TRUE PASTOR

Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Jeremiah 17:1  As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

Jeremiah 22:2  The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Ephesians 4:1 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

            Though the actual references to the term “pastor” occur only in these few instances, the concept of pastors is clearly taught in the Scriptures through such terminology as: “shepherd”, “elders”, “bishop”, “overseer”, etc.  It is obvious that the Ministry Office of Pastor is with us today and very strongly developed.

            The whole notion of “True Pastors” and “False Pastors” brings up the idea that there are people within the churches who are leading God’s flock that are not supposed to be there. 

[2]John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

John 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

John 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

John 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

            Clearly, the context of John 10:1-14 is Pastoral Ministry.  Jesus is claiming His part in being the Chief Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and the Door to the Sheepfold.  He declares in very powerful terms that access to the Sheepfold is granted by Him.  Anyone who comes in to the Sheepfold for the purpose of leading the Sheep to pasture any way other than through Him, is labeled to be “a thief and a robber”.  The person who steals the Sheep from the Sheepfold is intent on the destruction of those Sheep and therefore is a False Shepherd. 

            Jesus speaks of the special relationship that He gives His appointed Shepherds with their Sheep.  Their ears are tuned to the voice of their appointed Shepherd so that when he comes into the Sheepfold and calls for them, they will recognize his voice and follow him out to pasture.  A True Pastor is one who has been called, trained, equipped, and appointed over particular people of God for the purpose of leading, feeding, caring, and protecting. 

According to [3]Ephesians 4:11, these True Pastors are presented to the church as “gifts” from Jesus Christ Himself.  The idea here is that Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are to be received by God’s People as individuals who have met the requirements of the Lord Jesus Christ for entering into the church to lead, feed, care and protect as well as to equip them for the work of the ministry.  Pastors in particular are joined to the local church by Jesus Christ to live with and among them as a shepherd lives with and among the sheep.

            It is interesting to note that in the John 10 account, Jesus makes mention of the inevitable appearance of the wolf coming after the sheep.  He reassures the sheep that He, as the Good Shepherd will never leave nor forsake them in the face of danger, but certain false Shepherds, who are there only for the hire, will flee when they see danger approaching.  The coming of the wolf speaks of Satan’s desire to destroy God’s people that requires the Shepherd (Pastor) to exert his authority in order to protect the sheep.  If he has no authority because he came in to the sheep through some other way than through Jesus Christ, then he will flee and leave the sheep to the wishes of the wolf.  If the shepherd is truly appointed to that flock by the Chief Shepherd, then he will have power and authority to deal with the wolf and properly defend the flock of God.  No where else in Scripture can we find a better description of the supernatural relationship that exists between the Jesus-sent Pastor and his congregation than here in John Chapter 10. 

I.  HOW FALSE PASTORS GAIN ACCESS TO THE CHURCH:

            A.  Man-made institutions and religious organizations give people who are not called of God access to unsuspecting Christians. Many churches, through ignorance, allow people of strong personalities or strong educational credentials to lead them in the role of pastor.  These need only to meet man-made criteria to qualify for the position.  Usually these people have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are not strong believers in the Bible as the Word of God.  These people do a tremendous disservice to the people because they are not born again and therefore do nothing to help their people become born again or to go on and mature as Christian Believers.  Usually, the pulpit ministry of such people is social in its character and has little or no eternal value to the listeners.  They take a very intellectual approach to the things of God.  Through their own reasonings they reduce Jesus Christ to a mere historical figure and deny the power of the Gospel for today.  They support seminaries and colleges that turn out more of their kind and perpetuate themselves into the future church hierarchy.

            B.  Unscriptural Forms of Local Church Government that allow for leaders to be chosen by popular vote lend themselves to people who may have personal appeal becoming Pastors and church leaders who may not even be born again.  Many are Believers, but not called of God and appointed by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.  This is often the case in many local churches that think they are in complete submission to the Will of God.  They do not know that their methods for chosing leadership often go contrary to the Lord and those He would appoint to lead the church, specially Pastors.  Once un-called individuals assume pastoral leadership, it is very difficult for that congregation to maintain its spiritual integrity because their Leader, Jesus Christ had nothing to do with the decisions leading to their choice of pastor.  The result of such action is a pastor without the Anointing of God to do the work of the ministry.  These always fail, and usually are broken in health and spirit because they attempted to do a spiritual work without the Grace of God which comes through the Anointing.  The damage done to the local church and to individual people of God is without measure.  All because they lack the Anointing to pastor that Jesus gives to those He appoints.

            Samuel Fallows has called attention to the following significance of anointing:

[4]The anointing or pouring of sacred oil on the heads of persons set apart to these offices implied the gift of those qualifications from God which could alone fit them for their work; and it was typical of the communication of the gift of the Holy Ghost to Christ, as the prophet, priest, and king of his church.  Hence persons set apart to these offices were termed the Lord’s anointed: and especially so, because Jesus, of whom they were lively types, was the Lord’s anointed, or his Christ.  This anointing of Jesus, by which he became Christ, or the anointed one, implied his call and separation to the office of Mediator, and the communication of those gifts of the Spirit beyond measure, which qualified him to be the prophet, priest, and king of his people as well as the recipient of those ineffable communications of love which the Spirit of God, in his office as the Comforter, imparts to him (1 Samuel 2:35; Psalm 84:9; Daniel 9:24).  The anointing of Messiah was predicted (Psalm 45:7).  He was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows; that is, he was called to high offices, and more abundantly filled with the Holy Spirit than any of his people: “for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him” (John 3:34).  The unction with which God anointed his Son, and with which he yet anoints all his chosen people, and of which the anointing oil is typical, is the influence of the Holy Spirit.  The grace of the Spirit shed abroad in them is that unction from the Holy One by which they know all things (1 John 2:20, 27).  By this grace they are separated to service (Romans 1:1); endowed with all graces and comforts, and blessed with all spiritual activity and prosperity in the service of God (2 Corinthians 1:21; Psalm 23:5; 92:10).”

            [5]E. M. Bounds once quoted an old Scottich preacher who said “There is sometimes somewhat in preaching that cannot be ascribed either to matter or expression, and cannot be described what it is, or from whence it cometh, but with a sweet violence it pierceth into the heart and affections and comes immediately from the Lord.”

            The significance of the anointing, then, is to be aware that Christ who is the Head of the Church has both set apart and given the enablement of the Holy Spirit to make ministry effective.  Self appointed or carnally appointed pastors do not have the benefit of this anointing because they came to the sheepfold “another way”.

            C.  Deceitful men who are cunning and crafty force their way into leadership of local churches that have not been properly instructed in the matter of finding the Pastor whom God wills to become their Shepherd.  Multitudes of well meaning Christians have been fooled by slick, deceivers who know how to talk the talk and appear to be qualified to pastor the church.  If the local church does not understand how Jesus gives them a pastor, then they will go about getting their own.  The determination will be made on carnal grounds and the results will be disastrous. 

[6]Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

2 Timothy 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

2 Timothy 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

2 Timothy 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2 Timothy 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 2 Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Corinthians 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

3 John 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3 John 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

3 John 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

II.  HOW TO KNOW IF A PASTOR IS “TRUE”:

            There can be no argument against the truth that the local church must have Christ-appointed Pastors who are anointed by the Holy Spirit and filled with the Grace to do their job.  Let us explore various ways one can know whether or not there is a call to pastor.

            A.  Spiritual Witness:  A call to pastor is a spiritual conception.  It is one of the things of the Spirit of God mentioned by the [7]Apostle Paul in 1 Corninthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned”.   It is one of the things of the Spirit of God which the natural man cannot understand  but which are nevertheless very real and clear to the spiritual man.  The voice of the Lord is inaudible to the natural ear but is very clear and distinct to the heart of one who is born again.  Elijah heard this voice and called it “the still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).  Isaiah said, “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it’.” (Isaiah 30:21).   There will be a definite whispering in the deepst soul that the child of God, whether he be the pastor or the pastored, will be conscious of, and it will be his clarion call into the Lord’s service.  Jesus said in John 10 that once the shepherd had been given access into the sheepfold, when the sheep hear his voice they will know he is their shepherd and they will follow him out to pasture.  This is spiritual conception.

            B.  Divine Initiative: [8]”Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring froth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” (John 15:16).  Jesus makes it clear that the initiative for calling a pastor, or any other Christian worker, belongs solely to Him. We may not be connscious of this at first.  We may think it was our volunteering for service that started us in this direction, but the prompting was the Lord’s in the first place.  Because it is His initiative, then His is the responsibility for the whole undertaking.  The Lord sees the end from the beginning, and knows our potential as well as our shortfalls.  When He is the one doing the calling, we can know that He has figured it all out and decided He can use us. 

            How the Lord approaches a person to reveal their particular calling is up to Him.  No two people are alike, nor do they respond to the same stimulus.  Elisha was plowing in a field when Elijah passed by and threw his mantle on him. (1 Kings 19:19).  Samuel came to anoint David and called him from the shepherd’s field.  Paul received a heavenly vision, but Timothy was chosen by an older preacher to travel with him in gospel work.  (Acts 26:19; 16:1-3).  Each person is a distinct creation of God and the Lord will call them in a way that is right for him and that he will understand.  The important thing is that the whole call initiated with God.

            C.  High Esteem For The Office of Pastor will be abundantly clear of the person upon whom Jesus has placed this calling.  He will consider what God has called him to do the greatest thing in this life.  All other vocations and pursuits will pale next to the ministry  of the pastor.  Nothing will ever satisfy him like pastoring satisfies.  Nothing can seduce him away or discourage him from pursuing the call.  One who acts as though he resents the role that God has called him to walk in, cannot be trusted to be a truly called pastor.  Someone who is truly called to pastor will consider this divine, heavenly, eternal while everything else seems earthly, worldly, of the flesh and the devil.  For him, pastoring stands alone.

            D.  The Witness of Other Brethren.  As the call is clear and God’s leadings are definite there will be outcroppings and expressions of the gift and ministry that will later find their recognition.  Fellow ministers and saints will become conscious of the calling of God that rests upon the pastor.  There will be confirmations and general approval of the call from those who are close enough to notice what God is doing in their life.  The ordination of Jesus Christ that has already been given will be outwardly confirmed by the recognition and ordination of  the church and its appointed leaders. 

            E.  Corresponding Fruit. [9]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20).

Just a little “fruit inspection” will reveal whether or not an individual is a true Jesus appointed Pastor or if he is self-appointed.  All too often an individual will become the Pastor of a church who has left a trail of failures behind him in other churches.  It is truly the duty of any pastoral selection group to examine a person’s worthiness to assume leadership of a church by checking references and interviewing people who have experienced the ministry of a candidate.  Many churches would have easily avoided disaster if they had just taken the time to check the fruit of a pastor’s previous ministry.  The Words of Jesus quoted above clearly give us insight into how to know if a person is genuinely called and sent by God to pastor a church.  The responsibility for fruit inspection lies with those who make the decision as to whether or not an individual is called to serve a particular church. 

            The pastor’s family is another vital area for fruit inspection.  His marriage, his children, and other aspects of his personal life are to be open for inspection to see if he is qualified to lead the people of God.

[10]1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

1Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

 1 Timothy 3:5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

There is, however, individual responsibility in this area as well.  The individual should be very aware of the life and fruit of the person to whom he or she submits to spiritually and calls “my pastor”.  The Scripture says, [11]And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour 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. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).  Thus, there is a responsibility incumbant upon each of us to inspect the fruit of those who call themselves “Pastor”.

III.  THE PRIORITIES OF A TRUE PASTOR APPOINTED BY JESUS CHRIST

            In this section we will examine the priorities set forth by Jesus and the Apostles for Pastoral Ministry that set the True Pastors apart from the False Pastors.  Our intention here is not to dwell so much on the false as we do the true.  It should be sufficient to say that false pastors are not going to have Scriptural priorities in their ministries.  The churches they lead will also miss the mark where these priorities are concerned.  Let us look at the priorities of True Pastors in four areas:  1) Loving Jesus, 2) Loving the Word of God, 3) Loving the People they pastor, and 4) Loving the Lost Souls of the World..

A.  True Jesus Appointed Pastors Are In Love With Jesus. 

[12]This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  Jesus saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.   (John 21-14-19).

            It is interesting here that Jesus first questioned Peter about the intensity of his love for Jesus. “Lovest thou me more than these” is a fair question to ask any pastor.  The greatest and most lasting motivation for any ministry is our love for Jesus.  Loving Jesus keeps us going when the going is difficult. The early disciples of Jesus were required to give their lives in martyrdom.  Rarely would an uncommitted person put his life on the line for anyone.  Jesus has the ability to inspire the greatest devotion from His followers.  Any  pastor who does not love Jesus will flee at the first sign of trouble.  [13]I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. (John 10:11-12). 

            Love for the Lord is the pastor’s first duty. If he loves the Lord with all his heart, soul. mind, and spirit his consecration is complete.  There will be no chaffing or resentment at any feature of his life and ministry.  As the one whom he loves has called him and his love for Jesus remains strong and true, then every question is answered and all is well.  God is love. If the pastor loves God his own love will always be in ample supply.  It takes a full measure of God’s love to enable us to minister effectively to the people.  Human nature generally is ungrateful, selfish, and unkind.  There may be lack of appreciation for the pastor’s sacrifice and effort.  His natural love will  soon run out and he will turn against those to whom he is sent and to whom he ministers.  The great overflowing love of God within the heart of a true pastor will sustain his abilitiy to love the unlovely and the unlovable. It will enable him to continue to pour out his life on behalf of those who are unworthy and who may even do him personal injustices.  Here is a quality that must fill the true pastor’s heart if he is to succeed in the ministry.  It is a quality that the Lord Jesus will equip His chosen and appointed pastor with, but not one who enters the sheepfold some other way.

[14]If ministers are asked the purpose for which they are ordained, the most frequent answer is, “to preach the Word”.  Most ordination services probably include that charge to those being ordained.

However, when we look at the Scriptures, we see that there is something preceding the preaching of the Word. In Mark 3:14 we read, “He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him.”

That these men took this ordination seriously is evident in the result of their ministry.  After the healing of the lame man, in Acts 3, the apostles were called in question.  In Acts 4 we read, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus” (vs.13).

While others may strive to have such letters after their names as B.A., M.A., or Ph.D., we should have BWJ (been with Jesus) after ours.”

            The true Jesus sent pastor will give evidence that He loves Jesus and that he has been with Jesus.  He will be untiring in his talking about Jesus.  It will be evident that he loves Jesus and has a strong desire to please Him in all things.  The false pastor will have no use for talking about Jesus and will fill his life and speech with a preoccupation for everything except Jesus.

            B.  True Jesus Appointed Pastors Love the Word of God.

[15]”A God-called minister will be a diligent student of the Bible, says Dr. Thomas Murphy: ‘The minister who has laid hold, as a living fact, of this one thought of the pre-eminent importance of being deeply imbued, both with the letter and the spirit of the word of God, is already mighty for his work.  Look at the Bible.  The pastor has to do with it at every point of his work.  He must come to it in everything he undertakes. He is nothing without it.  It is all in all to him in his office.  It is more to him than any--than all--other books that were ever penned.  The Bible contains his credentials as an ambassador of Jesus Christ.  It is the message which he is appointed to reiterate with all fervor to his fellow men.  It is the treasury from which he can ever draw the riches of divine truth.  It is the Urim and Thummim to which he has constant access, and from which he can learn the mind of Jehovah with all clearness. It is the audience chamber where he will be received into the presence of the Lord and hear words of more than earthly wisdom.  It is the armory from which he can be clothed with the panolply of salvation.  It is the sword of the Spirit before which no enemy can possibly stand.  It is his book of instructions wherein the great duties of his office are clearly defined.  The chief rules of his sacred art are here.  There is nothing which is essential for him to know but is revealed here either in express terms or in inferences which are easily studied out.  It is a mine of sacred wealth for the pastor, the abundance of which he can never exhaust.  The deeper he goes, the richer and more unbounded will its treasures appear.”

[16]John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Jesus makes it very clear that loving Him is also linked to loving His Word.  A true pastor is going to exhibit a love for the Word of God that is intense and appearing at times fanatical.  He will be heard saying things like, “The Bible says” and “I believe the Word of God”.  He will get animated over the very mention of Bible study and his favorite topics of discussion will always be Jesus and His Word.  His sermons will be full of Bible references.  His notes will look like he copied from a concordance and will have few quotations from secular sources.  This is not because he has no use for secular sources, but he prefers the Word of God over anything else.  His two great passions in life will be to introduce people to Jesus and fill them full of the Word of God.  He will feed the sheep God’s Word and will teach them to be loyal to it and faithful to perform its commands.  He will have no use for anyone who tampers with the Word of God to pollute, dilute, or alter it in any way.  He is confident that the Word of God is what people need to hear and will go to great lengths to get his people into the Word of God.  Like the Psalmist, he is convinced that the Word of God is more precious than gold or silver: [17]The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  (Psalm 19:7-10).

            The True Pastor whom Jesus appoints to lead a local church will understand that his people will grow in direct relation to the amount of God’s Word they receive.  It is the duty of the Pastor to insure that what the people “feed” on is pure and undefiled.  Those who compromise the Word of God and mix it with contradictory opinions and philosophies of men are to be marked as dangerous wolves who lead God’s people astray.  [18]As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8).

C.  True Jesus Appointed Pastors Love Their People.

            One of the best ways to determine if a pastor is truly appointed by Jesus is to examine the way he loves his congregation.  One of the best examples of a loving pastor is Moses.  When it looked like God was going to destroy Israel for their sins and rebellious actions toward God, Moses interceded on their behalf, even to the point of offering himself to die in their place. 

[19]And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:31-32).

Jesus Christ is our ultimate example of a Good Pastor.  He described His love for the sheep : [20]I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11).    There exists this self sacrificing love between a true pastor and the people that God has given him.  Caring for the people becomes a passion in itself.  The true pastor wants more than anything for his people to know the Lord and to experience the full work of redemption in their lives.  He is not satisfied with people being estranged from the Lord, but is given to the ministry of reconciliation: [21]And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

            Jesus taught that one of the basic requirements of a pastor is to “feed my sheep” as he spoke very clearly to Peter after His resurrection:

[22]John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

            Evidence that Peter took the words of Jesus to heart can be found in his own admonition to other pastors: [23]Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:2-4).

            A pastor’s love for his congregation will manifest in several ways that can be clearly observed by anyone who watches.  He will sacrifice his own comfort and well being for the sake of ministering to those in his care.  He will exhibit a remarkable degree of patience in dealing with troublesome people.  This patience will be so noticeable that people will say things like, “I could never put up with the things that pastor puts up with”. 

The pulpit ministry of a pastor who loves his people will have a fatherly tone to it, not scolding or angry, but loving, kind, gentle, tender hearted as a father who gently entreats his children and teaches them with great love and patience.  His message’s importance is not derived from the eloquence or intelligence in which it is prepared and delivered, but is important for what it will hopefully accomplish in the lives of the people.  Instead of preaching and teaching messages to the people, he rather brings people to the message and encourages them to receive it as the very food from Heaven.  He makes them thirsty for God by his own example of seeking after God.  He leads them in paths of righteousness by going that way himself.  Everything about his ministry points to Jesus and the Word of God as the answer for all the people.  The true Jesus appointed pastor loves his people so much that he gives them a full revelation of the redemptive gospel of Jesus Christ without withholding any portion of it from them.  [24]For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27).

            And he watches over the flock of God to protect them from the wolves that are sure to come.

            This manifests in the pastor watching carefully over the ministry of the Word of God in the church both from the pulpit and the teaching ministry of the church.  He carefully screens and qualifies everyone who ministers to the people to make certain they are not “wolves in sheep’s clothing”.  He watches over the spiritual condition of the congregation as one who will be judged for it later:

            [25]Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:28-29).  Also, Hebrews 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.

            4.  True Jesus Appointed Pastors Love the Lost.

            Because the true Jesus appointed pastor loves Jesus Christ with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength and because the Word of God is of utmost value to him in forming his view of life and ministry, and because he loves his people,  he will have a passion for the lost people of this world.  His heart will mirror the heart of Jesus who said, [26]” For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. “ (Luke 19:10).  Jesus said this as He was being criticized for attending a meal at the home of Zaccheus the tax collector.  It was clear that Jesus cared more for the lost man than He cared for religious tradition and pleasing men.  His whole life and ministry was focused on saving a lost and dying world.  For that purpose Jesus came into this world and He never lost his focus.  Any minister who loves Jesus and follows hard after Him will develop the same passion for the lost, regardless of his calling in life.  No true Christian can excape this mandate for the whole church: [27]”Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  (Matthew 28:19-20).

            The true pastor knows that time is short and the harvest is plenteous.  He works to train and equip his people for the work of winning people to Christ.  It permeates everything he does, from his pulpit ministry to his prayer life.  He is excited about church growth through evangelism in the local community.  He is excited about church growth world-wide through missions outreach.  Missions is not a distant thought to a true pastor, but it is a passion for him as well.  His children and youth are offered to the Lord for the missionary call.  Many answer that call and are supported by the local church and the true pastor, not only financially, but in prayer and in remembrances.  The true pastor will visit the mission field, because he loves his people whom he has sent to the world from his own congregation,  and  because he is vitally interested in the progress of the Great Commission. 

            Church growth exists as a primary concern to the true pastor not for his own ego or advancement in career, but for the simple fact that more people equals more souls won to the Lord.  Numbers matter because he understands that numbers represent eternal souls.  His passion for growing and building and ever expanding the ministry of the local church is seated in his love for the lost and his great desire to see them come to Jesus.

            Without a love for the lost, the pastor reveals that he may not be truly called and appointed by Jesus Christ, or he has left his first love and cooled off to the point that he may as well not be called of God. 

            False pastors care only for the here and now, for the comforts and pleasures of home and for maintaining the status quo.  He is not like Jesus who always angered the religious leaders with his love for the lost and undone, but rather seeks to please the religious crowd so he can keep his job.  The false pastor cares little for eternal things, and since souls are eternal, he cares little for them.  This is manifested in every aspect of his ministry as he becomes more and more insulated from hurting, dying humanity and surrounds himself with the pretty people who make him feel good and important.

            In contrast, the true pastor lives to hear these words from the lips of Jesus, [28]”His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.” (Matthew 25:23).

IN CONCLUSION:

This lesson has just touched  on the differences between true Jesus appointed pastors and pastors who came into the flock of God some other way. As we approach the last days which Bible prophecy states will be filled with the peril of false prophets, false shepherds, and even false Christs, it is vital that we know our pastor is truly called of God and has the anointing of the Holy Spirit to lead us during these dangerous times.  These ways to tell if a pastor is true or false, can help as we make sure we are being led by true men and women of God.  In these last days there will come a separation between those who are true and faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and those who serve the false religious church controlled by the anti-Christ spirit.

When the lines are drawn and the fight over souls heats up, it will be more crucial that the people of God be not deceived by smooth talking, fine looking, wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Christian leaders today must prepare their people to recognize the true from the false and develop the gift of discerning of spirits, lest multitudes be led astray and miss out on the glorious return of the Lord Jesus for His Bride