Feeding Sheep (Part 2)
Today I learned something new.
Sheep are picky eaters.
But before you jump to conclusions, they are not picky in the sense that they gravitate toward what is generally less good for them.
As a mater of fact it's the opposite- " In general sheep tend to be picky eaters - preferring leafy plants to plants which have fibrous stalks - but sheep adapt to their environment well and will eat nearly anything with nutritional value. Compared to cattle, sheep are more picky grazers and you can count on them to select the most nutritious pasture growth first." from http://www.raisingsheep.net/what-do-sheep-eat.html
It says it right there- "...you can count on them to select the most nutritious pasture growth."
There seems to be something inside the instinctual make-up of a sheep that propels them to seek out the more- nutritious eats. However, the catch is, they can adapt to their environment and will settle for less nutrition if they can get at least some amount of nutrition at all.
It's not a coincidence that Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd and believers as sheep.
As believers we too should be picky eaters- in the sense that we will gravitate to what is more spiritually nutritious for our souls and choose God over merely good. Sheep should be able to pick out the voice of God, and desire it.
So when it comes to feeding the flock of Jesus out of our love for him, ministers should be careful to gravitate to what is most needful for the soul, over the temporary appeasement of the flesh. As sheep, believers truly desire the more "leafy, fibrous stalks" of the word, versus the generalized sweet "grass" of mere inspiration into which the world tries to dilute it.
Catering to soul-nourishment versus flesh-appeasement is the way to grow lambs into sheep. Of course there is more grass around than leafy stalk, but as a lamb matures to a sheep, the sheep will instinctively feed itself on the most nutritious parts of the pasture in the Word.
In meal preparation , presentation and flavor are carefully addressed by the preparer. However, the most important factor is this- Can this meal sustain or advance my health?
The same evaluation should be used for the feeding of souls. Will this sermon, song, play, etc. sustain or advance the health of the sheep or simply make their belly full.
Be encouraged believers, ministers of the gospel, as you serve the flock.
It's not a coincidence that Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd and believers as sheep.
"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."- John 10:14 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."- John 10:27
As believers we too should be picky eaters- in the sense that we will gravitate to what is more spiritually nutritious for our souls and choose God over merely good. Sheep should be able to pick out the voice of God, and desire it.
So when it comes to feeding the flock of Jesus out of our love for him, ministers should be careful to gravitate to what is most needful for the soul, over the temporary appeasement of the flesh. As sheep, believers truly desire the more "leafy, fibrous stalks" of the word, versus the generalized sweet "grass" of mere inspiration into which the world tries to dilute it.
Catering to soul-nourishment versus flesh-appeasement is the way to grow lambs into sheep. Of course there is more grass around than leafy stalk, but as a lamb matures to a sheep, the sheep will instinctively feed itself on the most nutritious parts of the pasture in the Word.
In meal preparation , presentation and flavor are carefully addressed by the preparer. However, the most important factor is this- Can this meal sustain or advance my health?
The same evaluation should be used for the feeding of souls. Will this sermon, song, play, etc. sustain or advance the health of the sheep or simply make their belly full.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4
Be encouraged believers, ministers of the gospel, as you serve the flock.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.- Galatians 6:9
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
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