For Christ and the Church Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

About the text: –Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders here –He speaks of their need to tend the flock of God. –He speaks of the preciousness of that flock –Jesus died and shed His blood for the church. –There is a relationship between them greater than we can imagine. –That relationship is described for us in Ephesians 5 as being similar to the husband and wife relationship –It is, however, a much more precious and eternal relationship –Let us take care to honor Christ and His Church For Christ and the Church let us….

Praise Lovingly For salvation –God's fixed purpose or predetermination was to bestow on all people the blessing of the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ (Eh 1:3-6) –Paul says that we obtained the inheritance (Eph 1:12) Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved Eph 1:12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

Praise Lovingly For salvation For righteousness (Phil 1:11) For faithfulness (1 st Peter 1:7) In worship –Hebrews 2:12 –Hebrews 13:15 Phil 1:11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God 1 Peter 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ Heb 2:12 saying, " I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE." Heb 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Praise Lovingly For salvation For righteousness (Phil 1:11) For faithfulness (1 st Peter 1:17) In worship For Christ and the Church we should continually praise lovingly

Pray Fervently For one another (James 5:15) Four our enemies (Matt 5:44) For the sick / afflicted (James 5:13a) For more workers in the harvest (Matt 9:38) For those preaching the gospel (2 nd Thess 3:1) For love to flourish (Phil 1:9) That God will open doors (Col 4:3) Praying fervently keeps us focused at all times (1 st Thess 5:17) James 5:15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Matt 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Matt 9:38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." 2 Thess 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; Phil 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, Col 4:3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

Give Willingly Let us follow the example of the widow who cast in her last two pennies. (Luke 21:1-4) Let us remember the words of Jesus when we give (Acts 20:35) Let us be cheerful and happy to help in the work of the Lord. (2 nd Cor 9:7) To supply the needs of the saints and aid the church’s reputation (2 nd Cor 9:12) To aid all men as we have opportunity (Gal 6:10) With a willing mind according to what we have (2 nd Cor 8:12) To aid for the cause of Christ (Mark 9:41) Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." Acts 20:35 In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 2 Cor 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith 2 Cor 8:12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

IfWeDon’tGive…. WHO WILL???

Serve Faithfully Knowing that Christ gives the inheritance (Col 3:24) Serving God not money (Mat 6:24) Serving one another lovingly (Gal 5:13) With reverence and Godly awe (Heb 12:28) Until the day we die (Rev 2:10) Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve Matt 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another Rev 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

For Christ and the Church let us… –Praise Lovingly –Pray Fervently –Give Willingly –Serve Faithfully