The pastor must continue to "command and teach these things." What things? Paul is pointing back to everything previously stated. We can sum them up in two statements: there is truth which must be followed, and there is error which must be avoided. This requires the people to obey and learn.
The pastor needs to be an example. He is to be an example in speech. His words are to be seasoned with salt. He must speak the truth in love. He must be an example in life. He must live in a way that is worthy of imitation. He must be an example in love. He must love others who are different from himself. He must be an example in faith, pointing others to Christ. He must be an example in purity, both in his life and in his motivations. The church must honor men who live in such a way, and follow their example.
He must devote himself to the Word. He must read it publicly. He must preach it. In doing so, he must encourage and rebuke. He must teach his people the Word and how to live. They in turn must learn how to listen to, apply, and learn the Scriptures.
He needs to be diligent in the gospel ministry. He is to immerse himself in the gospel. Thus, the church must provide him with time for study and prayer.
The pastor needs to watch his life and doctrine closely. The church should encourage him to take prayer retreats, attend conferences, have times of silence and solitude, and extended times of prayer. They need to test what is preached against the Scriptures. Where error is present, they need to correct. Where correction is unheeded, they need to remove the minister. When the message is faith to the Scriptures, they need to obey it.
Ministers are called to lead God's people, and God's people are called to follow. The author of Hebrews says, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Heb. 13:17).
Evening: The message, "Attention Deficit Discipleship," looked at the struggle to maintain focus in our prayer and Bible study. We started by looking at Luke 10:38-42. In this passage, Martha confronts Jesus over his willingness to allow Mary to sit and listen when there was work to be done. Jesus tells her she is to anxious about to many things. He calls her to focus on him. Other places in Scripture calls us to seek the Lord wholeheartedly (See 1 Timothy 4:15; Psalm 46:10). We looked at an attention challenges screening, and add a few questions:
How easily distracted are you? 1 to 10 (1 = Man, watching this grass grow sure is exciting; 10 = I'm sorry, I thought I saw a squirrel)
- Does your mind ever wonder when you pray?
- Does your mind ever wonder when you read your Bible?
- When are you most focused?
- When do you face the least amount of distractions?
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