WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.679 Now we're going to continue our series this evening on gifts of the Spirit that we've been looking at 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:10.880 and this evening we're looking at pastors and teachers and I'm going to read two passages. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:20.400 I'm going to read a slightly shorter passage from 1 Peter chapter 5. I'm just going to read verses 1 to 5 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:28.800 and then we'll read from Ephesians chapter 4 which gives us one of the lists of the gifts of the Spirit. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:41.600 So the first is from 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 1 to 6, sorry, and that's speaking about elders and pastors and shepherds. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:46.560 So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:49.760 as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:54.079 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you exercising oversight, 00:00:54.079 --> 00:01:00.399 not under compulsion but willingly as God would have you, not for shameful gain but eagerly, 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:05.679 not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. 00:01:05.679 --> 00:01:10.879 And when the chief shepherd appears you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:14.239 Likewise you who are younger be subject to the elders, 00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:18.159 clothe yourselves all of you with humility towards one another, 00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:26.319 for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And then also a short passage from Ephesians 00:01:27.039 --> 00:01:39.920 chapter 4 and from verse 10 Ephesians chapter 4 from verse 10 to verse 17. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:46.079 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:51.359 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:57.359 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until we 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:02.959 all attain to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood, 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:05.759 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:02:06.480 --> 00:02:12.479 So that we may not be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:16.239 by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:22.159 Rather speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:28.239 into Christ from whom the whole body joined and held together by every joint with which it is 00:02:28.239 --> 00:02:36.000 equipped when each part is working properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:43.199 Okay, and that's the passage that has some of the gifts of the Spirit that we're looking at. 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:50.879 And this evening we're looking at the way God equips the church with shepherds and teachers. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:54.879 Okay, so what does the church mean to you? 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:58.400 What, when I use the word the church what does it mean to you? 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:03.520 I'm sure we have different ideas of what the church is, some more narrow as some broader. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:06.080 For some of you it may be since ease. 00:03:06.880 --> 00:03:11.840 For others it might just be going to church, whatever that means for you. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:16.160 It might just be a Sunday service that happens when you go along to church. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:20.240 For others it's the institution, Philip was talking about, the free church, 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:21.920 general assembly that meets here. 00:03:21.920 --> 00:03:26.480 And some of us would think of that as the church, the kind of the institution of the church. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:31.439 As ministers we just think the world revolves around the church, our church. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:37.840 And its activity and its worship are very narrow-minded and focused in that way, 00:03:37.840 --> 00:03:40.800 which is ridiculous of course, because it's much broader than that. 00:03:40.800 --> 00:03:46.319 And we've had a great visual example of that this evening with the work of OM. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:53.840 And really the church in the Bible, the word for the church is the word that we get ecclesiastical 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.840 from which is a church kind of word. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:58.800 Ecclesia just means the called out ones. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:04.400 That's what church means, it means it's the gathering of people together who belong to the Lord. 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:08.880 It's a community of people who would all call themselves Christians, 00:04:08.880 --> 00:04:12.960 who would call themselves followers of Jesus, Jesus followers. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:20.400 It's the body of believers who God dwells among, who God is in through the presence of His Spirit. 00:04:20.400 --> 00:04:27.120 So that's really what the church is, it has local outworkings and it is visible. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:30.879 But it's also throughout the whole world, whatever, that are Christians. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:36.879 And we're a people who are called the called out ones because we're going somewhere. 00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:39.120 We're all going somewhere. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:41.120 That's why it matters. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:45.680 That's why I like the kind of shortened version of our vision statement was that we're on mission 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:48.560 in community because we're on a mission, we're going somewhere. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:56.399 We're going to meet with Jesus Christ ultimately and we want to share His message. 00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:00.319 So really the church is about a people, it's about people and a person. 00:05:01.039 --> 00:05:07.839 It's about us as people and it's about Jesus as a person who can be known through His word 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:14.799 as we know and understand, who can be experienced through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our 00:05:14.799 --> 00:05:18.399 lives when we come to Jesus by faith and trust in Him. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:24.239 And we're, He's our head then, we're encouraged to follow Him and to serve Him and to love 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:29.920 together as we move forward on our way to heaven. 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:36.400 And just as we've been reminded of in the videos this evening, very palpably and very visually, 00:05:36.960 --> 00:05:43.439 in any community, in any family, there's lots of different people and there's lots of different 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:44.480 gifts needed. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:49.680 The Bible speaks about that, about the church being like a body with all its different parts, 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:56.480 with Christ as the head or it's like a building that needs joiners and electricians and decorators 00:05:56.480 --> 00:06:03.920 and all these kind of things but who has an architect, who's an overall someone who is designed 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:06.960 and who is moving the building forward. 00:06:06.960 --> 00:06:12.240 And it's a team we all cooperate and we learn and we value each other with all the different 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:12.960 gifts we have. 00:06:13.840 --> 00:06:17.519 Now we've mentioned, we're going to mention each week that when we're looking at the gifts of 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:20.240 the Spirit, there's four things we really want you to take away. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:25.439 The gifts of the Spirit are given by God for His glory, they're many and diverse. 00:06:25.919 --> 00:06:26.639 Okay? 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:31.359 So first thing, second thing is that they're for the building up of the church as we all work together. 00:06:32.159 --> 00:06:37.919 The third thing is that the gifts of the Spirit have common elements for all believers but unique 00:06:37.919 --> 00:06:39.680 aspects only for some. 00:06:40.959 --> 00:06:42.799 And we'll see that a bit this evening. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:48.319 And also the gifts of the Spirit are worthless without love, without the love of Christ. 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:49.840 So we see these things. 00:06:49.840 --> 00:06:56.160 Now this evening we're looking at pastors and teachers as one gift, shepherds and teachers 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:58.480 as we have here in Ephesians 4 verse 11. 00:06:59.840 --> 00:07:03.439 And we're going to look at that this evening as a gift that's given to the church. 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:03.920 Okay? 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:09.360 A pastor or a shepherd as it's called here is just someone who takes care of the flow. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.480 That's what a shepherd does. 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:15.840 Now I know we're mainly all city dwellers here but you all get the idea of a shepherd 00:07:15.840 --> 00:07:17.840 and what's involved in shepherding. 00:07:17.840 --> 00:07:20.960 Someone who cares for the flow, that's what the pastor is. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:25.920 And the teacher is someone who imparts knowledge, wisdom and knowledge. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:30.879 An instructor, someone who's gifted and who is knowledgeable. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:34.720 Okay, why this gift then? 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.840 Why is this gift given to the church as all the gifts are given to the church? 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:44.319 Why does God feel the necessity to give this gift to us as the church? 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:48.560 And I'll speak about it being separated later but we'll call it one gift here, pastor, teacher. 00:07:50.239 --> 00:07:51.359 Two very simple things. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:56.879 We need to be cared for as lovers. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.359 Okay? 00:07:57.359 --> 00:08:02.159 I don't mean the romantic sense of that word, I just mean that we love, okay? 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:03.599 People who are made to love. 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:10.640 So as lovers we need shepherded as God's people, we need cared for, that's why we need a pastor. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:13.439 But also we're learners. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.920 So we're lovers and we're learners, okay? 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:18.640 And as learners we need to be taught and we need to teach 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.760 and we need to be equipped to live our Christian lives. 00:08:21.760 --> 00:08:26.480 So we're lovers and we're learners and God sees that in His family and He sees the need 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:28.879 for the pastor, teacher to help in that. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:37.439 Now, we've said that these gifts are gifts that we all share but some have and are gifted 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:41.600 by the Holy Spirit in a very particular way. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:48.080 You know, we see that with hospitality or we see it with some of the other giftings 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:50.399 that we will be looking at as well. 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:53.519 So what I'm saying in the first place is we all share in this work. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:57.759 So the DNA of every church is that we should be loving and they should be learning. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:03.840 That's why God's given this gift because He knows we need to be loved and He knows we need to learn. 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:09.840 Now, you might not, and other people might not have a special gifting to be pastors, 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:11.279 to be shepherds of the flock. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:15.519 But everyone needs cared for and everyone can care. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.720 Do you see the difference? 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:22.240 Not everyone has a specific gift of pastoring but everyone can care. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:30.240 We all need to be loved and we all need to give love within the church. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.799 It's sin within us that makes us haters. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:36.000 Yeah, that's right, isn't it? 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.480 It's sin separates us, it makes us haters. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:45.279 And yet we are to be people within the church who recognize the importance of loving. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:47.120 We all need that belonging. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:51.200 We all need to battle against isolation and rejection and loneliness. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:54.240 And so we need to be carers, we need to be pastors, 00:09:54.800 --> 00:09:59.280 and we need to be willing to be pastored ourselves, to be cared for. 00:09:59.280 --> 00:10:02.640 That's God's model of family that He has for us. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:08.160 Yeah, I say, well, I don't know, I don't know if I've got a role in this church. 00:10:08.160 --> 00:10:10.800 I don't know if I've got a gifting in this church. 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:14.640 Let's go back to the very beginning and remind ourselves that every Christian is the two greatest 00:10:14.640 --> 00:10:17.600 gifts of all, the Holy Spirit and God's grace. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:21.040 You have eyes, you have hands, you have feet, you have a home, you have a voice, 00:10:21.040 --> 00:10:26.879 you have a personality, and you can use these things to care for other people, 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:30.720 to shepherd other people, to look out for others. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:36.720 It's a great thing to have a pastoral mindset and pastoral thinking to know others, 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:41.920 to lead them, to feed them and to protect them as a loving community. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:47.599 So we're all to recognize the DNA, the significance of having a loving community under 00:10:47.599 --> 00:10:51.360 Christ, God has given us that, but also to be a learning community. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:58.479 Okay, we're lovers, but we're also learners, and everyone has a role, both to learn and to teach. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:06.000 We're all disciples, and it's pride or it's sin that makes us unteachable, 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:12.159 but our lives, our example, our care, all of these things, our understanding of the word, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:18.000 our previous mistakes enable us and help us to love, but also to teach one another. 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:24.240 He wants us to be students of the Word, of the Bible, and students of life, 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.440 not just for our own learning, but to benefit others. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.200 And we all have a greater or lesser ability to do that. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:39.360 So all of us have a responsibility to develop a loving and a learning community, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.320 which reflects Jesus Christ. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:45.759 So we're not simply on our own, we're part of His family. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:54.160 But we also recognize that some are specifically gifted by the Holy Spirit and set apart to 00:11:54.160 --> 00:12:00.400 be pastors and teachers over the flock of God, as it's so often described in the Bible. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:06.000 And I think that's important because we often misunderstand the church and God's teaching 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.120 about the church. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:12.879 The church is rubbish sometimes, isn't it? 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:16.799 And we want to give up on the church sometimes. 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:25.279 But it is the local church, and it's the church that God gives us and models for us in the 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:31.360 New Testament, and gives us a pattern for in the New Testament. 00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:36.559 And the structures that He gives us in the New Testament are because He loves us, 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:39.759 and because He wants us to be a loving and a learning community. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:45.679 So as part of that, as part of the great, diverse giftings that He gives to the church, 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.679 He gives the church pastor teachers. 00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:58.399 That is those who have the gift of caring and teaching in the church, and they're given a 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.239 specific office in the church. 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:05.279 We see it throughout the New Testament that they are given the office of the elder, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:10.479 but that's what I am, that's what the elders here are, the elder, the overseer, or the bishop, 00:13:10.479 --> 00:13:11.439 it's called. 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:13.599 They're all the same role, different emphasis. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:22.159 And we see that the elder that is set apart in the local church to care for and to teach in the 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:29.600 local church is an office that is given by God because He cares for and He loves the church. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:37.360 So the elder is the one with both these gifts, shepherd teacher, and these gifts are fused 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:37.759 together. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:44.319 I think there's definitely a case to be made for people being able to be shepherds, and possibly 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:50.960 not teachers, and teachers, possibly not shepherds, but when they come together, a shepherd teacher, 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:58.000 that is the gifting that enables and qualifies them to be called and set apart by God and the 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.200 Holy Spirit to be elders in the church. 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:08.800 First Timothy 5, 17, I think says, let the elders rule well who are considered worthy of 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:11.600 double, and especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:16.640 So there's gifts, and elders are set apart in every church in the New Testament, 00:14:16.640 --> 00:14:22.000 and there's also some that are set aside specifically to be those who teach and have these gifts. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:25.120 So why is it important? 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:28.080 Why is it fundamental to God's community? 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:37.840 God sees it as important, and He made sure that every church had this element of loving 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:42.560 and learning within it, and every individual within the church. 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:47.440 So Acts 14 verse 20, I'm just going to do a one or two verses from the Bible when they 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:51.040 had pointed elders to the apostles, appointed elders for them in every church with prayer 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:53.840 and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:15:00.639 So in every church, this was the pattern, loving and learning through the pastor teacher, 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:02.080 and it was hugely important. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.800 Why is that? 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.440 Why is it important that God has done this? 00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:15.040 Firstly, because it reflects the character of Jesus himself, John chapter 11, 10 verse 11, 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.200 I am the good shepherd. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:21.120 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:25.679 And we read in 1 Peter that he is the chief shepherd. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:28.399 Now that's a great way to describe Jesus. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:31.120 So the church is reflecting who Jesus is. 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:33.360 He is the great shepherd. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.799 He's the great pastor. 00:15:34.799 --> 00:15:37.039 He's the great teacher of his people. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.639 He's your great pastor. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.919 He's your great teacher. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:46.399 And there's four great words for shepherding that are, I think, important for us, 00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:48.480 to know, to feed, to lead and to protect. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.680 That's what a good shepherd does. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.359 He knows his sheep. 00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:55.359 John chapter 10, verse 14, you know this one, don't you? 00:15:55.359 --> 00:15:58.000 John chapter 10 verse, I am the good shepherd. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:01.359 I know my own and my own know me. 00:16:01.359 --> 00:16:08.639 So there's this great knowledge that he has of us, great care and compassion. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:16.240 In fact, more than that, there's also quite a solemn part to that in Matthew 25, I think, 32. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.519 I've only got one or two more verses. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:23.279 He says he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:26.079 So there's those he knows and there will be those he don't know. 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:30.000 And so there's quite a solemn element to his knowledge of us. 00:16:31.439 --> 00:16:34.799 I'm not a shepherd in any way, shape or form. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.079 I'm a city boy. 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:40.559 But I'm added into a shepherding family and Katrina's family are shepherds. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:46.240 And Katrina's father is sadly no longer with us, but he was a lifelong shepherd. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:48.159 And he does fantastic knowledge. 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:54.240 You wouldn't you got I got a field and we're looking at a field of sheep and they all look the same to me. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:54.960 There's no difference. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:59.680 They're just sheep, you know, rather fat and woolly and white and they're all the same. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:04.960 But I remember once we were on holiday with them in the borders and he's from the West Highlands 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.200 of Scotland, he was from the West Highlands of Scotland. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:12.160 And we passed a field and he said, that was one of my sheep. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:14.880 This was in the borders, long, long way away. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.240 He knew the sheep. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.440 That was one of mine. 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:24.640 And they know, they know their sheep, but a shepherd knows his sheep. 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.840 There's this belonging. 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:31.040 And for us as Christians, Jesus knows us and he loves us. 00:17:31.040 --> 00:17:35.279 And we've been redeemed by him and rescued by him. 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:37.279 So he knows us. 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:45.279 And because of that, he feeds us. We find the pasture spiritual feeding nourishment learning from him. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:50.399 Sam 23 speaks about leading us, you know, into pastures green. 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:59.279 He leads us where it's good and knowledge into knowledge that is important to nourish our souls into the truth of who he is. 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:01.279 He feeds us and he leads us. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:05.279 He leads us in the right places. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.279 He leads us in the right places. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.279 Sheep are easily led. 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:17.279 I think that's one of the reasons why Jesus uses an illustration of Christians and the church. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.279 And they will follow their leader. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:23.279 There's a leader usually in the flock, some are along the line. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:29.279 So quite often you'll see a long line of sheep, a straight line of sheep. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.279 And there's one at the front and he's leading them. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:33.279 I don't know why he leads them. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:35.279 It's just because he's first. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:39.279 I don't know, but they all follow him and they don't seem to think very much about it. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.279 They just follow their leader. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:51.279 And it's important that we are led as Christians as well and that we follow Jesus Christ who is the right person to lead us. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:53.279 The right one to lead us. We're no different. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:57.279 Because we're prone to wonder, have you ever watched one man and his dog? 00:18:57.279 --> 00:19:03.279 Have you ever seen that really annoying bit where there's the dog and there's three sheep? 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:08.279 And all he needs to do is get the three sheep into the gate. 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:10.279 And he gets two in. 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:15.279 And then one just wanders off on his own and will not just go the right way. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:18.279 And it's hugely frustrating for the shepherd. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:24.279 Prone to wonder, prone to be isolated, prone to be deceived, prone to drift into danger. 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:31.279 And as Christians, we're like that. We're prone to do these things and we need lead by the Lord Jesus in our lives. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.279 And all of these are fused together. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:37.279 The leading, the feeding, the knowing and the protecting. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:40.279 The good shepherd will protect the sheep. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:42.279 As we've seen here, Jesus Christ does more than that. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:46.279 The great shepherd, he lays down his life for the sheep. 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:52.279 Isaiah 40 speaks of him gently carrying the lambs close to his heart. 00:19:52.279 --> 00:20:00.279 The shepherding leading that is gifted to the church, it reflects the head of the church. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.279 It reflects Jesus himself. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:04.279 He is the head of the church. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:13.279 And loving and learning are the two really important things that Jesus sees are needed for the church. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:18.279 Yet there was the foundation of the apostles and of the prophets. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:22.279 And we've seen that and we recognize that and the importance of that. 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:24.279 And the evangelists to share the good news. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:30.279 And he also sees the significance and importance of having pastor teachers. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:37.279 Because the church and you and I as Christians need lead and we need shepherdhood. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:41.279 We're loved and we need to learn. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.279 So he is the head and we are the body. 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:47.279 And that is hugely significant. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:51.279 Who knows your body better than yourself? 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:55.279 You know what your body needs, don't you? 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:59.279 Sometimes you choose not to really follow what our body needs or listen to advice. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:04.279 But you often hear people saying that, well, how do you feel about things physically yourself? 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:07.279 You know, you go to the doctor and they'll ask you, what do you think? 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.279 What do you feel yourself? 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:15.279 Because you know you're on body and you have to somehow be able to tell the doctor if you're not well, what's going on? 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:19.279 Well, Christ is the head of the church and he sees the church as his body. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:22.279 And so he knows really what's great for us and what's important. 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:26.279 And he says we need to be loving and we need to be learning. 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:31.279 And so he gives us pastor teachers. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:36.279 So Christ appoints pastor teachers to lead the church. 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:40.279 And this is part of our DNA. 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:44.279 He does that because like the great show, it's like Jesus and Matthew 9. 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:50.279 Where he sees the people and he says they're like sheep without a shepherd. 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:54.279 He has compassion on them because they're like sheep without a shepherd. 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:58.279 They're harassed and helpless without Him. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:02.279 And you know we are harassed and helpless without Jesus in our lives. 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:10.279 And we need that spiritual DNA of loving and learning. 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:21.279 And we need the gifts of pastor teachers in the church to create and to lead and to guide in this loving and caring way. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:25.279 That's hugely significant that we follow Jesus's example. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:30.279 So we need to love as we say before and be loved. 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:33.279 There's this struggle in our lives. 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:35.279 We need encouragement. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:39.279 We need to be valued and cared for. 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:42.279 We're often bruised and broken and insecure. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:47.279 And the church is to be a place where we are pastored. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:51.279 Where we are warned, where protected, where we are loved. 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:57.279 Where we are accountable, where we're corrected and rebuked in grace and gentleness. 00:22:57.279 --> 00:23:06.279 And the elder model is to allow that to happen throughout the church. 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:11.279 We need to love and be loved and we need to learn and be learning. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.279 It's all interlinked. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:18.279 And learning for us is much, much more than simply intellectual knowledge. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:20.279 For as it must always be more than that. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:23.279 More than just knowing about the Scripture. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:28.279 It's about being shepherded through the teaching of His living Word. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:33.279 And the centrality of the Word will always be important in the church. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:35.279 Because that's where we are taught from. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:37.279 This is in the middle of the church. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.279 That's in the middle of the church. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:44.279 Because the Word of God and the Word preached and the Word shared is tremendously important. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.279 Because we are learners. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:49.279 We're disciples as well as being those who need care. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:51.279 And the two are fused together. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:57.279 So good learning will mean that we oppose bad learning and false teaching. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:24:02.279 It means knowing our theology and knowing our doctrine because doctrine matters. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:07.279 It means being submissive to the teaching and to the eldership. 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:11.279 As we recognize and know that we've got a communion next Sunday. 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:13.279 And we're welcoming new members. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:16.279 And we ask them to take vows. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:22.279 And we ask them to recognize that we will pastor and care and love them as the elders and pastors of the church. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:28.279 And that they will come under the teaching and submission of the spiritual leadership of the church. 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:35.279 And there's that huge significance of protecting the church from error and from schism and division. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:40.279 Loving and learning together is why God gives us this gift. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:45.279 And that's a great challenge for us as we consider our own place within the church. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:52.279 The part we play in the spiritual character formation of the church. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.279 The body of people. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.279 Now we know it's massive, the church. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:57.279 You can speak about it. 00:24:57.279 --> 00:25:01.279 For intensive purposes, it's the body of believers that you belong to. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:06.279 We can resist being pastored and cared for. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:09.279 We can resist teaching and being taught. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:13.279 We can resist serving and being involved. 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:21.279 But yet we see the significance and the importance that God has for these great characteristics in the church. 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:26.279 Please remember those who are set apart with a specific gift. 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:28.279 The elders within the church. 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:35.279 The huge challenge that we have to recognize God's calling that we've been set apart by the church. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:39.279 With this hugely significant task that we have. 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:42.279 That we would fan and inflame the gifts that we've been given. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:49.279 And that we might work on the areas of the gifting that we have less of. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:51.279 And that we are weaker on. 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:55.279 And that we would pray for the Spirit to give us more of the gifts of shepherding. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:58.279 And of teaching as elders. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:05.279 But that all of us would recognize the caring, loving and learning. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:08.279 Characteristic that should mark this church. 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:13.279 And should mark every church as we seek to be on mission and in community. 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:17.279 And maybe we want to share that message of Jesus. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:19.279 Through supporting OM. 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:22.279 Through the opportunities they provide. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.279 Through our day to day work and witness. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:31.279 And that this would be a place where people would recognize and see the reflection of Jesus. 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:36.279 Who is the great shepherd, the great pastor and the great teacher. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:45.279 And that we would be those who come under that particular recognition and characteristic of Jesus. 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:48.279 And reflect that as his body is local. 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:52.279 A local outworking of the body of Christ in Edinburgh here. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:56.279 So let's pray and consider that and ask for God's help. 00:26:56.279 --> 00:27:01.279 Father God we ask and pray that you would help us, guide us, protect us. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:13.279 Forgive us when we fail to live up to the giftings that you have given us. 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:18.279 When we shrug our shoulders and say, well, nah, that's not for me. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:27.279 Or we simply, as Philip was saying earlier, shy away from the thought of evangelism. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:29.279 Because we feel we can't do it. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:37.279 And yet we know that there's such a broad responsibility and privilege to bear all the fruits of the Spirit. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:40.279 Just in very ordinary ways. 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:43.279 And recognize that there are those that are set apart. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:46.279 There are those that have gifts that we don't have. 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:56.279 Yet we pray that together that we would share and cooperate and live as a people, as the body of Christ together. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:28:06.279 Respecting, loving, supporting, praying for, caring for, and living out the gospel of Jesus Christ as His people. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.279 So bless as we pray. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:17.279 Give us great opportunities to reflect care and love in our communities. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:20.279 To introduce our friends to our Christian community. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:28.279 To help them to see why Jesus is real to us and why He has transformed our lives. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:35.279 And give us an excitement and a passion for this great chief shepherd of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:45.279 Who has given us in Scripture the gifts that we need to live our Christian lives and to be in community. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:56.279 Forgive us when we so often seek to be isolated, to wander, to drift, to find ourselves in spiritually dangerous places. 00:28:56.279 --> 00:29:08.279 And may we know the warning signs and may we heed the gentle guidance of the loving hand of Jesus and of His people. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:14.279 Keeping us, protecting us, praying for us, loving us, and drawing us to Himself. 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:17.279 So help us in all of these things we ask and pray. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:27.279 And bless us in Jesus' name. Amen.