No.9946-Anniversary, Pastor

A little bread for the preacher
A sermon by Roosevelt Wright, Jr.
Pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church
Monroe, La.

June 2020

ÊÊ SCRIPTURE: "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.2ÊKings 4:8-9

Introduction

Ê Ê How would you feel if your church pastor preached to you on Sunday, but during the week, he stood on the street corners holding a sign that read, "I will preach for food?" You would probably be embarrassed and humiliated because the whole community would laugh at him. Still, more so, they would be disturbed at you for putting your pastor in a position of begging just to maintain himself.
  The late Vernon Johns was the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, before Martin Luther King, Jr. Johns is recognized as one of the most outstanding pulpiteers of his time. Still, he was also one who was an outspoken advocate of justice and civil rights. The congregation of Dexter Avenue was middle class, and many were employees at the local university. They were the upper class of the city, and their church was located on the main street of the city. Johns challenged the congregation to have respect for all kinds of labor, working people, and not to tolerate injustices. 
   To demonstrate his admiration for the common man, Johns began selling watermelons and other produce on the grounds of the church during the week. It was embarrassing to the membership to see their preacher selling watermelons, which was associated with lower-class Negroes. Johns' sermons about injustice and his sale of watermelons caused the church to fire him in 1953. They decided their next pastor would not be controversial and cause the whole city to be upset with them. The next pastor they hired was Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Many congregations ignore the pastor and his family's physical needs and force them to assume honorable, but less than desirable labor to support themselves while they preach. The congregations of such pastors don't feel the need to assist the pastor's family with food, clothing, and shelter. At the same time, those same congregations would be embarrassed if the pastor's utilities were disconnected, had no phone, and hitchhiked because he had no transportation.
  While the pastor should not be idolized, it is not sinful for the congregation to provide a little bread for the preacher. We take care of him so that he can freely have the time necessary to take care of us.
  Sometimes we make it hard for the preacher. In many communities, not only do members not sustain the pastor, but they also are very non-responsive to the Gospel message, which makes it even worse. Recently, a small-town newspaper's "Religion Column" included the story of a local minister who had been preaching Sunday after Sunday for two years to an empty Church. Before that, there were three members in the congregation. Two died, and the third moved away.
   Nevertheless, each Sunday for two years, the minister went into the pulpit, looked out at the uninterrupted rows of empty pews, and preached the Message of Jesus Christ as he understood it. At one point during this period, he decided to turn off the sound system because some of the neighbors were complaining about the noise. When he was asked if he didn't feel a little foolish preaching to empty pews week after week, he replied, "When there were people in the pews, they looked at me, said nothing, and I stood alone. Now, there are no people in the pews, and I can't notice the difference."
   The preacher must preach the gospel to the congregation in ways that make a difference in their lives. Because they notice the difference, they should make a difference in his life as well.
   The Bible encourages us not to muzzle the ox that grinds the corn, meaning that it is expected that there should be a little bread for the preacher.
   As Christians, it should be our desire to assist our pastors with their daily needs. He is a holy man and should be given the "bread" he needs while he breaks the bread of life to us.

Exposition

  This text focuses on the kindness shown to the man of God by a faithful family and the blessing they received later for their generosity.
  Elisha, the prophet, moved from village to village, declaring the word of God. On occasion, he prayed, prophesied, or offered sacrifices as he carried out his calling. The prophets did not have a job, a source of income, or a lodging place as they ministered. Prophets often depended on the hospitality of believers for shelter, and in many cases, slept in the wild and survived on honey, locusts, or any other foodstuffs they could secure.
  The text focuses on the prophet Elisha as he passed to Shunem and was recognized by a family as a man of God.
  The woman of the house was recognized as a woman of great grace and piety. She was well known for living a Godly life. The woman noticed that the prophet passed their way many times and opened the doors of her house to him after consultation with her husband. The prophet was modest; he repeatedly refused her offer until he finally accepted.
  Soon he stopped at their home regularly and was fed, housed, and entertained with the family's hospitality. He often returned because the town was not far from Carmel, Samaria, Bethel, and Jericho, places he regularly visited as he also frequented the schools of the prophets.
   The family saw to the prophet's needs. They showed him hospitality equivalent to their abilities, without requiring him to ask. Later in the chapter, we learn that the woman was then blessed when her son was stricken. She found Elisha and asked him to restore her son. Remembering her hospitality to him, God used Elisha to blessed the woman by restoring her son. 
   The woman and her family showed love to the preacher, and God blessed them for their demonstration of faith and hospitality to the man of God.

Each Pastor has a mission

  Modern men and women of God are missionaries. Each has a specific mission that originates from God. It drives motivates them, drives them, and consumes their being. For many, the mission is more important than life itself.
  God never calls a prophet, pastor, or preacher to an insignificant or unimportant work, no matter what others think. It is always a great work. The pastor of a mega-church is no greater than the pastor of the country church or the evangelist who moves from church to church.
  Phillip was a great preacher who was sent on a mission to preach to thousands, but to preach to a single black man, riding in a chariot in the wilderness. His work was not insignificant because he had an audience of one. It was significant because he had the right one in front of him. It seemed small when the black man asked to be taught the meaning of the passage, "He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquity." It seemed that the great preacher, Phillip, held a baptismal service in the desert for one person. It was a great work because that one convert returned to Africa, and according to legends, began a movement that spread Christianity throughout the dark continent. 
  The preacher's work may be to strengthen our families. It may be to help the poor and the needy. It may be highly visible like public service or almost invisible, like that of man who prays for the weak in the privacy of their home. Regardless, his work is important.
  Often the preacher is so consumed with his work that he neglects his own affairs, prosperity, and long-term care. He is sustained on the wings of angels as he touches others' hearts to provide for his housing, food, and physical care.
  The anointed preacher is on God's mission, and God blesses those who assist him in that mission.

A Holy Man on a Holy Mission

  A pastor is a holy man who is on a sacred mission. Divinely called pastors are holy ambassadors of Christ who often think more of the mission than they do about their own personal interests. Each pastor has a specific purpose, which is to achieve God's purpose.  
   A holy mission is different from a secular mission. ItÕs different because it is one that is ordered by God. Pastors who labor under a divine call often find that it overwhelms them, consumes their thoughts, redirects their energies, and completely seizes their thoughts and actions. Sometimes, they neglect themselves. ThatÕs why God places their care on the hearts of special people to make sure that they are sufficiently maintained.
   The Ògreat womanÓ of the text ÒconstrainedÓ or leaned upon the minister to stop, rest, and consume some physical refreshment. He did not lean on her, she and her husband leaned on the preacher and insisted that enjoy a little bread. She sensed that he was on a Holy Mission and responded. It is not told how she knew he was on a mission, but she knew it and provided a little bread for the preacher.
  God did not choose just anyone for his Holy mission, He chose this pastor. God knew the kind of people he would encounter and selected him because of his unique qualities. God went one step further; he put it on the hearts of the people to accept His chosen one. 
  Unseen by man's hand, God has exalted Godly leaders to a station and position that would promote the building of his kingdom and provide spiritual help for those who follow him.
 When a man or woman of God is given a gavel or pulpit, it is not a coincidence of nature. God is in the plan. Those chosen for the mission are holy and are on holy purposes.

She saw his need and responded

  God sees our needs and responds. In the same way, we should see the need of the pastor and respond. God scrupulously separates our needs from our wants and knows exactly what we need to survive and thrive. Physiologically, we need food, clothing, and shelter at the offset. Beyond that, we need health care and emotional support.
   In the same way, the church should see the pastor's physical and emotional needs and, to the best of its ability, respond to those needs without requiring him to ask or demand. Physically, it is easy for busy pastors to destroy their health tending to the flock. The faithful should provide periods of rest and restoration for the pastor as well as his health and medical needs. This is important because, in many instances, the pastorÕs concern and care for the congregation is a direct contributor to many of his health concerns. Likewise, the congregation must help to sustain its pastor financially, within its abilities. The more time the pastor has for prayer and study, the more in tune he is with God's will for the congregation. If the pastor has to maintain himself with a secular occupation, his time will not only be limited but so will his focus. 
  The preponderance of scripture teaches that God sees the immediate need of every believer. Whether our needs are financial, involving the payment of loans, meeting daily demands, or just making ends meet, God sees our need. We know that our individual situations are not unnoticed by the savior. In the same way, the congregation should see the need of its pastor and respond in a godly way, to the best of its ability. 

God will reward him

  Finally, brothers and sisters, no matter what assistance we give our pastors in this life, it will not match the reward God is preparing; it's a crown of life. 
   Every now and then, it is good for believers to remember that serving the Lord does pay off after a while. The same is true for those who lead in the church, especially pastors.
  The reward is great because their task is greater than the ordinary believer.
   Therefore, the sanctified pastor should remember the lyrics of the songwriter who penned the words, "IÕm going to work until my day is done.Ó 
   There is no reward for being lukewarm.
   There is no reward for being content.
   There is no reward for being satisfied with the status quo.
   There is no reward for those who sit on the stool of good intentions singing, "I shall not be moved" but only for those who use their God-given abilities to advance the kingdom of the savior
   Pastors must continue to preach the word and tell the world that the God we serve is truly King of Kings!
   That's why we love our pastors. We love them because they continually remind us that there is a name that we can call on in the middle of the night or in the heat of the day.
   It is the name the songwriter wrote about when in a sanctified moment, alone with God, he declared, "I come to the garden alone. While the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear ringing in mine ear, the son of God discloses. And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.Ó
   There is a name that reaches beyond the narrow confines of my loneliness and brings me comfort!
   There is a name that reaches below my deepest failure and guides me to success!
   There is a name that transcends my weakness and brings me strength.
    ItÕs the name of Jesus!
    Man of God, keep preaching a word of hope!
    Woman of God, keep declaring to the world that Christ is our savior!
    Let the world know that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that he is Lord!
    Tell the world about Jesus, who died for us on Calvary, but Early Sunday morning arose from the grave with all power in his hands!
    If you keep telling the story, the people will have a little bread for the preacher, but when itÕs all over, bye and bye, God will reward the preacher with a crown of life!
