THE PASTOR'S CALLING

TEXT- 1 TIMOTHY 3:1

INTRODUCTION

This morning we are going to continue with our study from the book of First Timothy looking at what the apostle Paul said to Timothy regarding the Lord's Church.

In chapter one we looked at the message of the church.

In chapter two we learned that God has a plan for both the men and women of the church.

This morning our text is found in 1 Timothy 3:1 and the title of my message is, "The Pastor's Calling."

Paul moves from discussing the congregation in general in chapter two to dealing with the leaders of the church in chapter three.

In verses 1-7 he speaks about the pastors of the church and in verses 8-13 he refers to the deacons of the church.

Today there are many different reasons why people are entering the ministry. Some of them are doing it because they think they are going to get rich through some kind of tv or radio ministry or by writing Christian books. Others do it because they think they will find job security. Some enter the ministry because they like prestige and want respect from and power over others.

Several years ago I created and put in our bulletin a "David Letterman" style list of the top ten reasons why someone would want to be a pastor.

Top ten reasons for being a pastor

10. Your wife told you to get a job or else.
9. You want to get rich.
8. You only work one day a week.
7. You enjoy bossing people around.
6. You like the attention.
5. You get better tax breaks.
4. The retirement benefits are out of this world.
3. The satisfaction of helping people.
2. Don't enjoy doing anything better.
1. God called you into the ministry.

Hebrews 5:4, "...and no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was."

This morning as we study verse 1 I would like us to consider six things that characterize the pastor's calling.