship Baptist Church of Aurora (Ontario): may be distributed or quoted freely, only let this be done to the glory “of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Except as noted otherwise, quotations are from the New American Standard (NAS) version of the Bible, ©1960 … 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. In these studies in Isaiah, I commend, and have primarily used, these commentaries:

a. K&D – Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch, 1890; and specifically, the volumes on Isaiah by Franz Delitzsch. This has also been republished at various dates by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan

b. EJY – The Book of Isaiah by Edward J. Young; © 1965; Wm. B. Eerdmans

c. EBC – The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, particularly from Volume 6, Isaiah, Geoffrey W. Grogan, Principal, Bible Training Institute, Glasgow, Scotland; © 1986 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 49530, Michigan.

2. in places I have used my own loose translation, in others those of EJY and K&D.

3. Jeremiah 6:13-17, 12:9-11, 23:1-2; Ezekiel 3:16-21, 33:2-7, 34:1-6

4. Adapted from Kerux illustrations #5250

Just like the sons of Eli and Samuel, many pastors today are a blight on the church. In Dallas in October 1987 a director of clergy care for a Protestant denomination, Peter Stienke, claimed he has personally counseled 300 pastors in the past seven years; of this number, 60 had disclosed affairs. Most are very successful from a worldly point of view. They are accustomed to using and manipulating people, and take advantage of those who feel unappreciated or are trying to escape problems.

Jack Hyles says leaders should not be judged, especially if the charges are true. Talking about someone doing adultery is worse than doing it yourself. Perhaps a self-serving position.

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Roman Catholics are concerned about defections to Fundamentalists. They see fundies as having more effective evangelism. They are now coming up with programs of their own. An article in the New Jersey Catholic News anticipates a rapid decline in their faith due to small numbers of priests and nuns and their worldliness.

Pastors and staff need support, Henry said. He pointed to the problem of forced resignations and terminations of pastors, which occur in the SBC at a rate of 125 a month. Representatives of Baptist agencies say they receive 40 or 50 calls from pastors and staff who are ready to quit or change positions every day.

"Somehow we must find a way to help our pastors and staff members, who by their own moral choices, emotional burnout or by church conflict have been forced to the sidelines," he said.

Henry invoked the motto of the U.S. Army Rangers: "You go out together, you stick together, you work as a unit and you come in together. If you don't come in together, don't bother to come in!"

"We must help each other come in together," he said.

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ASSOCIATED BAPTIST PRESS

The Billy Graham model for handling conflicts and controversies, with 5 key points:

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. - Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Drawn together during the 1940s through the ministry of Youth for Christ, Billy Graham, Merv Rosell, and a small cadre of gifted young evangelists -- sharing not only sermons and songleaders but also long seasons of prayer and a growing sense of awe at what God was doing through them -- became the surprising leaders of what the editor of United Evangelical Action would by 1952 be calling "one of the greatest outpourings of the Spirit in the nation's history."

Those powerful midcentury revivals, marked by the large evangelistic crusades that swept through scores of American cities during the late 1940s and early 1950s, not only swelled the ranks of a resurgent evangelical movement, but they also helped to make Billy Graham the best known and most respected leader of our century. With Billy Graham's new prominence, however, came increasing criticism. Old friends as well as new enemies began to voice concerns about everything from his theology to his style of preaching.

Well-known figures, of course, are always vulnerable to criticism -- and special scrutiny, it would seem, has frequently been reserved for religious leaders. From Whitefield and Finney to Moody and Sunday, American evangelists have all felt the sting of unfavorable judgments made against them by their contemporaries. Yet few seem either to have understood the importance of criticism or to have developed as constructive a strategy for dealing with it as has Billy Graham.

One of his greatest legacies to those of us who come after him, I am convinced, is the pattern of dealing with criticism that he has practiced with such remarkable consistency across the years. Centered on five key principles, it is a model of Christian charity that evangelical Christians in our day would do well to emulate. I have enumerated below some of the key elements undergirding his approach to ministry and his response to critics.

1. Commit yourself to moral purity.

Richard Baxter, whom J. I. Packer has called "the most outstanding pastor, evangelist and writer on practical and devotional themes that Puritanism produced," opened his seventeenth-century classic, "The Reformed Pastor," with a striking admonition to Christian leaders: "Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine, and lest you lay such stumbling-blocks before the blind, as may be the occasion of their ruin; lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of success of our own labors." It is "a fearful thing" to be "an unsanctified preacher."

Few preachers, I suspect, have been as determined to heed Baxter's warning as Billy Graham. Early in his ministry, during the 1948 evangelistic meetings in Modesto, California, he called the members of his team together to discuss ways in which they could fortify themselves more fully against "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). As William Martin describes it in his recent biography, "A Prophet with Honor," the Elmer Gantry image attached to American evangelism, which Sinclair Lewis had "assembled from skeletons and scraps found in the closets of real-life evangelists," was well known by Graham. So he asked his colleagues to identify "all the things that have been a stumbling block and a hindrance to evangelists in years past" so that together they might establish effective means of avoiding them.

Out of that discussion emerged the "Modesto Manifesto," as it came to be known, a set of practical guidelines for maintaining moral purity and avoiding even "the appearance of evil" amid the lures of money, sex, and power. ...

The importance of this principle for Graham was underscored once again in the "Amsterdam Affirmation," the 1983 document from the International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists. "We acknowledge our obligation, as servants of God, to lead lives of holiness and moral purity, knowing that we exemplify Christ to the church and to the world"; and "[we pledge, moreover, to be] faithful stewards of all that God gives us [and] to be accountable to others in the finances of our ministry" and to be "honest in reporting our statistics."

We "must study as hard how to live well," Baxter once wrote, "as how to preach well." Many a "tailor goes in rags, that maketh costly clothes for others; and many a cook scarcely licks his fingers, when he hath dressed for others the most costly dishes." God never saved anyone for being "an able preacher," but because the preacher was "justified," "sanctified," and "faithful" in the Master's work. Therefore, "we must take heed," Baxter concluded in a warning that Billy Graham has echoed many times, lest we "mar the work of God by our weakness."

2. Weigh everything against Scripture.

While eager to learn all he can from his critics, Billy Graham's ultimate authority is always the Bible. Early in his ministry, among the pines of the Forest Home conference grounds in California, he came to the rock solid belief that the Bible is the very Word of God. Questions about the authority of Scripture had been troubling the young preacher for weeks. Knowing that the matter must be settled in his mind if he ever hoped to preach with authority and power, he wrestled with his doubts until he was able to pray: "Oh God, I cannot prove certain things. I cannot answer some of the questions my friends are asking. [Yet, here and now I am ready to accept the Bible] by faith as the Word of God."

That simple prayer transformed Graham's ministry -- and convinced him, once for all, of the Bible's absolute authority. Since that special moment at Forest Home, no conviction has marked his ministry more deeply. Across the years, the Bible has remained the foundation for his preaching and the ultimate standard by which he judges both his relationships and the conduct of his evangelistic work.

Some, of course, have interpreted Graham's generous spirit -- evidenced by his willingness to join hands with people of many traditions and backgrounds -- as a sign of weakness or a lack of resolve. Yet, even here, we see that his policy is the result of deep reflection on the Bible's teaching.

Two interesting examples of this principle come to us from the 1957 New York City crusade. "If criticism is a blessing," wrote George Burnham and Lee Fisher in their book Billy Graham and the New York Crusade, "then [Billy Graham] is certainly one of the most blest of men." Charged by those on his theological Left with preaching a gospel "devoid of social emphasis" and by those on his theological Right with "fraternizing with liberals," Graham found himself "caught in the cross fire." His responses in both directions are instructive.

When sharply criticized from the Left by Reinhold Niebuhr, then a well-known faculty member at Union Theological Seminary, for preaching too simplistic a gospel, Billy Graham responded in characteristic fashion, as quoted by Martin: "When Dr. Niebuhr makes his criticisms about me, I study them, for I have respect for them." While acknowledging that he "had read nearly everything Mr. Niebuhr has written," and that he had come to a deeper understanding of America's social problems as a result, he went on to make it clear that fundamental disagreements still remained. "I don't think you can change the world with all its lusts and hatred and greed," he concluded from his study of the Bible, "until you change men's hearts. Men must love God before they can truly love their neighbors. The theologians don't seem to understand that fact."

Meanwhile, criticism of a very different sort was coming from some of his fundamentalist friends on the Right. Citing the scriptural command to "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," they began to express their growing concern about Graham's willingness to join hands in his crusades with what they considered to be "liberal" or possibly even "apostate" pastors and churches. This issue of cooperative evangelism, marking in one sense the final and wrenching break between fundamentalism and evangelicalism, was a major turning point in Graham's ministry. But it was one that he took only after he had carefully weighed the criticisms against the teachings of the Bible.

In a lengthy letter "on separation" that was published in November of 1958 in Eternity magazine, Graham wrote: "During the past few weeks, I have come to some very deep convictions. It seems to me that the entire weight of Scripture lies in the direction of fellowship rather than separation. John 13:34 and 35, 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another....By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.' What is the great overwhelming evidence that we have passed from death unto life? Orthodoxy? Morality? Evangelistic passion? No! It is love!"

Using other biblical texts -- such as John 17, Romans 14, Ephesians 2, and 1 Corinthians 12 -- he distinguished between appropriate and inappropriate separation. "There come times," he suggested, "when we are to separate on theological grounds! [I recognize] that there are some modernists we are to separate ourselves from; and yet, on the other hand, I am convinced there are some 'so-called' fundamentalists we are to separate ourselves from. In my opinion, the same spiritual defect which is apparent in extreme liberalism that causes deadness, hardness, callousness and unbelief is the same defect that causes bitterness, jealously, rancor, division, strife, hardness, a seeking after revenge and vindictiveness that characterizes a few fundamentalists. It seems to me the Scripture teaches that we are to avoid both extremes."

Here we find underscored an important key to Billy Graham's approach to criticism. Having wrestled with the issues raised by his critics, and having revealed his willingness to be instructed by their concerns, in the final analysis it is the Bible alone that must supply the ultimate conclusions.

3. View criticisms as opportunities for correction and growth.

Most of us will never have to face the kind of relentless and sometimes brutal scrutiny to which leaders such as Billy Graham are regularly subjected. Yet we can learn valuable lessons for how to deal with the stones thrown our way by observing how others have treated their critics over the years. From cynical reporters and theological opponents to angry students and jealous colleagues, Billy Graham has seen them all. Yet, with what the London Daily Telegraph described in 1955 as his "charm, sincerity, and simplicity bound together by a deep Christian charity," he has again and again turned many of his critics into his most ardent admirers.

Graham's approach to criticism can be seen in an article he wrote for the Christian Century (Feb. 17, 1960), entitled "What Ten Years Have Taught Me." In it we see just how seriously he listened to his critics.

[It was] just ten years ago, that my evangelistic work came to the attention of the church as the result of a Los Angeles crusade. To me it was like a bolt of lightning out of a clear sky....I found my sermons and statements being analyzed and criticized by hundreds of clergy, laymen, and theologians throughout the world. Religious periodicals joined in applause or criticism on my message, methods, and motives. To say the least, I was baffled...and even frightened. Over and over again I went to my knees for guidance and direction....There have been triumphs and defeats, elations and deflations, but never once have I doubted the validity of the gift or the call to evangelism. [...]

Here, in capsule form, we can discover the spirit that has come to characterize Billy Graham's response to criticism. It involves, first, an awareness of his own weakness and need for correction. Second, it points to his continued reliance upon God's sovereign power, appropriated through prayer, for the fulfillment of his ministry. Third, it is ready to admit that mistakes have been made within his ministry. Fourth, it reflects a determination to correct those mistakes and make whatever changes are needed. And finally, it reveals a passionate desire to serve God as fully as strength and human abilities will allow.

What is not expressed directly, but which seems to underlie all the others, is a loving regard for those whom he is called to serve -- even if they happen to be opponents. David Poling in his book "Why Billy Graham?" seems to capture the sentiment when he writes: "When the last conclusions about Graham are sifted and recorded, [it may be] that his greatest gift for the last half of the twentieth century" was not that he "packed them in" at Madison Square Garden or Earls Court or the Hollywood Bowl, or that he was successful in "radio and television" and "publishing." Rather, it may be that he "loved people greatly [and] by loving them, led them to the gates of the kingdom of God."

4. Remember that your most exacting critic is God.

In "A Biblical Standard for Evangelists," published in 1984, Billy Graham reminded himself and his colleagues in evangelism of the need for "transparent honesty" in everything they said and did. Even if others are "not watching us and evaluating our ministries by what they see of our honesty and integrity," he argued, "we still should be above reproach, because we are accountable to God."

There is a sense in which Graham's critics have not been nearly as hard on him as he is on himself. In his 1979 biography "Billy Graham: Evangelist to the World," John Pollock reports a conversation in which Graham commented about his growing concern that in a "day of publicity and media exposure," people would have a tendency to "put him on a pedestal" where, he is convinced, he does not belong. "[I am] not the holy, righteous prophet of God that many people think I am. I share with Wesley the feeling of my own inadequacy and sinfulness constantly. I am often amazed that God can use me at all."

What prompts such a comment is the awareness that God's standards for truth and righteousness are far beyond any expectations that even the harshest critic might harbor. Standards of lifestyle and conduct for those in the Christian ministry are rooted in the Scriptures. Therefore, it is essential that each Christian prayerfully study God's Word, come to understand its commands, and seek by the power of the Holy Spirit to obey them.

The question before all of us, as it has been for every generation, is a matter of basic loyalties. Will we continue to serve our own interests or give our allegiance to a holy God? Will we seek to please those around us or will we follow God's commands? Will we be guided primarily by a world that seeks to press us into its own mold, or will our lives be conformed to the image of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ? [...]

5. Stay focused.

As one of the most admired individuals in the world, one who enjoys access to its leaders and whose opinions are regularly sought, it is quite remarkable that Billy Graham has been able to maintain such a singular focus on his work as an evangelist. Graham once commented that he has had a number of opportunities to become involved in television, motion pictures, or even to help in the building of a great Christian university. "But always the still, small voice has said, 'God called you to be an evangelist.' When God calls us, we are to remain faithful."

This is also the reason that Graham has been so reluctant to enter into public debate with many of his critics. "Why should I engage in controversies?" he once wrote in a letter. "I would soon become so embroiled that the effectiveness of this ministry would cease....I am reminded of Nehemiah's answer to his critics, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?'.... [We] cannot afford to get bogged down in disagreements."

Since its founding in 1942, the National Association of Evangelicals has called for the avoidance of unnecessary contention. "[We will not] be diverted to participate in some back-alley scrap," wrote Harold John Ockenga, the founding president of the association, in the first issue of United Evangelical Action (Aug. 1, 1942). "Far too much energy, money, and time have been lost in this kind of mistaken strategy already. Let our motto among the brethren be, 'His banner over us was love.'...[Let us] refuse to waste our time and energy [in] fruitless controversy."

"What a moment to be an ambassador for Christ," Graham once wrote. "What an hour for the proclamation of his gospel! This is the time to make Christ known, whether we be pastor, teacher, evangelist or layman. I intend to keep on going, preaching the gospel, writing the gospel, as long as I have any breath. I hope my last word as I am dying-whether by bullet wound, by cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke-I hope my dying word will be Jesus."

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Garth M. Rosell is professor of church history and director of the Ockenga Institute at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Copyright (c) 1995 Christianity Today, Inc./CHRISTIANITY TODAY Magazine

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A WOLF followed a flock of sheep for a long time and did not attempt

to injure one of them. The Shepherd at first stood on his guard

against him, as against an enemy, and kept a strict watch over his

movements. But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the company of

the sheep and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the

Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than

as a plotter of evil against it; and when occasion called him one day

into the city, he left the sheep entirely in his charge. The Wolf,

now that he had the opportunity, fell upon the sheep, and destroyed

the greater part of the flock. When the Shepherd returned to find his

flock destroyed, he exclaimed: "I have been rightly served; why did I

trust my sheep to a Wolf?'

If ministers or pastors do not guard and pray for their flock, the

Wolf (Satan) can easily come and wreck havoc and destruction.

Perhaps this article found in a church bulletin will interest

you. It's entitled, "How to Get Rid of a Pastor." Not long

ago a well-meaning group of laymen came from a neighboring

church to see me. They wanted me to advise them on some

convenient and painless method of getting rid of their pastor.

I'm afraid, however, that I wasn't much help to them. At the

time I had not had the occasion to give the matter serious

thought. But since then I have pondered the matter a great

deal, and the next time anyone comes for advice on how to get

rid of a pastor, here's what I'll tell him:

Look the pastor straight in the eye while he's preaching and say

"Amen" once in a while and he'll preach himself to death. Pat him on

the back and brag on his good points and he'll probably work himself

to death. Rededicate your life to Christ and ask the preacher for

some job to do, preferably some lost person you could win to Christ,

and he'll die of heart failure. Get the church to unite in prayer for

the preacher and he'll soon become so effective that a larger church

will take him off your hands.

A poll commissioned by the Pew Research Center reported that 71 percent of respondents say they never doubt the existence of God (up from 60% in 1987). The poll also found that 61 percent of Americans believe miracles come from God (an increase of 14% since 1987). Fifty three percent said prayer is important to daily life (up from 41% in 1987).

However, these do not seem to reflect a change in lifestyle of the average American. Radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger probably pointed out a very important contributing factor. She said, “I yell at the clergy all the time. I think the clergy -- with all due respect -- have become more like camp counselors than leaders. What they're doing is saying, 'I want the people to come back next week. You can't challenge them too much, can't ask too much, can't tell them that religion demands something of them, God demands something of you'. Since they're not doing that, it's like the inmates are running the institution.”

-- Mark McWhorter in Electronic Gospel Herald, 1/15/98.

SMILE

A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong. "All right children, let's take another example," she said. "If I were to get into a man's pocket and take his billfold with all his money, what would I be?" Little Billy raises his hand, and with a confident smile, he blurts out, "You'd be his wife!" (NORMality)

A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon ask, "How do you know what to say?"

"Why, God tells me."

"Oh, then why do you keep crossing things out?"

After a church service on Sunday Morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided to become a minister when I grow up."

"That's okay with us, but what made you decide that?"

"Well," said the little boy, "I have to go to church on Sunday anyway, and I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell than to set down and listen." (Sunday Funnies - Net 153)

You see them driving around most urban areas and even venturing out in small town USA. Their destinations are automotive garages and any other place of business that uses tools. Most of the vehicles are large vans or panel trucks and carry such logos as "Snap-On Tools," or "Matco."

What if it were the job of these drivers to rush from place to place tightening, untightening and doing all the actual mechanical repairing of the vehicles? Imagine the mechanics in these shops calling on the tool man every time they needed a bolt tightened or a screw adjusted, sitting around waiting for them to arrive and do the work. It is a comical scene based on the ridiculous; hundreds of mechanics waiting for the help of few exhausted and distraught tool men.

The truth of the matter is, these tool men in their vans only provide the tools. It is the mechanics who do the work.

Sometimes we in the local church can actually get caught up in a similar comedy of errors. A church can look to their pastor as the one whom they hire to do their ministry for them. A pastor can also be at fault for allowing himself to be like the misguided tool man trying to do it all himself.

The truth of the matter is, in God's economy of work in the local church it is the individual people in the congregation who are called by God to do the bulk of the ministry. The pastor's job is to equip them for their ministry.

When the Rev. George Pentecost had finished a discourse in the city of Edinburgh, Horatius Bonar put his hand upon his shoulder and said, "You love to preach to men, don't you?" and Dr. Pentecost answered, "Yes." Then Mr. Bonar said, "Do you love the men you preach to?"

It was only a cold in her head when Mrs. Mosby came to Doc Bradley.

The doctor poured out some medicine from his store and told her how often to take it. A few days later he was called to her home, for in those days doctors made housecalls. The cold had settled in her chest.

More medicine was prescribed, but the woman died. She could have survived, and it hurt the doctor to know he had prescribed, but the patient did not survive.

A short time after the funeral, the doctor happened to meet Mrs. Mosby's sister and by accident learned that the sick woman had not taken a drop of his medicine, but instead poured it down the sink. The doctor then realized he was not responsible, for the patient had not followed orders.

Obviously the preacher is responsible to prescribe the right medicine.

Too many in the church pews listen but do not take the gospel medicine. Only those who listen and follow what is prescribed can expect to find spiritual health.

Coming to the close of many years of faithful ministry, an aged pastor tied his sermon notes in a bundle and wrote on it: "Where has the influence of all the sermons I have preached gone?" One who had been under his ministry for years and who had grown in Christlikeness and in the knowledge of God's Word, gave the following heartfelt appraisal of his sermons: "Where are last year's sunrays? They have gone into fruits and grains and vegetables to feed mankind. Where are last year's raindrops? Forgotten, of course, but they did their gracious and refreshing work. Your sermons, preached over the years, have gone into my life and into the lives of others, to make me and them better, nobler, and more Christlike. They have deepened our love for God's Word, given us a vision of and love for unsaved ones, and have challenged us to go on in the Christian life!"

Dr. Westfield, the Bishop of Bristol in the reign of Charles I, was so excellent a preacher that he was called "a born orator." Yet he was so conscious of his own insufficiency that he never ascended the pulpit without trembling, even when he had been fifty years a preacher.

Preaching once before the King at Oxford, he fainted away. His Majesty awaited his recovery, and then heard a sermon that powerfully moved him. The more conscious a preacher is of his own weakness, the more powerful and effective may be the message that he preaches.

Preachers fall into four categories:

1. Those who do not use any notes, so the audience has no idea how long they will speak.

2. Those who lay each page of their sermon down in front of them as they read it. These honest ones enable the audience to keep track of

how much more is to come.

3. Those who cheat by putting each sheet of notes under the others in their hand.

4. And, worst of all, those who put down each sheet of notes as they read them and then horrify the audience by picking up the whole batch and reading off the other side.

I believe that a pastor who is content with a vineyard that is not at its best is not a good husbandman. It is my prayer that we may be a healthy and fruitful vineyard and that we may be an honor to the Well Beloved, Jesus Christ the Lord, that He might go before the Father and say, “These are mine for whom I pray, and they have heard the Word and have believed on Me.” I pray that we might fit into the high priestly prayer of John 17, that we would be a church after Christ’s own heart so that in us He might see the travail of His soul and be satisfied…

The church should be a healthy, fruitful vineyard that will bring honor to Christ, a church after Christ’s own heart where He can look at the travail of His soul and be satisfied.

“Lord, I long that Jesus Christ might indeed be satisfied with my own life and the lives of those whom He has called me to lead. Help me to be a faithful husbandman in whatever vineyard You place me. Amen.”

If you are looking to grow deeper spiritually in the coming months, try one of the following next steps!

You were Planned for God’s Pleasure

Ask God to help you find purpose –-You’ll never find purpose until you’ve made the most important decision imaginable –-make God the CEO of your life. If you’ve never made that commitment to Christ, go here and Rick Warren will walk you through that important step.

Breath Prayers –-God wants us to connect with Him on a moment-by-moment basis. When we pray once a week or even once a day, we fail to take advantage of everything God has for us! Breath prayers are a great way to keep in contact with our Heavenly Father throughout our day. Just repeat short heart-felt prayers, such as “You are my God,” “I love you Lord,” and “Thank You, Jesus.” Consult Chapter 10 of The Purpose-Driven Life for more information.

Commit it all to God –-Your Heavenly Father wants every bit of your life, even the parts you don’t want to give –-especially the parts you don’t want to give! Take a look at your life and find the areas you haven’t really given over to Him. Make a commitment to surrender those areas now. Where do you start? Start with the one part of your life that came to your mind when you were asked to commit it all to God. The area you least want to give up is the area He most wants you to give up. That may be your wallet, your children, your career –-anything you’re unwilling to give up. Do it today!

Devote your job to serving God –-You weren’t simply designed to worship God while in church; you were designed to worship Him around the clock. You worship with the day-to-day details of your life. You can worship God by giving your best at work, teaching a child to write his name, or sweeping a floor.

Express your worship by writing a prayer to God –-Have you ever read an old love letter from your spouse? Writing is a great way to express your admiration for another person; it’s also a good way to express your love for God. Try writing a prayer to God. Whether you imagine yourself a writer or not, the process of putting a prayer together will help you think through what you want to tell God about what He is doing in your life.

You were Formed for God’s Family

Focus on the relationships in your life –-By the year 2014, your key memories of 2004 probably won’t be your successes or your failures, but instead they will be the people who are close to you. Don’t let another year go by without making an intentional effort to focus on the relationships in your life.

Go deeper with a Christian friend –-God never asked us to build a Rolodex of church friends … He asked us to be a part of His family. He is more concerned with the depth of our relationships than the breadth. Make the commitment this year to go deeper in at least one of your same-sex Christian friendships. Maybe even ask a friend to be an accountability partner with you, so you can encourage one another to grow in your relationship with God.

Heal broken relationships –-Determine today that you’ll actively try to mend the relationships in your life that are broken. When Jesus was asked about the most important commandment, He connected loving God with loving others. Why? It’s hard to have a good relationship with God when we don’t have peace with the people in our lives.

Institute a no-gossip rule for yourself and your family –-Nothing destroys a friendship like gossip. Make a commitment between you and anyone else you have influence over not to indulge in gossip. Don’t spread hurtful information. For that matter, choose not to listen to gossip as well. Make a point to walk out of the room or confront the gossip.

Join a small group Bible study –-God designed the church to be a family. If you’re not building relationships with fellow believers, you’re not fulfilling one of God’s five purposes for your life –-fellowship. You were never meant to live an isolated life. One of the best ways to establish relationships is by studying the Bible with a small group of friends.

You were Created to be Like Christ

Keep God’s Word in your mind –-Try to pick out a verse every week to memorize. You can begin with verses that focus around issues you’re dealing with, for instance, if you’re struggling with temptation, memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13. Struggling to forgive yourself for a past sin? Try Romans 8:1. Regardless of the verse you choose, you’ll grow as you hide God’s Word in your heart.

Laugh more this year –-You might not realize it, but laughing can be considered a spiritual discipline. The Christian life was never meant to be a somber funeral but instead should be a joyous celebration. In the Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus is going through different characteristics of Kingdom living, He mentions laughter as the ultimate destiny for those grieving in this world (Luke 6:21). Jesus really resembled a lover of life more than a stoic religious zealot (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:34). If you want to become like Christ, you’ll need to learn to take God more seriously and yourself less seriously.

Make Bible study a constant habit –-If the only time you open your Bible each week is when you show up at church on the weekends or at your small group, you’ll never become the Christ-like follower God wants you to become. The Bible teaches that you were created to be like Christ. An important step toward Christ-like-ness is absorbing the truth of His Word. Make Bible study as regular as brushing your teeth. (We’ll go out on limb and say that is a regular part of your life already! Ha!)

“Nip temptation in the bud” –-Temptation is one of the greatest spiritual killers out there. If you want to escape the snare of temptation, try letting a fellow Christian in on your struggle. If you have a Celebrate Recovery program in your church, that’s a good place to start!

Open your heart to God’s surgical maneuvers –-When you become a follower of Christ, He starts a grand surgical procedure on you as He forms your heart into His image. Pain is often a sign that Jesus has His surgical knife on your heart. Although it might hurt for awhile, ultimately, it is a part of God shaping your heart. Take stock of the pain and trials in your life right now and allow God to use them to transform you.

You were SHAPE’d to Serve God

Pitch in and help out at church –-Try volunteering at your church. It doesn’t matter if you are a brand-new Christian or a seasoned believer, there is a place for you to serve somewhere at your church. Talk to the pastor or volunteer director at your church.

Question your beliefs about success –-God’s standard of success isn’t the same as ours. Jesus tells us that the greatest in the Kingdom of God is the one who serves. Ask yourself, “How do I measure success?”

Reach out to a church member in need –-You don’t have to go across the ocean to find people in need. If you have a small group, be sensitive to ways you can help your fellow church members in real and practical ways. Maybe you can buy a group member groceries, give her a ride to a doctor’s appointment or just provide a shoulder to cry on.

Search for your God-given SHAPE –-God has especially designed you to serve Him in ministry. He gives you unique spiritual gifts, heart (passion), abilities, personality and experiences that He expects you to use in ministry. Spend some time trying to discover your SHAPE this year and begin using that SHAPE in ministry! CLASS 301 and the SHAPE interview afterwards provide wonderful tools to start you on this process. Go here to get more information about bringing CLASS 301 to your church.

Test your SHAPE by getting involved in a ministry –-You’ll never know what ministry God SHAPE’d you for until you give it a try. Make the commitment to do that this year. You’ll be able to tell quickly if it isn’t for you. Then you can try something new! Eventually, you’ll find a good fit.

You were Made for a Mission!

Understand God’s global plan –-Since the day Adam first sinned, God has been reconciling the world to Himself. Currently, God is working through people just like you to make Himself known in cultures across the globe. Does God want to use you to reach the nations? Pray about what your part will be in God’s global plan.

Visit a neighbor with the intention of sharing Christ –-Most of us have neighbors, friends or relatives who don’t know Christ. Make a commitment to visit them and tell your story about what God has done in your life!

Write out your life message –-Each of us have a special story about how God changed our life. Your story is unique to you. Take the time to write it out in 1, 3 and 5-minute versions. Then have the courage to share your story whenever God gives you an opportunity.

eXpress the Good News in your actions and words –-We must learn to share our faith in Christ both verbally and in the way we live. One way is no more important than the other. Even though we might feel more comfortable sharing our faith in a particular manner, it doesn’t excuse us from doing it the other way. Using words without actions will seem shallow. Using actions without words will seem timid. Make it a point to express your faith to one person a month in the coming year.

Yield your rights to help lead a person to Christ –-If you only lead people to Christ on your terms, you aren’t living up to your biblical responsibility. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul tells us that we must forfeit even what we consider rights so others might come to know Christ. Take a look at the list of people in your life that need a life-changing relationship with God. What will you have to give up to see them make that commitment?

Zzzz. zzzz. get some rest! –-Worshipping, building relationships, growing spiritually, serving and sharing your faith requires a rested soul!

The lesson that comes to us through the many dramatic illustrations of faith in Hebrews 11 brings us back to my earlier statement: Faith in God is to be demonstrated, not defined. Just as God’s church demonstrates Christian love, this demonstration of godly, humble faith is God’s ideal for His church.

It is not enough for preachers in their pulpits to try to define love. The love that God has promised must be demonstrated in the lives of the believers in the pews. It must be practiced as well by the man who occupies the pulpit.

We should put the matter of faith in that same category. God wants His people, including the ministers, to demonstrate all of the outworking of faith in their daily lives and practices.

“Lord, the pattern set forth in Hebrews 11 seems so unattainable! Strengthen me by Your Spirit to be able to demonstrate this type of unshakable faith. Amen.”

Pastoral Ministry: We Languish for Men

Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” -- Acts 21:13

The Church at this moment needs men, the right kind of men, bold men....

We languish for men who feel themselves expendable in the warfare of the soul, who cannot be frightened by threats of death because they have already died to the allurements of this world. Such men will be free from the compulsions that control weaker men. They will not be forced to do things by the squeeze of circumstances; their only compulsion will come from within -- or from above.

This kind of freedom is necessary if we are to have prophets in our pulpits again instead of mascots. These free men will serve God and mankind from motives too high to be understood by the rank and file of religious retainers who today shuttle in and out of the sanctuary. They will make no decisions out of fear, take no course out of a desire to please, accept no service for financial considerations, perform no religious act out of mere custom; nor will they allow themselves to be influenced by the love of publicity or the desire for reputation. Of God and Men, 11-13.

“Lord, what would it take for me to be that kind of man? Do in me whatever work You need to do today, that I might die to the allurements of the world and serve You with high motives. Amen.”

Pastoral Ministry: Humble Service

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this

life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

--2 Timothy 2:3-4

Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its

popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember

that I am a prophet--not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a

prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of

carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me

from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around

the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place

of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the

rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and

late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier

of Jesus Christ....

And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days

to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before

the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not

mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to

do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches

or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.

God Tells the Man Who Cares, 105-106.

"Lord, this prayer of Tozer's seems so contrary to the spirit of

today's church growth emphasis, celebrity pastors, and TV

personalities. Enable me by your Holy Spirit to make this prayer

genuinely mine. Amen."

You cannot deny that the life and vitality of the Christian church

lie in the spiritual leadership of men anointed of the Holy Ghost.

I dare to tell you that there is danger in too much democracy in the

life of the church.

I am sure that some of you with a strong Baptist background will

curl up like a burning leaf in the autumn to hear me say this, but

that is all right: I am half Baptist myself!

But I do not believe that God expects the Christian church to thrive

and mature and grow just on plain democratic principles. If you will

check around you will find that even those who hold to democracy in

their church policy never get beyond first base unless they have

leaders within the denomination who are anointed men, strongly

spiritual in leadership.

"Lord, it seems as though Christian leaders have failed so often and

so visibly that now the church is paranoid. I pray that leaders

today would be faithful and pure; I pray that the church today would

be willing to follow Godly leadership. Amen."

Acts 20:17–35 — Parting Message to Ephesian Elders (outline by F. F. Bruce, NICNT)

« Leader information shown in this fashion »

{A.} The Birth of the Church (1:1–5:42)

{B.} Persecution and Expansion (6:1–9:31)

{C.} The Acts of Peter & Beginnings of Gentile Christianity (9:32-12:25)

{D.} Church Extension from Antioch & Apostolic Decree at Jerusalem

(12:25–15:35)

{E.} Paul Leaves Antioch & Moves to the Aegean World (15:36–19:20)

{F.} Paul Plans to Visit Rome and Gets there by an Unforseen Route

(19:21–28:31)

{1} He Prepares to Leave Ephesus for Macedonia and Achaia

(19:21–20:6) « review this: background of Ephesian church »

A. Paul Makes Plans for the Future (19:21–22)

B. The Riot at Ephesus (19:23–41)

1. Indignation of the silversmiths (19:23–28)

2. Demonstration in the theatre (19:29-34)

3. The town clerk calms the agitation (19:35-41)

C. Paul Visits Macedonia and Greece (20:1–6)

{2} The Journey to Jerusalem

A. Paul at Troas (20:7–12)

B. From Troas to Miletus (20:13–16)

~~~~~~~~~~

C. Paul Sends for the Elders of the Ephesian Church (20:17; NKJV): 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

1. Ephesus lay some 30 miles (50 km) to the north, so the ship must have laid over in this port for a couple of days.

2. This speech to Christians, the only such one Luke records, is in tone very much like Paul later church and pastoral epistles.

3. Though this speaks of one church in Ephesus, Paul’s epistles give reason to assume these elders were distributed amongst various house congregations.

4. From the Greek word for ‘elder’ we get an English word, P______________ « resbyter » which is used in some churches today. The use of this word for religious leadership dates back to Moses’ day (see Exodus 3:16, 18:12, 24:1). Verse 28 gives two responsibilities that these had in the church:

a. To O__________ « versee » the church « (Greek, episkopous from which we get the English, ‘episcopal’) » . This is sometimes translated B__________ « ishop; however, this was not so much an office as a responsibility » . The idea is found in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 33:7 where the prophet is made a W___________ « atchman » by God to W_____ « arn » His people. Carrying out this responsibility means … « discuss »

b. To S__________ « hepherd » believers « (the same word from which is derived ‘pastor’) » . Jesus is both the G______ « ood » (John 10:11, 14) and the G______ « reat » (Hebrews 13:20) S__________ « hepherd » . Carrying out this responsibility means … « discuss; compare John 21:15–17) »

D. Paul Bids Farewell to the Ephesian Church 20:18–35

1. Retrospect on the Ephesian Ministry (20:18–21; NKJV): 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

a. What personal traits did Paul manifest in ministry? « – servant attitude (douleuw); humility in thinking (cf. Rom 12:3), full-hearted care and love (shown by his tears). »

b. What obstacles had he faced (Acts 19:8-9, 23-24)? « – plots of the Jews, opposition of silversmiths »

c. What methods did Paul use? « – preaching (proclaiming), public and in-house teaching »

d. What elements did His message contain? « – all things that were helpful (profitable, useful), repentance, faith; the person of the Lord Jesus Christ »

e. Who were his ‘target’ audience? « – everyone: Jew, Gentile »

2. Paul’s Prospects (20:22–24; NKJV): “ 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

a. “In the spirit” echoes Acts 19:21, so we ask again, what is the guiding governance of Paul’s life? « – the Holy Spirit; the word ‘bound’ well represents the Greek in both its literal and its figurative meanings – obligated by the Spirit »

b. Does Jesus ask us to obey sight unseen (cf. John 16:33) « – discuss; we walk by faith not sight; but gives His promises to us of being with us, of God’s care for us; trials to come; of things to come we have general, not specific knowledge »

c. What can we say about (and imitate in) Paul’s own spirit? « – in accord with Holy Spirit, full of God’s joy, weigh things by eternity; Paul & Mary Kerr as her death approached: ‘God’s grace is everything; the gospel is the only thing’ »

3. His charge to the Elders (20:25–31; NKJV): “ 25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

a. Would this end his ministry to them? « – no; wrote epistle! »

b. Whereby was he innocent (Ezekiel 33:8–9)?

i. Verse 27: « he told the truth, whole …, nothing but … »

ii. Verse 31: « he preached as a dying man to dying men »

c. What principal burdens did he pass on to the presbyters, bishops, pastors?

i. From outside: « the invasion of wolves, false teachers »

ii. From inside: « the defections from among their ranks »

4. Final Admonition (20:32–35; NKJV): “ 32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

a. What practice of Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:2–3, 18–19) was carried over to his ministry at Ephesus? « – self-support »

b. What is the inoculation against apostasy? « – staying close to God and to ‘the word of His grace’ which is the gospel »

c. What are the preventatives for covetousness?

i. Recalling « – the inheritance we have with saints, v. 32 »

ii. Regarding « – the needs of others beyond one’s own »

iii. Remembering « – the words of Jesus, who gave up all »

”You are called to free workplace believers from the Esau life.” Those were the words spoken to me years ago by someone God sent into my life. I had been in the midst of trying to understand some catastrophic events that shook my world. Years later, I was able to see that God gave this person supernatural insight that revealed God’s calling on my life.

God still uses His prophets today to reveal His plans in the lives of His people. I have seen this Scripture proved over and over in the lives of people. It is as though God sends out His “scouts” to inform His servants what is ahead for them. Sometimes He does this because He knows the event will require such changes in that person’s life and so He wants to assure them of His love. I have experienced the Lord using me in this way in the life of other individuals. God did this in the life of Moses. He came to Moses at the burning bush to reveal His purposes for the people of Israel and His call on Moses to free them.

Has God placed individuals in your life to speak His plans for you? Are your eyes and ears spiritually sensitive so that you will know who are messengers of God? Elisha had a servant who could not see or hear with spiritual eyes and ears until Elisha prayed they would be opened. Then the servant could see the great army of God protecting them (see 2 Kings 6:17). Pray that you might see and hear with the Spirit. He may desire to reveal His purposes and plans through another individual.

At the beginning of the present world war (World War I) it is said that a clergyman appeared before Bishop William Taylor-Smith, Chaplain General of the British army, and applied for a chaplaincy. Because he was a part of the great Church of which the Bishop was a leader, he felt reasonably sure of an appointment.

It is said that Bishop Taylor-Smith looked intently at him for a moment, then taking his watch from his pocket, said: "I am a dying soldier on the battlefield-I have three minutes to live-what have you to say to me?"

The clergyman was confused and said nothing.

Then the Bishop said: "I have two minutes to live-what can you tell me to help my soul?" and still the waiting clergyman made no response. Then said the Bishop solemnly: "I have only one minute to live."

With that the clergyman reached for his Prayer-Book, but the Bishop is reported to have said: "No, not that at such a time as this," and because the clergyman had nothing to say to the dying soldier upon the battlefield, he did not received his appointment.

-J. Wilbur Chapman