Thomas Schreiner’s message at Jason Meyer’s installation service

By Matthew Barrett–

As many of you know, over a week ago Jason Meyer was installed as Pastor for Preaching and Vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church. In a recent issue of Credo Magazine, we interviewed Jason and you can read that interview here: “10 Questions with Jason Meyer.” In that interview Jason talks about his new role at Bethlehem. Today we would simply like to draw your attention to his installation service, in particular, the message Thomas Schreiner, Credo Magazine contributor and blogger as well as Professor of New Testament at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Here is Tom’s message, and you can read other messages, including John Piper’s, here.

I am honored to speak today, for Bethlehem Baptist was our church for 11 years (1986–1997). Diane and I have so many wonderful memories of our years here, and we made so many dear friends during those years as well. What a great work the Lord has done at Bethlehem Baptist. I am so thankful to the Lord for bringing me to Bethlehem—John Piper has had such a massive impact on my theology and spiritual life.

In addition, Jason Meyer was one of my students and is a beloved friend. What a thrill to see how God has gifted Jason and what a remarkable wife he has given to him in Cara. The Lord has given Jason an unusual ability to explain the Scriptures with clarity and passion. How merciful God has been to Bethlehem to give you a pastor like Jason Meyer. But time is short … My task today is to speak to you and challenge you as a church, and so I want to consider briefly two verses about leaders in Hebrews 13.

What the writer says about leaders I am going to apply to your relationship with Jason Meyer. So, I am not addressing Jason here, but you as a congregation, and I am speaking to the other elders as well. It is significant that the two verses come from Hebrews. For the main point of Hebrews is found in the warning passages that pervade the letter. The readers are warned in the most urgent terms about the danger of falling away, about the danger of apostasy. I conclude that the verses about leaders in Hebrews fit with the main purpose of the letter. In other words, God has given you pastors so that you will not fall away from him, so that you will keep following him until the end. The devil would love to quench the witness of Bethlehem. He would love to see its focus on the gospel disappear, so be on your guard.

First, let’s consider Hebrews 13:7, where he summons the readers to remember their leaders: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

What lessons can we learn from verse 7? Most commentators believe that the author of Hebrews asks the readers here to remember their leaders who have died, their leaders from the past. Praise the Lord that John Piper is still alive and with you, but he is now your past leader. As Jason takes the reins of leadership, remember John’s leadership as your pastor. And honor Jason as you have honored John.

1 Thessalonians 5:13 says to esteem your leaders very highly because of their work. Not just highly but very highly. What is the best way to honor and esteem Jason? I think we get a hint from the next phrase in Hebrews. The writer says that leaders speak the word of God. Jason’s fundamental calling is to proclaim the word of God to you. So, you will serve him by freeing him up to study the word. Don’t entangle him in other matters if they take him away from the word of God and prayer. Preaching pastors need quiet time to meditate on the word, and they need time to restore their own souls, so that they minister out of fullness. So, Jason doesn’t just need time to prepare messages. He needs time alone to strengthen and replenish his own heart in the truths of God’s word. And he needs some time to read widely. He needs time to digest and think about what is happening in our culture, so he can apply God’s word to all of life. What a gift you have in a man who is gifted and eager to proclaim to you the word of God.

Nuture him in that gift.
Pray for his preparation week by week.
Pray that the hearts of the congregation will be softened to hear and obey what he preaches.
Pray that your own heart will find delight in the preached word, and that you will obey what is proclaimed.

The heart of the pastoral ministry is the preaching of the word, and Satan would love to attack Bethlehem here. It may seem unlikely that Bethlehem would ever fall, but  Paul warned the elders of Ephesus about this very danger, “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears” (Acts 20:29–31). Notice what he says: From the eldership itself wolves will arise and speak what is twisted.

Remember. Remember, the ministry of John Piper.
And pray for the ministry of Jason Meyer.
Be on guard against false teachers.
Watch out for elders in your midst who subvert the gospel. False teachers may have leadership gifts, and wonderful personalities, and psychologically healthy children, but they are false if they place their confidence in their own wisdom instead of the word of God.
Most false teachers are nice guys with great personalities.

How many churches in the US have moved away from God’s word. It usually begins subtly, not blatantly, so be on your guard. Don’t forget what made this church great: a reliance upon the word of God.

Also, Hebrews 13:7 invites us to consider the godliness of Jason Meyer. Jason has recently come among you, but you have seen clear evidence of his godliness: his walk with God, and his love for Jesus Christ. Is there any doubt that Jason loves the Lord Jesus Christ with a burning passion? I have seen and so have you a godliness, humility, and love in Jason, which is the fruit of the Spirit’s work in him. I have seen an intense desire in Jason to bring glory to God by being faithful to his word. And what drives his passion and desire? Hebrews tells us: It is his faith. It is his radical trust in God. Bethlehem, imitate his faith, and don’t forsake the message that the greatest joy is knowing God. What makes this congregation radiant and strong is the touch of God upon it. So, don’t turn away from that message as there is the changing of the guard.

Indeed, the next verse Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that we have an unchanging message, an unchanging Savior, even if we have changing leaders. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Leaders come and leaders go, but Jesus Christ remains the same. Your task is to stay faithful to what you have been taught. If you read history, you know that many churches that have had a remarkably faithful and effective pastor departed in the next generation from what they were taught. Doubtless, they thought they were being progressive, but we look back and see how they lost the passion for the truth they once had. Bethlehem, by God’s grace may you be an exception to the that rule and continue to be faithful.

And you can be faithful by submitting to Jason’s leadership as Hebrews 13:17 teaches: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Let’s apply this verse to you briefly as Jason becomes your pastor. First of all, you are summoned to obey and submit to Jason as your pastor. What a radical and counter-cultural word. How quick we are to explain it away. It just doesn’t fit with our modern egalitarian culture. Now of course there are exceptions to this command. There is no excuse here for being a tyrant. We must not follow leaders into evil or heresy. It doesn’t mean Jason is always right or you must always agree with him. But your inclination, Bethlehem, should be to follow the leadership of the one you have appointed to be the preaching pastor. Yes, all the elders share authority, and the other elders should help Jason stay on track. But the preaching pastor plays a special role as the one who proclaims the word of God to the congregation. Many of your elders have other jobs, but Jason will devote himself full time to the church. He has a special burden for the church that the other elders do not have. Because of this special responsibility, he inevitably will become become the first among equals, and the congregation is rightly drawn to follow the one who opens the word week after week.

So, let his vision for the church be your vision. Let his passion kindle your passion. Be willing and eager to be guided by the one called to declare the word of God to you. Bethlehem, God has called Jason Meyer to apply the Scriptures to the situations you face as a church in the coming weeks, months, and Lord willing years. In calling him as your leader you are indicating that you are willing to follow his leadership. The writer also gives a reason the readers should submit to their leaders. He says to submit so their work will be joyful and they will not groan. Let me mention quickly 3 ways you can bring Jason joy:

First, regularly encourage him. 

Remember the rule of life. If you hear 10 positive words but one negative, you remember the negative. I imagine Jason is getting a lot of encouragement as he begins his ministry. That is typical for a new pastor. But 2 years in and 5 years in and 10 years in (Lord willing), it will be easy to take him for granted. Ask God to rekindle your love and appreciation for him regularly. Show appreciation and encouragement for his labor often.

Second, pray without ceasing for him and his family.

There are unique pressures and strains for the preaching pastor and his family. Satan would love to bring Jason Meyer down. He would love to drag Jason into sin or to destroy his family life. Jason and Cara are just ordinary people who need God’s grace every day, so ask God to sustain them. Make a special point to pray every week (every day for some of you) for your preaching pastor. May the Lord use you to preserve his faith and his fruitfulness.

Third, don’t expect him to be perfect.

Remember the words of James 3:2. We all stumble in many ways. Notice James includes himself here: We all stumble in many ways. I am constantly amazed at how often people turn against pastors when they see their weaknesses and sins. Remember the gods have not become men and dwelt among us. As you see Jason’s weaknesses and sins (and you will), don’t turn against him. No, true love is revealed when you see the weaknesses of Jason and you keep loving him. Jason isn’t Jesus Christ. He is a sinner saved by grace. He loves Jesus Christ. He is amazingly gifted. He is remarkably mature, but like all of us he is flawed. Don’t cause him groaning by focusing on his faults.

Let me close with Samuel’s words to Israel in 1 Samuel 12. The occasion is fitting, for Samuel spoke these words when Saul was being installed as king. The ministry of Samuel was ending and the ministry of Saul was beginning.  Samuel said to the people “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” Bethlehem, consider what great things the Lord has done for you in the past through the ministry of John Piper. And encourage Jason Meyer in the coming years by fearing the Lord and serving him faithfully with all your heart. Let’s pray.

Read other messages from this installation service here.