= 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.”