“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:2-4 NKJV
6. A good Pastor/Minister is a good example: he leads, and does not drive; he feeds and builds, and does not destroy; and he lives what he preaches.
a. In 1 Corinthians 4:9-21 Paul talks about the price he and the other Apostles paid to bring the Gospel to the Corinthians and the other cities and nations. They loved, disciplined, and cared for them like they were their own children.
1 Corinthians 4:15-16 AMP – After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). 16 So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.
b. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-18, Paul talks about how he and the apostles suffered much persecution and hardship to bring the truth of God’s Word to the world, but they did it willingly and joyfully, because of the reward of seeing the fruit here on earth, but most of all the reward waiting for them in heaven when they died.
c. In 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, Paul talks about the fact that he and the apostles did their utmost to set a good example to all, even through terrific hardships and sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 6:3-7 AMP – We put no obstruction in anybody’s way [we give no offense in anything], so that no fault may be found and [our] ministry blamed and discredited. 4 But we commend ourselves in every way as [true] servants of God: through great endurance, in tribulation and suffering, in hardships and privations, in sore straits and calamities, 5 In beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless watching, hunger; 6 By innocence and purity, knowledge and spiritual insight, longsuffering and patience, kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love; 7 By [speaking] the word of truth, in the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]
d. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul sets the standards for those who would desire a leadership role in the Church. These are the standards required:
He must give no grounds for accusation, but must be above reproach; the husband of one wife; circumspect, temperate and self-controlled; sensible, well-behaved and dignified; lead an orderly, disciplined life; hospitable; be a capable and qualified teacher; not a drinker of alcohol nor a drunkard; not combative, but gentle and considerate; not quarrelsome, but forbearing and peaceable; not covetous or a lover of money; he must rule his own household well and with dignity, with obedient, respectful children (for if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?); he must not be a new convert, or he may become blinded by conceit and pride and fall like the devil once did; he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church; he must have integrity and be beyond reproach; he must not be shifty and a double-talker, but sincere in what he says; he must preach the truth of the Gospel, with a clear conscience. The woman likewise must be worthy of respect and serious; not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled; thoroughly trustworthy in all things.
e. Paul instructed Timothy concerning ministry, in 1 Timothy 4:11-16, and his advice applies to all those the Lord calls into ministry. He instructs him to:
Be an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity; study the Word; to preach, teach, exhort and instill doctrine; to not neglect the calling, gifts and anointing on his life that were given to him by the Holy Spirit; to throw himself wholly into doing God’s will and serving the Church; to make sure that he lives what he believes and preaches. This advice is also for the rest of us who are called to ministry.
f. In 2 Timothy 2:1-13, Paul instructs Timothy further:
Be strong; raise up more leaders, who are reliable, faithful, competent and qualified to teach other also; endure the hardships and suffering of a first-class soldier of Christ Jesus, with the aim of satisfying and pleasing only Him; work hard and run the race with integrity; whatever you suffer on earth, you will receive an equivalent reward in heaven; remain faithful to Him, for He is faithful to you; study hard and rightfully divide the Word of Truth; don’t waste time arguing or being argumentative; cleanse and separate yourself so you can be a vessel unto honor; shun and flee from youthful lusts; pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace; be kind; be a skilled teacher; correct your opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in order to possibly win and convert them.
g. In Titus 1:4-16, Paul reiterates what he said before to Timothy, about leadership, including these qualities:
Be a person of unquestionable integrity; not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and conduct, or unruly and disorderly; blameless; not self-willed or arrogant or presumptuous; do not be quick-tempered; be hospitable and generous; be sober-minded; sensible; discreet; upright and fair-minded; devout; temperate and self-controlled; hold fast to the Word and teach it as you were taught it; keep the message pure and accurate; correct those who are in error.
h. These standards do not apply only to the apostles and early church leaders, but they fully apply to us today. We must aspire to be like the apostles and follow and imitate them as they followed and imitated the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17).
2 Timothy 1:13-14 ERV – What you heard me teach is an example of what you should teach. Follow that model of right teaching with the faith and love we have in Christ Jesus. 14 This teaching is a treasure that you have been trusted with. Protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us.
