Friday | 11 October 2024
While Paul was unwilling to entertain those who sought to cling to him with deceit, he was able to be a father to those who separated themselves from this alternative fellowship that was based in historical connections and denominational traditions. 2Co 6:17-18. Those who receive this ministry are able to grow as sons and daughters of God because they are walking in the light of the word and are changing, from glory to glory, into the image of the Son. 2Co 3:18.
Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd of the sheep. Heb 13:20-21. He shepherds the flock by sending to them ‘under-shepherds’. The apostle Peter identified these under-shepherds as ‘elders among the flock, who serve as overseers’. 1Pe 5:1-4. Their work is to gather His people into the fellowship that exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the fellowship of the name of God, which is the kingdom of God.
Describing the ministry of the word by the good Shepherd, through His under-shepherds, King Solomon wrote, ‘The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars [masters of assemblies, or overseers in the Father’s house] are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.’ Ecc 12:11. The nails, given by one Shepherd through the ministry of under-shepherds, secure a hearer in the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Under-shepherds do not herd the flock in the manner of a sheepdog, cajoling the responses of their hearers by reiterating and restating the word, or by petitioning their hearers, or through inquisition. Neither do they script the response and expression of people to the word. Rather, they call their hearers by name as they preach the word of Christ from the fellowship of the presbytery. Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.’ Joh 10:27-28.
Further Study:
1 PETER 5
References:
2Co 6:17-18
Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’
2Co 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Heb 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1Pe 5:1-4
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Ecc 12:11
The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
Joh 10:27-28
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.