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Feb 04, 2018

The Gift of Pastors

The Gift of Pastors

Speaker: Dennis Gallaher

Series: Transformation

Category: Sunday Morning

The Lord gives all kinds of gifts. One such gift is not a something but rather a someone. This past Sunday we had the tremendous joy to ordain two men as pastors, and Pastor Dennis taught on what this role in the church is all about.

Opening Scripture:

Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-12  But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.

It is a great day to present these gifts to you.

Proving their calling by:

  -  training

  -  studying

  -  serving

  -  listening

Proverbs 18:16  A man’s gift makes room for him. And brings him before great men.

Qualities:

  -  members of Freedom for 10 years

  -  heard God’s call to full-time ministry

  -  pursued a process of education, mentoring, and proving

All this culminates with the elders of Freedom Fellowship and the congregation recognizing and confirming their calling.
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What a Pastor Is:

Ephesians 4:8    Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.”

These gifts are people on assignment.

Apostles - those who build the church, missionaries

Prophets - those who herald the word of the Lord, true preachers of righteousness

Evangelists - those who stir up the church to save the lost

Pastors & Teachers - the word for pastor in Greek means “shepherd,” the job description of a pastor is to shepherd God’s flock

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Many consider the four descriptors of:

  -  Elder

  -  Overseer

  -  Steward

  -  Pastor/Teacher

To be the same.

The elders and pastors here disagree. These four titles share many of the same jobs, but that does not make them all the same.

Just like joints in the body share many of the same functions, they cannot be interchanged.

This is a unique calling that is shepherd and pastor of the church of Jesus Christ.

3 Attributes of a Pastor:

1.  A pastor is not a something but a somebody. A pastor needs to get his identity from God and not from others.

Isaiah 40:11   Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

The descriptive title of “Pastor” is a part of the love language of God.

2.  A pastor must see his role as “last in line.”

John 13:13-15    You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

3.  A pastor knows their sheep, seeks lost sheep, and sacrifices joyfully for the flock.

These three descriptions Jesus, the chief shepherd, gave for Himself.
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2 Qualities a Pastor Must Have:

1.  If the pastor is to define himself as a servant, the people must define him as God’s uniquely gifted leader among them.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

2.  If the pastor must see his role as last in line, the people must see him as called by the Lord.

  -  These are a gift to us.

  -  These couples are not only called but chosen for this ministry of shepherding God’s people.

  -  Their gifts have made room for themselves among us.