Title: 3 Challenges of the Pastor
Text:
Ezekiel 2:7 (KJV)
And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
Observation:
The priority responsibility of the pastor is to preach the Word of God. Notice what Ezekiel was charged to do, "And thou shalt speak my words unto them".
The Apostles saw this as their primary responsibility:
Acts 6:4 (KJV)
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
The second challenge is that the pastor is to preach the Word regardless of how the people receive it.
"Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear".
The Apostle Paul encouraged his mentee in this way:
2 Timothy 4:2 (HCSB)
Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
The third challenge is that preaching the Word may not make you popular. However, faithfully preaching the Word is what the Lord called you to do.
The people may not like your message, "For they are a most rebellious people".
2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
When you speak to people, be sure what you say is from the Lord; you are responsible for saying no more or less than what the Lord has said in His Word, and by His Spirit.
Prayer:
Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I thank You for those You have called to proclaim Your Word. Father, give them all that they need to fulfill their calling; the faith to endure to the end. Father, my cry to You is similar to the cry of the Psalmist.
Psalm 119:149a (NKJV)
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
--
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:
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