The QUALIFICATIONS to be a Pastor or Church Elder.
1) It is a true statement that anyone whose goal is to serve as an elder (Pastor or Overseer of the Flock of God) he has his heart set on a good work....But there are certain specific qualifications.
2 An elder must be such a good man that no one can rightly criticize him. He must be faithful to his wife.
[c] He must have self-control and be wise. He must be respected by others. He must be ready to help people by welcoming them into his home. He must be a good teacher.
3 He must not drink too much, and he must not be someone who likes to fight or argue. He must be gentle and peaceful. He must not be someone who loves money.
4 He must be a good leader of his own family. This means that his children obey him with full respect.
5 If a man does not know how to lead his own family, he will not be able to take care of God’s church.
6 An elder must not be a new believer. It might make him too proud of himself. Then he would be condemned for his pride the same as the devil was.
7 An elder must also have the respect of people who are not part of the church. Then he will not be criticized by others and be caught in the devil’s trap.
Lesson......We may not qualify to be Pastors or Overseers of Gods Church, but that does not mean that all God wants us to do is to sit on the Churches side lines and watch. No, God wants all of us in Christ involved doing something in the riches of His grace given us in Christ.
...........Here are SOME of those things that WE ALL CAN DO...Praying in the closet for the Pastors, the Church, the lost, etc. We can write and share insights and Word of God Lessons. We can help clean and maintenance the church buildings. We can cut the grass. Dust and straighten the pews. Clean the bathrooms. We can still give cups of cold water to people in our Lords love and name. We can still feed the hungry and help cloth the naked. We can visit prisoners and hand out gospel tracks. We can pay someones bill, fill their gas tank up, hand blessings to strangers. We can sing along in the great congregation of the Lord. We can assist the elders and teachers. We can march for Christ. We can evangelize and invite people to Church. We can minister unto the Lord himself in song and praises to His Name (He enjoys that).
..........Yes being a Pastor to God takes high and special disciplines and strong moral character beyond reproach as our text reads. (Many of us do not rightly qualify for such a holy positional calling and responsibility as to be a Pastor but we are still usable to God).
........God really tries the hearts of those who He calls to be our Pastors and Overseers. We should esteem them highly and pray and love and support them for the work they do. To God their work and duty is the most important on this earth. But you and I, we can give our testimonies and do good to all people.
........Love, the works of the love of God is everyone's never ending calling and ministry. Jesus says to all of us concerning the work of the Fathers love, he says...Know ye not that you should everyday be about My Fathers love business?....If you see your brother in need and you turn away from him, how does Gods love really dwell in you?....deno....share freely.
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