SHEPHERD THE FLOCK

Being an elder is a high privilege and a heavy responsibility. 

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MODEL.  We learn from others who have gone before us. There are many who have set a high standard. Peter would be included as “a fellow elder.”  Of course, the perfect model is “the Chief Shepherd.”  We will not attain perfection, but there ought to be progression, as we move in the direction Christ has set for us. 

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MOTIVE.  It is not to be as a mere duty or for monetary reward. This is not a job that we choose as we would select a vocation among an array of possibilities. Rather, God chooses us. Our will is to be surrendered gladly and our work is to be performed joyfully. We will be rewarded in eternity!  There is the anticipation of the Chief Shepherd placing an unfading crown of glory on the head of the faithful pastor!

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MANNER.  We do not act as bosses telling people what to do, but as examples showing people what to do. Our manner is to be one of loving service that causes the flock to trust us and follow us. They are then motivated to serve others also.

THE PULPIT AS THE ALTAR; THE SERMON AS THE SACRIFICE

Pastoral ministry can be painful. Preaching can be exhausting and often met with apathy from some, hostility from others. When tempted to quit, let us look beyond the pews to Calvary. Consider the outpouring of Jesus’ blood and pour yourself out in your preaching. 

The pulpit is your altar and your sermon the sacrifice, ignited by gratitude for the mercy of God that would make you—an undeserving sinner—to be a custodian and communicator of God’s Word. Our voices ought to rise from the fires of hell with shrieks of pain for all eternity, but instead they may rise today with shouts of praise for grace that saved us and selected us to preach the Gospel!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

FOR HIS GLORY

 

Our service to God is not to promote ourselves, but to glorify God. Let us beware of pursuing ministry as glory hounds hunting church celebrity status.

OUR SPEECH SHOULD BE ROOTED IN GOD’S AUTHORITY. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” It is not our eloquence with words, but the exposition of the Word that redounds to His glory. Our intention in the sermon is to accurately present the sacred text as though God Himself were speaking though us. It is not the messenger, but the message that matters.  That Word has transforming power. We cannot change people, but God can through His oracles—and thus, He receives all the glory.

OUR SERVICE SHOULD BE RELIANT ON GOD’S ABILITY. “If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies.” If we want the honor of man, then we will offer them the help of a man—which will be of no eternal significance. Our passion should be for the honor of God, that He might help men and women with a power that is of enduring importance.  Church leaders are mere channels through which the mighty river of God’s blessing flows. No one is awed by a river bank, but focuses on the mighty stream that washes through it.

When servants of the Lord attend to these two matters, the result is: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

A WARNING ABOUT OUR WORDS

The calling to be a preacher and teacher of God’s truth is an awesome privilege.  We stand and speak on behalf of God. In our hands we hold the Word of God, and it is infused with a supernatural power because of its Divine source. But as the famous line from the Spider-Man movie reminds us, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

James writes from the perspective of one who was pastor of the Jerusalem church. He reminds us that there is power in words—not just the Word of God—but all words. They can hurt and they can heal. Hitler’s speeches set a world ablaze and wrought horrendous evil, while at the same time Churchill’s words galvanized the forces of freedom and stirred them to victory.

Preachers deal with words—a lot of words. People show up to listen to us. Whether in the pulpit or in a line at the grocery store, sitting in a cafe or in the stands of a sports arena—wherever those who know us are present, they are listening to us. 

James reminds us of the danger. Because of the depravity of our heart—even the regenerate—the tongue is untameable by man.  Yet, the Holy Spirit can do what we never can. He possesses all power. We must be dependent on Him. 

The call to preach is a compulsion from God that we cannot avoid, or we ought not do it. The duty to speak for God, and what the effect can be, should drive us to our knees before we stand to speak!  The more light we have the more intense will be the scrutiny of Christ’s judgment. God opens our minds to comprehend His truth and we open our mouth to communicate that truth.  God help us!

NO FEAR

Stephen Olford comments on this text:

What an encouraging verse this is! Solomon says, “The fear of man brings a snare” (Prov. 29:25). How true this is! Bondage to men because of fear is one of the greatest snares in a Christian's life. But this need not be if the heart is in the experience of this verse: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). 

O, that I may enter into the practical experience of this verse; that I may be delivered from the fear of man. It would almost seem that Timothy suffered from the same things, for Paul writes to him, “Stir up the gift of God… . For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:6-8). (According to Your Word, pp.216-217)

As I think of those who preach the Gospel, there will frequently be the roar of the devil, as a lion, seeking to terrify us. “If you say that, then so-and-so will be angry. Deal with that topic and this family will leave the church or that businessman will withhold his giving.”  There will be those who seek to intimidate the pastor, bully him and threaten him.

We cannot cave and compromise.  Our Helper is with us.  Fear God and we need fear nothing or no one else! 

OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL SLUGGISHNESS

How do you keep going when your get up and go got up and went?  Physical demand and emotional drain in Christian service can easily lead to spiritual sluggishness. You really do not have to do try to become sluggish. Call it “burnout,” if you will—a condition from burning the candle at both ends.  The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter six, verses ten through twelve, how to overcome spiritual sluggishness.  You will notice the three great Christian virtues are mentioned: faith, hope, and love.

LABOR IN LOVE, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (v.10).  Ministry motivated by obligation alone becomes a drudgery and we look for ways to do the minimum. When we are driven by compassion, we discover a dynamic that maximizes effort.  We serve because we love God and love people. Even if we are not rewarded with man’s commendation here,  we know we will have the Master’s crowning hereafter!

ENDURE IN HOPE, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,” (v.11).  Diligence is the opposite of sluggishness. It is the assurance of hope that inspires such effort. Hope rests confidently in an unchanging God.  Marathon runners are victorious when a burst of energy rises as they near the finish line.  Do you want to finish as a sluggish whiner or a strong winner?

IMITATE IN FAITH, “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” (v.12). You must regularly take in the Word of God. As you ingest its principles and digest its promises, you will find faith nourished and growing. Others have done so and we can too!  Biblical stories are filled with the exploits of those who conquered by faith. Church history is replete with the examples of those who overcame by faith. Imitate them!  Such will inspire you and you will shed sluggishness like water on a duck’s back.

In closing, recall Paul’s charge, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” (Gal.6:9).

MILK OR MEAT?

Babies need milk. They would choke on meat. When people come to Christ, they are born again, and need the first principles of God’s Word. That is how they develop.

Growth is normative.  This is discipleship. Believers should mature and move beyond ingesting the milk of the Word to digesting the meat of the Word.

A mark of physical maturity is the capacity to reproduce. Growing the congregation in spiritual maturity yields reproduction also. Those who are taught become teachers themselves.

Another indicator that people are maturing in faith is the skill with which they comprehend and communicate the Scriptures. There is a high level of discernment to sort out truth from error and to practically apply the Word in knowing the good to embrace and the evil to exclude.  The senses are exercised and a vitality in spirituality is evidenced.

Sadly, this congregation of Hebrews had not grown out of spiritual infancy. This is a frustrating matter for a Bible preacher.

Yet, do we shoulder some of the blame?  Have we been so invested in attaining a larger congregation numerically that we have neglected developing a deeper congregation spiritually?  Has there been a resolve on our part to lead the church to set a high standard for membership that demands accountability in discipleship?  Is our own study so shallow that we lack the content and communication skill to serve a hearty meal?

As you prepare to preach will you be able to feed them milk or meat?  Let us prayerfully consider this matter for we will give a strict accounting to God for it at the Judgment Seat of Christ!