Love Endures Forever pt. 6
Guarding the Unity of the Church
In a deeply personal and at times raw sermon, Pastor Josh walks through Paul’s emotional defense of his apostleship in 1 Corinthians 4. Paul, though a founder and spiritual father to the church in Corinth, found himself judged, questioned, and even rejected by the very community he had poured his life into. Pastor Josh relates—sharing his own hesitations and emotional weight in preaching this passage: “It’s not that I want to talk about this, it’s that the Word brought us here.”
He highlights how division in a church can take many forms, but the most devastating one is when the congregation begins to lose trust in its leadership. “No church is fully against a pastor,” he says, “but all it takes is a small group… and soon the whole church is divided.” And the damage? Not just to the leader, but to the gospel itself—because when the messenger is undermined, the message is weakened.
Through Paul’s words, we’re challenged to think biblically, not worldly. “Do not go beyond what is written,” Paul warns. Yet, how often do we import secular models—democracy, business leadership, majority rules—into how we think churches should function? Pastor Josh pushes back: “We are not a democracy. God gave leaders to the church. The church isn’t led by personality or popularity but by biblical authority and spiritual accountability.”
When the Pastor Feels Judged
For much of the sermon, Pastor Josh opens up about the internal battles he faces as a pastor—especially feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and the pressures of being understood. “One of the hardest judgments to overcome is the judgment you place on yourself,” he confesses. He describes his hesitation in taking leave, fearing people would see it as selfish. “Even I struggle to believe I’m allowed rest,” he shares. Yet Paul reminds us that “it is the Lord who judges,” and not even our own self-criticism is the final word.
He also addresses the practical side of pastoral care, including finances. Without pride or resentment, he explains how for years, church finances didn’t reflect the reality of his pastoral work—mostly because the congregation, being young, simply didn’t think about it. “It’s not that you didn’t want to care for me—it just didn’t occur to you,” he says, striking a balance of honesty and grace.
A Father’s Love, A Spiritual Family
“I finally understand what it means to be a spiritual father,” Pastor Josh reflects. He speaks of seeing members grow up, get married, and lead. There’s a weight of responsibility and a deep well of affection beneath it all. “I’m not here to impress you. I’m here to annoy you like a real dad would—to tell you to get up, go home, be responsible, follow Jesus.”
He urges the church not just to respect him but to care for all their leaders—house church shepherds included. When leaders are slandered, misunderstood, or mistreated, it’s not just their ego that’s hurt—it’s the church’s witness that is at risk. “If you have doubts about me or your shepherd, pray through it. Don’t entertain division. Talk to someone. Protect the unity.”
Conclusion
As Pastor Josh prepares to leave for a month, he urges the church to finish the year strong. He commissions house church shepherds to lead early morning prayer with their groups and exhorts everyone to be intentional about abiding in Christ. “Protect this church. Love this church. Invest in this church,” he says. “Not many people get to build something like this from the ground up.”
Ultimately, this message is more than a defense of pastoral leadership. It’s a reminder that the church is a family, not a business. That pastors, though flawed, are called. And that unity is worth protecting—because when the church is united, the gospel advances.
