Keeper and guide, the shepherd

"Keeper and guide, the shepherd" - Hebrews 13:17 The shepherd is the person who guards and guides livestock outdoors. (V. 13:7) Remember (the readers) their pastors who spoke the word of God to them. What was the result of their conduct? They did not go to the law, they remained in grace, but they had stood firm in their confession to the end. Faith that clings to Christ and Christian doctrine and that "introduces Christ into every step of life." Although many of them were martyrs. Not everyone is called to the same form of service, but we are called to a "life of faith."

I. Now they are taught to obey (to fulfill the command, order).

A. To watch over the souls of the flock.

1. The reason is to give an "account" to God in a day to come. (To come in the future).

2. They will do so either with joy or by complaining, depending on the spiritual growth of those entrusted to them.

3. If it has to be done sadly, this will mean "loss of reward for the saints involved."

4. So, it is for the benefit of "everyone" to respect the lines of authority that God has established.

5. (1Timothy 5:17) Paul establishes the rule that elders who "govern well" are to be regarded as worthy of double honor.

6. "Governing" would be better translated by "taking the lead."

7. It is not a question of control, but of example.

8. Such elders are worthy of double honor.

9. Double honor.

10. Worthy of respect from God's people for their work, but also "if he gives all his time to this work, he is also worthy of help with tithes and offerings: (Numbers 18:6) the Levites from among the children of Israel, given to you in the gift of the Lord, to serve in the 'ministry of the tabernacle of meeting.' (18:7b) I have given you the gift of the service of your priesthood; and a stranger who draws near shall die; (Hebrews 7:8a) And here surely mortal men receive tithes.

11. Those who work in preaching and teaching are probably those who spend "so much" time in preaching and teaching that they cannot have regular employment.

12. (Galatians 6:6) Believers are responsible for the sustenance of their Christian teachers.

13. To share in all good things means to share with them the material things of life and also to sustain them with prayer and godly interest.

14. (1 Corinthians 9:14) Finally, Paul introduces the clear commandment of the Lord Himself: (Luke 10:4-12) He had commanded "those who proclaim the gospel" to live by the gospel.

15. This would in itself be conclusive proof (admits of no doubt or discussion) of Paul's right to be held by the Corinthians.

16. (1 Corinthians 9:15-16) Paul had taken advantage of nothing; he did not insist on "his rights."

17. He wasn't writing "this" now to get money sent to him either.

18. He preferred to "die" rather than be deprived "of this glory."

19. (v. 16) Paul says he cannot boast about preaching the gospel.

20. He had a "divine impulse" and felt constrained (forcing someone to do something) to do it.

21. It was not a vocation he had chosen for himself.

22. He had received the appointment, "And he would be the most wretched of men if he did not obey the divine commission."

23. That doesn't mean the apostle wasn't willing to preach the gospel, it's that the "decision to preach didn't come from himself, but from the Lord." Amen.