OUTLINE:

Synthesize
- It's 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.

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
"Discipline": this means that you must train yourself to practice thinking of others FIRST (it's unnatural).
"Integrity": this means that you evaluate every circumstance honestly and with Biblical standards in view, ONLY.
"Humility": this means that whatever conviction befalls you (e.g. even if it is "against" you), you abide by it, submitting to the Spirit's guidance.

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
Paul's attitude, from a position of strength, wisdom, and discernment, was that it was best for him NOT to do something that he had every right to do.

Christian Love
Christ's love is willing to sacrifice personal comfort and gain, with no real consideration of self.

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).

One of God's Grace Provisions
We are given shepherds to help us persevere when we're feeling weak.