Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

Are you being careful to discern between true and false shepherds of the church?

In the world today, there are many charlatans that only want to fleece the flock. Many skeptics will want to blame Christianity itself for this. However, the fact that there are counterfeit Christians is not proof that Christianity is false. Quite the opposite. Counterfeiters always counterfeit what is real and valuable.

Jesus himself warns of such imposters. In John 10 he warns of the difference between “hirelings” and true shepherds. His teaching echoes that of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, (chapter 23), and the prophet Ezekiel (chapter 34). The hireling is in it only for the personal gain—money or man’s praise. He uses the Word of God to mislead the flock. The true shepherd, like the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ, is in it for the love of the God and the love of His people. He uses the Word of God to serve the flock.

False shepherds are mere entertainers and entrepreneurs. They are conmen. True shepherds tenderly care for and protect each and every one of the sheep, laying down their own lives for the spiritual and material welfare of the flock. In doing this, they follow the pattern of the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and guards them at the cost of His own blood.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

~ Hebrews 10:17-21 (ESV)