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©
2008
Lamb's Way
Paul, God’s Pastor To
The Leaders
“Watch
what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from
their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn
a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but
extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give
everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Ephesians
5:1,2 (Msg)
Apostle Paul’s spiritual care and compassion is clearly evident as he
shares his concerns with the elders from Ephesis.
It was a warning to the leaders about the future dangers they must be
aware of now.
Read:
Acts
Be Aware Of:
*
wolves ( or influences ) that want to ravage the flock
Matthew
7:15-20 Jesus warns about false
teachers
Luke
10:2,3 the world around us is
unfriendly to Christians
* it’s very important for
believers to know the Word of God
II. v30 Dangers
Among Us
*
some people including leaders are ambitious for power or position
3
John 9-11 Diotrephes loved to be in
the forefront
III. v31-35
Dangers Within Us
*
beware of these five unrighteous behaviors
1) Carelessness
: (“watch and remember”) failure
to stay spiritually alert
2) Shallowness
: God must be working and building
our lives daily
John
15:4,5 stay attached to Him for
nourishment & growth
3) Covetousness
: avoid a consuming and
controlling desire for what others have or what you must
have.
“So put to death the
sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy
person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” Colossians 3:5 (NLT)
4)
Laziness :
Paul earned his way as a tent maker
Proverbs
24:30-34; 1 Timothy 5:18
5) Selfishness
: true ministry is all about giving-
not getting. Our greatest example is
Christ Himself! Blessings do not
come by accumulating, but rather by giving
II
Corinthians 8:9 where would we be if
Christ was selfish?
Conclusion: look at vs 36-38
Paul’s love for his coworkers
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©
2008
Lamb's Way |