The Portrait of a Shepherd (Acts 20:18-38) The Shepherd’s Portrait A Shepherd Leads Acts 20:28, “Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.” • “leaders” - gk. “episkopous” • Shepherds are overseers. • Shepherds are Holy Spirit appointed. • Shepherds lead God’s purchased and precious flock. A Shepherd Models Acts 20:33, “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard.” A Shepherd Feeds Acts 20:20, “I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” • Acts 20:28, “Feed and shepherd God’s flock.” • The Negative: The necessity of repenting from sin. • The Positive: Having faith in our Lord Jesus. A Shepherd Guards Acts 20:28, “So guard yourselves and God’s people… 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out!” A Shepherd Entrusts Acts 20:32, “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.” A Shepherd Loves Acts 20:36, “When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. 37 They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. 38 They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.” • John 10:11, “The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” The Shepherd’s Blessing Acts 20:35, “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”