1- Christ purchased the church by his own blood.-2- Christ, the Chief Shepherd, cares for his church through elders.-3- Elders are to keep watch over the souls entrusted to their care.-4- Elders will give an account for their shepherding of the flock.--Preparing your heart for the sermon---How did the church come to be- How is the church described in the NT---What does a shepherd do for sheep- How does that describe how elders are to serve the church---What does it look like for elders to pay careful attention to all the flock and exercise oversight- What does that entail---Other passages to consider- Ezek 34-1-10- John 10-7-18, 22-30- Acts 20-17-32- Col 1-28-29- 1 Thess 2-1-12- 1 Tim 3-1-7- Heb 13-7-9, 12-21- --Digging Deeper---How does a man become an elder- Who puts him in that position---How, practically speaking, can elders keep watch over the souls of the church---Given God's design, what responsibility do Christians have to the church and to elders---What should motivate elders to diligently care for the flock- What should not motivate them-