The Good and Gracious Shepherd, 1 Peter 5:1-11

The Good and Gracious Shepherd 1 Peter 5:1-11 Jesus is the good and gracious shepherd There are many benefits to examining the imagery of sheep and shepherd in the Bible. But this morning I want to focus our attention on what this passage teaches us of Jesus, and how that impacts our understanding of the role and relationship between pastor and congregation. But, first, and most importantly let’s look at what this says about Jesus. 1 Peter 5:4 refers Jesus as the chief shepherd, and this isn’t the only place in Scripture that refers to (or God as shepherd) In fact, God as shepherd is one of the primary ways God reveals himself throughout the Bible. In the OT God is the shepherd of Israel, and in the NT Jesus is the great, good, and chief shepherd. John 10:7-11 says, [7] So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus is the good shepherd... and he is gracious. In that He lays down his life his sheep. Hebrews 13:20-21 [20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Jesus loves and rescues his sheep from the grip of sin and death Jesus is the good and gracious shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. His sacrifice was an act of rescue. Like Amos spoke of God, the one who rescues his people like a shepherd rescues a lamb from the mouth of a lion, Jesus rescues us from the mouth of death and the jaws of sin!

Jesus has rescued us and he also oversees our lives. The Bible refers to shepherding and overseeing synonymously. Jesus leads his sheep Jesus feeds his sheep Jesus tends his sheep I think it’s important to note that in all that Jesus does Peter reminds the leaders of the church that the sheep are not exempt suffering. 1 Peter 5:10 [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. And why is it important to note that suffering is a part of the good and gracious shepherds plan for your life? The good and gracious shepherd suffered for the glory of God, and so will his sheep. 1 Peter 5:1 says, [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: Peter writes to the whole church and speaks of the suffering of Christ throughout this letter... and then here at the end he reminds the elders that suffering is how we are saved, and also how we will honor the chief shepherd. So then... As Christ followers we must humble ourselves and stand firm in our faith. We humble ourselves in our hearts toward God 1 Peter 5:6-8 [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. [8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. We humble ourselves in our relationship with one another.

1 Peter 5:5 [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.” Regardless of your maturity, the length you have know the Lord, how long you have attended the church, your gifts, your age, etc... we are all called to be clothed in humility. Humility receives grace... it’s the way of Jesus. And pride is the way of the and God is opposed to the proud. Pride is so rampant in the church... it’s one of the most visible that the world has made its way into the church. Which is why Peter exhorts the church to be humble... and for the elders to lead with humility as under-shepherds of Christ to his flock. God gives elders/pastors to be the under-shepherds of his church. Elder, pastor, and overseer are used throughout the NT to refer to the same office in the church. Elders serve willingly, humbly, and for the inheritance of Christ. Elders exercise oversight of the flock by leading, feeding, training the sheep, and tending the sheep. Elders oversee the church by binding and loosing what Christ binds us too and looses us from as followers of Christ. And we do this through ministry of prayer and the word. (Maybe) But, many churches have reduced the role of pastor to caring and responding to the needs of the church, while placing deacons in the place of oversight. Elders love the sheep Elders lead the flock Elders feed the sheep Elders train and equip the flock

Elders tend to the sheep (includes praying) For many people they see the pastors as simply chaplains who are there foe them when things are hard, or when tragedy strikes. Pastors hear things from the congregation about the relationship they reveal the confusion all the time. Many people don’t understand the relationship with the pastors because they don’t have any urgent needs at the moment. And others are in an urgent situation and often feel like that should be the most important thing to the pastors. And, the truth is, that pastors are called to tend to the spiritual needs of the church and that includes the emotional, mental; and physical well-being of the church. But, it’s also good to remember that God calls deacons to care for the diversity of needs in the church so that the elders can focus on praying and teaching. Not because one group can’t do something or one group doesn’t ... but because the chief shepherd is making sure that his sheep are cared for in the best ways possible. Which leads me to the last thing to mention about elders... Elders lead as a plurality This means that they lead as a group. Why? Because it’s what we see in the word. Elders are consistently mentioned in the plural in the churches of the NT. And in scripture there are elders who are paid and there are elders who are not. And that has to do with the load that they carry for the congregation. The benefit of a plurality is easy to see But, following the leaders God gives the church requires trusting the Lord and staying humble. But when we do this faithfully... when we are humble and seek to stand firm together in our faith so that others will know and so that we all grow.. The church glorifies the Good Shepherd The church guards the gospel

The church grows in maturity, on mission, and through multiplication. But it all begins and ends with the good and gracious shepherd... who cares for us, who rescues us from sin and death... and the rest of what we do is in response to Him, and for Him.