05/24/2026
1 Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. [36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. [37] David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
Shepherding with Watchful Courage: The Pastor’s Duty in Church Security
Beloved, today I want to speak with faith and with practical wisdom about a subject that is not always comfortable—but it is deeply biblical: the duty of shepherding includes the duty of watching. Watching may, at times of great trial, require action to secure the perimeter. The action needed may, in fact, be to take the life of a slayer. The Lord has called this house to worship, to preach the gospel, to welcome the stranger, and to care for the weak; and to do that well, we must also be willing to protect what God has entrusted to us.
SLA'YER, noun One that slays; a killer; a murderer; an assassin; a destroyer of life.
And we see our Lord Himself take holy action concerning the reverence and order of God’s house. Matthew 21:13 says, “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Church security, then, is not about turning people away from prayer—it is about guarding the atmosphere so that this house remains a house of prayer, where the gospel is honored, and God’s people can worship without unlawful disturbance.
In 1 Samuel 17:34, David testified that while he kept his father’s sheep, a lion and a bear came to sn**ch a lamb. That picture is more than ancient history—it is a living illustration of what God calls pastors to do: to shepherd the flock with loving care and to stand between the flock and danger. Church security is not fearfulness; it is faithful shepherding.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is “the good shepherd”, who “giveth his life for the sheep”; He is also “that great shepherd of the sheep”; and He is the “chief Shepherd” who shall appear. Every faithful pastor serves under Him—not as the owner of the flock, but as an undershepherd, caring for what belongs to Christ.
So, when we talk about church security, we are not talking about replacing faith with fear. We are talking about loving the flock on purpose—with open arms for sincere hearts, and watchful eyes for real danger; with worship in our spirit, and wisdom in our steps.
If you draw a firearm, you must be able to make the split-second decisions that have deadly consequences. The obvious consequence that everyone easily sees is that a person is dead. The one most often missed or ignored is the spiritual and psychological damage incurred. It is NOT possible to avoid these damages. For this reason, you must determine beforehand if you can live with the outcome. Knowing the ethical Biblical background will only slightly soften the full impact of taking another life.
Moral Responsibility
John Locke’s political philosophy, particularly in his Second Treatise of Government, provides a foundational justification for the castle doctrine by establishing that individuals have an inalienable right to protect their life, liberty, and property from intruders. Locke argues that because invaders violate the law of nature and threaten one’s survival, they place themselves in a state of war, allowing the victim to use lethal force for self-defense.
• Self-Defense as Natural Law: Locke argues in his Two Treatises of Government that individuals have an innate right to defend their life and property, which is central to the concept of self-defense.
• Property Rights: Locke argues that mixing labor with nature creates a right to ownership, making home defense an extension of protecting one's life and liberty.
• "State of War" Argument: Locke explains that a thief who tries to steal or destroy someone's property—or enter a home without permission—puts themselves in a "state of war" with that person, justifying the use of lethal force.
• Limitation on Government Power: Because government is created to protect these inherent rights, it cannot restrict the individual's right to defend their own life and possessions from threats, notes 3, 14.
• "Executioner" of Natural Law: Locke calls man the "executioner of the Law of Nature," providing an individual moral mandate to act for their own protection in the absence of an immediate authority.
While Locke argued for the right to defend property, his theories generally prioritized the defense of one's life, with property protection being a secondary component of the right to safety.
John Locke taught that life, liberty, and property are God given, and that when someone uses unlawful force, they place themselves in a state of war with the innocent.
“Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
— John Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Locke explains that when a person uses force without right, self defense becomes morally justified, because the aggressor has chosen violence.
“Whosoever uses force without right… puts himself into a state of war… and every one has a right to defend himself.”
— John Locke
This supports the idea that defending the congregation is not murder, but protection against unlawful force.
Ethical background
Ethicist Marc Livecchi teaches that while killing is always tragic, not all killing is morally wrong. Within just war thinking, some acts of force are acts of love when they protect the innocent.
He warns that believing “killing is always wrong but sometimes necessary” leads to moral injury. Instead, force used rightly, reluctantly, and proportionally can be morally justified.
The goal is to act as a “mournful protector”, not a violent aggressor.
The faithful use of force is not the burden of one person alone—it becomes the ministry of the whole church. We must pray for those who may be called into such a terrible moment. We must stand with those who stood for us. We must not pull away from the one who stepped between danger and the flock. That person is not less beloved, not less worthy, not less a part of the body of Christ. They may carry a wound from that day, a wound no one else can fully see, and though time may soften it, it may never fully leave them. So, the church must answer that pain with gratitude, with tenderness, and with unwavering love. And then, when the moment has passed, the church must look back with humility and wisdom—not to blame, not to shame, not to second-guess—but to learn, to grow, and to strengthen what must be strengthened. We do not abandon those who acted in the crisis; we surround them. We do not place suspicion on them; we cover them with prayer. We do not treat that moment lightly; we carry it together, as one body, under the mercy and wisdom of God.
Weapons are never properly used in anger. Do Not draw in anger. Anger produces bitterness. Proper use of force requires a sound mind and produces accuracy. There was no anger when David ran towards the giant Goliath of Gath. There were full faith and dependence on God for the outcome. Love produces humility.
Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
We all know that I prefer to use this as a reference to buying a Bible, but strictly speaking, Jesus said buy a sword. It is both an offensive and defensive weapon of steel, sharpened to a razor edge.
Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. [2] Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. [3] Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. [4] For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. [5] Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. [6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; [7] To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; [8] To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; [9] To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Isaiah 49:1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. [2] And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; [3] And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
A Sword for the personal protection of
The man of God
The ministry which is God's
The message of the gospel of God
The maturing bride, which is God's visible body in the world.
While I was with you in the world, I kept you safe. Storms and religious leaders. Even when I slept, I was keeping you. You must keep the body.
John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Use of Force Guidelines
1. Avoid force whenever possible
2. Warn and de escalate first
3. Protect life, not pride
4. Deadly force only to stop a deadly threat
5. Once the threat stops, the force stops
“When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.”
— Luke 11:21 (KJV)
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”
— Psalm 144:1 (KJV)
Protection of the innocent is an act of love, not aggression.
“Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
— Psalm 82:4 (KJV)
Kansas law supports defense of self and others when there is a reasonable belief of imminent death or great bodily harm.
• Kansas has no duty to retreat; We know this as “Stand your ground”
• Deadly force is lawful only to stop a deadly threat
• Deadly force cannot be used to protect property alone
Kansas law is found in K.S.A. 21 5222, which states that a person may defend themselves or others without retreat if they reasonably believe deadly force is necessary. [kslegislature.gov]
This aligns with church teaching: force is allowed only to stop immediate danger, not to punish.
Numbers 35:15 These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
Deuteronomy 19:3 Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither. [4] And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; [5] As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live: [6] Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; [21] And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; [22] With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; [23] I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.
1) The pastor is a shepherd—called to feed, lead, and protect
David’s testimony in our text is not merely about bravery—it is about responsibility. He was not hunting lions and bears for sport; he was keeping sheep. That is the heart of pastoral ministry.
The Scripture often describes God’s people as a flock, and spiritual leaders as shepherds. Before any man can shepherd well, he must remember this truth: Jesus is the Great Shepherd. The pastor is an undershepherd—a steward appointed to serve under Christ’s care. An undershepherd does not only provide pasture—he watches the perimeter. Taking charge of his post and all Heavenly property in view. The pastor’s charge includes both nourishment and guardianship.
• Feed the flock with the Word—because a strong flock is less vulnerable.
• Know the flock—because discernment grows where there is nearness and love.
• Guard the flock—because predators look for the unprotected and the unaware.
2) The pastor is a watchman—alert, accountable, willing to warn, and able to subdue.
God also uses the image of a watchman—one who stays awake for the sake of others. In that spirit, the pastor helps the church stay prepared, not panicked; ready, not reckless. A watchman is not suspicious of everyone, but he is wise about real danger and faithful to sound the alarm when needed. He can also act when the situation requires.
3) Real threats exist—so vigilance is love in action
David named the threats plainly: “a lion, and a bear.” He did not pretend they were harmless, and he did not abandon the sheep. Likewise, pastors are called to face realities that could harm the congregation—spiritual attacks, confusion, division, and also practical risks that can arise wherever people gather. To ignore danger is not faith; to prepare wisely is stewardship.
4) Security as stewardship: practical duties a pastor can champion
• Set the tone: teach that safety and hospitality can walk together—order is not the enemy of worship.
• Build a trusted team: appoint mature, discreet servants (ushers, deacons, greeters, security ministry) who can watch while others worship.
• Clarify roles: who greets, who observes, who communicates concerns, and who contacts emergency services when needed.
• Practice readiness: simple walkthroughs, clear communication, and calm routines so the church responds with unity instead of confusion.
• Care for the vulnerable: children, seniors, newcomers—make sure they are seen, guided, and protected.
• Be above reproach: ensure policies are lawful, ethical, and respectful; keep records and follow appropriate procedures.
5) Courage is contagious: the flock follows the shepherd’s faith
Notice David’s spirit: he spoke with confidence, not because the threats were small, but because his calling was clear—Pastors model steady faith. When leadership is calm, prayerful, and prepared, the people can worship without distraction. When leadership is careless, the flock feels it. God has not called the shepherd to live in dread—He has called the shepherd to stand.
6) Cover the house in prayer—and keep the doors in order
Church security is never merely physical. We watch, we plan, we communicate—but we also pray, discern, and keep our hearts clean before God. The aim is not to turn the sanctuary into a fortress; the aim is to keep the sanctuary a place where the weak are safe, the gospel is heard, and the saints can worship “decently and in order.”
7) A Right Spirit in the Use of Force
Weapons must never be used in anger. Do not draw in anger. Anger clouds judgment and breeds bitterness, but the proper use of force requires a sound mind, restraint, and clear purpose. When David ran toward Goliath, he did not run in anger; he ran in faith and in dependence upon God. Love produces humility, and humility steadies the heart in moments of danger.
The Sword in Scripture
Luke 22:36: “Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”
I often apply this verse spiritually as a reference to the Word of God. Yet, taken in its plain sense, Jesus spoke of a sword—an instrument that served practical purposes of defense as well as offense in its time.
The Sword as Symbol and Stewardship
Psalm 149:1–9: “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.”
Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Isaiah 49:1–3: “Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
Taken together, these passages show that the sword in Scripture can be both practical and symbolic. It may refer to a real means of protection, and it also points to the piercing power of God’s Word and the authority of His appointed servant.
What Is Being Protected
• the man of God
• The ministry that belongs to God
• the message of the gospel of God
• the maturing bride of Christ, His visible body in the world
Jesus Himself modeled protective care. While He was with His disciples in the world, He kept them through storms, opposition, and conflict. Even in moments that appeared quiet, He was still watching over them. In that pattern, the church is called to keep watch over the body with faithfulness and love.
John 17:12: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”
A Word from Bunyan: Watchfulness, Mercy, and a Guarded Gate
In The Holy War, John Bunyan pictured the soul as a town that must keep its gates. He wrote of “this bold fellow, Godly-Fear” being made “the keeper of the gates.” Let the church learn the lesson: reverence and holy fear make faithful watchmen—steady, sober, and not easily moved.
And while we watch, we must also remember why this house must stay safe: so, sinners can come and find mercy. Bunyan testified in Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, “Great sins do draw out great grace; and where guilt is most terrible and fierce, there the mercy of God in Christ, when showed to the soul, appears most high and mighty.” We protect the flock, not to harden the church, but to keep the door of grace open and undistracted for the wounded and the seeking.
And Bunyan’s call to courage fits the church in every generation. In The Pilgrim’s Progress, we hear this charge: “Oh, let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims then, Be vigilant and quit themselves like men!” That is not fleshly boasting—it is spiritual steadiness: alert in prayer, disciplined in conduct, and ready to serve so worship may go on in peace.
Sunday 24 May 2026
