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XIV.
Christian Service
Chapter 151
:
The Shepherd and His Work
1. WHO did Christ say
is the good shepherd?
"I am the good shepherd." John 10:11.
2. What is Christ
elsewhere called?
"The Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls." "The chief Shepherd." 1 Peter
2:25; 5:4.
3. What does the
expression "the chief Shepherd" imply?
That there are under-shepherds.
4. How does the good
shepherd manifest his love and care for the
sheep?
"The good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep." John 10:11.
5. What does the
hireling, or false shepherd, do, and why?
"The hireling fleeth, because he
is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep."
Verse 13.
6. What example will
the true shepherd set before his flock?
"In all things showing thyself a
pattern of good works." Titus 2:7.
7. What is the special
work of the gospel shepherd?
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which He hath purchased with
His own blood." Acts 20:28. "Feed the flock
of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof." 1 Peter 5:2. See also
John 21:15-17.
8. With what kind of
food will the true shepherd feed the flock?
"I charge thee therefore before God,
and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick .and the dead at His appearing and His
kingdom: Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:1,2.
"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto
the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt
hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from
Me." Eze. 33:7. See Eze. 3:17-21.
9. Was there to come a
time when people would not listen to plain Bible
truth?
"For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; and they shall
turn away their ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim.
4:3,4.
10. Instead of the
straight testimony, what kind of preaching will
such demand?
"Prophesy not unto us right things,
speak unto us smooth things, prophesy
deceits." Isa. 30:10.
11. What test is given
by which we may distinguish between true and
false shepherds?
"To the law and to the testimony:
if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
"For the priest's lips should keep knowledge,
and they should seek the law at his mouth."
Mal. 2:7.
12. What will those
servants be doing upon whom Christ pronounces a
blessing when He comes?
"Who then is a faithful and wise
servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his
household, to give them meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto
you, That he shall make him ruler over all his
goods." Matt. 24:45-47.
13. What excuses are
made by some for not expounding the prophecies?
"And the vision of all is become unto
you as the words of a book that is sealed, which
men deliver to one that is learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith,
I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is
delivered to him that is not learned,
saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith,
I am not learned." Isa. 29:11,12.
NOTE.-The prophecies of Daniel were to be
unsealed at "the time of the end." See Dan.
12:4,9,10; Rev. 10:1,2. In Jer. 25:34-37 is
found a warning message addressed to
unfaithful shepherds.
14. After receiving his
commission to preach, how did the apostle Paul
feel?
"For though I preach the gospel, I
have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid
upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not
the gospel!" 1 Cor. 9:16.
15. How faithfully will
the true shepherd watch the flock?
"They watch for your souls, as
they that must give account." Heb.13:17.
NOTE.-Mark Guy Pearse once said to Mr.
Spurgeon: "When I was a young fellow in
London, I used to sit right over there and
hear you preach, and you will never know how
much good you did me. You used to wind me up
like an eight-day clock. I was bound to go
right for a week after hearing you."
16. If God's watchmen
fail to warn the wicked, what terrible
responsibility will be charged to their account?
"If thou dost not speak to warn the
wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die
in his iniquity; but his blood will I require
at thine hand." Eze. 33:8. See Isa. 3:10,11.
WATCHMAN, blow the gospel trumpet,
Every soul a warning give;
Whosoever hears the message
May repent and turn and live.
Sound it loud o'er every hilltop,
Gloomy shade and sunny plain;
Ocean depths repeat the message,
Full salvation's glad refrain.
Sound it in the hedge and highway,
Earth's dark spots where exiles roam;
Let it tell all things are ready,
Father waits to welcome home.
Blow
the trumpet, trusty watchman,
Blow it loud o'er land and sea;
God commissions, sound the message!
Every captive may be, free.
DR.. H. L.
GILMOUR. |
