WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 All right, this morning's text for our consideration is Acts chapter 20, verses 25 through 38. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:14.679 ! Again, we're going to look briefly at these exhortations Paul gives to the Ephesian elders as he is saying farewell to them. 00:00:15.019 --> 00:00:22.440 We're shortening the time significantly for the allowance of good discussion in those who are in groups. 00:00:22.940 --> 00:00:26.620 Our text this morning, Paul, in effect, says to the Ephesian elders, 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:31.539 shepherd the church well, do so in the following ways. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:37.960 So if you're not an elder today, you may already be checking out, maybe thinking this is not a text for me, 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:41.320 but I want to have you hang in with us for two reasons. 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:48.700 Number one, I think that considering the work of your elders, the way that God has ordered the church and given to it leadership, 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:54.980 the responsibility that those elders bear should make you thankful for elders. 00:00:54.979 --> 00:00:56.779 Us, I could say. 00:00:57.299 --> 00:01:05.659 We certainly live in an age of great skepticism toward anyone in authority, much of that for very good reason, but some of it not. 00:01:05.799 --> 00:01:12.319 So we ought to consider the leadership that God has given to our church and to the church for that reason. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:22.119 Secondly, you should know how to pray for and support your elders as you'll be well served by elders who are leading well, 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:25.500 who are supported, and then serving as they should. 00:01:25.699 --> 00:01:33.060 So that said, I want to structure our study of Acts chapter 20, verses 25 to 38 in six points. 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:37.560 So I'm going to rattle those off to you quickly, and then we'll repeat them as we move along. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.540 And I'm going to move fairly fast this morning. 00:01:40.659 --> 00:01:44.600 So number one, faithful shepherds look after themselves. 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:48.920 Two, faithful shepherds lead their people. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:54.359 Three, faithful shepherds protect their people. 00:01:56.460 --> 00:02:00.480 Four, faithful shepherds pray and study. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:05.159 Five, faithful shepherds serve the weak. 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:10.240 And six, faithful shepherds love and are loved. 00:02:10.700 --> 00:02:12.240 So let's read the text together. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:15.360 Acts chapter 20, beginning in verse 25. 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:19.640 Remember, this is about halfway through Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders. 00:02:20.460 --> 00:02:22.280 So he says, beginning in verse 25, 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:29.060 And now behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:33.180 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I'm innocent of the blood of all. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:36.979 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:42.800 Take careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:46.580 to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:52.060 I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:58.720 And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:04.860 Therefore, be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:08.680 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, 00:03:08.760 --> 00:03:13.220 which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:16.719 I coveted no one silver or gold or apparel. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:21.900 You yourselves know these hands minister to my necessities and to those who are with me. 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:25.680 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way, 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:28.560 we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:29.900 how he himself said, 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:32.780 It is more blessed to give than to receive. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.840 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 00:03:36.300 --> 00:03:38.280 And there was much weeping on the part of all. 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:40.139 They embraced Paul and kissed him, 00:03:40.139 --> 00:03:42.860 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:44.939 that they would not see his face again. 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:47.379 And they accompanied him to the ship. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:53.240 So in verse 25, Paul states that he will never see these men again. 00:03:53.579 --> 00:03:56.439 So these are his parting words, right? 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:58.860 Although he would later write them a letter, 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:01.960 this is the last time he would speak to them face to face. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:05.659 And I think that that really punctuates this address. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:12.319 What does Paul deem of greatest importance to remind these men of? 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:18.819 The first point Paul makes about the faithful shepherd is that the faithful shepherd looks after himself, 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:21.399 or that they look after themselves. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.240 And we see this in the first part of verse 28, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:25.019 where Paul says, 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:32.039 In order for the man of God to lead others to God, 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:35.699 he must be pursuing and growing in his own holiness. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:37.219 That is to say, 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:42.319 elders cannot lead others faithfully if they themselves are not walking uprightly. 00:04:42.859 --> 00:04:47.019 Paul says to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2, verse 20 and 21. 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:50.699 And do you know where Timothy was when Paul wrote this letter to him? 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:52.359 He was in Ephesus. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:53.500 He said, 00:04:53.580 --> 00:04:56.699 Now in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:58.879 but also of wood and clay, 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:01.800 some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.400 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:08.379 he will be a vessel for honorable use, 00:05:08.840 --> 00:05:12.100 set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:14.920 ready for every good work. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:21.600 So faithful shepherds are meant to be out ahead of others in their pursuit of holiness, 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:29.100 to be endeavoring to that very end so that they can lead others in the very same pursuit. 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:33.280 So firstly, faithful shepherds look after themselves, 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:35.740 look to their own holiness. 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:39.400 Secondly, faithful shepherds lead their people. 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:42.080 We see this in the last half of verse 28. 00:05:42.079 --> 00:05:43.419 Paul says, 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:47.659 And to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:51.939 to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 00:05:52.539 --> 00:05:54.519 Elders are also called overseers. 00:05:54.599 --> 00:05:56.379 We see that here in verse 28. 00:05:56.519 --> 00:05:58.599 What is it that they are to oversee? 00:05:59.979 --> 00:06:01.219 Budgets and properties? 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:03.720 Well, maybe that's part of it. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:09.580 But predominantly, the primary work of overseers is to oversee people, 00:06:09.820 --> 00:06:11.500 and to oversee specific people, 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:16.900 those people who are in covenant membership in the church that those elders are over. 00:06:17.580 --> 00:06:22.780 Your elders are placed in their position to give you leadership for your good, 00:06:23.200 --> 00:06:27.260 to help you in the way that you should go. 00:06:27.259 --> 00:06:32.139 What is the tool of the faithful shepherd in leading his people? 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:35.860 It is the very word of God. 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:39.399 Paul states in verses 26 and 27, 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:42.980 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:49.079 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:53.860 Paul says that he has done everything that he could do to lead the Ephesians 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:59.639 because he had boldly declared to them the whole counsel of God. 00:07:00.139 --> 00:07:04.400 A lot of times leaders get drawn into particulars of leadership, 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:08.379 have to make wisdom applications from God's word. 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:12.139 And often this is where the mistrust of leadership comes in, 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:17.319 as leaders make decisions that may vary from the decision you might make 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.060 concerning any given thing. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:26.060 But the primary task, the large task of elders is to declare the word of God. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:33.360 I do not believe this means that Paul preached an expositional sermon on every text of the 39 books of the Old Testament, 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:33.680 right? 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:35.480 Their scripture in that day, right? 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:38.579 How would he have possibly had time for this? 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:44.340 But I do believe it means that Paul was very clear to them about how a man was to be saved, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:49.199 God's purpose in his salvation, and the way of obedience to God. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:54.579 He taught them all they needed to know from the scripture to please their God. 00:07:54.919 --> 00:08:01.299 They understood all things necessary to be in relationship with the Lord and to follow him. 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:07.759 There is great need in our day for faithful shepherds to lead their people by the word of God. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:16.099 In Amos chapter 8, verse 11 and 12, God issued a frightful prophecy, which I believe is very true of us today. 00:08:16.219 --> 00:08:18.779 This is what he says, Amos chapter 8. 00:08:18.779 --> 00:08:25.139 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land, 00:08:25.419 --> 00:08:30.839 not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:34.019 They shall wander from sea to sea and from north to east. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:39.439 They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:49.620 Your elders are to be bastions of light so that you will know God's word and can share it with those who so desperately need it, right? 00:08:49.660 --> 00:08:52.940 So that you'll be saturated in God's word. 00:08:53.660 --> 00:08:58.480 God's word is good for his people, and we should be concerned about the good of God's people 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:02.440 because they were obtained with Jesus' own blood, right? 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:04.740 Jesus died for the church. 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:12.960 Your elders know that we are not to be playing about in our leadership, but that it is a serious matter, right? 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:19.639 This church should matter to us, and it should matter to every single one of us because it matters to Jesus. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:25.419 It matters to Jesus, right, to the very point that he gave his own life for hers. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:29.159 So faithful shepherds lead their people. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:33.600 Third, faithful shepherds protect their people. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:37.580 You see this in verses 29 through 31. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:39.580 He says, 00:09:39.580 --> 00:10:05.500 Paul says that people will come from outside and inside the church to deceive the disciples. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:12.279 I take his meaning that he's saying to the Ephesian elders, even from amongst you, you who I am speaking to, 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:15.860 some will arise that will lead the church astray. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:18.220 How is it that people are deceived? 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:23.860 People are deceived through the transmission of ideas, which means that in our day, 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:30.139 we have to be all the more vigilant as ideas are moving at lightning speed, right? 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:36.179 We have media bringing ideas of all varieties to the minds of our people. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:39.559 Sometimes I wish I had the power. 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:47.179 I do not, to be clear, but I wish I had the power to just ban you guys from being on social media and tuning into any news stations. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:55.019 Let's maybe all read one newspaper and carefully think about the reporting that we find in it. 00:10:55.459 --> 00:11:00.000 Information is moving so incredibly quickly, right? 00:11:00.339 --> 00:11:05.279 All the more the church needs to be protected by God's word. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:13.240 We find ourselves every day in a war of ideas, and the faithful shepherd protects his people. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.600 We must be so careful. 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:19.439 Listen to the warning of Jesus from Matthew chapter 7 and verse 15. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:28.759 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:33.100 So some will seem to be part of God's people, right? 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:40.840 They will seem to be speaking on behalf of God, but they will not be, and they will work to devour the sheep. 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:49.740 The faithful shepherd is going to be steeped and to be steeping in God's word in a continual way. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:12:00.519 He is not going to react rashly to each new wind of teaching, but should be a steadying force in the life of a church. 00:12:00.519 --> 00:12:07.000 Paul issues a similar warning in Romans chapter 16, beginning in verse 17. 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:15.159 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught. 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.379 Avoid them. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:20.980 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:27.360 And by smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive, right? 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:39.480 So I think an application of Romans 16, 17, and 18 is for elders not to get wrapped in, pulled into every single controversy, right? 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:43.399 It's not possible for us to sort all of that. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:48.059 We're actually told here that we should avoid people like this. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:51.459 So the faithful shepherd must protect their people. 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:59.939 But the aim is not just that our people would know some things about God, but that they would know God. 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:02.100 This ought to be the primary point. 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:08.980 Not that we know exactly how to navigate the political landscape, but that we know God. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:21.560 Not too many decades after Paul says his final goodbye to the Ephesian elders, the Apostle John receives a vision, which is recorded in the book of Revelation chapter 2, verse 2 and following. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:22.920 This is a revelation. 00:13:23.180 --> 00:13:27.600 This is Christ speaking to the church in Ephesus. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:57.580 He says, 00:13:57.600 --> 00:14:16.240 They had defended the church against false teachers, right? 00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:19.980 They were being very careful about their doctrine. 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:26.120 They had hated the deception of the Nicolaitans, but they were failing to love, 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:32.179 which means they were not rightly believing the truth of God's love for them. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:40.399 So faithful shepherds, as they're protecting the church, are concerned not just about the facts and figures, 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:47.500 but about knowledge of God himself and then how that knowledge works out in love for others. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:50.100 So faithful shepherds protect their people. 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:55.120 Fourth, faithful shepherds pray and study. 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:55.840 First, faithful shepherds pray and study. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:57.820 Verse 32. 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.480 Paul says, 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:04.120 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:09.580 which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:15.060 Right now, I recognize that this text is not specifically calling the shepherd to pray, 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:19.919 but it is another example of Paul and his commitment to prayer, right? 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:23.079 We can learn a lesson from his leadership as he says, 00:15:23.219 --> 00:15:26.059 And now I commend you to God. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:31.599 If we rightly understand the gravity of the task of faithfully shepherding God's people, 00:15:32.119 --> 00:15:33.539 we will pray. 00:15:34.339 --> 00:15:40.379 Prayer expresses a dependence on God and lines up our wills with his. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:44.480 A shepherd who does not pray shepherds in vain. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:50.200 And we can pray in confidence that our people would know God and walk in his ways. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.620 Jesus states in John chapter 14 and verse 13, 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.120 Whatever you ask in my name, 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:57.740 and whenever you hear that, you want to think, 00:15:57.939 --> 00:16:00.799 consistent with my character and my command. 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.319 So whatever you ask in my name, 00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:04.279 this I will do, 00:16:04.859 --> 00:16:07.839 that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:12.139 Shepherds have such reason to pray, 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:14.399 such encouragement to pray, 00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:18.419 because we know as we pray that God will equip and grow his church, 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:21.079 that he'll be quick to grant these prayers. 00:16:21.959 --> 00:16:25.679 Also, the faithful shepherd is to study, right? 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:29.679 Paul commends to them to the word of God's grace. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:33.439 If we are to look to ourselves to lead and protect our people, 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:36.120 then we must be students of the word. 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:39.259 We must know it and be increasing in our knowledge of it 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.659 and our understanding of its application. 00:16:42.239 --> 00:16:44.719 Elders must study. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:49.539 We must study more and we must study broadly, right? 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:52.259 We must have time for study. 00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:55.299 With the people like you, 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.359 seven days a week, 00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.519 24-hour days, right? 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:00.679 Human men, frail, 00:17:00.779 --> 00:17:02.360 and we must have time 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:05.680 and be able to make time for study. 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:08.160 Paul wrote again to Timothy, 00:17:08.379 --> 00:17:10.480 2 Timothy 3, 16 and 17. 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.879 Remember, he's in Ephesus. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.099 All scripture is breathed out by God 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.759 and profitable for teaching, 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.639 for reproof, 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.480 for correction, 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.139 and for training in righteousness, 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:21.599 that the man of God may be complete, 00:17:21.779 --> 00:17:23.500 equipped for every good work. 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:25.000 So faithful shepherds, 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:26.139 pray and study. 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:30.000 Fifth, faithful shepherds serve the weak, 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:32.580 verses 33 through 35. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:36.780 We see that Paul didn't take advantage of anybody in doing the work, 00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:40.180 but rather turned and served them, 00:17:40.300 --> 00:17:41.280 provided for himself, 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:44.520 so that they would be able to learn from him. 00:17:45.060 --> 00:17:48.120 He says and quotes Jesus at the end of verse 35, 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:51.440 it is more blessed to give than to receive. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.539 For the sake of time, 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:54.340 I won't belabor this point. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:58.960 The faithful shepherd does not look to his own self-interest, 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:01.320 but rather serves others. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:05.700 Paul said to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 12, 15, 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:10.519 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:14.920 This is a scripture reference that I run through my mind often. 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:17.860 What should be my attitude in serving the church? 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:22.380 I will most gladly spend and be spent. 00:18:22.560 --> 00:18:24.140 So my material possession, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:26.779 my material well-being to be given for your sake, 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:30.920 and my own self to be given for your sake, right? 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:33.940 Your shepherds all feel this way. 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:37.300 The faithful shepherd puts aside his self-interest 00:18:37.300 --> 00:18:40.920 and pours out his life for the sake of his people. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:44.120 So faithful shepherds serve the weak. 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:46.799 And sixth and lastly, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:51.699 faithful shepherds love and are loved. 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:55.939 And this is verse 36 through the end of the text. 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:58.319 And when he had said these things, 00:18:58.399 --> 00:19:00.239 he knelt down and prayed with them all. 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:02.559 And there was much weeping on the part of all. 00:19:02.659 --> 00:19:04.479 They embraced Paul and kissed him, 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:08.099 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:10.239 that they would not see his face again. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:13.099 And they accompanied him to the ship. 00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:18.199 I take all to mean that Paul also wept. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:21.859 If you do not love your people, 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:26.079 pray with desperation that God would work in you a love for them. 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:30.819 Beloved, your elders love you in this way. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:34.419 If you don't have a love for your elders in this way, 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:39.559 pray that God would work in you a love for your elders in this way. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:46.119 Paul wrote to the Corinthian church again in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 concerning love. 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.979 And I think we all need to hear this this morning, 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:51.339 regardless of what position we may hold. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.399 He wrote beginning in verse 1, 00:19:53.479 --> 00:19:55.879 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.619 but have not love, 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:01.519 I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 00:20:01.719 --> 00:20:01.819 Right? 00:20:02.159 --> 00:20:05.279 Just stop for a minute and just propose to you. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:08.200 Maybe on social media, 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:11.700 you could be guilty of this noisy gong, 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.539 clanging cymbal. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:13.960 Right? 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:19.099 What are we doing in this age to love others? 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:19.980 Well, 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.099 verse 2, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:24.839 if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.200 and if I have all faith, 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.819 so as to remove mountains, 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.140 but have not love, 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.420 I am nothing. 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:34.559 And I take this tongue in cheek, 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:35.960 prophetic powers, 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:38.019 understanding all mysteries, 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.460 all knowledge, 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:39.779 right? 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:43.080 We've all sorted out every theory that's out there. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.500 You totally get it. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.019 You're totally in the right. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.960 He says, 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.080 don't have love, 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.259 you're nothing. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.940 And none of us have any of these things he's mentioned. 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.580 So if we have not love, 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.340 then we're less than nothing. 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.100 Verse 3, 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.660 if I give away all I have, 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.580 and if I deliver it, 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:01.600 my body to be burned, 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:02.759 but have not love, 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:04.580 I gain nothing. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:07.700 Love is patient and kind. 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:10.620 Love does not envy or boast. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:13.279 It is not arrogant or rude. 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.860 It does not insist on its own way. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:18.460 It is not irritable or resentful. 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:21.080 It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:23.000 but rejoices with the truth. 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.980 Love bears all things, 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.740 believes all things, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.539 hopes all things, 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.799 endures all things. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.640 Love never ends. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.180 As for prophecies, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.079 they will pass away. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.319 As for tongues, 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.140 they will cease. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.220 As for knowledge, 00:21:38.360 --> 00:21:39.660 it will pass away. 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.779 For we know in part, 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:43.240 and we prophesy in part, 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.839 but when the perfect comes, 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.299 the partial will pass away. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:48.200 When I was a child, 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:50.080 I spoke like a child, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.900 I thought like a child, 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.860 I reasoned like a child. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.539 When I became a man, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.720 I gave up childish ways. 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.759 For now we see in a mirror dimly, 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.779 but then face to face. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.779 Now I know in part, 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:06.920 then I shall know fully, 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:09.740 even as I have been fully known. 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.379 So now faith, 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.059 hope, 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.440 and love abide. 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.460 These three, 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.660 but the greatest of these 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:18.440 is love. 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.879 So faithful shepherds 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:22.099 love, 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:25.199 and they are loved. 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.159 So just as a recap, 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:27.959 faithful shepherds 00:22:27.959 --> 00:22:28.939 look after themselves, 00:22:29.699 --> 00:22:30.579 lead their people, 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.099 protect their people, 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.639 pray and study, 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.179 serve the weak, 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.919 and then lastly, 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:38.439 love and are loved. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.079 So I hope that'll give you guys 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.419 some things to chew on, 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.959 some possibility of expansion 00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:46.619 of the text this morning as well. 00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:48.559 I think there's some space for that 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.559 in this, 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.099 and that you'll really enjoy 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:54.000 your time further studying the words.