GOD EQUIPS HIS SHEPHERDS (Shepherds 2)
Being a pastor or leader isn’t easy. Taking care of sheep is a hard, dangerous, difficult job. The same is true of shepherding God’s sheep, our fellow believers. We are to continue to grow as we lead others in their spiritual growth. God promised He would keep working in us to be more like Jesus. God uses leading others to stretch our faith and show us our need of Him. When David was a shepherd, he killed a lion and a bear protecting his sheep. God was using that to prepare him to fight Goliath. He learned to fight in God’s strength and depend on God for victory. He uses what we face as shepherds of His people to grow our faith as well. God allows things to come into our lives that we can’t handle so we will go to Him for help.
Hurts come that only He can heal. Temptations arise that can’t be resisted without depending on Him. He allows situations to come that we can’t handle so we will draw closer to Him and see Him work through us. Paul says in Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” That is a promise from God.
When circumstances are difficult and we doubt if we can lead God’s people, we need to remember God chose and called us. We need to depend on Him. God is working ON us and IN us so we grow even as He works THROUGH us to help others grow. We minister not just by what we say but even more by how we live. Watching us trust Jesus and grow is a powerful way God uses us to help others strengthen their faith. It is God who calls and equips us to serve Him, to shepherd His people.
Now let’s talk about the duties we have as shepherds for God. When God calls someone to do something, He also equips him or her to do it. When God calls us, He equips us with leadership or shepherding abilities. Some believers are skilled in evangelism while others are better at teaching new believers. Some do well at starting new churches others are better at pastoring churches already established. Still others are capable counselors, others are bold prayer warriors and some are fervent worshipers.
Each pastor and leader has different gifts and skills. In Romans 12:6-8 we are told that “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” We share a desire to pastor, but we are gifted to do so in many different ways. Because of this, God doesn’t want us to compare ourselves with other pastors. He just expects us to use the gifts He has given us. There is no greater privilege than serving God in the way He has gifted you.
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
How has He equipped you to lead and teach the sheep in your care? Are you faithfully caring for them? What spiritual gifts has God given you to use in their care? Are you using them to the best of your ability?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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