The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of the gospel reaching beyond the walls of the church. He underscores the role of pastors in equipping the saints for the work of ministry, referencing Ephesians 4. The pastor encourages the congregation to grow in ministry, learn new skills, and actively engage in different areas of ministry. He also highlights the importance of delegating tasks to others, such as deacons, to ensure the service of ministry is carried out effectively.
The pastor then focuses on the first five verses of the letter and highlights a few key points. He emphasizes that Paul establishes his credentials as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus. The pastor reassures the congregation that they can trust in the concept of eternal life because God cannot lie. He encourages them to hold on and trust in God's faithfulness, using the example of Joseph in the Old Testament. The pastor concludes by reminding the congregation that they can trust in Romans 8, which assures them that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
The pastor discusses the qualities that an elder or pastor of the church should possess. He emphasizes that these qualities should be different from the culture and values of the world. The pastor refers to a passage where Paul quotes a Greek philosopher who describes Cretans as liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. The pastor explains that pastors should not exhibit these negative traits but instead should display Christlike character. They should be hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, and self-controlled. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus is the perfect example of these qualities, as he lived a sinless and self-controlled life.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of holding tightly to the gospel as pastors and as Christians. He refers to the passage in verse 9 that encourages holding onto the faithful message as taught, in order to both encourage with sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. The pastor highlights the book of Galatians as an example of people trying to add to the gospel, specifically the requirement of circumcision. The pastor firmly states that the gospel alone is sufficient for salvation and that adding or subtracting from it is not acceptable.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of having godly pastors in healthy churches. He acknowledges that pastors may not always live up to the ideal of being good shepherds, but without their guidance, the sheep will wander. The pastor then poses the question of what godly pastors look like. He mentions that some people may have a specific image in mind, such as a tall man with a cowboy hat, but the passage from Paul's writings provides the true qualifications of a pastor.
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