Sheep, Shepherds and Protection

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Sheep, Shepherdsand Protection

• A study through the eldership of the church

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Pauls Words of Warning

• 28 - 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.
• 29 - I know that after my departure fierce wolves
  will come in among you, not sparing the flock
• 30 - and from among your own selves will arise
  men speaking twisted things, to draw away the
  disciples after them.
• 31 - Therefore be alert, remembering that for
  three years I did not cease night or day to
  admonish everyone with tears.
• 32 - And now I commend you to God and to the word
  of his grace, which is able to build you up and
  to give you the inheritance among all those who
  are sanctified.
•  

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Watching Sheep Responsibility

• It meant counting the sheep when returning from
  pasture. (Jeremiah 3313)
• It meant watching for sheep that were sick.
  (Ezekiel 3416)
• It meant watching for predators. (1 Samuel
  1734-36)

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Four Requirements of Sheep

• Sheep will not lay down unless they are free from
  all fear.
• Sheep will not lay down unless they are free from
  problems with other sheep.
• Sheep will not lay down if they are tormented by
  insects.
• Sheep will not lay down if they are in need of
  finding food.

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The Value of Sheep

• One became lost and the shepherd left the rest to
  find it. (Luke 154-7 Ezekiel 3412)
• Spiritual shepherds watch out for ones soul and
  must give an account. (Hebrews 1317)
• Each precious soul has been purchased with the
  blood of Christ. (Acts 2028)

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds must pay attention to the
  flock (Acts 2028)
• Paying attention to the flock as overseers and
  bishops (Acts 2028).
• Paying attention to the sick, weak, crippled,
  strong.

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds must pay attention to protect
  (Acts 2029-31)
• from forces outside the flock!
• from forces inside the flock!

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds must protect from forces
  outside the flock
• ...fierce wolves will come in among you (Acts
  2029)
• Matthew 715-20 1 Timothy 13-7

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds must protect from forces
  inside the flock
• ...among your own selves will arise men speaking
  twisted things (Acts 2831)
• 1 Timothy 120 2 Timothy 115 217 Jude 4

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds watch (oversee) the sheep
• Spiritual shepherds oversee the flock not under
  compulsion, but willingly. (1 Peter 52)
• Spiritual shepherd do not domineer over those in
  their charge, but by example (1 Peter 53).

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