Elders as Shepherds of the Sheep

Elders as Shepherdsof the Sheep

8/10/20141

What do you say to a newly-appointed elder?

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Shepherding the Sheep

• Wrong & Bible Pictures of our Walk

• Bible Pictures of Elder’s Work

• How Sheep Respond

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Misconceptions of Discipleship

• Checklist – Only do minimum to maintain acceptable status.

• Pie – Life has independent compartments, including religion. Keep them separate, in balance.

• Train – Join the right church—stay onboard; little effort required.

Heb 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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I Cor 9:24-27Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight; not as one who beats the air. 27But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

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II Tim 2:3-5

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

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II Tim 4:6-7

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

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Better Images of Christianity

• Race (Heb 12:1)

• Warfare (II Tim 2:3-4)

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• Train

• Pie

• Checklist

Who wouldn’t want qualified & trusted: instructors, coaches, trainers, platoon

leaders, physicians, consultants, protectors, mentors, models, cheerleaders





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Ruling the Household of God

• Earthly fathers “chasten…for our profit”(Heb 12:9)

• Paul, a father to Corinthians: “imitate me”(I Cor 4:14-16)

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…For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God? (I Tim 3:5)

I Cor 4:14-16

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

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• Paul, a father to Corinthians: “imitate me”(I Cor 4:14-16)

• Paul, a father & mother to Thessalonians(I Thes 2:7-12)

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I Thessalonians 2:7-12

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you have become dear to us. 9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

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I Thessalonians 2:7-1210You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12that you would have a walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

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Who wouldn’t want care-givers like this?

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• Paul, a father to the Corinthians (I Cor 4:14-16)

• Paul, a father & mother to Thessalonians(I Thes 2:7-12)

• Paul, a father to Timothy in the faith(I Tim 1:2)

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Who wouldn’t want a spiritual father like this?

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Shepherds (Ezek. 34)

• Search & Rescue (11)

• Bring out of World to safety (13, 28)

• Feed in rich pasture (14)

• Bind up the weak & sick (16)

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Who wouldn’t want shepherds like this?

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Rule = Work

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I Tim 5:17

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

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Heb 13:7

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

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And we urge you, brethren, to recognize [appreciate, acknowledge] those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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Heb 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, andbe submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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Who wouldn’t want “rulers” like this?

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The “Rule” and “Response”

I Tim 5:17 (rule well )

labor in word/doctrine double honor

Heb 13:7 (rule over)

spoke word follow their faith

Heb 13:17 (rule over)

watch for souls be submissive

I Thes 5:12-13 (over you in the Lord)

labor among you/admonish esteem highly28

Responsibility of Sheep

• Honor, Esteem highly – for work’s sake(I Thes 5:13; I Tim 5:19)

• Be at peace among yourselves(I Thes 5:13)

• Free them from “waiting tables” (Acts 6:2,4)

• Do not create grief(Heb 13:17)

• Submit… but what does this mean?

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What does submitting look like in this work?

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Who wouldn’t want a shepherd like this?

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What do you say to a newly-appointed elder?

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“I am following…”

Following the Chief Shepherd

“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)

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Backup/Extra

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A Church Leader’s WorkActs 20:17-35

• Paul was their example.18 – “you know … what manner I always lived with you”

31 – “watch & remember”

35 – “I have shown you in every way”

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Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God

which He purchased with His own blood. (v 28)

Goals of the Work(Acts 20:17-35)

• Survival of the Flock“I am innocent of the blood of all men.” (26)

“…after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” (29)

• Growth/Health“Which is able to build you up…” (32)

“You must support the weak” (35)

• Destiny“Give you an Inheritance among all the sanctified.”

(32)

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Shepherding the Church(Acts 20:28)

20 – Proclaimed everything helpful(publicly & from house to house)

27 – Declared the whole counsel of God

29 – Protect from external threats (wolves)

30 – Protect from internal threats (false teachers)

31 – Watch & warn night & day

33 – Provide for own needs & needs of others

35 – Support the weak (Give, not receive)

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Sheep Shepherding Duties

• Address immediate problems – Address personal crises (all sorts)– Address questions & doubts of faith

• Watch for spiritual dangers– Know each member– Assess backgrounds, weaknesses, ignorances, errors– Reprove poor decisions: ungodly habits, dangerous companions, lack of

growth, lack of self-discipline, slack attendance…– Assess potential & plan development

• Teach & counsel for needed life changes– Provide warnings & advice – Model the desired behavior– Teach & counsel for changes– Set objectives & monitor progress

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Sheep Shepherding Duties

• Organize spiritual support– Inform others of needs, enlist help – Arrange for personal teaching, checkups, companionship

• Provide opportunities for personal growth– Assign specific duties that are challenges– Assign teaching, care, mentoring duties– Assist and provide critique for challenging assignments– Provide training

• Initiate & lead discipline processes.• Prepare others for leadership• Give attention to physically sick• Strive in prayer for all.

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Rule = Work Response

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I Tim 5:17

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

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Heb 13:7

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

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And we urge you, brethren, to recognize [appreciate, acknowledge] those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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Heb 13:17

Obey those who rule over you, andbe submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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Elders as Shepherds of the Sheep