March 10, 2024
God Created the Local Church to Shepherd His Sheep
God Wants His People Connected to a Spiritual Family Under a Shepherd’s Care
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Amplified Bible CE
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. Amplified Bible CE
1 Peter 5:1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: …
1 Peter 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God New Living Translation
God Wants Jesus Modeled by a Godly Shepherd
1 Peter 5:3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. New Living Translation
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. New International Version
God wants His Sheep Protected by a Shepherd
Hebrews 13:17 Obey (Greek: listen to, obey, yield to, comply with) those who rule (Greek: to lead or have oversight) over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. New King James Version
2 Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: New International Version
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. New International Version
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. New International Version
God wants His Sheep Discipled, Equipped, and Released Through a Local Church
Ephesians 4:11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. New Living Translation
Ephesians 4:12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. New Living Translation
Ephesians 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. New Living Translation