I ask you over your Bibles this evening, please, to Colossians chapter 4, the fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. Now, as you're very aware, it is now our joy to have Scott Holland officially installed into the office of elder in this church. Now on occasions like this, the recognition and installation of pastors, elders, it's not uncommon for a charge to be given to a new pastor regarding his responsibilities, and then by way of a second message, a charge then given to the church regarding its responsibilities to the pastor or its responsibilities to Christ for that pastor. That's very common. Two messages for an installation. Well, we're going to seek to do both in one and that from a single text which basically does both. A text that includes a biblical charge to a pastor which at the same time is a biblical charge to a church concerning its pastor. And just to that end that I've asked you to turn to Colossians because it's verse 17 of Colossians 4. Notice. And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord that you may fulfill it. May God be pleased to grant his blessing. on his word. Now let me begin with just some comments or a word about this text and its broader context. Perhaps you'll recall from Colossians chapter 2, when Paul said the people there had not seen his face, that he himself was not personally, directly involved in the planting of that church, since they didn't know him, so many of them at least, personally. Rather, it's clear from what is said in chapter 1 that there's a man named Epaphras who had brought the gospel to them. This man was in all likelihood converted during Paul's ministry there in Asia Minor, when Paul was in Ephesus for that extended time. Well, this man, Epaphras, had evidently gone to Rome to see Paul, and Paul tells us back in chapter 1 how he then informed him of God's work there in Colossae. And yet from that sister epistle, the letter to Philemon, we see that somehow or another Epaphras was imprisoned with Paul and therefore he's not now with Paul and Paul's writing this letter but is actually here in Colossians sending greetings to that church. Now as I've said Philemon is very much a sister epistle though it's sent as a private letter to this man Philemon and at the same time as the letter to the church in Colossae and it does appear from Philemon that the church met in his home I would ask you to turn there please keep your finger in Colossians 4 but notice the book of Philemon and we find here in the greeting from Paul to Philemon that Archippus is again mentioned. Remember, same church, same time that the letters were penned. Verse 1, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved of Thea, Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the church, in your house. Now, Athea is feminine, and that's at least a woman, and is generally thought to be the wife of Philemon. And since Archippus is mentioned right alongside that, some suggest Well, he's Philemon's son. You got the wife and the son that are mentioned together. Well, whether that is so or not, it's no way to prove. But I would say this, that mention of this Archippus in both Colossians and Philemon does show that he is a prominent member of the church. Colossae and the words that we've read there in Colossians 4 show why he singled out why it is that he was prominent is because as Paul said coming back now to Colossians 4 17 he had received a ministry a form of service okay well what was this ministry well whatever it was it was specific and recognizable because literally it is the ministry, and since no one else is addressed in the way that Archippus is to be addressed, it's a work that we must assume in which no one else there was engaged. And again, we can safely assume that Archippus was a leader. I say that because of the way he's referred to there in Philemon when Paul describes him as his fellow soldier. He's doing a work not entirely dissimilar to that in which I myself and also Paul includes Timothy in which we are engaged. In fact Paul uses that same word ministry that he uses here in Colossians 4 of the work entrusted to Archippus of his own work more than once especially of his preaching. It's that same family of words that Paul has just used back in Colossians 1 when he's writing about Epaphras. And he says, he is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. Now, the idea is that Epaphras had been engaged in pastoral labors. And it's not unreasonable to surmise that Archippus also had labored alongside him, even perhaps as a fellow elder, that seems logical. But now that Epaphras is imprisoned there with Paul, well, Archippus is left alone to carry on the work by himself, and therefore you have this charge to him and to him alone, and it's all the more important since You're there, the only one engaged in this particular ministry. You must take even greater care. And that even more so in light of the charge and what he says. He has received this ministry in the Lord. In other words, Archippus was doing what he was doing, not as one who was self-appointed. Well, you know what guys, I think I'm going to do this job here. And for that matter, it's not simply that the church had appointed him. It's the Lord who had entrusted this ministry to him. It's in the Lord you've received this. Christ gives gifts to the church, including pastor, teacher. Acts 28 is the Holy Spirit who makes men overseers, using especially those lists of qualifications given us in Scripture for the church to be able to recognize. But it's the Lord himself who gives men, who puts men in that position. And yet you notice here in verse 17 of Colossians 4, Paul did not simply say it's the ministry you received from the Lord, though that's true, but quite deliberately says no, it's the ministry you've received in the Lord. That goes beyond just its origin. The whole of this ministry that Archippus had received, It was in connection with the Lord, with Christ Himself. It was through and in that living union with His Lord. Now, that's very practical, because what it means is that His service derived its authority from Christ Himself. It's in connection with the Lord Christ that you've been put in that, that you've been given that ministry, and therefore you come not speaking or acting on your own, but rather, as Paul said of himself, as an ambassador for Christ. Or as Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica, referred to those who were laboring there in pastoral ministry, and he says, they are over you in the Lord. That is to say, in connection with Christ, exercising Christ's authority. And therefore, in putting it this way, it's this ministry received in the Lord, in His authority. it's not for the church to take it or leave it well there it is if I want it fine if not but no he received this ministry in the Lord it's to be exercised as such but that also means it's to be submitted to as such it's not just a man here who's kind of you know put himself forward no like Paul like the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 13 17 about submitting to those who have the rule over your again first Thessalonians 5 But Archippus, as having received that ministry in the Lord, was surely then to operate under Christ's authority. Not for him to come up with whatever he thinks is going to work. Rather, he is to do, he is to speak, according to the mind of Christ. Christ, what Christ himself has ordered. So in saying, you received this ministry, but it's in the Lord. It's not just for you to do an act according to your own whims here, but rather it's to the honor of and under the authority of him who is head of the church. And what that would mean, obviously, is what we see elsewhere, that therefore Archippus was responsible or accountable You remember how Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4, it's important for stewards to be found faithful, because they're accountable for what they do. Or when James is saying, many teachers among you don't have that, knowing as such, these teachers, they'll face a stricter judgment. or the writer of Hebrews about, they watch for your souls as those who must give an account. Well the point is, Archippus has received this ministry in the Lord and therefore he must answer to Christ for how he exercised that ministry, how he served Christ's people in all facets of that ministry. In other words, by saying not simply it's from the Lord but in the Lord, this is serious business. It certainly shows our Lord's concern for all of His people to benefit from all of the ministry that is there appointed by Him. But also when Paul says this ministry is received in the Lord, It surely includes the idea that Archippus was to do his labors living out that union that he had with Christ. In other words, by Christ's enabling. Let me just read for you quickly what Paul said of his own ministry. And it speaks not simply of Paul, but others who labor. He talks about Christ we preach, warning every man, teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. That's Colossians 1.28. And then he follows, verse 29, "...to this end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily." Archippus, you've received this ministry in the Lord for you to work. But notice, it's in the Lord, it's in union with Him, and He works in His laborers mightily. Well, that in itself. would be an encouragement but it would also point to Christ as very present and very active and that all of church life is to be lived with him. Earlier in this very letter in Colossians chapter 2 Apostle Paul talks about how each member of the body is joined to the head and that distinguishes the Lord's people. They're joined to Christ. Well so it is in that body that's to be lived out. It's not just here you got this man who stands up, he preaches, he shepherds the flock and so on. No. What he does, he does not only for Christ, but with Christ. That is, in the Lord's enabling, that spiritual, even supernatural ministry that Christ uses, and that's why I use Revelation 120 in our call to worship. You got Christ in the midst of the lampstands. He's there with his people, and he uses these messengers to the churches as instruments in his right hand, these stars that are not of angelic beings, but are messengers to the churches, as he himself said. And that's so not only then with Archippus, but pastors everywhere. And Brethren, always we should see church life in that light. It's not like a social club, some civic organization. No, we come to meet with Christ and Christ comes to meet with us and supernaturally even doing his work by his word. So there's the ministry of Archippus. His service for and in that church, it was received in the Lord. Exercising Christ's authority for that church, for Christ's church, under Christ's authority, by Christ's presence and enabling. Okay, now that's the context, the text. But in light of that, consider then this charge that is to be given to Archippus. Because these words are most appropriate as a charge to Scott as he enters into pastoral labors here. I mean, surely here's what Scott is to do. Indeed, what anyone engaged in pastoral labors must do. It's in that word, fulfill your ministry. Fulfill that ministry you've received in the Lord. Well, what exactly does that mean? Well, the word fulfill it, Greek like English, it means complete. In fact, that's how it's translated. Colossians 2, you're complete in him. So it was first a call, to do the ministry completely, everything that is required. You're not to neglect any facet of that ministry, those responsibilities that Christ himself has attached to it, like the declaration and application of God's Word, teaching, even publicly and privately. Remember how Paul himself said that of his labors in Acts 20, 28, how he said, I taught you not only publicly, but from house to house. And how he could say, I kept back nothing. I declared to you the whole counsel of God. Well, so with any man. In fact, the very work elder Ephesians 4 11 is pastor teacher that's not two different offices this is what they do they almost be apt to teach whether they're given over to those ministries or not they nonetheless are apt to teach because it is their responsibility to be pastor teacher that is declaring Christ's word with his authority well that's part of fulfilling that ministry Surely prayer. Remember when the apostles themselves, when they're talking about not being distracted from their work, had these men at the beginning of the office of deacon that we might give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. They mentioned prayer first. Well surely that is no small part of a pastor's work and praying for the people. But then there's also leadership of the congregation as a whole. The Bible uses the word oversight. And just like a shepherd leads the flock as a whole, so a pastor, a word that means shepherd, he leads the flock, the whole congregation, giving oversight to it as a whole. But then also, it's the job of a pastor, an elder, to give personal or private oversight. They watch for your souls. That's not just corporately. but rather each individual. So Paul writes, or rather says to the elders of the Church of Ephesus in Acts 20, 28, you take heed to yourself, we know what that means, a personal self-watch, and to all the flock over whom the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, each member of the flock there is to be that personal pastoral care of each one. Well that's certainly part of fulfilling the ministry, warning, comforting, encouraging, all that it takes. And that, in all things, always, doing what Peter says, 1 Peter 5, 3, be examples. to the flock. You find the Apostle Paul in Acts and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, he refers to himself as a pattern, as he was deliberately trying to set before the people a pattern of living the Christian life. And that's one reason why that list of qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and his sister passage in Titus 1 is so important. All these qualifications, as we pointed out, every Christian is to live up to these moral qualifications. Elders must be, but They're simply to exemplify what all Christians should be. Again, by way of the graces, the moral qualifications listed there. Well, whatever such ministry involves, Colossians 4, 7 saying Archippus was to do it completely. Don't neglect any facet of it. Well, I like the teaching part, but you know, this personal oversight thing, yeah, not so much. I like the teaching part, but praying, I don't find that so easy. No, you do it completely. Fulfill your ministry, because all of the Lord's people need it all. Christ gives this to His church. But it's interesting, Paul uses a word, translated fulfill, that speaks not only of what is done, but how it is done. Because the same word fulfill is found elsewhere of filling something up, like a net full of fish in Matthew 13, or being filled with the Holy Spirit. As if to say, you fulfill that ministry, that is to say, all that is your responsibility to do, you do it all and you throw yourself into it, you fill it up. You give yourself to doing this thing. And so it is that Paul uses that very language of himself in Colossians 1, where he talks about he was given to fulfill his ministry of preaching the Word. He was to do it and he was to throw himself in to doing it. And so it is, brethren. with Archippus, it's not only what you do, but you're to do it in a right way. Peter in 1 Peter 5, 1-3, he also talks about the right mindset, the right motives, the right way. Well, that's what Paul is including in this word fulfill. His work was not unlike Paul's. Therefore, as Paul threw himself into the work, Archippus, you must do the same, laboring unto weariness. Or in short, Archippus was to be like that other A man who was a minister to the church in Colossae, Paul refers to Epaphrastas, he's a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf. He's faithful to what he did. Paul also in Colossians 4 speaks of Epaphrastas, I bear witness to his great zeal for you. I've seen even though he's absent by praying for the believers there in Colossae. Well, surely Archippus shouldn't settle for anything less. Epaphras, he's not there, he's in prison, can't be there. Archippus, it falls on your shoulders. You certainly must be the minister. You must fulfill the ministry you've received in the Lord. You're to fill it up full, and so with all pastors. And therefore, Scott, brother, you can see how this charge is so very applicable to you, not only today, but every day hereafter. as long as the Lord has you here as an elder. The ministry you receive, it's in the Lord. It takes in all of these facets of pastoral labors. You dare not neglect any part of it, but rather you're to do them all, and you're to fully do them all, even to throw yourself into the work as much as God enables and providence allows. But come back to Colossians 4.17. And notice again what is actually commanded there because the imperative is the words take heed. And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you've received in the Lord that you may fulfill it. He could simply be saying see to it that you do this. But this word take heed, even in this very letter, is translated beware, like in Colossians 2.8, beware. And that very word would suggest there are potential hindrances. Archippus, the work may not always be easy. You must watch against anything that might hinder because there's much. This is the word used, Acts 20, 1st Thessalonians, sorry, 1st Timothy chapter four, Paul writing to Timothy, to pastors themselves. You must take heed to yourself. You must guard your heart. You must beware of any hindrance, of any ill in you. Well, that surely would apply as much to Archippus or to Scott or to me, anyone. So labor. You first take heed to your own heart yourself. But there can be hindrances from other people. People who are perhaps unwilling to hear or who fail to act on what they hear. And there are discouragements. There can be a lack of visible fruit. There could be a very felt weakness, like Paul says, who is sufficient for this. There can be a weariness in the work. George Whitfield, I'm weary in the work, not of the work. Well, not that any pastor is going to keep up with that brother's labors, but nonetheless, it can happen. All kinds of difficulties that can be faced, and there will be such. And therefore, he's given this warning, take heed to fulfill that ministry. That descriptive term of Archippus in Philemon 2, he's our fellow soldier. Well, I'll just remind you what Paul had written to Timothy in a second letter to him about endure hardship as a soldier. In other words, don't expect it's going to be quite easy and everything's gonna go your way. No, take heed. do everything you should, Archippus, and do it in the right way, fill it up, and ever keep at it, come what may, beware of hindrances. And perhaps it's in light of these things that Paul especially underscores that ministry you've received, it's in the Lord. It's not just, okay, he's entrusted this to you, now you're on your own, get on with the work, come what may, do the best you can. No. That ministry you received wasn't simply from the Lord, Archippus. It was in the Lord. It's in union with Him. And this one who said, without me you can do nothing, also said, you abide in me, I in you, you bear much fruit. Archippus, you're not on your own. Yes, there are many things that you face, take heed, don't be distracted, don't be hindered. But here's good motivation. You're not laboring alone. And you're not laboring in vain. It's in the Lord. Therefore, take heed and keep at it. And so for you, Scott. Beware of any and all hindrances, brother. Fulfill your ministry. What the Lord requires of you. And that is to be faithful. in God-given duties that Christ himself is attached to pastoral ministry and take heed to do them in a way suited to Christ himself. So there you can see very much an appropriate charge to a man coming into pastoral labors, right? Well, Scott, I trust you'll take it to heart. But I did say it's also a biblical charge, not just to pastors, not just to Scott and myself as a reminder, but it's also a biblical charge to the church. Well, where do we get that? Well, technically, the words of Colossians 4.17 are not Paul addressing Archippus. Rather, it's a command to someone else, notice again the words, and say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which you've received in the Lord that you may fulfill it." Somebody's commanded to say this to Archippus. And who is commanded to say this? Well, it's the very same people that Paul's been addressing since Colossians 1.1 and all the way through Colossians 4.16. He's saying to all those members in that church, you say to Archippus, every recipient of this letter. They're to remind him that he has this ministry and he has received it. And that ministry is in the Lord under Christ's authority, that it's service for Christ and Christ's people. He needs to remember that. The people are to tell him this, so that he will fulfill it and not be distracted. Don't be distracted, brother. Take heed. give yourself, fill up that which the Lord has entrusted to you. You get the point? So Archippus was to be told this by those who were under his ministry, even all the recipients of his ministry. And therefore, this is a charge to that church, to each member of that church, concerning the man and the ministry that they were under. And as such, it's actually very instructive. It shows, for one thing, an accountability of pastor to people, of an elder to the congregation. That congregation, they're holding him accountable. You take heed, man, to do your job right. There's an accountability that elders have to the church, to the congregation. But this also says much about each member in their concern for this multifaceted labor of pastors. I mean, does this charge not underscore that each member of the church needs the faithful labors of pastors? All of it. The preaching, the teaching, the private counsel, the corporate oversight, individual oversight. All of it is greatly needed. Not just by some of the saints. Some of you say to Archippus, no. All of you are to say this to this man, because all of you need all of this faithful ministry. But more than that, Colossians 417 shows that all of God's people should want the labors of those who so minister. He's not simply saying, you know, say this to Archippus, though your heart, you know, you don't mean it. You don't care at all about his ministry being fulfilled and so forth. You just say it anyway because it's a nice thing to say. No! Surely behind that, Paul's saying, you must want that ministry, even every facet of it. You really mean that. Here's the service in the Lord that you've received. Take heed. Don't let anything distract you. You'll fulfill it. and say it by your words more, show it by your life. Hebrews 13 verse 17 talks about God's people profiting. In other words, it includes a call for all of those members of that church, of every church, to use each facet of those Christ-ordained labors of a pastor. It means, less providentially hindered, being present under the preaching of the Word. and then hearing the word and putting it to use by way of not being a hearer only, but a doer. Eagerly desiring the scriptures to be opened up and applied both corporately and privately, recognizing, no, this is what our Savior has appointed for me. It's from Him. Also, it would include not just wanting your elders to pray for you, but surely it would include praying for them. Recognizing this is a ministry they've received, their men with remaining corruption and native weakness and so forth, were really wanting Christ's ministry, so therefore seeking grace for them. And seeing then all facets of pastoral ministry as good, as necessary, for our safety, for our growth. And that was to be so with all of those believers there in Colossae, no exceptions. Here's Christ's way for all of his people. So take care. You fulfill your ministry, Archippus. Let nothing hinder you. And it's for the church to take care, to recognize the need for personal pastoral ministry and the value of it, the benefit that Christ bestows through it, and therefore to esteem those who labor especially because of the work. The work that they do is to be esteemed. Keep your fingers here in Colossians 4, but notice 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, where Paul says so much to those believers. Let me start with verse 12, 1 Thessalonians 5, 12. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love, for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves, but as to these who are over you in the Lord, elders, you're to esteem them highly in love for their work's sake. Does that not bespeak a desire in the hearts of Christ's people? We want this work. We esteem it, even as grateful to God for what he himself gives through pastoral ministry. Well, brethren, that is biblical. That's very much a charge to the church. But in that connection, these words in Colossians 4.17 show that pastors are to be encouraged in their work in an ongoing way. There's no indication that Archippus was failing to fulfill his ministry or that he was somehow distracted. Paul's not here commanding a rebuke. You know, every time you get a chance, needle your pastor. yeah buddy you better be doing your work you know you're accountable to us and I'm gonna make sure you're doing your work that's not the tone here of Paul's writing rather it is the encouragement a loving reminder helping him to keep at it, to quote the commentator William Hendrickson, as if Paul is saying, or the people are to say, we are with you and promise to help you in every way, especially in face of difficulties or weakness or discouragement, but not just in the face of such. Again, there's no indication that was going on there in Colossae. There's no indication that Archippus was in any way failing or was discouraged. Encourage him. And the writer of Hebrews says the same thing when he says, submit to those who have the rule over you as they watch for your souls, those who must give an account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief. And it's not the giving account with grief, it's the idea of watching for souls with grief as they see God's people profiting from his word and the Lord owning the pastoral labors to do them good it causes great joy and says that'd be profitable for you the other is unprofitable in other words it is for the people to encourage the pastors not only by their words it includes that but also in their response to Christ in the ministry that's entrusted to the pastors also included in these words in clauses 417 as a charge to the church it would point to a relationship between pastors and people that has a free exchange, that has a strong comfort level, a good interaction. Here's real communication that the people of the church, all of them, are to say to Archippus. It points to a closeness, a mutual love, a freedom to speak. You're not the old domini guy. You better not say anything to the pastor. You know what you're up to get. You're going to hear that from the Pope and he's going to blast you. How ungodly. There should be that comfort level of people being able to open up and talk to Archippus and those like him. but also on the part of Archippus. He's glad for that interaction, for the people to come and encourage. Yeah, if he does need that kind of pastor, you know, I need some extra help here. You know, you need to fulfill your ministry. It's in the Lord. Glad for it. Archippus was not first a pastor. In Colossians 2, Paul makes reference to the church as a body and each member being joined to Christ the head. Archippus was not the head. He's part of the body, right? Part of the family, if you please, since the church is called the household of God. And there's to be that kind of relationship where there is open, free fellowship, not living in fear of the pastor. And the pastor is not simply there as some kind of paid professional who does his thing and then goes on his way. real interaction, regular communication, even strong mutual love. The word take heed, that's in the present tense. It's ongoing. Well, that means there must always be guarding against anything that would hinder that on the part of the pastor, but also on the part of the people. There has to be that ongoing loving relationship, quickly rectify any hindrance to communication and affection. So there's a charge not only to the pastor, but it's a charge to the church, right? Paul's bringing this letter to a close. He's obviously concerned to provide for the ongoing good of all the saints there. The man who had brought the gospel to them, who had been very much a planter of that church, he's imprisoned alongside Paul. He's praying for the people. Paul makes reference to that, praying permanently. But they don't have his labors now. There were false teachers. Oh, it's good that you've got Jesus, but you know, if you really want to be complete, you've got to listen to all of our list of rules. And we've got this hierarchy of angels, you might want to be thinking of those guys too. So all of that Paul is saying, rubbish, you're complete in him. But it does seem from verse 20 of chapter 2 that some at least were being in some way impacted by the error. Paul's concerned for their good. In his sister letter to Philemon, he points out how he hopes to come to them soon. I hope to be released from this imprisonment through your prayers. Get the guest room ready. But even if he couldn't get there anytime soon, well, he could write them this letter And then there's one man, at least one man there, who has a ministry received in the Lord. And that man can apply these things and apply God's truth. And therefore he closes with these words to help Archippus and that church in functioning together. And might God grant then that this biblical pastoral charge will be a help to Scott A fresh reminder for me, but also a help to the church in days to come. To keep your Archippus hard at it, come what may, even ever encouraged. and to keep all of the saints here desiring all facets of pastoral ministry, the felt need for it, the full use of it, even a happy embrace of it as from our Lord himself, because this is the Lord's way. It's his church, it's not ours. The ministry is received in the Lord, his authority, exercised for the good, of each of his people, each member of his body. And again, Revelation 1, Christ is in the midst of the lampstands and he's at work. They're using these tools, these instruments for the good of his people as very present and working. Oh my God, grant that that will be indeed lived out here and seen, obviously so in Christ's blessing. Now, if you're not a Christian, You've never truly been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope you understand that though we're talking about words to this church and words about a man being installed in the office in this church, what we see here is not without relevance to you. Because the Lord Jesus not only uses those who preach God's word to do good to his saved people, But it's also a means that he uses to get the gospel to the unsaved, truth into their ears and into their minds. When Paul is writing in Romans 10 about believing on Christ, believing your heart that God has raised him from the dead, confessing with the mouth, Jesus Christ is Lord. He says, but how shall they call on him of whom they've not heard? How can you call on Christ and believe on him if you've never heard of him? And he says, and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? Now that phraseology, except they be sent, it's not talking just about Christians in general going around sharing the gospel. Paul's pointing to those who are in official gospel labors. They be sent, recognized by a church, etc. And what Paul is there saying is, how shall they hear? Now, obvious, the Lord has many ways of saving sinners. We understand that. But it is by the gospel preached. And that is in connection with the local church. And therefore, though he uses all the witness of all of his people, yes, we understand that. There is a special responsibility entrusted to those who are sent or officially recognized as having been entrusted with that gospel that is the very power of God to salvation. Paul says, I'm not ashamed of that now. The point being, a man preaching in a congregation of God's gathered saints, the local church, the new covenant temple, is not just a man who's talking. It's the means that Christ himself uses to send his word as one who's very present, to bless, to do good to souls by his word. When he tells his people, go make disciples of all nations, I've got all authority, you go, I'm with you, it's Christ present and active. When Paul writes to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5 and says, we're ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us. We beseech you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. I'm not speaking for myself, he says, and so it is with any pastor. Paul's not just talking about himself. He says, we are ambassadors. Any preacher of the gospel. It's not like, well, you know, I'm just here with my own message saying what I want to. No, it's Christ. It says, oh God, we're pleading, Christ himself. Be reconciled to God. And so if you're here without Christ, recognize He is present. He sends forth his gospel even with power. Believe on the Lord Jesus, you will be saved. This one who came into this world, God manifested in the flesh, who suffered and died in the place of sinners to bear the penalty for sin. Who, though he died, yet he lives and ever lives to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him. And he pleads with sinners through his word preached. I've referred to it recently in Ezekiel, where God himself pleads, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather they turn and live. And then he says, turn, turn. Why will you die? Well, that's the message entrusted now to pastors, to anyone proclaiming God's word in that official capacity. Why will you die? Believe on the Lord Jesus. You will be saved. What will you do? What will you do? May God grant mercy.