Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and, The laborer is worthy of his wage.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18 NKJV) )
A very special Pastor and scholar of the Word passed away recently, and we’re rejoicing and mourning at once. Obviously, as Christians, we know where he is, and that he is at peace this very moment. But, fellow Christians who learned so much from his teachings will miss him greatly. He followed the Word and delivered the message with fervor and great love and respect…and during his sermons, you felt the anointing as the Word came into clarity, and we learned so much in the process…He will be sorely missed, but we will meet again one day where we shall celebrate for all eternity…
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The role of Pastors/Elders involved authority particularly, in the Word and Doctrine. The scripture in 1 Timothy 5:17 states giving “double honor” which means to plainly give “extra respect” to those who work hard in leading the church through preaching and teaching. While 1 Timothy 5:18 is a quote from Deut. 25:4…an owner was commanded to allow his ox to eat of the grain it was threshing. The basic idea behind this is that a person who works hard at something should be able to benefit from it. The labourer is then worthy of his reward, a direct quote from Luke 10:7, in which Paul was referring to recorded statements of Jesus as authoritative scripture.
God sends forth many of His children to serve Him in various capacities. All are instruments for the Lord. Some individuals are used by the Lord through acts of kindness, some are encouragers, some have the role of counselor. And many are great teachers of the Word, scholars if you will. Each of these roles–and various others–have deep significance, and each of these individuals are on the same level with God, as God is not a respector of persons. God sees the heart and sees from the inside out…He doesn’t view us as man does.
The messages we bring with us, depending on the role the Lord has given us, are all important in their own way. The love we emote through our behavior are inherent rights of following Christ and His Gospel. His Spirit is within those who have accepted Him as their Savior—In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son inthe world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 KJV)
To each of us as we go forth on this earth, we should embrace the Gospel as it was meant for us to do. Envision Jesus in all that we do, and act accordingly. Feed His lambs and His sheep, care for His lambs and His sheep, and love His lambs and His sheep…Always.
The world lost an incredbile Pastor last week, but he left behind a legacy of righteous acts that followed him into the Kingdom of our Lord where he earned his long robe and crown. We will miss him with all of our hearts and remember him fondly. He made quite a difference in this world,and we thank the Lord for lending Him to us for the amount of time He did.
We have no doubt as Pastor returned home, the Lord embraced him warmly and said, “Well done my faithful and loving servant, well done…”
And, the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever… 1 John 2:17 KJV
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Magnificent landscape by GOD: captured in a photograph by Scott Birge~
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In reply to all of the above comments…yes, it’s truly hard to lose someone so special, and it is indeed as if a “family member” has moved on–actually we’re all brothers and sisters, so it’s completely true. We all belong to God and share the love of Christ. Pastor was a one of a kind and a man of merit, high scruples, with a deep wisdom that was unsurpassed in the knowledge of the Word, and one of the kindest men around….a true scholar and gentleman in every sense.
Again, although he will be missed as stated so many times, we are rejoicing knowing where he is, in heaven with the Lord and probably still teaching as I type.
God bless you Pastor for all you’ve done, and may the family find comfort knowing what a legacy you’ve left behind, and may they find solace and strength in Jesus Christ at this difficult time.
Blessings in His Precious Name~~
It feels as if one of the family dies when a good pastor and teacher leaves this earth. But how wonderful for those who learned and how wonderful for what he’s accomplished in God’s name while he was here for his lifetime. Now how glorious he’s with the Lord for eternity. Good job Pastor, good job!
Amen
Beatufiul post and testimony of God’s love and rewards.
Many blessings to you all
God’s promise of gathering His children after their life is done on earth is so comforting, and no doubt Pastor was gathered into the Lord’s arms immediately upon his last breath on earth, and started fresh in paradise forever more.
The entire bible stipulates the rewards of being a faithful servant and how joyous the reunion with loved ones, but most especially with our Father in heaven.
How glorious indeed!
Amen and God bless
Enjoy paradise Pastor, you’ll be missed for sure, but your leaving earth is truly heaven’s gain.
God bless
Amen and rest in peace Pastor. You sounded like a fine man and you left a legacy behind for so many. God is surely pleased with you, and I pray that all of us as Christians can leave a legacy behind too so when we’re called home, we’ll hear “good job fine servant good job.”
Bless you
Wow – so touching and what a wonderful man that pastor was.
God bless
The gift of teaching is just that a gift and for this man to have lead so many and teached the word so masterfully, is a gift not only for him but for the congregation as well.
God bless all pastors and teachers of the word.
Amen
Bless you
We need more good teachers and pastors, they seems to be fleeting at best. the good ones seem to be taken too quickly, but God has plans and purpose to all of our lives, and this man’s work was done and from what I can see, he was special.
Surely he’s teaaching in heaven alongside the Lord right now.
Thank you God for all the teachers of your word.
Amen
A beautiful testimony to the pastor and a lovely tribute to the Lord at the same time.
The pastors are special and have a calling to teach, it’s rare that we can find a good pastor or teacher these days, so many false preachers and teachers, beware!
Rest in peace pastor and enjoy your newfound eternity with the Lord. Amen.
awesome words and post about a truly special pastor. Thank the Lord when He sends special people our way to teach and lead.
amen
sad when someone significant passes away, but there is for us Christians the happiness of knowing they’re in heaven and we will see them again.
rest in peace Pastor, you sounded like an incredible man with knowledge of the Lord’s word.
God bless all
Awww so touching about the pastor and strong evidence of how the Lord wants us to behave with elders and pastors that are anointed and really preaching the word the way it should be preached.
Amen, rest in peace brother pastor, your did a fine job on earth your work here is done, now begin in the eternity with the Lord by your side.
Blessings to all
Powerfully moving tribute to the pastor and a good message too. So amazing when we’re fortunate to find good pastors that teach the word without preaching about their own lives and boasting about themselves.