April 2025 | The Month of Progress Without Limit | Elders’ Week – Grand Finale
Ministering: Pastor Yemi Adekunle (RCCG Zonal Coordinator & Pastor, Heritage Chapel).
Text: Psalm 23.
“1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” KJV.
God is not ambiguous; He is very specific with His instructions. If there is a Good Shepherd, it means there are bad shepherds. We were redeemed to be good Shepherds of all God has committed into our hands – Spouse, Children, Finances, Time, Talents, Relationships, etc. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the Great Shepherd and in Psalm 23, He gives us a Template of a good Shepherd. Christianity is not an insulation from life’s challenges; the good news is that we have a great Shepherd who helps us in all our sojourn on Earth. We all are Shepherds in our various capacities as Leaders, parents, workers, ministers, businessmen/women, etc.
Why do we Need to be instructed? – 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. The greatest instrument for our shepherding is the word of God. John 10 also gives us a blueprint of a good Shepherd. A good Shepherd feeds, preserves, protects, and ensures the total wellbeing of its Flock. Our pastors are under-Shepherds under Christ, hence we ought to continually lift them up in prayers for fresh Grace.
1 Tim. 5:17 – Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
Who is a Shepherd?
- A Shepherd is one who has the best interest of the people at heart. You can’t shepherd people whose heart God has not opened to you. People’s hearts are like doors into their lives – it is a privilege when they open their hearts to you.
- The level of utterance God gives you to minister to people will make you a good Shepherd to them.
- Shepherding involves God opening a door of ministry for you to reach people. It is a door of Faith
- Being a Shepherd is an honor, God extends to a person to ensure growth/maturity of a person, family or people.
- A good Shepherd nourishes the Sheep with quality diet, not junk foods.
- A good Shepherd travails in prayers and intercessions for the Sheep.
- A good Shepherd lays his/her life as a sacrifice for their sheep. They go the extra-mile for the Sheep.
- A good Shepherd is a Spiritual Covering for the Sheep. They preserve the Flock from danger.
God is the Owner of every Sheep; He has only given us the privilege to co-labor with Him in Shepherding His Sheep. Jesus is the Owner of the Sheep; He is The One who died for the Sheep.
God’s Definition of a Good Shepherd
1 Peter 5 – The Elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 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; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that faded not away.
In Closing, we are to feed our Sheep with the Word of life. Jeremiah 3:15 – And I will give you Shepherds according to my heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. Isaiah 40:11 – He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
God Bless You!
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