NEEDED:
-- FAITHFUL MEN
"Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for
you a faithful minister of Christ." -- Colossians 1:7
Paul could not have
commended Epaphras more highly than he did when he called him, "a faithful minister of Christ."
Blessed is the man, blessed is the church, blessed is the community to whom God
is pleased to give "a faithful
minister of Christ!" How I pray that their numbers may increase. We do
not need more preachers. We have an abundance of lazy, half-hearted,
self-seeking, self-serving, hard-hearted preachers. The last thing the Church
of God needs is another man to volunteer for and thrust himself into the
ministry. But we do desperately need some faithful men. Never was the need
greater and the supply fewer than today. The Church of Christ needs some
faithful men to fill her pulpits.
The Glory of God
We need who are faithful to
the glory of God, men whose primary, life-governing concern is for the glory of
God, men who are sold out to Christ, sold out to the gospel of his grace, sold
out to the cause of his glory, men who will live by the gospel and for the
gospel alone.
The Work of the Gospel
We need men who are faithful
to the work of the gospel. That man is faithful to the gospel who gives his
life to it. You will find a faithful pastor in his study, seeking an
understanding in Divine Truth, praying for God's elect, seeking a message from
God. A faithful pastor gives himself ardently to the work of the ministry. He
does not serve leftovers to God's children (warmed up, rehashed outlines!). He
serves manna, bread from heaven, gathered fresh everyday! He comes to the
pulpit fresh from the throne of God, with a message from God, for the people of
God.
The Souls of Men
We need men who are faithful
to the souls of men. Faithful men seek not the possessions of their hearers,
but their souls. The only man who will deal honestly with your soul is the man
who wants nothing from you.
Their Lives
We need men who are faithful
in their lives. Those who speak to men in the name of God must be blameless men
of good report in their homes and communities. If those who know us best have
no respect for us, it is because we deserve no respect. Pastors must be men of
principle, honesty, and integrity.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #866
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net