If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
Titus 3:10-11
We need church leaders, (Pastors, Teachers, Apostles, ministery leaders, etc) and the congregations, boards, and people standing with them, that aren’t afraid to practice these words.
This would guard us from infighting, slandering each other and all the place of the evil one to divide us and turn us against each other.
Jesus said that the world will know that we are his disciples by our love for one another.
We must protect that love we have for each other against advice of people. Who only seek to divide so that they may take charge and lead people astray. These people have been taken captive by the devil to do his will.
We must beware of these types of people. And guard our hearts, our congregations, and our fellow Christians against these people.
It’s time that church leaders, especially pastors, to start standing up for the truth and being The Gatekeepers of the church that they were called to be.
Whatever the pastor allows in the church, he or she is saying that they approve of these people or their actions.
It is a pastor’s duty to stand up for the truth and to protect their congregations and leadership from being infected by the hate of the evil one, the influences of this world, the pleasures and desires that this life, and from all the Sinister schemes and plans of the evil one.
It is the duty of the elders to support their Pastor in his or her duties and to stand behind him or her when he or she is doing his or her Godly duty of protecting the congregation. And also to protect the pastor from his or her own weaknesses and personal opinions.
To support him or her in continuous prayer and to offer them Holy Spirit inspired wisdom and advice.
It is the duty of the congregation to make not only the pastor’s job but all of leaderships jobs easier. By submitting to their Authority, not blindly, but with the leading of the Holy Spirit, with all humility, only bringing accusation against leadership out of love and concern with the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Don’t make their job harder by being contentious, prideful, hard-hearted, or by being slanderers, murmurs or complainers.
If you are blessed with a pastor that is a man or woman of God who truly loves and cares about the flock God has put under their care, give thanks to God for such a person.
For they indeed are a rare thing. For most pastors these days, it seems, are only doing it for the money, the fame, or for selfish ambition.
But the few who are doing it because it is the calling upon their lives and they truely care for the sheep (those) God has placed under them, and truly want the best for them, for them to mature in Christ, to learn to hear from God themselves, for them to be prepared to do the work God has given them to do for His Kingdom, and to stand firm until the end, for these people give thanks.
Stand behind these Godly pastors who are faithfully, with much humility, fulfilling their Godly duties to protect you from the schemes of the evil one, from the wolves in sheep’s clothing of this life, and of all those who would seek to destroy your faith and your lives.
Trust the holy spirit’s judgment in them, after having their character proven, that when they bring correction in the church, it is not done lightly or hastily.
Do your best to make their job and the job of the elders, and deacons for that matter, a joy and not a burden.
Lift them up in prayer continuously, knowing that they have a very hard and difficult job. They must stand firm for the truth, against many attacks and only from the Devil, but from the people of this world.
They take a lot of heat and criticism from The world at large, from a society that says it’s wrong to preach absolute truth, that it is judgmental to put people out of the church that are causing divisions, spreading lies or slander, or otherwise seeking to cause harm to their flock.
They have enough to deal with from the attacks they get from the outside, from the Devil Himself, not to mention the contentious people he sends their way everyday, they don’t need more opposition and grief from the ones are called to protect and nurture by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
So it is the congregation’s job to lift not only the pastor, but also all the church leadership, in prayer, to supply for their needs, and to see if there’s anything they can do to help them and support them in their calling and duties.
And that means more than just throwing money at them, it means calling them up and asking them what you can pray with them about, inviting them out you’re home for a meal, or out to eat if you’re not a good cook, to use whatever gift God has given to you to show them that you care about them as a person and are there for them.
Remember that they are human as well and they can feel overwhelmed and alone more often than you think.
They need to know that you are standing with them. There is no greater blessing for a pastor or church leader, or anyone for that matter, then to know that they are cared about and loved.
Giving them your time, and just a little bit of your ear, really will go a long way to making them feel appreciated, and lighten their load.
It really will go a long way to making their job a joy. Fellowship is one of the most powerful weapons we have against the enemy.
Besides that, it is also good to know the heart of your leadership. And what better way to get to know your pastor’s heart, and the heart of your leadership, then to spend time with them and get to know them?
So I challenge you, on behalf of the Holy Spirit, take time today to show appreciation to not only your Pastor, but all your church leadership.
Whether it’s sending them a quick email, a card, a handwritten letter, a quick phone call, or inviting them out for lunch, etc, make sure you know that they are appreciated and loved.
Do not take them for granted. They really are a gift from the Lord.
So Pastors, stand firm and do your duty, without fear, but with humility, in love. Do not be swayed by popular option or the will of others. Stand firm in faith fearing and obeying God above all else.
Elders, church leadership, stand firm with your Pastor, protect him or her themselves. Lift them up in prayer, and give them Godly, Holy Spirit inspired advice.
Congregation, don’t make your Pastor’s or your church leadership’s job harder than it has to be. Get to know them and their hearts and let them get to know yours. Support them in your prayers, give them some of your time and show them that they matter, that you care, and they are not alone.
If you do these things, you will do well. And you will protect yourselves from the plans of the evil one, find the power of this age, and the influence of this world.
Then you will become one and you will be known that you are Christ’s disciples by our love for one another.
We must stand together, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, especially in these dark and evil days in which the world and the evil one wants to divide us.
So as your pastors stand firm in the faith and faithfully do their duties, so be faithful to do yours also and support them.
Let the words of Titus 3:10-11 burn in our hearts and may we obey them and all of God’s word in all that we do. Especially those in leadership and pastors.
And may God pour out His riches blessings and love upon you as you obey His word and faithfully and humbly execute your duties and responsibilities. Amen