“The
elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest
gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” I Peter 5:1-4 NKJV
A
special crown for elders - spiritual leaders who have been given the
responsibility to shepherd the sheep of Elohim’s pasture. A huge
responsibility but with a glorious reward. The first set of elders in
the Alpha church - the 12 Apostles had a mammoth task - to carry the
gospel to the world. Elohim had entrusted this stewardship
responsibility to them. It is a huge responsibility. It is not about
having the title and all the honour from man that comes with that.
Apostle Peter spelt out clearly the responsibilities attached to this
role:
Shepherding
the saints as overseer, willingly not by compulsion. There must be joy
for the work. It’s not taking on the role because your spiritual father
delegates this to you and you do not want to say no.
It
must be done not for dishonest gain but eagerly for the work of the
ministry. It’s not about what remuneration or gifts or accolades you
will receive but counting it as a privilege. The gospel should be
preached without charge.
Being
an example not lording it over those entrusted to you. A leader must
set the example; let your lifestyle reflects what you preach. “Do as I
say and as I do.”
Jesus
instructed Peter (John 21:17) towards the end of His life to ‘feed my
sheep’. It is worth spiritual leaders remembering that the sheep belong
to Yeshua. He purchased them with His own blood. They are His disciples
not yours. They are not to be used and abused. They are not to be
treated as slaves.
Have
you been entrusted by Yeshua as spiritual leader? Are you on course to
receive the crown of glory? Remember as there is a special reward, there
is also a special judgement for the shepherds;
“Thus
says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will
require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the
sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will
deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for
them.”” Ezekiel 34:10 NKJV
#PrayerforToday 17 July 2018
“For
if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is
laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do
this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been
entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach
the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I
may not abuse my authority in the gospel.” I Corinthians 9:16-18 NKJV
In
the name of Yeshua I pray. Thank You Almighty Father for entrusting me
with this stewardship. Help me oh Lord to preach the gospel willingly
and not by compulsion. Help me to present the gospel without charge or
without covetousness. Help me never to abuse my authority in the gospel
of Yeshua. Amen
