Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 54

February 23;        Acts 20:29;         109/260;        ‘Remain Vigilant’

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

Paul was an apostle.  As he traveled where the Lord led him, he started churches.  Paul was not called to one specific church as a pastor is.  Once the church was established and after a certain period of time, a pastor was installed to shepherd the congregation and Paul would then move on.  Paul had established a church in Ephesus and now he was passing through Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem.  While in Ephesus Paul called for the elders of the church he had founded and met with them.  One of the things Paul said to them was that they had to be vigilant because the devil would try to destroy the church, using, as Paul called these ministry imposters ‘savage wolves,’ who would try to infiltrate the church.  These ‘ministers’ would try to work their way into the church for their selfish gain.  Paul also warned of members in the church who would basically do the same.  They would try to gather members of the church to themselves and start their own work, thus splitting the existing church.  Just like a true shepherd had to guard and protect his sheep from predators, so too does the pastor of a local church.  A true pastor loves, teaches, matures and trains his congregation to do the work of the ministry.  The congregants are not his, nor are his motives in ministry for personal gain.  If the pastor called to the church he oversees, is diligent, he can ward off and prevent those who would hurt the church from doing so.  The call of a pastor is a privilege.  It is also a responsibility to see to the welfare of the ‘flock.’