PASTORAL ROLE

TEXT: EPH.4:11-16

1. PASTORS A GIFT FROM GOD:

     A. PEOPLE GET GIFTS FROM GOD (EPH.4:8)

     B. GIFTED PEOPLE A GIFT TO THE CHURCH (V.11)

     C. TRUE PASTORS A RARITY - MANY IN ROLE NOT W/THAT CALL/GIFTING

2. TO RESPECT HIGHLY:

     A. I THES.5:12,13 - KNOW THEM; ESTEEM THEM HIGHLY

     B. I TIM.5:17 - WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOR

     C. HEB.13:17 - SUBMIT TO; RESPONSIBLE TO GOD

3. DIFFICULT JOB:

     A. II COR.11:28,29 - CARE OF CHURCHES/WEAK CAUSES OFFENSE TO

     B. EPH.4:12 - MAJOR WORK:

          1. PERFECTION OF SAINTS - NOT ALWAYS DESIRED

          2. UNITY OF FAITH - MANY TANGENTS/FAVORITE DOCTRINES

          3. FULNESS OF CHRIST - EASIER TO STAY AS ARE

4. PEOPLE CAN HELP:

     A. LOVE AND SUPPORT WITH FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE & GIVING

     B. PRAY FOR

     C. DON'T TALK AGAINST/LISTEN TO OTHERS - STOP THEM!

     D. ENCOURAGE BY WORD AND DEED - HELP TO DO WORK AS NEEDED

     E. BE FAITHFUL:

          1. ATTENDANCE

          2. TITHING AND GIVING

5. SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS OF PASTOR:

     A. PRAY FOR BODY - SPECIFICALLY/INDIVIDUALLY

          1. CEASE NOT TO PRAY FOR YOU...(EPH.1:16)

          2. PRAYING ALWAYS FOR YOU...(COL.1:3)

     B. TEACHING/FEEDING:

          1. BY MINISTERING WORD OF GOD

               a. ACTS 20:28 - FEED CHURCH OF GOD

               b. MATT.5:1,2 - JESUS' EXAMPLE: HE TAUGHT THEM

               c. I PET.5:2 - FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD

               d. MATT.28:18-20 - TEACHING THEM ALL THINGS...

          2. BY EXAMPLE

               a. I PET.5:1-3 - BEING EXAMPLES...

               b. PHIL.3:17 - HAVE US AS EXAMPLES...FOLLOW US

     C. PROTECTING:

          1. MATT.7:15 - BEWARE FALSE PROPHETS...

          2. MATT.24:42-47 - FAITHFUL SERVANT WATCHING AND SERVING

          3. JOHN 10:11-15 - GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN LIFE FOR SHEEP

     D. ENCOURAGING/COMFORTING:

          1. ROM.14:19 - FIND HOW WE MAY EDIFY ONE ANOTHER

          2. I COR.14:12 - SEEK TO EDIFY CHURCH

          3. I COR.14:26 - ALL THINGS DONE TO EDIFY

          4. EPH.4:29 - USE WORDS THAT EDIFY AND MINISTER GRACE

     E. DIRECTING/PROMOTING:

          1. II TIM.2:2 - TEACH THOSE ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS

          2. II TIM.1:6 - STIR UP GIFTS

          3. MUST PUT FORTH VISION - PROV.29:18: PERISH W/O

          4. HEB.10:24 - PROVOKE TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS

          5. ENCOURAGE MINISTRY/GROWTH:

               a. LUKE 10 - JESUS APPOINED 70 TO GO DO WORKS OF GOD

               b. III JN.4 - NO GREATER JOY THAN SPIRITUAL CHILDREN WALKING

               c. JOHN 14:12 - GREATER THINGS SHALL YOU DO...

          6. ENCOURAGE GROWTH IN FAITH (HEB.11:6) - CHALLENGE!

           6. ENCOURAGE GROWTH IN FAITH (HEB.11:6) - CHALLENGE!