The Man in the Pulpit

Editor's Note: This is an article from John Lineberry about the ministry of a pastor and the relationship between the local church and its pastors. John is 99 years old and faithfully spends time in God’s Word and sends us articles to read. God has blessed John with a heart to serve. We pray you enjoy this article. 

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching. — 2 Timothy 4:1-2

The ministry is a heaven-ordained, celestial calling. It should be entered into with enthusiasm, not casually or half-heartedly (Phil. 3:14). 

In every age, the Lord has had His spokesmen (Acts 14:17). 

• In patriarchal times, Job stood unwavering for God as a stalwart against satanic bludgeons. He witnessed with patience, pathos, and power to the hypocritical and self-righteous people of his time (Job 23:10; 26:7—14). 

• Moses, the mighty lawgiver and emancipator, counted for God in the Egyptian court of gold and glitter. Undaunted by Pharaoh's power and position, Moses “endured as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). 

• In calling a sinful and wayward nation back to God, Elijah stood up as God's tall, unbending cedar and as an immovable granite wall. He held his ground against Ahab and conniving Jezebel (1 Kings 18:21, 36, 39). 

• The Apostle Paul preached the gospel dynamically to the arrogant, self-dependent Romans. He also witnessed to the Grecian populace that drank from the unsatisfying wells of man-devised philosophy (1 Cor. 1:20—24).

American history demonstrates that, from colonial days to the present hour, God has commissioned evangelists, missionaries, and preachers to proclaim the good news of salvation (John 3:16; Acts 16:30-31). The constant and faithful army of God's servants has stemmed the rampant tides of evil. Without it, no doubt, our nation would have fallen into the dust of earth long ago.

The Seer was an important person in Israel. When one sought “To inquire of God” (1 Sam. 9:19) he was divinely instructed to seek guidance from the Seer (vs. 11—14). The Hebrew word for Seer is Rojeh from a root meaning “to see.” A Seer was one endowed with spiritual eyesight and understanding of the times and needs of the people. The Seer was easily accessible. His impartial ministry was as readily available for the poor as for a potentate (1 Sam. 9:11, 21-22).

The term “man of God” speaks of the spokesman's character and his godly walk with the Lord. Holiness is a powerful weapon for doing God's will without fear or seeking favor (2 Kings 5:15-16). The man of God is more effective in ministry when he puts creed into conduct, walks close to his Lord, and stands for righteousness (Phil. 2:15; Tit. 2:11—14).

The word pastor comes from the Greek word poimēn. It conveys the Pastor's twofold work of providing pasture for and protecting the sheep. The Pastor is a concerned, compassionate, and watchful leader who often goes beyond the expected in shepherding the sheep. The pastor's office is a gift to the local assembly from the resurrected Lord Jesus, the Head of the church (Eph. 4:10-11; Col. 1:18). The ministry is a trust from God and is to be kept with all diligence and perseverance (1 Cor. 9:17; 1 Tim. 1:11).

Under God, the pastor prays, plans, preaches, and “equips the saints” for the work of the ministry; for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). Congregational involvement in building up the church, pleases the Lord, encourages the pastor, and affords the people an opportunity for service. Learning is best achieved by doing.

Sermons are better lived out in deed than kept in for self-enjoyment (1 John 3:18). Growth in the Lord will be stymied by mere casual listening without intent or purpose to let the Lord use the Word to bring forth fruit in the soul and life. “Take heed what you hear” (Mark 4:24) refers to content and substance. “Sound doctrine” (Tit. 1:9) refers to healthy truths that are loaded with spiritual nutrients, a feasible formula for growth and maturity of the local body (2 Cor. 3:18). 

“Take heed therefore how you hear” (Luke 8:18) means one's attitude, manner, or attention given to what is proclaimed. “What” and “how” are of equal importance and incomplete without each other. If the two are practiced, the church will become strong; the pastor and people will then be united for a widespread impact for God in the community.

The pastor must protect the sheep from the hounds of heresy who are designated as those who “corrupt the Word of God” (2 Cor. 2:17a). In contrast, the godly pastor speaks the Truth, “but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17b). The pastor is also a faithful sentinel for God in safeguarding the sheep from apostates or others who would distort the Truth (2 Tim. 2:16—18; Jude 1:4, 10-13).

It is fitting here to remind readers that no pastor will be able to do his best if he is made the object of constant and carping criticism. The average, grateful church member notes the pastor's ministry. Like most church members, I have called my pastor when there was a special need. He has never failed me. But who is his pastor?

The Savior on earth turned aside to talk with the Father and spent long hours with Him who meets His servants in the secret place, and who never forsakes them. But our Lord also needed Peter, John, James, and the others.

“I, a church member, have made a resolution which, by God's help, I will not break. I am determined that my pastor shall know that I love him and that he shall not lack the sympathetic understanding which I can give. As a member of my church, I shall, in some way, be the pastor's friend. I cannot help but believe that many others like me will day-by-day, stand at the place of encouragement for the glory of the Lord.