Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 4

January 4;   Acts 20:28;   4/260(II);   ‘The Role of the Pastor’

 Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

 Paul desired to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.  Paul did not want to go to Ephesus, but when he had sailed to Miletus, he sent for the elders of the church of Ephesus.  Paul taught the pastors and elders several things revealed in this verse and it gives us insight in the role of a pastor and elder in a local church.  Since Paul was an apostle and had started the church at Ephesus, he had the right to speak into the lives of the church leadership.  Pastors must know those who they allow to speak into their lives.  Paul tells them to ‘take heed to themselves.’  The Lord has called all believers to live holy, separated lives.  How much more should a minister  be an example to the congregation he pastors.  The pastor should also take heed to himself in his study and prayer habits in order to always be in a spiritual position to minister to the ‘flock.’  The pastor must take heed of the congregation as well.  He is to pray for the congregation, call them if he does not see them and help them spiritually in any way that he can.  This verse teaches that it is the Holy Spirit who calls a man or woman into the ministry.  A person does not take this privilege upon themselves.  The word ‘shepherd’ means pastor or ‘to feed’ the congregation, the Word of God.  Finally, the local church belongs to God, not the pastor.  The Lord Jesus purchased and began the Church when He shed His blood for us, to redeem us from sin and sickness.  Paul, in this one verse, teaches several important things that a pastor and elder need to know.  Ministry is an honor.  It is a responsibility as well.  The spiritual health of the church.