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. 1 Peter 5:1-4
One of our beloved pastors used to have a monthly miracle service where God’s people were getting healed and delivered and he told the Lord that he would quit doing them because the numbers were not large enough. And the Lord spoke through a prophet and told him not to stop the miracle service. Many pastors make the same mistake and forget that the work of the Lord is the sheep and they are to shepherd the flock of God which is among them, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to them, but being examples to the flock. They forget that Jesus ministry besides preaching was to go about doing good and healing all that were sick and oppressed. God’s word is unchanging:
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:1-6
Later the same pastor who was trying to do everything in the church got involved in a massive new building program, including selling the old church and buying a large industrial warehouse to suit his dreams. He berated the sheep for not giving enough money towards his vision. Again he forgot the sheep were more important than the building program. So many pastors fall into this pit. They think bigger is better, not understanding that the building is empty most of them time. Many pastors think that numbers are more important than anything, forgetting that to Jesus it’s the one lost and hurting sheep that is important. God’s word is unchanging:
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"-that they might accuse Him.
Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? "Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matthew 12:9-15
"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44
To Jesus it was more important to heal people than to protect the status quo of the religious establishment who demonstrated whom they served by going out plotting against Him, how they might destroy Him. A church is not a building but righteous men and woman serving blamelessly the living God like Cornelius did. The bible records:
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generoussly to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. "Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. "He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. Acts 10:1-8
Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always was not a member of any synagogue never mind a church. But God gave him and a vision and spoke to him about the change that was to come because his prayers and his alms had come up for a memorial before God. Hence he was instructed to send for Simon Peter who would tell him what to do. So after Peter had his own vision from the Lord he came to tell Cornelius and his relatives and close friends what the Lord had put on His heart. The bible records:
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all- "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:34-48
Cornelius and his family and friends were Baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues even though they were gentiles. As a result they became the first gentile Christians who would preach to the people, and testify that it is Jesus Christ was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. Mind you the Jewish Apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God and when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him complaining that "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" He told them “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing.” The bible records:
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. "When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. "And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' "But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'
"But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' "Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. "At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. "Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. "And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Acts 11:4-18
Yes, as Peter began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then He remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
Yes, it’s the responsibility of pastor not to withstand God but to feed the sheep, to heal the sick and to see them baptized them all with the Holy Spirit. It’s the responsibility of a true pastor to see the five fold ministries of Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist alive and well in the church. It’s the responsibility of a true pastor to ensure that miracles, gifts if healing, helps and varieties of tongues are a reality amongst the sheep for God’s word is unchanging:
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. John 21:17
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:29
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
One of our beloved pastors used to have a monthly miracle service where God’s people were getting healed and delivered and he told the Lord that he would quit doing them because the numbers were not large enough. And the Lord spoke through a prophet and told him not to stop the miracle service. Many pastors make the same mistake and forget that the work of the Lord is the sheep and they are to shepherd the flock of God which is among them, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to them, but being examples to the flock. They forget that Jesus ministry besides preaching was to go about doing good and healing all that were sick and oppressed. God’s word is unchanging:
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:1-6
Later the same pastor who was trying to do everything in the church got involved in a massive new building program, including selling the old church and buying a large industrial warehouse to suit his dreams. He berated the sheep for not giving enough money towards his vision. Again he forgot the sheep were more important than the building program. So many pastors fall into this pit. They think bigger is better, not understanding that the building is empty most of them time. Many pastors think that numbers are more important than anything, forgetting that to Jesus it’s the one lost and hurting sheep that is important. God’s word is unchanging:
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"-that they might accuse Him.
Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? "Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.
Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. Matthew 12:9-15
"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44
To Jesus it was more important to heal people than to protect the status quo of the religious establishment who demonstrated whom they served by going out plotting against Him, how they might destroy Him. A church is not a building but righteous men and woman serving blamelessly the living God like Cornelius did. The bible records:
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generoussly to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. "Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. "He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. Acts 10:1-8
Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always was not a member of any synagogue never mind a church. But God gave him and a vision and spoke to him about the change that was to come because his prayers and his alms had come up for a memorial before God. Hence he was instructed to send for Simon Peter who would tell him what to do. So after Peter had his own vision from the Lord he came to tell Cornelius and his relatives and close friends what the Lord had put on His heart. The bible records:
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all- "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:34-48
Cornelius and his family and friends were Baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues even though they were gentiles. As a result they became the first gentile Christians who would preach to the people, and testify that it is Jesus Christ was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. Mind you the Jewish Apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God and when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him complaining that "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!" He told them “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing.” The bible records:
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. "When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. "And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' "But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'
"But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call common.' "Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. "At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. "Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. "And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Acts 11:4-18
Yes, as Peter began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then He remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
Yes, it’s the responsibility of pastor not to withstand God but to feed the sheep, to heal the sick and to see them baptized them all with the Holy Spirit. It’s the responsibility of a true pastor to see the five fold ministries of Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher and Evangelist alive and well in the church. It’s the responsibility of a true pastor to ensure that miracles, gifts if healing, helps and varieties of tongues are a reality amongst the sheep for God’s word is unchanging:
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. John 21:17
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:29
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
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