It is a blessing to give a title
Acts 20:28-35 It is a blessing to give Subject: 41. Leader. 2008. 9. 7.
◎ Introduction
: These are the last recorded words of Paul to church leaders. Church leaders need to read and meditate.
1. Beware for yourself and the church (28)
2. Hit the Church of God (28-31)
3. Live for God and His Word (32)
4. Work hard and give (33-35)
1. Beware for yourself and the church (28)
※ The first duty of a minister is to abstain for himself and for the church.
※ You must pay attention to “be careful” and carefully guard your life.
1) A minister must first examine his life, personality, and behavior before taking care of the sheep.
① Refrain from false teaching. (Luke 12:1)
② We must refrain from being unforgiving. (Luke 17:3~4)
(3) To indulge in pleasure, to refrain from drunkenness, and from the riches of this world. (Luke 21:34)
④ We must refrain from fables, myths, human thoughts, false philosophies, and human genealogies. (1 Timothy 1:4)
⑤ Focus on reading, exhortation, and teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)
⑥ In particular, you should be careful to follow the teachings of the Bible yourself. (1 Timothy 4:16)
2) The minister must take care of all the sheep.
① Because sheep can wander or get lost. (Luke 15:4, Isaiah 53:6...)
② Because it can be caught and fed by wild beasts (false teachers) in the world and the church. (John 10:1,7~8,...)
③ A sheep without a shepherd is in a very pitiful situation, not knowing when and what to do. (Mark 6:34...)
2. Hit the Church of God (28-31)
※ “Shepherd” means shepherding sheep as a shepherd. Church leaders are beating the Church of God.
1) Because God bought the church with His own blood, we must take care of it. (28)
※ Jesus clearly says that ① He is God. ② He bought a church. ③ He paid the price with his own blood for the church.
2) It is the duty of church leaders to take care of the church. (28)
※ Leaders of the Church It can be used interchangeably with overseers (28), elders (17), and shepherds (28).
3) We must take care of the believers because false teachers will come in and deceive them. (29-30)
4) Because Paul set the best example of faithfully caring for the church.
※ Paul gave the ① admonition. ② admonishing with tears ③ admonishing day and night ④ admonishing them not to neglect anyone and not to show favoritism.
※ False teachers
① It comes from outside the church. (Matthew 7:15..)
② It occurs within the church. (Matthew 15:8~9...)
③ Distorting the truth. (Matthew 7:17)
④ I will bring out the disciples (separate or divide by pulling them out)
3. Live for God and His Word (32)
※ “The Word of God’s grace” is the revealed Word of God, the living Word (Christ Himself), and the written Word (the Bible).
※ “Entrusted” means that you have entrusted your life to God and His Word and fixed it.
※ God and His Word
① Because it strengthens those who believe. (2 Corinthians 3:10~14...)
② Because the inheritance is given to those who believe.
4. Work hard and give (33-35)
※ Don't covet the world's wealth, work hard and give.
1) Paul did not covet any of the world's riches.
※ In the ancient society, luxurious clothing was a sign of wealth.
2) Paul worked in the world for a living. (Acts 18:3)
※ 6 reasons why Paul had a worldly job
① For his own needs (34)
② To help those who serve with him (34)
③ To help the weak (35)
④ To imitate Jesus (35)
⑤ In order not to become a burden to believers or the church (2 Corinthians 11:9, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8)
※ It gives a powerful lesson to the ministers of the gospel today.
① Some unbelievers and, unfortunately, even some secular believers slandered Paul.
* Paul said he had a “desire” to earn a living from the church.
* Paul said that he would enjoy a comfortable and abundant life upon the sacrifice of believers and of the church.
* Paul said that he received the offerings of the church and deceived them.
② Paul wanted independence from the church and believers.
* Paul did not want to be in a situation where he was bound to a group of believers and had to follow them.