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We Need Pioneering Men Of God!

History is littered with spiritual men of pioneering spirits. The giants of David Livingstone, Shubal Stearns, and Percy Ray, to mention a few. Each of these men, from a different era, serve to increase our appetite for pioneers of the faith. In our day, we must strive to blaze a path for others to follow. May God help all, who feel it their calling to sacrificially pursue this, with grace to carry that cross!

4 Proofs Of A Pioneering Pastor

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#1 – Men Of Determination

(Acts 20:24) “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”  (KJV)

Pioneering men of God have holy determination about them. It has always resounded in their ears when they wearied from the journey. Nehemiah of old was determined to build the walls of Jerusalem back or perish. Solomon was said to have been determined to build that great Temple for God. Many of today’s pastors are more determined not to hurt anyone’s feeling than they are about doing God’s will. May God help more men to have holy determination!

#2 – Men Of Faith

“To be a leader in the church has always required strength and faith beyond the merely human.” by J. Oswald Sanders From page 18 – Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders Moody Press –  ISBN # 0-8024-6799-7 (copyrights, 1967, 1980, 1994)

Abraham walked by faith. Moses walked by faith. Enoch walked by faith. The list goes on and on. God’s people are and should be people of faith. Not just saving faith, but living faith. Pioneering men of God must have this more than their necessary meals! Consider the Biblical testimony of pioneering faith…

(Hebrews 11:32-40) “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”  (KJV)

If these dear saints can walk by faith, then today’s pastors can as well!

#3 – Men Of Vision

“The church is painfully in need of leaders…I wait to hear a voice and no voice comes…I would rather listen than speak – but there is no clarion voice to listen to.” by William Sangster From page 18 – Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders Moody Press – ISBN # 0-8024-6799-7 (copyrights, 1967, 1980, 1994) Sanders noted: Quoted in Paul E. Sangster, Doctor Sangster (London: Epworth, 1962), 109.

There is a vacuum of vision even among the so-called visionaries of our day! Oh, how we need men that can see the place where God wants to pasture his people, and then lead them into it. We need pastors to lay prostrate before God until the vision is made clear and purpose is manifest. They need to heed the call of God and lift their voices aloud; rallying the troops behind them!

#4 – Men Of Unction

“Unction cannot be learned, only earned – by prayer. Unction is God’s knighthood for the soldier-preacher who has wrestled in prayer and gained the victory. Victory is not won in the pulpit by firing intellectual bullets or wisecracks, but in the prayer closet; it is won or lost before the preacher’s foot enters the pulpit. Unction is like dynamite. Unction comes not by the medium of the bishop’s hands, neither does it mildew when the preacher is cast into prison. Unction will pierce and percolate; it will sweeten and soften. When the hammer of logic and the fire of human zeal fail to open the stony heart, unction will succeed.” by Leonard Ravenhill [From page 20 – Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill Bethany House Publishers Minneapolis, Minnesota – ISBN # 0-7642-2905-2 (copyrights 1959, 1987)] 

Not much can be added to Ravenhill’s exposition of unction. All pioneering men of God had unction on their lives. Great weight was added to the words that fell from their righteous lips. These giants of old blazed new trails because of unction of the Holy Ghost! May each sage of God today desire unction upon their ministries more than anything. So much so, that they would petition God for death if they cannot have it!

Pastor, Do You Have A Pioneering Spirit?

Occasionally, even the best of, God’s laborers get lax in their burden for seeing souls come to Christ. There are many reasons for this, but it suffices to say that every pastor, evangelist, and missionary should set an example in having a burden for the lost. After all, if the spiritual leadership of a church does not have a profound burden for the lost, then how can one expect the average member of that same congregation to have a burden for souls?

It is imperative that every man of God have a burden for souls. Listed below are four ways, or suggestions as to how God’s men can MAINTAIN this burden and passion for souls!

#1 – Pastors Can Maintain A Burden For Souls Through Prayer

The primary way a pastor can keep his burden for souls is through his prayer life. In fact, a deepening sense of urgency for the lost is a natural by-product of a fruitful prayer life. Abraham is an O.T. example of a man who maintained a burden for souls through his prayer life!

#2 – Pastors Can Maintain A Burden For Souls Through Observation

It is amazing what one can surmise by thoughtful observation. I have been moved to purposeful action by things I have seen while soul-winning. The education you receive by observing the plight of others is invaluable in the ministry. It also humbles you to realize that it is you but by God’s grace.  

#3 – Pastors Can Maintain A Burden For Souls Through Musing Upon The Scripture

Many a time, while reading a verse or passage, I have been stirred for my neighbor’s soul. One cannot haphazardly read through Luke chapter sixteen where it records the story of the rich man and Lazarus. God’s Holy Spirit will use the Scripture to move your soul to action… if you will listen!

#4 – Pastors Can Maintain A Burden For Souls Through “Q” And “A” With Individuals  

More than one time, I have had a deepened sense of souls needing to saved after having conversations with people while on visitation. Sometimes pastors experience a disconnect from men and women in the community by staying in the office. One needs to get out and get busy! This will increase your contact with new people. Conversations that naturally result will fuel your passion for souls to be saved! Guaranteed!

Conclusion…

If God’s men do not consistently carry a burden for the souls of men, then tell me… who will! May God help all of us to have an increased brokenness over the future of each soul we meet!

Several years ago in Bible College, I was shown this outline in the Scriptures. Brother Jim Jarvis shared this with us during our lunch break. It so blessed my heart that I quickly wrote the points down and later developed it into what you see below. As I have preached it in many places, God has never ceased to bless it. May it help you today…

Title: “Things That Are Precious!”

Topical Message


Introduction:

•    The word precious means – of great value or price, costly; held in high esteem; something that is greatly loved or dear to us.
•    There are many things which should be precious to you – memories, friends, family, church, etc.

Proposition: There are four things I want to share tonight from the Bible that should be precious to you and I as it was to Peter!

I.    Precious Trial Of Our Faith! Verse 7

(1 Peter 1:3-9) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”  (KJV)

A.    God refines us like gold!

(Job 23:8-10) “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  (KJV)

B.    The Holy Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ!

(Romans 8:28-29) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  (KJV)

C.    God molds us like clay! Jeremiah chapters 18 & 19

Someone said, “faith that cannot be tried cannot be trusted!”

II.    Precious Blood Of Jesus!

(1 Peter 1:18-19) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”  (KJV)

A.    The blood purchased us! – Illustration – proof of purchase

(Acts 20:28) “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.”  (KJV)

B.    The blood draws us!

(Ephesians 2:13) “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”  (KJV)

C.    The blood justifies us!

(Romans 5:9) “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  (KJV)

III.    Precious Jesus!

(1 Peter 2:6-8) “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”  (KJV)

A.    Jesus loves us like a father!

(1 John 3:1-2) “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”  (KJV)

B.    Jesus loosed us like a Saviour!

(Hebrews 7:25) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”  (KJV)

C.    Jesus lifts us up like a High Priest!

(Hebrews 7:25) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”  (KJV)

D.    Jesus leads us like a shepherd!

(Psalms 23:1-6) <> “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”  (KJV)

IV.    Precious Promises!

(2 Peter 1:4) “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  (KJV)

A.    Promise of eternal life!

(Romans 10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (KJV)

B.    Promise of home in Heaven!

(John 14:1-2) “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”  (KJV)

C.    Promise of an abiding friend!

(Proverbs 18:24) “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  (KJV)

D.    Promise of second coming!

(John 14:3) “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  (KJV)

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  (KJV)

Conclusion:

To The Sinner:

•    Repent and believe the gospel!

To The Christian:

•    Are these things precious to you?