1 Peter #12
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Connection
Sheep need Shepherds.
Theme:
Shepherding the Flock of Christ
Need:
The health of the sheep only goes as far as the health of the shepherds.
Purpose:
To exhort the Elders to Pastor the Flock of Christ after the example of the Chief Shepherd; to comfort the flock in the glory that is coming our way through Jesus; and to stir the flock to submit to the Elders and live in humility with one another.
Read Text:
1 Peter 5:1-5 ESV
PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY
(1) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ as Godly Examples - v. 1-3
(1) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ as Godly Examples - v. 1-3
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.
1 So I exhort the elders among you,
After addressing the entire congregation, all of God’s elect exiles, all of the Christians who are born again—after meditating on the Gospel in chapters 1-2, and then on how we respond to the gospel in chapters 3-4, now Peter turns his attention to the leaders of the church—to the elders of the church—to the pastors of the church. He has specific exhortations for them, because he desires a healthy church, he desires mature sheep, he desires holy sheep, he desires happy sheep—whose gaze is fixed upon Jesus our Good Shepherd.
The shepherds of the churches have a direct responsibility to be the presence and example of the Chief Shepherd of the sheep, to be his under-shepherds who lead the sheep to still waters, to feed and nourish and care and lead and guide and protect and provide for God’s people—with the pure sincere milk of the Word of God, in the power of the Spirit of God, baptized in unceasing prayer (Acts 6:4; 20:17-35; 1 Tim. 2:1; 3:1-7; 4:11-16; 5:17-22;2 Tim. 1:13-14; 2:14-15; 2:24-25; 3:14-17; 4:1-5; Titus 1:5-9; 2:1; 3:8-11; James 5:14-16).
This sermon will be specifically for our elders, including myself, and will have application throughout for all of our sheep at Calvary, and the final verse of our text will then show how the entire community, following the lead of our shepherds, comes together by the grace of God to form a healthy community of God’s people, gathered together in his presence, living together in the Christian life, and helping each other to trust, repent, and follow Jesus for all of our days.
The first thing that needs to be established and clarified for us is: what and who are elders? Our ByLaws give a helpful definition: “Elders are the officially recognized leaders/oversees of the Church, including the staff Pastors, who have been appointed by the Church to care for the spiritual needs of the Church. All elders are pastors of the Church”. For such a definition you can see Acts 6; Acts 20; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1; Heb. 13; 1 Pet. 5; James 5.
In light of this, Peter continues:
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:
Here we see that the Apostle Peter, holding the highest office in the early church under Jesus, exhorts the elders of the church that he is writing to, but he doesn’t decide to flag his apostolic title here. Instead, he humble calls himself a fellow-elder. This is amazing and this really helps us understand that continuity and discontinuity between the Apostolic Office and the Office of Elder.
The apostles had to be Spirit-filled eye-witnesses of the Life, Ministry, and Risen Christ.
They had to be specifically chosen by Jesus personally.
And they had to be given miraculous gifts of signs and wonders to confirm their extraordinary ministry as they laid the foundation of the church, received the deposit of Spirit-inspired authoritative teaching that came from their own lips just as Jesus promised (which eventually became deposited in Holy Scripture in the NT—which is final and complete and sufficient for all of God’s people).
Elders/pastors on the other hand are not physical eye witnesses of the life, ministry, and risen Christ. We are not personally chosen by Jesus in a miraculous way. And we are not given miraculous gifts of signs and wonders to prove our office. On the contrary:
Elders/pastors had to be Spirit-filled, mature, godly Christian men who were able to teach the Word of God which the Apostles and Prophets laid down for us in Scripture.
Elders/pastors had to be chosen by the common will of the church, by vote of majority—nominated, affirmed, tested, and installed. The church had the responsibility of discerning their gifting and calling through ordinary means.
Elders/pastors were given the ordinary ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Prayer. Faithfully teaching and preaching the Word. Faithfully administering the sacraments and overseeing the flock. And faithfully striving in prayer on behalf of God’s people. This office was not one of receiving the deposit of Scripture, but of guarding the deposit of Scripture laid by the Apostles and prophets. This office is one that’s authority goes not farther than what is written, which is the only place when we can say: Thus saith the Lord.
Here Peter calls himself a fellow-Elder, showing that his extraordinary Apostolic ministry was soon to be flowing into the ordinary Pastoral ministry. When we read the book of Acts we don’t see Apostles installing new Apostles after the first 3 chapters. We see the Apostles installing elders in every church they went to. Apostles were first-generation, temporary, and authoritative Representatives of the Risen Christ. They laid the foundation of the early church along with the holy prophets, and after the foundation was laid the ministry of Apostles and Prophets ceased—which led to the ordinary ministry of Elders/pastors ministering the new covenant, by the written Scriptures of the OT and the NT which would eventually be fully gathered together as it is today. The essence of the Apostolic ministry was shepherding the entire early church by Spirit-inspired-new-revelation—the essence of the Pastoral ministry was shepherding one particular local church by Spirit-inspired-Holy-Scripture.
Peter says he is a fellow-Elder and a witness of the suffering of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. Along with the Elders, and all Christians for that matter—we share in the benefits of the suffering of Christ on our behalf and for our salvation, and we are partakers of the glory of the new creation that is going to be revealed when Jesus our Shepherd-King returns with his holy angels and saints.
Jesus lived and died for his precious sheep, laying his life down for them, securing their eternal inheritance in heaven, by grace alone, through faith alone (Jn. 6; 10; Eph. 2:8-9)—and he is currently praying for his sheep, interceding for them, holding them fast in heaven (Jn. 17). Our precious inheritance is kept in heaven for us, because Jesus stands in heaven for us (1 Pet. 1:1-11). And when Jesus returns, the glory that is going to be revealed is coming our way—everlasting life, resurrection bodies, perfect souls of perfect love for our Triune God, perfect love for each other, as we dwell together in the house of the Lord for all of our days—as we reign on the new earth with our blessed Lord and Saviour (Rev. 21-22). Take heart oh little lambs, says Jesus—it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (Lk. 12:32. This glory to be revealed? Peter shares in it, faithful Elders share in it, and all of Christ’s flock share in it. Oh let us warm our hearts as the precious promises of God’s future grace to be revealed (1 Cor. 15). Come, Lord Jesus.
After humbly identifying himself with the elders of the church—Peter now turns his exhortation to the specific responsibility that all elders equally, joyfully, and solemnly share. Peter says that all elders are called to:
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.
Notice immediately what Peter did not say Elders primarily were: they are not primarily CEO’s, they are not primarily directors of a corporation, they are not primarily board members, they are not primarily decision-makers, they are not primarily business-men, they are not primarily managers, they are not primarily rulers or dictators, they are not primarily just a group men holding a reverent title—THEY ARE SHEPHERDS, THEY ARE PASTOR-TEACHERS—They are primarily those who feed and lead the Sheep. Witmer again writes:
“The failure to shepherd in our churches is the simple but dangerous result when church members and leaders fail to embrace this fundamental biblical model. For example, if the church leader is called to be a shepherd, those chosen to serve will be different than if he is to be merely a decision maker. Are the elders a team of decision makers? Or a team of shepherds caring the flock? The answer to this question will also have an impact on whether the primary qualification for your leadership team is corporate success and experience or a shepherd’s heart. Obviously, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but what is the fundamental orientation of your leaders?”
Elders are Shepherd, Elders are Pastors, Elders must feed and lead the flock of Christ. This is primary. Everything else is secondary. If Elders are not shepherds at heart—then they aren’t called to be Elders. If Elders are not pastors at heart—then they aren’t called to be Elders. God help us to be faithful and fruitful, gentle and lowly, Lion-and-Lamb like shepherds of the flock of Christ.
Dear Church. Pray for us to be these kind of men. Pray for the men we are training to grow into this character. Pray for future Elder-candidates—that they would have shepherd-hearts like David of old:
He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes he brought him
to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
With upright heart he shepherded them
and guided them with his skillful hand.
Just as the Lord Shepherds his covenant-people:
He struck down every firstborn in Egypt,
the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.
Then he led out his people like sheep
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid,
but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
The Lord Shepherds his people by protecting them from their enemies, and by leading his people into safety and rest—by still waters and green pastures.
John Calvin famously said that a pastor must have two voices: one to drive away the wolves, and another to woo the sheep. One to protect from harm, and another to provide in love.
Elders are pastors. Elders are shepherds. And notice what we are called to do brethren, Bob, Frank, John—notice what we are called to do you men who are in Elder-training—notice what we are called to do you who aspire to this noble office:
(A) Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight.
Elders are to be gentle and lowly, mature and meek, strong and serious, happy and holy—they are to walk with Christ’s sheep—leading them to the still waters of prayer and meditation—leading them to the green pastures of the Word and Sacraments, in unceasing Prayer. They are to be well-skilled in the Written Word—understanding it by the Spirit’s illumination, living it by the Spirit’s power, and teaching it in the Spirit’s wisdom. They must be well-versed in all of Scripture and it’s systematic relationship, it’s historical context, it’s redemptive-story, and it’s modern application in the church of Jesus Christ. They are to give oversight, management, care, leadership, direction, and vision. In this they are responsible, and in this we are accountable to the Lord. We will be the first to give an account for how we cared for the flock of Christ, the household of God, the temple of the Spirit. As Paul commanded Timothy regarding how they ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, so too must we labour in the fear of the Lord, and in the joy of the Lord, as we oversee the ministry of Calvary Bible Church—going no farther than what is written, standing firm therein, and properly applying the Word of God to our circumstances in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Paul sums it up best in Acts 20:26-32
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 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. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Elders are to pastor, pay careful attention to ourselves (lest we disqualify ourselves)—to pay careful attention to all the flock (lest they damage themselves)—because the Holy Spirit through his providence, and through his fitting us with gifts and graces—has made us overseers—we must care, feed, nourish, lead, and graciously rule the church of God? Becuase Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, obtained his bride with his own blood—reconciling us to God, redeeming us from the wrath to come, justifying us by grace, adopting us into God’s family, sanctifying us by grace, and securing our everlasting inheritance.
The precious blood of Jesus birthed the church—and the precious blood of Jesus empowers Elders to faithfully pastor the church. We must protect the flock from false teachers, build the saints up in their faith through the means of grace, and we must boldly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the precious food for Christ’s sheep. Next, Peter says that Elders are to:
(B) Shepherd the flock of God, not under compulsion, but willingly.
Elders are not to be elders just because there is a need. They should never dare to step into office just to fill a seat. They should never rise up to the position of overseer if the Holy Spirit has not called them to be overseers. But more than this, for us who are called, we must not do our work under compulsion, begrudgingly, grumbling, or just under a cold-sense of duty. No, no, no.
Shepherd of Christ must serve willingly, joyfully, happily, earnestly, cheerfully, humbly, and gratefully. What a privilege! What an honour! To lay our lives down for the sheep. To live for our people like Jesus—to die for our people like Jesus—to care for our people like Jesus—to help our people like Jesus—to rebuke our people like Jesus—to comfort our people like Jesus—to exhort our people like Jesus—to encourage our people like Jesus—to minister to our people like Jesus!
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
What a blessed honour is this? To be called by God the Holy Spirit to serve as a pastor and to lead the saints to taste and see that God is good, that they might feast on the rivers of his delights—that we too might share in those eternal pleasures. Oh brothers we must take great joy in our task—joined together with holy fear—we we must put our hand to the plow, not looking back, but pressing onward in the work of the Kingdom, in the ministry of the new covenant, in the care of souls, in the leading of the flock, in the guarding of the saints—let us be filled with a holy ambition, a sovereign joy, a gracious disposition, and a reverent heart. God-forbid that our leadership should be cold and stoic—may our leadership be warm and Spirit-filled—that the people of God at Calvary entrusted to our care might imitate us, as we imitate our blessed Jesus. With Paul we should be able to say:
Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
Peter then says that Elders are to:
(C) Shepherd the flock of God, not for shameful gain, but eagerly.
Elders are to do their work, not because they just want to make a living, not because they want to make money, not because they have a selfish-ambition with a love of money—but they are to pastor the church of God with an eager, devoted, sacrificial, pure, sincere, dignified, and honest way. Especially the elders who are on pay roll, our staff pastors—we aren’t to be lovers of money, pastoring just to get people to tithe more, pastoring just to get a bigger paycheck, pastoring just to build our own wealth or estate. No our desire is with eager joy for the building up of God’s people—our pay is not the reason why we pastor, our pay is the ability to care for our families so that we can properly devote ourselves to this noble task. Pastors who pastor selfishly money are not pastors called by God. Jude refers to them as shepherd who feed themselves—and actually one characteristic of a false prophet and a false teacher according to the Apostle Peter is this false ambition to make wealth through one’s ministry. Oh God keep us humble and godly and content in Christ—labouring for eternal riches, not temporary dollars.
Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
Thus with Paul us Elders should say:
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Yes the staff-pastors who preach the Gospel should receive their living by the Gospel, Paul says not to muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain and that the labourer deserves his wages (1 Tim. 5:18)—but one of the qualifications for being an elder is to not be a lover of money (1 Tim. 3:3). So yes—pay your staff-pastors—but staff-pastors must not labour for the money, but for eternal realities. Elders are not to labour for shameful gain, but are to pastor eagerly. Peter then says that Elders are to:
(D) Shepherd the flock of God as examples to the flock, not domineering over those in your charge.
Elders are to pastor the church as happy and holy examples of Jesus Christ—and example to the people of Christ. Elders should be able to say to the congregation: follow me as I follow Christ. Imitate me as I imitate Christ. Do you see how I commit myself to holiness, to personal prayer, to family worship, to loving my wife and kids? Do you see how I commit myself to loving my neighbour, to evangelism and world missions, to serving those around me? Do you see how I commit myself to love the church, care for the church, pray for the church, give my time to the church, and give my heart to the church? Do you see how I delight in God my Father? Do you see how I rejoice in Christ my Lord? Do you see how I walk in the Holy Spirit?
Elders must be gracious and bold, humble and holy, gentle and lowly, lion-and-lamb like examples to the flock. So that we can say with Paul to others: 1 Tim. 4:15-16
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Elders must not be tyrants in the office—they must be gentle examples to the flock. Elders must not be bullies in the pulpit—but ministers of the new covenant. Elders must not rule harshly—but graciously, sacrificially, and humbly. Elders must not domineer over those in our charge, over our church members—no—we must be gentle and kind to all, do good to all, serve all, and love all.
We must not crush the sheep with too much law—extinguishing their assurance. We must feed the sheep with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not breaking the bruised reed, or quenching the faintly burning wick—but faithfully pastoring the souls of those entrusted to us. Yes we must rebuke at times, yes we must admonish, yes we must firmly exhort—but this must be in the tone of our gracious Lord himself—who was full of grace and truth—who is the Lion and the Lamb—whose heart beats with compassion and whose soul recoils within him for his precious sheep. Forgive me for not always doing this perfectly, forgive us for not always doing this perfectly—God help us to be gracious and compassionate, bold and courageous—in their proper place, in their proper context, and for their proper purpose—rebuking the prideful, but comforting the poor in spirit.
Well brothers, this is a weighty task—but a joyful one indeed. This is a noble office—but a tremendous privilege. Let us devote ourselves to the ministry of Prayer and the Word—and may the Spirit of God keep us qualified, faithful, and fruitful in the work of the Lord. And may any of you men who aspire to this office aspire to all that has just been said. And may the entire church pray for us in this regard—and do not settle for anything less. These are the kind of people that Paul is looking for, when he lays out the qualifications for pastors:
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
God help our Elders, and aspiring Elders, to reach these Spirit-filled character-traits, to maintain them, and to serve only insofar as they are walking in them.
(1) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ as Godly Examples - v. 1-3
This leads us to our second point:
(2) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ with the Hope of Glory - v. 4
(2) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ with the Hope of Glory - v. 4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Though this is written to Elders—this has application to all of Christ’s sheep:
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
When our beloved and good Shepherd appears—when Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour returns—when our King comes to usher in the New Creation: we will receive the unfading crown of glory, we will enter into our inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading!
Beloved flock of Christ, hear from your God and his precious promises of the the precious hope of glory that is coming to us, when our Chief Shepherd appears to bring his precious flock into the eternal pastures of the new creation:
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
And can it be, that I should gain? An interest in, the Redeemers blood?! Oh what blessed hope there is for God’s people, for those who are trusting in Jesus Christ, repenting of their sins, and thereby have been with God through Jesus Christ, as we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
To our Elders, to our Shepherds—we labour and strive and toil in the hope of the blessed reward of dwelling forever with our Cheif Shepherd for all of our days.
To our Sheep—we labour and strive and toil for your good, for your growth, for your perseverance, for your joy, and for your safe entrance into the eternal Kingdom of God where you shall dwell with us as we worship King Jesus!
Our labour is not in vain, your labour is not in vain—let us therefore prove to be the true sheep of Christ, his precious lambs, and loving disciples who shall enter the joy of our Master on that blessed day!
And the blessed hope for Christ’s sheep is that our perseverance is promised—because Christ our Chief and Good Shepherd will hold us fast:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
And our prayer is that all of our sheep would prove to be his disciples, would bear much fruit, would persevere to the end—and join us in glory with our beautiful Saviour, world without end. By grace alone. Truly Jesus is the Good Shepherd of the Sheep, and because of His life, death, and resurrection, we together can say: Ps. 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
(2) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ with the Hope of Glory - v. 4
This leads us to our final point:
(3) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ into Order, Humility, and Grace - v. 5
(3) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ into Order, Humility, and Grace - v. 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.”
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
I’m of the opinion here that Peter isn’t talking merely about the physical age of the church—but also the spiritually young of the church. Those who are spiritually mature are already submitting to the pastors of the flock joyfully. But those who are spiritually young might have some hesitancy to do this. Peter is here reminding the entire flock, especially those who are younger in the faith—that the church is the household of God, the temple of the Spirit, and the Body of Christ. There is to be peace, unity, love, and order. In the church there are really three positions: members, deacons, and elders/pastors. Members are to joyfully submit to the teaching-office of the elders as they lovingly lead the flock into the ways of Christ. Deacons are to assist the elders by caring for the physical needs of the church. And pastors are to oversee, care, feed, and nourish Christ’s lambs.
Peter is here reminding us that when we have faithful and fruitful, gifted and called elders—that it is a good and happy thing to submit to our leadership. If they are leading us to Jesus, why wouldn’t we submit to their leadership? I know it can be hard to submit to leaders when there have been faulty ones in the past—but our prayer is that our flock will see our faithfulness, trust in our leadership, and follow us in the path of life.
Peter then exhorts the entire flock with a beautiful command for church unity:
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another,
Calvary, we are all called to be clothed every single day. Each day we wake up we need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Each day we wake up we need to arm ourselves with his armour. Each day we wake up we need to be filled with the Word and Spirit. Each day we wake up we need to repent and trust in Christ. Each day we wake up we need to walk with Him in obedience. And what does this specifically look like in our church-context? As God’s people, as the family of God?
We must put humility on—that garment that is quite difficult to wear, but it so fruitful for God’s kingdom. We must esteem others more highly than ourselves. We must serve each other. We must drop grudges. We must leave false opinions behind. We must take up our cross, follow Jesus, and lay our lives down in love for our brothers and sister whom we have all covenanted to serve and cherish.
May we all tangibly, at prayer meeting, at weekly studies, at family breakfasts, at Sunday gatherings, at your homes throughout the week—may we all tangibly serve each other, call each other, check up on each other, care for each other—and humbly serve one another in the grace of God so that we would be more like Jesus together, forming a beautiful church community of grace and discipleship as we look to Christ, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. But why? What is the motivation that Peter gives us for this task? he says:
for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Calvin writes:
For, or, because. It is a most grievous threatening, when he says, that all who seek to elevate themselves, shall have God as their enemy, who will lay them low. But, on the contrary, he says of the humble, that God will be merciful and favourable to them. We are to imagine that God has two hands; the one, which like a hammer beats down and breaks in pieces those who raise up themselves; and the other, which raises up the humble who willingly let down themselves, and is like a firm prop to sustain them. Were we really convinced of this, and had it deeply fixed in our minds, who of us would dare by pride to urge war with God? But the hope of Christ now makes us fearless to raise up our horn to heaven in Jesus name. Let this declaration of Peter be as a celestial thunderbolt to make men humble.
Oh what a dreadful thing for the unbeliever who persists in pride—they will meet the opposition of the Almighty God on the last day. And with Jesus we plead with you to flee to sufficient mercy and grace of Jesus Christ to escape the wrath to come. Trust in Him, in His grace alone.
But oh what a sweet thing it is for those who come to the end of themselves, no longer holding on to their sin-stained garments as their hope of entering into heaven. No longer clinging to their pitiful efforts, which arouse God’s anger. But who are clinging to the old rugged cross, which satisfies God’s justice and secures God’s mercy. Who are trusting in the precious life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as their only hope for all eternity. There’s an old hymn that says:
“Not what my hands have done, can save my guilty soul; not what my toiling flesh has borne, can make my spirit whole. Not what I feel or do, can give me peace with God; not all my prayer and sighs and tears, can bear my awful load. Thy work alone o Christ, can ease this weight of sin; thy blood alone O Lamb of God, can give me peace within. Thy love to me O God, not mine O Lord to thee, can rid me of this dark unrest, and set my spirit free. Thy grace alone O God, to me can pardon speak; thy power alone O Son of God, can this sore bondage break. No other work save thine, no other blood will do; no strength save that which is divine, can bear me safely through”
Who does God give grace to? To the humble—to those who are casting all their hope upon Jesus Christ alone, SOLUS CHRISTUS! To those who are resting in Him as their only foundation and ground of eternal life. And who does God give sanctifying grace to? Grace for growth? The exact same people who are walking by His mercies and strength—not in self-dependence and pride. God help us to walk humbly with our God—relying upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life.
Pastors of our flock, we are called to lead the saints into church order, into joyful humility, into growth in grace—and we are to be examples of all these things for them to emulate. People of God—follow us, insofar as we follow Christ the Chief Shepherd. And when we fail—let that urge you to trust in Him who never will: Isa. 40:10-11
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
(3) Elders are to Pastor and Oversee the Flock of Christ into Order, Humility, and Grace - v. 5
This leads us to our conclusion:
(C) Christ the Chief Shepherd is the Example for our Elders, the Food for our Sheep, and the Glory to Come.
(C) Christ the Chief Shepherd is the Example for our Elders, the Food for our Sheep, and the Glory to Come.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
And I also hope we are able to say: My Elders are my under-shepherds, and I do not lack the good food of the Word of God, or the needest support of Prayer.
(C) Christ the Chief Shepherd is the Example for our Elders, the Food for our Sheep, and the Glory to Come.
(C) Christ the Chief Shepherd is the Example for our Elders, the Food for our Sheep, and the Glory to Come.
Amen, let’s pray.
