What is sheep food?

The food that we as Christians and Christian leaders are to feed our fellow flock members is most importantly the 'Word of God'. All other things are simply byproducts and helping others to better themselves. Helping others by charitable gifts of material things is not so important as feeding them the Word of God. By feeding others with the Word of God you are being more charitable in their edification than by giving them any other thing. It heals the body, perfects the mind, and raises the soul to everlasting life. Charity covers a multitude of sins but it does not give perfectly and without blemish, as it is of yourself. But giving the words of Christ is giving of the Spirit, that thing that quickens and lifts others above yourself to God. By charitable gifts you treat others as you would want to be treated, but by giving Christ's words, you lift others up to heaven itself.

John 6:63

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-6-63/

1 Corinthians 13:13

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-13-13/

1 Peter 4:8

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Peter-4-8/

Jesus Christ above all wanted his disciples to spread the word of God to all the world. By spreading Christianity, you are making the world a better place, not just feeding people something that is only temporary. To alleviate sin and misery, people must be changed in their heart, not just to have a full stomach and a warm place to sleep. That type of charity is only temporal and not permanent, although it does alleviate the hunger, discomfort, and sickness of others. It also makes the giver feel better about himself.

Why did Jesus tell Peter to "feed my sheep" in John 21?

https://www.gotquestions.org/feed-my-sheep.html

Deuteronomy 8:3

“And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-8-3/

Hebrews 5:12 - 5:14

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-5-12_5-14/

We all ought to consider the words that we speak from our own mouths and the things we teach others by our actions. Not just by giving charitable gifts do we help to alleviate the plight of others, but we insure their future by teaching and spreading all the 'Words of Christ' to the whole world. That is more important than ourselves and also more important than the physical comforts of the rest of the world. If the main concern of the church is helping the poor to find jobs, eat, or to have a place to stay, but they ignore giving them the 'Words of Christ', then they are doing the poor no real favors. It should not be the main concern of the Church to alleviate the plight of the poor. Even Christ said that the poor would always be with us and to do them good whenever it is possible, but the main food of the sheep is the 'Words of Christ' himself. We may not always have that chance, since the world is continually changing and even darker days are coming, when it may not even be possible to present the words of the Christian Bible in an open and free society.

Mark 14:7

“For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.”

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-14-7/

Up until this time, Christians have had the opportunity to openly confess Christ and spread the gospel to others. That time may soon be coming to an end, as the internet itself is growing darker for all Christians, as government entities find it more and more easy to block Christianity from being distributed through internet media. Modern day churches are being closed in Muslim countries like Turkey, and their property confiscated. Everyone should memorize passages of the Bible, so that it can never be taken away from you. That way it is imprinted indelibly on your mind and heart. Every Christian should witness to others in some way, at some time, in some place.

One of the most important places in Christian history, the location of the Seven Churches of Revelation, is now only a dead shell of their former glory, nothing but ruins and rubble. If it can happen to those most important of historical seven churches it can happen to churches anywhere in the world; the United States, Latin America, and the entire European continent.

Seven Churches of Revelation Map

http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/the-seven-churches-of-revelation-map.html

Every Christian should pray, read the Bible, and witness in some way daily to other people, whether it be to other Christians or someone you meet in a store, at work, or even in your leisure activities. Don't be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After all, it was he who saved you and not yourself. Your charitable giving is nothing but cover for your own sins, unless you also spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins of omission and spread the words of Jesus Christ today.

November 15, 2018

Cliff Rhodes Christian Ministry