11. Holiness is great likeness to the thrice holy God.
And pastors daily kill their own sins for the sake of the holiness of others.
As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
12. Suffering is a great seminary.
And pastors must attend it for the sake of their people.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word … It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (Psalm 119:67, 71)
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6)
13. Explaining great truth is a path to great understanding.
And pastors are charged to explain the greatest things relentlessly.
It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
14. Heralding the greatest realities is a great privilege.
And pastors are the heralds of the living God.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word. (2 Timothy 4:1-2)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
15. Humanly impossible aims throw us on a great Helper.
And all the spiritual aims of a pastor are impossible.
Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:26-27)
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
