WATCHING OVER THE FLOCK
"BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD'S FLOCK THAT IS UNDER YOUR CARE, WATCHING OVER THEM—NOT BECAUSE YOU MUST, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve."
1 Peter 5:2 (NIV)
The Bible admonishes us to pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.
And we should be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
A ministry leader's responsibility includes watching over the people under his leadership in prayer: "OBEY THOSE WHO RULE [lead] OVER YOU, AND BE SUBMISSIVE, FOR THEY WATCH OUT FOR YOUR SOULS, AS THOSE WHO MUST GIVE ACCOUNT . . . " (Hebrews 13:17).
1 TO THE ELDERS AMONG YOU, I APPEAL AS A FELLOW ELDER AND A WITNESS OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS WHO ALSO WILL SHARE IN THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED:
2 BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD'S FLOCK THAT IS UNDER YOUR CARE, WATCHING OVER THEM—NOT BECAUSE YOU MUST, BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE WILLING, AS GOD WANTS YOU TO BE; NOT PURSUING DISHONEST GAIN, BUT EAGER TO SERVE;
3 NOT LORDING IT OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, BUT BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK."
1 Peter 5:1-3 (NIV)
As a leader, if you failed in this, you would not get the result you supposed to get in the work of ministry.
Not only that, your members will be susceptible, they can be preyed on by the devil.
That said, for you to go before God to intercede and supplicate for your people, you must live in holiness and righteousness: "BUT AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, YOU ALSO BE HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT, because it is written, "BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY" (1 Peter 1:15,16).
If you are living in sin, you cannot stand before God to intercede and present other people's matters to God in prayer (Psalm 130:3).
The truth is: God set you apart to stand before Him and to represent the people you are leading.
God counts on you for the souls He has entrusted to you.
Remember, if you failed, the souls under your leadership also would: "TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF AND TO THE DOCTRINE. CONTINUE IN THEM, FOR IN DOING THIS YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND THOSE WHO HEAR YOU" (1 Timothy 4:16).
The people you are leading would go in the direction you lead them, the direction they see you going: "IF YOU INSTRUCT THE BRETHREN IN THESE THINGS, YOU WILL BE A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, NOURISHED IN THE WORDS OF FAITH AND OF THE GOOD DOCTRINE WHICH YOU HAVE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED" (1 Timothy 4:6).
If you misled the people, you will give an account of your stewardship on the Day of the Lord.
God will hold you responsible for every soul that is misled by you!
Ministry leadership is a great responsibility, thus, you need to be circumspect and do the work wholeheartedly: "NOT MANY OF YOU SHOULD BECOME TEACHERS, MY BROTHERS, FOR YOU KNOW THAT WE WHO TEACH WILL BE JUDGED WITH GREATER STRICTNESS" (James 3:1 ESV).
• Some ministers have turned their church offices into a brothel or whorehouse.
• Some leaders tell lies without any remorse (Colossians 3:9).
• Some falsify the church accounts, they mismanage church money—they spend church money as personal money.
Remember you will give an account of your stewardship on the last Day: "MOREOVER IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS THAT ONE BE FOUND FAITHFUL" (1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV).
Whatever you do is being recorded!
Change your ways now!
“OR DO YOU DESPISE THE RICHES OF HIS GOODNESS, FORBEARANCE, AND LONGSUFFERING, NOT KNOWING THAT THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS YOU TO REPENTANCE."
Romans 2:4 (NKJV)
You will not fail in Jesus' name. Peace!