How Pastors Can Avoid Bad Advice and Fulfill Their Ministry - H. B. Charles

Your first Father's Day after your dad Your first Father's Day after your dad died, you preached a sermon titled The died, you preached a sermon titled The died, you preached a sermon titled The Lord knows what he is doing. Lord knows what he is doing. Lord knows what he is doing. How did grief, both then and since, how How did grief, both then and since, how How did grief, both then and since, how did how has grief shaped the way you did how has grief shaped the way you did how has grief shaped the way you preached to suffering people? preached to suffering people? preached to suffering people? >> Yeah, so >> Yeah, so >> Yeah, so the week my father passed away, I was the week my father passed away, I was the week my father passed away, I was preaching a youth meeting at the Chapel preaching a youth meeting at the Chapel preaching a youth meeting at the Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Detroit, Hill Baptist Church in Detroit, Hill Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. So, as I'm flying from Detroit Michigan. So, as I'm flying from Detroit Michigan. So, as I'm flying from Detroit um to Los Angeles, the Lord calls my um to Los Angeles, the Lord calls my um to Los Angeles, the Lord calls my father from labor to reward. And I come father from labor to reward. And I come father from labor to reward. And I come home to the news that my my dad had home to the news that my my dad had home to the news that my my dad had passed away. I'm sitting in the back passed away. I'm sitting in the back passed away. I'm sitting in the back seat with my suitcase. seat with my suitcase. seat with my suitcase. And And And the men of the church are there waiting the men of the church are there waiting the men of the church are there waiting for me. I'm 16 years old. It is the day for me. I'm 16 years old. It is the day for me. I'm 16 years old. It is the day before Father's Day. before Father's Day. before Father's Day. They have come out They have come out They have come out to to the car to tell me my dad passed. to to the car to tell me my dad passed. to to the car to tell me my dad passed. And And And I will tell you something about the man. When When I got in the house, my family I got in the house, my family I got in the house, my family told me I needed to come in because the told me I needed to come in because the told me I needed to come in because the men wanted me to preach the next day.

men wanted me to preach the next day. men wanted me to preach the next day. And my family, we needed to call a And my family, we needed to call a And my family, we needed to call a locksmith locksmith locksmith because people were going in my daddy's because people were going in my daddy's because people were going in my daddy's Members were showing up Members were showing up Members were showing up going in my dad's studies to take a going in my dad's studies to take a going in my dad's studies to take a book. They just wanted something that book. They just wanted something that book. They just wanted something that belonged to him. They just loved the belonged to him. They just loved the belonged to him. They just loved the man. Um man. Um man. Um but but but um um um I I I I I I think I was more shocked I I I I I I think I was more shocked I I I I I I think I was more shocked than stunned. than stunned. than stunned. Uh so much not to say no to the telling Uh so much not to say no to the telling Uh so much not to say no to the telling me to preach the next day. me to preach the next day. me to preach the next day. And I had just preached that youth And I had just preached that youth And I had just preached that youth message on the lads' lunch in John message on the lads' lunch in John message on the lads' lunch in John chapter 6. chapter 6. chapter 6. And looked at that text again and saw And looked at that text again and saw And looked at that text again and saw that line that line that line that he asked these things to test that he asked these things to test that he asked these things to test Philip because he knew what he would do. Philip because he knew what he would do. Philip because he knew what he would do. And I restructured that to lean into And I restructured that to lean into And I restructured that to lean into that that the Lord knew what he was that that the Lord knew what he was that that the Lord knew what he was doing. doing. doing. I will tell you though, the week of my I will tell you though, the week of my I will tell you though, the week of my dad's funeral, my pastor my dad's pastor dad's funeral, my pastor my dad's pastor dad's funeral, my pastor my dad's pastor friends told me friends told me friends told me as I wept at his funeral, "Don't cry. Your dad would not be proud to see you Your dad would not be proud to see you sitting here crying.

sitting here crying. sitting here crying. You know where your daddy is. There is You know where your daddy is. There is You know where your daddy is. There is nothing for you to cry about. nothing for you to cry about. nothing for you to cry about. Uh stop stop that crying and Uh stop stop that crying and Uh stop stop that crying and I so appreciated their care and concern I so appreciated their care and concern I so appreciated their care and concern and they were absolutely wrong. and they were absolutely wrong. and they were absolutely wrong. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> They were just absolutely wrong. >> They were just absolutely wrong. >> They were just absolutely wrong. Um Um Um and it took me some time to and it took me some time to and it took me some time to come to grips with that. come to grips with that. come to grips with that. That being saved doesn't mean you are That being saved doesn't mean you are That being saved doesn't mean you are bionic. bionic. bionic. And you are Yes, the Bible And you are Yes, the Bible And you are Yes, the Bible says that we should not sorrow as those says that we should not sorrow as those says that we should not sorrow as those who have no hope, but it doesn't mean we who have no hope, but it doesn't mean we who have no hope, but it doesn't mean we should not sorrow. should not sorrow. should not sorrow. Um so it took me a while to go through Um so it took me a while to go through Um so it took me a while to go through the grief process. the grief process. the grief process. And I feel like And I feel like And I feel like not only the the loss of a loved one at not only the the loss of a loved one at not only the the loss of a loved one at an early age an early age an early age and then me really having the grief and then me really having the grief and then me really having the grief process delayed makes me really really process delayed makes me really really process delayed makes me really really sensitive sensitive sensitive as I am ministering to suffering people. as I am ministering to suffering people. as I am ministering to suffering people. Here at Shiloh Church when I preach a Here at Shiloh Church when I preach a Here at Shiloh Church when I preach a funeral sermon, funeral sermon, funeral sermon, um and there are families and guests um and there are families and guests um and there are families and guests there that don't don't there that don't don't there that don't don't don't know who I am, who have shown up don't know who I am, who have shown up don't know who I am, who have shown up for a funeral.

for a funeral. for a funeral. One of the things I say to introduce One of the things I say to introduce One of the things I say to introduce myself is not my title, they are my a myself is not my title, they are my a myself is not my title, they are my a tenure at the church, tenure at the church, tenure at the church, but that I've sat where you sit. but that I've sat where you sit. but that I've sat where you sit. And I know what it is for a death to And I know what it is for a death to And I know what it is for a death to snatch away a loved one. Um so I do snatch away a loved one. Um so I do snatch away a loved one. Um so I do and after all these decades, I still I and after all these decades, I still I and after all these decades, I still I still still still miss my dad and grieve my miss my dad and grieve my miss my dad and grieve my uh my dad's passing and carry on the uh my dad's passing and carry on the uh my dad's passing and carry on the hope of heaven hope of heaven hope of heaven uh in my heart for comfort, but um I do uh in my heart for comfort, but um I do uh in my heart for comfort, but um I do feel like it has shaped me to be feel like it has shaped me to be feel like it has shaped me to be sensitive sensitive sensitive to those in our congregation to those in our congregation to those in our congregation who are going through various sorrows who are going through various sorrows who are going through various sorrows and griefs and afflictions. and griefs and afflictions. and griefs and afflictions. I don't remember who said it, but they I don't remember who said it, but they I don't remember who said it, but they have said it was well said have said it was well said have said it was well said that you should preach to broken hearts that you should preach to broken hearts that you should preach to broken hearts and you'll never lack for a congregation and you'll never lack for a congregation and you'll never lack for a congregation because there's one in every pew. because there's one in every pew. because there's one in every pew. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Yeah, that's right. Yeah, HB, I lost my dad at 32 and I Yeah, HB, I lost my dad at 32 and I Yeah, HB, I lost my dad at 32 and I can't imagine what it would have been can't imagine what it would have been can't imagine what it would have been like to lose my dad at 16 or 17 years like to lose my dad at 16 or 17 years like to lose my dad at 16 or 17 years old. I just I I can't even imagine that old. I just I I can't even imagine that old. I just I I can't even imagine that and I probably miss him more now than I and I probably miss him more now than I and I probably miss him more now than I missed him at 32. So, I I resonate with missed him at 32. So, I I resonate with missed him at 32. So, I I resonate with that and I do think that's the Lord the that and I do think that's the Lord the that and I do think that's the Lord the Lord prepared your heart, the heart of a Lord prepared your heart, the heart of a Lord prepared your heart, the heart of a shepherd to love people that are shepherd to love people that are shepherd to love people that are brokenhearted that way and and what a brokenhearted that way and and what a brokenhearted that way and and what a what a wonderful testimony. You do You what a wonderful testimony. You do You what a wonderful testimony. You do You know people love you, but they can still know people love you, but they can still know people love you, but they can still sometimes give you bad advice. That's sometimes give you bad advice. That's sometimes give you bad advice. That's really important for for pastors to really important for for pastors to really important for for pastors to hear. People that love you can give you hear. People that love you can give you hear. People that love you can give you really bad advice. Um HB, I know that

really bad advice. Um HB, I know that really bad advice. Um HB, I know that that leaving Los Angeles to go to Shiloh that leaving Los Angeles to go to Shiloh that leaving Los Angeles to go to Shiloh in Jacksonville, you you've you've in Jacksonville, you you've you've in Jacksonville, you you've you've talked about the Lord dragging you there talked about the Lord dragging you there talked about the Lord dragging you there kicking and screaming. kicking and screaming. kicking and screaming. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Um and and and like like any church, >> Um and and and like like any church, >> Um and and and like like any church, you've had challenges that you've had to you've had challenges that you've had to you've had challenges that you've had to face. How How has face. How How has face. How How has your preaching your preaching your preaching uh helped you lead that congregation and uh helped you lead that congregation and uh helped you lead that congregation and and see that congregation grow in their and see that congregation grow in their and see that congregation grow in their knowledge of the Lord, their love for knowledge of the Lord, their love for knowledge of the Lord, their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell us a little the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell us a little the Lord Jesus Christ. Tell us a little bit about your preaching at Shiloh these bit about your preaching at Shiloh these bit about your preaching at Shiloh these last seven What's seven How many years last seven What's seven How many years last seven What's seven How many years now? Is it now? Is it now? Is it >> I am in my 18th year >> I am in my 18th year >> I am in my 18th year >> 20. Yeah. >> 20. Yeah. >> 20. Yeah. >> Yeah, I'm in my 18th year and this has >> Yeah, I'm in my 18th year and this has >> Yeah, I'm in my 18th year and this has been a great joy to pastor this church. been a great joy to pastor this church. been a great joy to pastor this church. But But But um um um I'm I I know what John Newton meant. I'm I I know what John Newton meant. I'm I I know what John Newton meant. Through many dangers, toils and snares, Through many dangers, toils and snares, Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come." So, I have had I have already come." So, I have had I have already come." So, I have had some very difficult seasons some very difficult seasons some very difficult seasons over these 18 years pastoring this over these 18 years pastoring this over these 18 years pastoring this church.

church. church. Um I have been I have been aided aided aided by my study of God's word by my study of God's word by my study of God's word and preaching from the overflow. Um God and preaching from the overflow. Um God and preaching from the overflow. Um God has used that in times of um division, has used that in times of um division, has used that in times of um division, sometimes of betrayal, sometimes of just sometimes of betrayal, sometimes of just sometimes of betrayal, sometimes of just difficult transition here. difficult transition here. difficult transition here. Um my own time in the I I still Um my own time in the I I still Um my own time in the I I still I'm still shocked I'm still shocked I'm still shocked that I get paid to study the Bible. that I get paid to study the Bible. that I get paid to study the Bible. I mean I mean I mean I just I just I can't believe that. And I just I just I can't believe that. And I just I just I can't believe that. And my study of God's word my study of God's word my study of God's word to fill up my heart and then get to the to fill up my heart and then get to the to fill up my heart and then get to the pulpit to preach from the overflow of pulpit to preach from the overflow of pulpit to preach from the overflow of that um has that um has that um has been a great blessing. been a great blessing. been a great blessing. Secondly, I do believe in the power of Secondly, I do believe in the power of Secondly, I do believe in the power of the pulpit. the pulpit. the pulpit. And I just believe there is nothing that And I just believe there is nothing that And I just believe there is nothing that the word of God cannot fix. the word of God cannot fix. the word of God cannot fix. So, I do not think the solutions to the So, I do not think the solutions to the So, I do not think the solutions to the challenges I've had in my I've never challenges I've had in my I've never challenges I've had in my I've never thought that the solutions are in the thought that the solutions are in the thought that the solutions are in the boardroom. boardroom. boardroom. I the solutions are in the power of I the solutions are in the power of I the solutions are in the power of God's word.

God's word. God's word. And I am his spokesman here and I want And I am his spokesman here and I want And I am his spokesman here and I want to make sure that I rightly divide the to make sure that I rightly divide the to make sure that I rightly divide the word of truth. word of truth. word of truth. I I also think um I I also think um I I also think um one of the great compliments I've one of the great compliments I've one of the great compliments I've received on the other side of some received on the other side of some received on the other side of some difficult periods difficult periods difficult periods is that is that is that I would have never known you were going I would have never known you were going I would have never known you were going through that through that through that behind the scenes from the way you went behind the scenes from the way you went behind the scenes from the way you went to the pulpit on Sundays. to the pulpit on Sundays. to the pulpit on Sundays. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Um >> Um God's God's grace is sufficient for us God's God's grace is sufficient for us God's God's grace is sufficient for us and his strength is perfected in our and his strength is perfected in our and his strength is perfected in our weakness. And I I think that the pulpit weakness. And I I think that the pulpit weakness. And I I think that the pulpit is a place to vent. is a place to vent. is a place to vent. Um and I think that has made me I know Um and I think that has made me I know Um and I think that has made me I know that I have been the times burdened and that I have been the times burdened and that I have been the times burdened and hurt and troubled and it has made me be hurt and troubled and it has made me be hurt and troubled and it has made me be more intentional more intentional more intentional in the crafting of my sermon, not just in the crafting of my sermon, not just in the crafting of my sermon, not just the study of the text, but the crafting the study of the text, but the crafting the study of the text, but the crafting of my sermon. There was a period where I of my sermon. There was a period where I of my sermon. There was a period where I just went just went just went to the pulpit with the full I'm I'm not to the pulpit with the full I'm I'm not to the pulpit with the full I'm I'm not a manuscript preacher. I write it but a manuscript preacher. I write it but a manuscript preacher. I write it but didn't take it to the pulpit, but I I didn't take it to the pulpit, but I I didn't take it to the pulpit, but I I went through a stretch where I took it went through a stretch where I took it went through a stretch where I took it to the pulpit every week.

to the pulpit every week. to the pulpit every week. And I did not want to succumb to the And I did not want to succumb to the And I did not want to succumb to the temptation to say something off the cuff temptation to say something off the cuff temptation to say something off the cuff that might be a reaction that might be a reaction that might be a reaction to a last deacon meeting rather than the to a last deacon meeting rather than the to a last deacon meeting rather than the leadership of the Holy Spirit. leadership of the Holy Spirit. leadership of the Holy Spirit. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So, if push come to shove, I just want >> So, if push come to shove, I just want >> So, if push come to shove, I just want to read what I what I have prayerfully to read what I what I have prayerfully to read what I what I have prayerfully thought of here. So, I I have tried thought of here. So, I I have tried thought of here. So, I I have tried to be very precise and careful to be very precise and careful to be very precise and careful um um um in the pulpit. And in the pulpit. And in the pulpit. And I am blessed. Not everyone can say this. I am blessed. Not everyone can say this. I am blessed. Not everyone can say this. With all of the challenges, I am blessed With all of the challenges, I am blessed With all of the challenges, I am blessed to serve a church where preaching is in to serve a church where preaching is in to serve a church where preaching is in season. season. season. And And And um um um the people the people the people um um um Last week I got a chance to preach at a Last week I got a chance to preach at a Last week I got a chance to preach at a great conference, great conference, great conference, national conference. I came here Sunday. national conference. I came here Sunday. national conference. I came here Sunday. I got hit came home Sunday. They didn't I got hit came home Sunday. They didn't I got hit came home Sunday. They didn't know or care that I was at that know or care that I was at that know or care that I was at that conference. conference. conference. They just wanted to know if there a word They just wanted to know if there a word They just wanted to know if there a word from the Lord. And that is a inspiring from the Lord. And that is a inspiring from the Lord. And that is a inspiring reality that uh spurs me on to keep reality that uh spurs me on to keep reality that uh spurs me on to keep preaching.

preaching. preaching. >> HB, you mentioned that the power is in >> HB, you mentioned that the power is in >> HB, you mentioned that the power is in the pulpit, specifically in the word of the pulpit, specifically in the word of the pulpit, specifically in the word of God. And so many of the pastors God. And so many of the pastors God. And so many of the pastors listening to this podcast believe that listening to this podcast believe that listening to this podcast believe that in their heads, in their heads, in their heads, um but the weekend, week out grind of um but the weekend, week out grind of um but the weekend, week out grind of ministry with satanic distraction and ministry with satanic distraction and ministry with satanic distraction and and discouragement, as well as just our and discouragement, as well as just our and discouragement, as well as just our own struggles as weak, fallen creatures, own struggles as weak, fallen creatures, own struggles as weak, fallen creatures, um it can it can lead us to lose sight um it can it can lead us to lose sight um it can it can lead us to lose sight of those theological truths we affirm, of those theological truths we affirm, of those theological truths we affirm, to not not feel them. So, what would to not not feel them. So, what would to not not feel them. So, what would what would you say to the pastor what would you say to the pastor what would you say to the pastor who is struggling to believe that the who is struggling to believe that the who is struggling to believe that the word works? I mean, after all, his word works? I mean, after all, his word works? I mean, after all, his people show up every Sunday looking people show up every Sunday looking people show up every Sunday looking pretty much the same they did the Sunday pretty much the same they did the Sunday pretty much the same they did the Sunday before. before. before. Uh same same struggles, same questions. Uh same same struggles, same questions. Uh same same struggles, same questions. So, how do you fight to really believe So, how do you fight to really believe So, how do you fight to really believe that God's word will not return void? that God's word will not return void? that God's word will not return void? What would you encourage it What would you encourage it What would you encourage it What word would you have for a What word would you have for a What word would you have for a discouraged pastor in that regard?

discouraged pastor in that regard? discouraged pastor in that regard? >> Sure. So, >> Sure. So, >> Sure. So, the entirety of my ministry, I have been the entirety of my ministry, I have been the entirety of my ministry, I have been concerned concerned concerned with the opening of a series of commands with the opening of a series of commands with the opening of a series of commands in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 2, in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 2, in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 2, preach the word. preach the word. preach the word. Now, at this season of my life, I am Now, at this season of my life, I am Now, at this season of my life, I am concerned with the last of that series concerned with the last of that series concerned with the last of that series commands of commands in verse 5, commands of commands in verse 5, commands of commands in verse 5, fulfill your ministry. fulfill your ministry. fulfill your ministry. And we don't get any credit And we don't get any credit And we don't get any credit for how well we start. for how well we start. for how well we start. Anyone can Anyone can Anyone can start fast. The question is, can you start fast. The question is, can you start fast. The question is, can you finish strong? finish strong? finish strong? And And And the word works, the word works, the word works, but but but it it doesn't work according to our it it doesn't work according to our it it doesn't work according to our timetable and schedule. timetable and schedule. timetable and schedule. Um you can't preach and expect God to uh Um you can't preach and expect God to uh Um you can't preach and expect God to uh you know, he is the fool who who you know, he is the fool who who you know, he is the fool who who expects to sow and reap on the same day.

expects to sow and reap on the same day. expects to sow and reap on the same day. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um and you have to have a great >> Um and you have to have a great >> Um and you have to have a great confidence in God. There are there are confidence in God. There are there are confidence in God. There are there are weeks where weeks where weeks where I do feel I do feel I do feel that I have poured out everything I've that I have poured out everything I've that I have poured out everything I've gotten, and I don't see a difference. gotten, and I don't see a difference. gotten, and I don't see a difference. But I'm grateful that But I'm grateful that But I'm grateful that whether or not I can thank God for whether or not I can thank God for whether or not I can thank God for things I can see growing over things I can see growing over things I can see growing over above the soil, God is always at work above the soil, God is always at work above the soil, God is always at work underneath the soil in ways that we underneath the soil in ways that we underneath the soil in ways that we cannot see and we do not know. cannot see and we do not know. cannot see and we do not know. And our confidence must be in him And our confidence must be in him And our confidence must be in him in the lordship of Christ and in the in the lordship of Christ and in the in the lordship of Christ and in the power of his word and in the ministry of power of his word and in the ministry of power of his word and in the ministry of the Holy Spirit to get the job done in the Holy Spirit to get the job done in the Holy Spirit to get the job done in the life of his people. the life of his people. the life of his people. Um Um Um I pray a prayer of illumination I pray a prayer of illumination I pray a prayer of illumination every Sunday before I start the sermon every Sunday before I start the sermon every Sunday before I start the sermon and I typically end that prayer by and I typically end that prayer by and I typically end that prayer by saying saying saying that as we plant as the seed of your that as we plant as the seed of your that as we plant as the seed of your word is planted and watered, Lord, we word is planted and watered, Lord, we word is planted and watered, Lord, we know that only you can make it grow.

know that only you can make it grow. know that only you can make it grow. So we reserve for you as always the So we reserve for you as always the So we reserve for you as always the highest praise and full credit for the highest praise and full credit for the highest praise and full credit for the fruit that shall come from this time. fruit that shall come from this time. fruit that shall come from this time. It's our job to just plant and water. We It's our job to just plant and water. We It's our job to just plant and water. We got to trust God to give the increase. got to trust God to give the increase. got to trust God to give the increase. Hang in there. Hang in there. Hang in there. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. I I've forgotten 99% of the meals I've I I've forgotten 99% of the meals I've I I've forgotten 99% of the meals I've eaten in my life, but you know what? eaten in my life, but you know what? eaten in my life, but you know what? They've kept me alive. They've kept me alive. They've kept me alive. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> God God God uses faithful, forgettable >> God God God uses faithful, forgettable >> God God God uses faithful, forgettable sermons sermons sermons to beautify his bride. to beautify his bride. to beautify his bride. >> Amen. Praise God.