WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:03.460 As you can imagine, it is an unspeakable joy 00:00:03.460 --> 00:00:06.140 for my wife Diana and myself 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:07.140 to arrive at this day, 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.100 when our son can be officially recognized 00:00:10.100 --> 00:00:12.119 as a shepherd 00:00:12.119 --> 00:00:16.679 in a church of the blood- bought people of God. 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:18.660 It is also a sobering reality 00:00:18.660 --> 00:00:21.660 in light of what we have heard. 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:23.780 And mine is to bring a charge to you, 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:27.630 the congregation of Grace Community Church 00:00:27.630 --> 00:00:29.410 as to your responsibilities 00:00:29.410 --> 00:00:32.480 in receiving a pastor to be among you 00:00:32.480 --> 00:00:34.210 and as the Scriptures say, 00:00:34.210 --> 00:00:37.270 to be over you in the Lord. 00:00:37.270 --> 00:00:39.870 And I want to bring to you from God's Word, 00:00:39.870 --> 00:00:42.190 six areas of responsibility 00:00:42.190 --> 00:00:44.130 given to you by the Lord 00:00:44.130 --> 00:00:46.850 as you receive a new pastor. 00:00:46.850 --> 00:00:48.610 And I'll get right to it. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:48.610 --> 00:00:50.170 The first one is this: 00:00:50.170 --> 00:00:53.160 Recognize him according to the gifts 00:00:53.160 --> 00:00:55.730 and graces God has given. 00:00:55.730 --> 00:00:57.260 Someone has said, 00:00:57.260 --> 00:00:59.989 "Only God can make a minister. 00:00:59.989 --> 00:01:02.700 Only God can make a pastor." 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:04.430 And that's true isn't it. 00:01:04.430 --> 00:01:06.900 Because only God can furnish a man 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:08.570 with the graces of character 00:01:08.570 --> 00:01:10.730 and the gifts of leadership and preaching 00:01:10.730 --> 00:01:13.360 that are needed to shepherd the flock of God. 00:01:13.360 --> 00:01:15.490 Only God can make a pastor. 00:01:15.490 --> 00:01:18.020 Now that doesn't mean that there are not people 00:01:18.020 --> 00:01:20.030 who run into the pastorate 00:01:20.030 --> 00:01:21.999 not having been called and sent by God. 00:01:21.999 --> 00:01:23.300 There are men who do that. 00:01:23.300 --> 00:01:27.620 In our day, sadly, there are even women who do that, wrongly. 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:28.840 Why do they go? 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:31.080 In some cases, they go to try to live up 00:01:31.080 --> 00:01:33.320 to the misguided expectations of others. 00:01:33.320 --> 00:01:35.510 Perhaps a father who says, 00:01:35.510 --> 00:01:37.500 "My son is going to be a pastor." 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:40.040 In other cases, a man likes to study theology 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:42.729 and he thinks, "Well, that would be a nice job. 00:01:42.729 --> 00:01:44.450 Being holed up in a room, 00:01:44.450 --> 00:01:46.510 reading theological books all day. 00:01:46.510 --> 00:01:48.770 I think that'll be a nice gig!" 00:01:48.770 --> 00:01:52.400 Others are very sociable, and they would say: 00:01:52.400 --> 00:01:54.589 "You know, I like to socialize with people 00:01:54.589 --> 00:01:57.050 and being a pastor I get to socialize with people. 00:01:57.050 --> 00:01:59.189 I think I'd like to be a pastor." 00:01:59.189 --> 00:02:01.170 More culpably, sadly, there are people 00:02:01.170 --> 00:02:04.010 who like to exercise control and power 00:02:04.010 --> 00:02:05.420 over other people. 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:08.690 And they enter the ministry for that wrong reason. 00:02:08.690 --> 00:02:10.869 And others, because of a large ego, 00:02:10.869 --> 00:02:13.190 they like to be front and center 00:02:13.190 --> 00:02:14.929 and be the center of attention. 00:02:14.929 --> 00:02:17.020 There are people, there are men, 00:02:17.020 --> 00:02:18.480 sadly even women, 00:02:18.480 --> 00:02:20.989 who seek to run into pastoral ministry 00:02:20.989 --> 00:02:25.260 without having been called and sent by God. NOTE Paragraph 00:02:25.260 --> 00:02:30.019 But only God can equip, and call, 00:02:30.019 --> 00:02:34.140 and send a true shepherd. 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:37.050 And your job, church at Laredo, 00:02:37.050 --> 00:02:40.200 therefore is not to make a man a pastor. 00:02:40.200 --> 00:02:41.910 You can't do that. 00:02:41.910 --> 00:02:46.009 It is to recognize the man and men 00:02:46.009 --> 00:02:47.999 that God raises up among you 00:02:47.999 --> 00:02:50.419 to be in that calling. 00:02:50.419 --> 00:02:53.119 And that's what you are doing today. 00:02:53.119 --> 00:02:54.750 You are recognizing, 00:02:54.750 --> 00:02:57.609 based on the qualifications given by God 00:02:57.609 --> 00:03:01.209 in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 00:03:01.209 --> 00:03:03.209 you are recognizing a man 00:03:03.209 --> 00:03:05.909 whom you believe God has give you 00:03:05.909 --> 00:03:08.329 to shepherd your souls. 00:03:08.329 --> 00:03:12.119 Your work is the work of recognition. NOTE Paragraph 00:03:12.119 --> 00:03:15.049 And may I say, that I heartily concur 00:03:15.049 --> 00:03:18.069 with what is being done today. 00:03:18.069 --> 00:03:20.549 If I might say some personal words 00:03:20.549 --> 00:03:24.189 as the father of this young man, 00:03:24.189 --> 00:03:27.889 I have marveled at the grace of God 00:03:27.889 --> 00:03:31.649 that has brought him to this day. 00:03:31.649 --> 00:03:35.939 I never groomed my son to be a pastor, 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:37.459 because it was my conviction 00:03:37.459 --> 00:03:39.790 that I don't make men pastors. 00:03:39.790 --> 00:03:42.379 I never even imagined it. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:45.729 Quite frankly, for many years - 00:03:45.729 --> 00:03:47.839 and his brother and sister are here 00:03:47.839 --> 00:03:49.419 and can testify to it - 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:51.789 Jeremy was our fun-loving, 00:03:51.789 --> 00:03:54.419 people-loving jock. 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:57.849 Much more likely to have a soccer ball on his foot 00:03:57.849 --> 00:04:01.519 than a book in his hand. 00:04:01.519 --> 00:04:03.139 But it's been amazing to watch 00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:05.579 what God has done. 00:04:05.579 --> 00:04:07.359 Beginning midway through college, 00:04:07.359 --> 00:04:11.009 when he decided to plant his flag for Christ. 00:04:11.009 --> 00:04:13.929 Started a fellowship of Christian athletes on campus, 00:04:13.929 --> 00:04:15.909 and from there on after, 00:04:15.909 --> 00:04:17.880 every Sunday night at eight o'clock, 00:04:17.880 --> 00:04:20.180 he would be teaching his fellow college students 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:21.650 from the Bible. 00:04:21.650 --> 00:04:25.420 And then there was the first professional contract in Finland 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:27.920 where he had a premature mantel 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:31.640 of leadership responsibilities thrust upon him; 00:04:31.640 --> 00:04:33.720 where he was looked to teach and lead 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:36.760 a rather immature group of saints. 00:04:36.760 --> 00:04:38.560 And we did a lot of Skype-ing, 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:40.800 across the Atlantic that year. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:43.690 But it was then that I began to see in him 00:04:43.690 --> 00:04:45.600 a shepherd's heart. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.230 He would review with me a letter 00:04:47.230 --> 00:04:50.630 that he was writing to someone twice his age 00:04:50.630 --> 00:04:52.140 giving counsel. 00:04:52.140 --> 00:04:54.220 And as I read that thing I said: 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:57.050 "I could not do any better than that!" 00:04:57.050 --> 00:04:58.380 The truth-content, 00:04:58.380 --> 00:05:00.300 and the love and grace in that letter! 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:01.850 And I began to see... 00:05:01.850 --> 00:05:03.690 I began to say to myself: 00:05:03.690 --> 00:05:05.950 "If I know anything of what a pastor is, 00:05:05.950 --> 00:05:07.540 of what a shepherd's heart is, 00:05:07.540 --> 00:05:11.120 I'm beginning to see it in my son." 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:14.420 And then, two years spent 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:16.650 in the Conway's home 00:05:16.650 --> 00:05:19.470 and in the church in San Antonio 00:05:19.470 --> 00:05:21.950 for which my wife and I 00:05:21.950 --> 00:05:24.660 are tremendously grateful 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:27.440 for the influence, Tim and Ruby, 00:05:27.440 --> 00:05:30.830 of your home, your lives, 00:05:30.830 --> 00:05:33.620 the influence of the church. 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:36.670 It has been hugely challenging 00:05:36.670 --> 00:05:39.600 and formative in our son's life. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:41.590 And we are forever grateful 00:05:41.590 --> 00:05:45.550 for God's usefulness of you in his life, 00:05:45.550 --> 00:05:48.870 bringing him to this day. NOTE Paragraph 00:05:48.870 --> 00:05:51.470 So, church of Laredo. 00:05:51.470 --> 00:05:53.350 You can't make a pastor; 00:05:53.350 --> 00:05:54.710 now or in the future. 00:05:54.710 --> 00:05:57.180 But you are called to recognize 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:00.370 those whom God has gifted and called. 00:06:00.370 --> 00:06:01.760 And you're doing that today. NOTE Paragraph 00:06:01.760 --> 00:06:04.240 The second thing that is your responsibility 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:07.080 is to receive him as a loving gift 00:06:07.080 --> 00:06:10.610 of the glorified Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:10.610 --> 00:06:20.460 I turn briefly (or just listen) to Ephesians 4:9-11. 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:22.120 You are to receive him 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:26.070 as a loving gift of your glorified Savior. 00:06:26.070 --> 00:06:33.270 In Ephesians 4:9-11 we read: 00:06:33.270 --> 00:06:36.070 "Now this expression, 'He ascended', 00:06:36.070 --> 00:06:38.040 what does it mean except that He also 00:06:38.040 --> 00:06:40.530 had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 00:06:40.530 --> 00:06:43.060 He who descended is Himself also 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:46.160 He who ascended far above all the heavens, 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:47.900 so that He might fill all things." 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:49.260 And notice verse 11 00:06:49.260 --> 00:06:51.110 "And He gave some as apostles, 00:06:51.110 --> 00:06:52.509 and some as prophets, 00:06:52.509 --> 00:06:54.759 and some as evangelists, and some as..." 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:58.149 as the Greek would likely have it, "pastor-teachers." 00:06:58.149 --> 00:07:01.000 Jesus descended to live a perfect life 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:03.890 that we could not live, and died a death 00:07:03.890 --> 00:07:06.720 in our place that we deserved to die! 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.390 And then He was raised from the dead, 00:07:09.390 --> 00:07:11.830 He was ascended to the Father, 00:07:11.830 --> 00:07:14.060 and He's glorified at the Father's right hand 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:16.240 and from that place of glorification, 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:18.630 He has given gifts to His Church. 00:07:18.630 --> 00:07:22.170 Rather, He has given men as gifts to His Church! 00:07:22.170 --> 00:07:24.390 He gave apostles and prophets. 00:07:24.390 --> 00:07:26.060 Earlier in that letter it says 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:28.420 the church is built upon the foundation 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:31.480 of the apostles and New Testament prophets. 00:07:31.480 --> 00:07:32.890 He gave evangelists. 00:07:32.890 --> 00:07:35.390 Christians disagree as to what an evangelist is. 00:07:35.390 --> 00:07:37.050 I would take it to mean those who 00:07:37.050 --> 00:07:39.140 take the gospel into virgin territory. 00:07:39.140 --> 00:07:41.670 But he gave pastor-teachers. 00:07:41.670 --> 00:07:44.150 And church at Laredo. 00:07:44.150 --> 00:07:46.669 The point for you is this: 00:07:46.669 --> 00:07:51.450 Jesus Christ, your ascended, glorified Lord, 00:07:51.450 --> 00:07:55.060 is giving you a gift today! 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:57.440 It's a gift of His love! 00:07:57.440 --> 00:08:01.330 It's a token of His grace and favor! 00:08:01.330 --> 00:08:02.940 Little flock in Laredo, 00:08:02.940 --> 00:08:05.010 Jesus has His eye on you. 00:08:05.010 --> 00:08:06.889 He has not forgotten you! 00:08:06.889 --> 00:08:08.450 He loves you 00:08:08.450 --> 00:08:10.170 and is giving you a gift. 00:08:10.170 --> 00:08:11.210 Someone has said: 00:08:11.210 --> 00:08:12.860 "Pastors are not needed 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:14.570 for the being of the Church, 00:08:14.570 --> 00:08:15.919 but for its well-being." 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:17.530 And I think that's true. 00:08:17.530 --> 00:08:18.590 Acts 14:23 says, 00:08:18.590 --> 00:08:20.770 "When they had appointed elders 00:08:20.770 --> 00:08:22.660 for them in every church..." 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:25.840 The idea was they were already churches 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:27.940 before they had elders. 00:08:27.940 --> 00:08:30.740 Elders are not needed for the being of the church, 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.328 but for its well-being. 00:08:32.328 --> 00:08:33.919 If the church is to flourish 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:36.658 and grow internally and spiritually, 00:08:36.658 --> 00:08:40.169 if it is to expand numerically and evangelistically, 00:08:40.169 --> 00:08:42.259 it needs shepherds. 00:08:42.259 --> 00:08:43.990 Jesus loves you. 00:08:43.990 --> 00:08:45.209 He has His eye on you. 00:08:45.209 --> 00:08:50.089 He is giving you a gift, today, of a pastor. 00:08:50.089 --> 00:08:53.069 Receive him as a gift 00:08:53.069 --> 00:08:55.299 of Christ's love for you. NOTE Paragraph 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:59.710 Thirdly, you are to respect him 00:08:59.710 --> 00:09:03.600 for the sake of his diligent labor among you. 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:06.639 And for that I turn you to 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:08.539 just two verses. 00:09:08.539 --> 00:09:12.339 Either turn there or just listen. 00:09:12.339 --> 00:09:15.050 "But we request of you, brethren, 00:09:15.050 --> 00:09:16.050 that you appreciate those who 00:09:16.050 --> 00:09:18.670 diligently labor among you 00:09:18.670 --> 00:09:20.749 and have charge over you in the Lord 00:09:20.749 --> 00:09:22.529 and give you instruction..." 00:09:22.529 --> 00:09:23.669 Now listen to this, 00:09:23.669 --> 00:09:26.679 "and that you esteem them very highly in love 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.800 because of their work." 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:30.460 Now let's unpack briefly, 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:32.339 some of those words. 00:09:32.339 --> 00:09:35.939 The word "appreciate" is actually the word "to know", 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:38.430 but it's understood in the Hebraistic sense 00:09:38.430 --> 00:09:41.430 of having regard for, cherishing, 00:09:41.430 --> 00:09:43.670 paying attention to. 00:09:43.670 --> 00:09:45.579 The word "esteem": 00:09:45.579 --> 00:09:48.579 consider, think, account, 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:50.319 it means to have deliberate 00:09:50.319 --> 00:09:52.799 and careful judgment. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:54.809 "Esteem very highly." 00:09:54.809 --> 00:09:57.339 That's the word used in Ephesians 3:20 when it says: 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:59.759 "God is able to do super abundantly 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.079 beyond what we ask or think." 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:06.050 You are to super abundantly esteem him, 00:10:06.050 --> 00:10:09.629 but for his work, his diligent labor. 00:10:09.629 --> 00:10:11.860 And that word "labor" means 00:10:11.860 --> 00:10:14.999 wearisome effort, intense labor, 00:10:14.999 --> 00:10:16.930 it actually comes from a verb that means 00:10:16.930 --> 00:10:19.980 to beat the breast in grief. 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:23.309 He is to be a hard diligent worker, 00:10:23.309 --> 00:10:27.839 sometimes to weariness of body and soul. 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:29.329 And he admonishes you, 00:10:29.329 --> 00:10:31.269 he puts in your mind truth 00:10:31.269 --> 00:10:33.169 that leads you back into the way. 00:10:33.169 --> 00:10:34.470 You put all this together 00:10:34.470 --> 00:10:36.249 and this is what you get: 00:10:36.249 --> 00:10:40.600 You are to know, pay attention to, 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:43.899 have regard for the laborious work 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:46.899 that your pastor is doing among you. 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:48.980 What does that mean practically? 00:10:48.980 --> 00:10:50.860 Take some time to think 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.840 about the many hours he takes 00:10:52.850 --> 00:10:54.920 to study the Word of God, 00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:56.319 in order to teach it 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:58.439 and preach it and counsel it 00:10:58.439 --> 00:11:02.329 accurately and profitably for your soul. 00:11:02.329 --> 00:11:04.330 Give attention to the hours he spends 00:11:04.330 --> 00:11:06.370 in prayer over your souls. 00:11:06.370 --> 00:11:07.900 Men in the ministry are to give 00:11:07.900 --> 00:11:09.740 more time to prayer like the apostles: 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.440 "We will give ourselves to prayer 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:13.009 and the ministry of the Word." 00:11:13.009 --> 00:11:14.879 And he's gonna be laboring hours 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.579 in prayer over you individually. 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:18.179 And think about those hours 00:11:18.179 --> 00:11:20.509 he's spending in prayer for your needs, 00:11:20.509 --> 00:11:24.189 for your souls, for your struggles, 00:11:24.189 --> 00:11:27.269 for your hurts, for your sins. 00:11:27.269 --> 00:11:29.609 Take stock of the hours he will spend, 00:11:29.609 --> 00:11:30.800 and does spend, 00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:33.420 sitting down with you as families; 00:11:33.420 --> 00:11:36.490 giving you a spiritual check-up. 00:11:36.490 --> 00:11:38.110 Checking up in how you're doing 00:11:38.110 --> 00:11:39.349 in your devotional life. 00:11:39.349 --> 00:11:42.030 How are things in the marriage? How is your family life? 00:11:42.030 --> 00:11:43.719 How are you training your children? 00:11:43.719 --> 00:11:45.129 How are you using your gifts 00:11:45.129 --> 00:11:46.769 for the edification of the church? 00:11:46.769 --> 00:11:48.730 How can you be a better witness 00:11:48.730 --> 00:11:51.730 to the lost ones around you? 00:11:51.730 --> 00:11:53.559 And consider also the many hours 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:57.309 that he spends counseling you one on one; 00:11:57.309 --> 00:12:01.060 listening patiently, and then seeking to give 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:05.040 thoughtful, wise, and biblical advice. 00:12:05.040 --> 00:12:06.610 Think of the times that you 00:12:06.610 --> 00:12:08.369 or a loved one has a crisis, 00:12:08.369 --> 00:12:11.389 and maybe lands in the hospital. 00:12:11.389 --> 00:12:14.199 Who is likely to be the first one 00:12:14.199 --> 00:12:16.379 at your bedside to pray, 00:12:16.379 --> 00:12:18.829 to comfort, to minister? 00:12:18.829 --> 00:12:22.399 It's likely going to be your pastor. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.389 And as you think about these things, 00:12:24.389 --> 00:12:26.929 God is saying to you as a church: 00:12:26.929 --> 00:12:30.589 "Super-highly esteem him 00:12:30.589 --> 00:12:32.689 for that diligent work 00:12:32.689 --> 00:12:35.009 that he is doing among you." 00:12:35.009 --> 00:12:38.970 And may I make a logical deduction from this? 00:12:38.970 --> 00:12:42.550 As you super-highly esteem him, 00:12:42.550 --> 00:12:47.009 will you look for ways to express that to him? 00:12:47.009 --> 00:12:48.959 I've been a pastor for a lot of years, 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:51.399 and one of the things I've noticed over the years 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:54.089 is people tend to appreciate their pastors, 00:12:54.089 --> 00:12:57.599 but rarely tell them. 00:12:57.599 --> 00:12:58.450 You ask a man: 00:12:58.450 --> 00:12:59.979 Do you appreciate your pastor? 00:12:59.979 --> 00:13:01.459 "Oh, our pastor is wonderful! 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:03.730 He feeds us so well on the Word of God, 00:13:03.730 --> 00:13:07.579 He's such a patient, loving counselor to us!" 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:10.350 Have you ever told him that? 00:13:10.350 --> 00:13:13.519 "Well, I think there was a time a few years ago. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:17.319 I might have mentioned something." 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:20.319 You know men, it doesn't work in marriage 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:22.759 to be like the proverbial guy who 00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.879 said to his wife, 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.410 "Look, I told her I loved her when I married her, 00:13:26.410 --> 00:13:29.439 and if I change my mind, I'll let her know." 00:13:29.439 --> 00:13:31.860 Now that doesn't work in marriage, does it? 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.320 You can hardly tell your wife 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:36.470 enough times in the day, "I love you!" 00:13:36.470 --> 00:13:39.559 Assuming it's sincere. 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.949 People of God, 00:13:40.949 --> 00:13:44.000 express your appreciation 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:46.100 for your pastor and his labor. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.679 "Oh, but I don't want him to get a big head!" 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:50.570 Let me tell you, God knows how 00:13:50.570 --> 00:13:53.410 to keep a man's head small. Okay? 00:13:53.410 --> 00:13:54.410 God knows wonderfully 00:13:54.410 --> 00:13:56.040 how to balance encouragement 00:13:56.040 --> 00:13:57.269 with humbling. 00:13:57.269 --> 00:13:58.939 You leave that to God! 00:13:58.939 --> 00:14:00.829 And you just seek to encourage him, 00:14:00.829 --> 00:14:02.509 and there are many ways to do that. 00:14:02.509 --> 00:14:03.702 And church at Laredo, 00:14:03.702 --> 00:14:04.895 from what I know of you, 00:14:04.895 --> 00:14:06.209 I need to just commend you, 00:14:06.209 --> 00:14:07.859 because you have expressed 00:14:07.859 --> 00:14:10.709 your esteem and respect in so many ways. 00:14:10.709 --> 00:14:11.920 Material gifts, 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:14.920 household furnishings for his apartment, 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:19.020 money for books, books; 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:20.680 you've already done much of that. 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.949 You know the highest way 00:14:21.949 --> 00:14:23.980 that you can show respect for your pastor 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.839 however is to allow the Word of God 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:29.030 that he teaches, preaches, and counsels 00:14:29.030 --> 00:14:30.749 to take root in your life, 00:14:30.749 --> 00:14:32.259 and to let him see the fruit 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.499 being born in your life 00:14:33.499 --> 00:14:35.230 from what he's laboring in. 00:14:35.230 --> 00:14:40.749 That's the greatest way to show him respect! NOTE Paragraph 00:14:40.749 --> 00:14:42.769 Here's a fourth thing: 00:14:42.769 --> 00:14:45.649 Rejoice his heart by your obedience, 00:14:45.649 --> 00:14:48.279 and some of you know where I'm going with that. 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:51.579 Hebrews 13:17 00:14:51.579 --> 00:14:56.029 Rejoice his heart by your obedience. 00:14:56.029 --> 00:14:57.660 The writer to the Hebrews says: 00:14:57.660 --> 00:15:00.459 "Obey your leaders, submit to them. 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:02.659 they keep watch over your souls 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:04.549 as those who will give an account. 00:15:04.549 --> 00:15:06.599 Let them do that with joy, 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:08.149 and not with grief, 00:15:08.149 --> 00:15:11.769 for that would be unprofitable for you." 00:15:11.769 --> 00:15:13.999 We live in a moral universe, 00:15:13.999 --> 00:15:15.889 and God reigns over this universe, 00:15:15.889 --> 00:15:17.829 He is the absolute authority 00:15:17.829 --> 00:15:19.829 and King of this universe! 00:15:19.829 --> 00:15:21.489 By nature, we are in rebellion 00:15:21.489 --> 00:15:23.250 against His authority however. 00:15:23.250 --> 00:15:24.239 The Bible says, 00:15:24.239 --> 00:15:26.700 "we've all turned to our own way." 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:28.729 But when we've become rightly related 00:15:28.729 --> 00:15:31.239 to God through faith in Jesus Christ, 00:15:31.239 --> 00:15:34.400 we become a submissive people. 00:15:34.400 --> 00:15:36.730 Submission becomes a watch-word 00:15:36.730 --> 00:15:38.239 for the child of God. 00:15:38.239 --> 00:15:40.259 We submit ultimately to God, 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:42.649 but one of the ways we show our submission to God 00:15:42.649 --> 00:15:44.839 is by submitting to the human authorities 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:47.139 that God has put over us. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:49.509 Wives, be submissive to husbands. 00:15:49.509 --> 00:15:51.259 Children, obey parents. 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:54.049 We are to obey the governing authorities. 00:15:54.049 --> 00:15:58.689 Employees are to obey employers. 00:15:58.689 --> 00:16:02.369 And God has called His redeemed people 00:16:02.369 --> 00:16:05.369 to put themselves into local assemblies, 00:16:05.369 --> 00:16:07.519 churches, where there are elders, 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.989 pastors, overseers, 00:16:08.989 --> 00:16:12.369 who are over them in the Lord. 00:16:12.369 --> 00:16:16.910 And this text of Scripture calls us to obey them. 00:16:16.910 --> 00:16:20.309 Literally "to be persuaded" by them. 00:16:20.309 --> 00:16:22.209 And to submit to them, 00:16:22.209 --> 00:16:25.709 literally "to give way to, to yield" to them. 00:16:25.709 --> 00:16:31.600 And let me point to a two-fold responsibility that this gives us. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:33.109 On the one hand, 00:16:33.109 --> 00:16:36.489 obey your leaders, submit to them... 00:16:36.489 --> 00:16:39.229 Brothers and sisters in the church of Laredo, 00:16:39.229 --> 00:16:43.679 when your pastor labors in the Word of God, 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:47.090 to tell you what biblical words mean 00:16:47.090 --> 00:16:51.519 what biblical sentences mean, in context, 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:56.449 near and far, consistent with systematic theology, 00:16:56.449 --> 00:16:59.670 the doctrine fitting in with the other doctrines of the Bible, 00:16:59.670 --> 00:17:01.550 consistent with biblical theology, 00:17:01.550 --> 00:17:03.160 consistent with the whole sweep 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:04.970 and totality of God's revelation; 00:17:04.970 --> 00:17:07.740 when he is getting out of God's Word 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:10.060 what is pretty clear the Holy Spirit 00:17:10.060 --> 00:17:11.510 put into God's Word, 00:17:11.510 --> 00:17:14.080 and he's giving it to you accurately, 00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:16.660 brothers and sisters, obey it! 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.770 Do what it says! 00:17:18.770 --> 00:17:20.320 Believe what it says! 00:17:20.320 --> 00:17:22.280 Think the way you're supposed to think! 00:17:22.280 --> 00:17:24.020 In doing so, you won't so much be 00:17:24.020 --> 00:17:26.250 obeying a fallible man, 00:17:26.250 --> 00:17:28.300 but you'll be obeying God 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:31.900 and that will be to the blessing of your soul! 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:35.370 It will also bring him joy! 00:17:35.370 --> 00:17:38.050 Remember what the elder Apostle John said? 00:17:38.050 --> 00:17:40.670 "I have no greater joy than this, 00:17:40.670 --> 00:17:42.630 than to hear of my children 00:17:42.630 --> 00:17:44.550 walking in the truth." 00:17:44.550 --> 00:17:47.590 And a true shepherd has no greater joy 00:17:47.590 --> 00:17:50.040 than to hear of his spiritual children 00:17:50.040 --> 00:17:53.030 walking in the truth. 00:17:53.030 --> 00:17:56.590 Rejoice his heart by obeying, 00:17:56.590 --> 00:17:59.590 not what he says, but what God says! 00:17:59.590 --> 00:18:01.640 And there will be a wonderful circle 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.630 of celebration and joy. 00:18:03.630 --> 00:18:06.290 You will be blessed for doing what God says, 00:18:06.290 --> 00:18:08.010 and he will have joy 00:18:08.010 --> 00:18:10.450 for seeing the people under his care 00:18:10.450 --> 00:18:11.930 walking in the truth. 00:18:11.930 --> 00:18:14.430 But I need to qualify that 00:18:14.430 --> 00:18:17.930 for the balance of truth. 00:18:17.930 --> 00:18:21.440 I had an old Amish bishop or minister once say to me: 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:23.330 "For every mile of road, 00:18:23.330 --> 00:18:26.330 there's two miles of ditch." 00:18:26.330 --> 00:18:30.820 And I'm always concerned about balancing truth. 00:18:30.820 --> 00:18:32.460 The main duty people have got is: 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:34.350 obey your leaders when they bring you 00:18:34.350 --> 00:18:35.690 the Word of God, 00:18:35.690 --> 00:18:39.460 but I need to say this for the balance of truth. 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:44.690 All human authority is limited. 00:18:44.690 --> 00:18:48.860 All human authority has boundaries. 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:51.860 Only God has absolute authority. 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:54.130 And you are to obey your pastor, 00:18:54.130 --> 00:18:56.010 as long as he is bringing to you 00:18:56.010 --> 00:18:58.010 the Word of God. 00:18:58.010 --> 00:18:59.930 But when he goes outside of the bounds 00:18:59.930 --> 00:19:01.020 of the Word of God; 00:19:01.020 --> 00:19:04.560 when he misaligns himself with God and His Word, 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:06.290 may I say that you are to 00:19:06.290 --> 00:19:10.440 conscientiously and respectfully disobey. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.060 We see that in the Scriptures, 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:14.210 when the Hebrew midwives were commanded 00:19:14.210 --> 00:19:15.360 to kill the Hebrew baby boys. 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:18.100 Exodus 1:17 says, "They feared God 00:19:18.100 --> 00:19:19.950 and did not do as the king of Egypt 00:19:19.950 --> 00:19:21.490 had commanded them," 00:19:21.490 --> 00:19:22.630 but let the boys live. 00:19:22.630 --> 00:19:24.200 They defied the human authority 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.790 and God blessed them for it. 00:19:25.790 --> 00:19:28.070 In the New Testament, the apostles 00:19:28.070 --> 00:19:30.200 are told by Jesus, "Go and preach!" 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:32.190 The human authorities come and say, 00:19:32.190 --> 00:19:34.100 "Stop teaching in this name!" 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:37.220 And they were put on the horns of a dilemma, weren't they? 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.356 If you got two horses 00:19:38.356 --> 00:19:40.403 and they're going in opposite directions, 00:19:40.403 --> 00:19:42.630 you better jump on one, and let the other go. 00:19:42.630 --> 00:19:43.630 If the boat is moving, 00:19:43.630 --> 00:19:44.840 departing from the dock, 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:46.160 you can't stay on the dock 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:48.110 and jump on the ship at the same time. 00:19:48.110 --> 00:19:49.560 You gotta make a choice. 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:51.360 And they said, "Whether it is right 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:53.100 in the sight of God to listen to you 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:54.600 human authorities or to God, 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.560 you be the judge. 00:19:55.560 --> 00:19:57.170 We cannot stop speaking 00:19:57.170 --> 00:19:59.070 the things we've seen and heard." 00:19:59.070 --> 00:20:00.690 And a chapter later, they said: 00:20:00.690 --> 00:20:04.950 "We must obey God, rather than men." 00:20:04.950 --> 00:20:06.260 I have passion for this 00:20:06.260 --> 00:20:08.270 because for nearly eleven years, 00:20:08.270 --> 00:20:11.220 I have worked among one of the most legalistic groups 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.830 claiming to be Christians 00:20:12.830 --> 00:20:14.170 anywhere on planet earth: 00:20:14.170 --> 00:20:15.620 the Old Order Amish. 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:17.430 And I have seen what man-made rules 00:20:17.430 --> 00:20:19.060 and traditions do to 00:20:19.060 --> 00:20:21.460 sear the conscience of people 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:24.060 and keep them from understanding the Gospel. 00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:26.430 And so I sound this as a balancing note. 00:20:26.430 --> 00:20:28.990 And friend, it's no small matter. 00:20:28.990 --> 00:20:31.310 It's a matter of Lordship. 00:20:31.310 --> 00:20:32.870 Who will be Lord? 00:20:32.870 --> 00:20:34.540 There's only one Person 00:20:34.540 --> 00:20:35.810 who has the right to be 00:20:35.810 --> 00:20:37.810 the Lord of your conscience, 00:20:37.810 --> 00:20:39.950 your soul, and your life. 00:20:39.950 --> 00:20:41.700 Romans 14:9 tells us: 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:44.410 "For to this end, Christ died 00:20:44.410 --> 00:20:47.200 and lived again that He might be Lord 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:49.390 both of the dead and the living. 00:20:49.390 --> 00:20:51.460 But you, why do you judge your brother?" 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:54.670 It's the context of Christian liberty of conscience 00:20:54.670 --> 00:20:57.180 where it's not a moral issue. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:59.140 Christian, don't judge one another. 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:02.450 Let Christ be the Lord of your brother's conscience. 00:21:02.450 --> 00:21:05.910 You never want to sacrifice the Lordship of Christ 00:21:05.910 --> 00:21:07.660 over your conscience. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:10.010 Now, am I saying that because I think 00:21:10.010 --> 00:21:12.190 there's any realistic danger 00:21:12.190 --> 00:21:15.430 that my son, your pastor, will lord it over you? 00:21:15.430 --> 00:21:17.840 I don't have that concern in the least. 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:20.830 And as I know, the pastors represented here, 00:21:20.830 --> 00:21:23.390 they are not those who lord it over. 00:21:23.390 --> 00:21:26.150 They are humble servant-leaders. 00:21:26.150 --> 00:21:29.650 But some of you have been under abusive leadership. 00:21:29.650 --> 00:21:31.300 And you need to be warned. 00:21:31.300 --> 00:21:33.240 Human authority is to be obeyed, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:37.430 only insofar as it obeys God and His Word. 00:21:37.430 --> 00:21:40.110 So, submit to your pastor. 00:21:40.110 --> 00:21:42.040 When he's bringing you the Word of God 00:21:42.040 --> 00:21:44.880 publicly or privately, do what it says! 00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:48.100 Submit, but make sure he's giving you 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:51.550 the Word of God, not his own opinions 00:21:51.550 --> 00:21:53.790 because he has no warrant from heaven 00:21:53.790 --> 00:21:55.440 for giving you anything other than 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:58.260 what God says in His Word. NOTE Paragraph 00:21:58.260 --> 00:22:05.450 Fifthly of six: Imitate him insofar as he imitates Christ! 00:22:05.450 --> 00:22:08.290 Now you notice they all start with "R" don't they? 00:22:08.290 --> 00:22:11.630 And if you like alliteration as I do, you can say: 00:22:11.630 --> 00:22:16.710 "Resemble him as he resembles Christ!" 00:22:16.710 --> 00:22:21.490 In Hebrews 13:7, we are told: 00:22:21.490 --> 00:22:24.270 "Remember those who lead you, 00:22:24.270 --> 00:22:26.540 who spoke the Word of God to you 00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:28.990 and considering the result of their conduct, 00:22:28.990 --> 00:22:31.240 imitate their faith." 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:34.320 I'm thankful that my son has practiced that. 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:36.430 He has learned a lot of faith 00:22:36.430 --> 00:22:38.550 at Grace Community Church in San Antonio, 00:22:38.550 --> 00:22:41.530 the kind of faith we've heard powerfully proclaimed. 00:22:41.530 --> 00:22:43.950 And he's walking in the path of that faith, 00:22:43.950 --> 00:22:46.090 and I'm grateful - grateful to God; 00:22:46.090 --> 00:22:49.120 grateful for the human instruments that He uses. 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:53.390 Paul said, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." 00:22:53.390 --> 00:22:55.590 And Paul said to Timothy, 00:22:55.590 --> 00:22:57.790 "Don't let them despise your youthfulness, 00:22:57.790 --> 00:22:59.720 but set the believers an example 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:04.020 in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity." 00:23:04.020 --> 00:23:06.630 Examples are meant to be imitated. 00:23:06.630 --> 00:23:08.240 Now make no mistake about it, 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:10.930 Jesus is our exemplar. 00:23:10.930 --> 00:23:14.000 He is our example par excellence. 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.090 But Jesus has gone to Heaven, 00:23:16.090 --> 00:23:18.520 and Jesus has given us human role-models 00:23:18.520 --> 00:23:20.510 that we are intended to imitate. 00:23:20.510 --> 00:23:22.520 That's one of the things pastors do. 00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:23.520 Peter said, "Don't lord it over." 00:23:23.520 --> 00:23:25.450 To elders, "Don't lord it over 00:23:25.450 --> 00:23:27.200 those committed to your charge, 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:29.430 but be examples to them." 00:23:29.430 --> 00:23:32.300 You see, the reason overseers 00:23:32.300 --> 00:23:34.050 in 1 Timothy 3 must be - 00:23:34.050 --> 00:23:36.610 and there's a little Greek participle of necessity - 00:23:36.610 --> 00:23:38.980 "An overseer must be (dot dot dot)!" 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:41.990 The reason they must be those things is because 00:23:41.990 --> 00:23:44.810 all the people of God ought to be those things. 00:23:44.810 --> 00:23:46.500 We all ought to be above reproach. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:49.000 We all ought to manage our households well. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:51.600 We all ought to be gentle and considerate 00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:53.400 and have our children under control 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.630 with all dignity. 00:23:54.630 --> 00:23:56.880 We all ought to have good reputations. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:58.280 Pastors must be those things, 00:23:58.280 --> 00:24:01.280 because all people ought to be those things. NOTE Paragraph 00:24:01.280 --> 00:24:03.620 Here's another reason to study your pastor, 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:06.110 to know him, to consider him 00:24:06.110 --> 00:24:08.440 not only that you might esteem him, 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:11.440 but that you might imitate him 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:14.630 in so far as he is imitating Christ. NOTE Paragraph 00:24:14.630 --> 00:24:17.700 And then finally, remunerate him 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:20.030 according to his merit. 00:24:20.030 --> 00:24:21.900 Remunerate him - that means pay him - 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:23.380 according to his merit. 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:25.870 1 Timothy 5:17 says, 00:24:25.870 --> 00:24:28.300 "The elders that rule well are to be 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.300 considered worthy of double honor, 00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:31.720 especially those who work hard 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:33.630 at preaching and teaching. 00:24:33.630 --> 00:24:35.980 For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:38.080 the ox while he is threshing' ." 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:41.480 Here's a biblical basis for paying pastors. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:44.240 Now that doesn't mean that all pastors need to be paid. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:47.070 You have some from San Antonio who are bi-vocational, 00:24:47.070 --> 00:24:48.740 they're not paid by the church. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.810 But the Bible says there are some men 00:24:50.810 --> 00:24:53.380 who work especially hard in preaching and teaching, 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:56.080 who ought to be given double honor. 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:58.130 In the context of that chapter, 00:24:58.130 --> 00:25:00.380 it means monetary pay. 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:02.300 Widows were to be honored 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:03.980 in the sense that they were 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.880 to be put on the roles of the church. 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:07.810 They were to be financially supported. 00:25:07.810 --> 00:25:09.540 And the statement about the ox 00:25:09.540 --> 00:25:11.630 really seals it, doesn't it. 00:25:11.630 --> 00:25:13.100 Don't muzzle the poor beast, 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.930 he's treading out the grain. 00:25:14.930 --> 00:25:17.420 Take the muzzle off, let him nibble on some grain. 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:19.840 Well, God cares about animals. 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:22.670 The righteous man has regard for the life of the beast. 00:25:22.670 --> 00:25:24.040 But He cares far more about 00:25:24.040 --> 00:25:26.780 those who labor in His spiritual vineyard. 00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:30.610 There's a place for paying pastors. 00:25:30.610 --> 00:25:31.910 So. 00:25:31.910 --> 00:25:35.150 And here again, church of Laredo, 00:25:35.150 --> 00:25:37.560 I commend you. 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:40.220 You have taken good care of your pastor so far, 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:44.580 according to the means that God has given you. 00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:47.100 Beyond the salary you have given him, 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:50.060 you have given him household furnishings, 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:52.440 money for books, books, 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:54.710 extra-monetary gifts, 00:25:54.710 --> 00:25:56.980 bonuses, loaning him a car 00:25:56.980 --> 00:26:00.680 when his car is in repair in the shop. 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:03.050 And here's something very creative. 00:26:03.050 --> 00:26:06.490 More than once, somebody at the church in Laredo has, 00:26:06.490 --> 00:26:07.570 at a social event, 00:26:07.570 --> 00:26:09.550 stolen his keys, 00:26:09.550 --> 00:26:11.840 taken his car out to the gas station, 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:13.790 filled it with gas, brought it back, 00:26:13.790 --> 00:26:15.670 put the keys back in the same place. 00:26:15.670 --> 00:26:17.270 Leaving him wondering: 00:26:17.270 --> 00:26:18.680 "I thought it was half empty. 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:20.540 How did it get filled?" 00:26:20.540 --> 00:26:23.410 Many have been the expressions of love 00:26:23.410 --> 00:26:26.780 that you have given to my son, your pastor. 00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:30.850 We as parents are deeply grateful for that, 00:26:30.850 --> 00:26:34.560 but above all, God is going to bless you for that. 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:35.880 Because in doing it - 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:39.260 since he is a gift of the glorified Christ to you - 00:26:39.260 --> 00:26:43.350 to do it for him, you're doing it for Christ. 00:26:43.350 --> 00:26:45.200 Have you noticed that Jesus 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:47.540 takes very personally, first of all, 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:50.900 the things done against His people. 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:56.080 "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" [Acts 9:4] 00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:58.130 He also takes very personally the things 00:26:58.130 --> 00:27:00.510 that are done for His people. 00:27:00.510 --> 00:27:04.410 "Insofar as you have done it to the least of these My brethren, 00:27:04.410 --> 00:27:06.750 you've done it unto Me." [Matthew 25:40] 00:27:06.750 --> 00:27:10.280 In taking care of your shepherd, your under-shepherd, 00:27:10.280 --> 00:27:12.180 you're doing it for Christ. 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:15.050 And the Lord Jesus will bless you for it. 00:27:15.050 --> 00:27:17.980 So, people of God in Laredo, 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:21.710 but also in San Antonio, Corpus, Austin, 00:27:21.710 --> 00:27:23.830 or whatever church you represent, 00:27:23.830 --> 00:27:26.220 take these things to heart. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:28.730 Look to the Lord Jesus for the grace 00:27:28.730 --> 00:27:32.430 to carry out these privileges and responsibilities. 00:27:32.430 --> 00:27:34.740 Recognize the men among you 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:37.740 who display the gifts and graces 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:40.150 that fit them to be a pastor. 00:27:40.150 --> 00:27:44.860 Receive him as a loving gift of the glorified Christ. 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:48.780 Respect him for the sake of his diligent labor among you. 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:52.640 Rejoice his heart by obeying the truth 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:55.180 that he brings to you, publicly and privately. 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:57.940 Imitate, or resemble him, 00:27:57.940 --> 00:28:02.260 insofar as he imitates Christ. 00:28:02.260 --> 00:28:03.910 And take care of him materially, 00:28:03.910 --> 00:28:07.060 as he sows spiritually among you. 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:08.920 Take care of his material needs. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:12.010 That is God's pattern. 00:28:12.010 --> 00:28:14.600 Well, may God richly bless you 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:17.230 with growth in grace internally, 00:28:17.230 --> 00:28:20.660 with additions of souls saved from the community, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:22.030 and may your loving, 00:28:22.030 --> 00:28:24.240 victorious Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.760 in the days ahead, 00:28:25.760 --> 00:28:28.430 give you additional elders - 00:28:28.430 --> 00:28:30.950 because plurality is His norm - 00:28:30.950 --> 00:28:34.057 and even deacons. Amen.