WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN NEEDS A GOOD PASTOR—Heb. 13:24

Introduction: According to Ephesians 4, pastors are God's gift to His people. A pastor is a shepherd over God's flock. A church that goes for a long time without a pastor is not what God intended. God uses human instruments to guide His flock, as well as He uses the Holy Spirit and the word of God.

If a man is right with God, then he has a right relationship with his pastor. Pastors are not perfect, but  they are God's shepherds for the sheep.

I hope that you will also see why you can't really be a dedicated, growing Christian unless you attend all the services over which your pastor presides and at which your pastor brings the message from God's word.

I've known Christians who have gone years without following their pastor, without obeying their pastor, or without even having a pastor. These Christians are more like goats than sheep. When a person gets saved, I believe that God puts a love in his heart for his preacher.

I. THE PASTOR PORTRAYS A CONSISTENCY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BELIEVE IS POSSIBLE---1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

A Good Pastor will set an example of faith and obedience to the Lord.

A. A Consistency In Faith

B. A Consistency In Faithfulness

II. THE PASTOR POINTS YOU IN A DIRECTION THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE CHOOSE TO GO---1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

A. In Setting Your Priorities In Life

B. In Steering Your Children Through Life

III. THE PASTOR PROVOKES YOU TO ATTEMPT THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE TRY---Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

A. To Stand Up For Christ

Public profession

Baptism

Church membership

B. To Serve The Lord

Attending every service

Teaching a class

Working on a bus route

C. To Save The Lost Through Soul-Winning

You CAN win souls

IV. THE PASTOR PREACHES TRUTHS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE DISCOVER---1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

A. In Scriptures That You Overlooked

B. In Services At Church That You Forsook And Did Not Attend

V. THE PASTOR PROTECTS YOU FROM ENEMIES THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE SEE---Acts 20:28-29 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

A. Preachers Who Are Wrong In Their Doctrine

B. Pals Who Are Wrong In Their Dedication

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

VI. THE PASTOR PREVENTS ACCIDENTS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE EXPECT---Hebrews 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.

A. Due To Distraction Or Ignorance On Your Part

B. Due To Destruction Ahead Of Which You Are Unaware

VII. THE PASTOR POINTS OUT DEFECTS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE OBSERVE---2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

A. Problems With Your Heart

B. Problems With Your Habits