Shepherding with Truth: The Pastor's Call to Discipleship
Summary
In our time together, we explored the profound responsibility and calling of pastors and shepherds within the church. The role of a pastor is not merely to preach but to shepherd, to guide, and to disciple the flock entrusted to their care. This calling is deeply rooted in the biblical mandate to "feed My sheep," as Jesus instructed Peter, and is echoed in the Great Commission, which emphasizes not just teaching but training disciples to observe all that Christ commanded. This involves a holistic approach to discipleship that includes teaching, training, and guarding the truth of the Gospel.
The Great Commission is often misunderstood as solely about evangelism or missions, but at its core, it is about discipleship. Discipleship requires more than imparting knowledge; it involves training believers to live out their faith, to discern truth from almost-truth, and to guard against false teachings. This is a critical task in a world where biblical literacy is declining, even among those entering ministry. Pastors must equip their congregations to recognize and refute false doctrines, ensuring they are grounded in sound theology.
Moreover, the role of a pastor extends beyond the pulpit. While preaching is an essential aspect of pastoral ministry, it is not the entirety of it. Pastors are called to be shepherds who care for their congregations, addressing their specific needs, struggles, and spiritual growth. This requires a focus on the local church community rather than a global audience, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and tailored pastoral care.
In our current cultural climate, where offending someone is considered a grave sin, pastors must have the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it is uncomfortable. This involves reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience and gentleness, always aiming to build up the body of Christ. True love and unity in the church are founded on truth, not compromise, and pastors must model this balance of truth and grace.
Finally, pastors are called to embody the qualities of both strength and gentleness, being warriors for the truth while also being kind and compassionate shepherds. This balance is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit and a continual dying to self, following the example of Christ, who was both meek and bold in His ministry.
Key Takeaways:
- The Great Commission is fundamentally about discipleship, which involves not just teaching but training believers to observe all that Christ commanded. This requires a holistic approach that includes guarding against false teachings and discerning truth from almost-truth. [02:40]
- Pastors are called to be shepherds, not just preachers. Their primary responsibility is to care for their local congregation, addressing their specific needs and guiding them in spiritual growth. This requires a focus on personal relationships and tailored pastoral care. [08:34]
- In a culture that shuns offending others, pastors must have the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it is uncomfortable. This involves reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience and gentleness, always aiming to build up the body of Christ. [17:09]
- True love and unity in the church are founded on truth, not compromise. Pastors must model this balance of truth and grace, ensuring that their congregations are grounded in sound theology and able to discern and refute false doctrines. [24:35]
- Pastors are called to embody both strength and gentleness, being warriors for the truth while also being kind and compassionate shepherds. This balance is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit and a continual dying to self, following the example of Christ. [30:09]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Opening Prayer
[01:22] - The Role of Shepherds
[02:03] - The Great Commission's True Focus
[02:40] - Teaching vs. Training
[03:56] - Guarding and Observing
[05:13] - Biblical Literacy and Discernment
[07:06] - The Problem of Pulpiteers
[08:34] - Shepherds, Not Just Preachers
[10:39] - The Weight of Pastoral Ministry
[12:35] - Preaching to the Local Flock
[14:49] - Teaching What to Deny
[16:32] - The Challenge of Evangelism
[18:28] - The Need for Genuine Encouragement
[20:50] - Courage to Speak Truth
[22:07] - Pursuing Righteousness and Unity
[24:35] - True Love and Unity
[26:43] - Avoiding Quarrelsomeness
[28:53] - The Balance of Strength and Gentleness
[31:17] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 21:15-17 - Jesus' instruction to Peter to "feed My sheep."
2. Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission.
3. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 - Paul's charge to Timothy to preach the word and be ready in all seasons.
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did Jesus give to Peter in John 21:15-17, and how do they relate to the role of a pastor? [00:32]
2. According to the sermon, what is often misunderstood about the Great Commission, and what is its true focus? [02:03]
3. In 2 Timothy 4:1-2, what are the specific actions Paul charges Timothy to take in his ministry? [14:49]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between a "pulpiteer" and a true shepherd? [07:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the instruction to "feed My sheep" in John 21:15-17 reflect the broader responsibilities of pastoral care beyond preaching? [00:32]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of training believers to observe all that Christ commanded. How does this differ from simply teaching doctrine? [02:40]
3. In what ways does the cultural aversion to offending others challenge the pastoral duty to speak the truth in love, as discussed in the sermon? [17:09]
4. How does the balance of strength and gentleness, as described in the sermon, reflect the character of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in a pastor's life? [30:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Great Commission. How can you personally contribute to discipleship in your community, beyond just sharing the Gospel? [02:40]
2. Consider the role of a pastor as a shepherd. How can you support your pastor in addressing the specific needs and spiritual growth of your local congregation? [08:34]
3. In a culture that often avoids uncomfortable truths, how can you practice speaking the truth in love in your own relationships? [17:09]
4. Think about a time when you had to discern between truth and almost-truth. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in future situations? [05:13]
5. How can you cultivate a balance of strength and gentleness in your own life, following the example of Christ? What specific steps can you take this week to embody these qualities? [30:09]
6. Identify a situation where you might need to reprove or rebuke someone with patience and gentleness. How can you prepare to handle it in a way that builds up rather than tears down? [17:09]
7. Reflect on your interactions with others, both in person and online. Are there ways you can avoid quarrelsomeness and instead promote peace and unity? [26:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Discipleship as a Holistic Journey
Discipleship is not merely about imparting knowledge; it is a comprehensive journey that involves teaching believers to live out their faith in every aspect of life. This journey requires discernment to distinguish truth from almost-truth and a commitment to guard against false teachings. In a world where biblical literacy is declining, it is crucial for believers to be equipped to recognize and refute false doctrines, ensuring they are grounded in sound theology. The Great Commission, often misunderstood as solely about evangelism, is fundamentally about discipleship, which involves training believers to observe all that Christ commanded. [02:40]
"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of the Bible and strengthen your ability to discern truth from almost-truth?
Day 2: Shepherding Beyond the Pulpit
The role of a pastor extends beyond preaching; it involves shepherding the local congregation by addressing their specific needs and guiding them in spiritual growth. Pastors are called to be shepherds who care for their congregations, focusing on personal relationships and tailored pastoral care. This requires a commitment to the local church community rather than a global audience, emphasizing the importance of being present and attentive to the unique challenges and struggles of each member. [08:34]
"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you support your pastor or church leaders in their role as shepherds, and what can you do to foster deeper relationships within your local church community?
Day 3: Courage to Speak Truth in Love
In a culture that shuns offending others, pastors and believers alike must have the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it is uncomfortable. This involves reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with patience and gentleness, always aiming to build up the body of Christ. True love and unity in the church are founded on truth, not compromise, and it is essential to model this balance of truth and grace. [17:09]
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)
Reflection: Is there a difficult truth you need to share with someone in your life? How can you approach this conversation with both courage and love?
Day 4: Unity Founded on Truth
True love and unity in the church are founded on truth, not compromise. Pastors and believers must model a balance of truth and grace, ensuring that their congregations are grounded in sound theology and able to discern and refute false doctrines. This requires a commitment to pursuing righteousness and unity, avoiding quarrelsomeness, and striving for peace within the body of Christ. [24:35]
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to promote unity and peace within your church community, while remaining committed to the truth of the Gospel?
Day 5: Strength and Gentleness in Leadership
Pastors are called to embody both strength and gentleness, being warriors for the truth while also being kind and compassionate shepherds. This balance is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit and a continual dying to self, following the example of Christ, who was both meek and bold in His ministry. It is essential for leaders to model this balance, demonstrating strength in upholding the truth and gentleness in caring for their flock. [30:09]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to cultivate a balance of strength and gentleness, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you achieve this balance?
Quotes
The primary work of the shepherd-teacher is to make disciples of all nations according to Christ's command in the Great Commission in which Jesus said very plainly, "You are to make disciples not only by baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but also by teaching them all that I have commanded you." [00:01:38]
The Great Commission calls us not just to teach. A lot of times people look at the Great Commission and they ask, "What is it all about?" Some say, "Well, it's about evangelism. It's about missions." Well, the truth of the matter is that all of those things are certainly subsumed within the Great Commission, but fundamentally, the Great Commission, with all of its evangelism and missions, and church planting and apologetical work subsumed within it, is about discipleship. [00:02:48]
Disciples are made not only by teaching them, but by training them. This is the language we come across throughout the New Testament; language of training, language of shepherding. We are not called simply to teach. This is why the office is the office of the pastor-teacher, the shepherd who tends, and cares, and also teaches. We are disciple-makers. [00:03:19]
We are called to instruct people, not only so that they might know what to affirm, but that they might know what is false teaching and false doctrine the moment they hear it. They can be on guard against the counterfeit, against that which just slightly contradicts the truth. Because discernment is not just being able to discern truth from error; it is being able to discern truth from almost truth, truth from just partial error. [00:04:46]
We are, first and foremost, shepherds. We are, first and foremost, those who are to care for God's people in our own communities, where we live, in our homes. We are to be a part of the care and the tending of the flock of God. Preaching is just one aspect of what we do. And, quite frankly, it is in many ways one of the simplest things we do. [00:08:51]
The pastor of a local church is first and foremost and primarily there to pastor and shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to his care and the elders' care of that church. And you say, "Well, yeah, that doesn't sound anything new or fresh, doesn't sound like a bad opinion to have." Well, in saying that, I also believe that the pastor's preaching ministry and teaching ministry to that congregation, the congregation that he knows, the congregation that he loves, the congregation that he and his family are a part of, who have friends and community within that church, that his preaching ought to be geared and focused upon the flock of God that he is called to serve, not on the rest of the world. [00:12:28]
And so, we are called to feed the flock of God among us. We are called to feed those who are under our care. And the way in which we feed them is not only by teaching, but also by helping them to know what to deny. [00:14:49]
What is the greatest sin in the world today? What is one of the greatest sins that you can commit in the world today? You know what it is? It is hurting someone's feelings. We are not allowed to hurt anybody's feelings anymore, are we? You can't say anything to anyone at any time that might make them feel badly. [00:15:29]
True love speaks the truth. The world today tells us that, "Christians, you need to shut up. You need to be silenced. Do not speak anything of what you believe, because your speech is hate speech," when in fact our speech is love speech. It is true love, true peace, true unity, not in spite of truth, not compromising the truth, not disregarding the truth, but rather true love and peace and unity resting and founded in the truth. [00:25:13]
We are called to reprove and rebuke and exhort in our teaching and feeding the flock, we are called to teach and to feed and to tend to Christ's flock with gentleness, with care, not being pushovers, not just being passive and just allowing whatever to happen. No, we are called to defend. We are called to guard the people of God and to guard the flock of God, because we are going to give an account to God for our care for them and their souls. [00:28:41]
But what God calls us to be as pastors, is not just tough and not just able to reprove and rebuke, but He also calls us to be gentle and to be kind. And the only way we can do that, the only way we can exhibit those qualities and those characteristics is by the constant dying to self every day; and every day when we mess it up, to repent and ask forgiveness. [00:30:16]
The only way we can do it is by the help of the Holy Spirit within us and by keeping our eyes fixed on our Savior Jesus Christ, looking at His example and look at His model. He rebuked. He was meek. He wasn't always mild, but that is our role as we feed the flock of God. [00:31:26]
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