THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Faithfulness at Home

“A bishop then must be…the husband of one wife…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

While we have previously stated that a man must be faithful to his wife if he is to be a leader in the church, several questions arise.  Would this require that a man be married if he is to serve as a pastor?  Does this mean that if a man is divorced that that he could never serve? 

The sense of the Greek language is that the pastor must be a one woman kind of man.

The literal translation is, “a man of one woman.”  The words, when used of the marriage relation come to mean, “a husband of one wife.”  The two nouns are without the definite article, which construction emphasizes character or nature.  The entire context is one in which the character of the bishop is being discussed.  Thus, one can translate, “a one-wife sort of a husband,” or “a one-woman sort of a man.”  We speak of the Airedale as a one-man dog.  We mean by that, that it is his nature to become attached to only one man, his master.  Since character is emphasized by the Greek construction, the bishop should be a man who loves only one woman as his wife.^[1]

Think of the home as a laboratory where character is developed.  While there is much to learn in marriage, it does not require that a man be married to build such character.  A single man may build strong character, just in different ways.  To say that a man must be married to be a pastor would mean that neither Jesus nor Paul would have qualified—and that is unthinkable!  Of course, the nonsense that service to God demands celibacy as Rome teaches is contradicted here.  It is plain that most church leaders would be married, though not mandated that they be.

This would not necessarily preclude a man who was lawfully divorced and remarried—or widowed and remarried even—from being a pastor, if the other qualifications are met—providing he is demonstrably a “one woman kind of man.”  In the impetuosity of youth some made rash choices of a mate who proved unfaithful.  It might be that the man and his wife were both unconverted at the time.  Later, after the marriage ends, circumstances change—and particularly if a man is regenerated and senses God calling him to preach, then with an added level of scrutiny, it may be that he becomes a legitimate candidate for the position if he is exhibiting faithfulness at home in this marriage.  

A PRAYER

Faithful God,

You have ever shown faithfulness to us, even when we have been unfaithful to You.  Thank You for being such a patient and loving God.  May we be molded likewise, and may our marriage be a microcosm of Your devotion to us displayed in our devotion to our spouse. 

In the name of Our Lord Jesus,

Amen.      

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^[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (1 Ti 3:2). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Fidelity to Marriage

“A bishop then must be…the husband of one wife…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

Our vows before God are serious.  That includes our marriage vows.  Faithfulness to God and faithfulness to others is indispensable in Gospel ministry.  The call to preach is a call to fidelity.  If a man is not faithful to his wife, how can it be expected that he will be true to his other commitments?

The choice of a proper mate is crucial, if you have not already married.  A pastor’s wife will either be the wind in his sails or an anchor to his ship—but, she will make a huge difference in propelling his ministry forward or holding it back.

I know a man—a very gifted preacher—who has never been able to accomplish what he might have done because of a wife that undermined that possibility.  To his credit, he has remained faithful to her through all her issues.  He is to be commended, but one may only wonder what might have been had she supported him instead of burdened him.

So, if you are in a marriage that brings more heartache than help, cast yourself upon the Lord.  His grace is sufficient.  Be faithful and trust Him to make you fruitful.  God can use a difficult spouse to refine our character, and teach us to love those tough to love.  Church work has those in ample supply.

If you aren’t married, seek God’s will before you walk down the aisle.  My hope for you is that should God want you married that you will find a mate like the one I have found!  I am so thankful for a wife that loves God, loves me, prays for me and supports the church!

A PRAYER

O Lord of Love,

I praise You Sovereign Shepherd for leading me to find someone who is just suited to me.  What a gift I have in my dear wife!  Lord, bless her today and care for her.  May I always be faithful to my marriage vows.  Keep the Destroyer away from our home!  Guide each single shepherd and help him serve you as a single man or find the spouse you have for him.  Strengthen each struggling shepherd who is in a difficult marriage.  Pour grace into his life and his wife.  Turn things around!  Do not let him entertain unfaithfulness and use the problems as an excuse for it.

In the name of Jesus our Bridegroom,

Amen.       

MINISTRY MARATHON

[This is a re-post from last year.  I think it a timely topic to address.  Maybe it will help some preacher of the Gospel.]

“So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah the king's son, which was in the guard's courtyard, lowering Jeremiah with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.” (Jeremiah 38:6 HCSB)

Ministry is a marathon. It isn’t a sprint to the swiftest, but a grueling race of endurance to the strongest.

As Paul was coming to the conclusion of his marathon, he challenged the next runner who will take up the baton of truth—young Timothy—that he must run with endurance. He let him know that he can forget about being popular with the crowd, if he is going to be pleasing to Christ. The Apostle spoke from experience. Paul wrote of the marathon of his own ministry with vivid detail in a letter to the church at Corinth:

“But as God's ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardship, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors,
by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the message of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness on the right hand and the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; as deceivers yet true; as unknown yet recognized; as dying and look—we live; as being disciplined yet not killed; as grieving yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing yet possessing everything.” (2 Cor.6:4-10)

He knew the race would require great rigor, but in the end there would be glorious reward. The servant of the Lord must maintain that view, if he is to complete his race.

There will certainly be hardships that will test his endurance. That is the nature of a marathon. Jeremiah is a case study on this topic.

There was a CRITICAL ACCUSATION.

“Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard the words Jeremiah was speaking to all the people: ‘This is what the Lord says: “Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live. He will keep his life like the spoils [of war] and will live.”

This is what the Lord says: “This city will most certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon's army, and he will capture it.”’

The officials then said to the king, ‘This man ought to die, because he is weakening the morale of the warriors who remain in this city and of all the people by speaking to them in this way. This man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but disaster.’ King Zedekiah said, ‘Here he is; he's in your hands since the king can't do anything against you.’” (Jeremiah 38:1-5)

Jeremiah told the uncomfortable truth they did not want to hear—a message of judgment. He didn’t originate it; he only proclaimed it. If he would be faithful to God, he could not tell them what they desired to hear. Love demanded that he tell them what they needed to hear. That is not the path to popularity, but it is the pathway to persecution.

So, they basically accused the prophet of treason—and called for the death penalty. It sounds like what they did to Jesus, doesn’t it? Jesus said He was a King, and they branded him an enemy of the state. Pilate’s response paralleled that of Zedekiah—washing his hands of it—and letting the mob have its murderous way. Let justice be hanged on the cross of expedience. Remember, Jesus warned the servant is not greater than his Master. If He was so treated, we can expect no different. The marathon takes you up the Calvary Road.

There was a CRUEL CONDEMNATION.

“So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah the king's son, which was in the guard's courtyard, lowering Jeremiah with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.” (Jer.38:6)

They didn’t want to just kill him; they wanted him to suffer first. Picture this old prophet, in a dark hole, waste deep in cold mud, shivering—it was torture. He would not die quickly, but would wish to die every second that seemed like an eternity. Such is the hate of those who hate God. That is the rage against the preacher that is rooted in the rejection of the Word.

We have brothers and sisters who are being brutalized this very hour. In dark places in our world, they are incarcerated in horrid conditions. Torture is inflicted on them in an attempt to cause them to deny Christ. There is no mercy, just mockery—no sympathy, just scorn. The wicked cannot reach up to heaven and attack Christ, so they reach out and afflict His ambassadors. They can’t stop the message, so they silence the messengers. The word martyr literally means witness. We associate it with those who have died for their faith. That is because the price of witness may result in a death sentence—it has for many.

What if the finish line for our faith is in a cistern? What if our marathon takes us waist deep into mud? Will we still speak out? The spiritual depravity of our world today—should it continue on this steep decline—makes intense persecution seem likely.

There was a COMPASSIONATE INTERVENTION.

“But Ebed-melech, a Cushite court official employed in the king's palace, heard Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-melech went from the king's palace and spoke to the king:

‘My lord the king, these men have been evil in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern where he will die from hunger, because there is no more bread in the city.’

So the king commanded Ebed-melech, the Cushite, ‘Take from here 30 men under your authority and pull Jeremiah the prophet up from the cistern before he dies.’ So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went to the king's palace to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, ‘Place these old rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.’ Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, but he continued to stay in the guard's courtyard.” (Jer.38:7-13)

Life and death are in the hands of God. Pontius Pilate thought he was deciding the fate of Jesus. He wanted Jesus to give him a reason to spare Him.

“So Pilate said to Him, ‘You're not talking to me? Don't You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?’

‘You would have no authority over Me at all,’ Jesus answered him, ‘if it hadn't been given you from above.’”  (John 19:10-11a)

The Lord still had more work for Jeremiah to do. We are immortal until our ministry is complete. Only God knows where the finish line of the marathon ends. He determines it. Jeremiah thought he was all alone, but the Lord had someone to stand with him.

God bless old Ebed-melech! The compassionate, courageous black man was in the right place, at the right time, with the right words. Then look how tenderly, he helps lift the old preacher out of the pit. The eunuch would be rewarded for his kindness.

“Now the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah when he was confined in the guard's courtyard: ‘Go tell Ebed-melech the Cushite: This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill My words for harm and not for good against this city. They will take place before your eyes on that day. But I will rescue you on that day’-- this is] the Lord's declaration—‘and you will not be handed over to the men you fear.
Indeed, I will certainly deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will keep your life like the spoils [of war].’ [This is] the Lord's declaration.” (Jer.39:15-18)

God marks down every good deed done for His servants. It is an investment with eternal dividends. Jesus promised:

“The one who welcomes you welcomes Me, and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he's righteous will receive a righteous person's reward.

And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!" (Matt.10:40-42)

Ministry can be tough. We may think of dropping out. I know I have—numerous times. But, God has always sent someone to lift me out of that darkness. When I was in a waterless well, someone placed a refreshing cup of water to my lips. So, I preach on! Thank you to all those who intercede for me with the King, and who intervene for me when I am attacked. You have made a difference in my life on earth and your compassion will make a difference in your life in eternity!

There was a CONTINUED REJECTION.

“King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the Lord's temple. The king said to Jeremiah, ‘I am going to ask you something; don't hide anything from me.’

Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, ‘If I tell you, you will kill me, won't you? Besides, if I give you advice, you won't listen to me anyway.’” (Jer.38:14-15)

The king did not listen. Jeremiah told him to surrender and the city would not be burned, his household would be spared, but if not, there would be no escape. Zedekiah resisted the will of God, made a run for it—but did not escape. Judgment fell on Jerusalem.

The sinful heart of man is as stubborn as ever. Noah begged the people to flee to the refuge of the ark before the judgment descended. They mocked him—and drowned. Prophet after prophet was sent to warn Israel to repent and they beat them and butchered them—and Israel was carried into captivity. John the Baptist called for repentance and they cut his head off—but Herod is in hell today. Jesus took up the same message and they crucified Him—and Jerusalem was ravaged in AD 70 as the Lord predicted would happen if they rejected Him. So, the story goes. Men of God still cry out to flee the wrath to come. Their message is still that salvation is found in surrender to the will of God. Yet, man relies on his own wisdom. He follows his own twisted reason and seeks his own way of salvation. All he finds is judgment.

“At Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and he [also] slaughtered all Judah's nobles. Then he blinded Zedekiah and put him in bronze chains to take him to Babylon. The Chaldeans next burned down the king's palace and the people's houses and tore down the walls of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guards, deported the rest of the people to Babylon-those who had remained in the city and those deserters who had defected to him along with the rest of the people who had remained.” (Jer.39:6-9)

Imagine—the last visual image forever burned into Zedekiah’s mind was the memory of his sons being killed.  He would carry that horror for the rest of his days. One of the worst things about hell will be memory—to recall forever with regret what might have been had one listened to the preacher.

There was a COMFORTING LIBERATION.

“[Speaking] through Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon gave orders concerning Jeremiah, saying: ‘Take him, look after him, and don't let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.’ Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the captains of the king of Babylon had Jeremiah brought from the guard's courtyard and turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he settled among [his own] people.” (Jer.39:11-14)

The pagans appreciated Jeremiah’s ministry more than the people of God did! I can verify this paradox. There have been a few occasions where sinners have attacked me, but the greatest hurts I have ever endured have been delivered by church people. The attack of the world is a frontal assault, when it comes, and can be anticipated. The knife in the back, through the treachery of those you considered friends, plunges in the deepest.

Jeremiah was nevertheless vindicated and liberated! He was free to pursue his ministry. God’s man acknowledged God’s hand. The Sovereign God was in control and moved even a heathen king’s heart to provide for his welfare. There is great freedom in knowing that God is in charge—whether we are in the darkness or in the daylight, safe at home or stuck in mud. Paul, in prison for preaching the Gospel said it this way,

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in [the cause of] Christ. Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly. To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will. These do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again. Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith [that comes from] the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance-and this is from God. For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.” (Philippians 1:12-30)

His hands were in fetters—yet his heart was utterly free! He finished his race with joy! So can you. Pray that I will…many have stumbled and fallen.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Foundation of Character

“A bishop then must be blameless…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

A house is only as stable as its foundation, and a pastor’s ministry is only as strong as his character.  No matter how hard he works and what he tries to build, eventually it will crumble with a lack of character at the foundation. 

People are going to find fault with a leader.  Critics will abound. If a man seeks to do the will of God and lead the church forward in her mission, the Wicked One will raise up those who will vehemently oppose him—and their weapon of choice will be the wagging tongue. What we must seek to do, as men of God, is to give them no real reason for these personal attacks.  Our character needs to be unassailable.  False accusations hurt, but they will not stick if we have the Teflon of truth and integrity coating us. 

On occasion, even the best of men will mess up—so then, let us ‘fess up.  Yet, by God’s grace, may we strive to be as stainless and scandal-free as we can.  If there is a chink in the armor of our character, be certain the Enemy will exploit it.

“The qualification of being “above reproach” frames the other qualifications (3:2, 7); this was an ancient way of emphasizing that the qualifications focused on this issue.”^[1]

A foundation, a framework, a focus—all this is about the virtues flowing from a godly life.  The man of God is essentially a man who reflects God’s character.  This is not optional.

must. The use of this Gr. particle stresses emphatically that living a blameless life is absolutely necessary for church leaders. above reproach. Lit. “not able to be held” in a criminal sense; there is no valid accusation of wrongdoing that can be made against him. No overt, flagrant sin can mar the life of one who must be an example for his people to follow (cf. v. 10; 4:16; 5:7; Ps 101:6; Php 3:17; 2Th 3:9; Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:3). This is the overarching requirement for elders; the rest of the qualifications elaborate on what it means to be blameless. Titus 1:6, 7 uses another Gr. word to mean the same thing. ^[2]

A PRAYER

O Righteous One,

I worship You—flawless in Your character.  Yet, you find us in our filth, lift us from the mire, and cleanse us by the blood of Your Son.  Now, the Holy Spirit can generate holiness in us as we yield to Him.  Lead us away from temptation and when it finds us, deliver us from evil!

In the name of Jesus and for Your Glory,

Amen.       

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^[1] Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (1 Ti 3:2–3). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

^[2] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ti 3:2). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

HERITAGE AND HOPE

“imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12)

I was thinking the other day of old G.W. Jameson, one of our former pastors—a dear friend and devoted servant of the Lord—who would have celebrated his 91^st birthday had he lived until August 2^nd.  Now, he doesn’t miss us, I’m sure, being with Jesus in that beautiful place called Heaven, reunited with his darling Lillie.  But, I miss him.

Yet, in many ways, he is still with us.  We have a spiritual heritage which has been handed down to us from faithful pastors and people who have gone before us and blazed the trail for us to follow.  Scripture enjoins us to imitate their lifestyle.

Homecoming Day, September 8, is an opportunity to reflect on that heritage.  We must ever be mindful of those who planted the trees under which we find shade and enjoy fruit today. 

I recently read a few lines in John MacArthur’s book, “The Truth War,” that sadly states, “The traditional, nominal devotion to ideals and moral standards derived from Scripture is dying with the senior generation.”  That does not mean there are no young people who are holding firm to the truth—there are!  But, the numbers are small, and so as the older population fades, so does the influence of the church in our culture as a force for good.  It may be that even among our dedicated young people, there is not the appreciation given to the legacy of faithful Christians of the past.  We may look at Homecoming Day as old folks singing old songs thinking about the good old days.  What we ought to do is celebrate and be grateful for that godly past, and imitate them!

But, we mustn’t stop there.  If we do, we miss the point of what heritage is about—and that is to inspire hope.  On the foundation of the past, for which we are thankful, we look to build in the future, for which we are hopeful!  You can’t go forward while looking backward, or you stumble.  So, along with our remembrance of those saints who’ve passed on, we are challenged to take up the baton and run our leg of the Christian race, in view of transferring the torch of truth to another generation to come.

With that in mind, we look forward to hearing Perry Brindley, our new Director of Missions for Buncombe Baptist Association bring us God’s Word that morning as the service starts at 10:45. His wife Della used to be one of our church secretaries, and their son, Ricky is one of our fine young deacons.   In the twenty first century, we cannot fulfill our mission with the methods used in the twentieth, but we must never compromise our message.  Some day, the happiest of homecomings will arrive—when Jesus comes for His bride, the church!  Until then, Pole Creek must continue in the heritage of faith to the Gospel, with a message of hope for the world!

THE SHEPHERD'S STANDARD: The Pursuit of Holiness

“A bishop then must be blameless…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

The requirement for a pastor to be “blameless” may stop many potential candidates in their tracks.  If I must be sinless to stand in the pulpit, then how can I qualify?

But, it isn’t perfection that is required; it is purity.  That is, there needs to be evident the pursuit of holiness in my life.  Where and when I have sinned, there has been repentance.  Confession has brought cleansing.  The pastor has his sins under the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:9).  This also means—to the degree possible—that we have righted wrongs done to others.

Being blameless means that no one can blame us—being able to rightfully point a finger of blame at us concerning some glaring moral flaw and brand us a hypocrite—calling others to repent while we show no evidence of the same.  If someone looks at the pastor and immediately thinks of scandal, he will be incapable of the moral authority required to lead.

This character quality calls for an incredible amount of grace.  God’s Holy Spirit must ignite a passion in us for holiness, and then His Word fuel that pursuit.  We must never allow the flame to diminish, lest the tempter take advantage of our carelessness.  Tend the sacred fire!

Plainly, pastors need to pursue holiness—not that other members of the church don’t, but the leader must set the standard.  Our competence is required, but our character is non-negotiable.  It is foundational to ministry, and that is why it leads the way in this list of requirements.

A PRAYER

Holy God,

You are holy, holy, holy!  We join the seraphim with that cry!  With the prophet Isaiah, we also confess our corruption as we stand in Your glorious presence!  As You called the prophet to go speak for You, so You still call unworthy instruments—save for the fact that You cleanse us when we confess our sin.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy, or none of us could stand behind the sacred desk!  Yet, let us never presume upon Your grace to accommodate sin.  As we once pursued sinful pleasure, material prosperity and worldly position, may we now relentlessly pursue holiness and its accompanying desire for Your pleasure, eternal reward and humble service that constitutes greatness in Your Kingdom.  With Robert Murray M’Cheyne let us pray, “God make me as holy as a saved sinner can be!”

In the name of Your Holy Son, Jesus,

Amen.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Labor of Love

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV)

                                                                                           

Shepherding God’s flock is good work.  It is:

literally, “honorable work.” Not the honor associated with it, but the work, is the  thought (Ac 15:38; Php 2:30; compare 2Ti 4:5).  He who aims at the office must remember the high qualifications needed for the due discharge of its functions.^[1]

The pastor isn’t demanding to be placed on a pedestal and given honor, but is to conduct himself honorably commensurate with the honorable work.  His manner and his motives are to be to honor his Master and help the members.  It is a labor of love.

Make no mistake about it—this is LABOR!

There is no room for laziness in the work of the Lord.  Being a pastor isn’t about perks and privileges.  Paul isn’t saying that we choose this vocation from among other options because it is a cushy job.  You better be ready to roll up your sleeves, as inspiration translates into perspiration.

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  (2 Tim.4:5 NKJV)

Old Matthew Henry states: “It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance, and designed for the greatest good: the ministry is conversant about no lower concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls…”^[2]

A PRAYER

Lover of Our Souls,

What a privilege it is to be called to such an honorable work.  Although we are creatures of flesh—so frail—you have poured Your treasure into these earthen vessels!  It is a marvel of Your grace that You would not send an angel from heaven, but a human—redeemed sinners reaching sinners with a message of redemption.  Strengthen us for work that is too much for us to accomplish, but which we can fulfill in Your mighty power!   Deliver us from sloth!

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

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^[1] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1 Ti 3:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (1 Ti 3:1–7). Peabody: Hendrickson.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Care of Sheep

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV)

                                                                                           

So, what is a bishop, anyway?

The Greek word is episkopes from which we get the word, “Episcopal.”  It means, “visitation; supervision.”             There is this insight: ἐπισκοπή episkopē; from 1980a; a visiting, an overseeing:—office(1), office of overseer(1), visitation(2).^[1]  The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says it is, “an intensive construction…denotes continuing or careful scrutiny.”

How can a shepherd care for his flock unless he is among them?

He must go where they are.  He cannot isolate himself in his “ivory tower” enveloped in books and blogs, but instead must immerse himself in the people’s lives—although there is certainly the need for study, that he might feed them and lead them effectively.

In secular Greek usage, a form of the word was used for a building supervisor who would oversee the construction project.   A pastor’s duty, similarly, is about the building of the church—not the bricks and mortar of a place of worship, but the spiritual construction of the people of God who are the church.  We must guide the work and call for progress of the church according to the Biblical blueprint.

Another vital dimension of oversight is the safeguarding of the sheep.  There are wolves that would destroy them.

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  ‎For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” (Acts 20:28-29)

A PRAYER

Blessed Father,

Thank you for sending Your Son to walk among us as a real man.  You are not detached from us—aloof in the wild blue yonder.  Instead, You are intimately acquainted with all our ways.  Help Your shepherds to be every mindful to be among your people—to invest time being with them, listening and loving.  Never let us look at people as problems to avoid, but opportunities to serve.   

In the name of Love Incarnate,

Amen.

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^[1] Thomas, R. L. (1998).New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Will of God

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV)

                                                                                           

I remember an old preacher, Cecil Fox, telling me about his struggle to surrender to the call to ministry.  He said, “God can make you want to do what you ought to do.”  He did not want to preach, but circumstances broke him and backed him into a corner.  That was his experience—and it is with many.  But, it was not so with me.  I did not run from the call, but ran to it!

“What one does voluntarily is more esteemed than what he does when asked (1Co 16:15).  This is utterly distinct from ambitious desires after office in the Church. (Jam 3:1).”^[1]

After my conversion, God began to work into my heart a great desire to serve Him in the church.  He placed me among others of like mind, and iron sharpened iron.  Yet, whatever I did, there always seemed something elusive—just beyond my grasp—that needed to be done. 

Sometimes I would have a vivid image in my mind, of standing before God’s people, delivering the Word of God, and could feel the thrill of seeing souls respond to it.  God’s Spirit worked this deeply into my heart—and into my wife simultaneously to support this—and we came to the place of surrender to the will of God under the preaching of the late Dr. Stephen Olford.

He gave the invitation, “Lord Jesus—anything, anytime, anywhere—I am ready.”  We took each other by the hand, stepped out in faith and yielded our lives at the Ben Lippen Bible Conference, July, 1976.

A PRAYER

Gracious Lord,

Your Son, Jesus, willingly stepped out of the Ivory Palaces and came into this world to preach good news.  Thank You for allowing us to follow in His steps.  Work into men whom You choose the desire to embrace Your will and surrender with joy to the call to Gospel ministry.   

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

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^[1] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1 Ti 3:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Passion of God

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV)

                                                                                           

Paul lets young Timothy know that half-heartedness in a pastor will be a fatal flaw.  He underscores the word “desires” twice in this verse to point to the passion a pastor must have—the very passion of God.

The Lord is our Shepherd.  It is His heart that must intertwine with ours, if we are to give ourselves to the flock, as Jesus gave Himself for the church.

John MacArthur notes:      

Two different Gr. words are used. The first means “to reach out after.” It describes external action, not internal motive. The second means “a strong passion,” and refers to an inward desire. Taken together, these two words aptly describe the type of man who belongs in the ministry—one who outwardly pursues it because he is driven by a strong internal desire. ^[1]

Let it be said that there is a fire that God must kindle in our hearts—not one that we build ourselves.  It is like that which Jeremiah described, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” ^[2] 

If God has ignited that flame to preach His Word in your heart, you will not be content to do anything else.  Should this desire to this office be kindled by any other person, or tainted by any other motive—do anything else, but preach.  If that fire is real, but has diminished over time, ask God to stoke the flame hotter than ever!

A PRAYER

Father,

You are the Lord our Shepherd.  In the incarnation of Your Son, we see the Perfect Shepherd as He walked among men.  A holy fire—zeal for You—consumed Him.  Please, fuel that fire in those You have called to this crucial task.  Forgive us, where we have grown cold.  Fire us up once more!  Thank You for the passion You give that keeps us serving when others would silence us and circumstances would dampen our enthusiasm. 

In the name of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus,

Amen.

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^[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ti 3:1). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Je 20:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

FLYING BLIND

[As I read this post from a year ago, I thought it was a needful reminder today.  I won't tell you to enjoy it; we do need to embrace it.]

You made a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider the One who created it long ago.  On that day the Lord God of Hosts called for weeping, for wailing, for shaven heads, and for the wearing of sackcloth.  But look: joy and gladness, butchering of cattle, slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat, and drinking of wine—“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”  The Lord of Hosts has directly revealed to me: “This sin of yours will never be wiped out.”  The Lord God of Hosts has spoken. (Isaiah 22:11-14)

Flying blind—a plane goes into the clouds, the pilot loses his frame of reference, and becomes disoriented.  He feels like he is right-side up, when he is actually upside down.  It is a dangerous thing.  If he depends on how he feels, rather than consulting his instrument panel, he pulls the yoke or stick back to climb and instead is diving into the ground.  The result is deadly.

That is what was happening in Isaiah’s day.  The Jews had been blessed with God’s truth to guide them.  The prophets, like Isaiah, pointed men to their Maker.  The holy law was the instrument panel to show them reality as they flew through the fog of this sinful world.  The prophets were in the control tower to talk them into a safe arrival.  But, they would not listen.  They became disoriented, pulled the throttle back—upside down, they crashed and burned.

It is ironic that all this happened in “the Valley of Vision.”  That expression is used twice in Isaiah 22.  Israel was a place that had been graced by God with prophetic vision.  The Lord had revealed Himself, His will and His ways through His Word.  It had been engraved by His finger on tablets of stone placed in the hands of Moses to teach them morality.  Priests and prophets had expounded it and provided additional insight as God’s Spirit spoke through them.  But, the people had rejected the light of God’s truth, and the darkness had closed in—the Valley of Vision was now a black abyss where blind guides led blind people.  That never ends well—for pilot or passengers.

No wonder Isaiah is heartsick.  He delivers his “oracle against the Valley of Vision” (v.1).  It isn’t a message favorable to the audience, but a pronouncement of judgment “against” them because of their rejection of their Maker and His message.  In fact, some translations render “oracle” as “burden”—a heavy message that Isaiah had to deliver, one that weighed on his mind—a word of immense gravity and intense grief.  No man of God finds joy in delivering such a sorrowful sermon, yet he is just the plane’s attitude indicator, showing that the people are upside down—and in peril.  He must be faithful to the truth—whether the pilot adjusts his course or not.

In the face of impending doom, what did those piloting the nation’s plane do?  They sent out word, “Nothing to worry about!  Settle back, enjoy the flight.”  Then the attendants were sent out with booze and tasty treats, and the cabin turned into a party.  When one lone fellow in the back, shouted out in tears, “We’re going to die!”  Isaiah was told, “Shut up!  Sure we’re going to die; everybody does—but not today.  So, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (v.13)

God had called them to mourn for their sin, but instead they were merry in it.  They should have fasted in repentance, but instead they feasted in rebellion.  The nation was in a death spiral, and only pushed the throttle forward.  From the tower, the Lord sent out to the plane this solemn word to Isaiah, the only one listening, “The Lord of Hosts has directly revealed to me: ‘This sin of yours will never be wiped out.’  The Lord God of Hosts has spoken.” (v.14)

As I look out the window of the plane I ride called, “The United States of America” I can see through a break in the clouds that we are upside down.  As in Isaiah’s time, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa.5:20)  Those piloting the plane will not listen.  The passengers are having too much fun on the flight to heed the ranting of some old preacher.

We are a nation that is busy trying to insure security through our military and not by depending on our Maker.  We look to stimulate the economy and reject our Provider.  By rejecting God, we have lost our fixed point of reference.  We repeat the folly of ancient Jerusalem’s inhabitants:

“You also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great; and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool.  You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall.  You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.” (Isa.22:9-11)

Is anybody listening?

A DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE

[This is the conclusion of a three part series from Hosea which I previously posted this time last year.  The truths are as relevant as when first shared and more urgent to be heeded than ever.]

“Israel, return to Yahweh your God, for you have stumbled in your sin.  Take words [of repentance] with you and return to the Lord.  Say to Him: ‘Forgive all [our] sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.  Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim, “Our gods!” to the work of our hands.  For the fatherless receives compassion in You.’" (Hosea 14:1-3 HCSB)

This week we have again celebrated the birthday of our nation.  By 1776, our forefathers had enough of the tyranny of King George and declared their independence from England.  One of the fundamental freedoms the colonists desired was freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.  You cannot understand the reason for our existence if you miss this crucial point.  England had a state church and many of those who came to these shores fled from that. 

We should not, however,  read that the proper separation of church and state was intended to be the severance of God and government.  America’s founding is intertwined with faith.  Its laws were predicated by the Bible.  Its founders—though not all evangelical Christians—were of a mindset saturated with a Scriptural worldview.  The declaration of independence from man was at the same time a declaration of dependence on God. 

How far we have strayed from that path; what peril we find ourselves in accordingly!  The situation in the nation of Israel in the days of Hosea the prophet has a striking parallel: the people had become idolaters—they had begun to depend on themselves; they trusted in the work of their own hands.   It is time for a declaration of dependence!

First, consider A SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLE: EXPOSITION. 

“we will no longer proclaim, 'Our gods!' to the work of our hands.” (v.3b)

They were violating the first commandment of the ten.  This led to defiance of the second and opened the portal to every other command being broken. 

Consider then THE ROTTEN ROOT of this sin.  Sin did not begin in Eden, but in heaven—not with man, but with angels.  Lucifer was enamored with his own greatness and sought to live independently of God—to be an autonomous being.  You can read about it in Isaiah 14:12-15.  That’s how he became the Devil.

The rotten root of this evil led to the tasting of THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT.  Genesis tells us that the diabolical Serpent, Satan, offered the first humans the same tantalizing possibility.  Adam and Eve swallowed it and the world has never been the same.

Very soon we detect the results of THE POISONED PRODUCE in the construction of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11.  Adam’s race decides to build a tower to heaven.  This spirit of rebellion marks the proud heart of man.  Our culture today reeks of it.  The serpent’s venom flows through our veins.  Conservative radio host, Mark Levin, describes this as “Utopianism.”  The “Master Minds” of Washington, D.C. and other world government elitists think they know how to regain Eden—and they don’t need God to do it.  God’s reaction is described in Psalm 2:

“Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His Anointed One: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.’

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them.  Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath:  ‘I have consecrated My King
on Zion, My holy mountain.’” (Psalm 2:1-6 HCSB)

From a Scriptural Principle and its exposition, we next turn our attention to A SYMBOLIC PICTURE: ILLUSTRATION. 

“we will not ride on horses” (v.3a)

The pagan nations were marked by their dependence on their own military machinery to dominate their neighbors.  From Pharaoh’s charioteers, to the iron chariots of the Canaanites, to the cavalry of the Assyrians and Babylonians—these nations trusted in their own might. 

God told Israel they were not to multiply horses—this denial would be a reminder of their dependence on God.  Yet, they acted just like their pagan neighbors and thought they could protect themselves—but they could not. 

All those nations we mentioned met the same fate—judged by God.  We will be no different.  Yet in our hearts there is this lust for power. Lord Acton sounded a warning, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

There is a dramatic illustration of this in the Lord of the Rings saga.  

I discovered Tolkien in the sixth grade.  Millions of the books have been sold and a trio of Academy award-winning movies were wildly successful.  Tolkien fought in WWI—in one battle where over a million people were killed or wounded.  He wrote the Lord of the Rings epic during WWII.  He denied that the story was meant as an allegory of the times, but acknowledged that he could not help being affected by it. 

The ring of power and its corrupting influence is central to the plot. 

There is THE TEMPTATION OF POWER.  There is a ring of power forged by the Dark Lord Sauron and the one who has this ring will rule the world.  But, in the process, the ring controls the one who uses it—and would turn even a good man into a devil. 

It also illustrates THE TYRANNY OF POWER.  In the Lord of the Rings we see one such example, the once benevolent wizard Saruman becoming obsessed with power.  One cannot help but see the now evil wizard, building his army to engulf the world in shadow as a picture of another evil man of Tolkien’s time seeking to do the same—Adolf Hitler. There have always been men like that and they are on the scene today.  How can we overcome this spirit?

There is the possibility of THE TRIUMPH OVER BOTH temptation and tyranny.  The fellowship of the ring was a diverse collection of men, elves and hobbits, wizard and dwarf—so different from each other, and having little power compared to the forces of darkness, set against them. 

So, what do they do? They invaded the citadel of the Dark Lord and through self-sacrifice destroyed it.  That is Christ’s mission for His church.  Today, our faith in God’s ultimate triumph is being tested.  Is carrying the cross worth it?  These are hard times—the shadow deepens and the armies of Hell are on the march.  We may be tempted to despair. 

Frodo, the heroic hobbit of the Lord of the Rings, faced such fears. In the story, we hear him say to Gandalf with discouraged voice, “I wish none of this had happened.”  Like Frodo, we look around at what is happening to America and wish we were not here to see these times, either.  My words to you are those of Gandalf, the wizard, responding to Frodo, “So do all who live to see such times but that is not for them to decide.  All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us!”

There may yet be hope—if we act now.   Let us reflect on A SANCTIFIED PRACTICE: APPLICATION.  There are three things America must do if we are to see many more birthdays!  It is what God commanded Israel to do.

God requires there be a RETURN (v.1-2). 

“Israel, return to Yahweh your God, for you have stumbled in your sin.  Take words [of repentance] with you and return to the Lord.”

Can we doubt that we have wandered far from God?  If Washington or Franklin, Jefferson or Adams were to appear in America today, they would be nauseated by the moral filth that covers the land.  Where they acknowledged their dependence on God for success, it would break their hearts that we have become a people who have sought to strip every reference to God from the public square.  We must return to a declaration of dependence!

Then, there must be a REQUEST (v.2).

“Take words [of repentance] with you and return to the Lord.  Say to Him: ‘Forgive all [our] sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.’”

Will we cry out in desperation?  How bad does it have to get before we will bow? 

God further requires RIGHTEOUSNESS (v.3)

“Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim, 'Our gods!' to the work of our hands.  For the fatherless receives compassion in You." (v.3)

The politicians cannot save us for they are mostly infected with the same lust for power.  The scientists cannot invent a solution to our cultural disintegration.  The economists cannot stave off our moral bankruptcy.  Only God can save us!  Our response must be that of Israel: repentance!

We don’t like the times we live in.  God’s people long for a better day.  But, we have no choice in the times that we find ourselves in.  What we can choose is how to respond to them.  Now we must decide what to do with the time that is given to us.

A FAITHFUL GOD

[This is part two of a three part series from Hosea that I will complete tomorrow]

What am I going to do with you, Ephraim?  What am I going to do with you, Judah?
Your loyalty is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes. (Hosea 6:4)

You can hear the broken heart of God as He speaks of His dismay.  He has bestowed His love on a people who quickly turned from Him and unto idols.  He likens them to the morning mist, that seems to hang so thick on a muggy summer morning, and quickly vanishes under the heat of the sun.  Israel vowed faithfulness to God, but they had been a faithless nation.

Hosea came to understand something of God’s heartache, because he not only expressed this message, he experienced it. His wife had committed adultery and he had found her destitute, a slave being auctioned off.  But, God commanded his prophet to purchase her—to redeem her and bring her back home.  Gomer was faithless, but Hosea would be faithful to his vows.

All of this served to illustrate God’s faithfulness to faithless Israel.  There are vital truths for America today—this God blessed land that has spurned God’s love.  Surely, we break His heart as he sees our wicked ways.

THE SINNING OF AN UNFAITHFUL NATION (4:1-19)

Imagine a private detective hired to follow a wife suspected of adultery.  He gathers evidence, and now the case is taken before a judge in a divorce court.  The evidence is clear and compelling.  That is the language used in these verses.  The unfaithfulness of Israel to her God was indisputable.  They treated God like Gomer did her husband, Hosea.

When we read the list of sins, it sounds like we are reading from today’s newspaper.  Although written thousands of years ago, it is a story we see unfolding on television in this century.  The sins that proliferated in ancient Israel are likewise an epidemic in our times.

The sinning of an unfaithful nation leads to THE SUFFERING OF AN UNFAITHFUL NATION (5:1-13:16)

God was going to break them.  If Israel wanted to go their own way, they would be permitted to do so, but would find that to be the road to ruin.  Just as Gomer’s debauchery brought her to destitution, so Israel’s unfaithfulness to God resulted in the nation’s conquest and captivity. 

Yet, even in this, God was demonstrating His faithfulness.  He was using the problems and pain to draw them back to Himself.  God was going to break them, once and for all of their idolatry.

America has sown the wind and is reaping the whirlwind.  We have not humbled ourselves, so maybe God is humbling us.  Even so, that is a mark of God’s faithfulness.  He is working to bring us to our knees and that is a good place to be in, for it is there that we can meet God.