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“Shepherds of the Flock of God” 07/09/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Shepherds of the Flock of God” 07/09/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles. “Shepherds of the Flock of God”. Introduction “People Are Significant”

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“Shepherds of the Flock of God” 07/09/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

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  1. “Shepherds of the Flock of God”07/09/2006Dr. Dane Boyles

  2. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” Introduction “People Are Significant” During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:

  3. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was some kind of joke, I thought. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?” I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

  4. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” Before I left class, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.” Absolutely,” said the professor, “In your careers you will meet many people. Everyone is significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”

  5. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” “I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.”

  6. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Why do we need additional elders? • Because all people are significant.

  7. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • It’s all about perception. • If we understand that shepherding is about serving people, not just about solving problems… • if we understand that it’s about giving the church the personal touch, then we can understand why we need more godly men to serve and lead the church.

  8. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Our current elders are asking you for recommendations to appoint additional elders. • Experts say that each elder can only adequately care for 20 individuals.

  9. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • I want to speak to you this morning about what elders do for this church. • An easy way to do it is to look at the words that are used in the New Testament to describe them.

  10. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They are SHEPHERDS. • The Gr. word is poimen and it is used to describe a particular kind of spiritual leadership. 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care. (1 Peter 5:2) • The job of elders is to “shepherd” or “tend the flock of God.”

  11. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • In the history of Christianity the role of the “pastor” has been one of the most confusing. • “Pastor” comes from the Gr. word poimen. • It’s only translated “pastor” once in most translations in Ephesians 4:11.

  12. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers (Eph 4:11).

  13. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • But you don’t ever find that concept in the New Testament. • In the NT when it talks about shepherd it talks about a plurality of shepherds.

  14. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Now let’s turn to the 23rd Psalm. • It does two things: • It evokes such rich images of the provision and protection of the shepherd. • It provides a broad outline of what shepherds do.

  15. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalms 23:1-3)

  16. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; (Psalms 23:4-5)

  17. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They CARE for the flock. • He takes care of the sheep! • He listens to you. • He invites you into his home. • He is truly hospitable. • That is why the sheep are not afraid of him.

  18. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They FEED the flock. 15 …Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)

  19. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” (John 21:16)

  20. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

  21. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Why is Jesus so persistent? • Peter was going to be a leader in the Lord’s church. • He would have to lead them, give them direction and feed them.

  22. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Shepherds provide a good preacher and good teachers to feed the flock but they should also feed the flock themselves. • They walk beside us and care for us in Jesus’ place. • That’s the personal touch.

  23. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • The PROTECT the flock. • We have to realize that we have a ferocious enemy. • Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

  24. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. (Acts 20:28-29)

  25. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! (Acts 20:30-31)

  26. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Elders must protect the flock. • But they must also protect the integrity of the eldership itself. • No one is above being held accountable.

  27. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They RECLAIM those who have strayed from the flock. • Elders aren’t to become so preoccupied with trying to satisfy the faithful that they forget about the lost sheep.

  28. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)

  29. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • The shepherds have the God-given responsibility to reclaim those who have wandered away • Why? • Because they are the ones who have been entrusted with the flock.

  30. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They are men who care for us…feed us…protect us…and reclaim us when we foolishly wander away from the truth.

  31. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They are OVERSEERS. • They see over the life and ministry of the church. • The Gr. word is episkopos and often translated bishop. • It’s someone who has responsibility for the guardianship of the church.

  32. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • They are ELDERS. • The Gr. word is presbuteros and often translated elder. 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. (1 Tim 3:6)

  33. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Shepherds ~ describes their caring leadership. • Overseers ~ describes their authoritativeleadership. • Elders ~ describes their mature leadership.

  34. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • We Have a Perfect Model for this Kind of Godly Leadership. • The model is Jesus. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11) 20 “great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb 13:20)

  35. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

  36. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • So any leader in God’s church can ask himself three questions if he wants to know how to act: • What would Jesus do? • How would Jesus care for the church? • What is Jesus’ goal and desire for the church?

  37. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” The lessons this morning is over, now for the exhortation. . . • Is Jesus your Good Shepherd? • Can you say, “The Lord is my Shepherd”?

  38. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” • Have you ever made Him your Savior? • Have you ever responded to His grace? • Please come while we stand together and sing.

  39. “Shepherds of the Flock of God” 07/09/2006Dr. Dane Boyles

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