Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 1 Timothy 4: 16-5: 2, NIV.
Dear God, please remain with us as we come together to study Your Word, and please speak to our hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Our Scripture for today is taken from a letter written by the apostle, to Timothy, his son “in the faith.” As a good spiritual father he is interested in Timothy’s growth in the things of the Lord. The advice he gives to him is noteworthy. “Pay close attention to yourself and your teachings. Be steadfast in them, this will help in the salvation, not only of the flock, but of your own soul as well.” Take inventory of yourself and what you believe! Then be faithful in living them out in your life. This will lead to the salvation of the flock as well as to your own salvation. (These are two of my personal paraphrases of this portion of Scripture). “Watch your life and doctrine closely.”
I do not believe that I am seeing too much in this text. Perhaps I am not seeing enough! More often than I would like to admit, I hear the emphasis being placed on, taking care of the flock, and not enough, if any at all, is placed on taking care of the pastor! I have lost the count on the amount of times that I have said this: “No one can give what they do not have,” pastors included!
Therefore, pastors need to recognize when they need a time out. A time to themselves to review their belief system. What am I teaching the flock? Do I believe what I am preaching? Would I be committed to preaching this gospel even if I was not paid to do so? Is the Word of God burning in my guts, so that I have no choice, but to preach? Am I living what I preach? Would I be willing to die for it? I believe that we are much more effective in preaching a message that we believe in; a message that we are excited about! Therefore, from time to time, it is a good idea for pastors to go on retreats and spend some time in a refresher’s course, wrestling with what we believe, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shed additional light upon these beliefs, and help us to grow in them.
I have seen too many pastors suffering from anxiety, stress, and even burn -out. Who takes care of the pastor? I hear someone answering, “Well that is the job of his wife, or, her husband.” And I am sure that many pastors’ spouses are very diligent and faithful in taking care of their spouse! I am almost one hundred percent sure of that. But many of them work away from home, and must also help to take care of the children, and the house, and themselves, as well. Such a situation could lead to frustration – a frustration that manifests itself in the way the flock is treated. This brings us to the following advice of the apostle to young Timothy: “Be good to the flock!”
I believe that everyone is supposed to leave church feeling “cared for.” After all, are we not preaching the “Good News?” Even sermons where “sin is called by its name,” should be flavored with love. “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” When my children were small, I would let them know that even though i was their mother, I was aware that I made mistakes; and that they had a right to correct me, but “respectfully.” I am a tickler for respect. I like to be respected. Therefore, I must respect others, in return! As ministers of the gospel, pastors of the flock of Almighty God, we must respect the flock!
In churches where we do not have a Youth Church, we must be careful to preach well rounded sermons that engage each age group, and meet the needs of all. No one needs to feel embarrassed, or left out, or disrespected, during a sermon because the content was not audience appropriate. When we are feeling good about ourselves, we are usually kinder to others. Therefore, may God help us to be good to ourselves and to God’s flock!
NOTE: To my faithful friends, my sincere regrets for the late publication of our devotionals on certain days, including today. This is always due to circumstances beyond my control. Thank you so much for your faithfulness! Blessings!