Shepherds

I Peter 5:4 speaks of Christ who is the "Chief Shepherd". We are to follow His example to care for the sheep He has entrusted to us.

I Peter 5:2 Lets look at the term "Shepherd The Flock Of God" an ancient Israelite shepherd would go before his sheep to lead them; he would not drive the sheep in front of him. Church leaders should lead the people of God in the same manner; feeding, protecting, and guiding them. Christian leaders should also remember that they have been given responsibility for tending a flock that belongs to God, not to themselves.

Church leaders carrying out the role of Pastoral Care must do everything in their power to ensure that the christians under their care are living according to God's word. ( Not by compulsion ) The work of the ministry is to be done joyfully, not merely as a duty. Christian leaders need to make certain that their work is not motivated by money, but by a passion for the good of those believers put in their charge. I Timothy 3:3+8 Titus 1:11

Example: ( I knew a Pastor who wouldn't take a little country church that wanted him desperately because he said they didn't have enough money . He said that he would rather take a city church........they pay better!

I ask you the question, what about the call of God for you to go where he sends you? What can satan use to cause you to compromise the call?

I Peter 5:4 He's called the "Chief Shepherd" Elseware he is called the shepherd or overseer of your souls I Peter 2:25. The Good Shepherd John 10:11,14. and the Great Shepherd Hebrews 13:20.

The perfect example of selfless service is found in the scripture passage Mark 10:45 Want a servant heart ? Want the office of a servant ? Give your life for others. Acts 20:17-38 This passage is raw with emotion, truth and honesty. Paul exhorts these christians to be dilligent in their walk and the things to look for in a shepherd who cares for the flock that they have been entrusted with . A truly moving passage on the eve of Paul's departure. Being a shepherd, giving pastoral care consists of more than preaching, telling people what they should do and how they should do it. Pastoral Care is just that�(caring) Listening to the struggles and fears they are facing, caring for them, watching out for their well being. Shepherding is not just giving a sermon on Sunday morning. It's becoming a part of their lives....joys and griefs.

Ezekiel 34 describes Irresponsible Shepherds

The H S spoke to the Prophet Ezekiel and instructed him to use his gift of prophesy and to speak a word against the shepherds of Israel . So what we've been taught about the gift of prophesy only being used to speak a good word or encouraging word and only those are of the Lord is not so!

Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds. It was Ezekiels voice but God who spoke and since it was God who spoke.....that's good enough for me! Thus say's the Lord God to the shepherds "Woe to the shepherds who feed themselves ! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks ? Vs:2.

God is giving the leadership a strong rebuke. Why? What had they done wrong? The shepherds had been accused of forsaking the key feature of leadership; selfless sacrificial service example: Isaiah 53:12 Jesus here is the perfect example of selfless, sacrificial service, Amen!