A MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS

To Every Pastor, Teacher, Elder, Administrator, and Church Leader: An Urgent Call to Repentance

From: The Word of God

To: Every pastor, teacher, elder, deacon, worship leader, youth pastor, children’s minister, seminary professor, Bible college administrator, church planter, megachurch CEO, small group leader, Sunday school teacher, and every person who claims to speak for God or lead His people

THE STANDARD BY WHICH YOU WILL BE JUDGED

Before we begin, understand this: You will be held to a HIGHER standard than those you lead.

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Stricter judgment.

Not the same judgment as everyone else. STRICTER.

Because you have been given more:

- More knowledge of the truth
- More responsibility for souls
- More opportunity to serve
- More warning from Scripture
- More time to repent

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (Luke 12:48)

God will ask MORE of you.

Are you ready to give an account?

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JESUS’ MESSAGE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus personally addresses seven churches.

These are not suggestions. Not gentle encouragements. These are direct messages from the risen, glorified Christ - the one who holds the keys of death and Hades, the one who walks among the lampstands with eyes like flames of fire.

And five out of seven churches are rebuked and called to REPENT.

Let that sink in: 71% failure rate.

Only two churches received no rebuke - Smyrna and Philadelphia. The suffering church and the faithful church.

The rest? Jesus says: “REPENT, or else.”

Let’s examine what Jesus - YOUR JUDGE - said to the churches:

1. EPHESUS - Lost First Love (Revelation 2:1-7)

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

THE INDICTMENT:

- You have correct doctrine
- You hate evil
- You test false apostles
- You persevere
- BUT you don’t love Jesus anymore

You’re doing ministry without love. Preaching without passion for Christ. Going through the motions.

THE WARNING: Repent or I will REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND - you will cease to be a church.

PASTORS: Is your church doctrinally sound but spiritually dead? Do you know Scripture but not the Savior? Do you preach sermons but have lost your first love?

REPENT.

2. SMYRNA - The Suffering Church (Revelation 2:8-11)

NO REBUKE. Only encouragement.

This church was poor, persecuted, and pressured - but faithful.

PASTORS: When was the last time your church suffered for Christ? When did your preaching cost you something? When did standing for truth bring persecution?

Or are you so comfortable, so accepted, so culturally relevant that you’ve never faced opposition?

Consider: The church Jesus didn’t rebuke was the one suffering for Him.

3. PERGAMUM - Compromise with the World (Revelation 2:12-17)

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16)

THE INDICTMENT:

- You hold fast to My name
- You didn’t deny My faith (even when Antipas was martyred)
- BUT you tolerate false teachers in your midst
- You allow compromise with worldly practices

The teaching of Balaam: Using God’s people to profit personally while leading them into immorality.

THE WARNING: Repent or I will MAKE WAR against you with the sword of My mouth.

PASTORS:

- Do you tolerate false teaching to keep people in the seats?

- Do you compromise the Gospel to be culturally acceptable?

- Do you allow worldliness in the church to avoid conflict?

- Are you more concerned with attendance numbers than doctrinal purity?

- Do you profit from God’s people while leading them toward sin?

REPENT.

4. THYATIRA - Tolerating Jezebel (Revelation 2:18-29)

“But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.” (Revelation 2:20-22)

THE INDICTMENT:

- You have love, faith, service, perseverance
- You’re growing
- BUT you TOLERATE a false prophetess
- She teaches sexual immorality and idolatry
- She seduces My servants

THE WARNING: I will cast her and those who follow her into GREAT TRIBULATION unless they repent.

PASTORS:

- Do you tolerate false teaching for the sake of “unity”?

- Do you allow heresy in your pulpit because she/he is popular or brings in tithes?

- Do you permit compromise on sexual ethics to be “loving” and “inclusive”?

- Do you refuse to discipline because you’re afraid of losing members?

- Do you value growth over truth?

God doesn’t.

REPENT.

5. SARDIS - Dead Church with a Reputation (Revelation 3:1-6)

“I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:1-3)

THE INDICTMENT:

- You have a reputation for being alive
- Everyone thinks you’re a vibrant church
- BUT you are DEAD

The most terrifying words: “You are dead.”

Not struggling. Not weak. DEAD.

THE WARNING: Wake up and repent, or I will come like a thief and you won’t know when.

PASTORS:

- Is your church impressive on the outside but dead on the inside?

- Do you have great programs but no power?

- Do you have large attendance but no conversions?

- Do you have dynamic worship but no true worshipers?

- Is your church alive in name only?

WAKE UP.

REPENT.

6. PHILADELPHIA - The Faithful Church (Revelation 3:7-13)

NO REBUKE. Only commendation and promises.

“I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3:8)

THE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Little power (not impressive to the world)
- Kept My word (held to Scripture)
- Did not deny My name (stood firm)
- Endured patiently

PASTORS: This is the church Jesus praises. Small. Faithful. Holding to the Word. Not denying His name.

Are you Philadelphia? Or are you one of the others?

7. LAODICEA - The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22)

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:15-19)

THE INDICTMENT:

- You are LUKEWARM - disgusting to Jesus

- You think you’re rich - but you’re WRETCHED

- You think you have it all - but you’re POOR, BLIND, NAKED

- You are self-deceived

THE WARNING: I will VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH.

THE CALL: “Be zealous and REPENT.”

PASTORS:

- Is your church wealthy, comfortable, self-satisfied?

- Do you measure success by buildings, budgets, and butts in seats?

- Are you lukewarm - neither on fire for God nor honest about your coldness?

- Do you think you need nothing when you actually have nothing?

This is the AMERICAN CHURCH.

Rich. Comfortable. Self-satisfied. Lukewarm. DISGUSTING TO JESUS.

REPENT.

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THE PATTERN: ONLY REMNANTS WILL BE RAPTURED

Notice something critical in these messages:

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes…” (repeated seven times)

The promises are not to the CHURCHES as a whole.

The promises are to the OVERCOMERS.

The remnant. The faithful few. Those who actually repent and follow Jesus.

Who Are the Overcomers?

“Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)

The overcomers are those who:

- Actually believe Jesus
- Actually follow Jesus
- Actually obey Jesus
- Actually love Jesus
- Place faith in Christ ALONE, not in self

Not everyone in your church is going in the Rapture.

Not everyone on your membership roll.
Not everyone who attends on Sunday.
Not everyone who volunteers.
Not everyone who tithes.

Only the overcomers.

The true believers. The born-again. The repentant. The faithful.

PASTOR: Can you honestly say that everyone in your church is an overcomer?

Or have you filled your church with false converts, cultural Christians, unregenerate church members who think they’re saved because they walked an aisle, said a prayer, or joined a church?

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THE WARNINGS TO SHEPHERDS THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE

Ezekiel 34 - The Judgment on False Shepherds

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.”’” (Ezekiel 34:2-4)

GOD’S INDICTMENT AGAINST SHEPHERDS:

You feed YOURSELVES, not the flock
- Your sermons serve your reputation, not their souls
- Your programs build your platform, not their faith
- Your vision is for YOUR legacy, not God’s glory

You take from the sheep without caring for them
- You want their tithes but not their troubles
- You want their attendance but not their accountability
- You want their service but not their sanctification

You neglect the weak, sick, and broken
- You focus on the healthy, wealthy, and whole
- You build churches for the already comfortable
- You avoid the messy, the hurting, the desperate

You don’t seek the LOST
- Your church is for church people, not lost sinners
- You market to Christians, not reach the unreached
- You build a business, not a mission

You rule with force and severity
- You lord it over the flock instead of serving
- You demand submission to YOUR authority
- You use guilt, manipulation, and control

“Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them.” (Ezekiel 34:10)

GOD IS AGAINST YOU if you are this kind of shepherd.

He will DEMAND His sheep FROM YOU.

He will REMOVE you from shepherding.

Jeremiah 23 - Woe to the Shepherds

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds,” declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:1-2)

YOU WILL BE JUDGED for:

- Destroying sheep through false teaching
- Scattering the flock through compromise
- Driving them away through hypocrisy
- Failing to care for them

“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’… The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth.” (Jeremiah 23:25, 28)

STOP PREACHING YOUR DREAMS, YOUR VISIONS, YOUR IDEAS.

SPEAK GOD’S WORD IN TRUTH.

John 10 - The Good Shepherd vs. The Hireling

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.” (John 10:11-13)

ARE YOU A SHEPHERD OR A HIRELING?

The hireling:

- Works for pay, not love
- Flees when danger comes
- Doesn’t own the sheep (doesn’t truly care)
- Lets the wolf devour the flock

The Good Shepherd:

- Lays down His life for the sheep
- Knows His sheep and they know Him
- Protects the flock from wolves
- Gives His life for their safety

PASTOR: When wolves (false teachers, cultural compromise, heresy) come:

- Do you protect the sheep or protect your reputation?
- Do you fight the wolves or flee to avoid conflict?
- Do you lay down your life or preserve your comfort?

Acts 20 - Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert.” (Acts 20:28-31)

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Guard YOURSELVES first
- Are YOU walking with God?
- Are YOU in the Word?
- Are YOU living holy?
- Are YOU an overcomer?

Guard the FLOCK
- Protect them from wolves (false teachers)
- Protect them from false doctrine
- Protect them from worldliness

Remember they were PURCHASED WITH CHRIST’S BLOOD
- These are not YOUR sheep
- They belong to JESUS
- He bought them at infinite cost
- You will answer to HIM for how you shepherded HIS flock

Be ALERT
- Wolves WILL come
- From OUTSIDE the church
- From INSIDE the church (even from among the elders)
- Speaking perverse things
- Drawing away disciples

PASTOR: Are you alert? Or asleep?

1 Peter 5 - Peter’s Exhortation to Elders

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)

HOW TO SHEPHERD:

NOT:

- Under compulsion (because you have to)

- For sordid gain (for money, fame, platform)

- Lording it over the flock (dominating, controlling)

BUT:

- Voluntarily (willing servant)
- According to God’s will (not your vision)
- With eagerness (genuine love)
- As an example (living what you preach)

WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS:

You will give account. He will evaluate your shepherding.

Will you receive a crown? Or be ashamed?

James 3 - Teachers Will Be Judged More Strictly

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)

Every word you’ve preached will be evaluated.

Every verse you’ve twisted will be exposed.

Every time you compromised truth will be revealed.

Every sheep you failed to protect will testify.

Every false convert you created will be evidence against you.

STRICTER JUDGMENT.

Not stricter than Hitler or Stalin. Stricter than the people in your congregation.

Because you knew better. You had God’s Word. You had the calling. You had the responsibility.

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SPECIFIC REBUKES FOR MODERN SHEPHERDS

To the Seeker-Sensitive Pastors

You have removed the offense of the Gospel to fill your seats.

You preach a Jesus without wrath, a cross without blood, a salvation without repentance, a heaven without hell, a grace without holiness.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

You are that teacher. Tickling ears. Scratching itches. Making people feel good while they walk into hell.

You say, “We’re just trying to reach people where they are.”

No. You’re leaving them where they are - dead in sin, comfortable in rebellion, satisfied with self.

REPENT. Preach the WHOLE counsel of God. Call sin “sin.” Preach hell. Demand repentance. Present Christ as LORD, not just Savior.

To the Prosperity Gospel Preachers

You are thieves and wolves.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers.” (Matthew 23:14)

You promise health, wealth, and prosperity while living in luxury off the widow’s mite.

You twist Scripture to justify your private jets, your mansions, your luxury cars - claiming it’s “God’s blessing.”

It’s not. It’s stolen from God’s people.

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Your judgment will be severe.

REPENT. Sell everything. Give it to the poor. Preach the Gospel. Live like Paul, not like Balaam.

To the Progressive/Liberal Pastors

You have abandoned the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

You deny:

- The authority of Scripture
- The exclusivity of Christ
- The reality of hell
- The definition of marriage
- The sanctity of life
- The necessity of repentance
- The substitutionary atonement
- The bodily resurrection

You call evil “good” and good “evil.”

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.” (Isaiah 5:20)

You are not shepherds. You are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8)

Accursed. Not “mistaken.” ACCURSED.

REPENT. Return to orthodox Christianity or stop calling yourself a Christian pastor.

To the Entertainment-Driven Pastors

You have turned worship into a concert, church into a show, and yourself into a celebrity.

Your worship sets look like nightclubs. Your sermons are TED talks with Bible verses sprinkled in.

You measure success by:

- Instagram followers
- Book sales
- Conference invitations
- Production quality
- Viral moments

But Jesus measures by:

- Holiness
- Faithfulness
- Fruit
- Truth
- Love for Him

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9)

REPENT. Make much of Jesus, not yourself. Lead worship, don’t perform. Preach to convict, not to entertain.

To the Control-Freak Pastors

You lord it over the flock like little kings.

You demand unquestioning submission. You rule through fear and manipulation. You crush questions and punish dissent.

You say, “Touch not God’s anointed” to protect yourself from accountability.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.’” (Matthew 20:25-26)

You are acting like the Gentiles, not like Jesus.

“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

REPENT. Become a servant. Submit yourself to accountability. Lead by example, not by control.

To the Cowardly Pastors

You know the truth but won’t preach it because you’re afraid.

Afraid of:

- Losing members
- Losing income
- Losing reputation
- Causing offense
- Being cancelled
- Being persecuted

So you water down the Gospel, avoid controversial topics, refuse to address sin, and hide behind “love.”

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

You are a people-pleaser, not a God-pleaser.

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

Notice: COWARDLY is listed first.

REPENT. Fear God, not man. Preach truth regardless of cost. Be faithful, not safe.

To the Burned-Out Pastors

You started well but you’re running on empty.

You’ve lost your first love. You’re going through the motions. You preach sermons you don’t believe. You counsel others while your own soul is dry.

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4-5)

REPENT. Return to your first love. Step down if you must. Get right with God before you lead others.

Better to resign than to lead while spiritually dead.

To the Faithful Pastors

If you are faithfully preaching God’s Word, shepherding His flock, living holy, standing for truth regardless of cost - even if your church is small, even if you’re not famous, even if you’re suffering:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

Keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t compromise. Don’t grow weary in doing good.

Your reward is coming.

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THE CALL TO URGENT REPENTANCE

The Day Is Near

We are in the last days. The Rapture is imminent. Jesus is coming for His Bride.

PASTOR: Is your church ready? Are YOU ready?

Will your church be Laodicea - left behind?

Or Philadelphia - taken up?

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

What You Must Do NOW

1. EXAMINE YOURSELF

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Are YOU saved? Are YOU born again? Do YOU know Jesus?

Don’t assume because you’re a pastor that you’re saved.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)

Did you catch that? They prophesied, cast out demons, performed miracles - IN HIS NAME.

But He never knew them.

PASTOR: Does Jesus KNOW you? Or will you hear those terrifying words?

2. REPENT OF YOUR SINS

Specifically repent of:

- Pride
- Love of money
- Love of fame
- Compromise with the world
- False teaching
- Neglecting the flock
- Building your kingdom instead of His
- Preaching yourself instead of Christ
- Seeking approval from men instead of God
- Cowardice
- Laziness
- Self-protection
- Control and manipulation
- Using God’s people for personal gain

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (Acts 3:19)

3. RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE

When did you fall in love with Jesus?

When did ministry become about Him and not about you?

Go back there. Return to that love. That passion. That devotion.

“Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)

4. PREACH THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD

Stop tickling ears. Stop avoiding hard topics. Stop compromising truth.

Preach:

- Sin and its consequences
- Hell and its reality
- Repentance and its necessity
- The cross and its offense
- Holiness and its requirement
- Judgment and its certainty
- Heaven and its exclusivity through Christ alone

“I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” (Acts 20:26-27)

Can you say that? Or will blood be on your hands?

5. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK FAITHFULLY

- Feed them the Word, not your opinions

- Protect them from wolves

- Care for the weak, sick, broken

- Seek the lost

- Live as an example

- Serve, don’t lord over

- Lead them to Jesus, not to yourself

6. BE READY TO SUFFER

“All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

If you’re not being persecuted, you’re probably not living godly or preaching truth.

Get ready. The cost of faithfulness is increasing.

7. WATCH AND PRAY

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Watch for Christ’s return. Pray without ceasing. Lead your flock to do the same.

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THE WARNING OF JUDGMENT

Blood on Your Hands

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:17-18)

PASTOR:

If you don’t warn people about sin, hell, and judgment - their blood is on your hands.

If you preach a false gospel that gives false assurance - their blood is on your hands.

If you fill your church with false converts who think they’re saved but aren’t - their blood is on your hands.

If you compromise truth to keep people comfortable - their blood is on your hands.

God will require it from you.

The Greater Condemnation

“You shall not swear falsely by My name, so as to profane the name of your God; I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:12)

PASTOR: Every time you speak, you speak in God’s name.

When you twist Scripture, you profane His name.

When you preach false doctrine, you profane His name.

When you live hypocritically, you profane His name.

When you abuse His flock, you profane His name.

“It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:2)

Better to drown than to cause one of His little ones to stumble.

How many have you caused to stumble?

The Eternal Consequences

If you are a false shepherd, if you refuse to repent:

“Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:23)

You will not enter the kingdom. You will face judgment. You will spend eternity in hell.

And you will have no excuse.

You knew the truth. You had the Word. You had the calling. You had every opportunity to repent.

But you loved yourself more than Jesus.
You loved your reputation more than His glory.
You loved comfort more than faithfulness.

And for that, you will answer.

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THE PROMISE FOR THE FAITHFUL

But if you are faithful - truly faithful - here’s what awaits:

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4)

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:21)

“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” (Matthew 24:46-47)

For the faithful shepherd:

- An unfading crown of glory
- “Well done, good and faithful servant”
- Authority in the kingdom
- Entrance into joy
- Eternal reward

This is worth it. Even if you suffer. Even if you’re persecuted. Even if you’re rejected. Even if your church is small.

Be faithful.

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THE FINAL EXHORTATION

From Paul to Timothy

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

PASTOR: This is your charge.

Not from me. From Paul. Ultimately, from Christ Himself.

In the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead:

PREACH THE WORD.

Not your opinions. Not your dreams. Not your stories.

THE WORD.

Be ready - always.
Reprove - call out sin.
Rebuke - correct error.
Exhort - encourage obedience.

Do it with patience and instruction. But DO IT.

The time has come when people don’t want sound doctrine.

Preach it anyway.

Be sober. Endure hardship. Do the work of an evangelist. Fulfill your ministry.

From Jesus to You

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12)

Jesus is coming.

Soon.

And He will evaluate your ministry.

Are you ready?

Can you say with Paul:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Or will you hang your head in shame?

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FINAL CALL TO REPENTANCE

PASTOR, TEACHER, LEADER:

If you have read this and the Holy Spirit is convicting you - that’s GRACE.

God is giving you opportunity to repent.

Don’t harden your heart.
Don’t make excuses.
Don’t justify yourself.

“Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15)

CRY OUT TO GOD:

“God, I have failed. I have been a false shepherd. I have fed myself, not Your flock. I have sought my glory, not Yours. I have compromised truth for comfort. I have been a hireling, not a shepherd. I repent. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Restore me. Make me faithful. Use me for Your glory, not mine. I surrender everything to You. Make me a shepherd after Your own heart.”

And then:

Step down if you need to - until you’re right with God

Confess to your church - if your sin has been public

Make restitution - if you’ve stolen or misused funds

Seek accountability - from godly men who will hold you to truth

Change your preaching - preach the whole counsel of God

Change your lifestyle - live what you preach

Shepherd faithfully - care for the flock, not yourself

There is still time.

But not much.

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

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TO THE FAITHFUL REMNANT

If you are a pastor who has been faithful - preaching truth, living holy, shepherding well, suffering for Christ:

Thank you.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Keep going.

Don’t grow weary. Don’t give up. Don’t compromise.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Your labor is not in vain. Your suffering is not wasted. Your faithfulness is seen.

The Chief Shepherd is coming soon.

And He will reward you.

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THE CONCLUSION

SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S FLOCK

You have been given a sacred trust.
You have been entrusted with eternal souls.
You will give account to the Chief Shepherd.

Will you hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant”?

Or:

“I never knew you; depart from Me”?

The choice is yours.

But you must choose NOW.

The day of the Lord is near. The Rapture is imminent. The judgment is coming.

REPENT.
BE FAITHFUL.
SHEPHERD THE FLOCK.
PREACH THE WORD.
LIVE FOR HIS GLORY.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock.” (Acts 20:28)

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4)

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SOLI DEO GLORIA

To God Alone Be The Glory

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This message was written in love, in truth, with urgency, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls - both those you shepherd and your own.

May God grant you repentance, faithfulness, and courage.

The Chief Shepherd is watching. He is coming. Be ready.

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