Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Timothy 3:1-7. The second trustworthy saying of the pastoral epistles highlights the pastoral office. Whether called "overseer," "elder," or "pastor," this God-given office is given the important task of proclaiming the Gospel publicly and administering the Sacraments in accordance with Christ’s institution. A man who desires this task desires a good thing, though he must desire it for Christ’s glory and not his own. God equips those men He calls into this office with His gifts; most of the qualifications listed deal with the man’s character. He is to be above reproach, an overarching term that covers the rest. Though this does not mean the pastor is sinless, it does mean that others should not be able to make the charge of a life of sin stick. Both pastors and congregations should approach this qualification, along with the rest, with humility and prayer in considering which men are ordained as pastors