Poking the Bear

I have read and pondered Ezekiel 28. As pastors, preachers, ministers, or teachers of the God's word, this text reminds me there is a responsibility.  The position as an expositor of God's word requires accountability to the task and function.  The text speaks of guiding, leading, and directing a flock as a shepherd.  The persons shepherded are likening to sheep.  The leader is to feed the flock the Word of God.  Feeding is important to the maintenance, development, and sustenance of sheep. 

God has entrusted the leader with the care of the flock.  The leader -- pastor, preacher, minister, or teacher -- is subordinate to God as the under-shepherd.  An under-shepherd has three responsibilities: one to lead, second, to guide; and third, to feed.  We are to do all three responsibly and not haphazardly.  We are not to lord our position over the sheep.  We are to be examples of what it means to be God inside minded.  We set the pace based on experience in the faith, but more importantly on revelation.  I believe that far too many are living not on revelation but information.  That is leaning to their own understanding.  It appears those entrusted with the Word have forsaken it for the lusts of the world.  I have observed pastors, preachers, ministers, or teachers succumbing to sex, drugs, and power.  Confronting persons in error can result in attacks against character, faithfulness, and loyalty.  I have experienced this.  When a leader is not accountable, then said leaders set themselves as a demagogue. 

A demagogue is a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.  This person becomes arrogant, wise in his/her own mind with a petulant attitude to the sheep.  This person believes that God can only judge and that any outside thought is an opinion, not from God.  Position longevity, experience, and spiritual warfare have blinded them to their own misgivings.  This person does not view a personal or secret sin as an affront to God.

The leader has compromised and abused the relationship of sheep to shepherd.  When a leader chooses lusts for power, sex, and drugs, then revelation is tainted.  This person is more under the influence of the related lust(s) and not the anointing.  The under-shepherd, leader, pastor is to be an example of righteous and holy living.  In addition, the messages should be on training believers regarding the call, purpose, and their divine design.  In today's churches, many believers or seekers receive soapbox oration filled with emotional rants and appeals.  The indulgence for power, sex, and drugs has made one to be a partaker of the sensual and render churches and organizations devoid of God's resurrection power.

Where are the gifts?  Where are the miracles, signs, and wonders?  How do I systematically become a conqueror?

No manifestation or should I say true vestige of miracles, signs, and wonders.  Worship services have lost worship and replaced with traditional shouts.  The common service more perspiration over inspiration, which means no revelation.  Those who alleged to hear from God have involved themselves less in worship and appeal to the tickling men and women or scratching itching ears.  This person plays on the stirring of the emotion versus supernatural gifts.  There is little teaching on victorious living and cultivating God's provisions.  Leaders rarely construct messages on deliverance, conversion, or righteous living.  Leaders design messages with emotional statements, charges, and appeals with no value or sublime intent.

The messages create a culture of tradition and control to capture and enslave.  A good shepherd presents the word to exercise freedom.  The leader is to fulfill the expectation of the call.  It is incumbent that each individual is taught regarding his or her personal call, purpose, and design.  A lack of teaching on leadership means a trap.  This trap is really a snare with very little escape.  Now, the pastor, preacher, minister, or teacher, has compromised or abused the sheep.  The sheep are being sheered for what they bring to satisfy the leader and not God.  This is abuse.  The lack of teaching results in enslavement rather than the freedom.  Freedom is a believer's capacity to enjoy the goodness of God in their lifetime.  Driven by lusts, these leaders have subjected the church to their desires and will.

A message to the pastors, preachers, ministers, or teachers...leaders.  These are not your sheep!

Talk to you soon,

Pastor James P. Norman Jr.

Artesian Well Church

6031 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, Ca