What kind of man should a pastor be? What should the local church expect of him? What should he expect from the local church? Our study of First Timothy will answer these and many other such questions.
Read Philippians 2:19-20 to gain a better understand of this pastor to whom Paul is writing. “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have NO MAN likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”
What a revelation about the heart of this young preacher. A man who “naturally cares for the condition of the sheep God has allowed and anointed him to lead and feed. What a supernatural work of grace in his heart to “naturally care”. That is the difference between a real shepherd and an hireling. This is the heart of a servant, not a tyrant.
It mattered to Timothy when believers were hurting; when they were not walking in fellowship with the Lord and the church; when they were not living up to their potential, not exercising their spiritual gift and edifying the body of Christ; when they were wasting time, resources, and life. It honestly, sincerely, genuinely mattered to him. His ministry was more than a job with a good financial package. God help us!
Timothy’s love for the sheep he tended was exemplary of the love of God in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Let it be said of all of us, “One thing I know about my pastor -He loves me! They do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. Be one who cares. Work after worship and proceed after prayer, care continuously, and love at all times.
BLESSINGS!
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