The Shepherd’s Example (2)
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13.14
Effectiveness in ministry begins within those who are called as shepherds in the Lord’s flock. We will not succeed in making disciples, nurturing healthy churches, or seeing the Kingdom come on earth as it is heaven merely by running programs and preaching sermons. The Lord’s shepherds must aspire to be like Him in all their ways, as Charles Spurgeon put it so eloquently in Lectures to My Students:
“It will be vain for me to stock my library, or organise societies, or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, and agencies, and systems, are only remotely instruments of my holy calling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service; my spiritual faculties, and my inner life, are my battle axe and weapons of war. M’Cheyne, writing to a ministerial friend, who was travelling with a view to perfecting himself in the German tongue, used language identical to our own…‘Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument – I trust, a chosen vessel unto him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.’”
Spurgeon took to heart the words of a predecessor concerning the importance of maintaining a keen edge in his spiritual life. The trappings and endeavors of ministry are not the real measure of who we are as servants of Christ. What matters is the state of our souls: Are we being increasingly conformed to the Lord Jesus Christ? Books, growing churches, successful programs—these can all be means for pride to take root in our souls. Christlikeness, however, will never fail us.
The shepherd’s example will be what the sheep will see and follow (1 Pet. 5.1-3). Let us labor to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.
Teaching and learning as disciples
Join me and Dr. Mike McQueen as we continue our conversations about discipleship. Click the link or the audio bar at the top of this teaching letter to access our most current discussion.
Resources for Shepherds
How do you practice the self-watch? What is your approach to keeping a close watch over your soul and life? Will you share it with us? Send me your practice in 50-75 words and I’ll share it with our readers in this newsletter as we go forward on this topic.
Like Jesus, shepherds are to lead their sheep. But where? Certainly, into the continuing work of our Lord Jesus Christ. But what is that? Our workbook, The Ongoing Work of Christ: The Book of Acts and Beyond, can help give you clarity on this. We’ll be teaching this study in our fall Men’s Bible Study. If you’d like to begin that study now, or if you simply want to study this material on your own, click here to download your free copy.
Our course, “Disciples Making Disciples”, can help you make progress in this most essential calling of our Lord. Click here for more information and to register for this free course. You can study by yourself or we’ll provide a Reader to help you work through your study.
From the Celtic Revival
Brendan of Clonfert (fl. ca. 560)
Brendan arose, and his heart rejoiced at the answer of the angel. And he went to a place apart by himself, and scanned the ocean on every side of him…The angel of God came to converse with him once more, and said to him, “Henceforth,” said he, “I will be ever with thee…” Brendan wept for joy at the answer of the angel, and gave thanks to God.
– The Life of Brendan of Clonfert
We don’t think about angels much. But they are charged with serving us, caring for us, helping us in ways we may never know in this life. We are always accompanied by angels which have immediate access to God. At the very least, we should, as Brendan did, give thanks to God for their help.
Follow Brendan’s adventure of faith—which, while certainly historical, is in many ways a parable for every believer’s journey in the Lord. Add our twice-weekly Crosfigell teaching letter to your subscriptions.
The Celtic Revival (ca 430-800 AD) is a neglected period of Church history. There is much to learn from the great saints and leaders whose work, over nearly four centuries, “saved civilization” (Thomas Cahill). Here are some additional free resources in our bookstore to help you discover why we think this period is worth revisiting:
Patrick: A Devotional History
Colum Cille: A Devotional History
Columbanus: A Devotional History
The Celtic Revival: A Brief Introduction
Lives of Irish Saints: A Tribute
Living to Rule: An Introduction to Celtic Christian Spirituality
The Theology of the Celtic Revival II: Foundations
We hope you’ll have a look.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this issue of Pastor to Pastor helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our Read Moore daily (5 days) podcast, we are working our way through the book, Understanding the Times. Why not listen in? And new in our bookstore, our book, The Ongoing Work of Christ shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
Support for Pastor to Pastor comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
