100:00:00,840 –> 00:00:09,540Direction does not come in a gospel church from one individual. That would be200:00:09,540 –> 00:00:15,720coercion. Direction in a gospel church does not come from every individual. That300:00:15,720 –> 00:00:21,520would be mass confusion. Direction in a gospel church comes from those who have400:00:21,520 –> 00:00:28,000been tested and trusted to serve as its leaders and that is what brings cohesion.500:00:28,480 –> 00:00:32,439Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick. Glad you600:00:32,439 –> 00:00:36,900could join us today. And Colin, we’re in a series called Ten Distinctives of a700:00:36,900 –> 00:00:41,580Gospel-Centred Church and one of those distinctives is Leadership.800:00:41,580 –> 00:00:46,759Yes and what a marvelous thing it is to serve the Lord faithfully in His church.900:00:46,759 –> 00:00:51,860I hope that everyone who is serving the Lord will be encouraged by the program1000:00:51,860 –> 00:00:59,720today. You know I am so thankful to God for the godly elders, the leaders, that I1100:00:59,720 –> 00:01:05,620have the privilege of working alongside. Here are people who voluntarily give1200:01:05,620 –> 00:01:11,980themselves to guarding and protecting and serving the body of Christ, people1300:01:11,980 –> 00:01:17,379who give wise counsel to me and other pastors, people who are able to discern1400:01:17,379 –> 00:01:25,320what a gift that is, and it is a marvelous thing to serve as a leader in1500:01:25,320 –> 00:01:31,339the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. You know, Jesus said, if anyone serves Me the1600:01:31,339 –> 00:01:37,279father will honor him, and if you’re serving the Lord faithfully and you come1700:01:37,279 –> 00:01:41,739under pressure as a result and you say, oh there’s a lot of strain in my life1800:01:41,739 –> 00:01:46,099because of the responsibilities that I have as a Christian leader, I want to1900:01:46,099 –> 00:01:50,540encourage you today. It is a marvelous thing to offer the service that you are2000:01:50,540 –> 00:01:53,860giving to the Lord. It is something that is treasured in2100:01:53,860 –> 00:01:58,739his eyes and it is something of everlasting value and worth.2200:01:58,739 –> 00:02:03,720Well, join us today if you can in 1 Timothy chapter 5 as we begin a message2300:02:03,720 –> 00:02:09,339gospel leadership. Here is Pastor Colin. We’re continuing our series on the2400:02:09,339 –> 00:02:13,759distinctives of a gospel-centered Church and today we’re looking at gospel2500:02:13,880 –> 00:02:19,839leadership. Chapter 3 in Verse 15 tells us what this letter is all about.2600:02:19,839 –> 00:02:23,960Paul says that I’m writing these instructions so that people will know2700:02:23,960 –> 00:02:28,160how to conduct themselves in God’s household which is the church of the2800:02:28,160 –> 00:02:32,779living God. In other words, this whole letter is about how to behave in church.2900:02:32,779 –> 00:02:38,600It’s about how the church can be most effective in fulfilling the work that3000:02:38,600 –> 00:02:43,160Jesus Christ has given us to do. What will make the difference between a3100:02:43,160 –> 00:02:48,860healthy church and a dysfunctional church? For a healthy church will3200:02:48,860 –> 00:02:53,440accomplish much for the advance of the gospel. A dysfunctional church may3300:02:53,440 –> 00:02:57,899accomplish very little. And so what Paul writes for us here in3400:02:57,899 –> 00:03:03,320this letter that is uniquely about how the church is to go about the work that3500:03:03,320 –> 00:03:07,759Jesus Christ has given us to do this is of great importance for us and3600:03:07,759 –> 00:03:12,979especially in these days when we are seeking to do more for the gospel of the3700:03:13,100 –> 00:03:17,820Lord Jesus Christ, this is speaking to us about issues that are of great3800:03:17,820 –> 00:03:24,240importance with regards to that being accomplished. Now I want you to notice in3900:03:24,240 –> 00:03:30,740that context how important leadership is in this letter. In fact right from the4000:03:30,740 –> 00:03:35,479beginning in chapter one the first thing Paul says in that first chapter is that4100:03:35,479 –> 00:03:40,580Timothy who is the pastor of this church in Ephesus that he is to stay4200:03:40,960 –> 00:03:45,559there in order to accomplish certain things for the good of the church. So4300:03:45,559 –> 00:03:50,759falls, Paul’s first concern as he writes to a leader in the church is about the4400:03:50,759 –> 00:03:54,800continuity of leadership, the stability of leadership, which clearly is going to4500:03:54,800 –> 00:03:58,759be crucial to the health and effectiveness of the church. Then you4600:03:58,759 –> 00:04:03,720remember we came to chapter three which was all about the character and4700:04:03,720 –> 00:04:08,839competence of effective Christian leaders. What is it that we have to4800:04:08,839 –> 00:04:13,720pursue and cultivate in order to maximize our usefulness to Jesus Christ?4900:04:13,720 –> 00:04:19,600So chapter 1 begins with leadership, chapter 3 is devoted to leadership, and now5000:04:19,600 –> 00:04:23,500we come to chapter 5 and Paul returns again to the theme of5100:04:23,500 –> 00:04:29,339leadership, which simply tells us how important this issue is with regards to5200:04:29,339 –> 00:04:34,880the effective functioning of a gospel church, and that is why it’s important5300:04:34,880 –> 00:04:38,820for us to look at it today. You may remember from last week5400:04:38,820 –> 00:04:45,619that the first part of chapter 5 is about gospel compassion, now the second5500:04:45,619 –> 00:04:50,640part of chapter 5 is about gospel leadership, and I think these two hold5600:04:50,640 –> 00:04:57,160together in this way that verses 1 to 16 are about how we care in the church for5700:04:57,160 –> 00:05:04,540those with the greatest need, and verses 17 to 25 are about how we care in the5800:05:04,540 –> 00:05:09,119church for those with the highest responsibility. That’s what holds this5900:05:09,119 –> 00:05:13,160chapter together. How we, as a body of believers, care for those with the6000:05:13,160 –> 00:05:17,859greatest need. That was our subject last week, and today how we care for those6100:05:17,859 –> 00:05:23,220with the highest responsibility, that is those who lead us and that is verses 176200:05:23,220 –> 00:05:29,940to 25. That’s what it’s about. Now I want to make three observations before we get6300:05:30,059 –> 00:05:37,519into the scriptures this morning. The first is, of all the messages in this6400:05:37,519 –> 00:05:44,880series, can you understand that for me, this is the most difficult one to give?6500:05:44,880 –> 00:05:48,320It is very difficult to speak about something that you yourself have been6600:05:48,320 –> 00:05:53,079called to do, and you as a congregation have graciously called me to be one of6700:05:53,079 –> 00:05:57,079the leaders in the church. And so I’m very sensitive about speaking about something6800:05:57,100 –> 00:06:02,359myself and part of with others doing. So I just want you to know that I am aware6900:06:02,359 –> 00:06:08,079of that. I have prayed much about that in this last week. And even as I speak7000:06:08,079 –> 00:06:13,320now, have a very special sense of needing the Lord’s help to speak7100:06:13,320 –> 00:06:19,579faithfully and humbly in a way that is helpful. But the subject is before us in7200:06:19,579 –> 00:06:24,320the Scriptures, and it is therefore important as all the Bible is for the7300:06:24,320 –> 00:06:27,799people of God. The second thing I just want you to know7400:06:27,799 –> 00:06:33,440before we get into this is that as I speak and as I’ve prepared this week,7500:06:33,440 –> 00:06:39,459I speak from the depth of my heart with thanksgiving to God for His7600:06:39,459 –> 00:06:45,480abundant blessing in leadership in this church. I’m talking about our pastors,7700:06:45,480 –> 00:06:50,239our board members, our elders. Folks, the Lord has blessed this7800:06:50,559 –> 00:06:56,200church through the years in an unusual way with wise and mature leaders.7900:06:56,200 –> 00:07:00,359But as I look at those who have been called to leadership at this time,8000:07:00,359 –> 00:07:04,940pastoral and lay leaders, in my opinion, that gift has never been8100:07:04,940 –> 00:07:09,779stronger nor greater than it is at the present time. And one of the effects8200:07:09,779 –> 00:07:13,179that I would hope would come from this message and from the Bible today,8300:07:13,179 –> 00:07:18,839in our hearts, is I hope that this message will increase your sense8400:07:18,839 –> 00:07:24,579of thanksgiving for the abundant goodness of God. Many of us know8500:07:24,579 –> 00:07:29,839from our life experience over the years that the effective functioning8600:07:29,839 –> 00:07:35,040of pastors and board and congregation together, really is crucial to what can8700:07:35,040 –> 00:07:39,600be accomplished in any local church. And it is important for us to have8800:07:39,600 –> 00:07:44,839our eyes opened to the blessing of God, and to recognize the good gifts of God8900:07:44,920 –> 00:07:49,359as they are given and to rejoice in them, to seek to steward them,9000:07:49,359 –> 00:07:54,420to recognize them, and to protect them. And I hope that that will be a large part9100:07:54,420 –> 00:07:58,320of the effect of this message that I bring to you today.9200:07:59,519 –> 00:08:02,320The third observation, before we get into it, is simply this,9300:08:02,320 –> 00:08:07,820and this concerns the wider churches throughout our country.9400:08:07,820 –> 00:08:13,320Earlier this year, I had the opportunity of speaking at a Bible conference in9500:08:13,320 –> 00:08:17,640Iowa. There were a number of speakers there, and one of the speakers on the9600:08:17,640 –> 00:08:22,799team was a professor from a seminary in another part of the country,9700:08:22,799 –> 00:08:27,839and serving another denomination different from our own. And over the time that we9800:08:27,839 –> 00:08:32,200had together that week, I asked him one lunchtime, I said,9900:08:32,200 –> 00:08:38,080the students that are graduating from the seminary where you teach,10000:08:38,080 –> 00:08:43,239what is it that they are going to do? Here are young folks who are coming10100:08:43,239 –> 00:08:47,119preparing for ministry. They’re going to a seminary, large numbers.10200:08:47,119 –> 00:08:49,840And then they’re graduating, and my question was what are they doing10300:08:49,840 –> 00:08:54,479after they graduate? And he said to me, well, largely,10400:08:54,479 –> 00:08:59,719the largest number are doing one of two things. Either they are going on to work10500:08:59,719 –> 00:09:10,059with students or they are going to plant a new church. So I said to him,10600:09:10,059 –> 00:09:16,260why is it that there are not more of your students who want to become pastors10700:09:16,260 –> 00:09:22,059and serve in local churches? And you know what he said to me?10800:09:22,059 –> 00:09:31,099He said, they’re scared to death about all that they’ve heard of working10900:09:31,099 –> 00:09:36,979with church boards and church congregations. That’s what he said,11000:09:36,979 –> 00:09:44,179scared to death. Now, I have to tell you that in my experience,11100:09:44,179 –> 00:09:48,640that is widely true, not only in other parts of the country.11200:09:48,640 –> 00:09:52,099I have spoken over these last years with many, many young folks who have a heart11300:09:52,099 –> 00:09:55,619for ministry and have found the same largely to be the case,11400:09:55,619 –> 00:09:59,059I want to go and plant a new church. Why? I’m scared to death of working11500:09:59,059 –> 00:10:05,679with an existing church. And the effect of that is simply this,11600:10:05,679 –> 00:10:12,960it is becoming harder and harder for churches to find pastors.11700:10:12,960 –> 00:10:15,159You just need to look around and you will see that this is true.11800:10:15,159 –> 00:10:21,400It’s true across the country. And folks, that is why this Scripture11900:10:21,400 –> 00:10:27,840today that reflects honestly an area in which we have been so blessed,12000:10:27,840 –> 00:10:33,239that is why this Scripture is of huge importance for the church in our country.12100:10:33,260 –> 00:10:38,520Because this passage in 1 Timothy Chapter 5 is all about how pastors,12200:10:38,520 –> 00:10:44,340elders, and a congregation can work together in partnership, in harmony,12300:10:44,340 –> 00:10:49,659in a way that honors Jesus Christ and advances the gospel.12400:10:49,659 –> 00:10:55,659If this could happen in churches across our country, much more would be accomplished12500:10:55,659 –> 00:11:00,940for the gospel of Jesus Christ. You folks are wise and experienced enough12600:11:00,940 –> 00:11:03,059to know that this is true.12700:11:03,159 –> 00:11:08,099The issue of pastors, and board members, and congregation working together12800:11:08,099 –> 00:11:11,760in harmony is critical to the advance of the gospel.12900:11:11,760 –> 00:11:17,299So, I want you to hear me say this again, I speak out of a sense of thanking God13000:11:17,299 –> 00:11:21,340for the blessing that he has given to us in this regard.13100:11:21,340 –> 00:11:25,320And I want you to understand it and appreciate it.13200:11:25,320 –> 00:11:29,140And I see for that reason that there are two great opportunities that are open13300:11:30,099 –> 00:11:35,340as I think about the next 10 years if the Lord gives these to us.13400:11:35,340 –> 00:11:40,700I think that are two things that we have an opportunity here to do that will be for13500:11:40,700 –> 00:11:43,820the advance of the gospel and for the good of other churches.13600:11:44,960 –> 00:11:49,700One is, that we should be a church that is encouraging young men13700:11:49,700 –> 00:11:51,840to go into pastoral ministry.13800:11:51,840 –> 00:11:55,159That would be a great thing for us to do and we’re seeing it already.13900:11:55,159 –> 00:11:58,260You are seeing younger guys around the church these days14000:11:58,340 –> 00:12:02,059who are finding their feet alongside the pastoral staff in ministry,14100:12:02,059 –> 00:12:04,700getting a taste of it, serving, getting experience,14200:12:04,700 –> 00:12:06,700visiting with the church board, all this kind of thing.14300:12:08,099 –> 00:12:12,140And that’s a marvelous contribution to the wider church.14400:12:12,140 –> 00:12:15,960We want to be a church that produces pastors in the next 10 years.14500:12:17,500 –> 00:12:20,179So the first thing we can do is encourage young men to serve the Lord14600:12:20,179 –> 00:12:21,419in pastoral ministry.14700:12:21,419 –> 00:12:26,659The second thing we can do is to model a healthy partnership14800:12:27,340 –> 00:12:32,580between pastors and board members and congregation.14900:12:32,580 –> 00:12:39,299Because churches desperately need pastors, and churches desperately need models15000:12:39,299 –> 00:12:44,739of how congregation, board, and pastors should work together effectively.15100:12:44,739 –> 00:12:47,760Now, as the Lord has poured out his abundant blessing15200:12:47,760 –> 00:12:52,919and we have a special stewardship, I want us to see that15300:12:52,979 –> 00:12:57,739with gratitude and for us to catch a vision15400:12:57,739 –> 00:13:02,500as to how in the Lord’s goodness, this could be useful to other churches15500:13:02,500 –> 00:13:06,280for the good of the gospel and for the glory of God.15600:13:06,280 –> 00:13:10,940In other words, what I’m saying to you is we don’t just want to have good leaders.15700:13:10,940 –> 00:13:13,419We want to produce good leaders.15800:13:14,200 –> 00:13:17,179You’re listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith15900:13:17,179 –> 00:13:19,700and a message called Gospel Leadership.16000:13:20,359 –> 00:13:23,099ten distinctives of a gospel-centered church.16100:13:23,099 –> 00:13:25,919And if you tuned in late or have to leave early16200:13:25,919 –> 00:13:27,719or want to go back and listen again,16300:13:27,719 –> 00:13:30,400they’re all available on our website16400:13:33,719 –> 00:13:35,500Let’s get back to the message now.16500:13:35,500 –> 00:13:37,200Here again is Pastor Colin.16600:13:37,739 –> 00:13:41,479What we have here is a beautiful portrait16700:13:42,679 –> 00:13:46,500of a church in which leaders are honored and effective,16800:13:47,479 –> 00:13:50,700they are protected and they are accountable,16900:13:51,539 –> 00:13:55,239and they bear fruit both now and forever.17000:13:55,239 –> 00:13:56,719That’s a beautiful thing.17100:13:56,719 –> 00:13:59,479It’s a wonderful thing for which we should thank God.17200:13:59,479 –> 00:14:00,679I hope you have your Bible open17300:14:00,679 –> 00:14:02,640so we can see what it says here.17400:14:03,239 –> 00:14:05,659Let’s look first at leaders who are serving well17500:14:05,659 –> 00:14:08,840and they are held in honor, verses 17 and 18.17600:14:09,460 –> 00:14:12,979The elders who direct the affairs of the church well17700:14:13,820 –> 00:14:15,739are worthy of double honor.17800:14:16,500 –> 00:14:19,820Especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.17900:14:20,859 –> 00:14:22,179For the Scripture says,18000:14:22,179 –> 00:14:26,039do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.18100:14:27,919 –> 00:14:31,380The worker deserves his wages.18200:14:32,260 –> 00:14:33,859Now there are many important things here.18300:14:33,859 –> 00:14:35,260Let’s take them one at a time.18400:14:35,780 –> 00:14:37,419Do you notice that phrase at the beginning,18500:14:37,419 –> 00:14:41,059the elders who direct the affairs of the church?18600:14:41,739 –> 00:14:43,900Now we noticed last time when we looked at leadership18700:14:44,200 –> 00:14:46,640that leadership structures in different churches18800:14:46,640 –> 00:14:47,900work in different ways.18900:14:47,900 –> 00:14:49,880And that’s been true across denominations19000:14:49,880 –> 00:14:51,359and across the history of the Church.19100:14:51,840 –> 00:14:53,719So let’s not get too hung up on elders,19200:14:53,719 –> 00:14:56,679board members, deacons and particular designations.19300:14:57,039 –> 00:14:59,700What is made very clear here is that those who are trusted19400:14:59,700 –> 00:15:01,900with spiritual leadership in the Church,19500:15:01,900 –> 00:15:04,179notice the phrase direct,19600:15:04,179 –> 00:15:05,820do you notice that word,19700:15:05,820 –> 00:15:09,400direct the affairs of the Church.19800:15:10,020 –> 00:15:12,760In other words, it is the spiritual calling19900:15:13,340 –> 00:15:16,479of those who are given leadership within the Church20000:15:16,479 –> 00:15:19,880to give direction to the life20100:15:19,880 –> 00:15:21,940and to the ministry of the Church.20200:15:21,940 –> 00:15:23,200Now, this is very important.20300:15:23,539 –> 00:15:26,219Notice, elders, plural,20400:15:26,219 –> 00:15:28,239you can underline the plural there.20500:15:28,960 –> 00:15:32,219Direction does not come in a gospel church20600:15:32,219 –> 00:15:34,460from one individual.20700:15:35,320 –> 00:15:36,739That would be coercion.20800:15:37,880 –> 00:15:41,460Second, direction in a gospel church20900:15:41,500 –> 00:15:43,520does not come from every individual.21000:15:43,799 –> 00:15:45,260That would be mass confusion.21100:15:47,460 –> 00:15:49,479Direction in a gospel church21200:15:49,479 –> 00:15:51,659comes from those who have been tested21300:15:51,659 –> 00:15:54,299and trusted to serve as its leaders,21400:15:54,299 –> 00:15:56,919and that is what brings cohesion.21500:15:57,280 –> 00:15:58,919Very important principle,21600:16:00,559 –> 00:16:01,799direction of the Church.21700:16:02,059 –> 00:16:02,900Secondly,21800:16:03,880 –> 00:16:05,859especially those whose work21900:16:05,859 –> 00:16:07,880is preaching and teaching.22000:16:08,659 –> 00:16:10,479Now, do you notice how the direction22100:16:10,479 –> 00:16:12,380of the Church and the ministry of the Word22200:16:12,380 –> 00:16:13,780are not two different things,22300:16:13,780 –> 00:16:16,159but Paul brings the two very closely together?22400:16:17,440 –> 00:16:18,940The Church, a gospel church,22500:16:18,940 –> 00:16:21,760is always a church that is under the Word of God.22600:16:22,520 –> 00:16:24,099So, the ministry of the Word22700:16:24,099 –> 00:16:25,460and the direction of the Church22800:16:25,460 –> 00:16:26,700belong together.22900:16:27,640 –> 00:16:29,840We are really serious about living out23000:16:29,840 –> 00:16:31,539what God calls us to do.23100:16:31,619 –> 00:16:33,960We really want God to shape our lives23200:16:33,960 –> 00:16:35,820and to shape our Church23300:16:36,020 –> 00:16:38,080according to His Word.23400:16:38,919 –> 00:16:40,679So, we’re not to think of direction23500:16:40,679 –> 00:16:41,880for the Church here23600:16:41,880 –> 00:16:43,260and the ministry of the Word here.23700:16:43,260 –> 00:16:44,780The ministry of the Word23800:16:44,780 –> 00:16:46,700reflects the direction of the Church23900:16:46,700 –> 00:16:48,719and the direction of the Church24000:16:48,719 –> 00:16:50,419reflects the ministry of the Word,24100:16:50,419 –> 00:16:52,479as we seek together to put into practice24200:16:52,479 –> 00:16:55,219what the Lord is teaching us from His Word.24300:16:56,080 –> 00:16:59,320Third, those who serve well,24400:16:59,320 –> 00:17:03,099Paul says, are worthy of double honor.24500:17:04,099 –> 00:17:06,099Now this means at least two things.24600:17:06,140 –> 00:17:07,640The first is very obviously24700:17:07,640 –> 00:17:09,540we’re to respect those24800:17:09,540 –> 00:17:11,939who are trusted with leadership.24900:17:11,939 –> 00:17:15,339It’s a principle repeated many times in the Bible.25000:17:15,339 –> 00:17:18,7391 Thessalonians chapter five and verse 12,25100:17:18,739 –> 00:17:21,339Respect those who work hard among you25200:17:21,339 –> 00:17:22,920who are over you in the Lord.25300:17:22,920 –> 00:17:26,319That’s 1 Thessalonians chapter five and verse twelve.25400:17:26,319 –> 00:17:28,280So we owe hobby respect to those25500:17:28,280 –> 00:17:30,180who are trusted with responsibility25600:17:30,180 –> 00:17:31,880in the widest possible way.25700:17:31,880 –> 00:17:34,459We saw that earlier in chapter two25800:17:34,459 –> 00:17:36,680with regards even in the secular world.25900:17:36,680 –> 00:17:39,459Those who are given responsibility.26000:17:39,459 –> 00:17:41,599But notice that Paul says something even more here.26100:17:41,599 –> 00:17:46,599He says those who serve well are worthy of double honor.26200:17:46,800 –> 00:17:49,040In other words, it is right for us26300:17:49,040 –> 00:17:52,339to respect those who are trusted with leadership26400:17:52,339 –> 00:17:55,680since we are the ones who have trusted that to them.26500:17:55,680 –> 00:17:58,020But those who serve well, there’s twice the reason26600:17:58,020 –> 00:18:00,979for us to be respectful and to hold26700:18:00,979 –> 00:18:05,119those who lead us in honor.26800:18:05,119 –> 00:18:08,939Now this honor includes not only the respect that we give,26900:18:08,939 –> 00:18:12,680but quite clearly here Paul includes in that27000:18:12,680 –> 00:18:15,479the support that the church congregation27100:18:15,479 –> 00:18:18,959gives to those who give themselves full time27200:18:18,959 –> 00:18:21,099to the ministry of the gospel.27300:18:21,099 –> 00:18:23,520And they are supported by the giving27400:18:23,520 –> 00:18:26,599of the congregation in the church.27500:18:26,599 –> 00:18:29,420And Paul quotes two scriptures27600:18:29,420 –> 00:18:31,719that speak about this very directly.27700:18:31,719 –> 00:18:34,000And they always make pastors smile27800:18:34,300 –> 00:18:36,300because of the two analogies27900:18:36,300 –> 00:18:39,839that Paul thinks are appropriate for pastors.28000:18:39,839 –> 00:18:44,000Number one, do not muzzle the ox28100:18:44,000 –> 00:18:45,939when he’s treading out the grain.28200:18:45,939 –> 00:18:49,500Number two, the worker, literally the farm laborer28300:18:50,560 –> 00:18:52,180deserves his wages.28400:18:52,180 –> 00:18:54,939So there you are, pastors are compared here to oxen28500:18:54,939 –> 00:18:56,540treading out the grain,28600:18:56,540 –> 00:19:01,540and farm laborers who are bailing out the straw or whatever.28700:19:01,680 –> 00:19:04,060Now the analogies are significant28800:19:04,060 –> 00:19:07,439because these two analogies say one very obvious thing,28900:19:08,699 –> 00:19:13,099pastors should expect to work hard.29000:19:13,099 –> 00:19:14,739That’s what the oxen and the farm laborer29100:19:14,739 –> 00:19:15,680tells you, isn’t it?29200:19:17,599 –> 00:19:22,599Our lay leaders work a full week29300:19:23,699 –> 00:19:26,500in business, in various employment29400:19:26,500 –> 00:19:31,160and then give, as you give, service,29500:19:31,199 –> 00:19:35,280hours to the ministry of the church on top of that.29600:19:36,800 –> 00:19:38,079So, those who lead,29700:19:38,079 –> 00:19:42,000those who are trusted with pastoral responsibility29800:19:42,000 –> 00:19:43,979and given this immense privilege29900:19:43,979 –> 00:19:45,959of being supported by the congregation30000:19:45,959 –> 00:19:48,719to give ourselves wholly to this work,30100:19:48,719 –> 00:19:51,459boy we do not want to do less than that but more.30200:19:52,920 –> 00:19:54,719And I do want you to know30300:19:55,619 –> 00:19:58,579that the pastors who serve us as a congregation30400:19:58,579 –> 00:20:00,959share that spirit and work hard30500:20:01,680 –> 00:20:02,599in every spear.30600:20:02,599 –> 00:20:05,680I see it, and I want you to know it,30700:20:05,680 –> 00:20:08,180and I want you to be encouraged by it30800:20:08,180 –> 00:20:10,380and to rejoice in it.30900:20:10,380 –> 00:20:12,280Anyone who’s going into pastoral ministry31000:20:12,280 –> 00:20:17,280should expect to extend himself and to work hard.31100:20:17,880 –> 00:20:20,900And Paul says, the church that calls him31200:20:20,900 –> 00:20:23,939should pay him for his work.31300:20:23,939 –> 00:20:26,380Now that pattern is very clear in the Bible.31400:20:26,380 –> 00:20:27,959In the Old Testament,31500:20:27,959 –> 00:20:30,859the priests were supported by the people of God,31600:20:30,900 –> 00:20:34,060by the Great Congregation so that they could give themselves31700:20:34,060 –> 00:20:35,579to the work that God had called them to do31800:20:35,579 –> 00:20:37,500on behalf of the people.31900:20:37,500 –> 00:20:40,819Paul himself received support from churches32000:20:40,819 –> 00:20:43,260that he planted and churches that he visited,32100:20:43,260 –> 00:20:48,260though at times he supported himself as a tent maker.32200:20:48,300 –> 00:20:51,400Here, Paul makes it clear that those who serve the church32300:20:51,400 –> 00:20:53,420should receive their living from the church.32400:20:53,420 –> 00:20:55,900That’s the principle in this verse.32500:20:55,900 –> 00:20:58,180And it’s stated again, if you want to follow this up,32600:20:58,180 –> 00:21:01,260in 1 Corinthians chapter nine and verse 14,32700:21:01,260 –> 00:21:04,699where Paul says those who preach the gospel32800:21:04,699 –> 00:21:08,260should receive their living from the gospel.32900:21:09,680 –> 00:21:14,540Now, some churches have given such emphasis33000:21:14,540 –> 00:21:18,079to the priesthood of all believers33100:21:18,079 –> 00:21:20,660that they have really lost sight33200:21:20,660 –> 00:21:25,619of God’s particular call to pastoral ministry.33300:21:25,619 –> 00:21:27,199So, let me just ask this question33400:21:27,199 –> 00:21:29,359and then I want to answer it.33500:21:29,359 –> 00:21:31,880Is it right to hire a pastor?33600:21:31,880 –> 00:21:34,140Dangerous question for this guy to ask.33700:21:36,839 –> 00:21:38,579Some of you might come from traditions33800:21:38,579 –> 00:21:40,520where that is a question in your mind.33900:21:40,520 –> 00:21:42,739Is this an honorable thing to do?34000:21:44,359 –> 00:21:46,380Candidly, you know this,34100:21:46,380 –> 00:21:49,939the largest part of our church budget34200:21:50,959 –> 00:21:54,880is devoted to supporting our staff.34300:21:54,880 –> 00:21:57,819Is this the right thing to do?34400:21:59,479 –> 00:22:01,920And my answer to that question, and from the scripture,34500:22:01,920 –> 00:22:04,640is absolutely it is the right thing to do,34600:22:04,640 –> 00:22:06,520it is the right thing for a church to do,34700:22:06,520 –> 00:22:11,479because ministry advances through God’s people34800:22:11,479 –> 00:22:14,599under the leadership of those who are called by God34900:22:14,599 –> 00:22:16,359and recognized by the church35000:22:16,359 –> 00:22:19,439to devote themselves to this work.35100:22:19,439 –> 00:22:24,420Folks our primary investments are always in people.35200:22:24,479 –> 00:22:27,079That’s a principle that we need to grasp35300:22:27,079 –> 00:22:30,160and in which we should rejoice.35400:22:31,000 –> 00:22:35,060What a wonderful vision to catch to produce great leaders.35500:22:35,060 –> 00:22:36,459You’re listening to OPEN THE BIBLE35600:22:36,459 –> 00:22:37,760with Pastor Colin Smith.35700:22:37,760 –> 00:22:40,359Now, unfortunately, we have to leave the message there,35800:22:40,359 –> 00:22:42,020but we’ll be back with the second part35900:22:42,020 –> 00:22:43,780of that message tomorrow.36000:22:43,780 –> 00:22:45,819So I hope you’ll join us for that.36100:22:45,819 –> 00:22:47,219You’re listening to OPEN THE BIBLE36200:22:47,219 –> 00:22:49,560with Pastor Colin Smith.36300:22:49,560 –> 00:22:51,920OPEN THE BIBLE is supported by our listeners.36400:22:51,959 –> 00:22:54,520It’s people just like you who enable us36500:22:54,520 –> 00:22:56,920to stay on the radio and on the internet36600:22:56,920 –> 00:22:58,319and we’re extremely grateful36700:22:58,319 –> 00:23:00,300for the support we receive from you.36800:23:00,300 –> 00:23:02,420So if you already give to OPEN THE BIBLE,36900:23:02,420 –> 00:23:04,040thank you so much.37000:23:04,040 –> 00:23:06,239If you’re considering beginning to support37100:23:06,239 –> 00:23:07,959OPEN THE BIBLE financially,37200:23:07,959 –> 00:23:10,500this month we have a great offer for you.37300:23:10,500 –> 00:23:12,800If you’re able to begin a direct debit37400:23:12,800 –> 00:23:15,339of five pounds per month or more37500:23:15,339 –> 00:23:18,579or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,37600:23:18,579 –> 00:23:20,239we’d love to say thank you37700:23:20,239 –> 00:23:23,439by sending you a copy of John Stott’s book,37800:23:23,439 –> 00:23:25,780The Incomparable Christ.37900:23:25,780 –> 00:23:28,380Colin, who is this book for?38000:23:28,380 –> 00:23:29,780Well, it’s for anyone38100:23:29,780 –> 00:23:32,219who wants to know the Lord Jesus Christ better38200:23:32,219 –> 00:23:33,839and it’s written by one of the most38300:23:33,839 –> 00:23:37,020influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.38400:23:37,020 –> 00:23:39,219John Stott was a faithful preacher,38500:23:39,219 –> 00:23:42,520a pastor and a scholar for over 60 years.38600:23:42,520 –> 00:23:44,520He’s one of my heroes of the faith.38700:23:44,520 –> 00:23:46,819I love to read his writing38800:23:46,819 –> 00:23:48,900and never more so than when he’s writing38900:23:48,900 –> 00:23:51,060on the most central subject of all,39000:23:51,060 –> 00:23:54,660the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.39100:23:54,660 –> 00:23:57,500And this book, The Incomparable Christ,39200:23:57,500 –> 00:23:59,599if you’ve never read a book by John Stott,39300:23:59,599 –> 00:24:01,420this is a great place to start.39400:24:01,420 –> 00:24:04,819It’s a deep dive on who Jesus is39500:24:04,819 –> 00:24:06,800and it comes in four parts.39600:24:06,800 –> 00:24:10,520We see Jesus as He is presented in the New Testament,39700:24:10,520 –> 00:24:12,359Jesus as He’s been presented39800:24:12,359 –> 00:24:14,640by the church over the centuries,39900:24:14,640 –> 00:24:17,900Jesus as He’s inspired various figures40000:24:17,900 –> 00:24:21,260in the history and Jesus as He’s presented to us40100:24:21,260 –> 00:24:22,780in the book of Revelation.40200:24:22,780 –> 00:24:25,040It’s just a glorious snapshot40300:24:25,040 –> 00:24:27,739of who the Lord Jesus Christ is.40400:24:27,739 –> 00:24:29,420And I think anyone who reads this book40500:24:29,420 –> 00:24:30,939is going to feel that they come40600:24:30,939 –> 00:24:32,699to a deeper worship of Jesus,40700:24:32,699 –> 00:24:36,660a deeper love for Jesus and a deeper trust in Jesus too.40800:24:36,660 –> 00:24:38,260Well, this book by John Stott,40900:24:38,260 –> 00:24:39,660The Incomparable Christ41000:24:39,660 –> 00:24:41,739is our gift to you when you begin41100:24:41,739 –> 00:24:44,739a new direct debit to the work of Open The Bible41200:24:44,739 –> 00:24:47,859in the amount of five pounds per month or more.41300:24:47,859 –> 00:24:51,660Or a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more this month.41400:24:51,660 –> 00:24:54,540Full terms and conditions are on our website41500:24:54,540 –> 00:24:57,900that’s at openthebible.org.uk41600:24:57,900 –> 00:24:59,900and you can give online.41700:24:59,900 –> 00:25:02,459Don’t forget to leave your full name and address41800:25:02,459 –> 00:25:05,140so we can send you your free gift.41900:25:05,140 –> 00:25:07,839For Open the Bible and Pastor Collin Smith,42000:25:07,839 –> 00:25:09,000I’m David Pick42100:25:09,000 –> 00:25:10,900and I look forward to you joining us again42200:25:10,900 –> 00:25:12,199for our next program.42300:25:12,199 –> 00:25:20,900Some people’s sins are obvious,42400:25:20,900 –> 00:25:24,079while other people’s sins trail behind them.42500:25:24,079 –> 00:25:27,540Find out what that means for you and for your church42600:25:27,540 –> 00:25:29,739next time on Open the Bible.