Do not Neglect the Gift
by Pastor Walter Snyder

I've hurried back from vacation, rested at home, made a few hospital visits and sick calls, and
now am preparing to run off again. This time, it's "business" as well as "pleasure." One of my
oldest and dearest friends (I'll call him "Ted," since that's his name) accepted the call of the Holy
Ghost to become pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburg, Kansas. God willing, after I wrap up
this column, I'll be on my way to preach the installation sermon.

I like installations. Pomp and pageantry, ceremony and celebration---these fascinate me and raise
my spirits. The old song, "I Love a Parade" comes sometimes to mind as I process with brother
clergy, marching to a common goal for a common purpose.

I like being reminded by Scripture and sermon of the nature of the Divine Call: It is from God, not
man. It is to an Office, not a lifestyle. It's to save sinners, not to sinfully glorify the pastor.
Likewise, the congregation is reminded of both blessings and obligations. Scripture speaks of the
"beautiful feet" of the messenger of good news, speaking to the receiving, believing saint.
However, the Bible also warns, admonishes, and commands respect, honor, and obedience,
speaking to the rejecting, neglecting sinner. As we know from the Word, each of us is both and
each of us needs both the Law's threatening commands and the Gospel's comforting promises.

I'm going to preach on 1 Timothy 4:11-16. Ted and Zion will both be told, "Do not neglect the
gift. (v. 14)" This is a gift of interpreting, teaching, and proclaiming Scripture given to Christ's
pastors. This then is a gift of forgiveness and new life they give to Christ's Church. As I prepare
to preach, I also ponder and puzzle: How have I used the gift? Have I made it freely available to
all who need it? Have I preached the "full council of God," confronting sin and comforting
sinners?

Paul closes this section by saying, "Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and
your hearers. (v. 16)" He doesn't mean that by doing the deed the pastor is automatically allowed
into heaven any more than a person is saved by sitting in the pew on Sunday morning. However,
when the pastor is in the Word, striving for pure doctrine and loving practice, he preaches not
only to the flock, but to himself. He is saved by the same grace he speaks to others, for the same
Savior died for him and for the flock entrusted to his care.

Now you can see a bit more why I like installations: They're one more place to go for forgiveness
of sins and strength on the way to heaven.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of
the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version~<TM>, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this
disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and
redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States
and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions
concerning the property of others.