Shepherds Lead and Feed

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Shepherds Leadand Feed

• A study through the eldership of the church

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Pauls Words of Warning

• 28 - Pay careful attention to yourselves and to
  all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made
  you overseers, to care for the church of God,
  which he obtained with his own blood.
• 29 - I know that after my departure fierce wolves
  will come in among you, not sparing the flock
• 30 - and from among your own selves will arise
  men speaking twisted things, to draw away the
  disciples after them.
• 31 - Therefore be alert, remembering that for
  three years I did not cease night or day to
  admonish everyone with tears.
• 32 - And now I commend you to God and to the word
  of his grace, which is able to build you up and
  to give you the inheritance among all those who
  are sanctified.
•  

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The Importance of Leadership

• A shepherd goes before and leads them. (Psalm
  7720 7852 801)
• A shepherd seeks out good pasture for them. (1
  Chronicles 439-41 Psalms 232)
• The shepherd will take the initiative to care for
  the sheep. (Isaiah 4011, Ezekiel 3413-16)
• The shepherd secures pasture for the sheep.
  (1 Chronicles 439-41)

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Types of Spiritual Food

• There are infant members in the Lords flock
• 1 Corinthians 31-3
• 1 Peter 22
• Hebrews 512, 13
• There are mature members in the Lords flock
• Hebrews 514 

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Where is the Spiritual Food Found?

• The Lord provides food in due season. (Psalm
  14515)
• Matthew 625
• Christ will provide food. (John 627)
• John 648-63
• Psalm 2226

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The Importance of Leading and Feeding

• Spiritual shepherds must lead!
• Leading involves acting toward the vision and
  purpose with the followers. (1 Timothy 51-4)
• Spiritual shepherds must lead the sheep as a
  shepherd.
• People are searching and in need of leadership.
  (Matthew 936)
•  

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The Importance of Leading and Feeding

• Spiritual shepherds must lead as willing
  shepherds. (1 Peter 53)
• Spiritual shepherds must lead as willing
  shepherds and bring up others to fill their
  shoes.
• Able to teach (1 Timothy 32)
• Leading his family (1 Timothy 34-5 Titus 16)

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The Importance of Leading and Feeding

• Spiritual shepherds must feed the flock
• A congregation will grow only as much as the
  shepherds allow.
• As the eldership goes, so goes the congregation.
• 1 Peter 52
• The shepherd must know the word. (Titus 19)

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The Importance of Leading and Feeding

• Spiritual shepherds must know what food will
  provide nourishment
• The shepherds must know the sheep to know what
  they need to eat.
• Without the proper food, sheep will not grow.
• Without the proper food, sheep will not rest.
• Without the proper food, sheep will scatter in
  search of food.

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The Shepherds Protection

• Spiritual shepherds must know what food will
  provide nourishment
• Some "good looking" food will be poisonous and
  kill them.
• Other may fall into the flock of a abusive,
  selfish shepherd.
• Without the proper food, sheep will spread a
  virus through the flock.
• An overseer (spiritual shepherd) must be able to
  teach. (1 Timothy 32)

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