PASTORING AND TAKING THE SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT 1

in GEMS • 2 days ago

2 SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, SERVING AS OVERSEERS, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT DOES NOT FADE AWAY."
1 Peter 5:2–4 (NKJV)

• Pastoral work is not about going around in the name of visitation. It is about taking a spiritual oversight of the people.

  • It is about taking care of the people that God has given to you: "THEREFORE TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES AND TO ALL THE FLOCK, AMONG WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS MADE YOU OVERSEERS, TO SHEPHERD THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH HE PURCHASED WITH HIS OWN BLOOD" (Acts 20:28 NKJV).

• The work of shepherding or overseeing or taking spiritual oversight includes among many others:
I. Feeding of the lambs. This is about growing the baby believers to maturity (John 21:15).
II. Feeding the sheep. It is about equipping the saints for the work of ministry and the edification of the body of Christ (John 21:16; Ephesians 4:12).
III. Taking spiritual oversight or overseeing of the people. It is about watching over the souls under your leadership, in prayer, and to meet their needs spiritually, emotionally, and physically (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2).

  • As a minister if your Word and prayer life is sound, you will be able to do the points mentioned above effectively.

• What are the benefits of doing these things? If they are done:
I. You would have those who are mature, and are committed to your vision, and are dedicated to the work, under your leadership.
II. When the points mentioned are done or practiced, you would save yourself from heartaches and problems. In other words, you would have those who are mature to work with (2 Timothy 2:2).
III. You would have those who are mature enough, have the understanding of the vision given to you, and those who bought into the vision and run with it. Because they have been taught and trained.
IV. Casualties would be avoided, because you have those who are strong spiritually under your leadership. They are preserved because they have the knowledge of the Word of God, through the training which you had given them.
THE people under your leadership would know the truth, and would not be victims of false prophets and teachers (Acts 20:29; Hebrews 13:9).
V. You would also have those who are committed to you and the vision with their resources (Luke 8:1-3).

• Note these:

  • Whatever you want your members to do, practice or do the same.
  • The people under your leadership would likely not go beyond you, in character, fervency, or whatever; you will raise the people who are like you:
    "A DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS TEACHER, BUT EVERYONE WHO IS PERFECTLY TRAINED WILL BE LIKE HIS [her] TEACHER" (Luke 6:40 NKJV).
    READ: John 13:16; 15:20
  • Whatever you want to teach should be what you are practicing yourself. What you are not practicing, If you teach them to do it, they will not.
  • When you stand before the congregation of people, as their leader, to minister to them; you are communicating your spirit to them. What you had in you, is what you are passing across to them.
  • Your spirit communicates with their spirits. When you stretch your hands to pray for them, you are transferring what you have in you to them.
    NOTE:
    a. It thus means If you had nothing in you, you would equally pass nothing or emptiness to them.
    b. If you also are not a good follower, those who are coming to you, might not be a good follower as well.

• Taking spiritual oversight (Hebrews 13:17).

  • This is all about watching the lives of the people under your leadership spiritually, in the place of prayer.
  • Some ministers usually go about in the name of visitation. Visiting the people under your leadership who are in need is important and necessary. But needless visitations should be avoided by a minister who wanted a result in his or her work.
  • It is important and necessary to watch over the people in prayer, than being involved in needless visitations.
  • That said, whoever is sick, in distress, or in one need or another, needed to be visited. Also, you might be alerted by the Holy Spirit to visit someone who might be going through a problem emotionally, and does not share it with anyone.
  • When you watch over your people in the place of prayer, properly, they usually would have testimonies.
  • If that was done with all your heart, God will put the love for the work in their hearts and be committed to it. They would be inspired to bless or give to the work, the ministry, and to the person of you.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

  • Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  • The hold of the enemy, the devil, is completely broken in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
    Peace!
    TO BE CONTINUED

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

  • If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!
#christianity #jesus #prayer #bible #holy-spirit #blogs #faith
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