Matthew 10:1-15

We are taught that all ministers are not necessarily saved men.
We are taught that the great work of a minister of Christ is to do good.
We are taught that it is a most dangerous thing to neglect the offers of the Gospel.

"We are not to regard [pastors]as infallible, either in doctrine or in practice. We are not to make popes or idols of them, and insensibly put them in Christ's place."

"Half the diseases of Christianity have arisen from mistaken notions about the pastor's office!"

"Let us assume that we are decent and respectable in our lives, correct and moral in all the relations of life, regular in our formal attendance on the means of grace. It is all well, so far as it goes. But is this all that can be said of us? Are we really receiving the love of the truth? Is Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith? If not, we are in fearful danger. We are far more guilty than the men of Sodom, who never heard the Gospel at all."

Questions:

In these verses we hear about Jesus ordaining the 12 apostles and sending them out to do good. If you are a pastor, it is worth considering these things, and if you are part of a church, to consider your pastors life in light of these things. Fellow pastors, Ryle warns that 'half the diseases of Christianity have arisen from mistaken notions about the pastor's office!' Do we use this position for self or to serve others? Can we say to those under our care, "follow me, as I follow Christ?"
We are warned that to hear the gospel and neglect it is a dangerous thing, as Jesus tells his disciples that it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for those who hear and reject. Ryle asks some hard questions worth repeating here. He says, "Let us assume that we are decent and respectable in our lives, correct and moral in all the relations of life, regular in our formal attendance on the means of grace. It is all well, so far as it goes. But is this all that can be said of us? Are we really receiving the love of the truth? Is Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith? If not, we are in fearful danger. We are far more guilty than the men of Sodom, who never heard the Gospel at all." Is this true of us? Is church a formality, or a means of grace we delight in? May it be so, for God's glory and our joy!