What is the role of a shepherd in Scripture? They rescue the sheep Matt. 9:36; Is. 53:6; John 10:11 They feed the sheep John 21:15-17; Jer. 23:1-4; Ezek. 34:2-10 They lead the sheep 1 Pet. 5:2; Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 4:16 They protect the sheep Acts 20:28-30; Ezek. 34:13-16 They comfort the sheep 1 Thess. 5:14
Paul and the blood-bought church of Christ how did he demonstrate a shepherd s heart? Rom. 9:1-3 notice what he was willing to undergo for the lost. 2 Tim. 2:10 his perspective on his suffering. Col. 1:24 he knew his afflictions were for the sake of the gospel, so he could rejoice. Gal. 2:11-14 Paul says he was not a people pleaser (1:10); he proves it here. The very gospel was at stake had Peter s attitude spread, the church would have been undermined.
Paul and the blood-bought church of Christ how did he demonstrate a shepherd s heart? Acts 20:18-22, 28-31 notice his deep humility and concern for the church. 2 Cor. 2:1-4 Paul was willing to cause pain to the church to bring about obedience to Christ, but it came at a personal cost. 1 Cor. 4:14-21, 5:9-13 his beloved children; yet he would come either with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness whatever they needed.
As he draws his letter to a close, he ends on a more personal note. Ephesians is not the most personal of Paul s letters; compare it with, say, 1 or 2 Corinthians. Remember, this was intended to be a circular letter, read among the churches around Ephesus. There were many copies made of this letter; in fact, many were copied with no destination church named in the letter s opening. It was intended to strengthen and encourage the church in Asia Minor, not to address individual issues within one church.
You see two people in these verses Paul and Tychicus. Notice the selfless concern for the church from both. A bit of an outline, of sorts Paul the prisoner and pastor Tychicus his character and commission Paul s pastoral concern for the Ephesian church prompted him to send Tychicus to encourage them. He wants to encourage them with news of the Lord s faithfulness to him while imprisoned in Rome.
Paul the prisoner and pastor Notice how he refers to his imprisonment in Eph.: 3:1 a prisoner for Christ Jesus 4:1 a prisoner for the Lord 6:20 an ambassador in chains Paul was in prison in Rome, chained to a Roman guard. This was his first Roman imprisonment; it lasted for 2 years (Acts 28:30-31), during which he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon.
Paul the prisoner and pastor He was released in the early mid-60 s, and ministered for a short time until his final imprisonment and martyrdom. He was getting up in years now, and his health was probably not all that great. Given those circumstances, what would you request prayer for? Paul s single prayer request is in 6:19-20; he asks only for boldness in the proclamation of the gospel.
Paul the prisoner and pastor A little more of Paul s perspective on doing time Acts 20:22-23 Phil. 1:12-14 Col. 4:3, 18 2 Tim. 2:8-10 Philemon 9-10, 13 There was nothing about his circumstances that he considered a hindrance to the gospel; his concern was simple: he did not want the church to be discouraged. He cared nothing for himself (Acts 20:24), only for the gospel and the church.
Paul the prisoner and pastor The difference between a good shepherd and a bad shepherd John 10:11-16. A faithful shepherd will have a constant concern for the souls under his care Acts 20:28-31; Heb. 13:17. Also see Ezek. 3:17, 34:1-12. Paul had the heart of a shepherd until the very end of his life. His last recorded words: The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you (2 Tim. 4:22).
Paul the prisoner and pastor So how does this apply to you? Are you called to demonstrate these same characteristics? Let s take a quick run through Ephesians to see what it might look like when the sheep shepherd: 1. Eph. 1:3-14, 2:1-10 know the gospel; it is the 1 st place you will point people in any circumstance 2. Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-21 pray like Paul prayed for the church. Pray for the things he prayed for. Skim through his letters and find his prayers you will quickly get a sense of what was on his heart when he thought of the church.
When the sheep shepherd 3. Eph. 2:11-22 Remember your sufficiency in Christ, that is what you will encourage the saints to think on when they are in hard places. 4. Eph. 2:19-22 You, and all other believers, are family. Your true family. Be concerned for their welfare in Christ. Ask them once in a while. 5. Eph. 3:12 Help other believers to remember that they can boldly, confidently approach God on the grounds of the gospel. 6. Eph. 4:1 All believers have been called to live out the gospel encourage that in all things.
When the sheep shepherd 7. Eph. 4:12, 15-16 You also have been called to do the work of ministry that the church might grow in maturity. Encourage others to serve the Lord. 8. Eph. 4:32-5:1 Show the same extravagant forgiveness to others that Christ has shown you. 9. Philemon 7, 20, 22 There was only one place Paul, the old man (v. 9) wanted to go if he were to be released from prison: to see the one who was the refresher of the saints. Philemon had a reputation of bringing rest & renewal the love of Christ to weary, hurting, suffering saints.
Tychicus his character and commission First question: who in the world was Tychicus? Acts 20:4 Paul s traveling companion on his 3 rd missionary journey; his co-worker in the gospel; the one who helped hold Paul accountable for handling financial gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-4). Col. 4:7 beloved brother, faithful minister, fellow servant (lit.: slave). 2 Tim. 4:12 one of the few who was not a deserter. Paul had sent him on to Ephesus. Titus 3:12 sent to meet Titus and encourage him to go to Paul.
Tychicus his character and commission So we know next to nothing about his life but we get a good look into his heart, his character. Paul uses two phrases here in v. 21 to describe Tychicus: 1. Tychicus the beloved brother to Paul. Beloved in what way? Paul was living out the gospel, showing that both Jew (Paul) and Gentile (Tychicus) were one in Christ Eph. 2:11-22. Paul knew that Tychicus was one of God s dear and beloved children (cf. Jude 1:1).
Tychicus his character and commission 1. Tychicus the beloved brother to Paul. Beloved in what way? This was one of Paul s favorite expressions for those in Christ who were especially dear to him see 2 Tim. 1:2 (also Rom. 16:5, 8-9, 12; 1 Cor. 4:17; Col. 1:7, 4:9, 14; Philemon 1:1, 16). This was also one of Paul s favorite terms to apply to the whole church see Phil. 4:1 (also 1 Cor. 4:14, 10:14, 15:58; 2 Cor. 7:1, 12:19; Eph. 5:1; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Tim. 6:2).
Tychicus his character and commission 2. Tychicus the faithful minister to the church. This is what Paul saw in Tychicus, it was what stood out to him; he mentions it again in Col. 4:7. Faithful carries four senses in the NT Trustworthy 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Cor. 1:18; Mt. 25:21 Reliable 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 10:23; Mt. 24:45 Willing 1 John 1:9 Available Heb. 2:17; 1 Cor. 4:17
Tychicus his character and commission Paul gave Tychicus a two-fold task in v. 22 1. To simply tell the Ephesians how Paul was faring in prison, and how other co-workers were doing. 2. To encourage their hearts. To do what Philemon was known for (Philemon 1:7, 20). The word means to comfort, to come alongside and help. Notice the very specific encouraging that Timothy gave to the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 3:1-4.
Paul the old man and prisoner, was concerned that the church in Ephesus was encouraged, helped, strengthened. Nothing was going to hinder him in that task. See 1 Thess. 2:5-11, notice the two metaphors Paul uses to describe his ministry. Think like mothers and fathers toward the beloved church of Christ how can you nurture and love, how can you exhort and charge? Be concerned enough about your brothers and sisters in Christ to take some action begin to think like a shepherd.