A Pastors job is to feed, love, care for, and be an example to the Lord’s church.

1 Peter 5:1 - 3 "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (2.) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3.) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

I believe the word “elders” is speaking to Pastors. I know it means aged men, but I believe here that it means Pastors and Ministers because the word “feed” in verse 2 means - to tend as a shepherd – making this a Pastors example. I know there are some who would argue with me, and that’s ok because most people are just looking for something to argue about. But for the sake of the thought let us assume I am right. Peter says in verse 1 “The elders which are among you I exhort…” the word “exhort” means – I want to call this to your attention – in other words if you are a Pastor or Minister in charge of one of the Lords churches you need to pay close attention to what is about to be said. Peter went on in verse 2 and said “Feed the flock of God which is among you…” this is our job in the church and our charge from the Lord. Any Pastor or minister who is not teaching the meat of the scriptures is failing the church and the Lord. Church is not a playhouse for swinging singles, ball game, or anything else it is a seminary for a biblical education. If the membership is not learning the scriptures the Ministers have failed and the church is weakened. The ministers and especially the Pastor will be held responsible for the churches educational failure. Peter went on to say “…which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly…” A Pastor must take the oversight in the church; he is the appointed leader and ruler of the Lords church. Not the ruler as one who controls or dictates, but one who makes sure the church is fed properly, and run properly. This is a work, "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." 1 Timothy 3:1 and if a man does not want to fulfill the office of Pastor as the Lord has commanded it is better he quite and let someone else fill the office. Churches are not playhouses nor are they talent shows; they are the most important institution on the earth. Therefore tending to one of them is a full time job, there is no such thing as a “part time” pastor. If you have the oversight of one of the Lords churches you did it willingly and not by force. If you do anything for the Lord you do it willingly because those who are truly called are chosen and God makes us willing to do His will. Jesus was not forced to die, He gave His life, and neither are we Christians forced. Peter went on to say “…not for filthy lucre…” That is not for self glory or gain. The word “filthy” shows it to for something dishonorable, which could be many things. Personal glory would also fit here. Peter also said “…a ready mind;” that is with a cheerful heart, with the Lord and churches benefit in mind instead of self. And then Peter in closing here said, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Not being lords but examples to those who serve under us. Being a Pastor or Minister in the Lords church is a richly blessed work if done decently and in order; the main purpose is to feed and have oversight in the Lords church. We are only good Pastors if we follow Gods rules in oversight, and we are gauged by the truth we teach. 1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." The churches need to allow their Pastors to do their work and when the Pastor doesn’t do his work then it is a churches responsibility to dismiss him and find another one. The Church is an important place and there is no place for fun, pleasure, or failure.

God’s Appointed Time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

As we read the writings of “The Preacher” whom most believe to be Solomon the son of King David, we find a diamond in the scriptures. I personally love to study about our Sovereign Lord. The sovereignty of God makes me thrill to my bones and make my heart shout with joy. God is so wonderful and much more so when He declares His sovereignty. When the “preacher” penned the word “season” he was speaking of God doing all things according to the council of His own will or God’s Sovereign Will. Ephesians 1:11 "...being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:" The word “seasons” here means – an appointed occasion – whether it be of time, an event, or a person, everything functions according to God’s purpose and will. In verses 2-8 we see the word “times” used 28 times. We see it used 14 times arranged in pairs of opposites, for example “A time to be born, and a time to die” Now let us look at this in a proper prospective; everything (without exception) has a purpose and a season or appointed time. Whether it is birth or death, to plant or to pluck up, a time to mourn and a time to dance, and etc, etc, etc. No matter what it is God has in a sovereign way created it, appointed a time for it, and a time when it is to began and end. God has set the bounds and nothing can pass God’s bounds. God has said of man “Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; Job 14:5 Man fails to realize that his days are numbered by God and when that number is accomplished that person will expire. What the “preacher” told us in Ecclesiastes 3 has a deeper meaning than man likes to admit, it says God controls everything in existence. Let’s use a very controversial subject as an example, “Climate Change”. Whether it exist or not doesn’t even matter, why not, you may ask, because we cannot pass the will and plan of God. Is the earth heating up? Well maybe it is or maybe it isn’t we all know that one day God is going to melt the earth with “fervent heat” "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (12.) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” 2 Peter 3:10, 12 we often worry about things we cannot control. If we believe what the “preacher” wrote then we also see we cannot stop death. Death is appointed of God, he is the one who controls all life, He gave it and He can and will take it at His choosing. Why does God allow abortions? God has the power to stop abortions, He has the power to control the minds of those involved, but He allows it because He has a purpose in it, what it is; only God knows. God has the power to stop death, floods, natural disasters, and anything else but again He has a purpose in them all. While we look at it all as horrible, God sees it as beautiful because it is all done according to His blessed will and purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." We do not always see the blessedness of death, to us it us final and an end, but to God it is a beautiful thing. We do not know the mind of God nor do we know the plan of God, but be assured God knows because He is sovereign in all His ways. God hath appointed; not some events and things, but all events and things. Beloved when something happens it is better to recognize it as God’s blessed will and move on, but some have a problem with that, if so then maybe this scripture from the “preacher” will help. Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him."

Trust the Lord and He will never fail you.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” Matthew 14:29

We sometime find ourselves of little faith. Faith is biblically defined as "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 A. H. Strong’s defines it as “persuasion” which means - belief in something – and W. E. Vines defines it as “trust”. Either way it is defined it always ends with an uncertainty or dependence on someone else. Peter knew his ability to walk on water was an impossibility, he knew if he tried he would sink, this is not faith but a known fact. But Peter said in verse 28 “… Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” With Peter knowing without the power of Jesus he would sink then he had to have faith in Jesus power to hold him up. Therefore Peter stepped out on the water and walked, with success. It was only when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus that he began to sink. “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Verse 30 This reminds me that if we have a hot plate sitting in front of us; then we touch it to see if it is hot. Peter knew once his faith in the Lords power slipped then he would sink but he did it anyway; but the Lord saved him any way. Folks if we trust in the Lord, then let us trust in him. All Christians at certain times always take our eyes off the Lord and trust in ourselves even though we know without the Lords power we will fail. Our future is an uncertainty, except where we trust the Lord. We know only what the Lord tells us in His word, but we will do everything in our power to fix something or change something that we cannot fix or change. Faith is stepping out of the safe boat and walking on the water, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Life is moving forward with our faith and eyes on Jesus, let us not take them off when trouble comes, the Lord is in control. The old quote is “if the Lord leads you to it; He will lead you through it”. However, it is wonderful to know the Lord loves us enough to lift us back up and help once we cry to Him. Jesus said to Peter in verse 31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” or “why did you fail to trust me”. Folks, if you are convinced that the Lord has led you into something then trust Him to get you through it. Even if the waters rise into a wave and everything seems to be falling a part, keep moving forward, trust the Lord and He will give you a hand and lift you to safety. We as Christian know this, just as we know the plate sitting in front of us it hot, but sometimes we just forget what we are not to do. Once our eyes are lifted from Jesus than we will began to sink and we become “O thou of little faith”. We all fall into this same unfaithful way, because if we did not and our faith was as strong as it should be there is no telling what we could truly do as Christians. Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” I cannot explain why we have such little faith in this flesh but we do, every time trouble comes we start to worry and doubt. Beloved, it is the Lord in whom we trust, so let us all trust Him more and more, and when the storm begins, let us trust Him even more. Because if we take our eyes off of the Lord then we will surly began to sink. “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9.) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." Psalms 118:8 – 9 Trust in the Lord and certainty will come.

Exclusion

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” John 17:9

Does Jesus Christ love the entire population of the world? Did He die for the entire population of the world? Is there really such a thing as election which excludes a large section of the world population? In today’s churches pastors preach that all have the opportunity to be saved; it is just a matter of making a decision, choosing, praying a prayer, being baptized, joining a particular church, or etc, etc, etc. They would demonize the doctrine of election as something horrible on God’s part if it were true. They whip their congregations into a hatred frenzy over the teaching and then tell their people to do things that they cannot do, like making a choice to allow Christ into their hearts, or turn over a new leaf. But I must ask where are those terms used in the bible? In all the accounts of salvation, no where are these commands ever quoted. Why not? Because they are man made terms and are useless. The truth is no one has an opportunity to do any of these things, because salvation is not of man, it is of God, Who gives salvation to whom He choose and not to any who would choose Him. The short answer to our question “is there exclusion with God” the answer is yes! Yes because without election not one single person would have ever been saved. Romans 3:11 “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” They will not seek Him because they neither understand Him nor want Him. They want to be religious because they believe they have something, it makes them feel good, or it makes them think they have something they neither want nor have. People simply want to feel good, they want to feel like they have made a difference in their life and have something special because they are good people, but the truth is they have neither. There is an exclusion with God, He hated Esau, He chose Judas Iscariot to be a devil, and without election all souls would have went to hell. God chooses a lot more than you think He does and He has chosen and adopted His children to be His and also delivering them. God loves the elect and hates the rest of the population. His judgments will be great upon them, and in eternal hell fire will they suffer. The truth is election is real and exclusive and those that believe it to be a lie are in danger of eternal suffering. How could God leave salvation up to man, if man will never come to Him for salvation? John said in John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…” and in Romans 8:14 God said “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Then I must ask who can make a decision for Christ? Do all have the opportunity to be saved? If you look up the word draw in John 6:44 it means “to drag” because we will never come on our own. We see it in Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” We also see it used in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Where we must exclude the word “men” because it was added by the translation and is not part of the original text. It is additions like this which confuse the weak. I will conclude with this thought. If you are one who thinks election is of the devil then simply study it. Read the scriptures it is used in and think about them. Just because election is exclusive does not make it of the devil, it makes it Gods love toward them who otherwise would have never repented from sin, and that makes it wonderful!

You Cannot Hear Without Spiritual Ears.

Matthew 11:15 "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

If one is totally deaf then they cannot hear anything, no sound at all. It is the same with spiritual deaf people, they hear nothing spiritual. In the world learning is easy, 1+1=2 or spelling cat is simple, or hearing and understanding an average conversation, but it is not as simple with God’s word. God said in 1 Corinthians 1:23 "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" as a “stumblingblock” to the Jews a stumblingblock means - something that offends them – but why? Because they totally reject Jesus Christ as the Messiah, they hated Him so much they hung Him on the cross like a criminal, and today is no different. The Greeks are anything not Jew, in other words it means the Gentiles, and to them it is “foolishness”, that’s right to preach Christ crucified is foolishness because simply His crucifixion could never be enough to save a sinners. There must be more than just the crucifixion of Christ Jesus in order to be saved. The Jews stumble at the crucifixion of Christ Jesus and the Greeks thinks its foolishness because they are both with deaf ears. How many times does the bible say we are not saved by works and they must include works of some sort into their salvation. It would be foolishness to believe that salvation is totally in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, foolishness to say that the spilt blood of Christ cleanses all our sin’s, but God said it is true. It is too simple when God said "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:15 but that is just too simple. Salvation as a gift is also too simple, they cannot believe that Christ’s death was enough to save a sinner, no we must also do something, but I ask what? Do we not sin once we are saved? Is our works for salvation better than our life before salvation? Folks, we are never perfect in this life whether saved or lost unless Christ blood cleanses all our sins. The problem is they have no spiritual ears to hear and then Christ as Saviour becomes foolishness to them. So, since they don’t like God’s plan of salvation, since they have not the ability to hear the truth, they set out to “establish their own righteousness” which is foolishness to God. "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Romans 10:3 they have called God a liar, when they themselves are the fools. 1 John 2:22 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” Brethren, we can preach and argue until Jesus Comes and it will accomplish nothing until the Holy Spirit gives those ears to hear. This is why I stopped arguing years ago, it does no good unless the Holy Spirit gives them ears to hear. I have been told in laughter that believing that Christ is Saviour and enough to save a sinner simply is too simple. However, to us who have ears to hear let us hear, let us hear the Pastor when he preaches, hear the teachers when they teach, these are God’s messengers delivering God’s messages to the hearing ears. While the Lost may not hear or understand, as Christians we ought to hear and heed Gods messages, and His word. What a blessing it is to be able to hear Gods word, and what sadness it is to ignore what is said. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."