Bible Study: What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors
Hymn: 524:1, 4 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds Psalm 90: 12-17 Creed (Back Cover) Lord’s Prayer (Back Cover)
THE TABLE OF DUTIES
What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors
The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instruction. Do no be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:6-7
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
How are pastors identified here?
How are Christians in the church identified here? What does that mean in relation to supporting the pastor?
How else is the church called to support her pastor?
How do we mock God if don’t support our pastor?
What else is owed to pastors? Why?
Where does a pastor’s authority come from?
Prayer for Hearers of God’s Word
O Lord Jesus, we give thanks to You for the gift of pastors who preach Your saving Gospel and administer Your life-giving sacraments to us. Crucify our flesh and destroy all impenitence and unbelief in us, so that we who have received faithful instruction in the Word of God might provide generously for the support of our pastors. Teach us to believe that our pastors, who faithfully sow the seed and tread out the grain of Your Word, are worthy of their wages and are entitled to reap from what they have sown. Teach us to believe that preaching and teaching Your Word is the most important work that our pastors do, so that we might honor and support them in this work, live together with them in the peace ofYour forgiveness, and hold them in the highest regard in love for the sake of the Gospel; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.