Duties to your Pastor

Duties to your Pastor
Heb. 13:7, 17

Introduction

Church leaders are God’s gift to the church. Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School teachers, Choir leaders, etc. were chosen so that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place or order. Our text here says “Remember them which have rule over you”. What Paul have in mind here were the spiritual leaders who had spoken to the Hebrew believers. They may have passed away (martyred) or called to another place, yet we still have to “remember them”. Cherish them and honor them. But while we do not worship people or give them the glory, it is surely right to honor them for their faithful work (1 Thess. 5:12-13). Those people who rule over you now speaks specifically to a Pastor, a Godly, faithful leader, the person who started the local church which you are now ministering or serving.
Pastors must be followed and respected for they teach the Word of God. They nourish the saints with the Word of God and equip them for service; failure to do so is rebellion against God and His Word. The saints, in turn, perform the work of the ministry. As each saint grows and wins others, the entire body grows in Christ.

I. Pastor (Heb. 13:7)
A. The terms pastor, elder, and bishop describe the same office in the assembly, referring to three different aspects of the church leader’s work.
1. Pastor refers to the church leader as the shepherd of the flock, speaking of his work of teaching and nurturing and protecting the assembly (Eph. 4:11). “Pastor” is translated from the Greek word poimen, which 16 times in the N.T. is translated “shepherd” (Mt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mk. 6:34; 14:27; Lu 2:8,15,18,20; Joh 10:2,11-12,14,16; Heb. 13:20). In the Greek language of the N.T., “feed the flock” (Acts 20:28; 1Pet. 5:2) literally means “shepherd the flock”; it is from the same root word translated “pastor” and “shepherd.”
2. Elder refers to the church leader’s maturity and responsibility and the fact that he is to be an example to the church
3. Bishop refers to the church leader’s authority, to the fact that he is to rule the church. The Greek word translated “bishop” is also translated “oversee” (Acts 20:28; 1Pet. 5:2). That these terms refer to the same office in the church is seen in their usage. In Titus 1:5,7 the terms “elders” and “bishops” are used interchangeably. In Acts 20 all three terms are applied to the same office. In v. 17 the church leaders are called “elders.” In v. 28 the Greek words for bishop (“overseers”) and pastor (“feed the flock”) are used. 1 Peter 5 also uses these terms to refer to the same office in the church. Verse 1 speaks of the “elders,” and v. 2 speaks of these elders as overseers (bishops) and shepherds. The fact that these terms are used interchangeably is significant. A pastor is an elder is a bishop. These are not separate offices. (D. Cloud)

II. As a Shepherd,
1. His duties are
a. He feeds. (sermons, Sunday Schools that you may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)
b. He guides (sheep go astray). Teaches Bible Doctrines
c. He guards (against wolves). Cults and false teachers
d. He heals (the wounds of injured). Comforts and gives spiritual & practical advices to those who are hurting.

Illustration 1:
In 1990, The most frustrated profession in the nation according to research is being a minister. Still, for the love of Christ and to serve Him some wants to stand and to teach. Some can teach better because they are more gifted and talented. Some because they are more educated. Some pastors left an impact to the lives of people on how they live and they are immortalized by their teaching. Take a look at Spurgeon, John and Charles Wesley,

Illustration 2: A Character Profession
Ministry is a character profession. To put it bluntly, you can sleep around and still be a good brain surgeon. You can cheat on your mate and have little trouble continuing to practice law. Apparently, it is no problem to stay in politics and plagiarize. You can be a successful salesperson and cheat on your income tax. But you cannot do those things as a Christian or as a minister and continue enjoying the Lord’s blessing. You must do right in order to have true integrity. If you can’t come to terms with evil or break habits that continue to bring reproach to the name of Christ, please, do the Lord (and us in ministry) a favor and resign.
Chuck Swindoll, Rise and Shine, p. 198

III. The Responsibility of Churches Toward Pastors
A. Pastors are considered under shepherds of Christ, how are you going to treat them?
1. Respect and love them (1Thess. 5:12-13).
1 Thess. 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish (warn) you;
1 Thess. 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
2. Obey their teaching (Heb. 13:17)
Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
3. Follow their examples (Heb. 13:7; 1Pet. 5:1-3).
Heb. 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
4. Submit to their oversight (Heb. 13:17). While it is crucial that the church members submit to the God-given authority of the pastor, we must also emphasize that the pastor’s authority comes only from the Bible. If a church leader tries to give instruction contrary to the Word of God, he must not be obeyed. If he tries to correct someone, but has no biblical basis for his judgment, his warnings have no true weight before God. Christian leaders are to lead and correct according to the Bible, not according to their own fallible thinking. Each
Christian has the responsibility to “prove all things” and to “search the Scriptures
daily whether those things are so” (Ac 17:10-11; 1Th 5:21), and not to blindly to follow a man. [See Diotrephes, Korah.]
5. Pray for them (Heb. 13:18-19; Eph. 6:18-19; Col. 4:2-3; 2Thess. 3:1-2).
Heb. 13:18-19 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Eph. 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
6. Provide for their physical needs (1Tim. 5:17-18). “A church that is penurious with a pastor violates the Scripture. Rarely does such a church manifest spiritual power or progress. The principles revealed in 2Cor. 9:6-10 are worthy of consideration”
1 Tim. 5:17-18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Cor. 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
2 Cor. 9:9-10 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (D. Cloud)

Illustration 3: Pray for your Pastor
According to the latest poll 97 % of pastors have been betrayed, falsely accused by their trusted friends, 70% of pastors suffers depression, 50% of pastor’s marriage ends in divorce, 1500 pastors quit each month, 80% of pastors feel discouraged, 94 % of pastor’s family feel the pressure of the ministry, 78% of pastors have no close friends, 10% will retire a pastor, 90% of pastors work 55-75 hours per week. Pray for your Pastor.

IV. Conclusion:
Church member’s duties to their Pastor is to respect and love them, obey their teachings, follow their examples, submit to their oversight, pray for them and provide for physical needs. Will you do it in obedience to God’s Word?