1Th_5:12, 1Th_5:13. The Church’s Duty to Christian Pastors
DELIVERED AT AN ORDINATION SERVICE
"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love, for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves."’971Th_5:12, 1Th_5:13.
No relationship more solemn and important than that subsisting between the Christian minister and his flock. It is a spiritual relationship; it is a dignified relationship; it is a deep, responsible relationship; it is a relationship clearly defined in the sacred volume; and the duties both of pastor and people are comprehensively stated, and plainly placed before us. By taking heed to the inspired oracles, the Christian minister cannot mistake his duties, and the way in which they are to be discharged; and Christian churches, by the same holy rule, will at once perceive the return which they are to make to the minister God hath placed over them. The text refers both to the office of the minister, and the duty of the people. The Christian bishop or pastor is over the church, and he labors in it; he is an under shepherd, who is to watch over the flock, and to feed them; to rule over the church as Christ’s servant, by enforcing the authority of the truth; and by instruction, exhortation, warning, and admonition, to labor earnestly that he may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. But his office and duty have been fully placed before you. Let us then consider your obligations as a church, to the pastor God has placed over you. In doing this, let us, I. Consider the Duties specified in the Text. And, II. The Principles on which they may be enforced. Consider,
I. The Duties specified. Now,
1. There is spiritual acknowledgment.
"To know them," means more than acquaintanceship or personal recognition; it signifies that you are to acknowledge them as the servants of God, and to approve them as such; to receive them in their spiritual capacity and office, as your teachers and overseers in the Lord. Now. you are especially bound to do this, from the fact that your pastor is the man of your own choice he has not been enforced upon you by any bishop, or by act of Parliament, or by any synod or presbytery. You invited him to preach the gospel to you, he has been a probationer with you; you have approved his ministry, and hence, have freely, cheerfully, and prayerfully elected him to the high and dignified office of pastor over you. Then you are to know and acknowledge him in his official character as the man of your own approval and choice.
2. There must be great affectionate regard.
You are to "esteem" him; to value him; to regard him of great worth, for so the word signifies. Do we not value our parents? Now he will have to act as a father, to be filled with paternal anxiety, to labor for your welfare, &c. Do we not esteem or value the physician who watches over our health, &c.? Now, he is to have the charge of your spiritual health, &c., to labor, and visit, and advise, that you may be strong and healthy, vigorous sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. Is not the pilot reckoned of great value, who has the care of the vessel, &c.? Now, he is to direct you how you may safely cross the sea of life, and is sacredly responsible that he so guide you that you may not miss the haven of eternal life. You are to esteem him highly, yea, very highly; you are to esteem one another; you are to esteem all the Lord’s people everywhere; but your pastor must have a high place, and deep place, and an extensive place, in your regards; next to Christ, he should have no equal nor compeer in your hearts. "Very highly in love;" in sincere affection; not cold admiration, but in hearty and intense affection. Esteem, without love, is like the light of the moon, cold, and will surely wane; but esteem grounded in love is like the beams of the great orb of day, cheering and delightful, and will encompass him with heavenly radiance every day. Now, if your conduct is influenced by this high esteem in love, it will be evident, it will be a thing quite clear. Let me say it will be manifest,
(1) By your attendance on his ministry. If he is bound to preach to you, the obligation is equally binding upon you to receive the word which he dispenses. Nothing will compensate for neglect here. This is a great evil in all churches; many attend at best, but occasionally; many are once a day hearers; many are universal hearers, a sort of gipsies; you meet with them everywhere except at home. Nothing will encourage and cheer him more, than to see you in your places in the house of God. You will manifest, &c.,
(2) By cheerful and affectionate co-operation in his labors. The church is a family; all are to be usefully engaged; army’97vineyard. God says to every convert, "Go, work," &c.; many spheres of labor; many demands on your exertions Your minister must take the lead, and you must rally round him. Schools, tracts, meetings for prayer and exhortation, invitations to your neighbors, &c.;’97even mothers at home. "Man in America who kept a book" of hopeful persons. Now do this in love, and with cheerfulness; let the love of Christ constrain you to it, and do all to his glory. Let it be said of your minister, that he is laboring with a chosen band, whose hearts God hath touched. You will manifest, &c.,
(3) By treating him always with kindness and respect. Towards him, the law of kindness must ever have respect. However he may familiarize himself with you, and be as your companion and friend, yet let not this betray you into a disrespectful course of conduct towards him. In your families, in the meetings for church business, and in all your intercourse, have respect to the spirit of kindness; this will bind his soul closer and closer to you, in holy and indissoluble bonds. Do not circulate or receive reports concerning him. The purest characters have not escaped reproach and slander. No doubt Satan rejoices when he can effect this; the world, and infidels, and apostates especially will triumph. Your minister’s character is in your own keeping, you are to be the guardians of his reputation; this will be easily effected, if you will not circulate or hear reports. A specific rule is laid down by the apostle, 1Ti_5:19; mark and remember that. Now, this kindness will include also, the ministering to the wants of your minister. The care of a church of any magnitude, is enough for any man, however talented, active, and strong; all his energies and time you will require. Then, as a matter of justice and equity, you will feel bound to minister to his temporal necessities, and keep his mind free from pecuniary anxieties and vassalage. I trust you will do this cheerfully, and to the utmost of the ability which, as a church, you possess. You will manifest your esteem,
(4) By giving him a constant place in your prayers and supplications. What stress the greatest of all the apostles laid upon this, "Brethren, pray for us," &c., Col_4:3; and again, "Finally, brethren," &c. If Paul felt thus, with his learning, talents, inspiration, experience, usefulness, &c., oh, how much more we, who are placed in such inferior circumstances! Pray for him in the closet, the family, and in the social means; pray that he may be filled with knowledge, with personal prosperity in religion: with great zeal and boldness; with the Spirit’s aid; with the grace of Jesus; and with extended success. Let your minister never, never be forgotten. Thus will you prove that you highly esteem him in love, &c. Now I come briefly to notice,
II. The Principles by which their Duty may be enforced.
"I beseech," &c.
1. From the advantages you will derive from such a course yourselves.
Much of your improvement, instruction, and comfort depend upon your minister. He cannot be a wise and efficient minister without your advantage being promoted. In this way, then, promote his and your own happiness at the same time.
2. I beseech you for the church’s sake.
If you undervalue and despise, the church will suffer; the garden of the Lord will become a waste; he will be unfitted to edify, and desolation will reign in Zion. Oh, then, by the love you possess to the cause of Jesus, and as you would deprecate the engraving of Ichabod on the portals of its doors, "Know them," &c.
3. I beseech you for the sake of the world who are without.
Enemies will watch you to scoff and revile, and if they see you in distraction, they will be hardened, and their bonds confirmed. Inquirers will be repelled, and the movements of the cross of Christ retarded.
4. I beseech you for Jesus Christ’s sake.
You are his visible disciples, his professed friends. Now remember, he will be grieved if you injure or neglect the least of his disciples. "Wo unto him who offends," &c.; how much more if you insult his ambassadors; the servant he has expressly sent to you. He will assuredly regard all as dor e to himself. Oh, then. by the love you bear to Jesus, &c.
5. I beseech by the momentous results of this union between yourselves and your pastor, &c.
We trust this connection will be for life. The results will be lasting as eternity; your minister will preach and act with you as for eternity; you, also, will hear, &c., for eternity. But in one sense, the connection will be dissolved at the judgment day. Bring that solemn day before the light of your imaginations. All the prophets, and apostles, and pastors are before the throne; all are there to be judged, to be rewarded, &c.; and among the myriads of churches and pastors, there will be yours, and your pastor. Would you have him to appear troubled, alarmed, trembling, with but a remnant of the church with him? or would you not have him cheerful, delighted, in rapture, surrounded by a large and holy assembly, and passing with his train, to stand before the Divine Majesty, and while Jesus smiles upon him, and upon you, he says, "Here, Lord," &c. And Christ says, "Well done," &c.
Application
1. We say, ratify this service by secret prayer. Go home, and pray that this day’s work may be sealed in heaven.
2. Be at peace among yourselves. This must be the atmosphere you must breathe, or the Holy Spirit will not dwell with you, &c. Pray for peace, labor for peace, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS