“WHAT sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! THE SWORD will CUT his ARM and PIERCE his right EYE. HIS ARM will become USELESS, and HIS RIGHT EYE completely BLIND.”
Zechariah 11:17 (NLT)
• God will judge the unfaithful ministers. - Because God's flock are precious to Him, He would not condone a shepherd who would not do His work as expected of him or her.
- If you are a leader in the church of God, you have a great responsibility.
- As a leader who is representing God before the people, do not be interested in what you could get from the sheep only, without the thought of taking care of them: "WATCH OVER THE GROUP OF BELIEVERS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU. BE LIKE A SHEPHERD THAT TAKES CARE OF HIS SHEEP. LEAD THEM WELL BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DO IT. DO NOT DO IT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DO IT. DO IT IN THE WAY THAT GOD WANTS FOR YOU. DO NOT BE A LEADER BECAUSE YOU WANT TO RECEIVE MONEY FOR YOURSELF. INSTEAD, DO IT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HELP PEOPLE" (1 Peter 5:2 EasyEnglish Bible).
READ: Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 4:15
• You are responsible to God.
- Whoever is appointed or chosen to work in the vineyard of God is responsible to God. In other words, you would be called to give an account of your stewardship.
- If you had to give an account, It means you had to be circumspect, cautious, in whatever you are called to do. You are assigned to watch, feed, and care, for the sheep (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28).
- Part of the caring are; the praying for the people, the teaching of the Word of God, And the leading them by example in all you do: "DON'T LORD IT OVER THE PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO YOUR CARE, BUT LEAD THEM BY YOUR OWN GOOD EXAMPLE" (1 Peter 5:3 NLT).
- Because the flock belongs to God, you need to constantly go to Him in prayer, in order to know what He wanted you to do about His flock.
- As a shepherd, you need to arm or equip yourself with: the study of the Word of God, prayers, fastings, and holiness, which without no one can see God (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15,16). AND you do that in order NOT to receive the attacks of the enemy—the devil:
8 BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. 9 RESIST HIM, STEADFAST IN THE FAITH... " (1 Peter 5:8,9 NKJV). - The shepherd could be exposed to the attacks of the predator that is seeking to devour the sheep, because of this and other reasons, the minister should be watchful and circumspect.
- Being watchful and circumspect meant; the putting on of the armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18); prayers, walking in the light of the Word of God, and being sensitive and prompt, when God leads.
- A minister's protection is guaranteed or certain, through his or her communion with God—his or her fellowshipping with God.
• The sheep that appreciated not the truth of the Word of God, that abuses the Grace of God on his or her shepherd, might be allowed to wander away and fall into the hand of a worthless shepherd or an hireling: "THIS illustrates how I will give this nation a SHEPHERD who will NOT CARE for THOSE who are DYING, NOR look after the YOUNG, NOR heal the INJURED, NOR feed the HEALTHY. INSTEAD, THIS SHEPHERD WILL EAT THE MEAT OF THE FATTEST SHEEP AND TEAR OFF THEIR HOOVES" (Zechariah 11:16 NLT).
- God said He would give a worthless shepherd to the nation of Israel, because of their rebellion.
- A nation or a group of people who appreciated not a good leader given to them by God would be allowed to be under a bad or worthless leader, that they might see the difference between a good leader and the bad ones, And know that being under a good leader is a gift from God and It is part of His goodnesses to a nation or a group of people.
- If God arranged or programmed It that you find yourself under a good shepherd or leader, do not abuse the Grace. This same principle applies to a nation that would not appreciate a good political leader given to them, such would be allowed to be under a worthless political leader.
• Good shepherd is a gift from God, If you had one, cherish him or her and appreciate their works and labours over your soul—life:
12 DEAR brothers and sisters, HONOUR THOSE who are YOUR LEADERS in the LORD'S WORK. THEY WORK HARD AMONG YOU AND GIVE YOU SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE. 13 SHOW THEM GREAT RESPECT AND WHOLEHEARTED LOVE BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK. And live peacefully with each other" (1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 NLT).
READ: Philippians 2:29,30; Hebrews 13:17
• Both the sheep and the shepherd have responsibilities.
- The sheep has the responsibility to submit, while the shepherd has the responsibility to care and watch over the sheep (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2).
- Whoever you are, a sheep or a shepherd, you are accountable to God.
- Submission is a sign of humility. But some have found it difficult to submit. They think and want to believe that submission is a weakness.
- There is wisdom and strength in submission. Protection and care awaited the sheep that is submissive: "OBEY YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS AND BE WILLING TO DO WHAT THEY SAY. FOR THEIR WORK IS TO WATCH OVER YOUR SOULS, AND GOD WILL JUDGE THEM ON HOW WELL THEY DO THIS. GIVE THEM REASON TO REPORT JOYFULLY about YOU to the LORD and NOT with SORROW, FOR then you will SUFFER for IT TOO" (Hebrews 13:17 the Living Bible).
- The judgement of the unfaithful minister or leader is severer or stricter because he or she is expected to know better: "NOT MANY [of you] SHOULD BECOME TEACHERS [serving in an official teaching capacity], MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, FOR YOU KNOW THAT WE [who are teachers] WILL BE JUDGED BY A HIGHER STANDARD [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]" (James 3:1 Amps).
- If a Minister or a leader is overwhelmed with the demands of the assignment, let such go to God and ask for more of His Grace to continue with the work (1 Kings 19:4).
- Although the ministry leadership work can be demanding and burdensome, but then, the price is not more than the Grace given you by God. The Grace is always sufficient!
- God knows you can do it, He would not allow you to be tempted, or be exposed, to what you had no capacity or Grace, or enablement, to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- You are appointed because He has enabled or empowered you to do it. You can always come to God for more Grace:
15 FOR we do not have a High Priest who cannot SYMPATHIZE with our WEAKNESSES, BUT was in ALL POINTS TEMPTED as we ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN. 16 LET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE, THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED" (Hebrews 5:15,16 NKJV).
• The Grace to fulfil is imparted to you in Jesus' name. And you will not fail in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- Whoever is reading this, If there is any ailment in your body, I declare your healing now in Jesus' name.
- Whatever is contrary to your health is rooted up in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Peace!
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!