Feb 12
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Now that phones come in every color I need to explain. In ancient times (prehistoric to young
readers) telephones were black. If you were an everyday “Joe Lunch bucket” kind
of person you had a black phone (Singular, as in one phone. No I am not making this up. At one time a
house would have only one phone!) Really
important people, like the president of the United States or the old Soviet
Union would have a red phone in addition to their black phones The red phone was a direct line to the other
important person for urgent communications. When the red phone rang, everything
else stopped because any message sent over a red phone was from someone
important and had to be responded to immediately.
The question I was asking with that simple reference to a red phone was “Do
you believe that a pastor’s prayers are more important than a person in the
pews.” (A pewster!) I wanted to know if
the man believed in sacerdotalism. Webster says it is a person who believes a
priest is an essential mediator between God and man.
There are a number of reasons I ask that question. First and foremost to
be sure the candidate’s doctrinal position is consistent with the church’s
stand and my own understanding of what the Bible teaches.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus;
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead, and set him at his own right hand
in the heavenly places,
Now I ask you what is Christ doing while sitting at the
right hand of God? He is mediating for
us.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the
uttermost that come unto God
by him,
seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Another reason I ask about a red
phone is to determine if the candidate for pastor views the pastorate as above
the congregation. or as a privileged
position. Over the last several years I
have noticed some pastors assume a position of authority in their church. As I mentioned recently, the pastor is not
the Shepherd. The church is not his church. The people are not his flock. Rather he has been entrusted as an under-shepherd,
to care for the Bride of Christ (the church), and to feed, protect, care for
the injured, seek the wandering and be responsible for Christ’s flock. There are men who have no heart for service,
but desire to be served. Instead of
feeding the flock they desire to fleece the flock. There is a wonderful country
and western song that says “The evangelist stands up there, with his brand new
suit and vest. He tells you to send your money to the Lord, but he gives you
his address. “
What is the lesson for us who are
not pastors? We must guard our churches
so they do not become a place that feeds a man’s vanity. Before most preaching services I whisper a
reminder to myself. “Sir, we would see Christ!”
then listen for that in the preaching.
Good preaching is not the result of years in a university, but having a
servant's heart and love for the Savior.
The pastorate can be a wonderful, blissful and fulfilling calling. Many
faithful men preach Christ and love the Savior.
They should be our example to follow.
Others may desire the pre-eminance, the power, and the position of controlling
the church and it’s members, as if it was their church and their flock to use and
abuse for their own ends. We have in the
last several years seen too many television preachers fall into the wretched
pit of money, fame, or power. We also find some who do similar things in our churches.
The lesson for us is to keep our eyes on Christ. Those who are born again, both pastor and
pewster alike, make up the believer-priests of today. We may have differing responsibilities but the same access to Christ. Do not let anyone or anything try to reduce
your standing in Christ. No matter what color phone he thinks he has in heaven!
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth
the praises of him who hath called you out
of darkness into his
marvellous light:
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