498. 1CO 16:10. THE DUTY OF CHURCHES TO THEIR PASTORS
1Co_16:10. The Duty Of Churches To Their Pastors
(DELIVERED AT AN ORDINATION SERVICE AT ETON ON-TRENT, SEPT. 9, 1840)
"Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do."’971Co_16:10.
The word of God is a perfect rule of faith and practice. It is not only profitable for doctrine, and reproof, and correction, but for perfect instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Every station and office has its corresponding duties. For instance, there are parental, which devolve upon parents; and filial, upon children. There are pastoral duties, which devolve upon ministers of Jesus Christ; to these our dear brother has been this day fully and specifically directed; but there are also necessary corresponding duties which devolve upon Christian churches. To call your attention particularly to these is the object of the present occasion. Numerous are the passages which present this subject before you. In writing to the Hebrews, the apostle says, "Obey them that have the rule over you," &c. Heb_13:17. To the Philippians the same apostle says, "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation." And to the Thessalonians he is still more explicit: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you," &c. The same spirit and design is evidently expressed in reference to Timothy in the text. When he wrote to them and said, "See that he be with you without fear," &c. In the text we have
I. A reference to the nature and design of the ministerial office.
"He worketh the work of," &c.
II. The obvious duty of the church to see that such are with them without fear.
I. A reference to the nature and design of the ministerial office.
"He worketh the work of the Lord." The Christian minister is called to his office by the Lord. He is qualified by the Lord. He is employed in doing the Lord’s work. The means and instrumentality of doing it are laid down by the Lord. His great object is to glorify the Lord, and diffuse abroad the true knowledge and glory of God. His success is from the Lord, and his final reward the Lord the righteous judge confers upon him. These important topics we must pass over, but we briefly call your attention to three views of his work.
1. It is solemn.
It is work connected with mind, and with spirit; with the undying souls of men. It is work which comprises, within its own legitimate sphere, all that is momentous in time and eternity. It is inseparably connected with the eternal glory or the everlasting misery of our fellow beings.
2. It is arduous.
It is work which requires the outlay of the whole man,’97all the energies of the body,’97all the capacities of the mind,’97and all the emotions of the spirit. It is arduous from the lofty sublimity of its theme,’97from the array of its opponents with whom it has to contend. It is arduous as it requires all the devotion of time, means, energies, and resources which the most highly favored human being may possess. A Christian minister must devote all he has to God and the requirements of his office. It is a work pertaining to every day, every season, and every place where he lives or moves. Well might the apostle exclaim. "Who is sufficient for these things?"
3. It is responsible.
The Christian minister is but a servant or steward, and he must surrender a clear, minute, and complete account of himself and work to God. God will reckon with him, and reward or condemn, according to the employment of talents he has had committed to his trust. That responsibility is connected with the eternal destiny of those under his charge. The blood of souls, if he should be faithless, will be required at his hands. Such is the office and work of the Christian minister. Consider then,
II. The obvious duty of the church with respect to him.
He is to be with you without fear. In order to this,
1. Supply his pecuniary need, and let him not fear as to his temporal support.
If he is fully engaged in providing for you spiritual things, how reasonable that you should supply him with needful temporal things. I do not state the amount,’97to judge of this I must again refer you to his responsibility. A writer in the "Times," recently referred to the paltry sum of six or seven shillings per day being given to men who conduct the engines on the railways of our country; and observed, that a sum three times that amount should be given to those to whom the care of human life is committed. But surely the charge and care of souls is vastly more momentous, and deserving of much higher remuneration. But on this point two principles should decide; the necessities of your pastor, and the ability you possess. If you cannot remunerate him adequately, you must do all you can; and this he has an equitable right to expect. Let this be done respectfully, with great courtesy, and in the spirit of promptitude and love.
2. Give him your confidential and affectionate countenance, and let him be with out fear as to the position he occupies in your esteem.
Show him that he has favor in your eyes; that he is planted deeply in your regards; that you receive him as from God, and honor, and love him as such.
3. Be regular in your attendance on the means of grace, and let him not fear the acceptance of his ministry among you.
This he has a right to expect. If he must study and preach, it is yours to be present, and hear what has been prepared for you. Be not guilty of religious vagrancy, and telling the world of the poverty of your own homes, by being found seeking a morsel here and everywhere. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together," &c.
4. Unite with him in every holy enterprise, and let him not fear desertion in his efforts to do good.
He may do a little single-handed. So did Moses during Israel’s engagement with Amalek. But he may, like Moses, fail, unless you are near him, and with him, to encourage his heart and hold up his hands. I trust it will be said of him, "And there went with him a chosen band," &c.
5. Pray fervently and continually for him, and let him not fear devotional neglect.
How anxious Paul was for this, "Brethren, pray for us," &c. Do this in your closet, in your families as well as in the social meetings of the church.
6. Exhibit the holy fruit of his labors, and let him not fear losing his reward in the great day.
See Php_4:1; 1Co_3:13, &c. Live his sermons. See that the ends of preaching, and ordinances, and pastoral duties, are answered in your holy lives. Be living epistles, &c. Be the joy of his heart by your holy fruitfulness, and good works, and Christ-like spirit.
Let me conclude, by just naming a few motives why he should be with you without fear.
(1) His own comfort.
If he is with you in fear he cannot be happy. He will be your slave; his sufferings will be excruciating in the extreme. Would you have him happy and cheerful, "then see," &c.
(2) Your own profit.
He cannot do you good without having your confidence, affection, and esteem. Otherwise, he will be paralyzed. You will not seek to be profited in vain.
(3) The church’s welfare.
A happy comfortable pastor is indispensable. Without it, the church will have no attractions to those without, and no joy for those within. If you are to have peace within your walls, you must have a happy pastor. Then see to it, &c.
(4) Your accountableness to God.
God will require you to answer for your treatment of our brother. Act as in God’s sight, and for his glory, so that you may meet him in the presence of the Lord Jesus with exceeding great joy. "And now, may the Lord God of your fathers bless you," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS