Yes, Let's Talk about David

Yes, let's talk about David, whom many immoral 'shepherds' refer to, in order to excuse their lack of integrity and character.

This is the warning ⚠️ Samuel gave to Israel when they cried out for a King:

1 Samuel 8:11-18

"(11)This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights:

He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses,

(13) He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

(16) Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use."

'For his own use'.

Does that sound typical of many modern day celebrity pastors? Sadly yes!

Clearly I have only quoted 3 of the 8 verses which Samuel prophesied about the abuses of a king. Read it all because it is eye-opening for the outcome of our present day celebrity seeking church.

God is on the move...

exposing, cleansing and restoring. Yes restoring.

When we allow shepherds to be CEO'S and Celebrities instead of holding them accountable as servants...

and fellow Christians...

We reap the same issues as foretold by Samuel. 

Now, fast foreward to 2 Samuel 11:1-14...

The story of David, Uriah and Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 12, The Lord sends Nathan the prophet to judge and correct David. To bring him into full repentance and restoration. 

Only because he fully  repents does he continue in his office. Remember Saul was removed due to a similar moral misstep.

The greater responsibility lies with David as the shepherd of Israel. David lost his first-born by taking Uriah's wife & life. 

Not only that.. but the harm continued for generations reaping a terrible harvest in David's own beloved family. You can see his grief as he weeps over Amnon, Tamar and Absolom...as he abandons his post for a time later on...under mocking derision.

There is another responsible husbandman (shepherd) in this story. Let's not forget to examine Uriah's lack of attentiveness and protection over Bathsheba. 

He was so focused on his 'status' in serving David that he left his wife alone and vulnerable. Uriah was oblivious to the destruction taking place in his own family line. 

I think we all are going to receive some important and necessary revelation about women being 'covered' properly. The responsibility is clearly laid upon the men in scriptural settings. 

This is a phenomena we have witnessed...in leaders who are complicit in supporting and covering for fallen leaders in order to maintain their own compromised status of fame and gain. They misplaced the focus of their Covenant protection.

No place for status in the church of Christ. Servants all!

I want to point this out because we have not only made celebrities of our pastors...but we have failed miserably to hold one another accountable according to scriptural precepts. 

Complaining and accusing is not creating accountability. (Wanda Alger has done some excellent oversight and interviews on the right processes in accountability)

In Nathan's prophetic word Bathsheba is characterized as a ewe lamb. Shepherds need to lay down their lives as The Good Shepherd does for the lambs of God.

(John 10:11)

She was to be protected by both her husband and the 'anointed' shepherd of Israel. 

And so this should be the first and foremost priority of any minister as well as "equipping the saints for ministry".

 (Ephesians 4:12-16)

The LORD is not pleased with the shepherds who feed on the sheep. He is equally displeased with shepherds who do not protect and equip the flock. Both-protect and equip!

Yes!... we all bear some responsibility for remaining quiet when the wolves were first circling then infiltrating the sheepfold. We all saw it happening. Few spoke out in a Christ like way.

Pastors have used David as an example as to why it's okay for them to be self serving, immoral and greedy. ( In fairness...Kent Christmas has been warning publicly and prophetically, about false shepherds for some time now)

Clearly the shepherds weren't listening to the warnings and were blinded to the terrible consequences they were sowing amongst the flock.

Bloody,  savaging, terrible, traumatic consequences. 

Clearly they became, like David, self deceived. 

Many leaders have become self aggrandizing, self idolizing. Self centered and self destructive. 

Using people "for their own use" as Samuel warned. I am 70 years old and have been under dozens of Pastors and I can honestly say that only 2 out of dozens were clearly there for my well being. So grievious.

Above all...these leaders became wolves in sheep clothing. Ravenously feeding on the ewe lambs! We notice in Nathan's prophecy, the rich man was serving this immoral feast to his guests as well as to himself. Same.

This is a "yeast that spreads through the whole loaf". So heart breaking for those who give their whole lives in sincere service to Christ and to their churches.

In the case of David...we know he bitterly and thoroughly repented. 

We are not witnessing this full repentance in many who are being exposed. They absolutely should not be left in positions of trust. 

Restoration is about their personal salvation not their positions. There is a healthy path to restoration but it has been mostly avoided. 

Thank you to many podcasts who are clearly defining and laying out the true way of restoration and it isn't to give these sinners a new platform. 

Let's all remember the New Testament requires a  deacon, elder or leader to be..."The husband of one wife." 

(1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6)

This scriptural mandate requires a leader who is fully engaged and committed to raising 

1. strong and healthy families 

2. Strong and healthy ewe lambs 

3. Strong and healthy congregations.

These are leaders who are wholly consecrated to the way of The Cross. As fellow Christians we may expect nothing less. It is the true standard of love.