Outline notes below, real notes to come.
Willie Burnett
- (Ezek
34:1-25, 31) “Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel”
- Introduction
i.
Dramatic statement: from another speaker: There are
very few biblical elders in our assemblies today but remember this—some of them
are doing it by default, waiting for true shepherds to show up.
1. Certainly
true in the day of Israel
a. Positional
yet unqualified shepherds
b. A preventative warning for leaders
ii.
2 Sections
1. Israel’s False
Shepherds
2. God;
the Good Shepherd
-
- No
Real Love for the Flock
i.
The flock was a means
1. For
exercising control
2. For
a status symbol
3. For
gain
a. Didn’t
love the flock
i.
No personal involvement
ii.
Critical Time: Recognizing a new elder
1. The
current elders must be convinced that this person is actually doing the work of
the elder
a. Sadly,
elders have been raised because of acumen in administration or business.
i.
This doesn’t give this person spiritual qualifications.
ii.
Being good in business (etc.) doesn’t mean great for
the church.
iii.
If the wrong person is brought on it is almost
impossible to change the decision afterwards
-
- Fleecing
the Flock instead of Feeding the Flock
i.
Clothing themselves with the flock’s wool without
giving the flock food
1. In
the business of shepherding without doing the work.
ii.
Critical Responsibility: The Flock must be fed
1. The
person doesn’t have to be a conference speaker
2. The
person must be able to teach in some form
3. Teaching
is not a locked in schedule or program
a. You
can’t bar the Holy Spirit from working
i.
Two Basic ministries in the OT
1. The
ministry of the priest: consecutive where the priest taught the Law
2. The
ministry of the prophet: brought into a situation and commissioned by God to
fulfill a deep need.
a. If
the people needed comfort—the prophet was sent in
i.
And so on.
3. Ministry
must not be programmed to the extent that particular situations can not be
addressed because we have a “program” running.
-
- Ignoring
the weak, sickly and straying
i.
They didn’t even stop to search for them
ii.
Critical Action: The weak, sickly and straying must be
sought out
1. Symptoms
can be obscured and it takes a keen eye to see if someone is suffering
a. Question:
How much time does the elder spend with the flock apart from the meetings?
i.
By visiting homes throughout the year, elders are able
to deal with things before they reach an explosive point
ii.
By visiting homes throughout the year, the brokenhearted
could be found and encouraged
2. IE:
Paul
a. I
taught you publicly from house to house Acts 20
-
- The
flock was scattered and wandering
i.
Sheep by nature stick together
1. If
they run into the night they stay near each other
ii.
Sheep scatter when a dog or wolf comes among them
1. They
go in every direction—they scatter
iii.
The Lord goes after every lost sheep
1. What
an example for us
2. The
Shepherd is to seek after them
-
- They
were not Protecting the flock
i.
The problems would come among the flock
1. Acts
20, Paul warned that problems would rise up among them
ii.
Critical Response: Laying down life for the sheep
1. Seek
them wherever they stray
-
- Jehovah;
the True Shepherd of Israel
i.
(11) I will seek them out
ii.
(12) I will deliver them
iii.
(13) I will bring them out
iv.
(14) I will bring them to a good land, the feed in a
good pasture and lie down
v.
(22) I will set up1 shepherd over them.
 |
Rey's Studies (Topics) 
Subscribe to this comment's feed