Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Nov 22nd, 2024 Feed the Flock

 Today’s Passages – Acts 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 106 – 110; Proverbs 22)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “1122 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Farewell“

“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:27-28)

Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey and he sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him on the Island of Miletus so that he could give them some final advice as he knew that there was a good chance that he would not see them again (v. 25).

Note – it is interesting that all three aspects of pastoral ministry are mentioned in this passage. Paul called the “elders” (πρεσβυτέρους from πρεσβύτερος – presbyteros) of Ephesus, but he also called them “overseers” (ἐπισκόπους from ἐπίσκοπος – episkopos), which is the word usually translated “bishop.” Then, notice that these elders were to feed (ποιμαίνειν from ποιμαίνω – poimainō) the flock, which is the job of a shepherd, or pastor (ποιμένας from ποιμήν – poimēn – the noun form of the verb translated “feed”).

It is important to note that the preacher, or pastor, does not own the flock; he has simply been given a position of oversight by the One who purchased them, the Lord Jesus. Peter also tells us the same thing, and then adds some further qualifications for the one who would care for God’s flock.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” (1 Peter 5:2)

How does a preacher feed the flock? By preaching and teaching the Word of God.

1  First he must pray for God’s help and direction in selecting the right portions of Scripture to preach or teach. God will give the preacher wisdom as to what the particular needs of the people are.

2  Next, he must prepare. The preacher must immerse himself in the Scripture that he is preparing:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 )

The preacher must not only prepare by thoroughly understanding the text, but he must also prepare how the text is to be delivered. He must also select illustrations that will help the flock understand the principles contained within the text.

3  Thirdly, he much preach and teach with clarity and boldness. He must know that he is merely a messenger of God, and the message itself is from God. He must understand his authority, and claim the power that is available to him through the filling of the Spirit of God. Along with preaching the principles contained within the text, the preacher must be careful to guide the congregation in application, declaring how the Bible principles can be put to practical use in their lives.

Of course it goes without saying that the preacher must be in the Word of God on a daily basis, feeding himself on its truths, and applying the principles to his own life. He also needs to be nourished and strengthened by allowing others to preach and teach the Word of God to him.

What an awesome privilege it is to serve the people of God by feeding them from the Word of God.

Edited 11/22/24