Acts 20:28, 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.
In Ephesus, the Apostle Paul passed the Shepherd’s baton into the spiritual hands of the elders of the flock and told them to “take heed” –to take heed to the most precious thing on earth, the church which was purchased with Christ’s blood. These elders became overseers of the church and were charged with its guidance.
Strong’s defines heed as “to hold the mind towards, pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to, be given to, have in regard.”
1.) Take Heed to Yourself – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves”
My most important ministry is my personal revival ministry. Before I can ever shepherd someone else, I must learn to shepherd myself: if I am carnal, backslidden, or off track in some area of my life, by default I will lead others in the same direction.
“The sins of the teachers are the teachers of sins.” – Ralph Venning
There are many “woes” of Scripture reserved for those who lead God’s flock astray. So let us take heed to ourselves!
1 Timothy 4:16, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2.) A Shepherd Must Take Heed to the Flock.
Examine the Apostle Paul’s intense shepherding of the church in Ephesus:
“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31)
Taking heed always – With vigilance, 365 days a year, Paul’s mind and heart were upon the flock of God. Shepherding Christ’s flock is not a part-time duty. It must be done without ceasing.
Take heed to feed – Paul warned the saints in a public setting and also in their private homes (Acts 20:20). A Shepherd looks for every opportunity to instruct the flock. Paul fed lambs, and many of these tender sheep became strong shepherds themselves.
Take heed to lead the flock to Christ – “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32)
Commend means, “To place alongside, present, to deposit, to set before.”
Paul’s motive for service was not to win people over to himself but to win, lead, and present them someday to Christ. Unceasing watching, feeding, and leading must never be for personal gain but rather for commending people to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:2, For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.