I Magnify Mine Office

 

 

 

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.”

Romans 11:13

 

Introduction:

  1. When novices leave us for doctrinal differences after 15 minutes of Bible reading on a weekend or sing jingles about a bald head and count it a Bible argument (II Kings 2:23-24), I must and will defend God’s office for His glory and your edification, so you can despise them as much as God does.
  2. I never wanted this office, sought it, or lobbied it; I have had other careers better and easier naturally.
  3. Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul did not seek their offices, but did them by God’s commandment.
  4. My anger and sarcasm will not match the examples the Bible is full of, including God’s and Moses’.
  5. Paul had to do the same thing – defend his office and ministry – to Corinth often (II Cor 12:11-12).
  6. I have before exalted civil rulers, masters, fathers, and husbands vigorously, now it is time for pastors.
  7. This will not be an exhaustive study at all nor a series of messages. This is simply a reminder of duty.
  8. I last taught on the ministry in 1986, a sermon series entitled, “The Ministry.” It is not in e-format yet.
  9. Authority is today mocked, rejected, and presumed on by brute beasts knowing nothing … all spheres of authority … rebels should be taken out and destroyed, as God said (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).
  10. When I preached, “Who Is on the LORD’s side?” just ten days ago, I had no idea how soon we would get to put our swords by our sides like the sons of Levi and consecrate ourselves to the Lord! Glory!

The Office of Bishop

  1. God gave Jesus Christ gifts, Who in turn gave them to men (Psalm 68:18; Eph 4:8,11).
  2. One of those gifts was the pastor (like a shepherd) and teacher (as a preacher) – one office.
  3. The other title for this same office is bishop (I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Eph 6:20; Phil 1:1).
  4. Most understand an ordained teacher; they can know pastor = shepherd, bishop = overseer.
  5. No man chooses any office – they must prove God’s call to chosen men (Heb 5:4; I Tim 3:1).
  6. It is a good work, but desire is not enough (I Tim 3:1), though desire is good (I Cor 12:31).

Appointed by King Jesus

  1. The Lord took a far journey; He gave authority and work and a watch to men (Mark 13:34).
  2. By a military metaphor, Jesus is the Captain of soldiers at war (II Tim 2:1-4; II Cor 10:4-6).
  3. By a political metaphor, they are ambassadors for God and Christ (II Cor 5:20; Eph 6:20).
  4. By source of gift and as ambassador, fighting bishops is fighting God (Acts 5:4; Num 16:11).

Blessing of the Office

  1. A called man properly discharging his office can save even a very large church (Hos 12:13).
  2. It is the strength of the ox, which ministers are like, that produces (Proverbs 14:4; I Cor 9:9).
  3. It is their feet (and mouths and fingers) that carry the gospel of peace to men (Rom 10:15).

Born with a Gift

  1. Apt to teach includes the ability to comprehend, organize, and communicate (I Timothy 3:2).
  2. Jeremiah and Paul were called to ministry from their mothers’ wombs (Jer 1:5; Gal 1:15).
  3. Ruling his wife and children well is inherent and trained ability that is required (I Tim 3:4-5).

Ordained with a Gift

  1. Much of ordination is the authority to administer Christ’s ordinances and lead His churches.
  2. But it also includes a measure of the Holy Spirit to do the work of the office (II Tim 1:6-7).
  3. I can tell you sometime about a radical change that took place in me back in July of 1984.

Trained with a Gift

  1. Before ordination, an existing bishop trains the ministerial candidate (I Tim 3:10; see “also).
  2. He then conveys to him all that the apostle Paul taught with much explanation (II Tim 2:2).

Exercising His Gift

  1. A minister gives himself wholly to ministerial labors for the profit of hearers (I Tim 4:13-16).
  2. A minister avoids entanglements of this life in order to properly fulfill his office (II Tim 2:4).
  3. He must diligently apply himself with the gift God gave (I Timothy 4:13-16; I Cor 15:10).

Scriptures Are Primarily for the Man of God

  1. Do not let your vain feelings be hurt, simply submit to what the Bible actually says about it.
  2. This church exalts daily Bible reading, hermeneutics, Online Bible, quizzing, preaching, etc., which may be a mistake in emphasis, but we will not change without further evidence.
  3. The inspiration and profitability of scripture is to help preachers (II Timothy 3:16-17; 4:1-2).
  4. Ministers do the work of this descriptive sentence (I Tim 4:11,13; II Tim 4:2; Titus 1:13).
  5. God gave ministers for the perfection of saints, not personal Bibles (Ephesians 4:11-14).
  6. God’s ministers are who keep and give knowledge (Neh 8:7-9; Mal 2:7; Jer 3:15; II Tim 2:2).
  7. Christ’s ministers are stewards of God’s mysteries (I Cor 4:1-2 cp Titus 1:7; I Peter 4:10-11).
  8. Since Paul, Jesus Christ is making His ambassadors able ministers of the N.T. (II Cor 3:6).
  9. The riches of the gospel go no further than God’s ministers carry it (Romans 10:15; 15:16).

Ministerial Advantage

  1. Consider learning geometric progressions as pertaining to factor advantages between things.
    1. Two factors improved 50% yield a result 1.25 times better than the comparable item.
    2. Three factors improved 50% yield a result 3.38 times better than the comparable item.
    3. Five factors improved 50% yield a result 7.59 times better than the comparable item.
    4. Ten factors improved 50% yield a result 57.67 times better than the comparable item.
  2. Identify ten factors that give Tom Brady an advantage over a Monday-morning quarterback.
    1. He was born with exceptional physical skills e.g. coordination, agility, arm strength, etc.
    2. He was born with exceptional eyesight, peripheral vision, and thinking speed.
    3. He has played organized football devotedly since about the third grade.
    4. He has passed grueling competition in California H.S., the U of M, and the NFL.
    5. He has brilliant coaches that designed an offensive scheme for him.
    6. He practices his plays more intensely than most any other football player.
    7. He studies football films of his upcoming opponents many hours a week.
    8. He has a director of personnel that secures the receivers he needs to throw to.
    9. He has a lucrative contract hanging in the balance based very much on performance.
    10. He has the will to win – competitive courage and eagerness – that is very unusual.
    11. The Bible acknowledges this incredible drive and temperance about athletes (I Cor 9:25).
    12. While this list could be extended … if we assume a 50% advantage, he is 60 times better.
  3. What about a professional bodybuilder?
    1. They are all born mesomorphs – the body type that tends to muscularity.
    2. Great metabolism – converts food to muscular growth and energy more than most.
    3. Started young – have been lifting on an increasing basis since the sixth grade.
    4. Works out 3-4 hours every day – it is his full-time profession, so nothing hinders him.
    5. Has research assistants and personal trainers to enhance every aspect of his training.
    6. Eats a very expensive diet of carefully selected foods and nutritional supplements.
    7. Has a very strong competitive drive and is seeking to win Mr. Olympia for sponsors.
    8. Can sleep 10-15 hours a day for maximum protein uptake and recovery for next workout.
    9. Has a secretary and public relations manager to guarantee absolutely no distractions.
    10. On top of the above advantages – he uses anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.
    11. If we assume a 50% advantage, he is 60 times superior to the skinny boy reading of him.
  4. What about a pastor? You could think of Paul, but Paul had great supernatural advantages.
    1. Born with an intellectual ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and synthesize quite fast.
    2. Growing up in a pastor’s home, he learned the Bible very young and heard controversies.
    3. Education to read, write, speak, history, logic, etc., the tools of research and persuasion.
    4. Motivated highly by a vow, God’s grace in salvation, and a debt for more sins than most.
    5. Full-time job to study Bible 30 to 100 hours weekly (not a weekend warrior for minutes).
    6. Collection of Bible study tools and their constant use leverage his ability many times.
    7. Trained and proved by another, trained and proved by another, all the way back to Paul.
    8. Responsibility to rightly divide the word of truth weighs heavily after proper ordination.
    9. Challenged by opponents in books or person forcing deep consideration of all arguments.
    10. Bible familiarity by constant use causes intuitive practice of II Pet 1:20 and I Cor 2:13.
    11. A body of knowledge, of interpretations and arguments, conveyed from ministers orally.
    12. A 55-year-old bishop will have accumulated quite a store of interpretational experience.
    13. The scriptures were designed and given by the Author to him as bishop over other men.
    14. The Spirit given to him in a measure and with an end design different from other men.
    15. Responsibility to protect and ambition to teach and nurture drive great attention to detail.
    16. Church members and friends in the kingdom of God praying for God to bless His studies.
    17. A commitment to never change a point of doctrine without a tsunami of evidence for it.
    18. While the list could go on, 15 factors are serious – if we assume 50%, 438 times superior!
    19. Church members will vary on the individual factors from inferiors to peers to superiors.
    20. Little children (young without experience of any kind) and novices (new converts without knowledge or experience in the faith) will be more inferior than the 438 times above.
  5. This will not offend but please wise men – every wise person wants a doctor 438 times more knowledgeable than himself – even so with a mechanic, financial planner, or president.
  6. Bishops gladly and easily submit to this measuring tool in other professions in other fields, as they acknowledge and praise the accomplishments of professionals they do not question.
  7. The foolish, immature, inexperienced, rebellious, or proud will miss this understanding, because they are too stupid to know what they do not know!

Authority of Office

  1. To get in the office, a man must prove to an existing bishop that he can fully rule his family.
  2. Once in the office, he has authority to enforce obedience to the gospel (Tit 2:15; I Tim 4:11).
  3. A good minister is known by how well he rules the congregation (I Tim 5:17; Romans 12:8).
  4. Church members are to remember them, obey them, and submit to them (Heb 13:7,17,24).
  5. In controversies, the priest’s or judge’s decision from the law was final (Deut 17:8-13).
  6. God knew controversies would come between law and commandment (II Chron 19:8-11).
  7. God’s ministers should scripturally distinguish between holy and profane (Ezek 44:23-24).
  8. Even when ministers disappoint personally, yet their office deserves respect (Matt 23:1-3).

Respect of the Office

  1. Murmuring against God’s minister is murmuring against God (Numbers 16:1-11; I Sam 8:7).
    1. Aaron and Miriam learned not to speak against God’s minister – Moses (Num 12:1-15).
    2. Forty-two children learned not to mock or ridicule God’s man – Elisha (II Kgs 2:23-24).
  2. The elders of Bethlehem trembled at Samuel’s presence to anoint David (I Samuel 16:4).
  3. Ministers are to be highly esteemed in love for their work’s sake (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).
    1. They are to be accounted or reckoned as the ministers of Jesus Christ (I Cor 4:1-4).
    2. Ministers are to be had in reputation and received with all gladness (Philippians 2:29).
  4. Even if young, a bishop should be honored and respected (I Timothy 4:12; I Cor 16:10-11); the only reference to respect for age is in social courtesy along with women, boys, and girls.
  5. Bishops are not to be accused, even to another one, without witnesses (I Ti 5:19; Mat 18:15).
  6. I trust I have not and will not disrespect other bishops, even those with whom I disagree.

God’s Defense of Ministers

  1. Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses, so God gave Miriam leprosy and shame (Num 12:1-16).
  2. Korah and company criticized Moses, so God buried alive and burned alive (Num 16:1-35).
  3. Ahaziah the son of Ahab presumed to tell Elijah what to do and lost 102 men (II Kgs 1:1-16).
  4. Forty-two little children were torn by two she bears to confirm Elisha (II Kings 2:23-24).
  5. God protects his prophets, which Bible history bears out, except for martyrs (Ps 105:15), as in the case of Abraham the prophet with Abimelech king of the Philistines (Gen 20:7).
  6. The king Uzziah presumed on the priests’ office and died with leprosy (II Chron 26:16-21).
  7. The ruler of authority and peace in the church is to be doubly compensated (I Tim 5:17), following the OT rule that priests received 120% of average compensation (12 tribes x 10%).
  8. It is called rule, and it is harmful for you if a bishop must complain to God (Heb 13:7,17,24).
  9. Peter represented God closely enough Ananias and Sapphira died before him (Acts 5:1-11).

Foolish and Unlearned Questions

  1. If you think Revelation 1:6 nullifies the need for bishops, you do not deserve an answer.
  2. If you think I John 2:20 or 2:27 nullify your need for a bishop, you do not deserve an answer.
  3. If you think II Cor 4:5 puts them down, think civil servants; you do not deserve an answer.
  4. If you think James 1:5 gives you smarts above your pastor, you forget others pray it for him.

The Gainsaying of Core

  1. Where do the impudent scorners come from? Pride and self-righteousness are prime causes.
  2. What should be a minister’s response? “Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:15; I Tim 4:12).
  3. They say the same thing, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?”
    1. A little Bible reading at home, they envy the pulpit, position, and power of a preacher, no matter how faithful and humble he may be (Num 16:15).
    2. Moses tried to avoid his call (Ex 4:1-17), and he was the meekest man (Num 12:3); but Korah and his arrogant friends despised his divine call in their greedy lust for fame.
    3. Rejoice! God opened the earth and swallowed the leaders, their families, and everything they owned (Num 16:23-34)! His fiery vengeance consumed 250 fools that had joined them (Num 16:35)! And He ordered their golden censors beat into a covering of the altar to warn others against envying the ministry (Num 16:36-40)!
    4. Of course, before the lesson was over, the LORD killed another 14,700 for pitying the rebels He had either buried or burned alive (Num 16:41-50)!
    5. Then He blessed Aaron’s rod for a perpetual testimony against imposters (Num 17:1-13)!

Conclusion:

  1. When novices leave us for doctrinal differences after 15 minutes of Bible reading on a weekend or sing jingles about a bald head and count it a Bible argument (II Kings 2:23-24), I must and will defend God’s office for His glory and your edification, so you can despise them as much as God does.
  2. I never wanted this office, sought it, or lobbied it; I have had other careers better and easier naturally.
  3. Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Paul did not seek their offices, but did them by God’s commandment.
  4. My anger and sarcasm have not matched the examples the Bible has, including God’s and Moses’.
  5. Paul had to do the same thing – defend his office and ministry – to Corinth often (II Cor 12:11-12).
  6. I have before exalted civil rulers, masters, fathers, and husbands vigorously, now it is time for pastors.
  7. This was not an exhaustive study at all nor a series of messages. This was simply a reminder of duty.
  8. I last taught on the ministry in 1986, a sermon series entitled, “The Ministry.” It is not in e-format yet.
  9. Authority is today mocked, rejected, and presumed on by brute beasts knowing nothing … all spheres of authority … rebels should be taken out and destroyed, as God said (II Pet 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).
  10. When I preached, “Who Is on the LORD’s side?” just ten days ago, I had no idea how soon we would get to put our swords by our sides like the sons of Levi and consecrate ourselves to the Lord! Glory!

For Further Study:

  1. Sermon: Ordinance of Authority.
  2. Sermon: Do We Need Teachers?.
  3. Ssermon: Miriam and Korah.
  4. Web document: Ministerial Handbook.
  5. Sermon: “Authority Exalted and Enforced,” … not in e-format at this time; preached in 2011.
  6. Sermon Series: “The Ministry,” … not in e-format at this time; preached in 1986.