·
Three duties of sheep. These three participles indicates Paul was
addressing one group of men with three functions that were ongoing at all times.
o Know
the shepherds. This is not merely a
matter of knowing who they are, although that can certainly be important. Men are appointed by Christ as gifts to the
Church (Eph. 4:7-11). Failure to recognize them is a sin against the Head of
the Church. Sheep also need to know the
responsibility of shepherds. They are
not the dictators of the church for there is only one Lord. Thus they are not to be followed
blindly. There are times when they lead
into false doctrine. As Jesus’ letters
to the churches in Rev. 2-3 indicate the members must remain faithful to Christ
when the church is moving towards apostasy.
Having said that, we nevertheless must recognize those Christ has given
to the church. We must remember they are
accountable to Christ to lead through their ministry of the Word of God and
their Christ-like lifestyles. Even if,
or perhaps especially if, our pastor isn’t famous and selling lots of books and
seen regularly on TV, we must acknowledge who he is as the servant of Christ.
o Esteem
the shepherds. The previous paragraph
leads directly to this one. We are to
give them the honor that is due. And
note carefully what the Apostle says about that honor. It is to be given super-abundantly. It should
not be given grudgingly or because it is requited. And further we are told it should be the
esteem of love. We should be willing to sacrifice for them
that they might accomplish the purpose for which Christ has chosen them. This would include financial esteem, the double honor Paul spoke of in 1 Tim.
5:17. But it must be much more than
material blessings. It is the esteem of
listening to their teaching carefully, speaking to them respectably and
speaking well of them when we are in our small group or our homes.
o Be
at peace among yourselves. How interesting
Paul mentions this issue. Nearly every
letter to a church in the NT has a section dealing with disunity. This is one of the hardest areas of the
shepherds labor and the body of believers needs.to help the shepherd in this
way. Eph. 4 is concerned with endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace (v3). This
peace is experienced when we put on the common attitudes of humility (v1-3),
recognize our common callings (v4-6) and engage in our common ministry
(v7-13). The end result is a body of
believers that collectively is growing into the likeness of Christ (v14-16).
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb. 13:17)
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