Feeding The Flock Service 2
Feeding the flock is a biblical concept that has been emphasized throughout the scriptures. In the Old Testament, the prophets were called to feed the people with the word of God. In the New Testament, Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life, and he charged his disciples to feed his sheep. This concept of feeding the flock is still relevant today, and it remains an essential aspect of pastoral ministry.
In John 21:15-17, Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and had a conversation with Peter. In this conversation, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. After each response from Peter, Jesus charged him to feed his sheep. This charge from Jesus to Peter was not only for him but for all pastors and shepherds today. As pastors and shepherds, we are called to feed the flock of God, which includes providing spiritual nourishment and leadership.
Feeding the flock involves providing spiritual nourishment. In 1 Peter 2:2, Peter says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Peter is saying that just as a newborn baby needs milk to grow and to be healthy, so do God’s people need the Word of God to grow and to be healthy spiritually. It is the responsibility of the pastor to provide this spiritual nourishment to God’s people.
In addition to providing spiritual nourishment, feeding the flock also involves protecting them from harm. In Acts 20:28-30, Paul says to the elders of the church in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
Paul is warning the elders that there will be false teachers who will try to lead God’s people astray. It is the responsibility of the pastor to protect the flock from these false teachings and to warn them of the dangers that exist. As pastors, we must be vigilant and watchful, guarding the flock from harm and protecting them from the attacks of the enemy.
Feeding the flock also involves providing pastoral care. In John 10:11-14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
Jesus is saying that a good shepherd is one who cares for the sheep and is willing to give his life for them. A hireling, on the other hand, is only in it for the money and does not care for the sheep. As pastors, we must be willing to care for the spiritual needs of God’s people and to be there for them in times of need. This pastoral care involves not only feeding the flock but also praying for them, visiting them when they are sick, and comforting them in times of sorrow.
Another aspect of feeding the flock is providing sound doctrine. In 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Paul charges Timothy, saying, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.