6. Corporate worship is the great overflow of life together in treasuring Christ.
And pastors soar with the sacred privilege of fanning that flame.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8)
7. Faith is the great union with Christ and the embrace of all God is in him.
And pastors aim at this with every word, since faith comes by hearing.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. (Philippians 1:25)
8. Hope in future grace is the great furnace of gospel obedience.
And pastors fuel it daily with the promises of God.
For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (Hebrews 10:34)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6)
9. Joy is the great impulse in pain and pleasure that makes its source in God look great.
And pastors renounce all abuse and live for the holy joy of their flock.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:8)
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. (2 Corinthians 1:24)
10. Love is the greatest act.
And pastors make it the great aim of all their acts.
So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
The aim of our charge is love. (1 Timothy 1:5)
