Colossians 1:24-29

MINISTER’S LIFE & MINISTRY

24. ఇప్పుడు మీకొరకు నేను అనుభవించుచున్న శ్రమల యందు
సంతోషించుచు, సంఘము అను ఆయన శరీరము కొరకు క్రీస్తు
పడినపాట్ల లో కొదువైన వాటియందు నా వంతు నా శరీరమందు
సంపూర్ణ ము చేయుచున్నాను.
25. దేవుని వాక్యమును, అనగా యుగములలోను తరములలోను
మరుగు చేయబడియున్న మర్మమును సంపూర్ణ ముగా ప్రక
టించుటకు,
27. అన్యజనులలో ఈ మర్మముయొక్క మహి మైశ్వర్యము ఎట్టిదో అది, అనగా మీ

యందున్న క్రీస్తు , మహిమ నిరీక్షణయై యున్నాడను సంగతిని దేవుడు   తన

పరిశుద్ధు లకు తెలియపరచగోరి యిప్పుడు ఆ మర్మమును వారికి

బయలుపరచెను.
28. ప్రతి మనుష్యుని క్రీస్తు నందు సంపూర్ణు నిగా చేసి ఆయనయెదుట
నిలువబెట్టవలెనని, సమస్త విధములైన జ్ఞా నముతో మేము ప్రతి మనుష్యునికి
బుద్ధిచెప్పుచు, ప్రతి మనుష్యునికి బో ధించుచు, ఆయనను ప్రకటించుచున్నాము.
29. అందు నిమిత్త ము నాలో బలముగా, కార్యసిద్ధికలుగజేయు ఆయన క్రియాశక్తిని
బట్టి నేను పో రాడుచు ప్రయాసపడుచున్నాను.
 A Minister

…of the gospel (v. 23)

… of the church (vv. 24-25)

Humble service to the Lord & his people

 A Minister

• His Attitude (v. 24)

• His Master (v. 25)
• His Message (vv. 25b-27)
• His Task (v. 28)
• His Manner (vv. 28-29)
• His Purpose / Goal (vv. 28-29)
 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)

“Sufferings”
“Afflictions”
 His Attitude (v. 24)
A. Rejoice

B. Fill up what is lacking

• Suffer just like Christ did

• Lacking in that it didn’t go as far

C. For sake of the church

 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)

II. His Master (v. 25)

 His Master (v. 25)
• Dispensation - Arrangement or Plan
• Stewardship of Paul

A. Source

B. Stewardship
 His Master (v. 25)
• Dispensation - Arrangement or Plan
• Stewardship of Paul

A. Source

B. Stewardship
 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)

II. His Master (v. 25)

III. His Message (vv. 25b-27)

 His Message (vv.25b-27)
A. What to Preach

• Word of God (v. 25b)

• Mystery - Revealed (v. 26)
• Christ in you (v. 27)

B. To Fulfill the Word of God (v. 25b)

 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)

II. His Master (v. 25)

III. His Message (vv. 25b-27)

IV. His Task (v. 28)

 His Task (v. 28)
A. Preach - “to announce”

B. Warning - “to admonish, exhort,

warn”

C. Teaching - “to instruct”

 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)
II. His Master (v. 25)
III. His Message (vv. 25b-27)
IV. His Task (v. 28)
V. His Manner (vv. 28-29)
 His Manner (vv. 28-29)
A. Uses Wisdom (v. 28)

B. Works Hard (v. 29)

• Labor - “to feel fatigue; by implication, to

work hard”
• Striving - “to struggle, literally (to compete
for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an
adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to
accomplish something).”
 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)
II. His Master (v. 25)
III. His Message (vv. 25b-27)
IV. His Task (v. 28)
V. His Manner (vv. 28-29)
VI. His Purpose / Goal (vv. 28-29)
 His Goal (vv. 28-29)
“…that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus.” (v. 28)

A. Every man - universality

B. Perfect - Completeness, maturity

“Full age” (Heb. 5:14)
 Colossians 1:24-29
The Ministry of Paul
I. His Attitude (v. 24)
II. His Master (v. 25)
III. His Message (vv. 25b-27)
IV. His Task (v. 28)
V. His Manner (vv. 28-29)
VI. His Purpose / Goal (vv. 28-29)
 Introduction
• The use of shepherd and sheep in OT
– God as shepherd for His people
• Ps 28:9, 77:20 & 78:52; Is 40:11; Jer 32:10
• People of Israel regularly referred to as sheep
– Ps 74:1, 79:13, 95:7 & 100:3; Ez 34:11-16
• We know from last week Jesus is using a
shepherd/sheep analogy with the Pharisees
– Last week we looked at Jesus as the door for the
sheep
– This week we will look at the transition of teaching
from being the door to being the shepherd
SHEPHERDS are mentioned many of times
throughout the Bible, from the first book,
Genesis, to the last, Revelation. (Genesis 4:2;
Revelation 12:5)
Types of Shepherds
Shepherding was the chief occupation of the Israelites in the
early patriarchal age.
In the OT the metaphor of shepherd is portrayed with the
leadership exercised by political and military leaders and by
God.
Rulers should act like a shepherd of his subjects.
When leadership is poor or absent, Israel is likened to sheep
without a shepherd. “harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd” (Ezk 9:36)’.
Shepherd [N] [S]a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the
word "pastor" is used instead ( Jeremiah 2:8 ; 3:15 ; 10:21 ; 12:10 ; 17:16 ). This word is
used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his
people ( Psalms 23:1 ; 80:1 ; Isaiah 40:11 ; 44:28 ; Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah
25:35 ; Nahum 3:18 ; John 10:11 John 10:14 ; Hebrews 13:20 ; 1 Peter 2:25 ; 5:4 ).
The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In
early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where
they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the
sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest,
seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be
supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either
to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At
night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod
at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end
with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of
wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34 ).", Deane's
David.
Sermon: Jesus the Good Shepherd Bible Passage: John 10:11-18; cf. Ezekiel 34:11-16 I.
Introductory remarks 1. The word shepherd has three referents: (a) Actual shepherds (Genesis
4:2, 13:7) (b) Political leaders and kings (c) YHWH the LORD God Almighty (by using this
metaphor, the LORD explains His relationship with His People) II. Jesus the Shepherd 1. Jesus
says, “I am the Good [authentic, true] Shepherd” (John 10:11) Is He comparing himself with the
leaders of Israel in Ezekiel 34? [HOW?] (a) Jesus laid down His life for His sheep (v. 11 & 15b)—
helplessness of the sheep and redemption is in focus (a1) He protects the sheep from the
attacks of the enemy (verse 12) (a2) He is concerned about the sheep (verse 13) (b) Jesus knows
every single sheep intimately (v.14) and His sheep know Him (v. 16)— intimacy between the
Shepherd and sheep is patterned after the Father and Son (c) Jesus went after the weak,
helpless, and ignored (Luke 19:10 vs. Isaiah 40:11 and Ezekiel 34:16) 2. Jesus establishes that He
is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 34—Shepherd after YHWH, Davidic leadership III. Implication for us
today from this metaphor 1. Jesus delegates the ministry of shepherding to human agents:
under shepherds 2. The under shepherds must imitate the Good Shepherd (this includes
sacrifices) 3. The under shepherds and congregation members must develop Trinitarian
relationships IV. Take Away Is there anyone burnt out, abused, feeling weak, and tired? Come to
your "Shepherd" for rest (Matthew 11:28)
 WHO ARE THE LITERAL
SHEPHERDS
• Abraham (Gn 12:16)
• Rachel (Gn 29:9)
• Jacob (Gn 30:31-40)
• Moses (Ex 3:1).
• The first Bible reference to shepherd is Abel, the son of Adam (Gn
4:2).
 God, as shepherd
The image of God as a shepherd points to his continual direction, guidance and care for his
people.
 Shepherd as a title for God
Ps 80:1  Ge 49:24; Ecc 12:11
The same metaphor/image applied to God YHWH in Psalm 23

JOHN10 – CHIEF SHEPHERD

I. Supervision vv. 1-16)
II. Sacrifice (vv. 17-26)
III. Security (vv. 27-42)
 What are the responsibilities of a shepherd.  (Psalm 23).
1. A good shepherd gives the sheep a sense of belonging.
2. He should know his sheep.
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John
10:14). 
3. He should know them by name."To him the porter openeth; and the sheep
hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out"
(John 10:3).
4. The shepherd should see that the needs of the sheep are met.
5. He should feed the sheep.
6. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.“
Green pastures pictures a place of tranquility/ a soft bed of grass/a place
of rest. (The shepherd should not be a slave driver, but one
who provides rest for his sheep.  We should not treat our sheep as dogs, telling
them that them must fetch this that or the other for us all the time)
 The shepherd leads and guides Ps 23:2-3 Isa 40:11

 The shepherd provides Ps 23:1  Ge 48:15; Ps 23:5-6; Hos 4:16; Mic

7:14

 The shepherd protects Ps 28:9  Ge 49:23-24

 The shepherd saves those who are lost or scattered Jer 31:10  Ps

119:176; Isa 53:6; Eze 34:11-16; Mt 18:12-14 pp Lk 15:3-7

 The shepherd judges Eze 34:17-22  Jer 23:1; Zec 10:2-3; Zec

11:16; Mt 25:32-46
SHEPHERD'S ROLE AND FUNCTIONS
 GOD GIVES SHEPHERDS TO BE LEADERS OVER HIS PEOPLE

He gives David’s line Eze 34:23  2Sa 5:2  1Ch

11:2; Ps 78:70-72; Eze 34:23-24; Eze 37:24; Mic
5:4; Mt 2:6
He gives individual leaders Isa 44:28; Isa 63:11
He gives faithful leaders Jer 3:15  Jer 23:4; 1Pe 5:2-
4
God refers to leaders as shepherds
Kings
Priests
Isreal’s shepherds fell short of God’s expectations
Jer. 50:6 My people have been lost sheep, their leaders
have led them astray
Ezek 34:2 “Woe to shepherds of Israel “
Cyrus Isaiah 44:28 “…He is my shepherd..”
Elders
1 Peter 5:2 “…Shepherd the flock of God among you”
Jesus, the great shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Sheep Without a Shepherd are in Danger
Isreal’s shepherds fell short of God’s expectations
Jer. 50:6 My people have been lost sheep, their leaders
have led them astray
Ezek 34:2 “Woe to shepherds of Israel “
Cyrus Isaiah 44:28 “…He is my shepherd..”
Elders
1 Peter 5:2 “…Shepherd the flock of God among you”
Jesus, the great shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
 PRIVILEGE & PAIN
“...feeding themselves” (v.2)
“...clothe yourselves...” (v.3)
Not “feeding the flock...” (v.3)
“...you have not strengthened...”
“...you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.”
“...you have not healed...”
“...you have not bound up...”
“...you have not brought back...”
“...nor have you sought the lost..”
“...with force and with severity you have dominated them.”
PRICE
“Those who are sickly...”
“...the broken...”
“...the scattered...”
“...the lost...”
They were scattered...”
“...they became food for every beast...”
“...wandered...”
They have no sense of direction
They are weak and helpless
They are dirty and stinky
They are frightened and scattered
They are lost and runs in circles
They will die because of enemy
“...there was no one to search or seek for them.”
 
 PASSION

“...I will demand My sheep from them...” (v.10)

“...and make them cease from feeding sheep.” (v.10)

They “will not feed themselves anymore...” (v.10)

“...I will deliver My flock from their mouth...” (v.10)

 “...I Myself will search for My sheep...” (v.11)

 “...I will care for My sheep...” (v.12)

 “...I will bring them out...” (v.13)

 “...I will feed them...” (v.13)

 “...I will feed them...” (v.14)

 “...I will feed My flock...” (v.15)

 “...I will lead them to rest...” (v.15)

 “I will seek the lost...” (v.16)

 I will “...bring back the scattered...” (v.16)

 I will “...bind up the broken...” (v.16)

 I will “...strengthen the sick...” (v.16)

PRIZE
“...so that they may live securely...” (v.25)
“...they will be secure...” (v.27)
“...they will live securely...” (v.28)
“They will no longer be a prey to the nations...” (v.28)
“...no one will make them afraid.” (v.28)
“...they will not again be victims of famine...” (v.29)
“...they will not endure the insults of the nations anymore.” (v.29)
 
PUNISHMENT
 ACTS 20: 17 - 38
• Paul’s Message (vv.17-21)
• Paul’s Mission (vv. 22-27)
• Paul’s Ministry (vv. 28-35)
 • I.   (:17-21)  MAN WITH A MESSAGE – WALK & WITNESS
CONSISTENT, HUMBLE, CARING, PERSEVERING,
PROFITABLE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL OF
THE GRACE OF GOD
• A.  (:17)  Man always meets the People
• B.  (:18)  Consistent in Personal Discipleship
• C.  (:19a)  Humble in Spiritual Service
• D.  (:19b) Caring for the Sheep/Empathy and
Affection
• E.  (:19c)  Persevering in the Midst of Persecution
• F.  (:20-21)  Profitable Proclamation of the Gospel of
the Grace of God – Both Publicly and Privately
 • II.  (:22-24)  MAN OF MISSION – WILLFUL
• A.  (:22-23)  Commitment to Go to Jerusalem
• 1.  Divinely Driven
• 2.  Details Deprived
• 3.  Difficulties Destined
• B.  (:24)  Commitment to Finish the Course
• 1.  Unselfish, Courageous Mindset
• 2.  Unflinching, Determined Resolve
• 3.  Unwavering, Faithful Proclamation of the Truth
 • III.  (:25-27)  MAN OF MINISTRY – WORD FOR THE WORLD
• A.  (:25)  Final Farewell
• B.  (:26)  Clear Conscience
• C.  (:27)  Courageous Communication
•  
• 1 Cor. 4:1-5  message – Performance Review for Christian Ministers
• THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD IS ALL THAT MATTERS WHEN IT
COMES TO ULTIMATE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
• 1. (:1) THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER – TWOFOLD JOB
DESCRIPTION
• a.  SERVANTS OF CHRIST
• b.  STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD
• 2. (:1) THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE CHRISTAIN MINISTER =
FAITHFULNESS = THE ONE ESSENTIAL STANDARD OF
MEASUREMENT
 MAN OF EXHORTATIONS - WEEPING WATCHMAN  (28-32) 
(Incentives & Encouragements)
Guard Against False Teachers Because of Your Divine Commissioning –
Stewardship Responsibility (28) 
 
•1.  Scope of Responsibility
•a.  Personal Life – you are a sheep (part of the flock) before you are a shepherd
•“Be on guard for yourselves”
•b.  All the Flock
•2.  The Function of Shepherding
•“to shepherd the church of God”
•3.  The Value of the Flock
•Guard Against False Teachers Because of Their Aggressive Attacks – Sneak
Attacks  (the church is in grave danger all of the time) (29-30) 
• Attacking from the Outside (29)
• analogy of wolves:
• 1. Pack Animals – They rarely work alone, but feel safer, and can do far more
damage when operating in numbers.
• 2. Typically Operate In The Dark – These beasts are terribly afraid of the light as it
exposes their errors.
• 3. They Attack The Young, The Weak And The Sickly – The wolves typically go
after those who cannot easily defend themselves against their attacks.
• 4. They Never Attack Face To Face – They always attack from the blind side. When
you let your guard down, that is the moment when the enemies of the church will
attack.
• Attacking from the Inside (30)
• Guard Against False Teachers Because of the Apostolic Shepherding Model
(31)
• Guard Against False Teachers Because of God’s Powerful Resources –
Sanctifying Grace 
 MAN OF MOTIVATIONS
 Stewardship Responsibility – divinely commissioned to
guard the flock
 Sneak Attacks of the wolves – danger abounds
 Shepherding Model of Apostle Paul – don’t let the toil of
those who went before us be in vain
 Sanctifying Grace as our key resource – Divine presence
and divine resources will prove sufficient for the task as
we persevere to the end and gain our inheritance
  MAN OF SACRIFICE & GIVING – WORK
HARD (33-35)
Who is a shepherd?

A pastor is a shepherd to the church. 

An elder or deacon is a shepherd within the body. 
A husband is a shepherd to his wife. 
Parents are shepherds to their children. 
A teacher is a shepherd to his students. 
An employer is a shepherd his employees. 
An older child is a shepherd to his younger bothers and sisters. 
Anyone who in anyway leads anyone is shepherd who is responsible for the care of
another.
 Psalm 23:3 - "He restoreth my soul.“

1.The soul is the mind will and emotions. 

2. How does the shepherd do this?

a. He affirms the sheep rather than bring critical. 

b. He encourages the sheep rather than being discouraging to them. 

c. He instructs rather than condemning them. 

e. He speaks blessing over them rather than cursing them. 

f. He protects them rather than feeding them to the wolves. 

g. He gathers them together with the flock rather than scattering them in the wilderness
(Psalm 23:3) "He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.“
1.He leads the sheep by example teaching the
sheep what is the right path.
a. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it"
(Proverbs 22:6).2. He is also willing to go after the
lost sheep.
I am the Good
Shepherd
Jn 10:11-16
 I am the Good Shepherd Jn
10:11
• As the “Good Shepherd” He reveals His
character
– OT men knew Him as “The Good Shepherd”
• Ps 23; Ez 34:11-16
– The Lord is good
• Nah 1:7; Ps 34:8; Jer 33:10-11
– Only one is good
• Mt 19:16-17
 The Shepherd cares for His
Sheep by warning them of
dangers to the flock
• The danger of the thief/robber stranger
– Jn 10:1, 5, 8 & 10
• This one steals from the flock for his own benefit
– Jesus described the Pharisees in this manner
on a separate occasion
• Mt 23:15
• Their concern was self image rather than concern
for their disciples
– Mt 23:1-12
 The Shepherd cares for His
Sheep by warning them of
dangers to the flock
There are thieves and robbers who encroach on
God’s people today
Paul warns Timothy of this in both his letters
1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim 3:1-5
We can recognize these people by their fruits
Mt 7:15-20
The danger of the hireling vs 12-13
He tends to the flock strictly for his own benefit
He is content to feed but if danger comes, he runs
He is the watchman in Ez 33:1-6 who fails to warn
the coming of the enemy
He is the shepherd spoken of in Ez 34:1-6
 The Shepherd cares for His
Sheep by warning them of
dangers to the flock
• The danger of the wolf destroying the flock
– He is the agent of Satan
– He has no concern for the flock at all
– Consider the following passages
• Mt 7:15; 2 Cor 11:12-15; Acts 20:28-29
The Shepherd shows His Care & Concern for
the sheep by laying down His life to spare
them
• He substituted His life for theirs
– Jn 10:11, 15; Rom 5:6-8; 1
Pet 3:18; 1 Jn 3:16
 I know My sheep and am known
by My own (Vs 14)
• Many define the basic element of the
shepherd/sheep relationship as intimate
– Thayer defines “know” in the following manner
• To learn to know, come to know
• To have knowledge of
• Jewish phrase for intimacy between a man and woman
• To become acquainted with, to know
• Intimacy is more than just knowledge
– Real intimacy, in any personal relationship is
always mutual
– Intimate knowledge is not the same as detailed
knowledge
 I know My sheep & am
We areknown by My own
to “Know” the shepherd
(Vs
14)
Pray to know Him better
Eph 1:15-17
Use His word and understanding
1 Jn 5:20
He is not far
Call on Him for He is near
Ps 75:1 & 145:18
Seek Him, He is not far and may be found
Acts 17:26-27; Is 55:6
Find Him before your heart is hardened
Mt 13:15-16
 And other sheep I have which
are not of this fold (Vs 16)
• Not of this fold-not Jews
– This is a distinct intimation that the gospel was to be
preached to the Gentiles a doctrine extremely
offensive to the Jews.
– This prediction of the Saviour has been strikingly
confirmed in the conversion of millions of the Gentiles
to the gospel. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)
• Them also I must bring
– Bring into the church and kingdom of heaven.
– This was to be done, not by his personal ministry, but
by the labor of his apostles and other ministers.
(Barnes Notes on the Bible)
 And other sheep I have which
are not of this fold (Vs 16)
• One fold - One church
– there shall be no distinction, no special national
privileges.
– The partition between the Jews and the Gentiles shall
be broken down, and there shall be no pre-eminence
of rank or honor, (Barnes Notes on the Bible)
• Eph 2:11-14; Rom 10:12
• One shepherd –
– That is, the Lord Jesus
– the common Saviour, deliverer, and friend of all true
believers, in whatever land they were born and
whatever tongue they may speak. (Barnes Notes on
the Bible)
And other sheep I have which
are not of this fold (Vs 16)
• The distinguishing mark of the Christian Church throughout
all the world, is that it has only one head, that is Christ, the
only keeper, and only shepherd of it. (Geneva Study Bible)

• And over this fold, or flock, there is but one shepherd, Jesus
Christ; who is the rightful proprietor, and whose own the
sheep are; and who knows how to feed them, and does take
care of them; though there are many under shepherds,
whom he employs in feeding them; in the original text the
copulative "and" is wanting, and the words stand thus, "one
fold, one shepherd"; which not only expresses a peculiar
elegance, but answers the proverb delivered in the same
form; and to which agree the Arabic and Ethiopic versions,
which render them, "and there", or "they shall be one fold of
one shepherd"; or one flock which belongs to one shepherd
only; (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
 Conclusion
• Jesus is the great shepherd of our souls
– 1 Pet 2:25 & 5:4; Heb 13:20
• As a shepherd Jesus does 3 very important
things for us
– Leads us
• Ps 23; Mt 6:13
– Feeds us
• Ps 23; Mt 4:4 & 5:6
– Protects us
• Ps 23; Mt 6:25-34; Rom 13:5-6