The Spiritual Posture of the Pastor

Introduction

Read 1 Peter 5:1-6

1 Peter 5:1–6 ESV

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

While this passage is specifically addressing pastors and elders, the point is applicable to all. Whether or not you are a pastor...

May your spiritual lives grow from the word proclaimed.

May you see the unique challenges that await your pastor and seek to love and pray for them. This is pastor appreciation month. Love Him well.

Explanation

1 Peter 5:1 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:”

Exhort, “parakaleo,” shares the root with the Greek word, “paraklete.” Paraklete is used to refer to the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. To exhort is to urge strongly.

Another phrase is “to call to one’s side.”

Peter, as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, is calling the minister alongside himself, putting his arm around his shoulder, and sharing a word of advice.

Peter’s identification with the pastor is that he is a (1) fellow elder, (2) a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and (3) a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. Peter presents these three things in present, past, then future tense.

As a fellow elder, Peter HAS an awareness of the difficulties of the ministry.

He understood the unique struggles of the pastorate.

As a witness of the sufferings of Christ, Peter HAD a firsthand view of the sufferings of Jesus.

This letter was written by Peter to address a suffering people.

Peter reminds them that He saw Christ suffer. As we identify with Christ, we will identify in his sufferings. Just as He suffered, so we will suffer.

As a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed, Peter WILL HAVE a share of the glory of God.

Peter says, “Your present situation is bleak, but I want to tell you, I have seen Christ’s suffering and I am confident in His victory.

I have seen Christ suffer on your behalf.

I am confident that we will all partake in His glory one day soon.

1 Peter 5:2-3 “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

“shepherd the flock that is among you, exercising oversight”

We don’t shepherd the flock that we wish we had.

We shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to us.

Not under compulsion, but willingly,

When God began to call me to the ministry, I didn’t want to become a pastor. Now, I could not imagine anything else.

He knew what was best for my life.

He still knows.

If you don’t serve your church out of a joy in the Lord, then do something else. You will only hurt your church if you do it for anything else.

Go back - Not to the place that you first started your ministry, but go back to the place that Jesus saved you.

not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

I remember driving home from working at a disciple now one weekend, and I had no money to my name.

I scrapped together some quarters from my middle console and filled up my truck to get home.

I still look back on that time in my life with so much contentment. We have to provide for our families, but when was the last time that you just said, “you know, I would do this for free.” I love what I do. I love my people. I can’t believe this is a job.

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Don’t ask people to do something that you wouldn’t do.

We ought to lead the charge on service and love.

As the ultimate leader, you should be the greatest servant.

1 Peter 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Brother pastor, when ministry is difficult, do not forget the reward. One day those struggles will be no more.

Also, brother pastor, when ministry is good, do not forget the reward. Christ has always been the best part of your life and ministry.

Remember that you are an undershepherd.

God does the assigning.

You are but a small part of his big, glorious plan.

The crown of life is no different than what anyone else receives. May Christ be the treasure.

1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

Pastors must be humble towards their congregants.

Congregants must be humble towards their pastors.

1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”

Invitation