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.

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).

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