Assembly Band Movement

FEED THE FLOCK, PROTECT THE FLOCK,  BUILD THE FLOCK

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The theme for this coming year for the Assembly Band Movement shows us the great responsibility of Pastors and Band Leaders. They have the responsibility to FEED THE Flock, PROTECT THE FLOCK, and BUILD THE FLOCK.

 

Let us look at each of these separately:

 

FEED THE FLOCK

 

Feeding the flock is preaching, teaching, wise and constant instruction in divine spiritual truth. We are living in a time where there is what we call the comfortable message of the Word of God. Jesus is being. preached, but it's okay to love money, watch sinful TV programs, listen to worldly music, drink socially, to say a white lie--as long as you have Jesus, they say, it's okay.

 

Scripture teaches us that there would be a time when people would not listen to sound doctrine and desire or follow false preachers, teachers. We are seeing this today. 2 Timothy 4:3, says "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" The meaning of "itching ears" generally refers to being told something specially with the intent of it being pleased to the listeners --yet, more to the point, it is an untruth. "itching ears" messages is to desire flattering, butter up, honey messages rather than truth messages.

 

Yet, in The Church of God these kinds of messages cannot be. In Micah 7:14, a portion of this verse says, "FEED thy people with thy rod, the flock of THINE HERITAGE." The Church (members) are God's heritage. Members are to be preached the unadulterated Word of God. The definition of unadulterated is, not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements. In other words, the Word of God is pure, and it is not to be mixed or diluted with any other false doctrine.

 

I Peter 5:23, "FEED the flock of God which is among you," Pastors, Band Leaders are to feed their lambs and sheep, the people committed to their charge, with wholesome words, with sound and good doctrine.

 

PROTECT (guard) THE FLOCK

 

St. John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." Who is the thief? it is the devil plus his workers. Jude 4, "For there are certain men crept in unawares." Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Hebrews 13:9, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." Many dangers threaten God's people and can cripple or destroy them. False doctrine in the world is widespread. The world today justifies their own opinions, lifestyle or wrong behavior. Pastors/Band Leaders are to help their members become fully grounded in God's truth, fully grounded in Christ Jesus and The Church of God.

 

BUILD (edify) THE FLOCK

 

The definition of edify is to instruct and improve, especially in moral and religious knowledge; to strengthen; uplift; enlighten. Ephesians 4:11 says, the ministry has been given body of Christ." Hebrews 10:24,25, "And let us CONSIDER one another to PROVOKE unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but EXHORTING one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Pastors, Band Leaders are to consider each member and minister to each one accordingly. They are also, to PROVOKE each one, to stir, to excite each member concerning working for the Lord. Also, Pastors, Band leaders are to EXHORT, to urge, each member to love, do good works and to assemble together, much more as the day of Christ's coming draws near. The Word of God also mentions a mutual edification which involves the participation of all members of the Church, encouraging, exhorting and building up one another in the Lord. Romans 14:19, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith ONE MAY EDIFY ANOTHER."  of the