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Let’s look at this scripture in Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
10Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
16Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
18Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”
20And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”
21So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you — 22whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
This journey is not a straightforward journey, many would like you to believe. Everything would not be perfect. There is no moonshine and roses on this road, but there is a reward at the end. If Jesus had to walk this road through the Sheep Gate to lay down His will, then you will too.
a. You must make sure that your datum point is level with Christ.
b. You must trust in the very true reference: Christ. There must be no doubt in your mind of Christ’s authenticity.
· You cannot allow any mixtures in your life.
· You must love the Lord with all your heart and mind and soul.
· You must love the Word with all your mind.
· You cannot believe in any false doctrine.
· You must be an exact representation of Christ.
· You must follow His voice through a set man. God always speaks through a man.
c. Christ is the plumb line. The perfect line that cannot be altered.
d. The Sheep Gate leads to the cross.
Jesus is the Shepherd. The gate we have to pass through to be with the Father. Christ is our destination. Not heaven.
What are the marks of the Shepherd?
· SACRIFICES
John 10:11-12
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. (NKJV)
Romans 3:25
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
Ephesians 5:2
And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Jesus is the true reference, and as he has shown us the Way, we too must follow that same way. We must sacrifice everything that is dear to us.
You might say that this is too hard, but the alternative is so much harder. I don’t say this lightly. I say this because I understand. If you don’t lay it down, your sins will be exposed.
· We must sacrifice the idols, and our way of life.
· We must sacrifice our own dreams and will.
· It is a road of self-denial, and not of self-actualization.
· Walk in perfect faith and righteousness.
Jesus did this without ever questioning the Father’s will. He operated in a high frequency of humility, devotion, and obedience.
· HEALS
Psamls 23:3
He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (NKJ)
Ezek 34:2-5
2 “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? 3“You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 “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. 5 “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. (NKJ)
A shepherd takes care of the welfare of the sheep. He restores our souls and leads us on a path of righteousness. He finds us when we are lost. He makes sure we know his voice. He gives us the tools to overcome our enemies and leads us to the still waters of rest.
The shepherd is not mindful of his own needs, but mindful of ours. He makes sure you get the right amount of nutrients and water so that you can receive healing.
If you are a leader of a local church, then you must lead the sheep God has entrusted to you. Your voice must be pure so that they can hear God through you. And you must be connected to a spiritual father, just as Jesus was connected to His father.
· EQUIPS
(THIS INCLUDES TEACHING AND DEVELOPMENT)
John 21:15-17
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 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”. (NKJV)
1 Peter 5:2-4
2Feed 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; 3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (KJV)
Psalms 23:1-5
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (NKJV)
Isa 40:11
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. (NKJV)
Eph 4:11-13
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (NKJ)
When you connect with a spiritual father, he will feed you the Word. Acts 2:42 must become a culture in your life. This will help your own growth, protect you and give you the resources to stay authentic.
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers are the pillars that will be built on the foundation.
There are huge debates on what is more important. Some say prayers, some say fellowship and many neglect the Table of the Lord. But doctrine is the most important, that is why it is mentioned first. Doctrine brings you into right standing with God. It gives you the words to pray, the words to speak when you are at the table. If you don’t have the Word in you, you will not know what to say or pray.
Your set man/spiritual father gives you the resources. These resources feed you, equip you and teach you how to live. If your spiritual father doesn’t feed you, he is not a father, but an uncle.
· PROTECTS
Psalms 23:4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (NKJ)
John 10:12-14
12 “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 “The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep and am known by My own. (NKJ)
1 Sam 17:34-35
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. (NKJ)
Read Ezekiel 34:4-16 as well as part of your study.
· HONOURS AND RESPECT
False shepherds abuse the sheep.
Ezek 34:4, 10-19
4 “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.
Micah 3:1-4
1 And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know justice? 2 You who hate good and love evil; who strip the skin from My people, and the flesh from their bones; 3 Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, break their bones, and chop them in pieces like meat for the pot, like flesh in the caldron.” 4 Then they will cry to the LORD, but He will not hear them; he will even hide His face from them at that time, because they have been evil in their deeds. (NKJ)
· ESTABLISHES THE FLOCK
2 Thess 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (NKJV)
2 Pet 1:12
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth
1 Thess 3:2
and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
· RECONCILES
Jer 31:10
“Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’ (NKJ)
Ezek 34:5
“So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. (NKJ)
Ezek 34:12
“As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. (NKJ)
Zech 13:7
“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion,” says the LORD of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones. (NKJ)
Matt 26:31
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (NKJ)
Jer 23:1-4
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. 3 “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4 “I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD. (NKJ)
John 10:16
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (NKJ)
· DIRECTS
Psalms 23:1-2.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Num 27:16-17
16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
17 “who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” (NKJ)
Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of being a shepherd and was found spotless and blameless as a sacrifice. He emphasized that God is the plumb line, and He made the way for us to follow.
As you study these scriptures, ask the Lord where you have missed it as well. As a follower of Christ, you must follow his voice to overcome and to rule. The plumb line is a true line that leads you to Christ. If it doesn’t lead you to Christ, it’s false.
Count the cost and work out your own salvation.
Till we speak again.
Grace and peace to you.
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