THE SHEPHERDS HAVE FAILED US
BY JERRY FALWELL
A. INTRODUCTION
I’m continuing my theme of national revival.
I’m going to focus on just one group in the phrase, “My People.” Today I’m going to focus on pastors. I’m going to show how the shepherds of Israel were guilty of bringing God’s judgment on them and their people. In the same way, God’s shepherds today have failed the church.
The formula for revival (2 X 7 = 14).
If pastors will do four things (humble, pray, seek, repent), God will do three things (hear, forgive, heal).
“If my people (pastors), which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).
B. GOD’S CHARGE AGAINST SHEPHERDS.
1. Ezekiel 34:1-10.
“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
2. Who are today’s shepherds?
The Living Bible adds the phrase -
“The shepherds, the leaders of Israel” (34:2). The word shepherd in the original is also pastor. But the word “leaders” means more. It means
a. Pastors, missionaries, ministers of Christian Education, youth pastors, professors of religion, heads of mission boards, directors of inter- denominational agencies.
b. Faithful Shepherds: Those who are faithful to God’s Word, faithful to people and faithful to a holy walk with God.
c. Unfaithful Shepherds: Those who deny God’s word, who won’t teach it, who compromise its message, who ignore God’s people, and who lead sinful lives.
C. THE SIX FAILURES OF SHEPHERDS.
God saw six failures of the shepherds in Israel; these are the same failures today.
1. Put selfish interest first -
“Woe to the shepherds that do feed themselves”
(v. 2). This does not mean basic necessities. The Bible teaches “Muzzle not the ox that treadeth the corn” which means God’s men should get paid. The NIV says, “You drink the milk, clothe yourself with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock” (v. 3).
a. Take a salary for preaching but put in less than 40 hours.
b. Take the responsibility to shepherd, but do not visit needy people.
c. Take the position of leader, but don’t give direction.
2. Not preached/taught the Word.
“Woe to the shepherds . . . shall not the shepherd feed the flock?” (v.2 ). The Living Bible says, “You let your flock starve” (v. 2).
a. Their sin was preaching messages that amount to
popular psychology, book reviews, or practical advice, but not the Word of God. “Preach the Word” (II Tim. 4:2).
b. When they preach the “blessings” of the Bible (prosperity theology) but not warn people of sin.
c. When they refuse to preach unpopular topics.
3. Not cared for needy people.
“The diseased (weak) have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick” (v. 4).
a. No interest in people.
b. No interest in ministry.
4. No evangelism.
“Neither have ye sought that which was lost” (v. 4). The Living Bible says, “Ye have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost” (v. 4).
a. This means going after people to MAKE SHEEP.
b. This means finding LOST SHEEP.
c. This means making those careless Christians FAITHFUL SHEEP.
d. This means feeding them, i.e. GROWING SHEEP.
5. Ruled people with force and cruelty.
“But with force and cruelty have ye ruled them” (v. 4).
a. Pastors who split churches needlessly out of pride.
b. Pastors who are immoral with those under their care.
c. Pastors who are dictators.
6. Allowing false teachers and false doctrine to
snare their sheep.
“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill” (v. 5).
The Living Bible describes them, “Those who have wandered away and are lost.” When sheep wander from their church, “They become meat to all the beast of the field” (v. 5). The Living Bible says, “They are easy prey for any wild animal.”
Paul describes false teachers as animals who tear up the church. “After my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves, shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples” (Acts 20:29,30). The warning to modern pastors— “Therefore watch” (v. 31).
D. THE GROWTH OF INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIANITY
Because pastors are not feeding sheep and building the
flock, many have left the church or are leaving. Yet,
people are seeking God, but not through most local
churches.
George Barna:
96% believe in God.
92% believe the Bible is God’s Word.
42% belong to a local church.
24% claim to attend regularly.
1. There seems less loyalty to the church than ever. Absenteeism, sporadic attendance, no tithes, won’t volunteer to teach Sunday School, or no
soul-winning. Shepherds have let their people
drift.
2. Sheep go where they are fed. People watch TV or listen to Bible teachers because they are not being fed at their church. God will get it done, even when pastors fail. Here’s what the Lord is doing, “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day . . . that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep” (34:12).
“I will feed them in a good pasture and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be” (34:14).
“I will feed my flock and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD” (v. 15).
E. THE FORMULA FOR REVIVAL OF SHEPHERDS
“If my people (pastors), which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
