According to Websters Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language (Trident Press International, 1996) the word pastor means shepherd or literally a feeder. In John ten verse eleven it is written that Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” In Ezekiel it is written, “’You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men and I am your God,’ said the Lord God” (Ezekiel 34:31) and “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up what was broken and strengthen what was sick” (Ezekiel 34:16). “Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3). It is written, “Thus says the Lord God; ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; I will deliver My sheep from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them’” (Ezekiel 34:10). Who is God speaking to? “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.” God is talking to those that claim to be His ministers and take from the flock, but do not minister to His children. Today in Jesus’ name I proclaim, Jesus wants His flock and He will take them from you and care for them.
“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them” (Ezekiel 34:6). Websters Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language defines evangel as the gospel or good news and evangelist as a missionary preacher or revivalist. Paul listed evangelists as one in the list of those that Jesus Himself gave to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). An evangelist is one that Jesus has granted to His flock to revive, or bring back to life – awake – renew by spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Today in Jesus’ name I proclaim that I am called to seek out the lost sheep (children of God) and to revive them – it is not I that will seek or revive, but our Lord Jesus in me. The Lord said, “I will deliver My sheep from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them” (Ezekiel 34:10) and it will be the Lord that delivers His children. Let it be known to the shepherds (pastors) that do not feed those in their care, Jesus is coming for them.
Let it also be known that we serve the flock of a just and forgiving God. If anyone that poorly pastors a flock wants to turn away, repent, from their lack, let them ask the Lord our God. Ask God to send a worker, an evangelist. Start a revival within the flock and let it start with you, the pastor. Do not turn away from ministry because you have failed thus far but repent, be baptized in the Holy Spirit and feed the flock.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep” (John 12:15-17).
Let it also be known that there are flocks that do not permit the pastor to teach the Holy Spirit or the gifts of the Holy Spirit, nor will they let Him speak in the Holy Spirit. To those flocks I say, “REPENT.” It is the task of the pastor to present you with a meal. It is you that must eat from the table prepared for you. It is not the task of the flock to tell the pastor what to prepare. That task is performed by Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. It is not the task of the pastor to teach only the things that increase or maintains memberships. It is the task of the pastor to feed the flock what is required to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12). To the flock that will not hear the pastor’s heart I say, “Repent and ask God to send a worker, an evangelist, to wake-up the flock.” To the church Jesus is saying, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
Pastors if you have a flock, feed them with the Word of God. Seek the Kingdom of God and ask for the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you. Children of God, bless your pastors and ask God to give them the Holy Spirit to teach and guide them that they may properly tend to you as God designed. If you are asleep or under-nourished in the Word, pray for an evangelist – pray for revival and God will honor your prayers. Jesus is seeking out the lost and the under-nourished and will feed them. Do not turn away those that are hearing the voice of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Seek to do the same. Wake-up.