The Shepherd and His Work

 

The Chief Shepherd

 

Who did Christ say is the good shepherd?

 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”

John 10:11.

 

What is Christ elsewhere called?

 

“For you were like sheep gone astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4. 

 

Under Shepherds

 

Why does the expression “the Chief Shepherd” imply?

 

That they are under shepherds.  

 

How does the good shepherd manifest his love and care for the sheep?

 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”

John 10:11.

 

What does the hireling, or false shepherd, do, and why?

 

“The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”

Verse 13.

 

What example will the true shepherd set before his flock?

 

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7.   

 

What is the true work of the gospel shepherd?

 

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holt Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Acts 20:28. “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseer-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” 1 Peter 5:2. (See also John 21:15-17.)

 

With what kind of food will the true shepherd feed the flock?

 

“In the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1,2. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and given them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7. (See Ezekiel 3:17-21.) 

 

The Time When Sheep Desire False Shepherds

 

Was there to come a time when people would not listen to plain Bible truth?

 

“For the time will come when men 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3,4.  

 

Instead of the straight testimony, what kind of preaching will such demand?

 

“They will say to their seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.” Isaiah 30:10.  

 

The Test of the False and True

 

What test is given by which we may distinguish between true and false shepherds?

 

“To the law and the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Isaiah 8:20.” “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction – because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty.” Malachi 2:7. 

 

What will those servants be doing upon whom Christ pronounces a blessing when He comes?

 

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for the servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matthew 24:45-47.  

 

What excuses are made by some for not expounding the prophecies?

 

“For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say to him, “Read this, please,” he will answer, “I can’t; it is sealed.” Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” he will answer, “I don’t know how to read.” Isaiah 29:11,12. 

 

Note – The prophecies of Daniel were to be unsealed at “the time of the end.” (See Daniel 12:4,9, 10; Revelation 10:1, 2.) In Jeremiah 25:34-37 is found a warning message addressed to unfaithful shepherds.

After receiving his commission to preach, how did the apostle Paul feel?

 

“Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16. 

 

How faithfully will the true shepherd watch the flock?

 

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17.

 

If God’s watchmen fail to warn the wicked, what terrible responsibility will be charged to their account?

 

“When I say to the wicked man, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Ezekiel 33:8. (See also Isaiah 3:10,11.)