The Ballestero Blog

THE HEARTACHE OF A PASTOR!

(THE LESS GLAMOROUS SIDE OF PASTORING)

IT’S NOT ALL:

• Getting To Be 1st In Line
• Chicken Dinners, Nice Suits
• Weddings & Baby Dedications
• Preaching On Sunday With A Smile
• Going Fishing
• Receiving Compliments,
• Driving A Nice Car,
• Going To Conferences

GOD HAS JOBS FOR THE PASTOR THAT’S:

• Harder Than Digging Ditches
• More Distasteful Than Toilet Cleaning
• Lonelier Than Stranded On An Island
• As Undesirable as Being A Skunk Skinner

ANYONE CAN SAY, “I’M A PREACHER”

• But Only God Can Give A Preacher A “Pastor’s Heart”
• Often It Seems He’s Punished Because He Cares.
• If He Didn’t Care, He Wouldn’t Be So Bothered
• Let’s Have A look Inside A Pastor’s World
• At the Heartaches He Has
• (Or The Less Glamorous Side Of Pastoring)
• So You Still Think You’re Called?

1. DEALING WITH DISASTER

 (Amos 3:12)  Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear;

• Sometimes All That’s Left Of A Situation Is Bits & Pieces
• Unwed Mothers, Immorality
• Marriage Conflicts, Divorce
• Internet, Porn, Chat Rooms
• Rebellious Teens
• “taketh” – (progressive verb) The pastor’s job is never over.

2. WANTING SAINTS TO BE SAVED WORSE THAN THEY WANT TO BE SAVED.

Samuel – (1 Sam 15:11)  It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

(Saul didn’t cry all night. Samuel did.)

• Watching Those You Love Mess Up
• You Can’t Help Those That Won’t Let You Help Them.
• The Preacher Can’t Save You Without Your Help
• Preachers Often Hang On For A Soul Even After God Gives Up (Moses/Israel) (Samuel/Saul)

3. SEEING NO RESPONSE

• No Response = Rejection of Message
• No Worship
• No Amens – Seed On Stony Ground
• Never Moved By Word
• If You’re Not Working With The Pastor, You’re Working Against Him.

4. TO BE CONSIDERED AN ENEMY, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP.

Elijah (1 Ki 18:17)  And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

(18)  And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.

• Ahab: Hast thou found me o’ mine enemy?
• Paul: Am I your enemy…  ‘Cause I Told You The Truth?
• Miciah – Ahab hated him.
• Sanballat – Tobiah, Let Nehemiah Build The Wall while they found fault.
• Israel – Moses, You Brought Us Here To Die?

(Rom 13:3)  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

(Rom 13:4)  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5. FEEL LIKE YOUR PREACHING IS USELESS

 Paul (Gal 4:11)  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

• Sermon Goes Unheeded,
• Your Spinning Your Wheels?
• Plowing In the Sand?
• No Results, No Progress, No Fruit?
• Remember Noah?
• Elijah Felt Alone – “I’m Only One Left”

6. DISRESPECT IN CONGREGATION’S CHILDREN

Elisha   (2 Ki 2:23)  And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

(2 Ki 2:24)  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

7. HAVING TO TELL THOSE YOU LOVE, THAT THEY’RE WRONG

 Nathan   (2 Sam 12:7)  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.

• Preaching Is Meant To Save You, Not Hurt You
• Blood On Preacher’s Hands If He Don’t Say What God Said.
• Not Knowing Their Reaction Of The People

8. FEELING REJECTION

 Paul (2 Tim 1:15)  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;

(2 Tim 4:10)  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,

 (2 Tim 4:16)  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

 (2 Tim 1:16)  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

THEY WERE ASHAMED OF PAUL’S CONDITION. WE’RE ASHAMED OF:

• Our Over Zealous Worship, When Visitors Come
• Holiness Preaching, Standards
• Long Dresses, Long Hair
• Old Time Pentecost

WHY AREN’T WE ASHAMED OF:

• Babies Out Of Wedlock
• Charismatic Worship, No Depth
• Quiet Prayer Rooms
• Gospel Rock “Worship” With Spirit-less Singers
• Make Up On Our Women,
• Dressing Like The World
• Jewelry
• Laodicean Spirits
• The Effeminate Men Among Us
• Our Rebellion & Disobedience
• Trimmed Hair On Ladies
• Robbing God,
• Board Run Churches
• No Missions Burden
• Our Love Of Hollywood
• Gossipping
• Whore Mongers,
• Backbiters

9. THE PASTOR’S WORST HEART ACHE OF ALL

(Heb 13:17)  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

10. THE JOY OF A PASTOR

 (3 John 1:4)  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Make Your Pastor’s Life A Lot Easier. 

• Love Him
• Live Right,
• Show Him Honor
• Be Supportive
• Be Faithful,
• Receive The Word,
• And Keep Him In Your Prayers

Thank God Every Day For Your Pastor!

You Want The Blessings Of God On Your Life? Then Bless God’s Man And God Will Bless You!