Shepherding the Remnant (Jeremiah 23)
This sermon delves into the essential nature of pastoral ministry, emphasizing a return to biblical faithfulness. It explores the enduring concept of God's remnant throughout scripture, calling shepherds to prioritize feeding and building up God's people with His uncompromised Word.
Pastoral ministry is primarily to faithfully feed God's 'remnant' with solid biblical truth, not to conform to or chase after cultural trends. Genuine faithfulness means building up God's people for worship and service, knowing He preserves His own.
Overview
The sermon opens with an update on the preacher's health and recovery before delving into the origins of the Shepherds Conference. It explains that the conference began out of a need to consolidate widespread interest from pastors and seminaries wanting to understand the growth and functioning of Grace Church in its early years.
The core theme, "shepherding the remnant," is then introduced as a definition of ministry. The preacher argues that true pastoral ministry is fundamentally about feeding God's flock with His Word, contrasting this with a "twisted" desire to chase cultural relevance or seek external validation, which he sees as diverting attention from the spiritual needs of God's people.
This concept of the remnant is traced throughout Scripture, illustrating God's consistent pattern of working through a faithful few. Examples range from Enoch and Noah in Genesis to Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and the "little flock" in the New Testament, emphasizing that even within the visible church, God preserves a separated, holy seed.
The sermon culminates in an exposition of Jeremiah 23, where a "woe" is pronounced upon unfaithful shepherds who scatter and destroy the flock. It indicts those who speak from their own imaginations, lack truth, and tolerate sin. Faithful ministry, by contrast, is called to care for the entrusted remnant by diligently preaching God's powerful Word to build them into pure worshipers, trusting God's promise to honor His Word and build His church.
Key points
- The Shepherds Conference began as a way to consolidate widespread interest in Grace Church's biblical ministry.
- Pastoral ministry's primary definition is to "feed My sheep" with nourishing truth, rather than to engage in culture-chasing or compromise.
- Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through a faithful "remnant," from Noah to the early church.
- The object of ministry is this remnant, to build them into pure worshipers committed to God.
- Jeremiah 23 condemns unfaithful shepherds who scatter the flock with false messages, prioritizing style over truth.
- The Word of God is powerful, like "fire" and a "hammer," and is the sole source for faithful preaching and genuine transformation.
- Ministers should find encouragement in faithfully preaching the Word, trusting God to build His church and secure the final victory.
In John MacArthur's words
“Pastoral ministry is not about changing the culture.”
“You’re responsible to heaven for the occupied seat.”
Outline
- I. Introduction and Origin of Shepherds Conference
- A. Personal Update: Health and Recovery
- B. Shepherds Conference History and Vision
- II. The Biblical Concept of the Remnant
- A. Defining Ministry: "Feed My Sheep"
- B. The Pattern of God Working Through a Remnant in Scripture
- 1. Enoch and Noah
- 2. Abraham and the New Humanity
- 3. Moses and the New Generation
- 4. Elijah and the Seven Thousand
- 5. The New Testament and the Little Flock
- 6. The Remnant in the Visible Church and Revelation
- 7. Isaiah's Commission to the "Holy Seed" (Isaiah 6)
- III. Application to Pastoral Ministry: Jeremiah 23
- A. Woe to Unfaithful Shepherds (Jeremiah 23:1-8)
- 1. Scattering and Destroying the Flock
- 2. God's Promise to Gather and Appoint True Shepherds
- 3. The Coming Righteous Branch (Messiah)
- B. Indictment of False Prophets and Their Messages (Jeremiah 23:9-32)
- 1. Jeremiah's Broken Heart Over the Sheep
- 2. Lack of Concern, Virtue, Integrity, and Truth
- 3. Speaking Their Own Imagination, Dreams, and Plagiarized Material
- 4. The Power of God's Word: Fire and Hammer (Jeremiah 23:29)
- 5. Tolerance of Sin and Cultural Compromise
- C. The Mandate for Faithful Shepherds
- 1. Caring for the Entrusted Remnant
- 2. Focusing on the Word of God
- 3. The Goal: Love from a Pure Heart
- IV. The Work of God and Encouragement in Ministry
- A. Pastoral Ministry Includes Evangelism through the Word
- B. Discerning True Revival vs. Pseudo-Spiritual Experiences
- C. Finding Encouragement in Christ's Promise and Faithful Ministry
Scripture references
- John 21
- 1 Peter
- Genesis
- Isaiah 6
- Isaiah 6:8-13
- Jeremiah 23
- Jeremiah 23:1-8
- Jeremiah 23:9-32
- Jeremiah 23:29
- Hebrews 13:7
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
11 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.
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.
1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.
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.
3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.
9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.
10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.
12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Insights
God always works through a faithful remnant.
True ministry feeds the soul with God’s Word.
Faithfulness means building people to worship God.
Questions & answers
What is the main argument about pastoral ministry?
The sermon argues that pastoral ministry must prioritize faithfully feeding God's "remnant" with His Word, rather than accommodating cultural trends or seeking popularity.
What is meant by "the remnant" in this sermon?
The sermon describes the remnant as the chosen few whom God consistently works through throughout history, who truly believe and are separated for Him, even amidst a larger, unfaithful population.
Why does the sermon emphasize Jeremiah 23?
Jeremiah 23 provides a strong condemnation of unfaithful shepherds and prophets who scatter God's flock, highlighting their failures to speak truth and care for His people, which serves as a timeless warning and model for true ministry.
How does the sermon define true revival?
True revival is distinguished by a deep commitment to sound doctrine and the gospel, stemming from the power of God's Word, rather than being based on emotional experiences or cultural trends that may lack theological depth.
What is the primary source of encouragement for pastors in this sermon?
Encouragement comes from trusting Christ's promise to build His church and faithfully fulfilling the call to feed God's people with His Word, knowing that the ultimate victory is assured.
Flashcards
Turn your pastor's sermon into notes like this
Record at church or paste a YouTube link. Sermon Notes gives you summaries, scriptures, flashcards, and a daily devotional from your own sermons.
More from John MacArthur
Related on similar themes
Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on Grace to You. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.