Pastoral Theology

PASTORAL THEOLOGY

LECTURES 13

THE MINISTRATION

A GOOD MINISTER

1 Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Most pastors are not very good ministers, in my opinion. They might be good preachers, good leaders, good administrators, good evangelists, etc., but not so good at ministering.

MINISTER TO WHO AND WITH WHAT?

Rom 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

A. We have a people group to minister to; a city, a region, a county, a nationality, a segment of the population.

Rom 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

B. Our main area of ministering (serving) will be with the Gospel of God.

A BALANCED MINISTERING

What shouldn’t a Minister do?

Christopher Nesse : Though you cannot do what you ought; yet you ought to do what you can.

He is not above doing menial tasks like cleaning toilets [“Art” pg. 177].

The saying “if noone else does it, you need to do it” is very appropriate for the Minister.

However, it is important to not get things too out of balance and have the pastor (Minister) always tied up fixing things, cleaning things, mowing the lawn, preparing a meal, etc..

Acts 6:1-4 explains that things can, and did, get out of balance and actually hurt their ‘ministry’.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

A balance ministry; a balance in ministering; a balanced Minister. Always to be ministering, but will need to prioritize what areas you should be ministering in each day. The focus of the Minister is the spiritual side (specifically the word and prayer), not on the things of mammon (like making sure people have their food, shelter, etc.; transients, benevolence, widows, building projects, shoveling snow, cutting lawn). A Minister can do these mammon activities, but these should not take away from their spiritual priorities. However, should the Minister be continually ministering in the word and prayer? It seems to say this here.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MINISTER

2 Tim 2:24-25 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

1. Doesn’t strive – if you have a servant’s (minister’s) heart then you definitely won’t strive…you’ll serve.

2. A gentleman to everyone whether friend or foe.

3. Apt to teach – has the ability, desire, commitment, persistance to minister in the area of teaching.

4. Patient – serving others despite all their flakiness, unfaithfulness, quirkiness, and demandingness.

5. Meekly correcting those that are in error; not pompously; not one who practices a ‘rebuking ministry’.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Eph 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ministering in the Word is work; you minister Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, Thursday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and a whole host of other times as the need comes up. The ministering is all based upon the Word of God….a spiritual ministering. Roll up your sleeves dear Minister and get to ‘work’!

Treasury; evangelism; college; bible study; counselling; preaching; youth; conferences; ….

A. What makes a ‘good’ Minister? If one puts the brethren in remembrance of these things; i.e. the truths of God’s Word (good doctrine, the words of faith).

B. Ministering seems focused mainly around the Word of God.

2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

A. Ministers of the Word, the Bible, and specifically, the NT. A Minsiter needs to serve others in the area of teaching, preaching, counselling with the NT. This may be the main area of ministering he is called to do.

B. It’s a focus on the spiritual teachings of the NT, not just information in general.

A FINISHED MINISTRY

2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

You have a long course ahead of you; at this church; perfecting these saints; teaching them the whole counsel of God; training up faithful men; helping the backslidden; growing the church; reaching the lost of your city and beyond. Finish the work!

Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Take heed to being a Minister; to make sure you fulfil all that God wants from you in this area. He has given you the position of Minister…fulfil it.

A WELL DONE MINISTRY

ArnoldGlasgow : Make your life a mission — not an intermission.

Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

A. Will you be known as a ‘good and faithful’ Minister?! Will you get a ‘well done’ in the area of being a Minister? Many might get a well done on preaching, teaching, and leading, but what about ministering?!

B. One can go from a good Minister to a great Ruler. That sounds like a very good ‘deal’ to me.

Matt 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

A. Those that are a Minister will be chief, great, and will exercise dominion and authority in the ‘hereafter’. The best Minister will be the most chief in Heaven for eternity! It definitely pays to serve.

Matt 23:10-11 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

A HAPPY MINISTRY

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Keep on being a good minister…don’t give up. Finish your priestly course of ministration. And make sure you are joyful about your ministry, your ministering, your being a Minister!

John 13:13-17 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I

have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

If you do well at being a Minister, you’ll be happy…it’s promised right here in Scripture. A Minister who doesn’t minister is not going to be very happy, that’s for sure.