Justo Madrigal Ordination
Acts 20:27-30
A long, long time ago, maybe twelve to fourteen years ago, God spoke to me in a dream. God does not often speak to me in dreams. In fact, I believe this is the only one that I’m sure of. I was asking God, “Why am I here?” Not why am I here in this universe, I mean, why am I here in Nuevo. I had come to grips with the fact that this church was going to be different than the first one we started.
But I was asking God, “Why?” Why did you bring my family and I here? Why did it cost us so much in the early years?
And then, one night, I had a dream, and I even in the dream, I knew it was from God. And there was a small boy sitting in a small living room, and I felt like it was a mobile home. And he was sitting there on a burnt orange, multi-color, high-low carpet, just playing with his toys. And God spoke very clearly to me and said… It’s for him.
And God used that dream to drive me and to drive the leadership of this church as I would often remind the church and our own family, “We are here for that child.”
And so, today, if any of you come across that child, if you could let me know, I’d appreciate it.
Justo, God drew you to himself in a powerful way right here in this room about four years ago. And as God was training you in the Proclaim Young Adult Ministry, you were serving here IN the Children’s Ministry for a year and a half. And then, we had the privilege of sending you to Calvary Bible Institute for one year, where God tested you and refined you. And then, while you’ve been serving here for the last year and a half. You got married, and God gave you a one-year stint in the Fire Department in order to confirm what he was doing in your and Ashley’s lives.
And so, here we are, ready to acknowledge the divine calling on your and Ashley’s lives. And so, today, I want to give you a warning and a charge in order to commission you both for the eternal and immeasurable blessing of serving El-Elyon, the Most-High God, and caring for his flock – the flock purchased with Christ’s blood.
Justo, most pastors in our greater church culture, become hirelings, meaning they view their calling as a job, and they think they are working for “people” in the Church. And if you mistakenly take that perspective, your life expectancy in the ministry could be very short.
It is very easy for a pastor to mistakenly begin to treat this diving calling from God as a job. Justo, God is not calling you to a job. God is not commissioning you to a job. You had a job – you left it. A job description does not define the work of a pastor – God does because these are God’s people. How can this be a job? It’s like saying your family is a job. These are God’s people, they’re his sons and daughters, and you have been called to serve them and to care for them on God’s behalf. Very similar to your role as a husband and a father.
You have been called and ordained by God. You have been anointed and appointed by God to shepherd this flock which has been purchased with the very blood of Jesus Christ.
In Acts Chapter 20, Paul gives the Ephesian elders and us a serious and sobering charge about shepherding God’s flock.
Acts 20:28 (NLT)
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
This call to “shepherd God’s flock” may not be clearly meaningful to us, but it was crystal clear to the Ephesian elders. They all knew what a shepherd did. The shepherd’s task was a life-consuming, three-fold requirement given to him by the owner of the flock. The shepherd was to feed, lead, and protect the flock – no more and no less. (It’s simple, but it’s not easy.) And if the shepherd did those three things well, the owner of the flock knew his flock would be well-cared-for, healthy, and growing.
And God’s charge to pastors is the same.
1). The first requirement of a pastor is to FEED the flock
Shepherds know that the health of the flock is directly tied to what they feed on, and so the shepherd must continually provide a healthy, well-balanced diet. In the same way, Pastors must continually provide God’s flock with a healthy, well-balanced diet of God’s Word. In the verse just previous to the one we just read, Paul said to the same elders in Ephesus.
Acts 20:27 (NLT)
27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Paul didn’t just teach on his favorite topics or the flock’s favorite topics. You must teach the whole counsel of God AS it is written in God’s Word because that is the only way to keep God’s flock healthy.
And, to keep the flock healthy, you must always keep a careful eye on them. If you notice something is not right – if something is unhealthy in the body, then you prepare a specialized diet for the flock during that time.
Most of Paul’s letters in the New Testament were written to address problems in the Church. You must never use your position to bully or control God’s flock. But you must also lovingly address any unhealthy condition in the flock – with God’s Word.
2). The second requirement of a pastor is LEAD the flock
Along with a healthy diet, sheep need to move, and if they are going to move, the shepherd must lead them. Being creatures of habit, the flock will often want to stay put in one place in every way.
But if a flock is left in one place too long, they will over-graze the pasture until all the healthy nutrition is gone, and they will just keep walking the same path until it becomes a rut. This will cause the sheep’s health to deteriorate, and parasites and diseases will take hold in the flock, and so you must keep the flock moving and growing.
If we are going to grow spiritually, then we must change. There is no spiritual growth without change, so you must keep the flock of God from becoming complacent in a religious routine that doesn’t require the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Faithfulness in shepherding God’s flock means never stop leading the flock into who and what God has made them to be and do.
3). The third requirement of a pastor is to PROTECT the flock
Still in the same text in Acts Chapter 20, in the very next verse.
Acts 20:29–30 (NLT)
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
In many of the New Testament churches, once he left, false teachers slipped in and started undermining Paul’s teaching. He knew it would happen in Ephesus as well, so he warned the elders to be on guard and watch out for false teachers – both from outside and from inside. Wolves are always stalking around the edges of the flock, waiting for the chance to pick off an unsuspecting lamb, so a good shepherd keeps a sharp eye out to protect his flock.
The shepherd’s rod and his staff are his primary tools to both care for and to protect the flock.
The rod represents the Word of God.
The staff represents The Holy Spirit.
The rod was used to inspect the sheep and discipline the sheep (metaphorically). The staff was used to draw the sheep to the shepherd, to let the sheep know that the shepherd was there. These are your tools to guard and protect the flock. But with them, you will desperately need the unending grace of God (that grace flood), and you will desperately need God’s “new every morning” mercy.
And though you are trying hard to guard and protect God’s flock, sometimes the sheep you are protecting will turn on you, and you will be injured. Don’t blame the sheep, and do not take the bait of Satan, who will tempt you to hold on to that injury and respond in the flesh to build up bitterness, anger, resentment, cynicism, and all those things. Don’t blame the sheep. And remember, King David learned to face Goliath by facing the predators that attacked his Father’s flock.
And don’t be surprised there are wolves inside the flock. Don’t be paranoid and don’t overreact, but be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. They appear to be a part of the flock, but they have their own agenda. They will worm their way into people’s confidence, and they will draw people away from the truth. They will say things that sound godly but really appeal to the flesh. They’ll sow subtle doubts about you or speak outright slander about you, and they will try to draw God’s flock away for their own purposes.
When this happens, you must first guard your own heart so that you will not respond in the flesh. And then, do all you can to protect the flock, knowing that ultimately God is their Good Shepherd and God will take care of them.
4). And finally, you must GUARD your own life
More than ever before, you now represent God, and people will judge God according to your actions. It’s not right because you are a sinner “in process,” just like they are, but people will judge and condemn God if you give them a reason to judge and condemn you.
You cannot be perfect, and so you cannot keep this from happening.
But you can guard your life.
And you can guard your heart.
Guard your heart by refusing to take the bait of Saran which includes bitterness, anger, and offense. Do not develop a victim mentality, and do not blame the people who hurt you; they are sinners just like you. Do not expect them to not be sinners.
And in regard to guarding your life, the Bible is full of direction on how to protect your life and your ministry, from the Wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to the practical direction in the Pastoral Epistles of Timothy and Titus. God’s Word will guide you in guarding your life and ministry.
1 Timothy begins with a warning against false teaching.
Then gratitude for God’s mercy.
And then, a pastor’s responsibility
and instructions about worship.
Then requirements for leaders in the Church.
Then, more warnings about false teachers
and how to be a servant of Christ.
And advice about elders, widows, and employees.
Then more advice about false teaching and true riches.
And Paul begins his final instructions in 1 Timothy with these words.
1 Timothy 6:11–12 (NLT)
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you . . .
Then, in 2 Timothy, Paul continues with:
Encouragement to be faithful.
Then being a good soldier for Christ.
Then being an approved worker.
Then the dangers of the days we are living in today.
And then, in the middle of Paul’s charge to Timothy, God gives you the secret weapon to help guard your life and your heart. And in the process, he gives you the secret weapon to guard the lives and hearts of the flock.
2 Timothy 3:16–4:2 (NLT)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God (Literally: God-Breathed) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
And, Justo, that is my charge to you.
I solemnly urge you to preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you…
And if you are ready to receive that charge before GOD and his people here, then I’d like to ask you and Ashley to come stand up here with us.
WE do not ordain a pastor. GOD ordains a pastor, and we acknowledge God’s ordaining of a pastor and of a pastor’s wife. And so, today, we acknowledge God’s ordaining of YOU – Justo, as a pastor… and of you, Ashley, as a pastor’s wife.
I’m going to ask Jacob to pray over you both, and then I am going to finish this ordination with an anointing and a charge from Psalm 23.
This olive oil was hand-pressed by the keeper of the Garden of Gethsemane, by hand, in an olive press, IN the Garden of Gethsemane, before my eyes. I was the only one there. It was me and the caretaker pressing this virgin olive oil. I have never anointed anybody with this.
Heavenly Father, as we anoint Justo and Ashley, Lord, with oil – with oil that literally has come from the Garden of Gethsemane, pressed, Lord, especially for this moment, God, we pray that you would anoint Justo and that you would anoint Ashley with the oil of your Holy Spirit. That you would fill them to overflowing, Lord. That you would continue, Lord, to cause this fire to burn and never be put out. Lord, that you would guard them and protect them, that you would be their Good Shepherd, Lord, and that you would lead and guide them for your name’s sake all the days of their lives.
And Lord, we just now, finally charge them with this Psalm.
Psalm 23 Charge
1 The Lord is your shepherd; he is all that you need.
2 He will allow you to lie down in green meadows; he will lead you beside still waters (if you will let him, don’t fight him).
3 He will renew your strength (if you will stay near to him). He will guide you along the right paths, the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, to bring honor to his name (if you will stay close to him).
4 Even when you walk through the darkest valley, he will be with you. And his rod (the Word of God) and his staff (the Holy Spirit) will guide you, will guide you through the dark times and to the mountaintops, and you will not be afraid.
5 And he will prepare a feast for you in the presence of your enemies. He will honor you by anointing your head with oil. And your cup will overflow with blessings.
6 And surely goodness and mercy, unfailing love, will pursue you all the days of your life, and you will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for Justo and Ashley, Lord. We thank you for all the miracles that you’ve brought to bring them to this place on this day. And Lord, the future is yours. You know it; you’re already there. And so, Lord, we join you in what you have already purposed and planned for Justo and Ashley. Lord, we pray for your will, your best will; we pray for your protection and your empowerment. And Lord, we can’t wait to be part of this eternal Kingdom work that you’re doing in this couple and in this place. For your glory alone, Jesus, and in your name, amen.
But I was asking God, “Why?” Why did you bring my family and I here? Why did it cost us so much in the early years?
And then, one night, I had a dream, and I even in the dream, I knew it was from God. And there was a small boy sitting in a small living room, and I felt like it was a mobile home. And he was sitting there on a burnt orange, multi-color, high-low carpet, just playing with his toys. And God spoke very clearly to me and said… It’s for him.
And God used that dream to drive me and to drive the leadership of this church as I would often remind the church and our own family, “We are here for that child.”
And so, today, if any of you come across that child, if you could let me know, I’d appreciate it.
Justo, God drew you to himself in a powerful way right here in this room about four years ago. And as God was training you in the Proclaim Young Adult Ministry, you were serving here IN the Children’s Ministry for a year and a half. And then, we had the privilege of sending you to Calvary Bible Institute for one year, where God tested you and refined you. And then, while you’ve been serving here for the last year and a half. You got married, and God gave you a one-year stint in the Fire Department in order to confirm what he was doing in your and Ashley’s lives.
And so, here we are, ready to acknowledge the divine calling on your and Ashley’s lives. And so, today, I want to give you a warning and a charge in order to commission you both for the eternal and immeasurable blessing of serving El-Elyon, the Most-High God, and caring for his flock – the flock purchased with Christ’s blood.
Justo, most pastors in our greater church culture, become hirelings, meaning they view their calling as a job, and they think they are working for “people” in the Church. And if you mistakenly take that perspective, your life expectancy in the ministry could be very short.
It is very easy for a pastor to mistakenly begin to treat this diving calling from God as a job. Justo, God is not calling you to a job. God is not commissioning you to a job. You had a job – you left it. A job description does not define the work of a pastor – God does because these are God’s people. How can this be a job? It’s like saying your family is a job. These are God’s people, they’re his sons and daughters, and you have been called to serve them and to care for them on God’s behalf. Very similar to your role as a husband and a father.
You have been called and ordained by God. You have been anointed and appointed by God to shepherd this flock which has been purchased with the very blood of Jesus Christ.
In Acts Chapter 20, Paul gives the Ephesian elders and us a serious and sobering charge about shepherding God’s flock.
Acts 20:28 (NLT)
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
This call to “shepherd God’s flock” may not be clearly meaningful to us, but it was crystal clear to the Ephesian elders. They all knew what a shepherd did. The shepherd’s task was a life-consuming, three-fold requirement given to him by the owner of the flock. The shepherd was to feed, lead, and protect the flock – no more and no less. (It’s simple, but it’s not easy.) And if the shepherd did those three things well, the owner of the flock knew his flock would be well-cared-for, healthy, and growing.
And God’s charge to pastors is the same.
1). The first requirement of a pastor is to FEED the flock
Shepherds know that the health of the flock is directly tied to what they feed on, and so the shepherd must continually provide a healthy, well-balanced diet. In the same way, Pastors must continually provide God’s flock with a healthy, well-balanced diet of God’s Word. In the verse just previous to the one we just read, Paul said to the same elders in Ephesus.
Acts 20:27 (NLT)
27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
Paul didn’t just teach on his favorite topics or the flock’s favorite topics. You must teach the whole counsel of God AS it is written in God’s Word because that is the only way to keep God’s flock healthy.
And, to keep the flock healthy, you must always keep a careful eye on them. If you notice something is not right – if something is unhealthy in the body, then you prepare a specialized diet for the flock during that time.
Most of Paul’s letters in the New Testament were written to address problems in the Church. You must never use your position to bully or control God’s flock. But you must also lovingly address any unhealthy condition in the flock – with God’s Word.
2). The second requirement of a pastor is LEAD the flock
Along with a healthy diet, sheep need to move, and if they are going to move, the shepherd must lead them. Being creatures of habit, the flock will often want to stay put in one place in every way.
But if a flock is left in one place too long, they will over-graze the pasture until all the healthy nutrition is gone, and they will just keep walking the same path until it becomes a rut. This will cause the sheep’s health to deteriorate, and parasites and diseases will take hold in the flock, and so you must keep the flock moving and growing.
If we are going to grow spiritually, then we must change. There is no spiritual growth without change, so you must keep the flock of God from becoming complacent in a religious routine that doesn’t require the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Faithfulness in shepherding God’s flock means never stop leading the flock into who and what God has made them to be and do.
3). The third requirement of a pastor is to PROTECT the flock
Still in the same text in Acts Chapter 20, in the very next verse.
Acts 20:29–30 (NLT)
29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
In many of the New Testament churches, once he left, false teachers slipped in and started undermining Paul’s teaching. He knew it would happen in Ephesus as well, so he warned the elders to be on guard and watch out for false teachers – both from outside and from inside. Wolves are always stalking around the edges of the flock, waiting for the chance to pick off an unsuspecting lamb, so a good shepherd keeps a sharp eye out to protect his flock.
The shepherd’s rod and his staff are his primary tools to both care for and to protect the flock.
The rod represents the Word of God.
The staff represents The Holy Spirit.
The rod was used to inspect the sheep and discipline the sheep (metaphorically). The staff was used to draw the sheep to the shepherd, to let the sheep know that the shepherd was there. These are your tools to guard and protect the flock. But with them, you will desperately need the unending grace of God (that grace flood), and you will desperately need God’s “new every morning” mercy.
And though you are trying hard to guard and protect God’s flock, sometimes the sheep you are protecting will turn on you, and you will be injured. Don’t blame the sheep, and do not take the bait of Satan, who will tempt you to hold on to that injury and respond in the flesh to build up bitterness, anger, resentment, cynicism, and all those things. Don’t blame the sheep. And remember, King David learned to face Goliath by facing the predators that attacked his Father’s flock.
And don’t be surprised there are wolves inside the flock. Don’t be paranoid and don’t overreact, but be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. They appear to be a part of the flock, but they have their own agenda. They will worm their way into people’s confidence, and they will draw people away from the truth. They will say things that sound godly but really appeal to the flesh. They’ll sow subtle doubts about you or speak outright slander about you, and they will try to draw God’s flock away for their own purposes.
When this happens, you must first guard your own heart so that you will not respond in the flesh. And then, do all you can to protect the flock, knowing that ultimately God is their Good Shepherd and God will take care of them.
4). And finally, you must GUARD your own life
More than ever before, you now represent God, and people will judge God according to your actions. It’s not right because you are a sinner “in process,” just like they are, but people will judge and condemn God if you give them a reason to judge and condemn you.
You cannot be perfect, and so you cannot keep this from happening.
But you can guard your life.
And you can guard your heart.
Guard your heart by refusing to take the bait of Saran which includes bitterness, anger, and offense. Do not develop a victim mentality, and do not blame the people who hurt you; they are sinners just like you. Do not expect them to not be sinners.
And in regard to guarding your life, the Bible is full of direction on how to protect your life and your ministry, from the Wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes to the practical direction in the Pastoral Epistles of Timothy and Titus. God’s Word will guide you in guarding your life and ministry.
1 Timothy begins with a warning against false teaching.
Then gratitude for God’s mercy.
And then, a pastor’s responsibility
and instructions about worship.
Then requirements for leaders in the Church.
Then, more warnings about false teachers
and how to be a servant of Christ.
And advice about elders, widows, and employees.
Then more advice about false teaching and true riches.
And Paul begins his final instructions in 1 Timothy with these words.
1 Timothy 6:11–12 (NLT)
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you . . .
Then, in 2 Timothy, Paul continues with:
Encouragement to be faithful.
Then being a good soldier for Christ.
Then being an approved worker.
Then the dangers of the days we are living in today.
And then, in the middle of Paul’s charge to Timothy, God gives you the secret weapon to help guard your life and your heart. And in the process, he gives you the secret weapon to guard the lives and hearts of the flock.
2 Timothy 3:16–4:2 (NLT)
16 All Scripture is inspired by God (Literally: God-Breathed) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom:
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
And, Justo, that is my charge to you.
I solemnly urge you to preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you…
And if you are ready to receive that charge before GOD and his people here, then I’d like to ask you and Ashley to come stand up here with us.
WE do not ordain a pastor. GOD ordains a pastor, and we acknowledge God’s ordaining of a pastor and of a pastor’s wife. And so, today, we acknowledge God’s ordaining of YOU – Justo, as a pastor… and of you, Ashley, as a pastor’s wife.
I’m going to ask Jacob to pray over you both, and then I am going to finish this ordination with an anointing and a charge from Psalm 23.
This olive oil was hand-pressed by the keeper of the Garden of Gethsemane, by hand, in an olive press, IN the Garden of Gethsemane, before my eyes. I was the only one there. It was me and the caretaker pressing this virgin olive oil. I have never anointed anybody with this.
Heavenly Father, as we anoint Justo and Ashley, Lord, with oil – with oil that literally has come from the Garden of Gethsemane, pressed, Lord, especially for this moment, God, we pray that you would anoint Justo and that you would anoint Ashley with the oil of your Holy Spirit. That you would fill them to overflowing, Lord. That you would continue, Lord, to cause this fire to burn and never be put out. Lord, that you would guard them and protect them, that you would be their Good Shepherd, Lord, and that you would lead and guide them for your name’s sake all the days of their lives.
And Lord, we just now, finally charge them with this Psalm.
Psalm 23 Charge
1 The Lord is your shepherd; he is all that you need.
2 He will allow you to lie down in green meadows; he will lead you beside still waters (if you will let him, don’t fight him).
3 He will renew your strength (if you will stay near to him). He will guide you along the right paths, the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake, to bring honor to his name (if you will stay close to him).
4 Even when you walk through the darkest valley, he will be with you. And his rod (the Word of God) and his staff (the Holy Spirit) will guide you, will guide you through the dark times and to the mountaintops, and you will not be afraid.
5 And he will prepare a feast for you in the presence of your enemies. He will honor you by anointing your head with oil. And your cup will overflow with blessings.
6 And surely goodness and mercy, unfailing love, will pursue you all the days of your life, and you will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for Justo and Ashley, Lord. We thank you for all the miracles that you’ve brought to bring them to this place on this day. And Lord, the future is yours. You know it; you’re already there. And so, Lord, we join you in what you have already purposed and planned for Justo and Ashley. Lord, we pray for your will, your best will; we pray for your protection and your empowerment. And Lord, we can’t wait to be part of this eternal Kingdom work that you’re doing in this couple and in this place. For your glory alone, Jesus, and in your name, amen.