The Shepherd's LIfe

The shepherd’s life

Context of the book:

Paul’s encouragement and exhortation to Timothy and to the Church at Ephesus. Specifically, Paul encourages Timothy to hold fast to the Gospel (chapter 1, 6), to model genuine Christian character and leadership (chapter 4, 6), and to shepherd God’s people (chapter 2–3, 5–6).

Leading up to our passage today, Paul has outlined the qualifications of pastors and deacons (3.1–13) and writes about church conduct and the mystery of godliness that we confess (3.14–17). Starting in chapter 4, Paul writes about those who will turn away from the Faith and encourages Timothy to be a good servant of Christ Jesus.

In our passage today, God’s word is going to show us that all Shepherds are to be good servants of Christ Jesus (4.8) by living before the flock as an example of godliness and by being faithful to the ministry of the Word.

Today, my aim is to speak to pastors and those who aspire to be pastors, as well as believers.

As David and Hunter have been preaching the past couple of weeks, everything that applies to Pastors has some application to all believers. Not all believers are to be called and qualified as pastors, but certainly all believers are to aim for Christlikeness and growth in holiness.

Finally, if you are here and you do not have a relationship with Christ, then listen close. I will give you a charge as well!

The Shepherd’s Conduct (12–13)

First, let’s consider the conduct of the Shepherd. What is expected of a pastor? What is acceptable practice?

Notice the negative command that begins our text: “Let no one despise you for your youth.”

Paul gives Titus similar advice in his letter to him:

(ESV)

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Paul, here is preparing Timothy for pastoral ministry at Ephesus, gives this command to warn Timothy about a culture that can spread among the church that is both harmful for Timothy as well as the flock. What is that culture?

It is bound up in the word “despise.” The word means to belittle someone, or to look at someone with contempt, or to consider someone as not having worth. It means to think little of someone, irreverent.

Before we get to why this culture could spread among the Ephesian church, Do you not see how belittling the shepherd is harmful to both the shepherd and the sheep!

If anyone thinks little of their pastor, then no one will listen to his exhortation or consider his sermons. Not only that, but his role as a pastor, which is the edification of the saints (), will come to a grinding halt!

But then, if the church has this mindset of despising authority, it is most clearly not the mind of Christ that Paul encourages the church to have in .

Paul is warning Timothy that there is the potential for a culture to spread that undermines the pastor’s authority and at the same time hinders the growth of the congregation!

To use the Shepherding analogy, it’s like a shepherd feeding his flock, but the flock not eating the food that is set before them. This despising undermines the soul care of the shepherd and will eventually harm the sheep!

But why would anyone at Ephesus have a reason to despise Timothy?

Youth! Apparently, Timothy is young at this point in his life (Some scholars would suggest he is late 20s to mid 30s). Paul believes that this could have an impact in Timothy’s ministry. That is why he suggests the remedy of setting an example for the believers.

But before we look at the remedy, let’s consider two big ideas that both Timothy and the congregation can learn:

Timothy—Age is not the most important thing! Character is! The one thing that binds all pastors together is not necessarily age and experience, it’s character! David and Hunter have different ages, life circumstances, and experience, but genuine christian character is evident in both of their lives! This must be true of every pastor, regardless of age.

Congregation—Reverence is due to Timothy as a shepherd, not because of age, but because of character and calling. God has approved Timothy! God has saved him and is working in his life to conform him more and more to the image of Christ! That’s what matters! We owe reverence and honor to our pastors because of what God has done! Not because of age or experience.

To help encourage the shepherd and the flock, Paul directs Timothy to set and example before them. The idea is that Timothy should be like a mold, stamp, or sketch! William Mounce in his commentary says that “The word picture it paints is not so much that Timothy is an example that others can emulate but that he is a mold that should be pressed into the lives of others so that they attain the same shape.” Amazing! This is soul-care! It’s a man, called by God to shepherd His people by pressing his life into the lives of others!

This is something that Paul regularly encouraged others to do.

(ESV)

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

(ESV)

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Notice that to the Philippians that they are not just to imitate Paul, but to also imitate the imitators!

Paul encourages Titus to put this in practice:

(ESV)

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Peter likewise instructs pastors to:

(ESV)

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Pastors are to shepherd the flock by being an example! Jeramie Rinne ask the question, “What if being an example to imitate is not a role reserved just for the holy apostles? What if modeling and copying are twin beats that lay down the normal rhythm of Christian discipleship?”

The answer is yes! I think this is so true! Christianity has so much to do with imitation! Rinne goes on to say “By affirming someone as an elder (or pastor), the church says, ‘imitate him as he imitates Christ.’ A church should be able to direct a newborn believer to an elder and say: ‘Do you want to know what a real Christian should be like? Then look at him.’”

Pastors must lead by example. And not just on aspect of life, but all of life! When Paul tells Timothy to be an example in speech and conduct, that means all of life.

Setting an example in speech means all forms of speech: From sermons, to counseling, to conversations over dinner!

And setting an example in conduct means one’s entire life! It means how we act on Sunday morning and Friday night! Every word and every action must be leveraged in shepherding the flock. Shepherds must lead in all aspects of life! In every way, pastors must imitate Christ and impress their lives upon the congregation.

The next three aspects of the Shepherd’s example are qualites that influences every word and action! Love, faith, and purity!

Love is the same quality that is given by God to all of His followers. It is a love that is both towards Him and others! It is self-sacrificial and puts others first!

Faith is not necessarily what one believes, but it is an attitude of faithful living! It is a trustworthiness. But as we will see later, being an example in faith is made up of trustworthy living that is rooted deeply in trustworthy believing. How you live and what you believe go hand in hand!

And finally, Purity is innocence and integrity. It has a connotation of sexual purity specifically, but generally means that shepherds must set the example of living a morally blameless life.

All of these qualities influence the shepherd’s speech and conduct! And most importantly, all of these qualities reflect Christlikeness!

On a practical note, how can pastors imitate Christ and impress their lives upon your own soul if you only see us on Sunday morning? On one hand, it is the desire of David and Hunter, as well as myself, to see and care for each and every member of Lucy. That may be eating lunch after Sunday service, visiting your community group, or having you over to our house for dinner.

On the other hand, my encouragement and exhortation is that you, as a member of Lucy, under the care of pastors David and Hunter, desire to be cared for! This means being faithful to attend Sunday morning services and Wednesday night prayer meetings. It means being plugged into a CG. And it means the willingness to go out to lunch with a pastor or for you and your family to come eat dinner with a pastor and his family. This is how shepherding works! And it is the desire of the pastors here at LBC to shepherd in this way. Our goal is to impress Christlikeness upon the members of LBC.

Next, let’s look at the Shepherd’s ministry. After Paul has encouraged and exhorted Timothy to set the believers a Christlike example in conduct, he now is going to make sure that Timothy is faithful in ministry. Let’s look in verse 13.

The phrase “Until I come” points us back to :

(ESV)

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

In 4.13, Paul is anticipating on coming to visit Timothy soon. But in the meantime, he doesn’t want Timothy to sit on his hands! He wants him to continue the ministry at Ephesus.

Paul desires that Timothy devote himself, or pay careful attention to three things:

The reading of scriptureThe exhortation of scriptureAnd the teaching of scripture

Each of these things are important! Let’s consider them.

The reading of scripture is exactly what you think. Timothy was charged to read God’s word publicly in worship.

At this time, all of the OT and perhaps some of Paul’s letters were included in the public reading. Perhaps even this letter that is addressed to Timothy was included. This may seem like a simple thing, but it is incredibly vital to the life of God’s people!

In America today, we have Bibles all over the places! We have enormous access to God’s word! But in Timothy’s context, the access to God’s word was very difficult. No doubt, for many people in Timothy’s church, public reading of scripture was the only access to God’s word. And there are places around the world in China, the Middle East, where access to God’s word is restrictive.

But even for our context where the Bible is easily accessible, reading God’s word publicly is still vital! We need time in our busy week where all we are listening to is God’s word. It’s that important! And as God’s people, we must live and die by His word!

Secondly, the exhortation is where Timothy would have read God’s word and explained it. This is preaching! It is where Timothy would have taken God’s word and explained it for God’s people. And he would have encouraged proper response to God’s word.

This practice was done in the Synagogue before the church at Ephesus. For instance, in , we read that:

(ESV)

15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

This “word of encouragement” is exactly what Timothy would have done. In , Paul stood up and preached!

Finally, the teaching is where God’s word is explained to the fullest extent. It is theology! It is where the doctrines of Christianity are explained. It is the explanation of the text that demonstrates study, reflection, and devotion.

The ministry of the word requires all three facets! You cannot have the reading of the God’s word without theology! Neither can you have exhortation without the reading of God’s word! Because every time the word of God is read, it must be explained and taught! That’s theology! And if you understand the word of God, you must respond! That’s exhortation!

Here at LBC, we want to balance the reading of God’s word with the teaching of theology and the exhortation to obey. Because the Christian life demands it. And because this is a vital part of shepherding. Shepherd’s not only conduct themselves as examples to the flock, but they are faithful to feed the flock with God’s word and to correct and instruct as necessary.

The Shepherd’s Gifting (14)

Next, let’s consider the Shepherd’s gifting. What do we make of verse 14?

First, we notice that Paul commands Timothy to not neglect the gift that he has. This is encouragement from Paul to Timothy to continue using the gift that he has.

Perhaps it is helpful to think of tools. I have a tool box that has several different types of tools in my work truck. Several months ago, I used my tools to fix a fertilizer spreader that broke while I was fertilizing someone’s yard. I used my tools to fix the spreader, and then put my tool box behind my seat and forgot about them…until something else broke! Well, a couple of weeks ago, I reached for my tools again and noticed that they were starting to rust!

I suspect that the fertilizer residue was the main culprit, but all that aside, had I used my tools more, They probably would be in better shape and have no rust on them.

This is what is happening here. Paul is encouraging Timothy to continue using his gifts in ministry. But what is this gift?

Considering the context, I think it is an aptitude for teaching and preaching. In 4.6, we see that Timothy was trained in the words of the faith and good doctrine. In verse 13, we also see an emphasis on the ministry of the word.

There are two things to consider about this gift:

It is given by the Holy Spirit. When our text says, “given by prophecy,” I think what is in view is the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Also, it is not to be neglected. This shows human responsibility.

To Illustrate, I have prayed this week that God would give me fresh manna from Heaven to feed His flock at LBC. I pray this because I am dependent on the Holy Spirit to apply His Word to the hearts of His people! I am also dependent on the Holy Spirit to guide me and teach me as I prepare to preach.

But I also want to follow Paul’s command here to not neglect the gift of teaching and preaching! This means that I spent a lot of time preparing and studying.

This is not to glorify myself, but to give God glory because he does this work in my life! God is as much seeking to prepare His people throughout the week to hear His word as much as He is preparing His pastors to preach! God is in it from beginning to end! He prepares His shepherds and His sheep for our good!

This is how we do not neglect the gifts that God gives us! We exercise responsibility and grow in dependence on God! All of us must grow in this way, But pastors especially.

Now, what about the laying on of hands by the council of elders? Mounce was again helpful on this point. He writes that “The Spirit showed that Timothy was equipped for ministry, and in accordance with custom this fact was publicly recognized by the leadership of the community.”

This prophecy of marking Timothy a candidate for pastoral ministry may have been similar to what happened in

(ESV)

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Now, Paul makes another reference to what Timothy experienced. In , he writes that

(ESV)

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

Again, Paul points to the same giftedness that was given to Timothy and to the same event, emphasizing that he was among the council of elders.

Although we don’t know the specifics of how Timothy was commissioned for ministry at Ephesus, there are two things we can be confident in.

Timothy was called to a specific ministry at the Ephesian church. Timothy was not called to ministry in general, but to be a pastor at the Ephesian church. ILLUS. This week/Preaching in view of a call/coworker telling me that I was already a pastor without a church/no!A group of pastors set Timothy apart for this service by the laying on of hands. What happened in might be similar to what happened with Timothy.

(ESV)

5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

This is how pastors are set aside for ministry! They are called by God, confirmed by other pastors, and commissioned for a specific ministry of shepherding over the flock of God.

The Shepherd’s Persistence (15–16)

Finally, let’s consider the Shepherd’s persistence. We have seen Paul tell Timothy how to conduct himself through life and how to be faithful in ministry of the Word. We have also considered how Timothy was set apart for ministry and his gifting by the Holy Spirit. But how is he to continue?

Verses 15 and 16 each give two commands and a reason. Paul is about to exhort Timothy to a lifetime of faithful ministry and he will give a reason for each pair of commands. Let’s look at them.

Verse 15 says that Timothy is to practice these things and to immerse himself in them. Practice means to learn by repetition and effort!

ILLUS. When I learned to play the guitar, learning chords was the most difficult thing. The only way I could get past them is by repetition and effort! Ask Brandon Worthington, he’ll tell you!

Timothy is to practice these things. These things are certainly the entire letter, but more specifically, the ministry of the word and setting a good example for the believers.

He is also to immerse himself in them. Literally, it means “be in them.” Timothy must be about:

Demonstrating a day-today example for believers!Ministry of the Word!Exercising the gifts that God gives!

But why? Paul says so that all may see your progress.

Isn’t that amazing? Timothy is to demonstrate before God’s people growth in ministry and holiness.

Often today, when we think about pastors growing, we look to their blogs, or how many books a pastor has written, or how many conferences a pastor has spoken at, or how many degrees a pastor has…

But Paul is concerned about how well Timothy practices soul-care among his people. He is concerned that Timothy is faithful with God’s word! And he is concerned that Timothy grows in holiness and demonstrates an example for God’s people.

Blogs, books, and degrees are helpful and wonderful! But only by pastors who are faithful to the day-to-day tasks of ministering to God’s people.

In verse 16, we see two more commands.

“Keep a close watch” means to pay careful attention to or to fix one’s eyes on.

So Timothy is to pay careful attention to his life and his teaching. And he is to persist in paying careful attention to his life and his teaching!

I have said everything beforehand to get to this verse. There is no exposition needed! We already know what Paul means when he says life and teaching. Paul is exhorting Timothy to watch everything that he does and everything that he says!

How important is this! How weighty! Richard Baxter, a Puritan pastor, writes to other pastors saying:

“Certainly, brethren, we have very great cause to take heed of what we do, as well as what we say: if we will be the servants of Christ indeed, we must not be tongue servants only, but must serve him with our deeds, and be ‘doers of the work, that we may be blessed in our deed.’ As our people must be ‘doers of the word, and not hearers only;’ So we must be doers and not speakers only, lest we ‘deceive our own selves.’ A practical doctrine must be practically preached. We must study as hard how to live well, as how to preach well.”

How piercing! Pastors must preach and live in a way that demonstrates godliness! Sermons on Sundays must reflect a life lived on Monday!

May the charge of “tongue servant” never be said of a pastor here at LBC!

This is one of the chief aims of a shepherd! If shepherds are to persist in preaching Christ and living Christlike, then the goal is for God’s people is to imitate and preach Christ and to live Christlike! This is one of our greatest desires here at LBC.

Hunter and David now, myself if I am called as a pastor, our desire is that every member grows up in Christ by speaking about Christ and living Christlike! It is our job strengthen you and to edify you with our words and our lives!

Because the risk could not be greater! Notice Paul’s reasoning for persistence in ministry: for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

This is not to say that a pastor’s life and ministry can make someone lose their salvation, but it is to say that a faithful pastor in God’s hands produces and edifies faithful believers. Eternity is at stake! This is a weighty responsibility that pastors must bear. It’s a serious thing to be a shepherd over God’s sheep!

Perhaps you feel the weight of this text and you think that it’s too much to bear.

Remember Christ! Fix your eyes on Him. For David, Hunter, and those of us who aspire to be pastors, we must remember that He is the One we imitate. He is the One Who perfectly watched His life and doctrine!