Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
On May 21st 2009 at the Moody Pastor’s Conference in Chicago, John MacArthur gave a sermon on the topic of "The Job Description of a Faithful Pastor" about how to shepherd the flock of God. He mentioned one interesting thing in his talk, "Very few guys are bolted out of churches because of a poor sermon. They usually run out because of conflict with somebody who struggles to be in the power." And he thinks a faithful pastor should always fulfill his role of being a protector and the feeder. Generally speaking, no one would disagree that a pastor should be a spiritual feeder. But the notion of being the protector needs further exploration. Who is willing to be a protector? Who has courage by faith to be a protector and against those who might do harms to others? This is surely a big challenge, isn’t it? For this reason, a sanctified shepherd must know the power of the Word, the power of the Spirit, and the willingness to face confrontation as the role of protector demands. It has never been easy to be a minister. This vocation requires spiritual discipline as welll as the courage to step up to the plate.
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE." Therefore, "COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.
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