The Work of Shepherds (1)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Romans 6.1, 2

Sermon X
Columbanus (ca 543-615)
“What ought we to render ourselves, if the Creator of the universe for us ungodly men, yet His creation, is unjustly put to death? Do you think you ought not to die to sin? Certainly you ought. Therefore let us die, let us die for the sake of life, since Life dies for the dead, so that we may be able to say with Paul, I live, yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me…”

We are no longer surprised by reports of yet another shepherd who has fallen into sinful behavior. Scandals created by pastoral leaders in recent years have made the Church an object of scorn among the lost and an excuse for the faithful to keep a low profile in their witness for Christ. God calls us to pursue holiness in the fear of the Lord (2 Cor. 7.1). The failure of pastors to take this call seriously is a primary reason for the Church’s increasing marginalization. Peter and Paul both commanded the shepherds of God’s flock to pay close attention to their own lives, that they might present examples of holiness for the Lord’s sheep to follow. By being continuously filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5.18-21), and meditating day and night on the holy and righteous and good Law of God (Ps. 1), we may expect to die to our sinful selves, learn Jesus, and be clothed with Him day by day (Eph. 4.17-24). This alone is the proper garb of shepherds.

How do you guard yourself against the many temptations that assail pastors today? Are you pursuing holiness in the fear of God?

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to be His witnesses, but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from G. S. M. Walker, ed., Sancti Columbani Opera(Dublin: Institute for Advanced Studies, 1957), pp. 61 ff.