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12 Things Pastors Do Not Know

12 Things Pastors Do Not Know
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. - Acts 20:28

As a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, faithful pastor, you know a great many things. “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren” (I John 3:14). “We know love” (3:16). “We know that we are of the truth” (3:19). “We know that He abides in us” (3:24).

But there is so much we do not know. Here is a partial list….

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  • 1. You do not know what your congregation is going through

    1. You do not know what your congregation is going through

    You know some of what several are experiencing. But even with those closest to you, so much of their personal lives is hidden from all but God.

    2. You do not know what God is doing in each life

    It’s like the wind which blows, said our Lord to Nicodemus. “It blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes” (John 3:8).

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  • 3. You do not know the plans the Lord has for each one

    3. You do not know the plans the Lord has for each one

    “What about him?” said Peter to the Lord, pointing to John. “What is that to you?” said Jesus. “You follow me” (John 21:21-22).

    4. You do not know exactly who is sitting in your congregation.

    Recently, before I stood to preach, the pastor introduced me to each member of his congregation. Perhaps there were thirty present. I said, “When the church grows to 200, I want to see you do that!” He vowed that he would. But most cannot.

    *(Image Credit:©Thinkstock/Rawpixel)

  • 5. You do not know how God has brought them to this moment

    5. You do not know how God has brought them to this moment

    See the above reference to John 3:8 again.

    6. You do not know what struggles each is enduring.

    Not everyone tells you their problems, and not all wear their pain on public display.

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  • 7. You do not know how God is going to use you today

    7. You do not know how God is going to use you today

    We must approach every sermon as though this were life and death for some, for it may well be.

    8. You do not know which word of yours God will use to prick their hearts, convict them of sin, strengthen their faith, and bring them to Jesus.

    Remember the words of Psalm 19:14,

    "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

    *(Image Credit:©Thinkstock/william87)

  • 9. You do not know how inadequate you are

    9. You do not know how inadequate you are

    And that’s all right. I imagine if we knew we would be so discouraged, we would quit. “Not that we are adequate to think anything of ourselves, but our adequacy is of God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). It’s all about Jesus.

    10. You do not know what potential you have.

    The One who created you and redeemed you has called you into His service. Now, expect Him to empower you and do wonderful things through you.

    *(Image Credit:©Thinkstock/BananaStock)

  • 11. You do not know which sermons of your will bear the most fruit

    11. You do not know which sermons of your will bear the most fruit

    I love this little reminder from Ecclesiastes 11:6. “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good.”

    12. You do not know what God can do with your pitiful sermon.

    But it’s fun to find out!

    After all….

    You walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Unless you are willing to give the Lord your best effort and then leave the results with Him, you will not last in this work. If you require that the fruit for your labors must always be visible and measurable, one of two things will happen, both of them bad: you will either lose heart and quit or you will become a manipulator of congregations.

    Go forward by faith, friend. “Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we don’t quit” (Galatians 6:9).

    Editor's Note: The following is adapted from 12 Things Pastors Do Not Know by Joe McKeever. To read the full article, follow this link.

    *(Image Credit:Thinkstock)