Paul spent much time and words in exhorting his young ministers, Timothy and Titus to hold to the pattern of sound words in which they they had been instructed. These core beliefs of the faith are to be taught to passed on coming generations. They are the measuring line, the rule by which other teachings and teachers are to be evaluated. Their contents can be determined by the summaries Paul gives in his letters to the churches. In early Christian history they are referred to and summarized in the Rule of Faith. Some Bible passages in which they are in part found are: Titus 2:11-14, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Philippians 2: 5b-11. Pattern of Sound Words/The Gospel This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"— For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all people. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: [God] He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

God has called pastors to diligently shepherd and lead the congregations of God's people, as all people in the church are to be clothed in humility toward one another. Sermon goal: To help us understand the role/ministry of pastors so we can: Understand the pastors' responsibilities. Submit to their ministry as they adhere to the Word of God. Support them and pray for them. Be thankful to God for providing them (see Eph 4) to his church.

God has appointed his Son, the Lord Jesus as the Chief Shepherd of his people.-This is the fulfillment of his own promise recorded in Ezekiel 34-11 -'For the Lord Yahweh says- -Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. .. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down,- says the Lord Yahweh.--v.23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them- he shall feed them and be their shepherd.--John 10-11ff-11 I am the good shepherd.Isaiah 40-11- Ezekiel 34-11-12,15,22 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own- 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. He who is the Chief Shepherd, who has completed his sacrifice and gone into heaven, has called and appointed under-shepherds to care for his sheep gathered in local assemblies. These elders, pastor, overseers are Word Servants to God's people.-Peter drawing from his own calling and experience instructs and exhorts the elder-pastors in how they are to exercise their calling and charge in 1 Peter 5-1-7Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed--He uses 4 key terms to describe how pastors are to shepherd his people.

God has appointed his Son, the Lord Jesus as the Chief Shepherd of his people.This is the fulfillment of his own promise recorded in Ezekiel 3411 "'For the Lord Yahweh says: "Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so I will seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. .. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down," says the Lord Yahweh.v.23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.John 10:11ff11 I am the good shepherd.Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-12,15,22 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; 15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. He who is the Chief Shepherd, who has completed his sacrifice and gone into heaven, has called and appointed under-shepherds to care for his sheep gathered in local assemblies. These elders, pastor, overseers are Word Servants to God's people.Peter drawing from his own calling and experience instructs and exhorts the elder/pastors in how they are to exercise their calling and charge in 1 Peter 5:1-7Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed:He uses 4 key terms to describe how pastors are to shepherd his people.

To churches who were experiencing persecution because of their Christian faith we see in this passage--I. The Prevalence of Fiery Trials-II. The Purpose of Fiery Trials-III. Proper Responses to Fiery Trials

Paul enumerated the qualifications for a pastor -overseer, bishop- in Titus 1-9 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.-Titus 2-1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.-The Apostle Paul was a great advocate of proper doctrine.--Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine -1 Timothy 4-13-.--All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness- That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works -2 Timothy 3-16-17-.--Although many today neglect sound doctrine or even deny truth God's word puts a high value on teaching the objective truths about. God, humanity, Jesus Christ' person and work. In John 18-37 jesus said, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.---Both the belief in and the teaching of God's truths, doctrine, sound teaching of the pattern of sound words, spelled out in the New Testament is absolutely necessary for health spiritual life.

Paul enumerated the qualifications for a pastor (overseer, bishop) in Titus 1:9 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.The Apostle Paul was a great advocate of proper doctrine.Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13).All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).Although many today neglect sound doctrine or even deny truth God's word puts a high value on teaching the objective truths about. God, humanity, Jesus Christ' person and work. In John 18:37 jesus said, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."Both the belief in and the teaching of God's truths, doctrine, sound teaching of the pattern of sound words, spelled out in the New Testament is absolutely necessary for health spiritual life.

To churches who were experiencing persecution because of their Christian faith we see in this passage:I. The Prevalence of Fiery TrialsII. The Purpose of Fiery TrialsIII. Proper Responses to Fiery Trials

This sermon seeks to demonstrate that the three persons of the one triune God were all participants in the conception of our Lord Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary. -Likewise, in all of Christ's saving and sanctifying work, the three persons of the Trinity worked together to accomplish the salvation and sanctification of God's people.

This sermon seeks to demonstrate that the three persons of the one triune God were all participants in the conception of our Lord Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Likewise, in all of Christ's saving and sanctifying work, the three persons of the Trinity worked together to accomplish the salvation and sanctification of God's people.