Understanding The Heart of A Shepherd

In ancient Israel, a shepherd didn't just tend sheep; he lived among them. He knew each one by name, recognizing their quirks and needs. One evening, as the sun set, a shepherd realized one lamb was missing. He left the 99 safely behind, risking himself in dark valleys to find the lost one. This relentless love is a mirror of Christ’s heart; He pursues us, longs for our restoration, even when we wander away. Shepherding isn’t just a role; it’s a sacrificial love that calls us into deep relationship with Him.

Acts 20:17-38

Humbly serve in the ministry that you received from the Lord Jesus.

HEAD

Humble service begins with Holy Spirit empowered repentance toward God and Faith in Our Lord Jesus.

Your repentance toward God will increase as you learn more about who He is.

Acts 20:26–27 — “Therefore I declare to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, because I did not avoid declaring to you the whole plan of God.” → Paul’s full disclosure of God’s character and will drives deeper conviction and turning from self.

Ezekiel 33:1–8 “1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and tell them, ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land select a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman. 3 And suppose he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his ram’s horn to warn the people. 4 Then, if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet but ignores the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his death will be his own fault. 5 Since he heard the sound of the trumpet but ignored the warning, his death is his own fault. If he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 However, suppose the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn’t blow the trumpet, so that the people aren’t warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives. Then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ 7 “As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked one, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.”

Your Faith in Our Lord Jesus with increase as you learn more about what He has done.

The cross, resurrection, ascension, and intercession fuel trust

Romans 10:17 “17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”

The more you see Christ’s finished work, the bolder your obedience.

Your trust in the Holy Spirits work in your life will increase as you learn how helpless you are in the service you have been called to.

Acts 20:22 “22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,”

HEART

Humble service continues with an ever increasing love of God and Man.

We love ourselves for our own sake - IT is our best intrest to Love Ourselves

We love God for our own sake as well - IT is out

Love for God = the first and great commandment

Matthew 22:37–39 “37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” “37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Your love of God continues to increase as you get to know Him more.

Acts 20:20 “20 You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house.”

Your love of God continues to increase as you become more dependent on Him.

Acts 20:24 “24 But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Your love of Man continues to increase as you encounter how incapable we are to do what God asks.

Acts 20:19 “19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.”

Acts 20:32 “32 “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.”

Your love of Man continues to increase as you see other people with who love God strive to do what He asks.

Acts 20:19 “19 serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.”

Same verse (Acts 20:19) + Acts 20:32 — “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up…”

1 John 3:16–18 “16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.”

Shared struggle we see shared grace binds our hearts in love.

Humble service is not done out of compulsion or felt obligation but out of an increasing love of God and Man.

Not out of Duty but Delight.

Because of what has been done do.

HANDS

Humble service is a more than what you say about God its what you, by His grace, do for God.

David, the shepherd boy, exemplified a true heart of a shepherd when he fought the lion and bear to protect his flock. This fierce loyalty reminded his people that a shepherd takes on the burdens of his flock. Even when facing giant Goliath, David remembered his calling — to protect and lead. This story serves as a testament of how God equips us to face our giants; He is our champion. Just as David fought fiercely for his sheep, so does God fight fiercely for our hearts, drawing us back when we stray.

Humble service is more than what you say it is what you do.

Matthew 21:28–32 “28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’ 29 “He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he answered, but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did his father’s will?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him. Tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; but you, when you saw it, didn’t even change your minds then and believe him.”

James 1:22 “22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Paul’s HANDS in Acts 20 (concrete examples):

(v. 20)Preached publicly + house-to-house 

(v. 21)Testified to Jews and Greeks 

despite chains (v. 23–24)Finished the race 

with warnings night and day with tears (v. 31)Guarded the flock 

to model self-support (v. 33–35)Worked with his own hands 

with the elders at departure (v. 36)Kneeled and prayed