"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

The church is purchased by the blood of Christ. Therefore, he gets the glory. It's not a place to show our greatness, and we are under orders. John 15:12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." He commands us to love each other.

Great redemption has put us under great obligations. Let's walk with God honorably and submissively. Let's love, as he's loved us.

First, "take heed to yourselves." This is the first thing: Watch yourself. 1 Timothy 4:16, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Satan is after you. He wants to bring you down. He wants your eyes off Christ in self sufficiency. He wants us living for our own glory, and using Christ for our own greatness. He wants us proud and leaning on our ability. He wants us self righteous and competing with others, rather than loving them. He wants fame and ease to dominate us. He doesn't want us trusting Christ. He wants us defeated, guilty, and ashamed. He wants us focused on our works, rather than God's love. Revelation 2:4," But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." He wants us seeking pleasure in the world, despondent, and angry at God. He wants us behaving as spoiled children, petulant, and walking at a distance. He wants joy in Christ to wither, and the Spirit to be grieved. He wants us less than we could be, because he doesn't want us to shine!

We're in GRAVE DANGER, if we don't think it can happen! We're already unwatchful. Child of God, take heed to yourself. Maintain humility, contentment, and fellowship: Keep God's love and nearness to Christ as the first thing. Watch. Guard your souls. Do not teach others, and forget your self-watch.

Secondly, "shepherd the church of God." Feed them sound doctrine with no fear or favor! Lead them in God's precepts, and point them to Christ. Show them what you have learned personally. 2 Corinthians 1:4, "who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Experience, so you can teach. Devote yourself, and God will reward you. 1 Timothy 4:15, "Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress." Give yourself to prayer and teaching. Acts 6:4, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." Commune with God, so you have something to give. Submit yourself unto the Spirit. "The Holy Spirit has made you overseers." Know that you cannot minister without him, so spend your life in dependence. Preaching is the Holy Spirit communicating to us and through us. Without him, we have nothing. Therefore, uncompromising faith is the first thing - truth preached in love.

Give yourself to this, and you'll have the greatest reward - God INSIDE YOU helping others. Devote yourself, devote yourself, devote yourself. Maintain a clear conscience with God, keep short accounts, and repent continually. Know that he's building your relationship, so you can be useful. Know that he humbles to lift you up.

Thirdly, he purchased the church "with his own blood!" She belongs to him, and we are the servants. 1 Corinthians 6:20, "for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." It's glorious to be his, but it's submissiveness, not haughtiness. It's serving people, instead of using them!

The purchase price guarantees grace. "His own blood." Don't fear. We will be saved, and they will hear you. John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." God will keep them and give them grace.

Go to your God, and say, "Help me serve them. Help me feed your people." He will give grace upon grace! He'll delight to use you. He wants us WALKING WITH HIM, tending the his garden… obedient, but in relationship.