The Work of Shepherds (1)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3.18

Sermon XI
Columbanus (ca 543-615)
“Let us not be the painters of another’s image; for he is the painter of a despot’s image, who is fierce, wrathful, proud…For righteousness and unrighteousness, peace and disagreement are opposed to one another. Then lest perhaps we should import into ourselves despotic images, let Christ paint His image in us, as He does by saying, My peace I give you, My peace I leave to you. But what advantage is it for us to know that peace is good if it is not well preserved?”

Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit – these are the hallmarks of the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14.17). This is that glorious and holy shalom which Isaiah promised would increase without end once King Jesus began to exert His rule on earth as it is in heaven (Is. 9.6, 7). These are the hallmarks of that Kingdom for the simple reason that they reflect the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, Whose very being we partake of as live toward the precious and very great promises of God (1 Pet. 1.4; 2 Cor. 1.20). As we pursue righteousness in the fear of the Lord, rest in the peace of Jesus that passes all understanding, and rejoice in the victory that is ours in Christ, He “paints” His own image on the canvas of our lives, and we show Jesus to the watching world. Thus we become true shepherds, and the flock of the Lord can follow us to the green pastures and still waters of His joyous, pleasurable presence (Ps. 16.11).
In what specific ways have you observed growth in the image of Christ in your life over the past year?

If Men Will Pray
Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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.