Good Study Helps - Constable's Notes...

Over the years I have accumulated a vast number of study helps. In the early days you would find me haunting used book stores and library book sales all across four states. Finding a classic Bible commentary in the dark corner of a back room for ten cents was a dream come true. One man's trash was another man's treasure!

As software became the rage and I learned how to use the stuff, I began to trade-in the old hardback editions for digital. The more adept I became to computer Bible programs, the more volumes I added. In addition to such mountains of reading wealth I also found Bible study helps available online freely accesible for daily use.

Today I want to introduce you to one such incredible resource. Pardon me if you are well aware of these online Bible study notes, but I have met many pastors who have never heard of theme before. I am speaking of Dr. Constable's Expository Bible Study Notes. You will find these amazing notes located at: https://planobiblechapel.org/constable-notes/ 

The following details are given as an introduction to these notes: "Dr. Constable’s Notes, authored by Dr. Thomas L. Constable, provide commentary on all 66 books of the Bible and contain over 12,000 pages of material in PDF format. Dr. Constable taught at Dallas Theological Seminary for 45 years, and served as the Chairman of its Bible Exposition department for 13 years. He now spends most of his time upgrading these notes. These notes are intended to help you to understand the Bible better."

I have used these notes for many years and found them to be of great value in my sermon preparation. Those who have used them upon my recommendation have also spoken very highly of their benefit. Should you choose to use this resource, I believe you too will be as blessed as I have been. Enjoy and tell others!

Boost for Pastors from Good Books...

Encouragement for Today's Pastors: Help from the Puritans / Help from the Puritans

 by Joel R. Beeke and Terry D. Slachter

 Reformation Heritage Books

 Grand Rapids, Michigan ( January 25, 2013)

 224 pages

"The diligent study of the Scriptures strengthened Puritan pastors in the seventeenth century and enabled them to keep going in ministry, even in the worst of times. God encouraged them so they might encourage others (2 Cor. 1:4). Reading the Puritans has encouraged us immensely. It is our conviction that the Puritans have much to say to pastors today. Though this book is intended to strengthen the mind, it aims primarily at ways in which the Puritans can strengthen the heart." 

- from the Introduction, page 13

 

On Being a Pastor / Understanding Our Calling and Work

 by Derek Prime and Alistair Begg

 Moody Publishers, Chicago (2004)

 304 pages

 "Finally, both the pastor and teacher himself and the church fellowship of which he is a part need to be clear as to his function and place in the body of Christ. His principal task is to edify the church by spiritual feeding. We cannot overestimate the importance of the edification of God’s people through regular and systematic teaching and preaching of His Word. A seminal Scripture for thought is Acts 9:31 where Luke explains that, after Saul’s conversion, “the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” The implication is that as the church was strengthened spiritually, so it grew numerically. Since the Church grows and flourishes as the Word of God has free course and is honored, any uncertainty as to the place of pastors and teachers in the Church militates against the spiritual stability, discipline, prosperity, and growth of Christ’s people. It is not surprising that Satan uses confusion concerning their place in the Church as a subtle ploy to harm her." 

- from the Introduction, page 14

Don't throw in the towel...

"Two dangers exist for pastors when it comes to setting standards for success. One is to shoot for the moon. The other is to throw in the towel... 

Who is more successful: the pastor who grows a large church or the one who maintains a church in a stagnant area? The pastor who preaches to thousands or the one who lovingly cares for individuals one by one? The pastor who impatiently pushes people to deeper discipleship or the pastor who patiently accepts the shortcomings of his people? Yes...

Faithfulness, shepherding, teaching, patience, perseverance, growth, progress— these are some of the facets of the diamond of success. Each alone won’t bring glory to God, but together they make a lustrous offering to him."

           - Stuart Briscoe, 

Measuring Success,  In Measuring up: the need to succeed and the fear of failure, (Waterbrook Press, 1993) 

Wherever the Lord has planted you pastor... May you seek the wisdom and grace to maintain the blended qualities that bring the greatest possible glory to God and ... don't throw in the towel!

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."  - Colossians 1:28–29

Shepherding day by day...

“Shepherding, like parenting, requires patience. This kind of work is not done in a single sermon or in a day. Sometimes, of course, God does cause breakthroughs in a single sermon or crucial conversation. But usually the work of eldering is as repetitive and daily as walking the flock to a fresh field for grazing. It is like making the daily meals, or taking the kids to school.”  

- Mark Dever, "Understanding Church Leadership", (B&H Publishing Group, 2016)

A pastor leads the flock "...in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). His task is simple, yet profoundly demanding from day to day. Throughout the journey, like King David, who "shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them". (Psalm 78:72), the flock is always on his heart. As a labor of love, he feeds, nurtures, protects, and gives his life to bring each one home before dark. 

As you care for His flock this week, may the Lord give you all you need to Shepherd with patience. And, in His time, may there be breakthroughs that will greatly encourage your heart as you keep "making the daily meals and taking the kids to school".

Can they hear you?

"A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. A word spoken by you when your conscience is clear, and your heart full of God's Spirit, is worth ten thousand words spoken in unbelief and sin... It is the voice of Christ that wakens the dead soul. Jesus speaks through the Bible, through ministers, through providences. His voice can reach the dead. He quickeneth whom He will. They that hear, live..." - Robert Murray McCheyne

"Can you hear me now?" - These words were made popular by a Verizon Wireless commercial that ran from 2002 to 2011. They have also been repeated by many pastors with second rate PA systems. After all the work is done for sermon prep, it's quite frustrating when our words aren't heard beyond the third row. But thankfully, it's not the well-crafted sermon outline, highly emotive illustration, or designer amplifier that "wakens the dead soul".

Be encouraged my brother. When you enter the pulpit, prayerfully prepared, empowered by the Spirit, and open the passages of God's timeless truth to hungry and hurting souls … the voice of Christ is heard. As McCheyne well stated, "A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God". As you bring God's message to His flock each week, be confident and preach for change. Jesus will speak through His Word and they "Will hear Him now"! 

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."

- Matthew 7:28-29 

 

Only One Master..

The Sunday that I was being considered for the role as pastor at my first church, a young believer asked this question: "Do you serve God, or man?" The Next year Bob Dylan wrote the song "Gotta Serve Somebody". The issue is thought provoking and life directing. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters" 

Leadership conflict and approval dates as far back as the early church. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10 "No one can serve two masters" 

Paul faced quite a dilemma with the churches in Galatia. The believers had initially trusted in the finished work of Christ for their salvation, but now there were false teachers that sought their allegiance. These teachers were winsome and convincing, teaching a works salvation. They were seeking the approval of their own circle of peers and were determined to increase their followers. Paul sought the approval of the Lord alone and was simply saying, "No one can serve two masters"

There is no safer path than the one that follows the Lord alone. Pastor, do you seek the Lord's approval first and foremost in your leadership decision? Is His will the most important thing in your ministry? Church bosses come and go, but when you serve the Lord you will never go astray. Remember, "No one can serve two masters"

"Many a man is more a slave to his admirers than he dreams of: the love of approbation is more a bondage than an inner dungeon would be. If you have done the right thing before God, and are not afraid of His great Judgment Seat, fear nothing, go forward." 

— Charles H. Spurgeon

Building People Lasts Forever...

At the ripe young age of 27 I accepted the call to serve as the solo pastor of a struggling 26 member suburban church. It was a small church. Over the following five years the Lord blessed with many conversions to Christ and 26 baptisms. Our church grew to 60 in size with a variety of family ministries, but it was still a small church.

For a young, passionate, and driven pastor, ministry just didn't move fast enough. Our church was surrounded by larger churches with more programs and far better "bells and whistles". We would lead people to Christ, baptize them, and disciple them, only the see them move on to bigger churches. Yep, we were still a small church.

I came to learn more in that small church than any seminary class could ever provide. The one lesson that kept my wife and I on point and pressing on was the following: God's call for every pastor and ministry leader is simple - "make disciples". The promise of Jesus is: "I will build my church". So, we focused on God's call - building people. 

Over the years we have watched with great joy those people who we spent time building. Some went on as active church leaders, others followed God’s call to missions and still others went on to become pastors. Church buildings come and go. Some grow big and some stay small. But, growing people for God lasts forever and makes all the difference.

“But making disciples is far more than a program. 

It is the mission of our lives. 

It defines us. A disciple is a disciple maker.”

                     ― Francis Chan, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples 

Doors of Opportunity...

"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:7-8

I graduated from the Word of Life Bible Institute in 1972. Our class verse was Revelation 3:8, because we believed the Lord had set before us an open door of ministry. Fifty-one years have passed since we graduated and the door still remains open. The times have changed but the spiritual need of people remains the same and every morning brings new doors of opportunity.

Jesus opens doors of opportunity for every one called to ministry. When we are young, we may feel unprepared and overwhelmed with new opportunities. When we are older, we may feel worn down and outdated. But be encouraged, even when you have "little strength"... "no one can shut" the door that Jesus opens.

Pastor, as you face each new day, are you looking for the open door that Jesus has placed before you? Keep his word, stay true to his name and walk through that door. Go make a difference for Jesus today!!

“Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.” 

― Jim Elliot