Feeding the Flocks
A shepherd's responsibility is to care for a flock of sheep. A big part of that care is feeding them. If they don't eat, they will not be healthy, and the owners will not get profit from their wool. The shepherd must feed them constantly, and he must feed them well. The same is true for the spiritual shepherds of the flocks of God's people. The shepherds are to care for each person in the flock and feed them well on God's Word. If this isn't happening, God's people and God's flock, the church, will not be healthy and see the fruit which should be produced. God gave Ezekiel a strong message for the shepherds of Israel. (Ezekiel 34:2) God was against those unfaithful shepherds, because they were feeding themselves, but not the people. They were simply having a job to take care of themselves, instead of truly caring for the people under their charge. I am afraid we see this today, as well.
Every local church is a flock of God. Each congregation needs a good shepherd or pastor. The duties of the shepherd are many but none compares to the ministry of feeding God's people, so they can be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. It all begins with the Bible which is our spiritual food. The shepherd must rightly interpret God's Word by careful study and them share it with the people in a way that everyone can understand the meaning and how to live it out. This includes the preaching ministry, the teaching ministry, and the discipleship ministry. Each one must be designed to feed the truths of the Bible to all people, so growth and maturity in Christ will be the result. Anything less is being a selfish shepherd who doesn't really care for anyone except himself. I would urge each of us to make sure we're a part of a local church where we are being fed the inerrant Word of God, and we are challenged to grow to be like Jesus, so that we live out the words we are taught. If we miss this, our Christian life will not be growing and satisfying as it should be, and we will not bear much fruit for the Lord and His kingdom.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 35-37.