EZEKIEL 34 GOOD AND BAD SHEPHERDS2010 Teaching by Jerry B Simmons

Teaching Transcript: Ezekiel 34 Good And Bad Shepherds

You are listening to FerventWord, an online Bible study ministry with teachings and tools to help you grow deeper in your relationship with God. The following message was taught by Jerry Simmons in 2010. Well, this evening we're looking at Ezekiel chapter 34.

We're in kind of a new section of the book of Ezekiel. We've looked at the judgment that was pronounced upon the city of Jerusalem. And that has taken place. That has been fulfilled. It's happened. Ezekiel got the news last week in chapter 33. The messenger got there. It took him about five months to get from Jerusalem to Babylon to bring the word that Jerusalem had indeed fallen.

We've also seen the judgment that God has pronounced upon surrounding nations, the nation of Egypt, the nation of Tyre, the Philistines, and so on and so forth. And now as we're going forward in the book of Ezekiel, God is once again focusing on the nation of Israel.

And he's really looking forward to the work that he's going to do in the nation leading up to the millennial kingdom and then into the time where Jesus will rule and reign for a thousand years.

And so there's a lot of things that we'll be looking at in the coming weeks about the future. We'll talk a little bit about it tonight. But as we look at chapter 34 tonight, what God is doing is He's bringing some correction to the leaders of the nation of Judah who led the people astray.

And so there's some strong words here that God has for those who are responsible for the nation, both politically and spiritually. And so we pick it up in verse 1 of chapter 34. It says, And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds.

Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves. Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with wool.

You slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost, but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

Here as we begin chapter 34, God is speaking to Ezekiel. He says, Ezekiel, here's a message I want you to give to the shepherds of Israel. And the message that we'll be studying throughout the rest of this chapter is essentially, woe to the shepherds. Woe to the shepherds who feed themselves. Now, a shepherd is responsible to tend the flock and take care of the flock.

But the shepherds of Israel were not fulfilling their duties. They weren't fulfilling their responsibilities. And so God is writing and speaking through Ezekiel saying, I am against you, woe to you. You will be judged as a result of your unfaithfulness to the call that I have given to you. Now as we look at the shepherds of Israel this evening,

We're primarily dealing with the leaders of Israel. The political leaders, the kings who are on the throne, the princes who ruled along with them, the governors who were in the land. Also the spiritual leaders, the priests, the Levites, the people who were in charge, the people who had authority within the nation, both politically and spiritually.

And all across the board, the leadership of the nation of Israel failed in their role. They failed as shepherds of God's people. And so we'll be looking at that. But also as we consider these things this evening, of course there's some very practical and important personal application for us. Because a shepherd is really anyone who cares for sheep.

And that includes you and I as believers today. I often share this with you, Matthew chapter 28.

19 and 20, where Jesus says to go and to make disciples. That is a commandment that is given to every believer. And you and I as believers have this great commission to make disciples, to disciple others, to learn to walk with Jesus. We have sheep that are entrusted to our care, for us to train up, to teach, to encourage, to equip.

And so you and I, as believers, are called to make disciples. You and I, as believers, are called to be shepherds. It's not just for those who have positions of leadership. Every one of us as Christians...

are shepherds. Now there are some who have the position. There are those who are called to be pastors. It's an office. It's a role that they're called to perform. But being a shepherd is something that extends to all of us as followers of Jesus.

And so as we consider these things that God is speaking to the shepherds, there's some important things that we should consider as well. As we think about those that God has entrusted to us. Perhaps your family. You have...

You have children. And God has placed you in their lives in such a way that you would minister to them and bring them up in the ways of the Lord and teach them how to walk with God. And so you're a shepherd there to your family. Perhaps in the workplace.

Maybe you're the only Christian, or maybe you're the one who's been around for a while, or you're the one who has spiritual maturity. And so God has placed you there strategically to disciple, to be a light, and to lead others and show the rest of your co-workers how to walk with God and how to be a Christian in the workplace. Or whether it be in your neighborhood or among your friends, wherever it is, God has placed people in your lives...

that He's called you to disciple. And so as you consider those that God has entrusted to you, these things that God says to the shepherds have some real, real application. And we need to pay attention. Because we are responsible as shepherds to make sure that the needs of the sheep are met.

As God is writing to these shepherds, these were not good shepherds. They did not fulfill their responsibility. They're bad shepherds and bad shepherds make sure their own needs are met first. These shepherds of the nation of Israel and bad shepherds today make sure that they're taken care of. That what they want to accomplish is accomplished. That their needs are met first.

God asked the question, hey, shouldn't the shepherds feed the flocks?

Isn't that their responsibility? Isn't that their role? Isn't that what they are called to do? They're supposed to feed the flocks. But these shepherds are feeding themselves. He says in verse 3, you eat the fat and you clothe yourselves with wool. You slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. So they're feeding themselves.

They're clothing themselves with wool, that is they're making sure that they have good clothing, they're making sure that they have the latest designs. They eat the fat, that was kind of like the luxurious thing, where the flavor is, they save the best parts for themselves. They slaughter the fatlings, so they're having parties, throwing feasts, and saving the fatted calf for themselves.

but they don't feed the flock. And so the shepherds, they're doing okay. They've got money. They've got provision. They're able to celebrate, but they're not taking care of the needs of the people that God has entrusted to them.

And so they're going out of their way to take care of themselves and they're neglecting the sheep. Not only are they doing those things, but there's some things that they're not doing that they're obligated to do as shepherds. He tells us that in verse 4. They've not strengthened the weak. They've not healed the sick. They've not bound up those who are broken. They've not brought back those who are driven away. They've not sought the lost sheep.

Instead they've ruled with force and cruelty. And so they were actively involved in taking care of themselves and they were completely neglecting their responsibility. There was people who were sick that needed attending. There were people who were lost that needed to be found and sought after. There were people who were broken that needed to be built up or bound up. But they were completely neglecting

The people that God had entrusted to them. And so God is saying, woe to you shepherds, because you are not fulfilling your responsibility. Are you fulfilling your responsibility? When you think about those that God has entrusted to you in the home, in the workplace, in the neighborhood, friends, family, whoever it might be. Are you considering and practicing what Paul said to consider the needs of others and not just your own interests?

To not just make sure that you get what you want or you get what you need, but are you making sure that the people that God has entrusted to you are having their needs met? Are you feeding the sheep that God has entrusted to you? You know, feeding sheep is very important to God. Not only does He address it here, but you remember Jesus has a conversation with Peter about feeding the sheep. There in John chapter 21.

There in John 21, Jesus says to Peter, Hey, Peter, do you love me? Peter says, Yeah, you know I love you. He said, Okay then, feed my sheep. Feed my sheep. And then he asked Peter again, Hey, Peter, do you love me? He says, Yeah, you know I love you. Okay, well then, tend my flock. And then a third time he asked Peter, Peter, do you love me? Peter says, Yes, I love you. Jesus says, Then feed my little lambs.

Tending the flock, feeding the sheep, is something that is very important to God. These shepherds were bad shepherds because they were taking care of their own needs. Not just their needs, they were going above and beyond and living a luxurious life and neglecting the needs of the sheep. You know, they're celebrating and partying while the sheep are sick and lost and needing attention.

Does that describe you? This is going to maybe get a little convicting and I apologize for that, but this is the Word of God and we need to consider these things. Do you have ample time to do the things that you want to do and not very much time to minister to the people that God has entrusted to you? You know, we always use that phrase, right? I don't have time. There's just not enough time in the day. We all struggle with that issue of time, right?

But if we consider how we're using our time, I wonder if we would be challenged by this exhortation to the shepherds. Because it's amazing how we always have time for the things that we want to do. We very rarely have time for the things that we don't like to do that much.

Shepherding is hard work, you know. We think of it kind of like a glorious thing, right? Like every kid growing up in Jerusalem wanted to be a shepherd, right? It's not, you know, a glory. It's dirty. It's dealing with animals. It's getting your hands dirty. Ministering to sheep is hard work.

And in order for you and I to minister to those that God has entrusted to us, we're going to have to get our hands dirty and do things that we don't particularly like to do. But we're responsible to do it because God has called us to be shepherds and to make disciples. And so do we have enough time to keep up on those games that we want to make sure that we follow or those TV shows or whatever it is? Do we have enough time to do our hobbies and to have our luxuries

But then we don't have time to really minister and feed those that God has entrusted to us. The bad shepherds of Israel were fulfilling their own desires but neglecting those that God has entrusted to them. As we consider these shepherds, I encourage you to let your mind explore the applications for your own self.

Let your mind consider, let your heart consider the people that God has entrusted to you. Are they being fed? Are their needs being met? Are you putting their needs above your own?

Going on in verse 5, it says, So they were scattered, that is, the sheep were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Yes, my flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them. And so the result of these bad shepherds was that the flock is now scattered.

Over and over, he says, they were scattered over the hills. They were scattered throughout the wilderness. You see there in verse 5, they became food for all the beasts. So these sheep who are precious to God, who are entrusted to these shepherds, they weren't being led, they weren't being fed, they instead got scattered. And so now these sheep are prey. They're victims of the wild animals, of the beasts of the field. So they become food for all the beasts.

As they are scattered. And he says no one is seeking for them or searching for them. These shepherds wouldn't go out of their way to look for the lost sheep. They wouldn't take the time to search, to find those who had wandered off. The sheep were scattered because there is no shepherd. People need spiritual leadership. We need it. We need leaders.

We need shepherds. We need those who will minister to us. And when those that God has entrusted us to don't fulfill their role, don't fulfill their responsibility, we are hurt. We're harmed. We're scattered. We start to get lost. Now, everybody likes to say, you know, hey, all I need is Jesus. It's just me and Jesus. But the reality is that God has designed us as a body in such a way that we need one another.

We need one another. And we need those that God has placed in authority over us. And guess what? The people that God has placed in your care and entrusted to you, they need you to be the shepherd that God calls you to be. They need you to be a good shepherd. To take care of them, to tend to their needs. And listen, if we don't fulfill our responsibility as shepherds, then the sheep get scattered and they become food

for the wild animals. They become food for this world. Remember Peter said in 1 Peter 5 to be sober and be vigilant because the devil roams around like a roaring lion. He's looking for those sheep that are scattered. Those sheep that don't have good shepherds. That aren't tending their needs. That aren't taking care of them. And as shepherds, God has given us a tremendous responsibility for those that He's entrusted to us.

Now never do they become our sheep. Notice He says several times there, "My sheep" and it's "My flock". And we'll see that even as we continue on throughout the chapter that God continues to say, "My sheep" and "My flock". These are God's sheep that we've been entrusted to care for. And this is a responsibility that we have to God.

I firmly believe this with all my heart. Every believer, every Christian, every follower of God is a shepherd because He calls us to make disciples. Who are you discipling? Who are you shepherding? Or, let me put it this way, who are you supposed to be discipling? And who are you supposed to be shepherding?

Because if we fail in our role to shepherd, then the sheep get scattered. Just like the nation of Israel and the nation of Judah were scattered, and the enemy began to pick them off one by one, until finally Jerusalem is conquered. And there's no inhabitants left in the land. As a result of these shepherds who looked out for themselves instead of looking out for the flock. Verse 7.

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. As I live, says the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed my flock.

The shepherds of the nation of Israel were taking advantage of the people.

They were living and enjoying life at the expense of the sheep that God had entrusted to them. And God is going to hold them accountable for the way that they shepherded, for the way that they led, for the way that they ministered to those that God had entrusted to them. And so he says, therefore, hear this word as I live. Now, that's a promise. God is saying, look,

As long as I'm alive, you're going to give an account for the way that you shepherded. This is a promise. Remember what Paul said? He says, look, we know that we're going to stand before God. 2 Corinthians chapter 5. And so therefore, we persuade men. We know we're going to have to give an account. So we do the best that we can to bring people into the kingdom. That's something to consider as shepherds.

Because we're going to stand before God as He lives. This is the promise. We will give an account for the people that God has placed in our lives. How did we minister to them? How did we shepherd them? Did we do the work of a good shepherd? He says, My flock became prey. Therefore, shepherds, I'm going to require it at your hand. You're responsible. You're accountable for their destruction.

That's a heavy responsibility. But they became food for every beast of the field because there was no shepherd. And you were called to be shepherds, and so I'm holding you accountable. Because you didn't do your job. You didn't do what I called you to do. You weren't faithful to my flock. And so he says, therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. Behold, I am against the shepherds. God says, I'm against you. You know, if we have the attitude that

You know, someone else will take care of their spiritual development. Someone else will take care of their spiritual walk. Someone else will disciple them. If we neglect our responsibility, it puts us in a position where God is against us. Remember Jesus said to count the cost? He said, look, if you want to follow me, that's great, but count the cost. Here's what it's going to take. You're going to have to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

Denying yourself is a key element there of following Jesus. And a good shepherd can't be self-centered. Because being self-centered, guess what? It means that we're centered on ourselves. And automatically that means that we're neglecting the people around us that God has entrusted to us. These shepherds were feeding themselves. They're taking care of themselves. They're self-centered, which means that they're opposed to God. And so God says, I'm against you because you are selfless.

fulfilling your own selves and neglecting the flock that I've entrusted to you. He says, I'm going to cause them to cease feeding the sheep. He's taken away their responsibility. They were responsible to feed the sheep, but he says, they're not doing it, so I'm taking that away. I'm going to cause them to cease feeding the sheep. And the shepherds will feed themselves no more.

So not only will they not be able to feed the sheep, but they won't even be able to feed themselves anymore. God's going to bring some severe judgment upon those leaders of Israel that failed in their role of shepherds. He says, I will deliver my flock from their mouths. Not only were the beasts of the field feasting on the flock, but the shepherds themselves were feasting on the flock.

They were living luxuriously. They were enjoying life at the expense of the flock that they were entrusted to shepherd. So God is holding them accountable for taking advantage of the flock and neglecting the flock. They're taking advantage of them in the realm of temporary things.

They were taking advantage of their labor, of their wealth, of their resources. But they were neglecting them in the realm of eternal things. They weren't giving them the truth or the Word of God. They weren't directing them to God. They weren't helping them to walk with God. And so at the same time, they're taking advantage of them and they're neglecting them. And this is something that goes on to this day. There's bad shepherds that are like this. And it can be frustrating.

But understand, they will give account. And there's a great responsibility for those that God has called to be shepherds. You remember in James chapter 3, verse 1, James tells us, Hey, don't let many of you become teachers knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. There's a greater responsibility and a greater judgment, a greater accountability that is given to those who are shepherds.

And to the extent that God has called us to shepherd, we will be judged with a greater accountability. These shepherds, well, they weren't good shepherds. So now God is calling them to account. He says, I'm against you. Warren Wiersbe says, true leaders don't exploit the people, they sacrifice for them. That is what God has called us to do as shepherds. You remember what Jesus said?

He says, as I have loved you, love one another. And how did Jesus love us? Well, we know of course, He demonstrated His love for us by dying upon the cross for our sins. He sacrificed Himself. Not only on the cross, but if you look at His ministry all throughout His life, what did He do? He sacrificed Himself. The only thing that He reserved time for as far as Himself was concerned was time of prayer. Him and the Father.

He carefully protected that time. But the rest of it, time for eating, time for sleeping, time for relaxing and goofing off, He sacrificed that. How many times does it say, you know, He was exhausted, but He had compassion upon the crowds, and so He continued to minister to them. He's a good shepherd. He sacrificed Himself for the sheep. Are you that kind of shepherd? Are you sacrificing yourself for the sheep?

Are your needs neglected so that you can take care of the needs of others? Now who wants to dwell on that thought? Are you taking care of yourself and neglecting others? Making sure that you have your relaxing time, making sure that you have your eight hours of sleep,

Making sure that your needs are met, that you're taken care of, but you're neglecting those that God has entrusted to you. Now, by no means am I saying that we should all, you know, work 23 hours a day and sleep one hour, you know. That's not what God has called us to. But has God called you to do the things that you're doing? And is that why you're doing them? Has God called you to spend time the way that you are spending time?

And that's why you're spending time throughout the day the way that you do? Has God called you to work 60 hours a week? Has God called you to relax 60 hours a week? How has God called you to use your time? What opportunities is God giving you? You're playing the video game and so you don't have time to minister to the people that are right there. Are you taking advantage of those that God has entrusted to you? Are they being scattered? Are you neglecting them?

That's what was happening to the nation of Israel. And that's the reason why they're in the state that they're in. And so God basically now says, Shepherds, you're fired. I'm taking this task. I'm taking this role. And I'm going to shepherd my people. Look at verse 11.

He says,

I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in the inhabited places of the country. God says, I'm going to take care of it. These shepherds, they've failed. They've not fulfilled their responsibility. So I myself will search for my sheep and I'm going to take care of them. God says, I'm taking the reins. I'm taking the authority back. I'm taking away the responsibility of the shepherds. And I'm assuming that role myself.

And so what does God do? He sends Jesus. He sends Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He sends Jesus who is able to connect people individually to the Father. Now the things he's referring to here about searching out and gathering them together from all the places that they've been scattered, this has been partially fulfilled. It was partially fulfilled when the nation of Judah came back from Babylon out of captivity 70 years after being in Babylon.

It was also fulfilled just a generation ago when the nation of Israel was once again established after having been scattered throughout the earth for almost 2,000 years. And it will be ultimately fulfilled in the millennium. When Jesus reigns for 1,000 years, then this will ultimately be fulfilled. When all of Israel is gathered back from all the nations, all the lands that they've been scattered to, and He...

Personally, we'll shepherd them there in the nation of Judah or Israel, the city of Jerusalem. So it will have its final fulfillment in the millennium. But it's also fulfilled right now with anyone who turns to the Lord. It's fulfilled right now. Think about Matthew chapter 6 verse 33. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you.

What are all these other things? Well, Jesus has been teaching about not worrying. Don't worry about what you're going to eat and what you're going to wear. Don't worry about how your needs are going to get met. You seek first the kingdom of God and I will take care of those things. Jesus is saying, I'm the good shepherd. You put me first. It's my responsibility, Jesus says, to take care of your needs. Your responsibility is to seek me first. Put me first.

And so He has put Himself in a position of being the Great Shepherd, the One who seeks us out, the One who finds us, the One who provides for us. And all He calls us to do is just to stay close to Him, to seek Him first. Verse 14, He says, "...I will feed them in good pasture."

And their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong and feed them in judgment. So again, the final fulfillment of these things is in the millennial kingdom.

Where God says, I'm going to bring them back and I'm going to protect them. I'm going to provide for them. They're going to have everything that they need. Those who are sick are going to be healed. I'm going to take care of them. And again, we also find that these things are fulfilled right now for anyone who turns to Jesus. Now, not that all our physical infirmities are immediately dissolved, but that we come to Him and our spiritual infirmities are dissolved. Our sins are forgiven.

And He works within us and transforms us. He feeds us. He feeds our soul. He meets our needs. And even if we're physically sick, even if we're financially poor, our heart is content. Our soul is fulfilled. We have what we need. Jesus said in Luke 5, verse 31, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. And so God says, I'm going to be the shepherd and I'm going to take care of those who are sick. Now it's...

Not those who are well. It's not those who are healthy that need the physician. It's those who are sick. This is what's amazing. God humbles Himself to minister to us. To minister to the needs of the sick. You would think God could be all high and mighty and say, no, no, no, no, you fix yourself. When you finally get cleaned up enough, then I'll come and talk to you. But no, He comes to us in our need. He ministers to the sheep that are in need, that are sick, that are not healthy.

He searches out for the lost, the broken. In Luke 19.10, Jesus said, The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. He's not looking for those who have it all together. Those who have it all together are relying upon themselves. They're not even looking to the Lord. But it's those who are lost who recognize their need. Those are the ones that He reaches out to. He's searching out. He's finding the lost to meet those needs.

I think the lesson here for us is to look to God. No one else can satisfy us. No one else can meet our needs. We really do need to seek first the kingdom of God and then all these other things will be added to us. He's the one who will fulfill us. He's the one who will take care of us. He's the one that we need to trust in. He's the one that we need to be obedient to. Going on in verse 17.

He says, and as for you, oh my flock. So now he changes the subject, not changes the subject, but changes the audience. And so instead of addressing the shepherds, now he's addressing the flock. And so if I haven't convinced you that you're a shepherd, surely you would agree that as believers we are part of the flock of God. And so he's addressing shepherds.

He says,

Verse 19, As for my flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet. And so now directing his attention on the flock, he says to the flock, he says to us as sheep, he says, Hey guys,

It's not just the shepherds that I'm going to deal with here. But I'm going to deal with the sheep as well. Because I'm going to judge between sheep and sheep. Even if you don't have the responsibility as a shepherd, you are responsible as a sheep. And you're accountable for your role as a sheep. Again, Ephesians chapter 4 says,

Paul explains to us that God has designed us as a body. So that each one of us needs the others. 1 Corinthians chapter 12 also goes through that in great detail. We need one another. And we have responsibilities to one another. And in order for us to grow as believers, each one of us needs to fulfill our role and to do our part to perform the function that God has called us to perform. And so God says, I'm going to judge you

According to that role, according to your fulfillment of your responsibility as a sheep. Because as a sheep, you have responsibility to the other sheep. And so what he's talking about here, the picture that he's painting is, God is providing for the sheep a pasture, and so the sheep are eating from the pasture, but they're trampling down the remainder, they're ruining the leftovers.

The part that they don't eat, they're ruining it, they're trampling it down. So other sheep now can't eat from those pastures because, well, they've ruined the remainder. And God leads them to clear waters and they're able to drink. But then they trample in that and they muddy the waters and they stir up the dirt within the waters. And so they make it so that the sheep that come after them, they're not able to drink.

And so God is now addressing the sheep of the nation of Israel. And He says, look, I've provided for you and I've taken care of you, but you've messed it up for the rest of the sheep. You've trampled down the pastures that I've given to you. You've muddied the waters that I've given to you. As sheep, we have a responsibility to the rest of the sheep, to the rest of the flock, to our fellow sheep.

We have a responsibility not to waste the resources that God has given to us. Consider that. We have a responsibility not to waste the resources that God has given to us. Again, I'm not trying to make this extra convicting, but I think as we consider these things and their real practical applications, there should be some real conviction.

I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life either. That's between you and the Lord. But if we waste our resources on things that don't matter, on things that don't accomplish anything, on our own luxurious living or whatever it may be, so that then we don't have any further resources to minister to other sheep who are in need,

are we then neglecting our responsibility as fellow sheep, as members of the body of Christ? We're set in such a way that we're supposed to have the same care for one another. Now, this could be financial resources. I think that's probably the easiest one, the first one that comes to mind. But it also could be our time. You know, God's given you 24 hours in the day. And are you squandering that time in such a way so that you don't have time for your fellow sheep?

I don't have time to be with you, to talk with you, to share with you because, well, I've wasted my time, I've muddied the waters, I've trampled the pasture, involved in these other things that, well, I like to do and I want to do and so sorry, I don't have time for you. How about spiritual gifts?

Remember 1 Peter 4.10? Peter says, look, as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Listen, you've been given the grace of God, the manifold grace of God, and you've been given spiritual gifts as a part of that grace. Each one, he says, every one of us as believers in Jesus are gifted spiritually and supernaturally to accomplish things

His work. And so he says, be a good steward of that grace that you've been given, of that gift that you have received. To neglect that gift is to neglect our responsibility as fellow sheep. So if I've been gifted to serve, but I don't serve the way that God has called me to, I'm not being a good steward.

If I've been gifted to speak, but I don't speak the way that God has called me to, then I'm neglecting that gift. I'm being a bad steward. I'm neglecting my responsibility to my fellow sheep. God says, look, I'm going to judge between sheep and sheep. Your responsibility to one another. We need one another. God has designed us that way.

Now again, he's talking to the nation and that was true of them, but these things apply to us as members of the body of Christ, as believers in Jesus Christ. We have a responsibility to one another to use the resources and to not waste them. To use the finances, to use the time, to use the gifts that God has given to us in a way that doesn't just serve our own ends and meet our own needs.

but that ministers to others around us. Verse 20. He says, Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them, Behold, I myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. Because you have pushed...

So he's still talking to the flock. He's still talking to us as sheep. And he says, look, I'm going to judge between sheep and sheep, specifically between the fat and between the lean. There's the fat sheep and there's the lean sheep.

And everybody's trying to suck in their gut right now, right? The fat sheep and the lean sheep. Now he says, look, the fat sheep are fat because, well, they've been bullies. They've been shouldering out the others, the weaker, so that they can fulfill themselves. They've been pushing out the weaker. And so the lean sheep, they don't have their needs met fully.

But the fat sheep, they have their needs met in excess. So God says, I'm going to judge between the fat and the lean. And again, considering the resources that God has given to us, spiritual gifts, time, finances, are we being faithful to our responsibility as sheep? Are we being faithful? An example to consider is, I'm stuffed, you know, hometown buffet style, and my brother next to me is starving. Am I being faithful?

with the resources that God has given to me. Now God hasn't called me to meet every need, but again He has placed me in contact with other sheep, part of God's flock. Am I being faithful to my responsibility as a sheep, as a member of the flock of God? Are you being faithful? You know, Rob was sharing with us on Sunday the treasure box ministry. For $30 you get a box of food that could feed a family of four for a week.

And it's a great opportunity to save some money yourself perhaps or to minister to someone else. Maybe God would put that upon your heart.

In a couple of weeks, we're going to give an opportunity as well to participate in the World Vision Organization where you get to sponsor a child. I think it's $35 a month or $30 a month, right around there. And it provides for the child somewhere around the world. It provides for them clean water, education, medical attention, and access to the gospel.

And education. I don't know if I said that one. But it provides for the child and ministers to the community and brings the gospel to the community. A great opportunity. Perhaps God will put it upon your heart. Now we can't all do it and God hasn't called every person to do it. Perhaps. But it's things that we need to consider. Are we being faithful with what God has entrusted to us as fellow sheep? Where we're stuffed and we're fat and our fellow brethren...

are in need and are in want. God says, I'll judge between sheep and sheep. The fat sheep have become fat at the expense of the lean sheep, holding on to the resources so that others are neglected. Verse 23, I will establish one shepherd over them and he shall feed them, my servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God. And my servant David, a prince among them, I, the Lord, have spoken."

I will make a covenant of peace with them and cause wild beasts to cease from the land and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing.

And I will cause showers to come down in their season. There shall be showers of blessing. Verse 27. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit and the earth shall yield her increase that they shall be safe in their land. And they shall know that I am the Lord when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. Again, God is now saying, I'm taking the reins.

I'm going to establish my own shepherd. These shepherds have done a miserable job. I'm going to take care of it from here on out. And notice how many times he says, I will. He says over and over again, I will. I'm going to do this. This is what I'm going to accomplish. It's my responsibility now. And again, these things will be fulfilled ultimately during the millennial kingdom when Jesus establishes His rule and reign for 1,000 years. And Jesus, this reference here to David is a reference to Jesus.

The descendant of David, the Messiah that was promised, will be the one who will shepherd the people. Remember Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 11, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Jesus sacrificed himself to meet the needs of his people. And when he comes again, he's going to establish the kingdom and provide for them peace, prosperity, protection,

They're going to be blessed. The land is going to be blessed. They're going to be safe with no threat of harm. So God says, I will establish one shepherd over them. Not many shepherds like there were in that day. Not many shepherds even like there are now, but there will be that one shepherd, Jesus Christ. And again, ultimately that will be fulfilled in the millennium. Right now, that's fulfilled in Jesus. For those who turn to Jesus, for us individually and personally, He's our good shepherd.

And as we turn to Him, as we seek first the Kingdom of God, all these other things are added to us. That He meets our needs. He provides for us. He protects us. That doesn't mean bad things don't happen, but all things work together for good. Bad things do happen to us physically in this temporary realm, but you've got to consider the eternal perspective and understand He's our Good Shepherd.

He's on the throne and He's taking care of us. He's meeting our needs. All He calls us to do is be good sheep and stay close to Him. Verse 28, "...and they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them. But they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid."

I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord God. You are My flock, the flock of My pasture. You are men, and I am your God, says the Lord God.

I think that last line there is an important one to remember. I think it's a reminder that we need. You are men, says God. You're human. You need a shepherd. God says, you're my flock. I'm your God. I'll take care of you. I will shepherd you. I will meet your needs. It's not your responsibility. You don't have the capacity to meet your needs. So often though, we want to try to take control, right?

There we are as sheep, you know, running ahead of the shepherd. I'll find a good pasture. You don't worry about that. I know what I need. God says, you're a sheep. You're just human. You have very limited perspective and understanding and foresight. You don't know what's coming. You don't know what you need. I know what you need. I'm your God. I'm your shepherd. I'll take care of you. No longer will you be prey. No longer are you going to be the victims because you have bad shepherds.

I'm going to raise up for you a garden. Now again, ultimately these things are fulfilled in the millennium. Right now these things are fulfilled for us spiritually in Jesus Christ. Where He provides for us, He blesses us, He protects us. He looks out for us and meets our needs. He is the Good Shepherd. And so here in Ezekiel chapter 34 we have the good and the bad as far as shepherds are concerned.

Some important challenges for us personally. As sheep and as shepherds, are we fulfilling the roles and the responsibilities that God has given to us as shepherds? As those who have been called to disciple others. Are we fulfilling our role and responsibility as sheep? Those who are members of the flock, members of the body of Christ. He's designed us in a way that we need one another. And are we...

fulfilling our responsibility as good sheep, letting Him be our shepherd. They're going to come back up and lead us in some worship. And as they do, I want you to consider one other passage. It's in the book of Jeremiah. You don't have to turn there, but Jeremiah chapter 23, verse 21 and 22. God is talking about the false prophets. They're some of those bad shepherds that we've been looking at this evening.

And these false prophets, he says about them, he says, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. So these false prophets, they weren't called by God, but they went anyways. They were fulfilling the role of a prophet, even though God hadn't called them.

But God says something very interesting. He says, look, even though I haven't called them, in verse 22 of Jeremiah 23, He says, but if they had stood in My counsel and caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.

And as we consider our responsibility as sheep and as shepherds, our primary responsibility, understand, is to stand in the counsel of the Lord. God says, look, I didn't send these prophets, but they went anyways. I didn't give them a message, but they prophesied anyways. But even though I didn't call them and I didn't send them, if they would have stood in my counsel, if they would have sought the Lord, if they would have spent time with me,

And then secondly, if they would have caused my people to hear my words. So first of all, our primary responsibility is to hear from God ourselves, to stand in His counsel.

That's first and foremost. And then our second responsibility that comes from that first one. You can't have the second one unless you stand in the counsel of God. But once you've stood in the counsel of God and hear God's word and God's spoken to you, then if you will cause the people to hear my words, if they would have caused the people to hear my words, God says the people would have turned from their evil ways and from the evil of their doings.

And so as we consider our responsibility as shepherds, as those who have been called to make disciples, understand our first responsibility is to stand in the counsel of God. And then as God speaks to us, our responsibility is to cause others to hear that word. Those that God has entrusted to us, we need to pass on what God is speaking to our hearts. And so as they lead us in worship, here's what I want you to do. Stand in the counsel of God.

Be a good sheep. Stay close to the shepherd. Draw near to him. And as you come near to him, as he speaks to your heart, after they lead us in the first song, then you'll have an opportunity to minister to one another. And that's the second part. Where then you get to cause his people to hear his words. You get to share what God has spoken to you. So let's take time. During this first song, let's just seek the Lord. Let's hear what he is saying. Stand in his counsel.

We can be good sheep. Let's worship the Lord together.