Today’s Inspirational Study is supplied by one of Nuggets of Gold team members, Pastor Milton Jones, Heritage Baptist Church, Manhattan, IL.
Heb 13:7-8 – “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.�
Reflect Pastoral Authority – “whose faith follow,�
It has been said that the greatest form of flattery is imitation. The command to follow does not mean that the church members should seek to be just like the pastor.
Thus our hearts are drawn out to imitate, not them, but ‘their faith’; not their mannerisms, but their methods with God; their separation unto Him; their reliance upon Him; the boldness and confidence in their trusting him.[1]
The power of example is critical to the success of ministry.  Faith must not only be exposited; it must be exampled. 1 Pet. 5:3 – “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.â€?
James. 5:10 – “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.�
1 Cor. 11:1, 2 – “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.�
1 Cor. 4:16 – “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.�
Have you never wondered why pastors are often tested the crucible of life? Why are they called upon to lead in ventures of faith that tax the soul? Why do some men suffer physically, financially, etc.? For the same reason that any leader is called upon to suffer.
1 Pet. 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Tested faith encourages the pastor who is tested. More than that, it provides an example of Biblical response to the issues of life. It allows God’s people to see graphically the reality of New Testament faith demonstrated on the leadership level. It is Bible faith fleshed out in real circumstances.Â
Phil. 3:13-17Â Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
It is for this reason that every pastor lives in a glass house. It is part of the job description. Everything he does is open to scrutiny. The saints need his example – not his perfection because he is not perfect. They need his honesty, transparency, and integrity of faith.
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[1] Newell, 446.
Nuggets Of Gold Ministries
Russell Stolp, Founder & Director
http://www.nuggetsofgold.org
Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.