Being the Church @ Work
Preached by Ps Jude Blayney
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[ Pastoring People ]
2 Timothy 3:10-17
What being a pastor is not?
Its not public preaching
Its not public teaching
A true pastor needs to embrace the principles of a man of God. Today, more than in any other
generation before, we need to lift the profile of fathers and mothers in society. True pastors
are just that, mothers and fathers to a stolen generation.
Today we know the existence of a stolen generation. This was where one culture enforced its values
and decisions on another generation. Many children had part of their heritage stolen from them. In
no way do I want to diminish the gravity of that period of history. But I believe what occurred to
the Aboriginal children was an outward working of an inward problem. This problem in society had
begun through the process of moving away from its true Christian values into the murky waters of
faulty promise. Promises of a peace. Today we have a generation, including all cultures that are
growing up without their true mothers and fathers. Almost 40% of Australian children are growing
up either estranged from or having little access to their parents.
Through government policy and the voice of a minority changes have been made to law that have halted
regular religious education in schools, allows rampart abortion, and encourages divorce, same sex
relationships and the over all down grading of Christian values throughout society. We have a whole
generation who need God. They have had a Christian heritage stolen from them.
This stolen generation needs pasturing. Its needs people, like you and me to rise above our own
insecurities to accept responsibility and be the church to the world. The world needs us as the
church to be pastors in our workplaces, in our neighbourhoods, in our shopping centres, in our
everyday lives.
75% of Australians believe they have a Christian heritage and want to believe in Christian values.
Yet less than 5% of people attend church. Its time for the church, the real church, the people to
take the church to the people.
Todays message is about being a pastor in your workplace. Its about pastoring a stolen generation.
You can apply this to your home, your family, and your neighbourhood.
2 Timothy 3:10-17
How can you be a pastor in your workplace?
1. Be a Listener
Verse 10 "you have carefully followed my doctrine."
For someone to carefully follow someones doctrine they have to be a good listener.
Most people today want someone who will listen to their own story without comparing it to theirs.
Listening involves not placing your life above that of another.
If we learn to listen we will hear the heart. It will speak. Sometimes, just by listening about the
mundane allows us to have the key to the heart.
2. Longevity
Verse 14 "You must continue in the things that you have learned."
This is where we have a consistent approach to lifes challenges. Its just like the old saying
keep on keeping on.
Many people today change jobs every 5-7 years. They need some level of consistency some level of
normality. As you show that you display Jesus Christ to them. Remember "Jesus is the same yesterday,
today and forever." Hebrews 13:8; its the Jesus in you that is consistent. Ask Him to help you be
like Him in consistency. For as you do you display another one of the amazing characteristics of
Our Lord.
3. Learner
V14 "You must continue in the things which you have learned."
Being a learner will allow you to embrace others life experiences. It communicates a willingness
to walk with them.
An old friend once said 'If you are teachable teachers will come'. People will see that you are
willing to learn and change. This in some ways is an oxymoron. We are meant to be consistent and
also changeable. Only Jesus was this. We have the greater one in us.
4. Lover
V10 "carefully followed my manner of life in love."
How can we love people at work?
a. Find out and remember their birthdays?
b. Shows acts of kindness. Eg. Carrying things, lifting things, helping them with their tasks.
c. Loving life
People are constantly looking for a love of life. They think its I things or their acquisition but
we know its in a person. Jesus Christ.
5. Loyalty
V 15 "from your childhood." Now thats loyalty.
Let your yes be yes and your no be No. In other words if you give your promise follow through
with it.
Most people recognise that once loyalty is broken it takes at least 3 times as long as before
to restore it. And further, once it has been broken, a very high proportion of the time it is
broken again. Arent we so glad that Gods word says, "If you confess your sin He is faithful
and just to forgive us." 1 John 1:9
Loyalty with God is not an issue but with people it is.
6. Logged On
V16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
That the man (woman) of God man be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you want to pastor the world, be a student of the word. Paul says if know the word we are equipped
for every good work. Pastoring is doing every good work. Now I believe it is all about attitude.
If we carry the attitude that I have enough knowledge of the word then we fail to grasp the power
of fresh revelation from God. God gives us revelation from His word for our equipping. Yes we are
built up by revelation, but we are also equipped.
If you want to get information off your computer you must log on. If you want to be equipped for
pasturing, then get into the habit of logging onto Gods word. It will equip you for your life.
Being a pastor is first about 'who you are' and second about what you do. Who you are comes from
Gods word, His living word changing, lifting, and empowering you for your calling.
Being a pastor is a part of the amazing commission of sharing the good news with the world,
with a stolen generation. As we be pastors in our spheres of influence we give hope, life to a
huge stolen generation in the world.