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ORDINATION MESSAGE
JOHN 1:6-8
 
Pastor Stephen Muncherian
May 17, 1998

This morning we are focused on ordination - and the ministry of a pastor - and I’d like to share with you 3 verses from John chapter 1 - John 1:6-8. These verses describe John the Baptist and help us to see what it means to be called of God to serve Him.

John 1:6-8: “There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.  He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light [Jesus].  He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.”

In these verses there are three important truths about pastors and ministry we want to highlight. The first is that:

1. PASTORS ARE PEOPLE

I was at a banquet once - maybe you’ve heard an introduction like this - the introduction was so long - so flowery - listing just about everything about the speaker including height - weight - and age - that it actually was almost longer than the speaker’s message.

The Apostle John says “There came a man....” There are a number of ways John the Baptist could have been introduced: John is the forerunner of the Messiah - the announcer of God’s coming gracious salvation. He was a powerful preacher with a ministry to thousands. Jesus said of John, “Of those born among women there has not arisen anyone greater than John” (Matthew 11:11)

But, John the Baptist is described in scripture as a man plain in character. From birth living a life of self denial - dedication - piety towards God. He could be found out in the solitude of the desert - dressed in camel’s hair and eating locusts and honey. A man of courage - humility - holiness.

Of all the descriptions of John, the one that is the most powerful is right here in verse 6. In the simplicity of the Apostle John’s words: “There came a man....”

No flowery language - no glowing larger than life introduction - He’s a man. Beyond the gift and calling, pastors are people - pilgrims on the same journey with everyone else - by God’s grace trying to serve our Savior.

Too often pastors are put on pedestals and expected to be what God has never called them to be. Sometimes pastors put themselves on those pedestals - sometimes congregations do.

A few years back I was given a list of what is sometimes expected of pastors:

If the pastor’s hair is gray, he’s too old
If he is young in appearance, he lacks experience
If he visits too much, he ought to be in his study
If he doesn’t visit, he’s lazy
If he visits only the poor, he’s trying to get recognition for being spiritual
If he visits only the wealthy, he’s after money
If he makes suggestions to improve the church, he’s a dictator
If not, he’s a figurehead
If he preaches an hour, he’s too long
If he preaches short sermons, he’s lazy and doesn’t study enough
If he fails to please everybody, he hurts the church
If he does please everybody, he has no convictions
If he gets a large salary, he’s getting too much
If he preaches on financial stewardship, he’s a money preacher
In fact, whatever the pastor does, someone can always tell him how to do it better!

We use this term "verabadveli" - reverend - and its very misleading. Because it can put the pastor in a position which God never intended. "Verabadvel" - to reverence - to venerate. It comes from "ver" - above, and "badvel" - to honor. “To honor above others.” But there is only One who is worthy of reverence and veneration - our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Hoveev" - "pastor" is descriptive of what a pastor does - God's given place in the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12 is a familiar description - the Church as the Body of Christ - one Body - many gifts - some more visible - some less visible - all important. “Pastor” is one gift of many. And its interesting that we don’t call others in the Body of Christ by their God given titles: "Mercy" Torrosian - "Giving" Torrosian - "Helps" Torrosian - "Faith" Torrosian.

The congregation is not called to somehow assist while the pastor - this elevated person - does the ministry of the church. We are all called to serve Jesus together in humility.

Pastors are people - like all others - by God’s grace trying to serve our Savior. John is a man.

2. PASTORS ARE CALLED BY GOD

The Apostle John writes, “There came a man - sent from God, whose name was John....”

About 30 years before Jesus was born - there was a priest by the name of Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth - who were living in the hill country of Judah. They were a Godly couple - righteous - obeying the commands of God. And, they had no children because Elizabeth was unable to bear children. Even though the were pretty old - they were still praying for a miracle - that God would gift them with a baby.

And, Zacharias was a high priest of the division of Abijah. In those days the priesthood was divided into 24 divisions of priests - each division served in the Temple 2 weeks out of the year. Not a bad job - two weeks of work and 50 weeks of vacation. When they were working - the work was divided up by lot - random choice. Each priest was given his own individual responsibilities.

The most solemn duty was the burning of incense. Because it required the priest to come closest to the Holy of Holies - the innermost room in the Temple - the holiest place on earth. The honor of burning this incense was given only once in a priests lifetime - and many of them never had the honor. It was a unique and sacred privilege. On this one day, Zacharias was chosen.

Picture this scene. While this huge crowd is outside praying - at the appointed time - Zacharias and His two assistants proceed to the door of the Holy Place. Then, leaving his assistants outside - Zacharias proceeds inside to place incense on the burning coals.

And inside - as Zacharias goes in - standing next to the alter - is the angel Gabriel - the messenger of God. My heart would stopped. “I’m dead for sure.” What a scene.

Gabriel says to Zacharias “....your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. He will bring joy and gladness to his parents and many others. He will be great in the sight of the Lord - His message will be to call the hearts of Israel to repentance - He will be the forerunner of the Messiah.” (Luke 1:5-12, 13-17, 18-25)

This is no ordinary answer to prayer. God answers the prayer of this Godly couple in a way that goes beyond anything they could have imagined. God has called John from the womb to be His messenger.

Sometimes we think that we ordain and we call pastors. But, who are we? - servants acting in obedience to God. Ordination and calling to pastoral ministry are not the work of man but our acknowledgment - our recognition - of the work of God in and through the one He has called.

And this is true of all of us here today. God calls pastors - and God calls each one of us.

God says to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

David declares of God, “Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance - you saw me when I was conceived - and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:16)

Jesus tells us that the very hairs on our heads are numbered and that number is known to God (Matthew 10:30)

And the Apostle Paul - who writes of His own calling - being set apart from the womb - writes in Ephesians of us - “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 2:10)

It is no accident - that today - we are here together. God has called each one of us to be here. He has called you - to be here - before you were born. You are uniquely created by Him and for Him.

Say that with me - “God has uniquely called me.”

The third truth is that:

3. PASTOR ARE CALLED TO TESTIFY OF JESUS

The Apostle John writes - verse 7:  “He - John - came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light - Jesus.  He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.”

As a pastor - as a Christian - one of the great challenges is to not take credit for what God does.

A while back I was listening to a Christian radio station that was advertising an upcoming series of meetings. And the enticement to come was the main speaker. The enticement to come and to hear this man speak was given as the size of his church - one of the biggest on the West Coast - the scope of his ministry - and all of the national religious organizations that he belongs to. In other words, this guy is a big shot in the ministry and so you ought to come and hear him.

I don’t know this pastor - I hope he didn’t have anything to do with this ad. But, it seems so strange. If a church grows - if ministry develops - if people come to Jesus and grow up in Him - if there is blessing and revival and and growth - it is the work of the Holy Spirit - or it better be. Growth should be to God’s glory - not ours.

We’re so tempted to judge our accomplishment by the number of people attending services and the number of kids in our Sunday School. We feel good when we meet budget. We show off our church facilities and are impressed with the value. It is so easy to stumble and loose sight of what the Holy Spirit is doing.

John the Baptist was in the midst of a powerful ministry - thousands were coming out into the wilderness to hear him speak. Sometimes its hard for us to get up and come to church and sit in comfortable pews. John had thousands of people - out in the hot - dry - dusty wilderness sitting on rocks.... and loving it. They were comparing Him to the great prophet Elijah - He had become like a Messiah to the people.

During the height of his ministry someone asked him, “Who are you?”

John answers - verse 20 - I am not the Christ - verse 21 - I am not a great prophet - verse 23 - I’m just the advance messenger - verse 27 - the forerunner of the one whose sandals I’m not worthy to untie.

And the next day, when Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized, John points to Jesus and says - verse 29:  “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

This is the calling of a pastor - this is God’s calling for each of us. Ordinary people - called by God - to testify of Jesus - the Savior of the world.

"There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.  He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light.”