Ezekiel 34:1-3 – Irresponsible Shepherds
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”. (NIV)
Remembering that The Lord gives His Word to us for two reason to refine us and to pour out, restore orguide others. When we do this we will see transformation in our own lives and in the ones around us!
We left off introducing the Five Fold Ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers all are needed and vital as they will provide accountability to each other confirming what the Lord is saying to the church.
For each of these roles are to equip the saints for ministry, so if one part is missing the result is churches without true strength! Yet I understand there are false prophets apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers out there, and I believe I’ve experienced these people over the last almost two decades in walking with the Lord and being in different ministries.
Some of these key individuals almost destroyed ministries we were part of, in looking back it’s because the churches and ministries did not have the fivefold ministry strength. Instead they mainly run by teachers and pastors. False prophets were able to walk in and release lying spirits without being identified until it’s was too late and damage had been done.
See the importance of the fivefold ministry? And alongside so important to teach and equip the congregation with discernment! Providing opportunities or invitation for people to share what the Lord is saying to them, within a culture that can even if what they say has some elements that are not right (these I call the bones) that these bones can be put aside and the meat (the good stuff) be received.
In essence it’s training up leaders that can discern, redirect and encourage words brought to the body.
I remember years ago being in a meeting and thisamazing man I’d asked to share, arrived and started teaching out of what he knew, which was an area not inline for the meeting so much that several in the meeting start to stare at me, as I was the host! I knew although the teaching given was not necessarily wrong, it didn’t fit the occasion and audience (breakfast andsharing testimonies).
Since my heart is always to empower and encourage people in their walk, this challenge came: How could I redirect the man back to the audience and occasion without offending him? The Lord said wait until the guy stops teaching, then honour him and ask him would questions be ok?
To my amazement as I did as the Lord said, the first question was the exact question to lead him back to the theme, occasion and audience. Later on the speaker phoned crying saying he had never felt love, honour and cared for as that morning as result his life has been transformed forever.
However then I received an email from the committee condemning me for allowing him to teach, here I was able to reply with his testimony of a transformed life through the experience of unconditional Love.
I say this to point out leaders in the Body of Christ need to allow and invite the body to speak and give each part of the body permission to speak, equip them to speak and be ready in all occasions and seasons as we read in (2 Timothy 4) for without this happening we will not see the full expression of the great commission nor the full expression of the body of Christ!
The Bride awaiting her Groom the Lord Jesus.
2 Timothy 4. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine”.
Challenge Time!
1. Pray about how you can share His word for this season we are in! Ask the Father to reveal you anew way He is wanting your to share His word ?
2. If you are a leader ask the Lord to show you how you can allow, provide space, empower and encourage the wider body to share what the Lord is saying in services.
3. If you are a leader how can you teach the congregation greater discernment when you have the wider body of Christ speak.
4. Pray for the roles of the fivefold ministry as seen in Ephesians 4 identify in church these key individuals to be placed in these office so churches can function at optimum position in our world.
5. Last if you receive a word for your church. Please do not hide it. Go and share it with leader, pastor etc if they don’t receive it, know that its ok you have done your job and God is proud of your obedience.
Let’s Pray:
Father we pray for Your children Your Shepperd’s who You choose to release your word to. Please give them both the courage and confidence to share it and to provide for Your families in Christ (the Churches) to receive new strategies which teach discernment, and guard against false teaching and prophets. Father also would You allow a space for the whole body to learn they have a voice and their voice is needed! Lord identify the chosen few of 5 fold ministry to strength Your church. For through all this we will see the fulfilment of Your command to us and see You return. Have all the Glory Father. In Jesus name. Amen
