Slides: Shepherding God's Flock (1 Peter 5:1-11)

¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.⁵ In the same way, younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter’s appeal

¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

• Fellow elder: humble colleague

• Eyewitness: firsthand knowledge

• Sharer of glory: headed for throne 

Church leader

• Elder (Greek: presbuteros)

• Overseer (episkopos)

• Shepherd (pastor in Latin)

Church leader

Paul told Ephesian elders, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. (Acts 20:28-29)

Church leader

Elders… ² be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Leader contrasts

                              Bad                                          Good                      

Attitude          “I have to.”                            “I want to”

Greed             Greed                                    Enthusiasm  

Dictator          Dictator                                 Example

Uncle Andrew

Rules of that sort, however excellent they may be for little boys—and servants—and women—and even people in general, can’t possibly be expected to apply to profound students and great thinkers and sages... Men like me, who possess hidden wisdom, are freed from common rules... Ours, my boy, is a high and lonely destiny.”

Queen Jadis

I had forgotten that you are only a common boy. How should you understand reasons of the State? You must learn, child, that what would be wrong for you or for any of the common people is not wrong in a great Queen such as I. The weight of the world is on our shoulders. We must be freed from all rules. Ours is a high and lonely destiny.

Lead by example

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)

Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. (Titus 2:7)

Chief Shepherd

You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (2:25)

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (5:4)

Humble yourselves

⁵ In the same way, younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
 

Cast cares

Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you. (5:7)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

Do not be anxious about anything, but… present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Resist the enemy

⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Enemy attacks

• Temptation: entice, lure

• Deception: lie, allergy to Bible

• Accusation: discourage, divide

• Intimidation: threaten, frighten

• Possession: dominate, control

Resist, firm in faith

• Temptation: treasure Christ

• Deception:   believe Bible

• Accusation: embrace grace

• Intimidation: endure attacks

• Possession: welcome Spirit

God of grace

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.