Preserving and Protecting the Vineyard
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Another mark of a spiritual leader, as a servant of God we develop a love for friend and foe. Throughout our spiritual development we grow in our spiritual attitude and lifestyle. Since we are imitators of Christ Jesus, it is His love that is seen in us for those those who believe and those who do not. We trust God hoping and resting on His promises. We commit ourselves to the care of the Church, the Vineyard He has chosen for us where we can serve Him. Before we go out to serve, we meditate on His Word seeking direction and praying for positive results. At the same time, , we acknowledgee just how helpless, frail, and vulnerable we are. As you look at these principles of a spiritual leader you will agree that it is not about us. In one of his speeches John F. Kennedy made this comment,: Ask not what your country can do for you but, ask what you can do for your country. Similarly, it is not what is offered to us, but what can be offered through Christ Jesus. We are spiritual servants, chosen by God to preach and teach His Word, calling on our God for strength, discernment, and insight. The apostle Paul wrote in II Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." The (KJV) ends this verse, "rightly dividing the word of truth." All those who stand beefore God's flock Sunday after Sunday are required "to give his maximum effort to impart God's Word completeely, accurately, and clearly to his hearers. This is crucial to counter the disastrous efects of false teachers" (and may I say, some of these false teachers are in our churches as we write.) Continuing quoting Dr. John MacArthur (commentary, page 1808) "Precision and accuracy are required in Biblical interpretation , beyond all other enterprises, because the interpreter is handling God's Word. Anything less is shameful." It is just not any book, this is God's Word which should be rightly handled. We must love the people whom God gave us and not send them a confusing message or waste their time. The Bible was compiled and written over several thousand years in three languagees, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, by thirty-five individual authors. It is the expositors responsibility to take this word across these years and properly exegete it to listeners in the twenty-first century. Sunday after Sunday this should not be done haphazardly or carelessly. It is just not any book, it is God's Word.
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About the Book
Jesus claimed “the gates of Hell” would not triumph against His church. Even death, the ultimate weapon of Satan, would not succeed in destroying it. The key to the success of any church is qualified godly leadership. In instructing Titus, the apostle Paul wrote that this leadership “must hold firm to the trustworthy word, give instruction to sound doctrine, and rebuke those who would contradict it” (1:9). The apostle then appealed to Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (2:1). Sound meaning truths, attitudes, and actions that correspond with Biblical truth. These are the leaders the Lord wants in His church. Sound Doctrine is crucial for salvation and spiritual growth. It is a sign that a church is alive and healthy. The apostle wrote to Timothy (I Timothy 4:1), “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teaching of demons.” That time is here and now and has progressed slowly through the centuries. Jesus warned of this (Matthew 24:24) as well as the apostle Paul (Acts 28:28-30), that false teachers will slither into the church causing great harm, confusing congregations, and dividing the church body. The authority of God and His Word is being challenged. Pastors and their staffs must be prepared to preserve and protect their Vineyards.
About the Author
Dr Reed was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. He became a Christian at age ten.
Dr Reed graduated from the Practical Bible Training School, Johnson City, New York (1970). He completed a BRE with Trinity College of the Bible, Evansville, Indiana (1989), and an MA from Trinity College and Seminary, Evansville, Indiana (1994). Dr. Reed completed his doctoral studies (ThD) through Christian College and Seminary, Blue Springs, Missouri (2018).
While pursuing his education Dr. Reed spent twenty-two years in Christian education teaching history and Bible at the high school and middle school level, as well as coaching several sports. He was awarded Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers multiple times.
Dr. Reed served as adjunct professor for the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary as well as Moody Bible Institute Extension in Florida.
Dr. Reed was ordained a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in 2007. He founded and pastored Immanuel Church in the Dade City/Zephyrhills area until his retirement in March of 2020.
Dr. Reed and his wife Marion reside in Florida and have three children and eight grandchildren. He is the author of the book Steadfast and Immovable. They attend New Walk Church in Zephyrhills, Florida.