Pastor Appreciation

Central Thought:  The Importance of Appreciating our Pastors

 

Text: Ephesians 4:11-12, Jeremiah 3:15, Hebrews 13:17

 

The Lord has put in our midst mighty men and women of God who will pastor us, teach us, rebuke us, guide us and lead, Ephesians 4:11. It is very important to appreciate these men and women of God because they were hand-picked by God Himself. These Pastors are filled by the Holy Spirit and are equipped vessels of God. We must keep in mind, a man or woman Pastor has been chosen by God Himself for the purpose of preaching, teaching and leading God’s sheep. For this reason we must appreciate them because of the One who chose them. God’s chosen are to be held up in high regards because those vessels have a very important role to play in Christ’s plan for our lives. These Pastors also have to live a life that is totally sold out to Christ because it is from Christ that they receive their power. These Pastors have dedicated lives geared to serve the Lord, Titus 1:6-9. A Pastor must be a servant who has unquestionable integrity and is above reproach, the husband of one wife. They must be stewards of God, blameless, not self-willed or arrogant. Not quick tempered or drunkards. They must be loving, devout, temperate, and must make sure he or she is teaching the word of God correctly.

The words they preach should stimulate us, encourage us, and at times discipline us. A true Pastor will also pray and fast for the benefit of the sheep. Pastors should always reflect Christ because it is Christ who strengthens them. Pastor’s give much of their time and efforts to their congregation, family members, etc. Pastors in many ways are our spiritual parents who will love, guide and discipline us, Hebrews 12:11.

 1. Why is it important to appreciate of Pastors?

It is very important that we give appreciation to our Pastors because they are responsible for us like parents are to their children. We must always recognize the role that they play, was given to them from Christ. Pastors teach and preach instructions from God to help us get through our daily lives. The Lord made them stewards over us. Because we are children of God and fear the Lord, we should also in reverence, fear our Pastors, Psalm 89:7, Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 34:11. Just like a parent is responsible for their children, so is the Pastor to its sheep. This is not an easy task and commands a large amount of discipline and sacrifice, Philippians 2:3-4. To be a Pastor takes much discipline which at times is painful but later yields fruits of righteousness. Pastors spend much of their days studying, praying and fasting. Which at times takes away from the things that they enjoy such as their families and friends. A Pastor must constantly stay in the word of God so that they are not teaching a false message. They must live what they preach, 1 Corinthians 9:27. This may sound like an easy task but it is not. A Pastor puts the needs and wants of others in front of his own. These are some of the many reasons why we should show love and appreciation towards them. We should show them that we love and care about them and we should tell them how important they are to us. It is important to show appreciation with kind words and gestures and even gifts. Matthew 10:42 says, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward”.

2. What is our responsibility towards our Pastors?

One of our responsibilities towards our Pastors is to respect them. We must never show anger or hatred towards them. When we are disciplined by them we should never show rebellion. Hebrews 13:17 says, “obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you”.

We must be thankful that they love us enough to discipline us so that we must grow in the ways of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love fore their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves”.

It is important that we always submit to them because they have the job of watching over us and our souls. It is our responsibility to do this with joy and never with complaint or murmuring. For this, the Lord will bless you.

 

Daily Living Application

In our daily walk with the Lord let us take an opportunity to do good to the man and woman of God that Christ has placed in our lives. Let us live a life that is pleasing unto God. Let us reflect them whom reflect Christ. Philippians 3:17 says, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. Let us be a continuous blessing in their life.” Galatians 6:10 says, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”. The best honor to our Pastors is to live a life pleasing unto God. The ultimate show of appreciation would be to show Christ and the Pastors that we are living what the Pastors are teaching.

 

Memory Verse

Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”