The Marks of a True Shepherd (and others)

The Marks of a True Shepherd (and others)

How diligently should they scrutinize their motives, who think of entering the ministry; for thousands have abused this Divine institution through love of ease, desire for authority and reputation, or love of money - and brought upon themselves "greater damnation" (James 3:1). Thousands have invaded the pastoral office in an unauthorized manner, to fleece sheep rather than feed them, robbing Christ of His honor and starving His people.

Solemn beyond words is it to observe how sternly our Lord denounced these false shepherds of His day (Matthew 23). As J. C. Ryle rightly said, "Nothing seemed to offensive to Christ as a false teacher of religion, a false prophet, or a false shepherd. Nothing ought Tobe so much feared by the Church, be so plainly rebuked, opposed and exposed!"

What are the marks of a true shepherd? How are God's people to identify those called and qualified by Him to minister unto His people?

First, the genuine pastor has the doctrine of Christ on his LIPS. The ministers of the new covenant are described as those who had "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness." Christendom today is infested with men who are full of deceit and hypocrisy, trimming their sails according to whatever direction the breeze of public opinion is blowing.

"We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God." (2 Cor. 4:2). The true servant of Christ holds back nothing which is profitable, no matter how unpalatable it may be unto his hearers. He is one who magnifies not himself, nor his denomination, but Christ - His wondrous Person, His atoning blood, His exacting claims.

Second, the genuine pastor has the Spirit of Christ in his HEART. It is the Spirit who opens to him the mysteries of the Gospel, so that he is "the faithful and wise servant" (Matt. 24:45). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives him a love for His sheep, so that it is his greatest delight to lead them into the green pastures of His Word. It is the Spirit of Christ who enables him to use "great boldness of speech" (2 Cor. 3:12), so that he shuns not to declare all the counsel of God. It is the Spirit of Christ who makes him to be "prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Tim. 4:2). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives efficacy to his ministry, making it fruitful according to the sovereign pleasure of God.

Third, the genuine pastor has the example of Christ in his LIFE, which is a conforming of him to the image of his Master. It is true, sadly true, that there is not one of them who does not fall far short both of the inward and outward image of Christ. Yet there are some faint tracings of His image visible in all His true servants. The image of Christ is seen in their words, spirit, actions; otherwise we have no warrant to receive them as God's servants.

Find a man (no easy task today!) who has the doctrine of Christ on his lips, the Spirit of Christ in his heart, and the example of Christ in his life - and you find one of His genuine ministers - all others are but "thieves and robbers."

~A. W. Pink~
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The Best Sermons!

The best sermons are the sermons which are most full of Christ.

A sermon without Christ - it is an awful, a horrible thing; it is an empty well; it is a cloud without rain; it is a tree twice dead, plucked by the roots.

It is an abominable thing to give men stones for bread, and scorpions for eggs, and yet they do so who preach not Jesus.

A sermon with Christ! As well talk of a loaf of bread without any flour in it. How can it feed the soul?

Men die and perish because Christ is not there, and yet His glorious gospel is the easiest thing to preach,and the sweetest thing to preach; there is most variety in it, there is more attractiveness in it than in all the world besides!

~Charles Hadden Spurgeon~
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Where, O Where?

At the end of the seven days, the Lord gave me a message. He said, "Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from Me, pass it on to the people immediately. If I warn the wicked, saying, "You will surely die," but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs" (Ezekiel 3:16-18).

Where are the ministers who will rouse this sleeping generation to the solemn realities of the eternal world, the shortness of time, and the certainties of judgment?

Where are the preachers who are weighed down with the interests of immortal souls, the difficulties of dealing faithfully with them, and the solemn account that is to be rendered for them?

Where, O Where?

~J. R. Anderson ~