It’s Sunday again and some of us will be heading out to our various churches for fellowship and worship. Some of us are really excited about meeting our fellow brethren again after a long working week. Some of us are eagerly anticipating the praise and worship as an opportunity to express our love to God. Some are keen to hear what God has to say to them through the sermon that will be preached. Some just want to encounter Christ and have their hearts tuned to His frequency. Others can’t wait to see their Pastor stand on the pulpit and tingle their ears with a well-thought out sermon. I don’t know which category you belong too but there is a clear warning for all of us. DO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF IDOLISING YOUR PASTOR INSTEAD OF WORSHIPPING CHRIST.
Personally speaking, I find my Pastor very inspiring and I look up to him in many ways. I sometimes have to check myself to make sure I don’t elevate him to a place that belongs to Christ in my heart. Whilst we are to appreciate and love our pastors, we must not under any circumstances give them the worship that is due God.
In this day and age of celebrity pastors, we have never been more in danger of falling into this trap. We must remember that our pastors are undershepherds appointed by the Chief Shepherd of our souls. Jesus always comes first. Period. Paul Washer drives home this message in this short clip.
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I once posted on my FB wall that if we are really honest with ourselves, we all have are in danger of idolizing our pastors. People of influence have a tendency to assume a higher status in our lives than Christ if we are not careful. We must be sober and vigilante in this regard. No matter how gifted or anointed your man of God is, always remember that he isn’t the “Author And Finisher Of Your Faith”! Jesus is! And your pastor didn’t die for your sins, Jesus did. Your pastor can’t save you, only Jesus can. So honour your pastor, but do not be tempted to be so focused on him that you forget about the God who holds all things by the power of His Word. If you are attacked by armed robbers you wont find yourself saying, ” Almighty Pastor save us!”. You’ll be crying out to God instead.
Nice post bro!
I couldn’t agree with u more! We have to be extremely careful not to idolize our pastors. You make a great point in saying that it was Jesus who died for our sins and not our pastors! I also agree with you in saying that they should no doubt be honoured but in the end, all pre-eminence belongs to Christ. Fantastic comment! Thanks a lot upwardliving.
You’re welcome.
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Worshipping your pastor is one thing but having a pastor who insist you worship him and his family is another. I know of a pastor who is extremely narcissitic, he refers to his wife as “the first lady” and his only son as “the first son” indicating that he and his family should be treated and be considered above the rest of the church members. In fact, anyone who dares challenge him or he sees as a threat will surely be de-valued before the entired congregation.
Wow Spencer! That’s crazy!! That’s quite a bad case of self-obsession. It’s dangerous when we forget its all about Jesus and focus on ourselves. The heart attitude must always be kept in check. There’s a very sobering scripture that all servants of God would do well to bear in mind:
7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
At best we are only unworthy servants. Humility before the Lord is so important lest any of us glory in His presence. Such pastors need to be real careful, always remembering it was the same pride that landed Satan where he is today. Thanks a lot for your interesting comment Spencer