= A New Testament Pastor is a Shepherd (points to his task)
= A New Testament Pastor is an Overseer (points to his authority)
= A New Testament Pastor is an Elder (points to his maturity)
= Hebrews 13:7; 17 - congregation to pastor and pastor to congregation.
I. Intensity & Intentionality Required -
1. Flee - Run from the wrong things
2. Pursue - Run to the right things
3. Fight the good fight (I Tim 6:11-12)
4. PO/PO - Ephesians 4
5. Flee - James 4:7
• We run away from sin (sanctification), but Satan runs away from you (submission)
II. The Shepherds as Bond-Servants:
1. “Must not be” - “quarrelsome.”
• I Timothy 2:8; 3:3; 6:4
• Titus 3:2; Titus 3:9
• II Timothy 2:14; 2:23; 2:24
2. “Must be” - Serving & Discerning
• Kind to everyone - (leads to repentance - Romans 2:4)
• Able to teach - unique word here and I Timothy 3:2. Ezra 7:10, The hand of the Lord is upon him because He SET HIS HEART to (3): Rigorous study; Regular obedience; Robust teaching.
• Not resentful - (patient when wronged). Many commentators noted that this is one of the most difficult challenges of a pastor. What is the key to being faithful to this verse? Making sure ministry is about His Name; His Word; His Will. It’s not about us.
• Correcting opponents w/ gentleness - (correcting carefully) - Look to Joseph of Genesis and Jesus of Nazareth! Genesis 50:20; I Peter 2:21-23
3. Must Trust God when correcting: We must trust God to change people
- We follow His commands
• God will grant them repentance
• God will lead them to the knowledge of the truth
• They will come to their senses -
• They will escape from the trap of the devil - “who has taken them captive to do his will.”