THE TENT’S MINISTER
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Feb. 7, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
THE TENT’S MINISTER
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church……Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Acts 18:1-3
Text: Acts 18:3
Acts 18:3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
Introduction: As we think about the local church in our series of messages about what the Bible says about tents, we come now to the tent’s minister. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one who said He would build His church. However, the Lord always uses instruments to get His work done on earth.
Paul was a tentmaker. He was a church planter. He was a church builder. He was the minister of the tent. Many of the problems in local churches are the result of an improper understanding of WHO IS IN CHARGE, under the Lord, of the direction of the work of the local church. Nearly every Southern Baptist church is run by the deacons. Many, far too many, independent Baptist churches are likewise controlled by a board of deacons or trustees.
This brings me to my first point about the tent’s minister, the pastor:
I. HE IS A MANAGING BELIEVER
By “A Managing Believer,” I mean that the pastor of a local church is a Christian who is the administrator in charge of the church, under the direction of God. I heard a church member refer to himself as the “president” of his church. Probably he was the president of the church corporation, and he felt as if he were in charge. The president, CEO, general manager, boss, head, etc. over the local church is the pastor.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
A. He is chosen from the body
* God always chooses a sinner for this task
* God always chooses a saint
* God always chooses a servant
B. He is called for the business
* He leads the sheep; the sheep do not lead him
* He manages the sheep; the sheep do not manage him
* Practical example of who is in charge: If the people can fire the pastor, they have the oversight. If the pastor can fire the people, he has the oversight.
C. He is charged for the benefit of the church
* Churches NEED pastors – Eph. 4:8-12; Heb. 13:17
II. HE IS A MASTER BUILDER
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
A. Of holiness
B. Of happiness
C. Of hope
III. HE IS A MARKED BODY
Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
A. He is marked by the battle
B. He is marked by the building
C. He is marked by the brethren
IV. HE IS A MESSAGE BEARER
Hebrews 13:7 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.
A. The message is one of guidelines
B. The message is one of goals
C. The message is one of guarantees