Feeding the Lambs

Work of Defending Building and Growing

There is an interesting analogy we can glean from in regards to the proper care and development in the Military. Being that this weekend is veterans day I find it appropriate to begin in this manner.

The evening of my promotion ceremony to Sergeant in the Army I sat with another senior Sergeant who I admired and respected. I asked what advice I could learn from him before pinning on my Sergeant stripes.

Very matter of fact he looked at me and said… your biggest job will be to take care of your Soldiers. Your success as a leader depends on it.

Learn to be a servant leader, their needs above your own, their well-being above your own, and if the day should come your life for theirs.

As we examine the work of the apostle we will uncover just how much those called to this office will be asked to give.

The apostle is a servant leader who is responsible for the proper care and growth of the church

John 21:15–19 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter is given the model for an Apostle

A Different kind of love

call to leave everything behind

Given an assignment

tend to the lambs

tend to and feed the sheep

Will surrender his life for Christ

Until this point the APEST is not made clear… as they have to start as disciples

if you desire an office you have to move from follower to disciple

24-25 Apostles named in the NT of which we know the majority died a martyrs death

some skinned alive, some stabbed, some hung on a cross, some boiled alive, the list goes on

The apostles are responsible for building, feeding, training, and developing the church

Asked to Love More than These

John 21:15 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus met them when they were failing at what they were supposed to be good at Fishing

they had not caught anything ; their nets were torn; defeat and failure set in

Jesus causes them to succeed

gives insight to their being able to be success in the world

Questioned 3 times if he loves Him

More than these

Agapeis vs Phileos

The apostle needs to know they will give it all if they will fulfill this calling

More than Sent They Are On Assignment

First Assignment is to Feed the Lambs v. 15

The lambs are the developing leaders.

Paul and Peter spend significant time developing other leaders

Leaders have to be shaped molded and trained to carry the work of maturing the body..proper handling of scripture

i.e. Exhortation of Timothy

Second Assignment is to Tend to the Sheep v. 16

ensure the proper care and guidance is being given

they are protectors of the flock

i.e.Letters to the church in Corinth

Third Assignment v.17 Feed my sheep

ensure the flock is not being led into heresy or false doctrines

Proper teaching is occuring letter to Thessalonica

Interesting to note how Jesus uses

Lamb as those who know they are utterly dependent on Him

Sheep as those in need of care guidance and feeding

The assignment by and large is to ensure the church is growing properly… they are jealous for this… and often find themselves unable to palate the abuses that happen in the church.

Choosing Christ Over The Self

John 21:18 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

The Apostle does not

appoint themselves they are called apostles

by Jesus

Others who see this calling in them

Do whatever they please

they are after building the kingdom which means they will have to surrender their desires for to see what God wants done

Guided by the Holy Spirit

they plant churches

they build up churches

they train leaders, feed leaders, protect the flock

Its not always where you want to go

1 Corinthians 4:9–11 ESV

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,

Apostles are considered last of all

they are servant leaders

Apostles places others first

Fools for Christ, you are wise (the amount of revelation)

Weak, you are strong- they give and give and give until there is nothing left to give

Disrepute, so you can have honor

They are made to walk alone at times… they’re out of place… they are beat… and because they are a covering for others they are covered by Christ

They work… this implies the work of building the church

How they respond when treated this way

when they are insulted or highly spoken against- they bless.

when they are persecuted, or stand accused- they endure

when they are slandered or carry a bad reputation because of the above- they entreat or encourage

It is no wonder Paul in his letter to Philippi Paul states “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” In the greatest distress the apostle may desire as Paul to finish and be with Christ but understands the work there is to do here on this earth must yield a fruit…

Apostles will as presented in Corinthians be held accountable for the proper training, feeding, guarding, and overall development of the church, and its leadership core.