A Pastor Lives and Breathes . . .
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption ~ Acts 13:36
Oh the humanity!
Pastors are flesh and blood men. You probably think this is leading to comments about the humanness, and therefore lack of perfection, of pastors. I suppose I will indulge you there for a few moments but that is not the real point.
Pastors are not perfect and that means a couple of important things for the people subject to their pastoral practice. For one, they are prone to mistakes. I don’t mean scandalous and sinfully disqualifying mistakes, though some make those too. I mean gaffes, misspeak, wrong choices, etc. They make fallibly human mistakes, just like you. So don’t be harsh, overcritical, or too quick to condemn them for it. After all, they are still being sanctified. Even Paul said, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect” (Philippians 3:12).
The other consequence of their humanity is that they are not complete. I mean they are not omni-competent in every area. The Spirit gifts men “severally as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Therefore, not all men have the same gifts, nor does any man have a complete set. All pastors have areas of strength and weakness. They should be improving the gifts they have (1 Timothy 4:15), but there are some things they will never be able to do. That’s okay as long as you both know it.
For the main point, I need to finish what I started in the title.
A pastor lives and breathes . . . and one day he won’t.
Excepting those who are alive and remain at the coming of Jesus, pastor’s die. Pastor’s should number their days and apply their hearts to wisdom today (Psalm 90:12). Mortality lends a sense of urgency to our business. But, what does pastoral mortality mean to you?
God has designed for Christians to be gathered into a body and have pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12). The pastors He gives are living, breathing men. They know you, live with you, and work with you (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Their hearts pump and they breathe on you. They share your joys and sorrows and watch sleeplessly over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).
Per God’s design, pastors are real men and just like other real men, the bounds of their habitation are before appointed (Acts 17:26). David, though a great man, was a real man who served his own generation and departed (Acts 13:36). As mighty in the ministry as Paul was, he himself said, “I have finished my course” (2 Timothy 4:7). A part of finishing his course was preparing other men to finish their course after he departed (2 Timothy 2:2).
God has designed pastors to be real men with a real life span. This means that God has designed you a pastor who is living and breathing with you. Charles Spurgeon may be your favorite preacher of all time, but he is not your pastor. You may benefit greatly from reading his sermons and other writings. You may even be shocked at how relevant his thoughts still are, but he is not your pastor.
The same goes for any beloved, departed pastor. You may still learn from them, but not one of them is your pastor. Your pastor, by God’s design, lives and breathes today. You know him, can call him, and eat with him. You can call him in the middle of the night if need be and he can pray with you. If he’s sick, you know and if you’re sick, he knows.
This principle applies also to the voice on the radio, television, or internet. That voice may come from a currently breathing real man, but if you don’t know him because he is not living among you and admonishing you, he is not over you in the Lord and he is not your pastor (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
I do not suggest that we cannot or should not learn from others whether living or dead. We benefit greatly from the learning and thoughts of others. I have libraries, both physical and digital, of the writings and preaching of men. I am thankful for them and certainly learn from them. But, according to God’s design, your pastor lives and breathes with you.
We Are Growing Trees
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. ~ Matthew 13:32
“You cannot grow a beard in a moment of passion.”
So said G. K. Chesterton in Tremendous Trifles. Dissent if you wish, but he was right.
Young men are often impetuous and young preachers particularly so. Their zeal is admirable but they are easily discouraged when they have not the whiskers to match the length of their vehemence. So they have to tarry at Jericho (2 Samuel 10:5), but that is time well spent if they learn the lesson.
Pastors are tasked with “perfecting the saints” (Ephesians 4:11-12). They are charged with a flock, which they must lead and feed so that they grow and mature. Growing things don’t typically grow in great leaps all in a moment. They grow slowly and consistently over time. If we are not paying attention, it might seem they grew overnight, but that is not the case.
Christians are compared to growing things in the Scriptures such as wheat. They are more often figured as trees—palms, myrtles, cedars, and willows. The maturing child of God is likened to a tree in Psalm 1. It takes time for trees to grow tall and strong. There are no real short-cuts.
I once had a boss who liked to say, “The best time to plant an oak tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today.” Growing up with mine reclamation has taught us that grass can be grown quickly. You can spray the hydroseed on the mountain side and have grass very quickly. I guess if you are interested in quick results, hydroseeding is the way to go. But, brothers, we are not growing grass. We are growing trees.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
~ Psalm 1:2-3
The maturing Christian is a tree with deep roots that drinks from the rivers of water. His leaves are green and he bears fruit in season. He grows through the Word of God and little by little he is stronger and taller. It takes time to grow trees and it takes time to grow saints. Patient plodding is the only way.
Young pastors are frequently discouraged because they overestimate what can be accomplished in one year and underestimate what can be accomplished in five or ten. Sometimes they erroneously conclude there is nothing more they can do and they must move on to somewhere else after a short while.
Take heart and have patience. We are growing trees. Trust in the Spirit to do His work and trust in the Word of God. Be committed to faithful exposition of the Word and know the Spirit will take the edge of that sharp sword precisely where it needs to go. Jonah’s gourd came up in a day, but it was also withered and gone the next. Desire fruit that will remain to the glory of God’s name.
Tea Time
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Political and Civil Involvement for Christians
While preaching, I have made a few references lately that I thought could stand a little more explanation. They were just passing references and far from main points. Nevertheless, it would be good to make intentions and meaning clearer when possible.
One of the greatest happenings in all church history is what happened in Ephesus when the Gospel was preached there in the middle of the first century. I don’t know of anything else quite like it in the annals of history.
Ephesus was one of the great cities of the ancient world. To talk of Ephesus then would be like talking of New York, Hong Kong, or London today. Ephesus was home to the temple for the goddess Diana, who was worshiped throughout Asia. There was a thriving manufacturing industry that sprung up around this temple to supply people with small shrines to Diana they could purchase and keep in their homes. From the biblical account, it seems there was a high concentration of demonic activity there that went along with dark occultic practices.
Paul had made a brief visit there and then returned to spend two years preaching the Gospel, organizing a church, and discipling the believers. Acts 19 recounts how this whole city was turned upside down by the Gospel. Let’s look at what happened.
- Paul baptized the twelve followers of John the Baptist who had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. (1-7)
- Paul went to the synagogue and later to the school of Tyrannus to preach the word of the Lord. (8-10)
- Paul worked an unusual number of powerful miracles, including healing diseases and casting out evil spirits. They even took pieces of cloth from Paul to the sick and possessed and they were healed. (11-12)
- Traveling Jewish exorcists began invoking the name of Paul to cast demons out of possessed people. Seven brothers, sons of Sceva, did this in one particular instance. The evil spirit answered by acknowledging Jesus and Paul, but asking who they were. The possessed man then beat all seven of them until they were naked and wounded and they fled. (13-16)
- Great fear came on all the city because of the power of the Gospel. (17)
- Many believed and actually confessed their sins. Many were involved in various occultic aspects and their confession and repentance involved the burning of numerous monetarily valuable books. (18-19)
- The Word kept spreading and Paul stayed for a season. (20-22)
- Demetrius, a silversmith, raised a complaint against Paul and the Christians because their idol trade was being ruined. (23-41)
The whole socioeconomic climate of the city was affected by the preaching of the Gospel. A major city was turned upside down in two years by the preaching of the Gospel.
I have referenced the happenings in Ephesus several times. I typically point out that Paul turned the city upside down in two years and he did not do it by having a million man march on the courthouse, hosting a tea party, or endorsing a particular candidate for public office. He did it by preaching the Gospel. He did it by determining not to know anything among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Whenever you pit preaching the Gospel against political action, you are running a few risks. Certain apathetic people use that juxtaposition to do neither thing. Some assume you are saying Christians should neither care about nor be involved in civil and political concerns. Here is a good place to add some clarification.
The Bible does speak to our relation to civil government.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:1-7
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. Matthew 22:17-21
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. Jeremiah 29:7
Certainly we should be good citizens and we should take a serious interest in the government of our land. In saying what I did about Ephesus, I am not suggesting Christians should not care nor participate in any way in politics or the government. I am saying that however that concern and participation is manifested, it should not be in a way that obscures, neglects, adjusts, compromises, or forsakes the Gospel. Also, whatever form that involvement takes, it should not assume the place of our ultimate hope nor obscure the fact for us that our great warfare is not physical and neither are our greatest weapons.
Questions with no Answers
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. ~ 2 Timothy 2:23
Possibly, once more, some may be much beset on the road to heaven by mental difficulties. I do not often say much about these things; because there are plenty of preachers who, by mentioning difficulties, are really spreading them. Certain clever gentlemen of the cloth may think it their duty to sow doubts among their hearers; but I have no such ambition. They may imagine that they are answering the questions which they suggest, but it seems to me that they are merely advertising them to many of those who were previously unaware of them. This is an age when men assail the inspiration of the Bible, the atoning sacrifice, and the election of grace. I need not enlarge. Everything is now attacked. There is no part of the Bible which some critic would not take away from us.
It may be, young friend, that you cannot answer all the objections which you hear. Do not wonder if you cannot. You would be wiser than Solomon if you could reply to all objections that cavillers may invent. A friend came to me with a great difficulty, supposing that I could answer it off-hand; but I replied, “He who fashioned this piece of criticism took time in the making of it, and you must allow me the same time to demolish it. I will do my best with it; but remember, if you find a thousand difficulties which I cannot meet, that fact will not prove that they cannot be met; for I do not profess to be omniscient, nor do I assert that faith is a grace which has no difficulties to surmount.” If there were a thousand more objections which could not at this present be answered, they might confuse our feeble minds, but they would not shake the eternal truth itself. God’s Word is sure, be the difficulties what they may. Know what you do know, and believe what you do believe, and get a firm grip of undoubted verities; and though, when you are worried with the doubts and hypotheses of philosophers and the like, Satan will say, “They are entangled in the land,” let him see that your worry is soon ended by a childlike faith in the living God. Real faith will find a way out of perplexity, or will make one. True faith will sooner set aside the conclusions of human reason than the declarations of God: in fact, faith teaches reason to be reasonable by setting before it the highest of all reasons, namely, the testimony of God. God send us such a childlike faith, and then we shall not be “entangled in the land”!
- Charles Spurgeon
From the Sermon: Entangled in the land
