WHAT DID Jesus DO? 

In "Princes, Pastors, and Prophets, Last week we wrote about the lack of prophets in the local church, although the scripture gives us much more mention of them than it does of pastors. Today in Bible study, out of curiosity, I did a word search of the entire Bible for the word "pastors". 

 If you are a student of Gods' Word, here is a link using the html Bible tool.  You can sure learn much by seeing what God says about a particular word!  Yes, the scripture speaks of false prophets and teachers also, but when you observe the church world kingdom around us, it is clear that the "Nicolaitane" pastors rule as the ministering majority.

Here is the entire result for "pastors":
(using the search link above, you may try "shepherds" also, which is found in 33 verses.)

1 Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

2 Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

3 Jer 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

4 Jer 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

5 Jer 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

6 Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

7 Jer 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

8 Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Here are some understandings from this list:

• SIX times (six is the number of man) "pastors" are used in the negative perspective.  This indicates the majority of them mentioned are apostate which the scriptures describe from the actions of the pastors.
• TWO times (the number of witness) God says He shall give some pastors after His heart.
• The majority pastors have destroyed and scattered the flock.
• The word "shepherds" is used 33 times and the majority are used verses refer to them in a negative way. Jer  25:34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.
• Not a single woman in scripture is referred to as a pastor, co-pastor, or even "sister Pastor".  Maybe that is one reason the pastors have become apostate is many have elevated their wife to "pastor" along side of them without a single verse giving them that authority.  The Greek word for pastor is "poimēn ".  According to the Greek lexicon, it is  a MASCULINE noun.   http://www.bibleanswerstand.org/pastors.htm 
• although the pastors "feed" the people, the people are destroyed. Sometimes, many times, this is literally true through sickness, disease, and death.  The result of the curse devouring Gods' people who perish from a lack of knowledge of Gods' truth. 
• God gives a promise of raising up true pastors and there is a remnant of them also. These will not be the showmen, the "One Man Sunday Show", self-promoting, advertised,  Big Names of Christianity. They will not be the denominational, sectarian, franchised church builders who sow the seed of their peers into the body of Christ.

"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."

We see the historical patttern in Scripture clearly repeating in our day.
Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel who were in bondage to an apostate religious harlot.  He called His sheep OUT from the establishment, dominant, religious system.  The majority leadership of the day did not follow the Christ of the Word just as most of the leadership follow another version of Jesus today.

There are things Jesus did and some things He never did either in His ministry or through His disciples.

What Did Jesus DO?

 If Jesus is a role model as a shepherd-pastor, we note that Jesus owned nothing. He eschewed notoriety, self-promotion, and the "Bible College" of the day. He spoke contrary to the religious majority and leadership. He never sold His ministry for reward, ego, self-esteem, or sought to make a name for Himself. 

He was not a smooth-talking, joke telling, well dressed, eye-appealing orator.
His Word was with power and authority, not time-burning rhetoric.
He did not organize weekly, programmed meetings, appoint a management staff, or purchase property.
He never focused on getting a building or building a "church" to corral His followers.
He was NOT a "professional" preacher.

He never asked for support or took tithes from His assemblies,
He never stored up or recommended earthly treasures, insurance, or worldly physicians.  
He was not wealthy, patriotic, or impressed by politicians.
He never "pledged" allegiance to an earthly kingdom.
He never advocated violent resistance to tyranny.
He was not impressed by successful ministries, titles, or buildings.
He was not politically involved nor did He urge His followers to "vote" or participate in the political process.
He did not seek ecclesiastical titles, robes, or the favor of the establishment clergy.
He did not promote Himself or His ministry.

He never compared Himself to what others were doing.

He relied solely upon His Father to supply His needs. 
He never manipulated or pulled for offerings.
He never rented a building in order to hold "church" nor did He suggest to His followers they should.
He said if we did not renounce all that we had, we could not be His disciple.

He was joyful when people exercised faith in Him to heal.
He cast out demons.
He taught faith in God to supply every need.

He was humble, He spoke as an oracle of God, He worked the Works of God. 
He sacrificed Himself and gave of Himself freely without any desire for reward.
He sought those who were scattered, poor, and in need of healing. 

He loved the people, the "lost sheep of the House of Israel", and He detested what the religious leadership had done to them.
He chased out the fundraising moneychangers making a living in the temple and taking advantage of position.
He loved, honored, and obeyed the Father.

He said He hated Nicolaitanism.

He taught the ministry was untitled "brethren" and responsible for the oversight of the flock. 
He called men to become vessels of ministry.
He was tempted in all things.
He prayed.
He obeyed.
He had the mind of God.
He said He would live in us and said we would do the works He did.

The sad truth is that very few follow the example of our Chief Shepherd , and very few know Christ as their Head. -or should we say the Christ of Scripture?  So we suggest that if you are still attending a church, why not take a few months off and attend to the study of the Word, prayer, and even some fasting?

 It will be a life-changing experience.

1Pe 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.