Memorise: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11)
Read: John 10:6-11
Pastor E. Adeboye RCCG
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Another area a shepherd should watch over the flock is in continuity in sound doctrines and in practice of the same. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he charged the latter in verse 13 of the first chapter: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus“. A shepherd should stick with the undiluted Word of God to earn the respect of the sheep.
Today, in many circles, leaders are diluting the Word of God with human wisdom and philosophy. Any leader who feels he or she knows God’s Word more than God, has out-lived his or her relevance both to God and His flock. Revelation says you must not doctor the Scriptures.
Also, there is need to put whatever you preach or teach into practice. This is an effective way to watch over your flock. Until your subordinates see you practicing what you teach, they may never do so. A doers life-style adds compulsion, expediency and credibility to your message. John 10:4 says it is the duty of the shepherd to lead before the sheep can follow.
In today’s passage, another area the shepherd must watch is in identifying and preventing the wolves and thieves that are after the sheep. It is the caring and watchful shepherd that will easily notice areas of backsliding, compromise and pitfalls.
If you are not watchful, God will not give you the information that will place you ahead of events in your local assembly. It is a shame if Heaven bypasses the under- shepherd concerning events in the lives of members or family.
During a praise session, the Spirit said the spirit of death had been sent against somebody there, but that the Lord had helped the individual to avert that death. Members thanked God and left. About a week later, news came that a young lady under the influence of certain unforeseen forces attempted suicide. She was taken to the hospital and survived it because God had earlier revealed Satan’s plan and annulled it. Are you watching effectively over your family, church or the flock in your care? Have you earned God’s trust?
A lot is expected from leaders. Are you meeting up?
Click to visit Social media pages: http://qrco.de/babalobi
