November 11. Jeremiah ch 50; Hebrews 7:13–8:13

THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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“And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11–13 BSB

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HAPPY DAY TO YOU: Spiritual leaders are to be honoured and respected as they know and carry out their duties according to God's instructions. The first thing to do is to find the biblical guidelines given to people with the different spiritual gifts that God bestows on them. The main purpose of every gift is to build Christians up to maturity in the faith, to the full stature of Christ.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Jesus gave the above instructions to the apostles. They are to make disciples of believers and teach them how to obey everything He commanded them.

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In Ezekiel 34, God was angry with the shepherds who took care of themselves while ignoring the flock. Hear this:

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.’” Ezekiel 34:2–5 NIV

Church leaders should read Ezekiel chapter 34 and examine their duties to the flock.

Whoever attends a church where he is not taught how to hold on to Jesus and enjoy His rest and joy, no matter what happens, should take another look, start reading the Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit. The flock of Jesus, for whom He shed His blood on the cross, is more important to Him than the material wealth a shepherd gathers. Let shepherds learn how to take care of the flock of Jesus, especially in these difficult times.

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Dear God and Father, open the understanding of every shepherd over Your flock to see the pain in Your heart as those You have saved are falling away. Fill them with enough compassion to take care of Your flock, in the name of Jesus.

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