The apostle Peter admonishes,

“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:1-4).

However, the stress of ministry and the temptations of our spiritual enemies can gradually corrupt our motives.

“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?…” (Ezekiel 34:1-2).

Chaplain “Believing Thomas” gives a brief exposition of this passage from Ezekiel. In this teaching he covers:

• Why God says, “I am against the shepherds”
• What the neglected sheep reveal about self-serving leadership
• Why God promises, “I, I Myself will search for My sheep”
• How the promised Son of David leads us to Jesus
• Why the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep
• How Scripture calls us to test human shepherds
• Why biblical submission never places a leader above Christ or His Word
• How faithful under-shepherds serve from dependence on Christ

May we allow God’s Spirit to search our hearts, realign us with the motives of the Good Shepherd, and grant us a restorative ministry.