Shepherds,
Sheep, and Wolves
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.
I know that after
my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
flock; and
from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to
draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:28-30)
Introduction
Paul is on his way
to Jerusalem and is finishing his final missionary journey. He
desired to be there for Pentecost. He has been visiting churches
along the way that he has ministered to and started in the past.
Because of his time restraint, he called for the elders of the church
at Ephesus to meet him at a specified place. Paul knew that if he
was to travel to Ephesus that he would not make it to Jerusalem on
time. He had ministered there for over three years and shared a
special bond with them.
When
they arrived, Paul rehearsed his past with them, encouraged them for
the present, and instructed them for the future. Paul related how he
preached to them the whole counsel of God and did not shrink away
from proclaiming the truth. He shared how he called Jews and Greeks
to repentance and faith in Christ. He then revealed that they would
not see him again because the Spirit has testified that he would be
bound and afflicted. Since he thought that this was the end and that
he would not see the Ephesians again, Paul encouraged the elders to
guard themselves, guard the flock, be aware of the dangers that will
come, and to remain faithful to the word of God which sanctifies and
edifies.
It is interesting
to note that Paul called only for the elders of the church. He did
not call the entire church. The elders are the leaders and Paul
wished to encourage them as they lead the church. It is not as
though he did not care for the other brothers and sisters, he desired
to meet with the shepherds, those who care for the sheep. Another
interesting point is that we see a plurality of elders in this
church. This is the New Testament pattern. God raised up multiple
men to shepherd his congregations.
What
Pastors Do (vs. 28)
“It had eyes
lifted to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was
written upon his lips, the world was behind his back. It stood as if
it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head.”
This
quote is taken from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's
Progress.
Christian had traveled to the House of the Interpreter in which he
was shown many wonderful things that were to aid him on his journey.
The first thing he was shown was a picture of a pastor. The quote
describes what a pastor looks like and does. It is very descriptive
and biblical.
Pay
attention to self
The
first thing that the text teaches elders to do is pay attention to
themselves. If Paul instructed these men to pay attention, this
would imply that there are dangers, concerns, and things to watch
for. This takes effort. Elders are to guard themselves, examine
their hearts and lives. They must be mindful of apathy, depression,
pride, temptations, weaknesses, people pleasing, carelessness, and
discouragement. Upon discovering these and other sins, elders must
repent and pray for forgiveness and mercy.
Part of paying
attention to self would include family. Pastors are to guard their
families since they are his responsibility and part of the flock.
The families of pastors face the same dangers and temptations as
other believers. A good pastor ministers to his family and tries not
to neglect them. He prays for them, studies God's word with them,
prays with them, leads them, seeks to be an example of Christ for
them, spends time with them, and grows with them.
Pastors ought to be
humble, growing in Christlikeness, men of prayer, repentant before
God and the people, holy, dedicated, dependable, disciplined, and
faithful. These marks should be striven for. These are the goals
every elder should desire to achieve. A pastor that does not pay
attention to himself is useless to a flock. Guard against sin, do
not become disqualified.
I pray that you sit
under a pastor that pays attention. Pray for your pastors. Pastors
are under attack. And if a pastor preaches and teaches the whole
counsel of God and proclaims the gospel, theses attacks will be
intensified. People do not like the gospel or doctrine. So, pray
that the Lord bless and encourage your pastor. Pray that God will
grant him the grace to remain faithful and to persevere until the
end. Pray that your pastor would be aware of the dangers and
conscious of temptations.
Pay attention to
sheep
Paul encouraged the
elders to also pay attention to the flock and “care for the church
of God.” This means that pastors are to care for their people's
souls. They are to oversee, govern, watch over, protect, feed, lead,
nourish, bandage, tend to needs, pray, listen, guide, mourn with,
rejoice with, and provide security for the people of God. This too
takes a conscious effort and must be done through the word of God.
Pastors have not
taken this responsibility upon themselves. The text reveals that the
Holy Spirit has made men elders. It is the Spirit that equips,
prepares, calls, and sends. Pastors are God appointed and anointed
leaders of his church. He has provided so graciously for the church.
This implies that the church cannot care for itself. The sheep
simply are unable to lead and feed themselves. It implies further
that churches need elders. Pastors are needed to care for the
church.
God has a special
love for his church. God obtained, or purchased, the church with his
blood. A life was given for payment. This life was none other than
the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse teaches both the humanity and the
deity of Christ. He is God, yet he is man because he shed his blood
for his bride. This is the glorious gospel. Christ, who is God,
took on flesh. He lived in perfect obedience to the law and offered
himself as a substitutionary atonement in the place of sinners. Now,
all those who repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone for
salvation, will be saved from the just wrath and judgment of God.
The passage before
us uses imagery of a shepherd and sheep. It is very helpful to
explain the relationship between a pastor and his congregation. The
shepherd leads and the sheep follow. The shepherd feeds and the
sheep eat. The shepherd leads to water and the sheep drink. The
shepherd protects, warns, disciplines, and watches and the sheep are
better for it. This is a beautiful relationship. There is an
intimacy and a closeness. Both the shepherd and the sheep benefit.
The benefits for the sheep are obvious and have been spelled out.
The shepherd benefits from milk and wool from the sheep and
companionship. In other words, pastors fellowship with the saints
and are encouraged and provided for. Both receive the blessing.
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