Forever Yours, Jesus
February 14, 2021
Text: Acts 20:28-31
Main Idea: God’s shepherds nourish and protect your understanding and experience of the love of God.
Shepherds are there to give us the tools to recognize it and to treat it “unlove,” so it doesn’t become a major infectant.
All biblical instruction can fit under this main idea. (1 Timothy 1:5 Paul “…the goal of our instruction is love.”
- Vs. 28 Keep watch over yourselves
- Elders shepherd each other. John 13:34 Jesus instructed His disciples, who would eventually be the church leaders to love one another, realizing it would set an example for the rest of the flock.
- “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). Discord among leaders is a major way the evil one attacks and scatters the flock.
- and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
- We appoint elders but the Holy Spirit is the one who makes them.
- We are appointing Grace because it has been obvious she has been serving us as an elder and demonstrates the character qualities as specified in the Scriptures.
- Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with His own blood.
- Instruction to Shepherds: 1 Peter 5:1-4:
- not because you must, but because you are willing,
- not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
- Not for what you can get out of it materially or for your ego, or for the praise of others. Matthew 23:5 Jesus said of the Phraisees, “Everything they do is for people to see”
- not lording it over (bossing around, intimidating, etc.) those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Bought with His own blood…
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- Our sins demanded a price. He paid the price Himself, making Him both “just and the one who justifies.”
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