## Responsibility Of The Pastor

## I Peter 5:1-4

The purpose of the Book of I Peter is to encourage believers to lift their eyes from present problems and trials and behold the wonders provided by an eternal perspective. The difficulties we have now last only for a time, and the child of God waits for an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.

In chapter five Peter emphasizes the responsibilities of every child of God. Everyone in the church is exhorted to serve the Lord diligently.

Intro. The Responsibility Of The Pastor.

A. Peter exhort first the pastors of the churches.

1. He introduces responsibility by mentioning the example of Christ.

2. Christ is the example to follow: Christ is the ultimate example we are to model our lives after.

3. The pastor is not the example or any other Christian!

a. This does not mean that we are not to be an example to others, we most definitely are.

b. But men will fail, Christ never does.

4. So our example is one of purity in word and in deed.

a. Nothing less is glorifies God.

b. There is not second standard.

I. The Pastor Is Exhorted To "Feed The Flock Of God."

A. Note that the flock which is the assembly of believers belongs to God.

B. Often people act better in the presence of the pastor or some other Christian. (but folks we are always in the very presence of God!)

C. If a person hides or changes their behavior around the pastor, or another Christian...

1. Then that is wrong.

2. We will be held responsible, not by the pastor, but by God for every word and deed.

D. The word "feed" means 'to tend as a shepherd...to feed or rule."

II. The Pastor Is To Take The Lead And Responsibility Over The Assembly Of Believers.

A. It is God who calls and gives the responsibility of being a pastor of a church.

(ACTS 20:28) "TAKE HEED THEREFORE UNTO YOURSELVES, AND TO ALL THE FLOCK, OVER THE WHICH THE HOLY GHOST HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS, TO FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD, WHICH HE HATH PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD."

B. God appoints pastors to churches.

1. The man God calls He expects to take the responsibility.

2. In the OT we have the example of Jonah, who when called would not obey the Lord and suffered greatly until he obeyed.

III. The Pastor Is To Serve Willingly, Not Being Forced To Serve.

(1 TIM 3:1) "THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF A MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK."

A. God puts the desire in a man heart.

B. Yet, desire is not enough.

C. In the following verses here in 1 Timothy, God lists the minimum qualifications of a pastor.

(ACTS 13:1-3) "NOW THERE WERE IN THE CHURCH THAT WAS AT ANTIOCH CERTAIN PROPHETS AND TEACHERS; AS BARNABAS, AND SIMEON THAT WAS CALLED NIGER, AND LUCIUS OF CYRENE, AND MANAEN, WHICH HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH, AND SAUL. {2} AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD, AND FASTED, THE HOLY GHOST SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK WHEREUNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM. {3} AND WHEN THEY HAD FASTED AND PRAYED, AND LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, THEY SENT THEM AWAY."

D. We see here that the church should recognize these qualities in a man.

E. It is the local church that sends out a pastor.

1. The church prays and fasts and earnestly seek God's will.

2. The Holy Spirit leads the church to choose the right man.

IV. The Pastor Is Not The Hireling Of The Church.

(1 TIM 5:17) "LET THE ELDERS THAT RULE WELL BE COUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOUR, ESPECIALLY THEY WHO LABOUR IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE."

A. This means in respect and in financial support.

B. By taking care of the financial needs of a pastor the church is honoring him; he is not the employee of the church!

C. Peter says the pastor should not serve of "filthy lucre" which means money.

D. The pastor does not serve for money, but because of his calling and because that is the responsibility God has given him in the church.

1. Some misunderstood and accused Paul of preaching for financial gain.

2. He replied, "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward." Timothy 5:18

3. He was quoting Deut. 25:4. This principle was established by God in the OT.

(1 COR 9:13-14) "DO YE NOT KNOW THAT THEY WHICH MINISTER ABOUT HOLY THINGS LIVE OF THE THINGS OF THE TEMPLE? AND THEY WHICH WAIT AT THE ALTAR ARE PARTAKERS WITH THE ALTAR? {14} EVEN SO HATH THE LORD ORDAINED THAT THEY WHICH PREACH THE GOSPEL SHOULD LIVE OF THE GOSPEL."

4. That is God's plan; the man of God must live by generosity and faithfulness of the church.

IV. The Pastor Is Warned Not To "Lord" Over The Flock.

A. "lord" means 'to control, be lord over, overcome.'

B. It has the idea of a strong person domineering over a weaker person.

1. You see everyone is to follow the Lord willingly.

2. As pastor, I can not make people do what is right.

3. I can teach and set the example, but the responsibility is the individuals.

C. Often any exercise of leadership is misunderstood as being domineering.

1. Ideally the pastor preaches the Word of God.

(2 TIM 4:2) "PREACH THE WORD; BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON; REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE."

2. Then those that sin hear the truth can repent, be saved and faithfully follow Christ.

(2 TIM 2:25-26) "IN MEEKNESS INSTRUCTING THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES; IF GOD PERADVENTURE WILL GIVE THEM REPENTANCE TO THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF THE TRUTH; {26} AND THAT THEY MAY RECOVER THEMSELVES OUT OF THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL, WHO ARE TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM AT HIS WILL."

3. It is the pastor's heart felt desire to see folks come to Christ and mature in Him.

(COL 1:28) "WHOM WE PREACH, WARNING EVERY MAN, AND TEACHING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM; THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS:"

(2 COR 11:2) "FOR I AM JEALOUS OVER YOU WITH GODLY JEALOUSY: FOR I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST."

4. Paul explained the pastor's calling and task to the Ephesians 4:11-15

V. The Pastor's Reward. 5:4

1 PETER 5:4 4 AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD SHALL APPEAR, YE SHALL RECEIVE A CROWN OF GLORY THAT FADETH NOT AWAY.

A. God promises a crown of glory to the faithful pastor of the church.

B. It appears on first reading that the glory is the pastor's, as if he personally is glorified.

1. Rev. 4:10, says our crowns are cast at the feet of Christ who is only deserving of glory.

2. The hearts desire of a truly called and committed pastor is to bring glory to Christ.

3. There is no reward without faithfulness.

There are principles found here that apply not only to the pastor, but to everyone. Next week will continue in this chapter and examine them. Each of us is responsible for our area of responsibility. Folks, the operation of a church is different from any and all organizations on this earth. It is headed by Christ! It is lead by an under shepherd at the appointment of God. The ultimate example is Christ. The standard is one of purity and righteousness for every child of God, because that was what Christ was. The pastor is supported financially by the church yet is appointed and called by God. The pastor is not the employee of the church, yet the church must recognize and appoint God choice to the position.