ELDERS ARE WATCHMEN

Intro: we are familiar of the word security guards? Marami po tayong nakikitang
security guard sa ibat ibang lugar, establishment, company, schools, institutions,
banks etc. also in the time of old testament watchmen already exist not only this
time. In the Old Testament, The scripture uses the role of a watchman to describe
the work of a prophet among God’s people. God said to the prophet Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 3:17-19).

In Paul’s farewell message to the Elders of Ephesus acts. 20:28a. He begins with
these words “take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock. Time and
time again, God reminds the church that the elders watch out for them.

Ang sumulat ng aklat ng hebreo ay nagpapa alala sa mga kristyano to submit to

the elders because they watch over their souls. (Heb. 13:17) obey them that have
the rule over you, and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls.
It is no coincidence that elders are called shepherds, God, in his infinite wisdom,
shows us what shepherds do.
We remember the young Saul before he became king of Israel. His family lost
some asses. His father sent him to look for them (1sam. 9:1-14). How did he go
about looking for the lost asses?

His search took him miles away from home. He did not just search round the
house and in the nearby neighbourhood. He did not search for a few minutes and
stop. A good shepherd is concerned for even one sheep that is lost. Our lords
says: (Luke 15:4-6).

A good shepherd watches for the safety of the flock so that no one wanders off
and becomes lost. If one does get lost the shepherd immediately leaves the flock
and searches for the lost sheep until he finds it.
We remember king david. He was a shepherd before he became king of Israel.
was he a good shepherd?note what he told king saul when saul doubted his
ability to kill goliath.
On that occasion, jesus was describing himself as the good shepherd, and He will
not flee when the wolves come to take the sheep (john 10:9-13)
WHAT HAPPEN WHEN ELDERS DO NOT WATCH?

1. FALSE TEACHERS/BAD INFLUENCE CREEP IN

2. SHEEP ARE IN DANGER THEY BECOME FOLLOWERS OF WRONG BELIEF
3. SHEEP ARE LOST
4. SHEEP ARE SICK

Elders who are not watchmen are hindrance to the church and the spiritual
welfare of the souls under them. They are the reason sheep go astray. They are
the reason a Church goes into apostasy. They are the reason Christ will remove
the candle stick from the church (rev. 2:5). They are the reason churches die.

Conclusion: Elders and young people/youth both have responsibilities to the

church. Elders must always concerned to the next generation so that the truth will
continuously observe. A good leader is a good follower. Ang kaligtasan ng mga
susunod na henerasyon ay naka salalay sa mga nakakatanda.