Shepherds, Sheep, & Wolves

Shepherds, Sheep & Wolves

2014-06-15

Acts 20:28-30

English Standard Version (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Here Paul makes it clear that Elders (plural) are crucial to the health & survival of church.

·      In the New Testament churches they always have more than 1 elder/pastor no matter what the size or age of the church.

The New Testament does not distinguish between elder, pastor, overseer, bishop—it all refers to the same position.

·      "Elder" highlights maturity & respect in church & refers to an office.

·      An Overseer is like a “pastor” and describes the task that person performed.

o   Latin "pastor" means shepherd.

All elders rule or shepherd: some; not all have spiritual gifts of pastor or teacher.

1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9, 1 Pet 2:25

·      They must be “able to teach”: and can lead into doctrines of Christian faith & defend doctrines against heretical teaching outside and inside the church.

·      The reason for high standards for Elders is because the church is precious and was purchased with Jesus’ blood. It belongs to God not men. Act 20:28, 1 Pet 5:1-4 & 1:18-19

o   Elders are not by human ordination, but by the Holy Spirits appointment…ex. Ryan

1^st priority: be certain the kind of person they are in life, doctrine & relationship with Christ.  

·      Must lead by example...Feed your own souls before you feed others.

·      1 John 2:6

·      Day 18

o   Effective ministry is the overflow of a rich, deep relationship with Jesus.

§  Pray for LEFC elders & families.

After 1^st having cared for their own spiritual well-being, now they can look out for health & safety of the flock. 1 Thess 2:13 & 5:12-13; Heb 13:17, 1 Pet 5:5

·      Elders/shepherd’s lead, feed & protect ALL the flock. No favoritism.

o   healthy/sick, strong/weak, responsive/unresponsive, faithful/wayward.

§  The under-shepherd must have same attitude as the Great Shepherd who ministers to us when life is difficult, when we stray, or when we sin.

·      Shepherds must lead to lush fields but can’t force sheep to eat.

o   LEFC provides “food” but you must partake…become self-feeders.

·      Also, sheep don’t decide which field to graze in but follow the shepherd’s lead.

o   In Script: congregation doesn’t rule but is subject to elder’s authority.

§  Like children are subject to parents, with the father (elder) head of home.

Positive: feed & lead. Negative: watch & warn the flock of any danger.

·      Satanic attack, spiritual disease (sin), laziness, deception, divisiveness & false teaching.  Act 20:29-30, Mt 7:15, 1 Tim 4:1-3; 2 Tim 3:4; Jude 4

·      “wolves” false teachers (outside & inside) who deceive & and lead the sheep away from the safety of the flock/fellowship & the faith through their lifestyle & heresy.

o   The wolf inside the gate is far more dangerous than the lion outside.

§  Wolves seem to know the Bible so their influence is dangerously subtle.

·      Instead of feeding flock, wolves desire only to be fed by flock.

o   $$, pride stroked, power or control, 

o   ”Wolves” can be church leaders or people with influence inside church.

To protect yourself from the deception of false teachers know the Word & pray.

·      Be cautious: We do not want to become like the Ephesian church & pursue doctrinal purity while becoming cold and loveless in our relationship with Jesus. Rev 2:1-5

o   If “fierce wolves” & lack of love for Christ happened under the leadership of Paul & Timothy, then the same can happen @ LEFC.

o    

1 Timothy 3:1-7

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Rev 2:1-5

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.  2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.  Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.