May 31, 2012
The pastor’s primary duty, Alistair Begg impresses upon us, is the proclamation of God’s Word. Preaching is deliberately directive, involving giving people an understanding of the Bible and appealing to their will and emotions for response. To be effective, pastors must possess spiritual wisdom and have experienced the power of the Gospel they proclaim. Skill in rightly dividing God’s Word and discerning the needs of God’s people is also essential. Pastors everywhere need their congregations’ support and prayers in these efforts.
1Now xthe Spirit expressly says that yin later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to zdeceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2through the insincerity of aliars whose consciences are seared, 3bwho forbid marriage and crequire abstinence from foods dthat God created eto be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For feverything created by God is good, and gnothing is to be rejected if it is ereceived with thanksgiving, 5for it is made holy hby the word of God and prayer.
6iIf you put these things before the brothers,1 you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have jfollowed. 7Have nothing to do with irreverent, ksilly myths. Rather ltrain yourself for godliness; 8for while mbodily training is of some value, godliness nis of value in every way, as oit holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9The saying is ptrustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10For to this end we toil and strive,2 because we have our hope set on the living God, qwho is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11Command and teach rthese things. 12sLet no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers tan example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14uDo not neglect the gift you have, which was given you vby prophecy when the council of elders wlaid their hands on you. 15Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,3 so that xall may see your progress. 16yKeep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save zboth yourself and ayour hearers.
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Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.