SHEEP, SHEPHERDS and the GOOD SHEPHERD (Part 3)

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Preached by David Kautt at

Community Christian Church, Durant, Oklahoma                          

Sunday morning, May 25, 2014

Matthew 9:35 – 10:8, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”  And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.  These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Matthew 11:28 – 30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Proverbs 27:23, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”

Someone has said it well, when he wrote – “Authority makes some men GROW – but others only to SWELL.”

A month ago – in conjunction with our Sunday afternoon Leadership Training, we began a look at the subject of church leadership.  And, if you remember – I told you at that time - a month ago – that this time – this season of Community Christian Church’s history – has got to be one of the most important – most exciting and yes, one of the most frightening of any season up to this point for this church family.  And the reasons are obvious, aren’t they?

I mean – we are embarking on a journey – a search – a process that likely won’t be easy, quick or simple.  And, yet, as we look to God for help – as we invite Him to be IN this process – at the CENTER of this journey – I believe He will bring to pass some very great results.

And, that’s because – if GOD is in it – if we are looking to Him and His strength – if we seek His face continually on this trek – His name WILL be hallowed – His kingdom – His ruling and reigning – will be EVIDENT – and His work and will are certain to be performed – on earth – through US – if HE is in it!

This search – this process and journey – is in the direction of church leadership – asking God to raise up in our midst - HIS men – men who desire to GROW and who are resisting the temptation to SWELL.  Godly men – godly men-in-the-making – and their wives and families – to lead the flock – to serve and strengthen the flock and to love people – GOD’S people – like Jesus loves them.  That’s the direction God intends for this trek to go!  So, what else do we need to know, to learn – to pray about – as we go from here?

Well, we’ve already learned a great deal, haven’t we?  And, though I haven’t taken us in these messages – to places like Ezekiel 34 and John 10 and Acts 20 and 1 Timothy 3 – I expect YOU ARE – and I ask and invite you to do so.  For there is so much to know, to learn and yes, so much to pray about when it comes to the subject of church and family leadership.

So, there’s your assignment – to dig into those other church and family leadership passages – and ask God to grow you in your knowledge, understanding and yes – even in your conformity to what God says to you in those texts.

O.K. – so here we are – ready to look one more time at Jesus’ word and example – as recorded by the apostle Matthew in, Matthew chapters 9, 10 and 11.  And, what is set forth for us here – in this place – through the words printed in red?

What kind of shepherds – assistant shepherds – does God desire to oversee and care for His flock?  Is He looking for the kind of men who are interested in GROWING as they learn to lead – or is He looking for the kind that are interested only in SWELLING?

I TRUST you know the answers to those questions – you see it, here – don’t you?

Jesus makes it really plain here, doesn’t He?  Jesus’ desire – God’s intention – is that the men who lead His people be FAITHFUL MEN – FAITHFUL SHEPHERDS.

And, so what are the hallmarks of a faithful shepherd?  What is God looking for – what ought we to be PRAYING FOR – as we embark on this journey?

How about this?  God is looking for faithful men – shepherds – real shepherds – who realize and even rejoice in the fact that their work – is ALWAYS, ULTIMATELY WITH, TO AND AMONG the Wounded and Weary!

When Jesus urged His disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest – and then – when He called those very same 12 men to Himself – and gave them authority – when He put them in the position of ASSISTANT shepherd – He did not give them that authority for AUTHORITY’S SAKE!  You know, to make them SWELL!  No!  Rather, He gave them authority – ability – and, with it – opportunity – Why?

For the sake of MINISTRY!  For the sake of meeting the needs of the sick, the wounded, the weary – and yes, even the LOST sheep – in behalf of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

So, what are we to learn from this?  Listen – Men of God – future Shepherds – the call to church leadership is NOT to gain glamor, but to give MERCY!

Jesus said it Himself, didn’t He – in Matthew 9:37 and 38:  “I am looking for LABORERS – workers – not CELEBRITIES!”

At that time – 2,000 years ago – and at this time – in this place – Jesus is seeking men – men who along with their wives and children – will join Jesus in HIS ministry!  And, what ministry is that?

Matthew 9:35 & 36 – Matthew 10:1 – 8: to put it simply, JESUS’ ministry and the faithful SHEPHERD’s ministry are the same – one and the same!  They are a ministry, first and foremost of the WORD – preaching and teaching and equipping the flock of God to prepare them to join them in ministry.  And, then, secondly, Jesus’ ministry – the faithful shepherd’s ministry – is a ministry of MERCY – a ministry of mercy to the fainting, the fearful, the bruised and the broken.

Yes, it’s a ministry of finding and rescuing those sheep that have strayed from the Good shepherd who loves them so much.  Why?  Because the One those weary and wounded sheep need the MOST is the very One whose gracious invitation is “Come!”  “Come, unto Me!”

Jot this down – and add this to what we have already shared:  “Thy kingdom come – Thy will be done” – We know those words, don’t we?  Listen – Jesus’ AUTHORITY – His kingdom authority – and His ministering, saving ACTIVITY – “Thy will be done” – do you see it?

The reason Jesus says, “PRAY the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest” is because JESUS’ kingdom authority and saving activity are EXTENDED – I would say, MULTIPLIED – through the work of faithful shepherds!

Number two – what did we say?  God is desirous of – looking across this congregation – in order to raise up men who are interest in GROWING – growing in Christian maturity – as they learn to lead His people – NOT men whose thought and intent is only to SWELL.

Why is that?  Oh, listen closely, my friends – the reason we NEED shepherds whose heart is to grow, not SWELL – is because ULTIMATELY – what is their task?

To LEAD THE SHEEP to themselves?  No!  Their calling is to lead the sheep to JESUS!  To lead the sheep to JESUS! 

It may sound a lot like what I have already said – but, examine it from this angle with me nonetheless, will you?

As they minister the WORD to the sheep – whose VOICE is it that faithful shepherds must seek to be heard? THEIR voices?  No!  JESUS’ voice, right?

My Brothers, it doesn’t matter how powerful or persuasive – authoritative or eloquent you or I might be – when we speak.  Listen – there’s only ONE Good Shepherd!  Only ONE whose invitation is “Come, unto ME! . . . Learn of ME!”  And, yes – there is only ONE whose voice Jesus’ sheep – hear me – JESUS’ sheep – really listen to!

A FAITHFUL shepherd’s work is ALWAYS – ultimately – to lead people to JESUS – not to himself!  And, how does he do that?

He does so by giving VOICE to Jesus’ invitation, “Come unto Me!  Come unto Me!”

But, then notice – Matthew 11:28 – 30 – faithful shepherds also are to use their HANDS – in carrying out their primary task – to lead people to Jesus – faithful shepherds are also to use their HANDS in order to see that Jesus’ promise – “I will give you REST!” – is fulfilled.  Once again, it’s that ministry of MERCY!  Jesus gives His assistant shepherds authority – ability and opportunity – chances to anoint the wounded and weary with oil – and to pray for them to be healed.  Why?  For the shepherds to show off?  To flaunt what Jesus has given them to do?  No!

The Good Shepherd – who also was the Consummate Servant – He gives His assistant shepherds authority and opportunity – Why?  For what purpose?  To SERVE!  To SERVE!

We’ve learned a lot about the faithful shepherd’s TASK – his WORK – with, to and among the sheep – with, to and among the scattered, the lost – the harassed – in order to lead them to Jesus.  Now, let’s take a few moments to consider the faithful shepherd’s REWARD – the faithful shepherd’s REWARD.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews puts forth a provocative challenge along these lines to his readers in Hebrews 13, verse 7.  Take a look at it with me, will you?

He says it like this:  “Remember – keep in mind – those who rule over you – your LEADERS – your shepherds – who have spoken the word of God to you – whose faith follow – considering the OUTCOME of their conduct.”

The Hebrew writer says – keep your leaders in mind – FOLLOW their faith – and – and – do that – do that – How?  By keeping in mind the OUTCOME of their conduct.”

Now, here’s the 64,000 dollar question:  WHAT IS the outcome – the end result – the REWARD of the growing in Christ – and growing in Christ like leadership – of the faithful shepherd?  Peter says that “When the CHIEF Shepherd appears – faithful ASSISTANT shepherds will receive a crown of GLORY that does not fade away!”  1 Peter 5:4.

But, what does JESUS say?  What does HE says?

Back to Matthew 10 – Matthew 10:32 and 37 – 40.  Here’s what Jesus says: 

Matthew 10:32, 37 – 40, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.   He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

Peter says that the faithful shepherd’s reward is a glorious, unfading crown.  What does JESUS say?  We read the words – you heard them, didn’t you?  In effect, what Jesus says is:  I AM YOUR REWARD – “When you confess ME before men – I will confess YOU before My Father in heaven.”

In effect Jesus says, I AM YOUR CROWN – In choosing ME – choosing to value ME and give yourself to ME – even if it meant separating from family and loved ones who HAVEN’T chosen Me – even if it means losing your LIFE for ME – guess what?  You’re not really LOSING!  No!  You are actually WINNING!  You will have ME as your crown!  To put it simply, the faithful shepherd’s REWARD is always, ultimately, JESUS HIMSELF!  JESUS HIMSELF!

Which leads us, then, to one final thought – one last question for those who are considering whether or not God is calling them to step up – to GROW – to GROW – as they take on the task of church leadership.  What is that question?

How?  How?  How in the world can I be a faithful shepherd?

Matthew 11:28 – 30 – Some of my favorite Bible verses.  We have already seen how these words are the tender invitation of the Good Shepherd to the sheep – VOICED and MADE VISIBLE – through the faithful shepherd – Jesus’ faithful assistant shepherds.  Remember?

Through faithful men of God – and through their ministry of the Word and their deeds of Mercy - Jesus – the Good Shepherd says, “Come unto Me!”  And what an amazing offer that is, isn’t it?

But, listen – here’s the part you may not have considered – men of God – godly men-in-the-making.  You are thinking about the call to step up to GROW and to LEAD – and yet, mixed in with all of those thoughts is one daunting – maybe even haunting question:  HOW CAN I?  HOW?

Here’s how – the very same One who invites the SHEEP – also tenderly welcomes the SHEPHERDS – “Come unto ME” – for REST and for REFRESHMENT.  Yes, “Come unto Me - LEARN of Me!”  Enter into RELATIONSHIP with Me!

Yes, I intend to SEND you out in My behalf – but listen – because I care just as much for YOU – the shepherd – as I do the SHEEP who are entrusted to your care – I am inviting YOU to gather with Me – to come TO Me – so that, after you have been with Me – you might go out and minister FOR Me.

Listen, Brothers – it’s actually very simple – the answer to the HOW Can I question.  And here’s what it is:  JESUS – JESUS – the Good Shepherd – the Chief Shepherd – is not only the Best and Safest Place for the SHEEP – He also is the Best Place – the Safest, Strongest Place for the Shepherds!  He is!

Sheep – Shepherds – and the Good Shepherd – LORD, give us men – men who want to know well the state – the condition of the flock.  Yes, give us that kind of men!  Much more, Lord – will give us men who want to know YOU!

SHEEP, SHEPHERDS and the GOOD SHEPHERD (Part 2)

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Preached by David Kautt at

Community Christian Church, Durant, Oklahoma                            

Sunday morning, May 4, 2014

Matthew 9:35 – 38, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Luke 22: 24 – 27, “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.”

A greeting card arrived in my mailbox not long ago – that – to me – says it all when it comes to the subject of church leadership.  Allow me to read the card’s message to you now. It goes like this: As a church leader, I am to challenge God’s people - to SEE the WORLD with eyes of COMPASSION – to SERVE the NEEDY with hands of MERCY – and to LOVE the SAINTS with hearts of HUMILITY!

I AM - to see the world that way – with eyes of compassion – I AM – to serve the NEEDY that way – with hands of mercy – and, yes, I AM – to love the saints that way – with a heart of humility. Yes, I – AM!  But – as God intended for every leader – MY life – and the lives of every other church leader – every husband – every father – every family leader – MY life – OUR lives - and MY words – OUR words – are to CHALLENGE all of you – to INFLUENCE all of you – to see the world – to serve the needy – and to love the saints that way, too!

Last Lord’s Day, I opened up this Bible study time with THIS – rather provocative statement: Remember?  I said, “Today – we embark on one of the THE MOST IMPORTANT JOURNEYS we have ever taken as a congregation – the exciting journey down a path called the “ROAD TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP.”  What did you think about that statement?

Undoubtedly, as we travel along this road – there will be many twists and turns – some steep hills and some very deep valleys.  In fact, likely on this journey – we will come to quite a few crucial – crossroads – as we follow the leading of the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.  And, where it will all end up, only He knows.  But, one thing is for certain – and that is – that we MUST – we MUST walk this path.  We MUST travel this exciting, frightening road – TOGETHER – and with Jesus showing us the way – if we are to be all God intends for us to be as a church family.

Last time we were here to worship together, I suggested to you that – at a most critical time like this period of time is – what we need the most – is to regularly hear from Jesus.  As HIS sheep – in need of shepherds to do HIS work of keeping and leading His flock – we need to hear from HIM – we do.

Matthew chapters 9, 10 and 11 – this section of Scripture is one big place – one very important, Biblical place – where we DO hear from Jesus – the Chief Shepherd.  Matthew 9:35 – 38 – our primary starting point in this study – this exposition regarding sheep, shepherds and the Chief Shepherd – the Good Shepherd.  As we observed last time, this text – first of all – gives us a glimpse into the Good Shepherd’s HEART.  And, what IS Jesus’ HEART – what are His thoughts and feelings with respect to His sheep?  Remember?

Two things – two very basic – but – to me – very important insights into the HEART of the Good Shepherd.  What are they?

Number one – the Good Shepherd – Jesus – the Chief Shepherd – is AWARE of the sheep and AWARE of the NEEDS OF the sheep!

Nothing complicated here, is there?  Nothing tremendously deep or difficult to comprehend here, right?  But, listen – as we search the Scriptures – and as we look out across this group of men and their wives and families – for those who might eventually lead us – praying over this process all the way through – what kind of leaders – what kind of shepherds – is God desirous of raising up for us here?  You remember it, don’t you?  Wrote it down last week, didn’t you?

God’s desire is to raise up GOOD Shepherds – godly men – like Jesus – who are AWARE of the sheep – and AWARE of the NEEDS of the sheep – men whose eyes are open – yes – and also connected – directly linked to right here – [point at my heart] – their heart!

Secondly, again rehearsing what we pointed out last time – Jesus’ eyes – they not only SAW the multitudes – that the sheep – were weary and scattered – helpless and harassed – SHEPHERD-LESS – sheep.  More importantly, WHAT Jesus saw – MOVED HIM – toward tender compassion FOR the sheep – moved Him to DO something to HELP the sheep.

Once again – what does THAT have to do with our predicament?

It’s simple, isn’t it?  We need shepherds like that, don’t we?  We need godly men – joined and supported by their wives and families – to take the lead in TENDERLY CARING for the sheep – to be concerned for the sheep – yes – but not just CONCERNED – but COMMITTED ENOUGH to DO what is needful to HELP the sheep!

To put it succinctly, we need – we are PRAYING – aren’t we – that God will raise up for us GOOD shepherds – with EYES like Jesus’ eyes – HEARTS like Jesus’ heart – and – perhaps most of all – with HANDS – helpful, generous hands – like JESUS’ hands!

That’s what we need – and – interestingly – according to Matthew 9:35 – 38 – that’s what God’s sheep in Jesus’ day needed as well.  So, what does the Chief Shepherd do?

Well, though – not limited in POWER – in ability – per se – you know – Jesus COULD HAVE pronounced ALL the sick – WELL – all the hurting – HEALED – all the oppressed – DELIVERED – all at once!  But – think of it.  That would have been more the work of a MIRACLE worker or maybe a KING. But, like we read earlier in Luke 22 – Jesus was not in the midst of the helpless and hurting flock – to sort of – hold out His SCEPTER to them – ‘Be Healed!’  Rather, He entered the pastures – went to where the sheep were – why?  To TOUCH them – (and, at times, even to be touched BY them).  Yes, Jesus – could have waved the wand – stretched out the scepter – and said to all of them – ‘Be healed’.  But He did not come to be like a KING – but like a SHEPHERD.  He was in the midst of the flock – like a servant/shepherd – in order to minister to each sheep – PERSONALLY – even individually!

But, here’s the thing – even though He was fully God – God the Son, in fact – Jesus – the Chief Shepherd – at this point in time – was also fully man – fully man – and therefore, bound – to some degree – by the limitations of time and space.  To put it simply – THIS Shepherd – the Lord Jesus – needed some Assistant Shepherds – to join Him in the work.

So, what does He do?  Matthew 9:37 – He not only SPEAKS to His disciples about the NEED – the Leadership Crisis, if you will – “The harvest is PLENTIFUL, but the laborers are few…” - He not only URGES His disciples to petition the Lord of the harvest fields – Matthew 9:38.  But, Jesus – the Chief Shepherd – takes the next logical step – a step necessary for THERE and THEN – and, yes – a step that I believe also points the way for us – HERE and NOW!

What step are we talking about?  Matthew 10:1 – 4 – Matthew 10:1 – 4:  You can read it – now – up on the screen – Jesus, the Good Shepherd – the Wise Shepherd – takes the next, strategically-important step.  He calls prospective assistant shepherds to DO what HE was doing.  He calls His men – His chosen 12 – to SEE the sheep – to see the NEEDS of the sheep – and, then what?  To ENTER THE PASTURE – with Him – to HELP the sheep!

Dr. Lynn Anderson has written a timely book about sheep and shepherding.  The title is kind of eye-opening.  This important book is simply entitled, THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP!

Flock of God – that title kind of lays it out on the table, doesn’t it?  Men of God – prospective shepherds – that Book title – They SMELL Like Sheep – kind of pulls back the curtain about this task of shepherding, doesn’t it, and in doing so – it also removes whatever thoughts of glitz and glamor we might have had about it!

THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP – And Jesus, the Good Shepherd – who has known this fact about sheep all along – What does He do?  He invites godly men – men whom God is MAKING into godly men – into the pasture with Him anyway!  He does!

So, how are we to respond?

Well, to be honest with you – one of the things that every assistant shepherd – yes – even THIS assistant shepherd – your preacher – wonders about – right up front – BEFORE he enters the pasture to work with those SMELLY sheep – is what?  How much is my salary?  What’s my PAY for serving as an assistant to the Chief Shepherd?

John 4 – John chapter 4, verses 36 – 38 – we glanced over it last time – but – now, let’s take a moment to examine it for an answer to our ‘salary of the shepherd’ question, shall we?  Prospective assistant shepherds, what IS your pay for caring for the sheep alongside Jesus? Read it with me, will you? 

John 4:36 – 38, “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Jesus – the Good Shepherd – using here the metaphor of a farmer and his harvesting crew – Jesus informs us that those who choose to shepherd His sheep – in His behalf – YOUR PAY – your PRIVILEGE – is that you get to enter into HIS labors AND you to get to SHARE His JOY at the outcome of the harvest!

Speaking to his fellow elders – the apostle Peter had this to say about the assistant shepherd’s “PAY” – his everlasting REWARD.  1 Peter 5:4 – Peter writes, “When the Chief Shepherd appears – you shall receive the crown of glory that never, ever fades away!”

Flock of God – you know what we need now, don’t you?  Men of God – prospective shepherds – you know what God intends for you to be, don’t you?

He is calling you – inviting you – yes, I believe – MOVING MIGHTILY upon you – to lead you to be the kind of shepherd JESUS is – One who is motivated NOT by the LOVE OF MONEY – but motivated by the LOVE OF GOD – and the LOVE of those GOD loves – His sheep – in view of the REWARD – an unfading, and eternally-glorious crown – that He intends to GIVE to those who will faithfully serve Him in this way!

THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP!  Don’t you just love that book title?  They SMELL – like sheep!  I mean, what ELSE would we expect them to smell like, right?

Beloved, there’s yet a fourth thing Jesus sets out in this TENTH chapter of Matthew that we need to notice as we progress down this path towards church leadership.  What is it?  In this important TENTH chapter of Matthew, Jesus instructs prospective assistant shepherds about SHEEP – about SHEPHERDING – and yes, about WOLVES.

Let’s walk down through here and catch the high points of Jesus’ teaching – as it connects to our situation, shall we?

First off, notice with me what Jesus tells us about the sheep.  Matthew 10:8 – Oh, they are SMELLY, alright!  Remember, THEY – ARE – SHEEP!  Their lives are marked by sickness – affliction – distress – and, yes – even by oppression.  I mean, whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual – this is the condition of the average, run-of-the-mill sheep!  It is!  And, why is that?  Simply, because they are PEOPLE – affected BY sinners – and – infected WITH sinful tendencies.  Furthermore, as verse 6 makes clear – some of them – some of them – are LOST!  Yes, I said, LOST.  I mean, whether they realize it or want to admit it or not – some of the sheep are LOST!

So, what?  I mean, why does a prospective shepherd need to know all of this?

Because – as a GOOD Shepherd – one of the Chief Shepherd’s ASSISTANT shepherds – you are there – in the pasture – with the flock – to apply the healing ointment of the Good Shepherd’s saving stripes – to their wounds – to their brokenness.  You are there – are to BE there – because these sweaty, smelly sheep – belong to God – because the Good Shepherd laid down His life for them! Yes, you are there – in the middle of the pasture and in the midst of the flock – because God CALLED YOU to be there – for them – because of Him!

Then, there’s what Jesus has to say here in Matthew 10 about shepherding –

Perhaps, the single passage in this chapter that summarizes all of what Jesus wants us know about shepherding is Matthew 10:7 and 8.  Read it together with me, will you?  Jesus says, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.  FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED; FREELY GIVE.”

Shepherding – certainly there are more specifics to be found in a number of other passages elsewhere – but listen – Jesus’ summary – in verse 8 – “Freely you have received – freely give” says it all, doesn’t it?

As shepherds, we are to go – to the pasture – and yes, even to the highways and hedges – to where the sheep are – to find them – and to help them.  We are to GO!  Why?  Because Jesus CAME!  Because He CAME!

And, we are to preach and teach and testify – to them – to the sheep.  Why?  Because we have HEARD!  Because the Living Word has spoken – to us!  And, then – think of it – we are to give – FREELY – GENEROUSLY – out of love.  Why? Remember John 3:16?  Because He LOVED – because HE gave!

Matthew 10:8 – “Freely you have received – freely give!” – that verse is what shepherding is all about!

One more thing – from Matthew 10 – for us to consider.  Flock of God – prospective shepherds – take note with me what Jesus has to say about WOLVES!

A couple of Sundays ago I mentioned in passing a simple fact that – whether the sheep are aware of it or not – EVERY GOOD SHEPHERD must know – and take seriously – and that fact is this:  WHERE THERE ARE SHEEP – THERE WILL BE WOLVES!  So, what’s a shepherd – prospective or active – to keep in mind – in light of this?

Sheep – shepherd-less sheep – straying, I WILL TAKE CARE OF MYSELF-minded sheep – are DEFENSELESS – helpless prey – against wolves!  They are!  Guess what?  That’s why Jesus called the 12 to Himself – and gave them the authority and the instructions that He gave them.

You know something else?  The reason why we have also entered into this leadership training and ordaining process – is because SHEPHERD-less sheep – is not only against God’s will – it is out and out dangerous for the flock.

So, men of God – prospective shepherds – what do YOU need to know about wolves – before you enter the pasture to face them?  Jot down this verse – Acts 20:28 – as an overarching – basic principle – kind of verse regarding this subject.  Speaking to the elders of the church in Ephesus – the apostle Paul sternly warns shepherds like this:  “Take heed – be on guard – take heed to yourselves and to all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers – in order that you may shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”  Because there always will be wolves – wherever there are sheep – shepherds must ALWAYS – always – be on the alert!

But, what if – what if the wolves try to attack the flock?  What, then?

Matthew 10:16 – 33 – Know this – their intent – the goal of every pack of wolves – is to betray you – try to intimidate you and silence you – and perhaps, even to kill you.  Why?  Because they hate the Good Shepherd and any one working with and for the Good Shepherd!  That’s the truth – plain and simple and maybe a little hard to swallow.

So, how are you to deal with them?  Matthew 10:16 – you are to deal with them WISELY – BLAMELESSLY – and certainly, COURAGEOUSLY.  But, listen – listen to Jesus – the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep:  Matthew 10:28 – 33 – NEVER, EVER be afraid of the wolves!  Never!  Why?  Because – as Jesus says – even IF they KILL you – even IF they END THE LIFE OF YOUR BODY – listen!  They CANNOT – wolves CANNOT kill your soul!  No!  FEAR GOD – fear God – and, in the face of ravenous wolves – never, ever fail to STAND UP to boldly confess Jesus Christ as YOUR Chief Shepherd!  Never! 

Leadership Training 101 - Prof. Mark Berrier - Class #1 - 4-27-2014

The Biblical Leadership Ladder

Preached at Community Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, September 29, 2013

Acts 1:15-26, “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ¹⁶ “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷ for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

¹⁸ (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,
And let no one live in it’;

and,

‘Let another take his office.’

²¹ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

²³ And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

One of the subjects that has become increasingly dear to my heart is the subject of leadership.  As a man, a husband of more than thirty years, a father of several grown children, and certainly as a minister; indeed, leadership SHOULD BE all important to me!  In fact, I can’t think of a subject having more practical importance for marriages, family relationships and for the church than the subject of leadership. 

Interestingly, in our flow of church events, we are nearing that time when leaders are to be nominated, evaluated and elected.  Beloved, this is a strategic moment in the life of Community Christian Church.  Interestingly, at this strategic moment, we also come to our study of this passage, a text that has to do with leadership selection.

I know that we have walked up and down this portion of Scripture a couple of times already.  And, hopefully, by now, a few of those 5 or 6 ‘sticky notes’ have stuck!  The Eleven Waiting, the Believer’s Praying, the Brethren Meeting, the Apostles’ Defining, and the Betrayer’s Sinning.  You remember then, don’t you?  Those 5 or 6 three-word phrases kind of summarize much of what this text has to show us and teach us.  However, perhaps the biggest lesson or lessons to be derived from this passage are the ones I want us to grasp today: the lessons that have to do with the subject of leadership. 

Before I move along with you on this trek up the leadership ladder, allow me to give you one, simple, one-word definition of the word ‘Leadership’.  Leadership: what is it?  Well, in a word, leadership is INFLUENCE.  Leadership, whether it be godly or ungodly, Biblical or un-Biblical, righteous or unrighteous, those who are the leaders are the ones who have the influence.  Not necessarily the ones in the POSITION of influence, the OFFICE holders, if you will.  But, the ones whose words and viewpoints hold sway.  They are the LEADERS. 

Now, saying all of that makes me think, first, of Judas, Jesus’ betrayer.  More than one passage in the New Testament, including this one here, lists him among the ‘Office Holders,’ among the hand-picked followers of Jesus, the 12 Disciples, the ones who were in training to be the human leaders of Jesus’ church – the 12 apostles!  And, one passage, I believe it’s John 12:4-6, indicates that Judas also was entrusted with the ‘Bank Bag’.  We might say he was the ‘Church Treasurer’.  He was in a position of influence. 

Question: Did Judas use that position to influence?  And, next question: In what WAY did he use that position.  Or, we might say, how, in what direction, did he exercise his influence?  Think both of those questions over for a minute, while I prepare to point you to the text.  Acts 1:16-17 – Look again at what the text says about this man, this office holder, this person, Judas Iscariot, who, at least, SAT in a position of influence.  Verse 17 – Peter, speaking to the rest of the group of about 120, reminds them that Judas was “numbered with us,” that is, he was counted among that select group of 12 whom Jesus called to follow Him.  And, Peter also points out that the lot to take part in the Apostolic ministry fell to Judas as well. 

But, let me ask you: How many of you would want to have Judas as one of your elders?  How many of you would want Jesus’ betrayer to have charge of CCC’s money bag or to be overseeing the monthly board meetings? 

You see, Judas was a leader, alright!  But, take a look at how he used that leadership influence.  Verse 16 – The verse says that he “became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”  Literally, the text indicates that Judas was their LEADER!  He was the LEADER of the posse sent to Gethsemane to seize Jesus and take Him away to the Chief Priest, the Scribes and the Pharisees. 

Beloved, do you see it?  Leaders influence.  The question is, in what way, toward what direction, do they influence?  Speaking of direction, take a look at verses 24 and 25 with me for a moment, and note how it spells out the OUTCOME of Judas’ leadership, or, we might say, the PLACE in which Judas’ leadership decisions and direction ended up! 

Acts 1:25 – The text tells us that Judas went to his own place, a place at which he never would have arrived had he not TURNED AWAY from what Jesus had intended for him.  By transgression, by turning away from the will and ways of God, Judas fell! 

Now, what are we to make of this?  Certainly, there are a lot of things we could make of all of this.  But, if I may, I’d like to boil it down to just one thing: when it comes to leadership and to the INFLUENCE that leaders exert in our homes and in God’s Church, do we want – does God want – just anybody to serve as leaders?  Or, does God have His sights set higher than that?  And, should we have our sights set higher, too? 

I ran across an interesting and powerful statement regarding leadership that I just have to stick in right here.  Listen, here’s the statement: If we, as God’s people, truly are taking God’s Word as our final authority, then we must pursue a BIBLICAL leadership, of home and church (and nation), and not just a leadership, not just any leadership!

Today our focus is primarily on church leadership, for sure.  But, as we move forward into the last half of this study, be thinking of how what I’m going to show you relates also to the home, and even to the nation. 

A BILICAL LEADERSHIP – what does our text (and the rest of Scripture) have to say are the FEATURES of a Biblical Leadership?  Well, let’s walk up the Biblical Leadership Ladder, one step at a time.  Step one, the bottom run of this Biblical Leadership Ladder, but an essential rung, an important run, nonetheless!  Acts 1:13, 21, 23 & 26 – A group of verses that, at least at first glance indicate what about Biblical leadership?  God means for it to be MALE leadership.  Now, fellows, before you start jumping up and down and cheering, allow me to remind you of one very crucial fact.  When it comes to Biblical leadership, JESUS is our ultimate example!  The Master who stooped to wash His servants’ feet, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, the Bride Groom who LOVED His Bride and gave Himself up for His Bride!  Listen, fellows, when it comes to Biblical leadership, the emphasis is not on PRIVILEGES, but on sacrifice!  And, ladies, in case you’re wondering where all of this leaves you: let me tell you, as a husband and a father, I’m glad, and yes, I’m humbled that God gave me a help-meet, and that I NEED a help meet! 

1 Corinthians 11:3-12, 1 Timothy 2:8-15, and other passages underscore the importance of this first run of the Biblical Leadership Ladder, as they point out how male leadership has to do with God’s creation design, not man’s sinful heart.  And, how that that leadership must be exercised by men in keeping with Christ’s example of unselfish, sacrificial love! 

Certainly, there is more to unpack and explain related to this first rung of the leadership ladder, but, we must press on to rung numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Biblical Leadership, it is, first of all, meant to be MALE leadership. But, then it also is meant to be SHARED leadership.  Despite what some groups believe and teach, Jesus did not state that He would build His Church on ONE man, Peter, but on the fact that He, Jesus, is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16-19).  Nevertheless, Jesus did intend to use men, not a man, but a group of men, 12 to be exact, to be His instruments in the task of building His Church!  And their names are all given to us here in this chapter.  So, what is the point?  The point is that, in the Church, and really, in the home and nation, also, Biblical leadership is not meant to be concentrated in the hands of just ONE leader, a Senior Minister, a Ruling Elder, but in the hands of a plurality of leaders!

1 Timothy 5:17-20, “ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”

I’m not going to read the entire passage, because the main point of it is not the main point I am making here.  However, be sure and notice that Paul’s instructions to Timothy here have to do, NOT with the treatment of ONE leader – THE elder – but with the treatment of a group of leaders – the ELDERS – plural!  1 Peter 5:1-4 highlights the same thing, that being that, in the Church, the Biblical pattern for leadership is that it is to be SHARED by a group of men. 

Next run, when it comes to the Biblical Leadership Ladder.  The third rung on the ladder has these words written on it: PASTORAL leadership! 

1 Peter 5:1-3, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Now, the word ‘pastoral’ is a word that some might not fully understand.  If I may, I’ll explain it this way: Biblical Leaders, in particular, those whose role is that of elder, have as their primary FUNCTION the task of SHEPHERDING the flock!  Like a shepherd, a good shepherd leads, protects, feeds and even binds up the wounds of his sheep, so also the Biblical Elder’s function, his task in that position, is to be SHEEP-focused, not barn-focused!  He is to be attuned to, and is to attend to, the needs of the sheep!  His leadership, like that of Jesus, is to be PASTORAL leadership! 

This takes us, then, to rung #4 on the Leadership Ladder, the rung I call, ‘SERVANT leadership’.  Before we explain what we mean by that label, let me just ask you: do those two words, servant-leadership, taken together, seem to be a contradiction? 

Servant leadership.  Those two words, taken together, sure they do seem to be contradictory!  Until, unless you understand the nature of the incarnation, God the Son, Jesus Christ.  He was in very nature God, yet, He did not consider being equal with God, that position, as something to cling to, to refuse to lay aside.  Instead, He emptied Himself, put aside His heavenly majesty and glory, to do what?  To become a man, to swim in the sewer with sinful men and women like you and me.  The King of kings, He humbled Himself and became a servant, and, then, a SACRIFICE, that we might be saved, that we might reign with Him!  In the words of the apostle John, the Master took a towel, a pitcher and a basin, and He washed His servants’ feet!  Why?  To set an example – John 13:13-15.  To show us what Biblical leadership is all about: not selling out for 30 pieces of silver, but kneeling down to serve, to love, to give!  Biblical leadership, it’s not symbolized by a signet ring and a scepter!  No!  Rather, it’s symbolized and carried out through the use of pitcher, basin and towel!  That’s because Biblical Leadership is SERVANT leadership. 

The ladder of Biblical leadership:

            Rung #1 – Male leadership

Rung #2 – Shared leadership

Rung #3 – Pastoral Leadership

Rung #4 – Servant Leadership

Then, last of all, please understand that just as the selection of one man to take Jesus’ place involved the application of certain standards with respect to prospective candidates, so also Biblical leadership requires the application of certain qualifications with respect to prospective candidates.  In other words, Biblical Leadership is not only male, shared, pastoral and servant leadership, it is also QUALIFIED leadership!  Qualified leadership.  So, let me ask you: when it comes to the places in the Bible where the subject of leadership qualifications is discussed, do you know where to go to find those passages? 

With the leadership selection process just around the corner, allow me to point you to just 3 passages: 1 Timothy 1:1-13, Titus 1:5-16 and 1 Peter 5:17.  Make a note to be reading and studying and praying over these passages.  Why?  Well, certainly not just because I said so!  Rather, do so because what we need, what God desires for His Church, is not just LEADERSHIP, but Biblically qualified leadership!  And, why is that?  Let’s sum it up, shall we? 

Because as the leaders go, so go the followers.  As the shepherds go, so go the sheep!