Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
This Friends, was a part of Bruh Paul’s final address to the elders, the leaders of the Ephesians’ church, before leaving for other missionary outposts, ending up in Jerusalem and the Roman jail. Though it’s a warning given long ago, it is still very applicable today. ‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God…’ Jesus gave Simon Peter the same basic instructions. Three times He asked him, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, LOVEST thou me more than these?’ Simon obviously answered in the affirmative. Then, ‘Feed my lambs.’ The second time Jesus told him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ The third time though Simon was a bit peeved; ‘And he said unto him, Lord thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I LOVE thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.’ (John 21:15-17) And why were the elders and Simon to take heed and feed the flock? Bruh Paul answers that himself. ‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.’ (Acts 20:29-30) And who knew that better than Bruh Paul eh, since he was amongst the first to infiltrate and persecute the fledging church of Christ. And to this day Friends, infiltration and persecution have not ceased. There are still many wolves in sheep’s clothing prowling around the church, spreading false doctrine, trying to turn believers away from the One, True God Jehovah. It is the job of the church leaders to both seek the truth within themselves, within their own souls, ensuring it is correctly interpreted, then energetically and passionately administered to the congregation that’s been placed in their care. They are the shepherds of God’s flock in His Church, and like any shepherd worth his salt, must always be on the look out, be constantly vigilant for predators and traitors. Yes my brethren, traitors! Note, Bruh Paul specified not only perverse outside influences, but also warned that undesirables will arise from within the flock itself, and for whatever reason, try to turn believers away from the straight and true path. I’m sure all of us know some of those. (smile) The church leaders therefore have a great responsibility. Peter goes even further than Bruh Paul. ‘Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lord’s over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.’ (1 Pet.5:2-3) Yes people, our church leaders should shepherd those placed in their care by Jesus, not by being forced, but willingly; neither for dishonest gain, but eagerly, enthusiastically, for the LOVE of doing God’s will. Neither should they lord it, or rule despotically over those entrusted to their spiritual care, but should be outstanding examples to the ordinary believers, like Christ is a shining example to us all. As Bruh Paul warned Timothy: ‘Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.’ (1 Tim.4:12-13,16) But my brethren, all the responsibility for our spiritual growth doesn’t lie with the church leaders. We are also responsible for much of it. Just like school children don’t depend solely on the teacher, we can’t rely solely on the elders, but have to study the Word ourselves, ask questions, while considering the behaviour of those around us. We too must try to locate and separate the wolves and traitors from in and around our congregations. So don’t think that we’re absolved of any blame if the outside wolves or inside traitors abscond with any of the flock. We all are responsible for taking care of Christ’s church, ‘which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ Yes my Friends, Jesus paid dearly with His sinless life to create a body, whereby believers on His Name, can have hope of salvation with eternal life, after our mortal bodies have returned to the dust from whence they came. We can’t let His precious blood go to waste by allowing His church to fall into disrepute or disrepair. ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature.’ (Col.1:14-15) Jesus has become the first in rank over every thing, cause He’s the one ‘Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.’ (Tit.2:14) That’s us fellow believers: a special people that Jesus created for Himself, through His death on the cross for our redemption! Wow! What a wonderful man! Praise His Holy Name my people! For ‘Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.’ (Heb.9:12) For such a selfless sacrifice we should be eternally grateful, and show our gratitude by following His example; living a life obedient to the Father, one of peace, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness. Oh Friends, we can’t disappoint Jesus now. He’s got too much riding on us. We’re the favourites to win the race, so let’s put our best foot forward nuh, and exert all our energy to be victorious in His Name. Much LOVE! It’s a bit long, but Bruh Paul’s enthusiasm was catching. (smile) …oh…to be like Jesus…we should all aspire…
This Friends, was a part of Bruh Paul’s final address to the elders, the leaders of the Ephesians’ church, before leaving for other missionary outposts, ending up in Jerusalem and the Roman jail. Though it’s a warning given long ago, it is still very applicable today. ‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God…’ Jesus gave Simon Peter the same basic instructions. Three times He asked him, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, LOVEST thou me more than these?’ Simon obviously answered in the affirmative. Then, ‘Feed my lambs.’ The second time Jesus told him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ The third time though Simon was a bit peeved; ‘And he said unto him, Lord thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I LOVE thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.’ (John 21:15-17) And why were the elders and Simon to take heed and feed the flock? Bruh Paul answers that himself. ‘For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.’ (Acts 20:29-30) And who knew that better than Bruh Paul eh, since he was amongst the first to infiltrate and persecute the fledging church of Christ. And to this day Friends, infiltration and persecution have not ceased. There are still many wolves in sheep’s clothing prowling around the church, spreading false doctrine, trying to turn believers away from the One, True God Jehovah. It is the job of the church leaders to both seek the truth within themselves, within their own souls, ensuring it is correctly interpreted, then energetically and passionately administered to the congregation that’s been placed in their care. They are the shepherds of God’s flock in His Church, and like any shepherd worth his salt, must always be on the look out, be constantly vigilant for predators and traitors. Yes my brethren, traitors! Note, Bruh Paul specified not only perverse outside influences, but also warned that undesirables will arise from within the flock itself, and for whatever reason, try to turn believers away from the straight and true path. I’m sure all of us know some of those. (smile) The church leaders therefore have a great responsibility. Peter goes even further than Bruh Paul. ‘Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lord’s over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.’ (1 Pet.5:2-3) Yes people, our church leaders should shepherd those placed in their care by Jesus, not by being forced, but willingly; neither for dishonest gain, but eagerly, enthusiastically, for the LOVE of doing God’s will. Neither should they lord it, or rule despotically over those entrusted to their spiritual care, but should be outstanding examples to the ordinary believers, like Christ is a shining example to us all. As Bruh Paul warned Timothy: ‘Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.’ (1 Tim.4:12-13,16) But my brethren, all the responsibility for our spiritual growth doesn’t lie with the church leaders. We are also responsible for much of it. Just like school children don’t depend solely on the teacher, we can’t rely solely on the elders, but have to study the Word ourselves, ask questions, while considering the behaviour of those around us. We too must try to locate and separate the wolves and traitors from in and around our congregations. So don’t think that we’re absolved of any blame if the outside wolves or inside traitors abscond with any of the flock. We all are responsible for taking care of Christ’s church, ‘which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ Yes my Friends, Jesus paid dearly with His sinless life to create a body, whereby believers on His Name, can have hope of salvation with eternal life, after our mortal bodies have returned to the dust from whence they came. We can’t let His precious blood go to waste by allowing His church to fall into disrepute or disrepair. ‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature.’ (Col.1:14-15) Jesus has become the first in rank over every thing, cause He’s the one ‘Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.’ (Tit.2:14) That’s us fellow believers: a special people that Jesus created for Himself, through His death on the cross for our redemption! Wow! What a wonderful man! Praise His Holy Name my people! For ‘Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.’ (Heb.9:12) For such a selfless sacrifice we should be eternally grateful, and show our gratitude by following His example; living a life obedient to the Father, one of peace, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness. Oh Friends, we can’t disappoint Jesus now. He’s got too much riding on us. We’re the favourites to win the race, so let’s put our best foot forward nuh, and exert all our energy to be victorious in His Name. Much LOVE! It’s a bit long, but Bruh Paul’s enthusiasm was catching. (smile) …oh…to be like Jesus…we should all aspire…
SCRIP-BITS 