NECESSITY OF MINISTERIAL PROGRESS, Part 2

In a previous study, we considered Spurgeon’s words about making progress in the ministry in terms of mental requirements. This lesson is about moral responsibilities. 

Brethren, we must be even more earnest to go forward in moral qualities. Let the points I shall mention here come home to those who shall require them, but I assure you I have no special persons among you in my mind's eye. We desire to rise to the highest style of ministry, and if so, even if we obtain the mental and oratorical qualifications, we shall fail, unless we also possess high moral qualities.  

There are evils which we must shake off, as Paul shook the viper from his hand, and there are virtues which we must gain at any cost.  

Self-indulgence has slain its thousands; let us tremble lest we perish by the hands of that Delilah. Let us have every passion and habit under due restraint: if we are not masters of ourselves we are not fit to be leaders in the church.   

We must put away all notion of self importance. God will not bless the man who thinks himself great. To glory even in the work of God the Holy Spirit in yourself is to tread dangerously near to self-adulation. "Let another praise thee, and not thine own lips," and be very glad when that other has sense enough to hold his tongue.   

We must also have our tempers well under restraint. A vigorous temper is not altogether an evil. Men who are as easy as an old shoe are generally of as little worth. I would not say to you, "Dear brethren, have a temper," but I do say, If you have it, control it carefully." I thank God when I see a minister have temper enough to be indignant at wrong, and to be firm for the right; still, temper is an edged tool, and often cuts the man who handles it. "Gentle, easy to be entreated," preferring to bear evil rather than inflict it, this is to be our spirit. If any brother here naturally boils over too soon, let him mind that when he does do so he scalds nobody but the devil, and then let him boil away.   

We must conquer–some of us especially–our tendency to levity. A great distinction exists between holy cheerfulness, which is a virtue, and that general levity, which is a vice. There is a levity which has not enough heart to laugh, but trifles with everything; it is flippant, hollow, unreal. A hearty laugh is no more levity than a hearty cry. I speak of that religious veneering which is pretentious, but thin, superficial, and insincere about the weightiest matters. Godliness is no jest; nor is it a mere form. Beware of being actors. Never give earnest men the impression that you do not mean what you say, and are mere professionals. To be burning at the lip and freezing at the soul is a mark of reprobation. God deliver us from being superfine and superficial; may we never be the butterflies of the garden of God.   

At the same time, we should avoid everything like the ferocity of bigotry.   

I know a class of religious people who, I have no doubt, were born of a woman, but they appear to have been suckled by a wolf. I have done them no dishonor; were not Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, so reared? Some warlike men of this order have had sufficient mental power to found dynasties of thought; but human kindness and brotherly love consort better with the kingdom of Christ. We are not to go about the world searching out heresies, like terrier dogs sniffing for rats; nor are we to be so confident of our own infallibility as to erect ecclesiastical stakes at which to roast all who differ from us, not, tis true, with fagots of wood, but with those coals of juniper, which consist of strong prejudice and cruel suspicion.  In addition to all this, there are mannerisms, and moods, and ways which I cannot now describe, against which we must struggle, for little faults may often be the source of failure, and to get rid of them may be the secret of success. Count nothing little which even in a small degree hinders your usefulness; cast out from the temple of your soul the seats of them that sell doves as well as the traffickers in sheep and oxen.   

And, dear brethren, we must acquire certain moral faculties and habits, as well as put aside their opposites. He will never do much for God who has not integrity of spirit. If we be guided by policy, if there be any mode of action for us but that which is straightforward, we shall make shipwreck before long. Resolve, dear brethren, that you can be poor, that you can be despised. that you can lose life itself, but that you cannot do a crooked thing. For you, let the only policy be honesty.   

May you also possess the grand moral characteristic of courage. By this we do not mean impertinence, impudence, or self-conceit; but real courage to do and say calmly the right thing, and to go straight on at all hazards, though there should be none to give you a good word. I am astonished at the number of Christians who are afraid to speak the truth to their brethren. 

 I thank God I can say this, there is no member of my church, no officer of the church, and no man in the world to whom I am afraid to say before his face what I would say behind his back. Under God I owe my position in my own church to the absence of all policy, and the habit of saying what I mean. The plan of making things pleasant all round is a perilous as well as a wicked one. If you say one thing to one man, and another to another, they will one day compare notes and find you out, and then you will be despised. The man of two faces will sooner or later be the object of contempt, and justly so. Above all things avoid cowardice, for it makes men liars. If you have anything that you feel you ought to say about a man, let the measure of what you say be this–-" How much dare I say to his face?" You must not allow yourselves a word more in censure of any man living. If that be your rule, your courage will save you from a thousand difficulties, and win you lasting respect.   

Having the integrity and the courage, dear brethren, may you be gifted with an indomitable zeal. Zeal–what is it? How shall I describe it? Possess it, and you will know what it is. Be consumed with love for Christ, and let the flame burn continuously, not flaming up at public meetings and dying out in the routine work of every day. We need indomitable perseverance, dogged resolution, and a combination of sacred obstinacy, self-denial, holy gentleness, and invincible courage.

God, grant it to be so in my life and all those who read these words!

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #30

Look for staff members that meet these four qualifications:

1) CHARACTER—This is foundational. No matter how good they are at their job, if they are not good in their soul—then, they are not qualified to serve the Lord and share the ministry. You can stop immediately, if you cannot check this box.

2) CONVICTIONS—This is akin to the first. There are to be a set of doctrines they believe and a lifestyle integrated with those.  There may be some minor disagreement out on a few peripheral matters, but not much.  The congregation must hear a consistent message from the staff. You can disagree on the millennium and both still go to heaven, but I wouldn’t want someone on the staff who is not eschatologically equivalent, for instance.  Do you perform marriages for those who have been married before? If one pastor does and another will not, this is potential conflict.  Does one have a conviction that total abstinence from alcohol is wise and the other does not have that belief—well, you see how this can be trouble.

3) COMPETENCE—Someone may be a good person and still not have the capacity to do what is required. They are being hired for a task. Can they grow into it?  Well, they should always be growing.  But, the question is: do they have the capability for such growth, how much growth is required, and do I have time to develop them. Maybe they are a diamond in the rough. Or perhaps they are a lump of coal that would take too long to become a diamond—if ever.

4) CHEMISTRY—Too often overlooked. You can check the first three boxes and if the chemistry is poor then they are a poor fit. This doesn’t mean you want a clone of yourself. Differences can be “iron sharpening iron.”  But, if you have trouble with their basic personality, remember that is not likely to change. Will this person be a joy to work with or a burden to avoid. They may be a round peg fitting into a square hole!

If you can check off these four boxes, then you have found a recruit for building a championship team!

STUFF I‘VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #27

Leadership is not about having a title, but a testimony. I believe I first heard John Maxwell say that. A “Reverend” in front of your name carries little weight and an ordination certificate will not make the congregation respect you unless your character and conduct demonstrate that you are a leader. Credibility with the church must be earned and a seminary degree alone does not assure it. If you have to demand, “Listen to me—I am your pastor!” then it actually means that you are not—at least not yet. Serve the Lord with integrity and serve the people with fidelity and they will honor you by following you if they have an ounce of genuine spirituality.

THE GRACIOUS MANDATE OF GOSPEL MINISTRY

Every Christian is called to gospel ministry—in the sense that we are called to salvation and service. We have freely received the Gospel and are to freely give. The Spirit has gifted every member of the church and in the context of that local church and its community are meant to exercise those gifts. It is full-time work, even if we are a factory worker, a business executive, or a waitress; there is never a time we are not on the job of serving Christ.

Having said that, it is also clear from Scripture that God sets aside certain men for church leadership. That is the focus of 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

A man must have a CALL.  He “desires the position,” not as a matter of carnal covetousness, but a sense of Divine compulsion. Paul put it this way, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor.9:16).  There is an inner drive he cannot escape.

A man must have good CHARACTER. The qualifications listed in 1 Tim.3 are primarily those of character. No matter how skilled a man may be in speaking and leading, if his example cannot be followed, he is not worthy to shepherd God’s flock. This is the foundation of his ministry, and unless it is solid, eventually his leadership will collapse to the ruin of many.

A man must have a level of COMPETENCE. Although this is secondary to character, it is still important. He will have shown he is competent in leadership by how he shepherds his family. The home is the laboratory where leadership is tested and proven. He will also manifest a competence in communication as well, “able to teach,” (1 Tim.3:2). Since he will feed the flock the Word of God, he must exhibit that capacity.

A man must have CONFIRMATION. His wife and children will confirm it—that he is a man of God in the family who can lead the flock. The community will confirm it—“Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside,” (1 Tim.3:7a). He must be respectable in his dealings in the world if he is to have a hearing for the Gospel and not be branded a hypocrite. The church will confirm it—as they examine his call, character, and competence, finding  a level of spiritual maturity that qualifies for laying hands on him in support of ordination.

As John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  That is true to the Word of God in the local church.

IN THE TRENCHES

“For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10 ESV)

Meaningful ministry happens in the trenches.  The pastor is willing to roll up his sleeves and plunge into the midst of the messes his people find themselves in--to lift them and lead them out.  It is as much perspiration as inspiration.  Those who are after a life of ease, filled with perks and privileges, understand nothing of the call of God, and need to get right or get out.  Ministry as God intends it involves labor and toil.  A lazy preacher is a contradiction to his calling.

Paul describes what we call today, "bi-vocational ministry."  Though he had the right to expect the congregation to support him, he refused and chose instead to provide his own financial support.  The bi-vocational minister is not a "part-time" preacher, but has two full-time jobs.  I have done this and can testify to the exhausting responsibility.  Still, God never calls us to a task without providing the grace to accomplish it.

Whether we work in a secular field or depend on the church to meet our needs, sloth has no place in a pastor's life.  None could accuse Paul of that vice--nor of any other.  His behavior was "holy"--that is, he recognized himself as set apart for God and His purposes, and behaved accordingly.  His conduct was "righteous"--in doing the right thing in his dealings with his fellowmen.  His character was "blameless"--with no glaring moral deficiency that could be found.  It is a lofty standard, but one we must incessantly strive to attain.

THE FOUNDATION OF FAITHFUL AND FRUITFUL MINISTRY

 

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  (1 Timothy 4:12)

Timothy was able to stay true despite his timidity, while Demas fled despite his ability (2 Tim.4:9).  Peter, with all his failings, persisted while Judas, with all his skill, perished.  What makes the difference?  Character!  It is the indispensable foundation for faithful and fruitful ministry.  No amount of competence in pastoral skill can overcome character flaws.  We may be charming communicators, but if we do not seek to model the sermon as well as deliver it, then it is all hollow—and without the touch of heaven.  Balaam spoke the truth, but his heart was mercenary.  He was a hireling—a false prophet—not so much because he taught error, but his heart was wicked and that was the ultimate deception.  He knew the vocabulary of Scripture, but did not know the Author.  If the foundation is merely hearing the doctrine in seminary class, then it is sand and the storms of ministry trials will bring collapse—if not here and now, then on the Judgment Day.  To hear and obey is the solid rock of Biblical conviction that issue in true character and righteous conduct.

Even the best of us will struggle and sometimes stumble.  Let us not use grace, as a license to yield to temptation, however!  If we are born again, and God has called us into the ministry, may we not rationalize our surrender to sin as, “I’m only human!”  That is a lie!  If we are God’s child, then the Holy Spirit indwells us.  Yes, we are human, but more—we have become partakers of the Divine nature!  Read 2 Peter 1:2-11.

Clarence Macartney put it like this:

 

The better the man, the better the preacher.  When he kneels by the bed of the dying or when he mounts the pulpit stairs, then every self-denial he has made, every Christian forbearance he has shown, every resistance to sin and temptation will come back to strengthen his arm and give conviction to his voice.  Likewise, every evasion of duty, every indulgence of self, every compromise with evil, every unworthy thought, word or deed, will be there at the head of the pulpit stairs to meet the minister on Sunday morning, to take the light from his eye, the power from his blow, the ring from his voice, and the joy from his heart.

Character is the foundation of faithful and fruitful ministry.  Let us strive to be competent in the ministry we do, but chiefly let us seek to have character as the ministers we are!

POWER IN PREACHING

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.  (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Good news can be presented in an orthodox form—and it should be—and remain only a form, resulting in no conversion or false confession.  So, Paul, in exhorting young Pastor Timothy spoke of those, “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”  (2 Tim.3:5a)  The Apostle rejoiced that his preaching had not been so received by the Thessalonians, evidencing that there was power accompanying the proclamation!

What makes for power in preaching?  Two things are essential:  divine energizing and demonstrable example.

Concerning divine energizing, the key phrase is, “in the Holy Spirit.”  This is more than the Spirit in us—apart from that we are not converted ourselves!  This is our being in the Spirit—apart from that we cannot see others converted!  In the former, the Spirit is resident, and in the latter, He is president.  This comes in a dependence on God—seeking Him for spiritual power.  It is a refusal to rely on professionalism, rationalism, or emotionalism.  Rather, it is casting yourself upon God in faith, letting Him bear you up and carry you along in the act of preaching.   Think in terms of how God inspired the writers of Scripture, “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”  (2 Pet.1:21b).  Certainly our preaching will not be on the level of infallible inspiration, but we must honor that sacred revelation by preaching it in spiritual reliance.  Brother, on Saturday night, get naked before God—confess your utter helplessness—and then on Sunday morning, be clothed in power before you dare to enter the pulpit!  You can then speak with assured authority!

Pertaining to demonstrable example, this is a stressed by the phrase, “you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”  Power in proclamation must ever be linked to practice.  To demand in others what we are not willing to demonstrate is hypocrisy!  That is the kind of preaching the Pharisees did—and Jesus condemned it in forceful terms.  As you look at the qualifications for the pastor in 1 Timothy 3 it is quickly apparent that character is as vital as competence.  There are things we must do—there is nothing commendable in incompetence and indolence—but, there is also the matter of who we are—and that is integrity.  Failing to model the message short-circuits spiritual power.  The verbal proclamation from our lips can never be divorced from the visual pattern of our lifestyle.

When these are present there will be power in preaching—and this is the result: “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”  (1 Thess.1:6-7)  This is fruitful reproduction: realignment to God’s will, “you became followers of us and of the Lord,” reception of God’s Word, “having received the word in much affliction,” rejoicing in God’s work, “with joy of the Holy Spirit,” and replication in God’s world, “you became examples to all.”

THE FELLOWSHIP OF ENCOURAGEMENT, The Duties of the Pastor

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.  (Philippians 2:19)

As I listen to some pastors, it is obvious that a lot would really like a different congregation.  I guarantee a lot of church members—including some of mine—would like to have a new pastor.  Let me tell you what will transform both—seeking to have a fellowship of encouragement!  Paul wanted to build up people and not blast them, and he needed the church’s consolation and not criticism.  Let us weigh carefully the lessons learned from the relationships of the preachers, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus with the believers in Philippi.  In this study, we will consider the duties of the pastor, and in the next we will examine those of the people.  There are three duties of the pastor suggested here. 

There was GENUINE CONCERN (v.19). The heart-felt concern of the Apostle is evident. Even though he was in prison, he wasn't concerned about his physical condition so much as their spiritual one.  We see there was an interest in people.  Our high tech world has led to a low touch world.  We have been reduced to numbers on a computer screen. Call for help and you get an automated voice.  Church members deal with that every day—may it not be so in the church!   There was an involvement with people.  Eugene Petersen described some pastors as invisible 6 days a week and incomprehensible on the 7th.  Not Paul!  He wanted to be with them, but because he couldn't, he sent Timothy.  I can't be everywhere, but everyone needs ministry. You need to receive the staff not as the second string, but as ministers themselves.  There was an investment in people.  Paul sent two important helpers to them—Timothy and Epaphroditus.  He could have used them, but would rather go without than that the congregation should.

There was GODLY CHARACTER (v.19-23)  Timothy stands as an example of godly character.  Look at  his sincerity (v.20). The word "sincerely" is "without wax" from merchants who tried to hide cracked pots with wax that could only be seen when held up to the sun.  Timothy really cared—he was sincere and not a sham!  Note his selflessness (v.21). Paul had a shortage of good people to send.  Demas, in contrast, was such a selfish man, "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world." (2 Tim.4:10)  Consider his service (v.22).  He had proven himself in service. Too many pastors want to take up the scepter as a sovereign rather than take up the basin as a servant!  This isn't the spirit of the Good Shepherd (read 1 Pet.5:1-4).

Pastors also need GREAT COMMITMENT (v.25-30).  Now we zero in on the other Associate Pastor—if you will—Epaphroditus.  He was a committed worker (v.25a).  There was not a lazy bone in his body.   He was a committed warrior (v.25b).  This is a war and eternal souls are the spoils of battle. Billy Sunday said, "as long as I can make a fist, I'm going to fight the devil; as long as I can stand I'm going to kick the devil; as long as I've got teeth, I'm going to bite the devil and when I lose my teeth, I'll gum him!"  Epaphroditus was a committed witness (v.25c-30).  He was a light for their darkness.  A light shines by consuming itself.  This man was willing to spend and be spent!

Pastor—be a minister of encouragement!

MARKS OF A MAN OF GOD

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.  (Psalm 128:1-2)

It has been my relentless desire to be a man of God.  I have sought to be marked out as belonging to Him.  This has been the object of my prayers and the orientation of my pursuit.  I cannot get away from it, nor do I want to.

What does this mean?  What are the marks of a man of God?  There are three that are set forth in this text which I believe are comprehensive in scope.

The man of God is MARKED BY HIS DISPOSITION.  “Blessed is every one who fears the LORD” (v.1a).  This is our fear of God.  If our disposition of heart isn’t directed toward God then nothing else will matter.  Holiness begins here—with reverence, love and devotion to God.  The inner life must be nurtured.  We are worshippers of God before we are workers for God.  David was foremost, “a man after God’s own heart.”  That is what God is looking for—not the outward appearance, but He judges the heart.

The man of God is MARKED BY HIS DIRECTION.  He is one, “Who walks in His ways.”  (v.1b)  This is our faithfulness to God.  If our disposition is to fear the Lord, then it follows that our direction is to be faithful to the Lord.  We can profess the former—that we are a man after God’s own heart—but, it will be proven by the latter.  Those who are after God’s own heart, follow after His ways.  Those who worship God passionately, walk with God persistently.  As a shepherd of God’s flock, I lead my sheep in the right path because I am following the Lord my Shepherd.

The man of God is MARKED BY HIS DESTINATION.  “When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.”  (v.2)  This is our fruitfulness from God.  If our disposition is toward God, then our direction will be with God, and that will bring us to our destination in God—and that is a ministry of fruitfulness.  Abiding in Him—in the inner life of faith and in the outward walk of obedience—is the way of abundant fruitfulness to His glory.  Our heart is fixed, are feet are firm and our hands are filled with the fruit of our labor—sheaves to bring in and wave before the Lord in eternity.  This is the crowning joy that Paul spoke of concerning the disciples he had made in Thessalonica, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”  (1 Thess.2:19-20)

Let our cry to God today be, “Lord, make me a holy man of God!”