Thoughts for Life: #47 Questions You Will Face Before God

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: God is very clear in His words. You as shepherd are awesomely accountable. You have spiritual responsibility for every person in your group.

You are also in large measure responsible for every former member, especially if he is now unshepherded. Before God you will one day give account of your shepherd role, answering such questions as: (Google image, Preach the Word)

How well fed and spiritually strong was each member?
How well indoctrinated in Bible truth was each member?
What efforts did you make to heal those who became spiritually ill?
To what extent did you exhaust all efforts to restore backsliders?
To what extent did you search for lost sheep outside your flock?
To what extent did you intercede for your flock name by name?
To what extent did you as a shepherd lay down your life for the flock?
To what extent did you put the interests of the flock ahead of your personal interests?
To what extent did you as shepherd keep assertive members of your flock from discouraging or discriminating against more passive members? (See below Isaiah 56:10-11)
Are you as shepherd blind to danger? You must have your people so grounded in truth that they are not willing to listen to new false teachers.
Are you as shepherd fearless and faithful in warning of spiritual and doctrinal danger? You must not be a silent watchdog. You must bark loud and long (v. 10).
Do you as shepherd have a reputation for a big appetite (v. 11)? A shepherd who does not exercise self-discipline is a poor example for his people and gives a bad image to the public.
Do you as shepherd have the reputation of always wanting your own way? Learn to solicit and give careful consideration to the suggestions of your people.
Do you as shepherd have the reputation of always looking out for yourself? Isaiah condemns those who seek their own gain (v. 11). No one retains a name for spirituality who always seeks his own benefit. Holiness is contrary to self-seeking.

This is the Spirit of Jesus. He came not to be served but to serve and give his life for others. (Mark 10:45). Jesus said that Christian leaders should not always be showing their authority. That is the way of the world. He said,

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become
great among you must be your servant, and whoever
wants to be first must be slave of all" (vv. 43-44).

You as shepherd are to serve the sheep. The sheep are not primarily to care for you. Of course, as shepherd you deserve to be supported (Luke 10:7). You deserve adequate food and shelter.

You have some rights. But in many respects you are called to forget your own interests for the sake of your people. Your calling is to self- sacrifice; God first, others next, and self last.

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Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God
#47 Questions You Will Face Before God
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 155-157) ZondervanPublishingHouse

We say we'll pray . . .

Father, as You are very clear in Your Word,
our shepherds are accountable for the
spiritual growth of their congregations.
The above questions are questions they'll
be given when they go home to You.
May we cooperate in praying for them
daily, so they'll have the right answers!
Empower our shepherds to understand
what it is You expect of them,
and may they be diligent to do their
best to achieve these most important
responsibilities given them.
I pray for my shepherd, and the others
represented by those who're reading this.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Isaiah 56:10-11 "Israel's watchmen are blind, they

all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot

bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They

are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.

They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all

turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain."

Jude 1:12 Christian Standard Bible "These people

are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with

you without reverence. They are shepherds who only

look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried

along by winds; trees in late autumn--fruitless, twice

dead and uprooted."

2 Tim. 2:24-25 (KJV) "And the servant of the Lord must

not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

(25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;

if God peradventure will give them repentance to the

acknowledging of the truth."

Today's quote-

A. W. Tozer- "Let no one imagine that he will lose anything of human dignity by this voluntary sell-out of his all to his God. He does not by this degrade himself as a man; rather he finds his right place of high honor as one made in the image of his Creator. His deep disgrace lay in his moral derangement, his unnatural usurpation of the place of God. His honor will be proved by restoring again that stolen throne. In exalting God over all he finds his own highest honor upheld."

[Taken from Herald of His Coming newspaper, Vol 77, No 4 (916), p. 1. Used by permission.]

Today's questions-

Why do some Christians think they have to "clean up" the presentation of the Cross?

Do they actually think we can improve on God's work among us in getting people saved? Is it not true that it's the work of the Holy Spirit that draws folks to believe? Do we think our arguments will convince others to believe in Jesus' Atonement on the cross?

If the saving of the Gospel message is what is needed by every nationality and person and needs no embellishments, ought we to leave it as it is, and give it straight as God's Truth?

When we hear of Christ's Crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, do we really need to dress it up someway to "make it more presentable?" Won't it just become a mundane thing then to those who hear it, and not have the understanding of the great love of the Father for us, and what all Christ went through for us?

It is time to leave it as it is, and to proclaim the truth that Jesus actually went through the agony, shame and sacrifice of His life, to give us eternal life with Him. That's the true Gospel.

All our wealth is in the Cross!

Our special link today: Is Satan Out to Get You?

Satan tries to put barriers up
between us and God

Debbie McEwen: "Satan tries his best to put barriers between us and our Father.
He finds ways to tempt us away from the light and love our souls crave.
Satan's way leads to everlasting sorrow and the pit of fire for eternity.
Only God can really satisfy our souls and give us true JOY and peace.
God, Jesus is the everlasting light that fills and fulfills all our needs."

Upcoming posts-

#48 Your Accountability as a Leader, Part 1

26th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Restored Failures

28th- Saturday's post by Leslie Koh

#49 You Will be Accountable to Warn of Dangers

5/1- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#50 You Will be Accountable to Warn of Dangers

3rd- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel