Open Heaven 24 April 2019 – Caring For The Shepherd written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye
DATE: Wed, Apr 24, 2019
TOPIC: Caring For The Shepherd
MEMORISE:
“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” – (1 Corinthians 9:11).
READ: 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 (KJV) Open Heaven 24 April 2019
6. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7. Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8. Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written; that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Open Heaven 24 April 2019
12. If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
MESSAGE: Open Heaven 24 April 2019 – Caring For The Shepherd
The word ‘Shepherd’ is commonly used by Christians to describe pastors, evangelists, missionaries and others who play leadership roles in the Body of Christ. God expects members of the Body of Christ to provide all that is necessary for the health and welfare of church leaders, as they labour to see to the spiritual well being of the flock of Jesus Christ.
Caring for the shepherd can take the form of gift or voluntary service from individual or organized groups. Care can also come in the form of wages from the ministry or church through which the shepherd serve God. In these sense, wages can be defined as any form of economic compensation received in exchange for labour or service rendered.
This may also include accommodation, provisions and additional benefit in cash or kind.
Open Heaven 24 April 2019 – Caring For The Shepherd by Pastor E. A. Adeboye
The Holy Spirit revealed God’s mind on this matter, saying in (1 Corinthians 9:13?-14):
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the alter are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
The Bible clearly teaches the right of pastors and spiritual leaders to receive care and wages in any form considered appropriate by members of the Body of Christ they are serving. Galatians 6:6 says:
“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”
Also, in (1 Timothy 5:17?-18), the Bible instructed that the elder who rules well and labours in teaching the word and doctrine should not only be appropriately compensated but should also be counted worthy of double honour. Above all, our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly hammered on the fact that the workman in God’s vineyard deserves whatever care or wages he or she receives (Mathew 10:10, Luke 10:7).
Open Heaven 24 April 2019
Moreover, caring for shepherds ordained by God is a route to irreversible blessings. Some ignorantly see this as a means of making pastors rich, but the Bible and life experiences, speak for themselves: the words of Jesus in Mark 9:41, and testimonies too numerous to mention all serve as examples to follow in this regard.
PRAYER POINT: Open Heaven 24 April 2019 – Caring For The Shepherd
Father, grant me grace to consistently take care of Your shepherds in Jesus’ Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Genesis 29-30, Jeremiah 23:33-24:10
HYMNAL:
Hymn 4 – Take my life, and let it be
1. Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2. Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Open Heaven 24 April 2019
3. Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine:
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
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