Lesson 51 August 17, 2003
Observations: God's plan for the function of the church; [that is the men & msg]
1. The P/T must teach the Word or he sins against God's plan for the Church.
2. On the other side, the sheep must become a part of a flock or they sin against God's plan for the church!
3. Both the message and the method are dictated by God for the proper function of the church, so that its building on the right foundation.
4. I see no mitigating circumstances that can override this order.
5. If its Satan's purpose to separate the believer from the word of God, his only source for the spiritual resources needed, its success lies in separating the believer from a teaching P/T.
6. The success of the sheep - shepherd relationship is indicted in vs:13.
- to a mature man!
Examine the Sheep - Shepherd metaphor
1. Use of the sheep/shepherd metaphor:
a. In the OT.
- leaders, kings were referred to as shepherds; idea is that in the same way that shepherd has resp. toward his sheep; so the leaders of Israel had resp. for their people.
2 Sam 5:2; Jer 3:15; 10:21
- It is also common in the O.T. for God to be designated as shepherd over His people;
Gen 48:15; Ezk 34:11-16
God rescues, restores to the land, feeds, provides security/rest, healing and discipline of the sheep!
b. Use in NT - first the gospels.
- Presents himself as a shepherd Jn 10:11;
- Mt 9:36; Lk 15:4-7 closeness of the relationship
c. In the Epistles
- Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 5:2-4
2. What are some of the more prominent Qualities of a Shepherd.
a. He must know the sheep.
- Gen 33:13 there must be a sensitivity to the limitations of the sheep;
b. He must love the sheep and accept the responsibility to care for them.
- Jn 10:11
c. He must have an intimate knowledge of the sheep.
- Jn 10:14
If Christ is our Shepherd then that makes us sheep!
3. Some characteristics of Sheep pertinent to the metaphor; and the reason for the strong emphasis on the responsibility of teaching for the P/T so that this function of equipping is carried out.
a. Sheep easily go astray.
Isa 53:6 "all we like sheep have gone astray...."
b. Sheep are most helpless when they are without a shepherd.
Num 27:15-17
c. Closeness to the shepherd is the only protection the sheep have.