AUDIO: 

One evening this past week our family was at home speaking about Saturday’s ceremony for PZ. I asked my daughters if they knew what it was about. I received 2 responses:

• It’s Pastor Zach’s funeral: Ahem… PZ, there may be times that you feel like pastoral ministry is so hard that you wished this moment was your funeral. But, take hope, Jesus has victory over every problem you will ever face in ministry and in life. Trust and seek Him.
  Jesus said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
• It’s Pastor Zach’s coronation: PZ, this ceremony does not mean that you are king. You have not arrived in ministry, nor have you completed all there is to learn. The Lord will use the length of your life to sanctify your mind, heart and ministry. If you have any doubts and think much of yourself just ask your wife…Pastoral ministry follows the model of Jesus.
  • “But whoever would be great among you must be a servant” Matthew 20:26
  • Philippians 2:5-7 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant”

Humility is essential to holiness.

• Isaiah 66:2 “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
• Matthew 23:12 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

In the final message of this ceremony, I want to share brief pastoral challenge to PZ and to the SPBC.

2Timothy 4   ~ 3 charges: 2 to PZ, 1 to SPBC 

#1 Grasp your focus (4:1)

In closing Paul’s letter, he charges Timothy “in the presence of God and Christ Jesus”.

à Zach, the Lord has chosen and charged you to live in God’s PRESENCE.
Your life is to be lived “coram deo”, before the face of God. God’s hand of favor is upon you.

• Such presence should overwhelm you.
• Such grace should cause you to overflow with gratefulness and humility.
• I encourage you to never take the calling of God for granted.
• God’s calling to leadership is a stewardship.
  • Secular leadership says DO, Biblical leadership says BE
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek” (Psalm 27:8)
    “Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:135)

 

#2 Give out your faith (4:2-8)

In the midst of a culture that is politically correct, your calling is to be biblically correct. Our world trumpets tolerance over truth. As a pastor you are to speak the truth in love rather than scratching itching ears of the worldly.

à Zach, the Lord has chosen and charged you to live as God’s PREACHER.

1. preach the word [kerysso – herald (announce victor in games), proclaim]
   • Word (message); cf. 1Timothy 1:15 “Christ Jesus came into world to save sinners”
2. be ready in any season (“kairos”)
   • whether secular employment or Christian ministry
3. reprove: to convict or expose
4. rebuke: to caution
5. exhort: to console/comfort (“parakaleo”)

There is more to pastoral ministry than just preaching, but preaching does have a priority.

“For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1Corinthians 9:16)

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders lad their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching/doctrine. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1Timothy 4:14-16

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2Timothy 2:15)

2Tim 4:5

1. be watchful (keep your head)
2. endure affliction (cf. 2Timothy 3:12 “all who desire to live godly life will be persecuted”)
3. do the work of an evangelist
   • Be the example
   • Be an equipper
4. fulfill your ministry
   • Be faithful
     “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10) 

#3 SPBC Guard our flock (4:9-22)

In closing the letter Paul asks Timothy some personal favors. He wants to see Timothy. Paul had been hurt by some people, while others left him likely for mission related reasons. In all, Paul sought personal encouragement and friendship with Timothy.

• Demas: was a fellow worker in (Colossians 4:11, 14; Philemon 1:24) but one who was distracted by the ways of the world.
• Crescens & Titus were likely sent out for mission assignment by Paul.
• Luke was on many travel journeys with Paul and is a faithful friend.
• Mark was sent away by Paul (cf. Acts 13:13; 15:36-41) but is now being called for him to return.
• Tychicus was sent to Ephesus (Col 4:7-9; Eph 6:21). Likely Tychicus would replace Timothy at Ephesus for him to go to Paul and bring Paul’s cloak, books and parchments.
• Alexander the coppersmith did Paul great harm (1Tim 1:20 delivered to Satan). Timothy is urged to beware of him as an opposer of Christianity.
• Greet: Prisca & Aquila and Onesiphorus, Erastus, Trophimus.
• Send regards: Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

18+ people = Relationships Matter

à Zach, people will desert and disappoint; remember only God is dependable. 

à ZACH – today I am saying I love you as a brother, your church is saying we love you and are praying for God to do great & mighty things in & through your life & ministry.

à SPBC, our role is to guard against loving the world more than God. [unlike Demas & Alexander]

à SPBC, thank you for caring for your pastors & ministry staff. May this increase.

• – – > God has beautiful blessings for us but we must stay

united in love & urgent in legacy for growing godly generations