Grace Gifts Part II
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Introduction:
Introduction:
-Previous Sunday: “God Gives grace for us to serve”
-We learned that God as a result of his finished work on the cross has given us “Grace” to serve in his kingdom, and to be a vessel through which he will unite his church as one.
-We learned that he went to Heaven as well as Hell. He went to Hell to announce his victory and he went through the heavens slowly during his inauguration as a sign of his victory over all the principalities and powers.
-We also learned that Jesus is far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things!!!
-This week will move to our second point: “God Gives Grace to Grow”
Research on Pastors’ Well-Being
Research on Pastors’ Well-Being
According to Shiloh Place Ministries (shilohplace.org), which drew its information from Focus on the Family, Ministries Today, Charisma Magazine, TNT Ministries, and other respected groups: (HT: Historicity)
Statistics on Pastors’ Ministry Stress
1,500 pastors leave the ministry permanently each month in America.
Why aren’t these pastors overflowing with the love, joy and peace of the Lord in their lives, families and ministries? What is the cause of their emotional problems and moral failures? A major factor is overwhelming ministry stress:
4,000 new churches start each year in America.7,000 churches close each year in America.
75% of pastors report being “extremely stressed” or “highly stressed” (1)90% work between 55 to 75 hours per week (2)90% feel fatigued and worn out every week (1)70% say they’re grossly underpaid (2)40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month (1)78% were forced to resign from their church (63% at least twice), most commonly because of church conflict (1)80% will not be in ministry ten years later and only a fraction make it a lifelong career (1). On average, seminary trained pastors last only five years in church ministry (2)100% of 1,050 Reformed and Evangelical pastors had a colleague who had left the ministry because of burnout, church conflict, or moral failure (2)91% have experienced some form of burnout in ministry and 18% say they are “fried to a crisp right now” (7)
50% of pastors’ marriages end in divorce.
Statistics on Pastors’ Emotional Health, Family, and Morality
70% of pastors continually battle depression.
It’s particularly disturbing to see how much pastors are struggling with emotional pain, family problems, loving well, and moral failures:
80% of pastors and 85% of their spouses feel discouraged in their roles.
95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses.
70% of pastors say they have a lower self-esteem now than when they entered ministry (1)70% constantly fight depression (2)50% feel so discouraged that they would leave their ministry if they could, but can’t find another job (2)80% believe their pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families and 33% said it was an outright hazard (1)80% of ministry spouses feel left out and unappreciated in their church (2)77% feel they do not have a good marriage (2)41% display anger problems in marriage (reported by the spouse) (3)38% are divorced or divorcing (1)50% admit to using pornography and 37% report inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church (1)65% feel their family is in a glass house (2)
70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor.
50% of pastors are so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way to make a living.
80% of pastors spend under 15 minutes a day in prayer.
70% of pastors only study God’s Word when preparing a message.
Nearly 40% of pastors have had an extra-marital sexual affair since entering ministry.
80% of seminary graduates who enter ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
80% of pastors’ wives feel their husbands are overworked.80% of the adult children of pastors sought professional help for depression.
90% of pastors said their training was inadequate for ministry.85% of pastors report that their biggest problem is dealing with abstinent elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors.
90% of pastors said the hardest thing about ministry is uncooperative people.
70% of pastors are grossly underpaid.
80% of pastors’ wives feel unappreciated by the congregation.
90% of pastors said ministry was completely different from what they thought it would be.
Only 70% of pastors felt called of God into ministry when they began.
Only 50% of pastors felt called of God into ministry three years later.
80% of pastors’ wives feel pressured to be someone they are not and do things they are not called to do in the church.
Over 50% of pastors’ wives feel that their husbands entering ministry was the most destructive thing to ever happen to their families.
Always-God has given Pastor as gifts to the church to lead us in the process of building up the body of Christ.
I. God Gives Grace to Grow
I. God Gives Grace to Grow
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; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
(v.11) “And he gave” This is gift is in addition to the previous gifts from last week that pertain to his personal gift that he gave us that carries supernatural implications. The mission is the great commission. All blood bought believers have a gift that contributes to the completion of that mission. Last week we talk about “Gifts given to serve” now Paul talks about another gift given to the body of Christ.
(v.11) Paul then list five gifts. Now it interesting these gifts are tangible gifts they are not chracteritics but
. We can reach out and touch these gifts. Paul then list the five:
A. apostles: Sent one or ambassador, One called to give witness.
Formal Use: This word is used to describe the 12 disciples called out by God. They all had a personal revelation of the risen savior, and they were authoritative as it pertains to doctrine. Some of them were writer’s of the scriptures found in the NT.
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13 And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
2. Informal Use: this term was used to describe those who had close relationships with the disciples and its definition is very narrow when it pertains to these individuals. They did not write scriptures and they did not have to have a personal encounter with the risen savior. Essentially all of us could be describe as apostle based in its simplistic definition and that is: One’s who have been sent to give witness.
Informal Use:
B. Prophets-This office is closely related to the Apostles office. This a person who foretells future events or forth-tells which is say that they expound on a previous teaching found in the word. They are usually announcing future judgement and future blessing. The Prophet’s word is most normally warning in nature.
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28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
-With the completion of Revelation the last book written with a detailed road map and timeline written for the future there is not a need for foretelling but there is still a need for forth-telling. This office does not seem to be bound by gender as it says in
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17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams;
-This office is usually not bound to a location but goes around under the unction of the HS and gives a word of warning when the conviction of the HS comes.
C. Evangelists-- An evangelist, a preacher of the gospel. He was often not located in any particular place but traveled as a missionary to preach the gospel and establish churches.
An evangelist, a preacher of the gospel. He was often not located in any particular place but traveled as a missionary to preach the gospel and establish churches
Zodhiates, Spiros. The complete word study dictionary: New Testament 2000 : n. pag. Print.
-They are different than Preachers, or Teachers because all of there sermon’s are Gospel sermons’. Their primary audience is unbelievers. They are always moving from area to area delivering the good news.
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8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city. 9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
(v.8) You will notice that in this text he is formally called an evangelist.
(v.8) You will notice that in this text he is formally called an evangelist.
-These are people that eat, sleep and live to witness and share the gospel.
-I want to be careful here not to let anyone off the hook. There is this tendency that we leave evangelism to certain people we feel are gifted, but let Paul help us here.
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5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
This is Paul talking to Timothy who is not an Evangelist but a Elder/Pastor. He tells him to do the work of an evangelist.
It is generally wise to thinks of these people that have made it their life trade to travel domestically and internationally to preach the good news to unbelievers. We call them missionaries.
D. Pastor/Teacher—You will notice that grammatically that each position starts with “some as” but this last gift list two gift but uses “some as” to describe both. That is because this last gift is the NT Pastor/Teacher. A Pastor must be both a Pastor and a Teacher.
Pastor-poiman-shepherd—This tells you his heart. This person desires to protect and lead God’s church
Teacher-didoskolos—instruct---The Preacher must be able to explain, squeeze, and exegete the scriptures in a way that the hearer is able to understand. He will not always be perfect but he will always be looking for ways to be better teacher, so that the hearer can benefit.
-All of these Gifts that God gave to the church are essentially those that have been charged to preach, teach and lead God’s church.
If God calls them Gifts as a church how should you treat these gifts?
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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.
hebrews
(v.17) Notice this text it says “Obey your leaders(Pastor’s) and submit to them” this is a tough statement, but it is in the Bible. Notice why the Hebrew writer’s says this: “For they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” The truly faithful Pastor’s is always burdened with this load. It is ever before him. As a member when you know that a Pastoral Team is carrying the load of the souls of the congregation on their back what should you do?
(v.17) “Let them do this joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you” Listen to the writer of Hebrews who tells us since you know that the Pastoral Team is carrying a heavy load come besides them and help them so that they can Pastor with Joy instead of “Grief”
a. Grief-Stenazo-narrow; as when a person is squeezed by circumstances; it also means to groan or sigh.
(v.17) “For this would be unprofitable for you” This is the bible politically correct way of saying that if you don’t take care of the Gifts(Pastor’s) that God has sent you it is not going to go well for you.
How do you tell the difference between the faithful vs the unfaithful Pastor’s?
a. His Message-Is his doctrine consistent with the Apostle’s doctrine on the essentials
b. His lifestyle-Does he live out the principles that he preaches every week.
c. His ability-A preacher truly called will be able to effectively exegete and explain the word.
Note:
1. One can have the right message and the right lifestyle, but not the ability( He should not be in the pulpit)
2. One can have the Ability, and the Right Message, but the wrong lifestyle(He should not be in the pulpit) this one is the dangerous
3. One can have the right lifestyle, and ability to teach, but he is preaching false doctrine(He should not be in the pulpit) this is also very dangerous.
Satan has neither the right lifestyle, or the right message, but his ability is through the roof…He is one of greatest persuasive speakers in the whole Cosmos.
Why did Jesus give these persons as gift to the church?
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
(v.12) “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service” You will remember that this point is that “God give gifts for you to grow” Look at the first part of this text “for the equipping of the saints”
(v.12) “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service” You will remember that this point is that “God give gifts for you to grow” Look at the first part of this text “for the equipping of the saints”
(v.12) “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service” You will remember that this point is that “God give gifts for you to grow” Look at the first part of this text “for the equipping of the saints”
-We have been made perfect already spiritually, but practically speaking we are still being perfected. It is the Pastor job to lead you onto practical perfection(we don’t live and look like who we truly are) through teaching and shepherding.
-The Pastor is not adding anything to you or your salvation he is only helping you to fully use what you already have for service.
—In the military they issue
-My first year playing fully padded football I got all the pads I needed, but I was not fully aware of where every pad’s went and what its function was. I needed the coach to help me get suited up. In that same way my job as a preacher/teacher is to help you figure out how to use the powerful, life-changing gifts that God has called you to use. I cannot play the game for you, but I can show you what you are capable of if you stay connected to God.
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
(v.12) “to the building up of the body of Christ” This equipping of the saints for the work of service is an individual work that has a corporate purpose. My primary job is too equip you to be more effective in your job to build up the body of Christ. Like a good Coach my job is too help you understand your position and to play your position but I cannot play the game for you. You must live out your own journey, but understand your personal journey is part of the collective building up of the body of Christ.
How long does Paul say a Pastor job should
When does Paul say a Pastor job can be finished?
(v.13) “until we all attain to the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ” until is a temporal conjunction. You remember when mom said “you can’t go outside, until you clean your room” Paul is saying that a Pastor job is done either when he dies, or when “we all attain to the unity of the faith” in the church Paul recognized that all the members are at different degrees of spiritual maturity. In this verse he is telling the body of Christ that the Pastor is too continue to preserver towards of goal of full maturity for every member of the body of Christ.
A newborn is born with everything that the need for life…They have a central nervous system controlled by the brain, they have all of their internal organs, they have all their hands and feet..You ever notice that newborn babies don’t know what to do with their feet or hands they need to be taught....my job as parent is too lovingly push them towards the next level of maturity and that is toddler, then preschool, then young 5, then elementary, then Junior High, then High School, then off to College at each level I am demanding more and expecting more. As parent I cannot let them stagnate at any level of growth even if it hurts me. Likewise as Pastor my job is take newborn Christian who have everything they need at Spiritual rebirth, and then teach them who to use their hands and feet, teach then who to get up and walk on their own, teach them how to feed themselves(the word), then teach them to defend themselves with the word as a christian teenager, Then as a christian young adult how to face trials & tribulations as a soldier in Christ, then as Christian Adult we teach them to truly know the Father in the most intimate sense. Or as says “That we may come to a full knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.”
When will everyone come to a full unity of faith?
-Never but that is always my goal. I will die with this as an unfinished goal. But it is still my goal.
-When the Civil rights activist of the 60s fought many of them did not get to see the fruits of their struggle. They died with an unfinished goal, but what if they just gave up and said since I will never see this goal I am just going to do nothing? In our own Christian life we should be striving for perfection. We should never stop striving because the goal is unattainable. We fight, we kick, we claw our way to perfection no matter the obstacle. it is our life goal....Paul says to the congregation I am sending you Pastor’s as a gift to be your spiritual parents to help you “GROW UP” left to yourself you would be grown still sucking on a bottle.
Conclusion
Interesting sidenote on the value of Pastor:
Everyone who is saved in this room can ultimately trace his salvation back to Pastor, Missionary, or Teacher of the Gospel. The most valuable thing that you have now in your life is because God used a faithful Pastor to teach you or the person who evangelized you.
-Let it be said of Middlebelt Baptist Church that we will take good care of the Pastor’s that God sends to Middlebelt because they have been charged with taking care of our souls.
1. After hundreds of years the perfect pastor's been found. He is the church elder who'll please everyone.
2. He preaches exactly 20 minutes and then sits down.
3. He condemns sin, but never steps on anybody's toes.
4. He works from 8 in the morning to 10 at night, doing everything from preaching sermons to sweeping.
5. He makes $400 per week, gives $100 a week to the church, drives a late model car, buys lots of books, wears fine clothes, and has a nice family.
6. He always stands ready to contribute to every other good cause, too, and to help panhandlers who drop by the church on their way to somewhere.
7. He is 36 years old, and has been preaching 40 years.
8. He is tall on the short side, heavy-set in a thin sort of way, and handsome.
9. He has eyes of blue orbrown, (to fit the occasion) and wears his hair parted in the middle - left side, dark and straight, right side, brown and wavy.
9. He has a burning desire to work with the youth, and spends all his time with the senior citizens.
10. He smiles all the time while keeping a straight face, because he has a keen sense of humor that finds him seriously dedicated.
11. He makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends all his time evangelizing non-members, and is always found in his study if he is needed.
Unfortunately he burnt himself out and died at the age of 32.