Feed My Sheep

When Jesus told Peter, "Feed my sheep," He was giving a clear directive not just to Peter, but to all who would follow Him in leadership. The charge to "feed" isn’t about physical food but spiritual nourishment. Jesus was urging His followers to provide the sustenance that would guide and strengthen believers in their faith. So, what should we be feeding the sheep? The Word of God.

In John 6:35, Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Just as bread nourishes the body, Jesus offers Himself as the spiritual bread that sustains us. But how do we partake in this nourishment? By immersing ourselves in the Word of God.

A sermon without Scripture is like a meal that leaves you hungry—it lacks the nourishing ingredients necessary for spiritual growth. When preachers deliver messages that don't include God's Word, it leaves the sheep hungry, without the spiritual food they need to thrive. Instead of being fed with the life-giving truths from the Bible, the congregation may be left with motivational speeches or personal opinions that, while perhaps encouraging, don't have the transforming power of God's Word.

Matthew 4:4 reminds us, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." God's Word is essential to spiritual life and growth. Without it, our souls remain hungry and malnourished. Preaching that omits Scripture can provide temporary encouragement, but it lacks the eternal, life-changing power of God’s truth.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." The Word of God equips believers, shapes us, and provides direction for our lives. Without it, we're not fully equipped to live in alignment with God's will.

1 Peter 2:2 also emphasizes the need for spiritual nourishment: "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." Just as an infant craves milk for growth and development, we, too, should have a deep hunger for God's Word. A sermon that doesn't deliver the milk of Scripture leaves believers spiritually underfed, unable to grow and mature in their faith.

While motivational talks can be inspiring, they are no substitute for the Word of God. They may encourage people to live better lives, but they cannot convict of sin, lead to repentance, or guide people into a deeper relationship with God. Only the Word of God is alive and active, able to penetrate to the depths of our hearts, convict us of sin, and bring lasting transformation through true repentance.

The Apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 that a time would come when people would "not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers who will turn their ears away from the truth." Motivational talks, while sometimes harmless, can be dangerous when they replace the truth of Scripture. We must be careful not to settle for feel-good messages that avoid the hard truths of God's Word.

When we neglect to preach the Bible, we rob believers of the life-giving truth they desperately need. A sermon should not be about entertaining or merely motivating; it should feed the sheep with the nourishment of God's Word, which is the only source of true spiritual life and growth.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

If you have any comments, questions, or testimonies to share, I would love to hear from you! Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)