PASTORAL SHEPHERDING – IT’S NOT A GAME: IT’S ABOUT MATURING GOD’S HERITAGE IN THE SPIRIT!

“And I will GIVE you PASTORS according to mine heart, which shall FEED you with KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING” Jeremiah 3:15.

“And I will SET UP SHEPHERDS over them which shall FEED them: and they shall FEAR no more, nor be DISMAYED, neither shall they be LACKING, saith the Lord” Jeremiah 23:4.

The PASTORAL MINISTRY otherwise the SHEPHERDING of God’s heritage – the flocks of God, is an ACCOUNTABLE and RESPONSIBLE calling of grace, that’s built on the PRINCIPLE of looking well after the state of God’s herds – the Churches of His grace.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“And he GAVE some, APOSTLES; and some, PROPHETS; and some, EVANGELISTS; and some, PASTORS and TEACHERS; 12 for the PERFECTING (MATURING, EQUIPPING) of the saints, for the WORK of the ministry, for the EDIFYING of the body of Christ: 13 till we all come in the UNITY of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT (MATURED) man, unto THE MEASURE of the STATURE of the FULNESS of Christ: 14 that we henceforth be NO MORE children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 but SPEAKING the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 from whom the WHOLE body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the EFFECTUAL working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the EDIFYING of itself in love” Ephesians 4:11-16 (Emphasis Mine).

“Be thou DILIGENT to know the STATE OF THY FLOCKS, and LOOK WELL TO THY HERDS. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens” Proverbs 27:23-27.

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 FEED the FLOCK of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for FILTHY LUCRE, but of a READY MIND; 3 neither as being lords over God’s HERITAGE, but being ENSAMPLES to the FLOCK. 4 And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” 1 Peter 5:1-4.

“I am the GOOD SHEPHERD: the GOOD shepherd giveth his life for the SHEEP” John 10:11.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that GREAT SHEPHERD of the SHEEP, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” Hebrews 13:20-21.

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED MY LAMBS. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED MY SHEEP. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, FEED MY SHEEP” John 20:15-17.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI