Page 16 - THE MISIONARY 2

congregation recognizes his calling and that tual guide of his own family flock,
he is adequately gifted for shepherding the teaching, praying, instructing, counse-
souls of men, and that he possesses the ne- ling, encouraging his wife, children, and
cessary maturity to represent the Lord in whoever lives within the boundaries of
public ministry (Acts 13:1-4). A novice is his home by the Word of God (Ephesians
inclined to fall into the condemnation of the 5:25-27; 1 Corinthians 14:35; Genesis
devil through pride. There is no place for 18:19; Psalm 78:1-8; Isaiah 38:19). He
pride and arrogance in the Lord’s ministry. must be firm in his love to confront the
The preacher is a representative of Jesus enemies of his home and family (2 John
Christ who came not to be served, but to 1:10), to reprove and rebuke all disobedien-
serve and give His life a ransom for many ce and rebellion (Revelation 3:19; Ephe-
(Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:3-8; Luke 22:26 sians 6:4; Proverbs 15:32), and to exercise
-27). As Paul said: “So then neither is he Biblical discipline for foolishness and sin
that planteth any thing, neither he that wa- (2 Samuel 7:14; Proverbs 3:12, 22:15; He-
tereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 brews 12:5-11). Appeasing, spoiling, and
Corinthians 3:7). According to 1 Timothy irresponsible fathers, sooner or later, will
3:7 it is necessary for the minister of God be brought to shame by their own children
that he have a good testimony of those who because of their paternal unfaithfulness (1
are without so that he does not fall into re- Samuel 2:12-17,22-36, 3:11-14, 4:6-18).
proach and the snare of the devil. The house of Eli was judged for the sins of
his sons of which he was very knowledgea-
THE PREACHER MUST TAKE ble(1 Samuel 3:11-13a). Eli chose to honor
HEED TO HIS HOME his sons above God (1 Samuel 2:29), to not
restrain them in their sins and foolishness
A very important aspect of the (1 Samuel 3:13b), and to withhold correcti-
preacher’s vigilance of himself is by taking ve and adequate discipline for their way-
heed to his own home. If the minister does wardness (1 Samuel 2:22-24).
not know how to care for his own family, By the authority of Christ, who is the
or if he does not take the spiritual watchca- head of every man, all men, and in particu-
re of his marriage and family with great lar the preacher, must establish the king-
seriousness and sobriety, he will lack the dom of Christ in his home. He must esta-
ability to govern, provide leadership y care blish that Christ is the head of his home (1
for the church under his vigilance (1 Ti- Corinthians 11:3). He must establish the
mothy 3:4-5,12). The minister must dilli- authority of the Scriptures over all aspects
gently labor to exercise watchcare for his of his home (2 Timothy 3:16-17). He must
marriage and family (Proberbs 27:23). In define the purpose of his home and family
the Scriptures we find numerous examples that it exists solely to bring glory and honor
of husbands and fathers whom we should to God alone (Romans 11:36). He must
imitate: Abraham (Genesis 18:19), Joshua govern his home according to the principles
(Joshua 24:15), Job (Job 1:1-5), and David and precepts of the Scriptures. In the end,
(Psalm 101:2-7) among others. the wife and children are a reflection of
The minister of God must be the hus- what the minister truly is in the privacy of
band of one wife without he or his wife his own home, and only those who are
having been previously divorced and rema- found to be faithful in the context of their
rried. If the marital covenant is not respec- marriage and family have the right to be
ted and kept--the most sacred of earthly recognized and respected as true ministers
covenants--the minister will not be a proper of the Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 1:5-6).
candidate for the ministry of the Lord (1
Timothy 3:2; Mark 10:11-12). The minis- THE PREACHER WHO DOES NOT
ter should be the leader and spiri- TAKE HEED TO HIMSELF WILL
16