The Role of the Pastor

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV

 

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

 

This is to be the role of a pastor (shepherd) of God’s sheep. He is to shepherd his flock in the ways of the Lord, as Jesus shepherds us. He is to lead the sheep to follow Christ in obedience to his commands, and in the forsaking of their sins. He is to instruct them in godliness and in holy living. And he is uppermost to lead the flock by personal example and not in a controlling or domineering manner, with the exception if biblical church discipline is required. Then he will need to be more authoritative.

 

Pastors (shepherds) of the Lord’s sheep should follow the Lord’s example in how he leads his sheep. Of utmost concern should be the sheep’s spiritual growth and development, and training them in righteousness and in holiness. The pastor should never compromise the truth of the Scriptures nor should he ever compromise with the world in order to attract the world to their gatherings. He should always hold fast to the truth of the gospel without wavering, and he should lead his flock in the right way.

 

Sadly this is not the example we are seeing much these days here in America. Too many shepherds of the sheep are building their own earthly kingdoms and so they are compromising with the world, and they are altering the gospel message to make it more acceptable to human flesh and to the world. And so they are lying to the people and they are withholding the truth of the gospel so that they don’t offend anyone. But that is leaving their adherents still bound in their sins, not set free.

 

So, if you are a pastor, take this passage of Scripture to heart and apply it to your life and ministry. Teach your people to die with Christ to sin and to live to him and to his righteousness in walks of obedience to his commands. Lead them by your example in how to live holy lives surrendered to Jesus Christ. And make no compromises with the world or with the flesh. Show integrity in all that you do and represent Christ well. For your people will likely follow your lead, so lead them in the paths of righteousness.

 

[Matt 7:21-23; Matt 24:9-14; Lu 9:23-26; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:5; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 1 Pet 2:24; Tit 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-9; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; Heb 3:6,14-15; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2; Rev 21:8,27; Rev 22:14-15]

 

Awaken the Dawn  

 

An Original Work / January 15, 2013

Based off Psalm 57 (NIV 1984)

 

O my God, have mercy on me!

In the Lord, my soul takes refuge.

In the shadow of Your wings, Lord,

I find shelter till the storms pass.

I cry out to my God Most High.

He fulfills His purpose for me.

He sent His Son to die for me,

So I could be saved.

 

I am in the midst of lions;

Men whose teeth are spears and arrows;

Whose tongues are sharp; words accusing.

They spread a net, my feet to catch.

They dug a pit, in hopes I’d fall.

O God, be exalted o’er all.

Let Your glory shine to all men,

So they may be saved.

 

Steadfast is my heart, O my God;

I will sing of all Your wonders.

Awake, my soul! Sing praise to God!

Early I will rise and praise Him!

I’ll praise God among the nations;

I will sing among the peoples.

God’s love reaches to the heavens,

So we may be saved.

 

https://vimeo.com/115213982