OUTLINE:

Lk 6:38 [Amplified]
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

1Ti 3:4-5
See here that a father must first prove himself worthy in his own household because the analog to his household fatherhood is the fatherhood he has over the household of faith.

Eph 5:17
So then do not be foolish [from aphron – means to lack perspective because of short- sightedness, i.e. lacking the “big- picture" perspective needed to act prudently], but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Synthesize
- It was the Spirit of the Lord who gives spiritual gifts.
- He has never once made a mistake in His eternal existence.
- Governance over the Body of Christ is defined by Him.
- It is our job to obey (perfectly is our intent).

The Weight Of Shepherdhood
With great power comes great responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48). The shepherd/sheep relationship is very unique and personal, not just corporate. No one has the right to defile, diminish, or intrude upon it.

1Jn 2:1a
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin...

1Jn 3:7
Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;

1Jn 3:18
Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

1Jn 4:4
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

“Little children”
This is a term of affection used by both Jesus and the apostle John. I reveals the nature of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. While there's a corporate responsibility to the flock, each individual sheep is accounted for, and tended to.

Christian Love
The hallmark of Christ-like love is selflessness. In every way, this remains true. In every interaction, it is the driving force. It "lives" for others.

1Jn 3:18 [Amplified]
Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].

Christian Love
Living for others doesn't mean doing the best you can for them, from your OWN perspective, it means doing the best you can for them while considering THEIR perspective. This requires discipline, integrity, and humility (ref: 1Co 8:9-13; 9:19-23; Mt 5:38-48)

Christian Love
The hallmark of Christ-like love is selflessness. In every way, this remains true. In every interaction, it is the driving force. It "lives" for others.

Heb 13:7 [Amplified Classic]
Remember your leaders and superiors in authority [for it was they] who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well-spent lives) and imitate their faith (their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and their leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness).

Christian Love
The hallmark of Christ-like love is selflessness. In every way, this remains true. In every interaction, it is the driving force. It "lives" for others.

We love because we know.
(1Jn 4:16-19)

Christian Love
The hallmark of Christ-like love is selflessness. In every way, this remains true. In every interaction, it is the driving force. It "lives" for others.