God’s Sheep Dogs
I Thessalonians 5:12-13
Introduction:
Sheep Dogs - A Shepherd’s Best Friend
A well-trained sheep dog works in partnership with the shepherd and obeys commands to perform its job. Properly trained, the dog is able to move the sheep just about anywhere. Good herding dogs control sheep with calm authority and without excessive "commotion."
Common herding breeds include the Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, Australian Kelpie, New Zealand Huntaway, and Australian Cattle Dog. The most popular breed of herding dog in the U.S. is the Border Collie. The Border Collie originated in the border country between England and Scotland. It is considered the world’s premier sheep herding dog. The Border Collie is noted for its intelligence, work ethic, and desire to please. Since Border Collies are bred for working ability and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation varies widely.
Border Collies are not ideal pets for people who have no plans to spend a lot of time with them. These dogs are too intelligent to lie around all day with nothing to do. These lively little dogs have boundless energy and thrive on hard work and play.
One of the most trainable breeds, the Border Collie also serves well as a narcotics and bomb detection dog and is a frequent performer in obedience, agility, Frisbee (TM) trials, police work, search & rescue, Fly-ball, performing tricks and competitive obedience.
(www.sheep101.info)
Right now you are probably wondering what in the world I’m doing today - reading about sheep dogs! There actually is method behind this madness. Maybe when I tell you this little story, the reason I’m reading about sheep dogs will start to make some sense.
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There is a humorous story that goes like this:
Years ago, when our daughters were very young, we’d drop them off at our church’s children’s chapel on Sundays before the eleven o’clock service.
One Sunday, just as I was about to open the door to the small chapel, the pastor came rushing in. He said he had an emergency and asked if I’d speak to the children at their story time. He said the subject was the Twenty-third Psalm.
But just as I was about to get up from the back row and talk about the good shepherd, the pastor came into the room and signaled to me that he would be able to do the story time after all.
He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or
killed.
He pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.
Then the pastor put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, "If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?" He was pretty obviously indicating himself.
A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a young visitor said, " Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd."
The young pastor, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, "Well, then, who am I?"
The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, "I guess you must be a sheep dog."
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The first passage of Scripture I want us to look at today is found in I Thessalonians 5:12- 13. Let’s turn there, but before I read the passage, let’s go to the Lord in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
I. THE FLOCK MUST KNOW THEIR SHEEP DOG (1 Thes. 5:12)
A. What does it mean to “know” them?
1. The Greek word for “know” also means we should respect them, see them, perceive them, understand them, — not just know about them
2. The sheep must know and respect the sheep dog … and the sheep dogs needs to know and love the sheep.
B. Relationships are key in spiritual leadership
1. We cannot evaluate a pastor’s ability to shepherd us if we don’t know them.
2. We cannot trust the pastor’s leadership if we do not know them.
3. We cannot follow the pastor’s lead if we do not know them.
Remember my introduction about sheep dogs?
A well-trained sheep dog works in partnership with the shepherd and obeys commands to perform its job. Properly trained, the dog is able to move the sheep just about anywhere. Good herding dogs control sheep with calm authority and without excessive "commotion."
C. Jesus allowed people to get to know Him.
1. Jesus allowed and encouraged people to be around Him, getting to know Him.
2. A pastor cannot do his job if the flock does not get to know him.
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II. THE FLOCK SHOULD RESPECT THEIR SHEEP DOG (1 Thes. 5:12-13 & 1 Timothy 5:17)
1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And
be at peace among yourselves.
1 Timothy 5:17 - Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:18 - For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Timothy 5:19 - Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
A. The flock should respect the pastor because if his hard work
1. It takes a lot of time to shepherd God’s church.
2. It takes a lot of prayer to shepherd God’s church.
3. It takes a lot of emotional energy to shepherd God’s church.
B. The flock should respect the pastor because of his leadership
1. They are leading us by their examples.
2. They are leading us by giving us assistance when we need it.
3. They are leading us by correcting & rebuking us when we need it.
C. The flock should respect the pastor because he teaches
1. “Teach” means to put information into the minds of the people
D. The flock should respect the pastor because of all he does — not because of his title
Remember my introduction about sheep dogs?
Sheep dogs are invaluable to the shepherd in herding his sheep. A good sheep dog is noted for its intelligence, work ethic, and desire to please. Since sheep dogs are bred for working ability and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation varies widely.
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III. THE FLOCK SHOULD SUBMIT TO THEIR SHEEP DOG’S LEADING
(Hebrews 13:17)
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
A. This verse means - I will give an account for this flock - CBC.
1. This type of obedience and submission is NOT the same as when Paul told children to obey their parents in Ephesians 6:1 or when he tells servants to obey their masters in verse 5
2. The “obey” in Ephesians means “to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
3. The “obey” in Hebrews means “to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with, to trust, have confidence, be confident
B. An pastor’s authority is not one of power or position, but one of example.
1. Your pastor is your spiritual leader–you chose him to lead you--and it is your responsibility to follow that lead as long as that pastor is honoring God
C. Pastors have to make decisions that are considered judgement-calls -- and those decisions may be unpopular.
1. First, you must select a pastor who will make the right decisions.
2. Then it is your responsibility to submit to them:
a. Because they are watching over our souls.
b. Because they are going to have to give an account for their leadership.
c. So that their work will be a joy and not a grievous.
D. When a pastor is called to a church, he has been asked to lead. Should you criticize that leadership and be disobedient?
1. Some people follow leaders who only lead where they want to follow.
a. Are you going to follow even when the pastor preaches on something you don’t like? (Your ‘pet’ sin)
2. What will you do when your pastor makes a decision to do something you don’t agree with (that don’t violate God’s Word -):
a. Get rid of him (1 Tim. 5:19-20) –– Not a good choice!
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
b. Undermine him and cause dissension (1 Cor. 1 :10-13) –– Not a biblical choice!
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of
Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
c. Leave in peace & go to another church ––Good choice ONLY if……
(1) First talk with the pastor and pray about the situation. Don’t send a message with someone else that ‘I won’t be back!’
(2) Make sure your reason for leaving a church is clear violation of Scripture, not just your opinion
(3) Realize pastors will make decisions people don’t like——including you!
(4) Go in peace and don’t cause trouble.
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IV. THE FLOCK SHOULD PRAY FOR THEIR SHEEP DOG (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
A. We are to pray for those in authority.
1. Surely if we are to pray for governmental leaders, we should pray for our pastor.
B. We owe it to your pastor to pray for him.
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V. THE FLOCK SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEIR SHEEP DOG (Philippians 2:1-4)
HOW? Be in church!
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Illustration:
Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. (William Arthur Ward)
A. Encourage/encouraged is mentioned 9 (fruit-bearing) times in the Bible!
1. God wants us to be an encouragement to others
Deuteronomy 1:38
[But] Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
II Samuel 11:25
Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him.
B. Being an pastor is a stressful and usually thankless job.
1. Pastors generally do their work without fame or recognition.
2. All the while, they have to handle problems and questions and criticism.
3. And let me say this: Hurtful words that hinder a pastor and a church’s work the most will usually come from people within that pastor’s church. According to "Church Split", p. 22; in fact, 92% of church splits in independent Baptist churches are caused by deacons.
(I Timothy 3:8-13 - qualifications of a deacon; v 11 - deacon’s wife)
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
C. The church should encourage the pastor.
Remember the story ...
“Sheep dogs are not ideal pets for people who have no plans to spend a lot of time with them. These dogs are too intelligent to lie around all day with nothing to do. These lively little dogs have boundless energy and thrive on hard work and play.”
Illustration: One day the fire department was called out to a three-alarm fire and battled it for what seemed like an eternity. As they cleared out the last person and had the fire under somewhat of control, they began to take their much-needed breaks. But as they began to relax, they heard the faint cry of a woman on the fourth floor. One of the firefighters volunteered to get her, although they were all exhausted. He put on his gear as quickly as he could and ascended the ladder near the screaming woman. When he reached her position, he threw her over his shoulders and began to descend the ladder. About halfway down, his legs began to buckle under him and the other firefighters stood in fright of what was about to happen: he was going to drop her and fall. As the woman continued to scream and the firefighters legs could hold him no more, the captain said to the others, “Cheer him on, boys!” And in unison, they began to offer words of encouragement to the exhausted fireman, “You can do it! You’re doing great! Come on
now, not far from the bottom!” When the tired fireman heard his brothers calling to him, he took a deep breath and used what last bit of energy he could muster to carry the lady the rest of the way down the ladder to the ground. This is what it is like for pastors. They need encouragement to carry out the task the church has chosen them to do.
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CONCLUSION
A. Pastors are men-just like you-who bear a big burden on your behalf
1. We are called upon to minister, to counsel, to advise, to rebuke, to correct, to marry, to bury, to pray for, and to talk with many different people.
2. God only asks that a flock treat a pastor like a faithful sheep dog.
• Know him
• Respect him
• Allow him the freedom to submit to God’s leading according to God’s Word
• Love and pray for him
• Encourage him
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Remember the story ...
“One of the most trainable breeds, the sheep dog serves well as a narcotics and bomb detection dogs and is a frequent performer in obedience, agility, Frisbee (TM) trials, police work, search & rescue, Fly-ball, performing tricks and competitive obedience.”
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
1 Peter 5:2 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 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
