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We offer a unique opportunity for each student at CSI. We want you to earn while you learn. What's the Plan |
| 2 Timothy 2:15 |
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
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Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.(Amplified)
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| The Plan |
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| July 26, 2008 |
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by: Linda Croft |
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The Perfect Pastor
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
1 Peter 5:1-4, NKJV
How do you recognize the perfect pastor? What is your responsibility toward your pastor? These, among others, are questions which Peter addressed in the books of 1st and 2nd Peter.
In the passage shown above, Peter is speaking to those who shepherd the flock of God, the pastors who are our spiritual watchmen. He admonishes them in three areas:
1. Serve your flock willingly - not because you are forced to do so.
2. Do not serve for dishonest gain; not with the purpose of becoming rich.
3. Do not serve for the power it gives you over people.
Rather, pastors are to be examples to those over whom they serve; their service is to be a minister or servant to their flock. Their reward, then, is a crown of glory which will never pass away.
No pastor is perfect, of course, but Peter gives us a picture of a Shepherd who has a heart for God.
What, then, is the responsibility of the flock? Do you find your own pastor to be lacking in the areas shown above? What are you to do? Encourage and pray for the pastor God has placed over you. Examine his teachings in light of the Scriptures; obey him where he is right, and encourage him to be faithful to the Bible in areas where he is not. Give him the respect for his position, understanding that he will have to give an account before God.
However, if you have a pastor who blatantly teaches ideas contrary to the Bible, and who refuses to change when admonished, you must seek out a pastor who is faithful to the Word of God. Your very soul is being threatened; Satan uses unfaithful pastors to lead people away from God.
Read the Bible, pray, and meditate upon God's Word; if you do not have an understanding of God's Word, you will not recognize a false shepherd. You and your family need to be under the care of a spiritual watchman who is faithful to God in his own spiritual walk and teaching. |
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| Why study at Christian Success Institute? |
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God states in His Holy Word many times that He wants to prosper us. He created a magnificent world full of wealth, beauty and resources for those of His creation who love Him. Christ told us that if we love Him we will follow His Commandments. We are told to study to show ourselves approved. The mission of CSI is to teach Biblical Success Principles while making Christ the focus of our lives.
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By seeking Christ, by studying the Word of God, we place ourselves in a position of favor in the eyes of our Holy Creator. We want everyone to learn the principles of Stewardship which will prove us. In the parable of the Servants and the talents, we see that God will prosper us and favor us with prosperity when we use His direction in the way we handle His property.
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