Unstoppable! 'Shepherds of God's Sheep' — Acts 20:28-31

Monday, September 28, 2026

[Paul continued his talk to the Ephesian elders, saying,] "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock — his church, purchased with his own blood — over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you — my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you."

— Acts 20:28-31 NLT

Key Thought

Three areas of emphasis are important to me as Luke tells about Paul's visit with the Ephesian elders:

  1. The church belongs to God. It was purchased by the blood of Jesus. Each person, each individual sheep in God's flock, is known, loved, and valued by God, who wants none of his sheep to be lost.
  2. Leaders in God's church do not run or campaign to have their position of leadership. They may be identified as leaders by the church, but they are appointed and made qualified by the Holy Spirit.
  3. False teaching can arise from within the church, even from the shepherds, so we must be vigilant.

A shepherd's - pastor's or elder's - work is to love and protect people who are precious to God, not to seek prestige or elevation in status. Without all elements that Paul emphasizes, shepherds cannot be what God wants them to be. So, let's value such shepherds and give them the respect and honor they deserve as they live a life of service to God's people!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, our tender, loving, and sacrificial shepherd, thank you for your shepherds who serve your church. Bless them. Protect them. Guide them. Empower them. And, dear Father, may we, your sheep, love and respect them as we should. I pray this and thank you, in the name of Jesus, our good shepherd. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spirit Appointed
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the..."
The Heart of a Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious Disciple, Paul was finally on his way back to Jerusalem. His trip had been delayed because of the plots against his life. So he had..."
Helping Churches on the Brink
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, On Paul's last visit with the Ephesian elders, he warned them:Here are my instructions: diligently guard yourselves, and diligently..."
Church
Article by Tim Archer
The word In the end, the church is the group of people that belong to God. Other meanings may cloud our understanding, but we need to see that that's what the church is.
See All 5 Related Resources about Acts 20:28-31

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 20:28-31 NLT — [Paul continued his talk to the Ephesian elders, saying,] "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock — his church, purchased with his own blood — over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you — my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, September 28, 2026

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Albert Ellis:
"The art of love... is largely the art of persistence."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Let Me Decide!'
"Dear Precious Disciple, Satan uses a very effective form of temptation on many of you who are My followers. He gets you to avoid looking at your own...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Fully Presenting the Gospel' (Ro. 15:19)
"[The Gentiles] were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I [Paul] have fully presented the Good..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Born of Water and the Spirit' (Jn. 3:4-5)
""What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus [when Jesus told him he must be born again to see the Kingdom]. "How can an old man go back into his mother's...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!