The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

2. A good shepherd will allow you to follow God first then serve the church
Paul a bondservant of of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle (Romans 11:1) First he is God's apostle, that is he belongs to God first and serves God first. Then as an apostle he serves the church. His call is to serve God first then to serve the church. The man that cannot serve God first will have no God given licence or wisdom to serve the church if he cannot totally serve God first. A true man of God can only serve the church correctly if his loyalty is to God first, For God owns the church and the man that leads it. God must own him too. Your are a bondservant of God, not bondservant of the church. 

3. A good shepherd has a covering and will allow a prophet to impart God's corrective if necessary.
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? A good shepherd will work with an authentic prophet. This key is important as it shows that we act as check and balances for each other. No man is the owner fo a ministry we share it. We are co labourers in that which is his. Interdependancy is required, humility is honoured, when there is team work of the five fold ministry.

4. A good shpeherd is gentle not overbearing and demanding
Making demands is not authority. Authority is to preach the word. The authority is in the word. Those in authority are those in the word. A pastor can be in the right position yet have wrong doctrine. In this case he has no authority. A layman can correct him and if he's humble he will accept the correction. Authority is always in the scripture. Love does not shout rant and rave while condemning others who themselves make much noise.  If "I"speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love does not make all noise and has no compassionate actions. Love bears up with unbearable people for we are often unbearable preachers. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ESV.  a good shepherd is a liven shepherd. 


5. Good shepherds love as well as preach.
You are my disciples indeed if ye love one another.  (John 13;35). Love is the proof of a changed mind and a pure heart. Any man can preach, any man can teach, a fool can prophesy but only those with a changed heart can love. A good shepherd has love for the brethren. He is his brothers keeper. This does not mean that he gives him everything, but he does give him everything that Jesus would give him, for God is love AND LOVE IS EVERYTHING. He imparts strength when he is weary. joy when he is burdened. Care when he is weak, hope when he is lost. This is the ministry of a good shepherd.