Take Heed To The Flock!

Acts 20:17-38 These words of the Apostle Paul to the elders of the church at Ephesus, are very important to us who are in the role of Christian leadership. They are filled not only with great emotion, but essential instruction as well.

I would like to focus primarily on v.28 and take a look at what elders of a church are to maintain as priorities in their Christian leadership role.

"Therefore take heed to yourselves.." Shepherds of the flock of God, must be the best examples they can be. Not that any who are in the role of Christian leadership are perfect, but one must strive to be the best they can be. That in itself, is an example that must be displayed before the congregation.

.."and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.." To a Shepherd, each one of his sheep is important. A shepherd has to be among his sheep, so he can know what the needs are, and attend to them. I had an elder of a church I was serving tell me. "that visiting members of the congregation would be the most important work I would do." Not to minimize the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. But you will not know how to apply God's Word, if you are not among the people, and know what those needs are.

"..to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Elders of a church must remember that the church they are responsible for, belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He purchased the church with His own blood. Does the church mean a lot to the Lord Jesus Christ? Indeed it does! The Lord is counting on the elders to watch over His church.

When I was growing up, whenever a stranger came to our door, my father would meet him at the door. Why? Because my father was the protector of our family. He was provider and protector. The elders are no different. It is a great responsibility, but also a great reward to care for such a wonderful community. The family of God! GP

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A Gatekeeper

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7) 

If you have ever prepared for a Bible school class, only to have no one show up, you know what discouragement is. Here you put all this time in study and preparation, just to find yourself sitting in a room by yourself, asking, why people don't show more interest.

It was after I read a devotion by a lady who went through the same experience, but shared a different perspective on this issue, that I felt differently about it.

In Isaiah 62:6-7 the prophet Isaiah talks about watchman, or gatekeepers, who were stationed on the city walls, and at the gates to watch over the city of Jerusalem. They were to watch for any approaching enemy.

Spiritually, the righteous people were to be on alert on Jerusalem's behalf, to warn concerning sin, and disobedience to God. They were to do this (without rest) until Jerusalem became a praise in the earth.

 As spiritual leaders, we are watchman, and gatekeepers. If only one person comes to our Bible class, we will be prepared to share a Bible lesson that may stay with them their whole lives. God doesn't call us to be successful. But He does call us to be faithful. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
And even if no one shows up, we can feel good about the fact, that we were faithfully watching, and available, if people came to receive God's Word, for their lives.

I would encourage us a spiritual leaders, to look at our roles in the church, as being watchmen, and gatekeepers for the Lord.
Always prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:15)
And the seeds of God's Word that we plant may produce good results. Helping people to find their way to the Savior, now and forever! GP

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Rescuing The Lost Sheep

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" 
(Luke 15:4)

 I believe that through out the years the church has missed the message of this parable. And I may get some disagreement on this. But I believe that the spiritual leadership of the church have a responsibility, not only to those believers who faithfully gather together to receive constant spiritual food and care. But to those who have left the fold, for one reason or another.

 Any one who has the responsibility of spiritual leadership (whether they are elders, deacons, pastors, Bible school teachers, youth leaders, etc.)
is to care, not only for the ninety-nine, but for those who have left the fold. (Note: These are the shepherd's sheep)

So often, because there have been conflicts, and disagreements, believers have left the fold, and choose, to never have anything to do with the church, or the leadership again. And the attitude of leadership has been. "I am glad that they left, now our problems are over." No our problems are not over, because in so expressing this type of attitude, we dis-please the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because the one main thing that the Lord expects of His church, is to maintain unity. (Read John 17:20-21)

I have heard it said, "that once Christians leave, it is hard to get them back." But I believe that shepherds in God's fold are to make every effort, and do whatever it takes, to make peace, and pursue unity, among the brethren.

 It makes a statement to God, to the church, and to the world, of our love, and concern. We are to show the love of Christ. And when we do, what a difference it will make. GP

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