The Lord’s Harvest Community Church

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
Spiritual Characteristics of the Pastor’s Authority

Key Verse: Hebrews 13:17, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Definition:

Stewards - Oikonomos (oy-kon-om’-os)= the manager of household or of household affairs, esp. a steward, manager, superintendent (whether free-born or as was usually the case, a freed-man or a slave) to whom the head of the house or proprietor has intrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age. (Strong #: 3623)

Biblical Truths:

1. IT IS A MINISTERING AUTHORITY–THE AUTHORITY OF A SHEPHERD (Acts 20:28; 2 Co. 13:10; 1 Pet. 5:2). The authority of a pastor is for the purpose of building up and protecting God’s people and work.
Acts 20:28, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
2 Corinthians 13:10, “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.”
1 Peter 5:2, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;”
2. IT IS A SUBMISSIVE, HUMBLE AUTHORITY–THE AUTHORITY OF A STEWARD (Mark 10:42-45; 1 Co. 3:9; 4:1; 12:7; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10; 5:3-5). The pastor is to rule under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ, not by his own mind or will. The church is God’s property; the people are God’s people; the work is God’s work. Pastors are merely stewards or caretakers.
Mark 10:42-45- 42, But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”
1 Corinthians 4:1, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
3. IT IS A LOVING AUTHORITY–THE AUTHORITY OF A FATHER (1 Th. 2:7-11). The pastor is to have a godly, loving, tender, sacrificial consideration for the welfare of the people. His rule is not to be an overbearing, self-serving type of rule. He rejoices when his children mature and stand on their own feet.
4. IT IS A LIBERATING AUTHORITY–THE AUTHORITY TO BUILD UP NOT HOLD DOWN. “For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed” (2 Cor. 10:8). See also Ephesians 4:11-12.

This Week Challenge
Commit to making the pastor’s leadership duties done with a joy and not with grief.

 

 Spiritual Characteristics of the Pastor’s Authority [33:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

DISCOVER LIFE BIBLE STUDY
Instructor- Dr. Juan P. Barrientez II
The Pastor’s Authority

Key Verse: Acts 20:28, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Definitions:

1. Pastor - A shepherd; one that has the care of flocks and herds. A minister of the gospel who has the charge of a church and congregation, whose duty is to watch over the people of his charge, and instruct them in the sacred doctrines of the christian religion. (Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of American English)

History- The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

2. Elder - Presbuteros (pres-boo’-ter-os); among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably (Strong #: 4245)
3. Overseer/Bishop - Episkopos (ep-is’-kop-os); a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent. (Strong #: 1985)

Biblical Truths:

1. THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE IN CHURCHES CALLED RULERS AND OVERSEERS (Acts 20:28; 1 Th. 5:12; Ph. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1; Tit. 1:7). These verses teach that God-called pastors (the same office is called elder and bishop) have authority over the assemblies. Other Christians are to submit to this authority. The pastors are over me in the Lord. When I honor and submit to them, I am not submitting merely to a man; I am submitting to the Lord and Chief Shepherd of the church.
2. EACH CHURCH IS TO HAVE ITS OWN LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT (Tit. 1:5; Acts 14:23). Since this is clearly the N.T. pattern, any outside form of control over the churches is unbiblical and dangerous.
3. EVERY PASTOR IS TO BE GOD-CALLED, SCRIPTURALLY QUALIFIED, and ORDAINED (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1). N.T. churches are not to be led by unordained people or by people who cannot do the whole work of a pastor. Every pastor is to be both a teacher and a ruler (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:9-11; 1 Pet. 5:1,2).

This Weeks Challenge
Make a commitment to submit to Pastoral Leadership

 

 The Pastor’s Authority [31:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This coming Saturday we will be starting a new series looking at the role and authority of the pastor in the local church. Who calls and appoints pastors? What does the bible consider pastoral duty? What is the extent of pastoral authority? Is he responsible for the work of the ministry, because he is paid by the church? What responsibility do members have in regards to their pastor? We will be answering these questions and more. Starting this coming Saturday July 21, 2007.

Meet us at Shield of Faith Church
1134 NE 20th Street in Oklahoma City

The Lord’s Harvest Community Church seeks to operate in a “Spirit of Excellence”. Although, we are not big in numbers we want to display a big image within the community. We hope this new logo sends the proper message and represents the vision driving this new ministry. This is only the beginning and the best is yet to come. I believe even a small church can do big things, when we are submitted to the guidance of our BIG God.

In His Service,
Pastor Barrientez

Of course we all do from time to time. Pastor Barrientez and The Lord’s Harvest Community Church wants to be that conduit for “Words of Encouragement” in your life. This is a free service from us. However, standard text messaging rates apply. Meaning if you have unlimited text messaging on your phone, there is no additional charge. This service will begin in August, so sign-up today.

You can now find The Lord’s Harvest Community Church listed in iTunes and GodCast1000