One in a Thousand: The Reformation of the Pastor
John Bunyan describes a portrait of the godly pastor in his book Pilgrim's Progress:
”In the House of Interpreter, Christian saw the picture of a serious and sincere person hanging on the wall; and here is the description: His eyes were lifted up to heaven, the best of books was in his hand, the law of truth was written on his lips, the world was behind his back; he stood as if he pleaded with men; and a crown of gold hung over his head.”
The apostle Paul describes pastoral ministry with these words in Acts 20:28:
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”
Here are five imperatives for shepherding the church of God from this text: 1. Focus on your own heart first. “Pay careful attention to yourselves...” A Shepherd must first be attentive to his own spiritual life. How can you preach the saving gospel to others unless you have believed it yourself? How can you help others walk with God unless you are walking with God? Spurgeon said, “A minister is the parish-clock; many set their time from him, and if he be incorrect, then they all go wrongly, more or less, and he is in a great measure accountable for all the sin which he occasions.” Cf. 1 Timothy 4:16
2. Focus on all the flock. “Pay careful attention... to all the flock...” Each and every sheep in God’s flock must be lovingly observed. A pastor must be attentive to the spiritual lives of each member of the congregation. David fought a lion and a bear, risking his own life, just to protect one little lamb. The Bible says that Christ not only “loved the church and gave Himself for it,” but that He loved me and gave Himself for me, Galatians 5:2-22; Ephesians 5:25.
3. Remember who made you a pastor. “...the Holy Spirit has made you overseers...” A man does not become a pastor by church ceremony, or by theological training, or by congregational affirmation. All these are important, but they are only a response to the work of the Holy Spirit in calling and gifting a brother for the work of pastor- teacher.
4. Remember your job description. “...to care for the church of God...” Some translations say, “feed the church of God” or “shepherd the church of God.” Christ, the head of the church, governs His people by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. A godly pastor leads the church with the Word. Everything in the church must be done by faith; whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Faith rests upon the Word. Therefore the Scripture undergirds, guides, and governs all of church life.
5. Remember God’s love and sacrifice for His church. “...which He purchased with His own blood.” A pastor loves the church because Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. A pastor must treasure and cherish the bride of Christ because God Himself purchased, treasures, and cherishes His redeemed people. Cf. Psalm 74:1-2; Ephesians 5:25
From Bob’s sermon (10/31/21) One in a Thousand: The Reformation of the Pastor