Turn From Pollution
Scripture: Jeremiah 3:11-15Devotional Series: The Good Shepherd
Teaching: The Good Shepherd pt. 2 (SUN_PM 2021-03-07) by Pastor Star R Scott
The problem with the church today is that not enough pastors have the guts to stand up before their congregations and tell them the truth. And because of that, the sheep find themselves in the condition that we see in Jeremiah. How many of you like being under authority? How many of you like being submissive? All of that which is innate within man—that rebellious spirit, the pride, the independence, the self-will—if you’re in the church, that has got to die, amen? There is no place for it in the church; it is not allowed ever in the church. The church is made up of members in particular set as it pleases Him to prefer and to care for one another so that there could be the corporate edification. That’s what the church is all about; that’s what we’re here for. Part of what we do in that corporate unity is evangelize and other things that we’ve been admonished to do. But the primary role of the church is mutual edification, coming into that place of righteousness so that men could see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.
In Jeremiah 3, we see the shepherds being referred to although it applies to both civil and ecclesiastical authority. Reproof is coming to them based upon their rebellion, and God has divorced them. How many of you know that God divorced Himself from His covenant people. He called them to repentance. But Israel, instead of repenting, verse 11, justified herself. He says in verse 12, “Return thou backsliding people. Don’t make Me put my wrath upon you.” The last part of verse 12 says, “For I am a merciful God.” All I want is for you to acknowledge your iniquity, and come to repentance. You have all of these idols in the high places, in your residence. We find that this pollution was even throughout the temple of God. Verse 14, “Turn, O backsliding children,” and if you’ll repent, verse 15, “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
We see here that one of the things that’s so important for this pastoral role is the establishing of sound doctrine, of truth. The role of the pastor is to feed the flock with knowledge and understanding—to feed and to lead, to teach and to direct, to bring instruction and guidance—these roles are continually being fulfilled by these set men. When I say “set,” it’s a reference back to Ephesians. God has set them, amen? We don’t get a choice; we don’t get to vote. You know, we have these congregational churches, and everybody has an equal vote, and every couple of years they vote on the pastor whether they want to keep him or not. But we see here that these are set divinely, ordained of God. Men, especially in America, have the thought that the congregation “put you there and we can fire you.” It’s very uncommon for a pastor to stand before the congregation and say, “I want you all to know that you don’t pay my salary; God does.” I am so thankful for God’s grace and mercy to me. So many of these areas—my flesh doesn’t want to do that kind of stuff. You just do what you are told, amen? You obey. We are the under shepherds. We are fulfilling the Spirit of Jesus that He had toward Father. I haven’t come to do my will but the will of He who sent me and to finish the work, amen? I don’t speak my own words, I’m not a heretic, I’m not vaunting myself. I’m not coming up with doctrine to manipulate men, to scratch their itching ears, but to speak the words of He who sent me.
In Jeremiah 3, we see the shepherds being referred to although it applies to both civil and ecclesiastical authority. Reproof is coming to them based upon their rebellion, and God has divorced them. How many of you know that God divorced Himself from His covenant people. He called them to repentance. But Israel, instead of repenting, verse 11, justified herself. He says in verse 12, “Return thou backsliding people. Don’t make Me put my wrath upon you.” The last part of verse 12 says, “For I am a merciful God.” All I want is for you to acknowledge your iniquity, and come to repentance. You have all of these idols in the high places, in your residence. We find that this pollution was even throughout the temple of God. Verse 14, “Turn, O backsliding children,” and if you’ll repent, verse 15, “I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
We see here that one of the things that’s so important for this pastoral role is the establishing of sound doctrine, of truth. The role of the pastor is to feed the flock with knowledge and understanding—to feed and to lead, to teach and to direct, to bring instruction and guidance—these roles are continually being fulfilled by these set men. When I say “set,” it’s a reference back to Ephesians. God has set them, amen? We don’t get a choice; we don’t get to vote. You know, we have these congregational churches, and everybody has an equal vote, and every couple of years they vote on the pastor whether they want to keep him or not. But we see here that these are set divinely, ordained of God. Men, especially in America, have the thought that the congregation “put you there and we can fire you.” It’s very uncommon for a pastor to stand before the congregation and say, “I want you all to know that you don’t pay my salary; God does.” I am so thankful for God’s grace and mercy to me. So many of these areas—my flesh doesn’t want to do that kind of stuff. You just do what you are told, amen? You obey. We are the under shepherds. We are fulfilling the Spirit of Jesus that He had toward Father. I haven’t come to do my will but the will of He who sent me and to finish the work, amen? I don’t speak my own words, I’m not a heretic, I’m not vaunting myself. I’m not coming up with doctrine to manipulate men, to scratch their itching ears, but to speak the words of He who sent me.