Written by,
Robert Johnson
Once again we thank God for all those sharing in the word of God with us, you are a treasure for you are the apple of God’s eye – we are not experts – yet we have an amazing appetite for the word of God – we appreciate all the emails – blessings  – God has us write this blog for Pastors – your call is critical to the sheep’s knowledge and understanding of the Shepard/God’s voice – God’s purpose is greater then man, let no one frustrate your purpose –
As I seek out of the Book of the Lord and read, Ephesians 4:11 KJV begin to reveal God’s word based on His spirit – one office that I truly sought the Lord concerning was that of a Pastor and how they are called after the Masters heart.
Scripture says, “I will give you shepherds/Pastors after my own heart, who will lead you with “knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). Most of Israel’s pastoral imagery is grounded in two traditions: Moses as God’s under-shepherd and David as shepherd-king.
If you have anything to support please leave in the comments – our supporting text Pulls us into the presence tense – Ephesians 4:11 KJV
To further understand God’s call –
I. Their character. To be a “pastor after God’s heart,” a man must not only theoretically understand, but practically feel the truths he sets forth in his teaching. How describe the burden of a guilty conscience, if he has never felt it himself? How expatiate on the love and unfold the preciousness of a Saviour, whilst himself still out of Christ? How exhort hearers to set affections on things above, when his own thoughts are entirely absorbed by things below?
God sends Pastors to Provide – ” (Spirit) understanding and (Law) Knowledge” of His word from Genesis – Revelations, the Gospel of Jesus Christ –
II. Their teaching. What they have found to be, by God’s blessing, useful to themselves, they will bring before their people. They will not daub the wall with untempered mortar, crying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace; but, will “cry aloud and lift up their voice like a trumpet,” to warn the unconverted of their danger. Simply, it’s never about the Shepard/Pastor it’s about the message of the gospel that must be revealed –
The duty of a pastor
I. To feed the Church with knowledge and understanding. This is by preaching the Gospel.
- There is spiritual wisdom in understanding the mysteries of the Gospel, that we may be able to declare the whole counsel of God, and the riches and treasures of the grace of Christ unto the souls of men (Acts 20:27; 1 Corinthians 2:1-4; Ephesians 3:7-9).
The Apostle Paul declares it plainly in Galatians 1 KJV – I was not given this by man but it came by the Holy Spirit – for this he suffered greatly –
- Authority is required. What is authority in a preaching ministry? It is a consequent of unction, and not of office.
Experience of the things preached.
Skill to rightly divide the Word aright.
The knowledge and consideration of the state of the flock.
To be actuated by zeal for the glory of God, and compassion to the souls of men.
II. Continual prayer for the Churches over which Christ has made them overseers.
- No man can have any evidence in his own soul, that he doth conscientiously perform any ministerial duty towards his flock, who doth not continually pray for them.
This is the way whereby we may bless our congregations.
What shall we pray for?
III. To preserve the truth and doctrine of the Gospel that is committed to the Church. What is required hereunto?
- A clear apprehension in ourselves of those doctrines and truths which we are so to defend.
Love of the truth.
Let us take heed in ourselves of any inclination to novel opinions, especially in, or about, or against such points of faith, as those wherein they who are fallen asleep, found life, comfort, and power.
There is skill and ability required hereunto, to discover and be able to oppose and confound the cunning sophistry of adversaries. Great prayer, watchfulness, and diligence are required, that we may be able to attend unto these things. And those who are less skilled may do well to advise with those who are more exercised in them to give them assistance.
That we labour diligently for the conversion of souls.
The true teacher
- There are some teachers of religion who are teachers “according to God’s heart.”
All such teachers are the gift of God.
They are distinguished by the care and fidelity with which they minister to the spiritual wants of their people.
Pastors according to God’s own heart
I. What those qualifications are which render men pastors after God’s own heart.
- Their being sent and commissioned by God.
Their being thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of God’s mind and will.
Their being exemplary in their conversation of the goodness and purity of their own doctrine (1 Timothy 3:12).
II. How much such pastors do conduce to the glory, and beauty, and perfection of the Church.
- In soundness of faith, to which there is nothing can more conduce than pious and learned pastors; who being not only purged from vicious affections, and inspired with an hearty zeal for truth; but also accomplished with parts and learning to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and to separate the innovations of false teachers from the ancient truths of Christianity, cannot but be highly instrumental to the restoring the faith of their Churches, wherever they find it corrupted and sophisticated, to its primitive lustre and simplicity.
In purity of worship; for the end of all Church assemblies being to worship God, and the worship of God consisting in a devout acknowledgment of the infinite perfections of His nature, by such internal and external acts, as right, reason, and revelation directs: all such as are truly devout, and sincerely affected with the Divine perfections, must look upon themselves, as greatly concerned to worship God, in such manner as is most suitable to His will and nature. And this the pastors of the Church are more peculiarly concerned in, being the guides of the public worship.
A Church’s glory and perfection consists also in the vigour of its discipline, in the just and vigilant administration of the power of the keys, in admonishing such as go astray, in excluding them the communion of the Church if they continue obstinate, and readmitting them upon their repentance.
A Church’s glory and perfection consists in unity of communion and affections, so that there be no schisms in the body, but that all its members, being incorporate in the same communion, be knit and fastened to one another by the ligaments of mutual love and charity; to which excellent effect there is nothing in the world can more conduce than learned, prudent, and pious pastors.
The glory and perfection of a Church consists also in sanctity of manners; to promote which, also, nothing can be more conducive than pastors according to God’s own heart.
True knowledge and understanding protects the sheep – all of God’s sheep know His voice/His word, thus they are able to rightly divide Shepard from hireling – please consider 👇🏾
The shepherd anoints his sheep with oil for two purposes. First, to repel insects. If allowed to deposit their eggs into the soft membrane of a sheep’s nose they can drive the sheep insane; the ewes stop giving milk and the lambs stop growing. So the shepherd anoints his sheep with an oil-like repellent that keeps the enemy at bay and the flock at peace. Second, to heal wounds. Most wounds result from living with the flock. So the shepherd regularly inspects his sheep because he doesn’t want today’s wound to become tomorrow’s infection.
In order to be anointed the sheep must lower their heads and let the shepherd apply the oil. Humble yourself, call on the Lord. ‘God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him, he will not be slow to answer them’ (Luke 18:7). David writes, ‘I shall be anointed with fresh oil’ (Psalm 92:10). Yesterday’s oil is quickly contaminated by the dirt and grime of the journey, so you must go to God daily and ask Him to empower you with His Spirit. A sheep doesn’t understand how the oil works, but it doesn’t have to. It is enough to know that something happens in the presence of its shepherd that happens nowhere else. The oil and the process does seem right but the sheep with understanding and Knowledge of the Shepard the sheep does not move –
