Pastor's Execution Being Referred to Supreme Ayatollah (video)

(If you can't see this video, click here.)

Life of a Pastor (and Death)

"Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death...through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:23, 27b-28)

I wanted to print the entire passage (2 Corinthians 11:23-29), but I didn't want to lose you. It's just so appropriate as I want to talk about the life of a Pastor. (Believe me when I say: It's not to gain anyone's sympathy. I left the pulpit going on five years ago. I am writing for my brothers.)

"Don't you just golf all week?" And I guess that's probably the best statement to sum up some people's ideas of a Pastor's life. Truth be told, there was a time where even I was dumb enough to think it was easier than a "real job." (Now do you believe I'm not looking for sympathy?) I think we're all pretty naive when it comes to real life and other people's situations. What's the saying, "Walk a mile in somebody else's shoes"?

I never thought about it like this before. But the above verses in Second Corinthians (with its entire context) are really about a Pastor's life. Go read it again. (For Paul, it was literally speaking.) My professor in college told us, "Don't go in the ministry unless you're ready to die." And then as a Childrens and Youth Pastor I began to learn. I remember my Senior Pastor telling me, "Mike, there is one person in this church that is more lonely than you." (Fill in the blank.)

And then you add on top of that the Devil. And though we do not battle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12a), Satan uses flesh and blood ~ people ~ to hurt Pastors the most ~ even "Christian" people.

You think you know spiritual warfare? You don't know spiritual warfare. No you don't. Do you remember D-day? Do you remember the beaches at Normandy? (Click on the picture above and spend some time there.) That's spiritual warfare (climbing those cliffs, German guns blazing, no hope of surviving). That's the life of a Pastor (and death).

And some of you are looking at him with disdain. (I'm using "you" just to make the point. I hope it's not you.) And some of you are treating the Pastor like dirt. (Maybe not outwardly, but inwardly some of you are.) And some of you ~ did you know the Devil's using you to try to destroy the Pastor? I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. Repent.

I tweeted the other day for men to get their you know what's over to the local church body and support the Pastor who's on the front lines dying for Christ's cause (and in some places all by himself). Don't you dare let him stand there alone. Don't you dare.

You might also be interested in:

• Pastor Preoccupation
• Why I'm Using Four Letter Words in Church

Discerning False Teachers (in 30 seconds)

Pastor Mike talks about the difference between a faithful teacher and a false one. Do you know how to tell?

Discerning False Shepherds (in 30 seconds)

Pastor Mike talks about how it really does matter who your spiritual leader is. Are they faithful or false?

On Sloppy Preaching and Popes

Ex cathedra. It's a term that basically means what the Pope says goes and you don't question it. Uh uh. No way. It's "gospel." And what's crazy about it is it can happen even outside the Vatican with preachers and Christian leaders. People can begin to think that what they say goes and you better not question it. And it may or may not be that their words are offered at "ex cathedra" levels, yet still it's taken as "gospel" by some. And I'm gonna go out on a limb here. (How else do you get any readers?) Here's the limb: There's a lot of sloppy preaching in our day. (I'm so convinced of this.) And I'm not necessarily saying that it's to the point of heresy (though in some cases it comes close), but it's sloppy preaching at the very least. And just because somebody gets in front of you who's sold a lot of books doesn't mean you don't test what they say. (1 John 4:1) Are you hearing me? Of course, the Bereans scrutinized Paul's words to see if they were true. (Acts 17:10-12) Should they not have just accepted it? He was an apostle after all! And don't forget that even the devil can quote Scripture. (Matthew 4:5-6) Many are led astray by false prophets/teachers in the last days. (2 Peter 2:1) It starts with sloppy preaching and Popes?

6 Points of Prayer for Your Pastor

I saw Jimmy Swaggart on TV the other day. And you may or may not know of his moral failure (sin) a couple of decades ago (except for the grace of God there go I), but it can happen with men in the pulpit. Just like us they can succumb to temptation, too. Oh, I know they can sometimes come off/present themselves as being untouchable, above it all, on the verge of sainthood, but it couldn't be further from the truth. I'd like to suggest that preachers/pastors/christian ministers/leaders are the most vulnerable of all to attack. It's not because they're any different than us. It's because they're cut from the same mold. And more than that. They are the ones in charge. Take them out and you take out the flock. Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter? "'Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.'" (Luke 22:31) I suggest the devil's making the same demand of every single preacher. Which compels us to be praying for them. Can I exhort you to do just that as regards the man (or woman) of God who guards your soul? Here's a good starting point...

6 Points of Prayer for Your Pastor:
(Click on the references to read verses.)

That he would not be enticed by pornography. (Job 31:1)

That he would be careful to not lord it over the flock. (1 Peter 5:3)

That he would love Jesus so much he would never do anything to hurt Him. (Genesis 39:7-9)

That he would be obedient to Christ's voice and not the crowd's. (John 18:37-38; Mark 15:15)

That he would have a trusted friend to talk to in time of need. (Job 6:14)

That his congregation would give him the benefit of the doubt and treat him with mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

No Ministry Less Than Worthwhile

My brothers and sisters, this is now the second of three in a “Best of Pastor’s notes” series that I thought I might offer these last three Sundays of me being with you. The first was from the last century you might recall (January 10, 1999!). Today’s is from this one – April 21, 2002 to be exact. I especially appreciate what follows because it really puts things in perspective. Beloved, there is no work for Jesus that’s less than worthwhile. And don’t you ever forget it! Here’s the note:

“[There was a] faithful pastor who was told by his superior that something was wrong with his work. The supervisor told him, ‘Only one person has been added to your church this year, and he is only a boy.’ Later that day, heavy of heart, the pastor was praying when someone walked up behind him. Turning around, he saw the same boy – his only convert that year. The boy said, ‘Pastor, do you think I could become a preacher or missionary some day?’ The pastor encouraged him to pray and seek God about it. The lad was Robert Moffit who was destined to open Africa to the Gospel of Christ. Years later when Moffit spoke in London, a young doctor heard him say, ‘I have seen in the morning sun the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been.’ The young doctor, deeply moved by Moffit’s message, was none other than David Livingstone. In 1840, he sailed for Africa where he labored for Jesus for more than three decades – all of this happened because a faithful pastor encouraged his ‘one convert.’” (contributed by Bruce Howell to sermoncentral.com)