Loyalty to the Man of God

Loyalty 2352 Dallas-Cherryville Highway Dallas, North Carolina 28034-0512 USA

Paul A. Brintley, Sr. Minister SERVICES Wed. 7pm - Sat. 6pm - Sun. 11am Complimentary Breakfast Sundays at 9am www.strivingon.com

to the

Man of God Paul A. Brintley, Sr.

About Paul A. Brintley, Sr. At an early age, my family and I lived in the projects of Mount Airy, NC. Growing up, I saw my neighbors partake in crime, drugs, and drunkenness. Yet my mother (Susie McClure), a widower, was determined to follow the teachings of my deceased father who diligently taught the Gospel of Christ for many years. My father (Bishop L.C. Brintley) was the founder of three churches. After his death, my mother continued to bring my brother (Ty), sister (Jean) and my self to the Gospel Assembly Church even though it was 100 miles away to Gastonia, NC. During my teenage years, I continue to go to church but my heart was not in it. The sins of this life had took me under. I was afraid that God was watching, but yet I continued on living under the power of sin. My sophomore year of high school changed the path of my life. I began attending Victory Christian Academy until going on to college. While in college the Holy Spirit began dealing with me about ministry.

Loyalty to the

Man of God

Not knowing what lied ahead in my life, I diligently started seeking God and drawing very close to my Pastor, William N. Podaras.

Brother Podaras reared me in the departments of Christianity.

Having a true man of God leading you is one of the most important things that can bring you even closer to the Lord. Under my Pastors guidance, I became a very successful businessman.

After being an Associate Pastor, of the Gospel Assembly of Kings Mountain, NC, for two years, I married Celeste Crocker on January 27, 1996. We have been blessed with our only child, Paul A. Brintley, II. After founding a church in Shelby, NC, I have moved our assembly to our current facilities in Dallas North Carolina.

Paul A. Brintley, Sr. January 20, 2004

Yet I suppose it necessary to

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send to you Epaphroditus, my bey them that have the rule over you,

and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, That they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17

brother, and companion in labor, and my fellow soldier, but your messenger, and

he that ministered to my wants.

Philippians 2:25

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The things that we do today will have much influence on tomorrow. The Bible teaches that in the last days there will be individuals that will be heady, high-minded, and truce breakers (2 Timothy 3:1-5). All three of these descriptions are of such that are not willing to submit to God's authority. These disciples are so head strong that they will

Loyalty to the Man of God

not allow anyone else to be their under-shepherd. Everyone needs guidance. No one can make it on this journey alone.

Table of Contents

Every man's head is Christ who is the Chief Shepherd. The Chief Shepherd must have under-shepherds that have a re-

Loyalty to the Man of God ........................................1

sponsibility of feeding the flock of God (John 21:17). So as we allow the under-shepherd to lead us we cannot be high-

The Set Man ...........................................................2

minded. A truce breaker makes a pledge of commitment then breaches that pledge by being disloyal and not being

Becoming Armor Bearers .........................................6

faithful. Once we make a vow, we must follow through with it as we have purposed in our heart.

Worldly Influence Produces Unfaithfulness ................9 Divinely Called Men ...............................................10 A Servant, Yet Being Saved ...................................12

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Solomon said, "faithful are the wounds of a friend."

Wounds never seem to be good, but they are for the betterment when they press us toward perfection. Companion-

Loyalty to the Man of God

ship encourages one another to stay faithful when the other

Being loyal has no self-gratification. The recipient, not the

ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please

loyalist, receives the gratification. The only self-gratification

ourselves. "

is lacking. Romans 15:1 says, "We then that are strong

that can be received is when someone is loyal to you. No one

The opportunity that we have to work together strength-

should put on loyalty just to display a facade to get someone

ens the whole body. Faithfulness is instilled in individuals

to be loyal to them. Loyalty has its rewards. Many men of

that have had a good example of faithfulness displayed be-

God began showing faithfulness to someone else before they

fore them. As we are kind and loyal to one another the

started in ministry. The apostle Paul was faith to the Phari-

seeds that we are sowing will produce that same loyalty

sees and then later to the elders in Jerusalem. Paul reminds

back to the one who sowed.

us in scripture that faithfulness is the key to being successful

If you want to sit under an oak tree in your later days,

in caring out commanded responsibilities. Have you been

plant an acorn in your youth. Use the men around you and

faithful in another mans? Can you look back at when you

they will be loyal to you. God called men to know their

served others? Are you being served today as a result of

time of ministry and to pray for others to come along and

your faithfulness? The next few pages address the proceed-

recognize the calling.

ing questions and explains what it takes to become a servant.

Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd. Numbers 27:16-17

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But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know

The Set Man

your state. For I have not man like-minded, who will

Every Christian should be led by the Holy Spirit. Its

naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not

leading will develop son ship in your life (Romans 8). We

the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Philippians 2:19-22

ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit. The church has its government which is set up in the Bible by the Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit; which is expressed through the minis-

Although Timothy’s head was Christ, he was a follower

try. Our leaders are very valuable to us as we travel on this

of Paul. Paul told the church at Corinth to be followers of

Christian journey. Journey, what a journey? Nehemiah asked

him as he followed Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). We know

the king if he would be granted permission to go to Judah in

that the head of every man is Christ and no minister, parent,

order to rebuild the city of his fathers. The king asks how

or wife can be ordained a minister's head. When Titus was

long will the journey be and when would Nehemiah return

sent to Crete he was directed to go by Paul, yet Christ was

(Romans 2:6). We ask the same questions about our Lord's

Titus' head (Titus 1:5). Faithful men like Timothy and Ti-

return. Peter said that some would even complain and begin

tus worked with Paul and showed their faithfulness to him

to scoff by saying, “where is the promise of the Lord's com-

and their reward was their own ministry. Romans 13 ad-

ing?” (2 Peter 3:4). The church is awaiting the Lord's return.

monishes us to be subject to higher powers; whether they be

(1 Thessalonians 4:17) There must be a hope established in

ministers, governments, or parents, every soul must be sub-

the people of God not to faint. The ministry has been estab-

ject to another. No man can stand alone in the ministry and

lished to bring the believer into maturity through the word of

be successful. We find that in a multitude of counselors

God. Christians today must not let their hope be deferred

there is wisdom safety (Proverbs 11:14). All ministers need

because of the frailty of man, but must have a revelation that

comrades, associates, peers- someone to be accountable to

God is still building his Bride through the church. Paul told

in the ministry. Everyone is to be submissive to some au-

the Hebrews that they must assemble more frequently as the

thority, even if it is obeying the speed limit on the freeway.

close of the age draws to an end (Hebrews 10:15). Biblical

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assembling has structure to it. One of the structures or orders of service is teaching from the ministry. These teachings allow the believers to mature in their walk. We are all striving to reach the fullness of Christ as mentioned in Ephesians 4.

A Servant, Yet Being Served When the disciples asked the Lord to give them more faith in Luke 17, Jesus told them that they must first become servants. No maid eats her meal until the master has

The crowds that followed Jesus really never had a revelation of who He really was. They looked to the loaves and the fishes. They didn’t look for and adhere to his teachings.

The miracles, signs, and wonders drew them to His meetings. Jesus was aware of this fact:

eaten and is full. Then after the maid has seen that the master has taken his fill then they may sit to eat. The title of servant is not prestigious. Its root meaning is what a servant does. So one must be willing to serve before they deserve to be served. All leaders must be able to show others what service is all about. Being able to first serve estab-

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles, which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. John 2:23-25 If there is not some main attraction in the so called "church" today, the people lose their faithfulness to the church. Loyalty to some is not even important. The congregation just wants entertainment. Ringling Brothers put a monkey and an 3

lishes character, character produces respect, respect produces loyalty, and loyalty motivates followers.

Each minister has a mentor or father figure that they either look to or pattern themselves after. The minister has served this mentor on a daily basis. "And if ye have been faithful in that which is another man's who shall give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:12). Learn their life, ways, communication and practices. These attributes are manifested in the way they live and preach. Most men of God have shown their loyalty to another minister, and still look to that minister for guidance. Timothy’s loyalty was to Paul.

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that describes a current circumstance in detail. Although the

elephant under a tent and drew a crowd. Two rival sport

minister is gifted to look at several scriptures and receive

teams can come to a stadium and draw tens of thousands of

guidance in those unique situations, some may not see the

fans to watch them compete. When the crowds come they

clear picture of what the ministry is presenting. Yet the min-

are united. They sing together, clap together, and even shout

ister is looking far beyond the apparent, and has your future

in unison. After a few days, the monkeys and elephants go to

in mind. Here is when the ministry needs the support of

another city. The two sporting teams go to another city. The

those that the Lord has placed close by his side.

crowds disperse with no unity or loyalty to one another.

God has men in the earth today that are divinely called.

There may be only few truly called when you compare a

Coming together is a beginning

man of God to everyone who calls themselves Reverend so

Staying together is progress

and so.

Working together is success.

"For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel."

In mankind faithfulness must be developed. Even the

Romans 9:6b.

Neither is all that say they are men of God are men of God. Yet those who do possess this rare calling are precious and they are due respect and loyalty. Elihu said that there is maybe “one in a thousand� (Job 33:23) in his looking for a man called by God. This office that has been established by Christ is functioning today through apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers. The five offices of this ministry has three duties that must be established (Eph. 4:11-12): 1. The perfecting of the saints

2. The work of the ministry

3. The edifying of the body of Christ

natural bond between parents and children must be established and adhered to or even it can be broken. Even though a child is reared in a loving home, they will still revolt. A marital relationship must be built on trust or there easily could be division and a lack of loyalty, which often times ends with a divorce.

Today the simplest event can cause one to doubt another’s vision and calling. The ear has heard a lot of garbage that has never been expelled from the body. Our president is an elected official and the way the president makes his election sure is to build a group around him that has the success

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of his administration at heart. That group around the president must be loyal and believe that his vision for the country

Divinely Called Men

is fulfilled. The vision of the church for today is established

Messages come over the bible stand that are purposed

in the ministry and the conveyed to the church. The church

by the Holy Spirit to cut away some of the things that are

must take the vision to heart by revelation and see to it that

pulling the church away from God. The church is some-

they do not allow themselves to hinder the vision. Unless

times deceived, believing that the man of God is too old

the church catches the vision that has been planted in the

fashioned and is stuck in some older generation. Ministries

man of God for that hour, the vision will be delayed in that

of God are instructed to conform to modern, worldly ways.

city "vision tarry wait" (Habakkuk 2:3).

Thoughts of conforming are pressured by the congregation's behavior. Fellow ministers tend to bend, Babylonian ministers have already bent to the influence at their own church.

When the man of God uses the word of God to combat these thoughts, individual’s loyalty begins to fail.

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on and are punished." Proverbs 22:3; 27:12 This proverb must be very important for the writer to place it twice in the scriptures. The prudent man is watching for snares and pitfalls that are out before the believer and is diligently warning his followers about them. Foresight is so important. God calls His ministers to be seers. Ministers are demanded to stay before the Lord for guidance concerning current events. There is not always a verse of scripture

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Worldly Influence Produces Unfaithfulness Satan and all the evils of this world have a delight in the lack of loyalty among God’s people. The lack of loyalty is not only among one another, but also towards the ministry.

Evil forces are at work to destroy the thing that will eventually lead to their own demise. Many are losing the revelation that God is still alive and at work today. The revelation of God at work is dwindling because of the lack of loyalty.

The enticements of the Evil One and the fashions of this world cloud the vision of the church. Many doubt the realness of God, which is a very deceiving spirit at work. There is a divine order of leadership that the Lord is using to carry out the perfect will of God in these last days.

While gathering thoughts, the ungodly inventor searches the lust of their own evil, corrupt, fallen nature. These inventions, facades, ideas, and lifestyles seem to be appealing when presented to us through various forms of media. The attractiveness of these many enticements lure individuals into following after and taking part in their purposes. Yet their purposes are not always a benefit to the believer but only a snare to get us away from the things of God.

Becoming Armor Bearers The Bible has many examples of loyalty to leadership.

In 1 Samuel 10:26, Saul went home to Gibeah, and there went with him a band of men, whose heart the Lord had touched. The Lord will impress in your heart a revelation of whom you should faithfully follow. The outward look does not always tell the story of an individual. Sometimes we judge a book by its cover instead of its contents. When the Lord gives you a revelation of who you should be loyal to, the mistakes in that minster's life that he has committed are easily forgiven and forgotten just as Christ forgives. Imagine a great swimmer in shark-infested waters and a boat comes by to save this swimmer. There is no question that the swimmer would be anxiously getting on the boat. What would happen if this swimmer looked at the captain and said that captain was never a good person? What would happen if the swimmer saw some of the mates that worked on the boat complaining that the captain never treated them well?

Would the swimmer tread water and debate if he should get on the boat or not? It is very advisable that the swimmer gets on the boat. Sometimes the one that we think has done the most damage to us could have been used by the Lord to perfect us, or work something out of our spirits.

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We see that all of the sons of the prophets understood

upon him; And set before him Eleazar the priest, and be-

that they had to submit to earthly leadership as well as heav-

fore all the congregation; and give him charge in their

enly. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came

sight. And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him,

forth to Elisha and said unto him, "Knoweth thou that the

that all the children of Israel may be obedient.

Lord will take away thy master from thy head today?" And

Numbers 27:16-20

he said, "Yea, I know it; hold your peace" (II Kings 2:3) Before Elisha was known as a prophet for God, he was

The first individual to catch on to the revelation is the

known as a servant to Elijah. But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there

closest person to the minister. Wives are usually doubters,

not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may enquire of the

and do not believe initially the calling on their husband.

Lord by him?" And one of the King of Israel’s servants an-

Yet, as soon as the wife foresees that the Lord is at work in

swered and said, "Here is Elisha the son of Shapat, which

the vision, then all others that stand by faith begin to take

poured water on the hands of Elijah" (II Kings 3:11).

hold. As the vision gets clearer to the people they realize

Once a man of God has been instructed by the Lord to

that the man of God has heard from God.

fulfill a task, he must develop disciples (followers). Most people do not understand that being faithful will bring you honor.

Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand 7

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