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Into God’s House

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil… 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV

God cares about pastors because he cares about his people

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… 1 Peter 5:2 ESV

A pastor must…

Pastors are important because they…

Protect the church against dangerous people

So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Acts 20:28-30 NLT

Care about my soul

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Teach me how to live my life as a Christian should

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV

In my house, it’s my rules. In God’s house, it’s his rules

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Spend a minute quieting yourself from distractions - perhaps it’s as overt as noise from your phone, or as subtle as the inner monologue in your mind. Ask God to meet you in the moment, regardless of your circumstances, and ask for his guidance during this time. Consider your reaction to this weekend’s message. What is stirred in you? Emotions of love? Compassion? Anger? Bitterness? Resentment? Even hate? Whatever it is you’re feeling, confess those to God and ask him to walk with you through those feelings. Ask God to expose areas where you see pastors differently than he sees them. Overly positive viewpoints about pastors can lead to idolatry, where we worship them over the God who appointed them. On the other hand, negative viewpoints about pastors can lead to skepticism and bitterness, cutting us off from hearing God’s message of redemption and hope. Stay with these emotions, allowing God to wash over them. Now turn your attention to Jesus, the world’s only perfect pastor, and thank him for showing us what that looks like, loving us completely in the midst of our brokenness. As you focus on Jesus, consider Exodus 19:6 and what it means for us to be called to be a “kingdom of priests”. Ask God to show you specific ways this week where you can be more like Jesus, and as you are attentive to these things, use them as a reminder to pray for the leaders of his church - that God’s kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven.

Discussion Questions

  1. When was the last time you were truly excited to be invited to go somewhere or to do something? Describe the emotions that came alongside that invitation.
  2. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Which of the qualifications for a pastor in this passage was the most surprising to you and why?
  3. Read Acts 20:28-30. When have you felt guarded or protected by a pastor against a false teaching or doctrine and what could have happened to you if they weren't there?
  4. Read Hebrews 13:17. Do you tend to find it easy or difficult to obey your leaders at church? Why do you think that is and is there anything you need to change as a result of God’s instruction?
  5. Read 1 Timothy 3:14-15. What is one of the most significant things that you have learned from a pastor and in what specific ways did it shape your life?
  6. Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4. What is one thing you can do this week to better pray for the pastors and leaders of Sandals Church (As a bonus, consider closing your group by praying for Sandals Church’s leadership and asking God to protect them as they protect us!)