Shepherds of the Flock

Welcome to PALM SUNDAY

That Palm Leave you were given is to Remind us of the Victory of Christ

The Lord entered Jerusalem on the back of a Donkey

Knowing the Truth

but the people praised him for the work that they wanted HIM to do

Jesus was there to DO GOD’S WILL Alone

this week is all about the Final Days of Jesus on Earth as a Man

and HIS eternal Reign as our Lord and Saviour

The Conqueror of Death

The Bringer of Glory

The Victor over Evil

Introduction

We have had such a special learning time the past 3 month.

Learning about our Christian Life through the Book of 1 Peter

What is your best take away?

What changed you?

What challenged you?

Was it?

That you realized that Jesus is here right now, every minute

That you have a LIVING and ACTIVE Hope in Christ

that we need to focus on living today, and not solely for our Eternity in Heaven - we need to Be CHRISTIAN

Our Conduct determines our Character and our Character is in Christ

Maybe it was a reminder that even in a current trial you have Jesus

Your faith and trust deepened to LEAN on HIM

That we need to check ourselves to Jesus and Not to others for we are called to be HOLY, obedient CHILDREN of GOD

that HIS BLOOD HIS Sacrifice SAVED you

and that it is available to ALL that call on the NAME of CHRIST

A reminder to live a LIFE as a LIVING STONE, to Live WORTHY of our Calling

were you reminded that SUBMISSION is FROM a place of Strength not weakness

Maybe it was a reminder to treat your SPOUSE, Your boss or CO-workers with more respect and gentleness

Maybe you saw a need in your walk for support....

Maybe you experienced the fact that you are

a SHEEP in Need of a SHEPHERD

Well our Father in Heaven is a Perfect Leader, a Perfect Planner, and a Perfecter of our FAITH

I would offer that many have views on Biblical leadership and I offer this today

We MUST understand that the LORD is at the TOP of the Leadership chart...

All things under Him, Must seek to be in line and in submission to Him

God calls us to be PART of the PLAN, not a Spectator

So God called ELDERS

a Pastor, a Preacher, must be qualified by Eldership

Under shepherd of the Church --- HIS FLOCK

Open your Bibles to....

Role of Elders

1 peter 5:1 “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:

Acts 20:28 “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

Peter is following the Plan of God

Leadership not Chaos

Leadership has a price and our Elders understand and know that they must live different than the World

That they must meet the qualifications given in in Timothy and Titus

such as:

the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:1-6

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:6-9).

I want you to know the ELDERS at this CHURCH embrace and stand in God Reverent FEAR of this qualifications

Our Elders ROLE is to SHEPHERD the FLOCK

Shepherds of the Flock

2 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;

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

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Shepherding the Flock is not an easy task, nor is a job that brings praises of material gain.

Our Elders are brothers and friends— modelers of Christ.

Not perfect in their walk, but mature in their thinking and able to Relate Scripture to life properly.

They commit to this verse.

2 tim 3:16 “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

It is the glory to God, by raising others to maturity in Christ.

Church Body

1 peter 5:5-7 “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.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Subject to the Elders

not being DIVISIVE in your acts

Showing respect and appreciation

Utilizing their gifts for your growth

Committing to protecting God people is a TWO WAY relationship

Proud or Humble

Friends we have a choice daily to walk in Him or in the world

We have a choice in every daily decision to serve HIM or ourself

We chose who is our God

Daily not simply because of our promised future with Him

We chose to live for HIm and for Others no matter the cost.

Casting your Anxieties on Him

Peter even reminds us that JESUS cares

We are to cast our cares, not carry our own burdens

we have the church to bring them to....

for we are called to

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Friends we are NOT called to face the DEVIL alone

we are to Come to Christ and be Covered by His Church

Resisting the Devil

1 peter 5:8-9 “8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Devil Prowls and Devours

I taught you before that Jesus is living and active, not on a lazy boy in Heaven hanging back with HIS HOMES --- -the Angels of the All Mighty

No HE LIVES

HE LOVES

HE Protects

Just read these words again....

the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

Satan is not inactive

He is prowling and looking, waiting for you

so do you want to walk the streets of life alone and scared

or with the Army of God, with the LORD of ALL

watching over you

Jesus got your SIX

and your 12, 3 and 9

Resisting the Devil

Peter gives us the information to Resist

be sober minded

be watchful

be firm in your faith

Know that suffering brings maturity

trials bring reliance on HIM

Firm in your Faith

Seek to know HIM, to KNOW His Word, and to KNOW His people as Brothers and Sisters in Christ

and today as we gave you those Palm leaves

Remember that He is the KING of Heaven and Earth

GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH

Let me end today with reading the final words of this book

Lets PRAY

Final Blessings

1 peter 5:10-14 “10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

Eternal Glory

Stand Firm

Peace of Christ

In this Easter Week may you give GLORY TO GOD, by Growing others in Christ