Spiritual Leaders

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;  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)

I can only speak for myself when I say that I am fearful of our spiritual leaders today who are willfully leading God's souls astray by not teaching, preaching and exhorting the unadulterated word of God.  The bible uses the analogy or natural parallel illustrating spiritual leadership as that of a shepherd. In the natural world, a shepherd is one who cares for sheep. A "fold" is a group or flock of sheep. In the spiritual world, people are compared to sheep. We are either sheep who have gone astray spiritually or who have become part of the "fold" or "flock" of the Lord.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.   (Isaiah 53:6)

Jesus referred to Himself as the "Good Shepherd" and explained in detail what shepherding involves. This example is one of the greatest illustrations of spiritual leadership (John 10). To be an effective leader, you must not only know the Good Shepherd and be related to Him personal and spiritual level, you must also learn how to lead like a shepherd.

Peter confirms that we are to lead like shepherds:  

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof... (I Peter 5:2)

Since Jesus called Himself the "Good Shepherd", then we must study His example of ministry to understand principles of shepherding using John 10 in God's word Bible to guide us in the basic principles of shepherding:

One fold, one shepherd:  The first principle that must be understood is that there is only one fold and one shepherd. The "fold" is the Church (body of Christ) which is composed of all born again believers. The "shepherd" is Jesus Christ. There is only one way into the fold, and that is through Jesus:

I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:8)

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

In the natural world, human shepherds divide their flocks from other flocks because it is easier and more practical to care for them. They can only be responsible and care for so many. This is true also in spiritual leadership. But in reality, there is only one fold. It is made up of all true believers who belong to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. As a leader or "shepherd", you are actually an "under-shepherd". You serve over part of His flock "under" the direction of the Good Shepherd.

Always remember that divisions of denomination, organization, and local church fellowships are made by man and exist only to permit personal care and practical organization. Spiritually, there is only one fold.

Do not try to separate "your flock" from other people in the flock of the Good Shepherd by denominationalism. Do not be concerned with building "your flock" of denomination or the local fellowship. 

Be concerned with building the flock of the Good Shepherd. 

Do not set rules and regulations of man to exclude some sheep. Jesus declares whosoever will may come as long as they come through the door of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's fold is not exclusive. The door is open to all of His sheep:  

And other sheep, I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

®     Sheep are given by God:  Because there is only one fold, all sheep (followers) are given by God:  

My Father, which gave them (the sheep) me, is greater than all... (John 10:29)

Followers are only entrusted to your care. In reality, they belong to God.

®     Some sheep will not follow:  There is a sad fact of which you must be aware as a shepherd. Some who are called will refuse to follow. Jesus said:  

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep... (John 10:26)

There will be some who are called but will not follow. They will refuse to become part of the fold. It is a sad fact, but true. Do not let this discourage you. Lead those who will follow.

®     The shepherd knows his sheep:  Jesus said:  

I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (John 10:14)

In the time of Christ's ministry, shepherds had a very personal relationship with their sheep. The shepherd was there at the birth of the sheep and he guided and cared for it throughout its lifetime.

To be an effective leader, you must know the people entrusted to your care. You must develop a personal relationship with them. Jesus said the Good Shepherd calls His own sheep by name.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  (John 10:3)

®     The sheep know the shepherd:  Not only does the shepherd know his sheep, the sheep know the shepherd:  

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Jesus said that the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. They listen and follow because they know and trust him.

As a leader, you must build relationships of love and trust with your followers. To do this, you must be with your sheep and be available to them, not separated from them. You must conduct your own life so that the sheep can follow you as you follow Christ:  

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)

People do not follow you merely because you are assigned as a leader. You must gain their trust in order to lead them. You do this by letting them get to know you.

®     The shepherd cares for the sheep:  Good shepherds care for their sheep. You must care for the souls of the sheep. You must see that their "souls are restored" to right relationship with God:

He restoreth my soul. (Psalms 23:3)

Caring for sheep includes comforting them in times of sorrow and need. The staff of the shepherd was used to reach out and catch sheep and draw them in close for comfort and examination.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  (Psalms 23:4)

Caring involves directing people to the Good Shepherd who is able to provide all of their needs:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1)

In speaking of the care of the Lord as his spiritual shepherd, David said:  

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2)

When sheep are well cared for, they will lie down and be content. Sheep in the natural world, as well as the spiritual world, will lie down only if they are:

*     Free From Fear: Fear of man or the enemy will scatter the sheep. You must teach the sheep that...  

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (I Timothy 1:7)

*     Free From Friction With Other Sheep: Sheep who are fighting each other cannot rest or feed. They also do not reproduce spiritually. When sheep fought in the natural world in Bible times, the shepherd would put oil on their heads. This would make them slick with grease so they could not bump their heads together and fight. Teach the sheep to fight the enemy, not each other. Smear the oil of the Holy Spirit on their heads!

*     Free Of Pests: In the natural world, there are different types of pests that infest the wool of sheep and cause sickness and discomfort. There are certain flies that attack sheep and leave eggs that hatch, then the baby flies crawl into the head and cause blindness and death.

David said that the shepherd "anointed his head with oil" (Psalm 23:5). In the natural world, shepherds used oil to cleanse the sheep of sickness, disease, and infections. In the spiritual world, pests can be compared to sin. Sin will cause spiritual blindness and death. The oil of the Holy Spirit must be applied to cleanse sheep from the pests of sin.

*     Free From Hunger And Thirst: If you want sheep to remain in the fold, you must feed them spiritually. The leader must take the sheep to green pastures and feed them with the truth of God's Word:  

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof... (I Peter 5:2)

It is not enough to just lead people to green pastures. You must make them lie down and abide in them. You must prepare the table with the good things of God and set it before them. You must lead the sheep to the everlasting waters (John 4) that will quench their thirst. Fill their spiritual cups to overflowing with the Word.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalms 23:5)

In the natural world, if sheep are thirsty they will set out in search of water. If they are not led to good water, they will drink bad water. The shepherd goes before them and checks for poisonous plants growing near streams and for bad water. As a shepherd, you must lead the sheep to good water. Jesus said: 

If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink... (John 7:37)

Jeremiah spoke of "cisterns that hold no water". Emptiness cannot be filled except by the water of life.

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)

It is interesting to note in Psalms 23:2 that the shepherd leads to 'still waters'.  Still waters means silent, but running water. Here the water is pure. It is not standing water which is corrupt and filthy. It is fresh. But it is not troubled, nor is it the rapidly rolling falls which can be dangerous. This speaks of stable doctrine which is not moved by shifting winds of experience or popular theology.

To the sheep, make sure that the spiritual leader you are following is following after Christ.

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 11:1)

(Biblical Studies)

08/14/14
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05/01/17