Many Christians can profess very loudly or boldly in person or on the internet that they love the Lord very much. Apostle Peter, before the Resurrection of Christ, was such a person. Peter was very loud and bold. But yet, Jesus allowed three circumstances to show him that he had said such statements out of pride. Even when Peter had cut the ear off the high priest's servant, Peter was attempting to defend God out of his pride. Jesus told Peter that HE did not need his help and Jesus could send for multitudes of angels.
Today, for many Christians, they are like Peter. We should not pride ourselves that we possess the same weaknesses but we should look at scripture to see our sin and pride to humble ourselves. When other Christians, secular people, or secular leaders are in the wrong with "moral rights" or against the gospel, many Christians, like Peter, will begin to argue, get angry, and attempt to defend "moral rights" or the gospel out their pride. They think they are defending God or the gospel out of love or just because it is the right thing to do. However, just like Peter, it is their carnal flesh that is speaking. It is very sad that I see so many Christians sinning as they think they are defending this country or the bible. They argue and defend out of hate. Many Christians hate their government with such passion. Without realizing, they are usurping God's authority. Without realizing, it is their own sin that has cause their own personal situations to deteriorate. But yet, they think they are still operating and defending out of love. What is to love the Lord?
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shores where the disciples were fishing. No one but John recognized the Lord. Why only John? But when John said that it was the Lord, it was Peter who was first to jump off the boat swimming to short to meet Jesus. On the surface, it can appear that Peter had passion for the Lord. After all, it was Peter who boldly had claimed that he would never deny HIM and even die for HIM. And even after denying Jesus three times, Peter still looks as though he is passionate and loves the Lord the most. The other disciples stayed on the boat to bring the fish and net in. Peter jumped and rushed to the Lord to beat all the disciples. He was the first to meet HIM.
Many Christians appear to the Lord this way. Even if you never missed a Sunday service, even if you were the person who made the biggest offering, even if you were the one who was always earliest to church, even if you were one who shouted loudest during worship or prayer time, even if you spent hours in ministry, even if you read the bible numerous times in a year, and even if you are on the internet preaching and witnessing the Lord may ask you as HE asked Peter, DO YOU LOVE ME?
Peter thought he was loving the Lord. He thought loving God was professing very boldly and loudly. Peter thought jumping off the boat to reach HIM before all the other disciples proved he loved Jesus more but yet Jesus asked him, DO YOU LOVE ME? In fact, Jesus asked Peter three times.
To those in ministry and leadership, I want you to pay close attention to the revelation Jesus is revealing in HIS three questions. The Lord said the two greatest commandments are first to love your Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. You cannot fulfill the first greatest commandment without fulfilling the second.
First question, Do you love ME? Jesus answered, then feed my lambs, The second time was tend to my sheep and lastly, feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
What are lambs? Lambs are baby sheep. Lambs represents baby Christians. Whether starting out a church, ministry, cell groups, or any leadership, God will test you by sending HIS lambs first. The lambs are baby Christians who may have much problems. They may have a hard time obeying, following instructions, getting into trouble and such. But you must have the Shepherd's heart and love them to pass your test before HE sends you more lambs or sheep. The baby lambs may be the spiritual leopards, the spiritually blind and deaf Christians, the spiritual orphans and widows, the spiritual rejects, abused, and so forth. Can you love and endure them?
Your first ministry may be your spouses, your children, or your in laws and they may be baby Christians who do not know much. God is saying, if you LOVE ME, you will feed them. This is not just about physical eating. You must be one to teach and witness spiritual food to grow the lambs or baby Christians. Your feeding them spiritual milk, your words and conduct walking as Jesus did is the food for them to digest. If you reject and cannot endure such lambs, then we are rejecting and denying Jesus and thus failing our tests. Our tests, trials, and tribulations is represented by the CROSS. We must carry our cross daily which is to face our tests and trials, die to ourselves, sacrificing so the baby lambs may live as we lay down our lives.
Your first ministry may be your spouses, your children, or your in laws and they may be baby Christians who do not know much. God is saying, if you LOVE ME, you will feed them. This is not just about physical eating. You must be one to teach and witness spiritual food to grow the lambs or baby Christians. Your feeding them spiritual milk, your words and conduct walking as Jesus did is the food for them to digest. If you reject and cannot endure such lambs, then we are rejecting and denying Jesus and thus failing our tests. Our tests, trials, and tribulations is represented by the CROSS. We must carry our cross daily which is to face our tests and trials, die to ourselves, sacrificing so the baby lambs may live as we lay down our lives.
After passing the first test of Love, they become sheep or God will send us more sheep. Jesus' second command is to tend or take care of HIS sheep. Sheep are spiritual adults. They are not baby sheep. Jesus wants us to sacrifice ourselves taking care of HIS people. We are to embrace and endure HIS people.
Once passing the second test of Love, we are now commanded to feed HIS Sheep. Adult sheep need more than milk. Adult sheep or spiritually mature Christians need to be fed meat. They require deeper revelation and Word. But in order for leaders or pastors to feed the adult sheep such revelation, we are to spend many hours in prayer and in HIS Presence to draw out the deeper revelation. Out of Love, we will spend such time. Such shepherds will forsake many things of the world to spend the time at HIS bosom to draw out the secrets and treasures of God's heart to feed HIS sheep.
Isaiah 45:3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—
secret riches.
I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
Jesus is saying to HIS people, if you really LOVE HIM, then take care, love, and feed (spiritually) HIS PEOPLE until HIS Return.
2 TEND (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully;
3 Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).
4 And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the [a]conqueror’s crown of glory.
Acts 20:28-29 Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or [d]of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.
29 I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock;
Glory to HIM
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont,. CA USA
No comments:
Post a Comment