jer 03v15
"PASTORS ACCORDING TO MINE HEART"
Jeremiah 3:15
God promised that he would give his pastors according to his
own heart. That means, he will give his church pastors
as he sees fit and pastors who will serve the good of those people he so dearly
loves. Those men God gives to his church as pastors, according to his own
heart, "Shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Here are
three things that will characterize every God called, Spirit anointed, heavenly
ordained pastor.
EVERY TRUE PASTOR IS A
FAITHFUL MAN. Without question, if a man is called of God to the work of
the gospel ministry, he will be faithful in the work. His life and conduct will
reflect his steadfastness, commitment, and faithfulness to Christ. He will
faithfully seek the glory of God, study and prepare to preach the Word of God,
seek the welfare of God's people, and preach the gospel of Christ. He will be
faithful to Christ, to the Word, to the church, and to his own conscience. No
man should be set apart for the gospel, until he has proven himself to be a
faithful man (II Tim. 2:2; I Cor. 4:2).
EVERY TRUE, FAITHFUL SERVANT
OF GOD IS ALSO A FALLIBLE, SINFUL MAN. The apostles and prophets of old
were themselves only frail, fallible, sinful men. They were infallible in the
writing of Holy Scripture, as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But
they were not perfect men. Moses smote the Rock in anger. Peter took a cussing
fit and denied the Lord. All the apostles forsook Christ for a while. Paul and
Barnabas had a terrible fight over John Mark. And you can be sure every pastor
will have many faults. Those who want to find fault with any can easily do so.
YET, EVERY TRUE PASTOR IS
GOD'S AMBASSADOR, GOD'S SERVANT, GOD'S MESSENGER. He is to be loved, cared
for, respected, and obeyed as God's representative in his church. I often hear
people say, "I do not follow any man." If you follow God, you will
follow that man who speaks for God. You will not err by following a faithful
pastor. God commands you to do so!