1 Peter 5:1-4 - SLIDE #1

1 Peter 5:1–4 KJV (WS)

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Introduction - SLIDE #2

Tonight I am going to preach on a passage that I have preached on here at our church one other time.

Most of you were not here that night.

It was January 21st, 2018.

The day that I was officially considered as a candidate for the Pastor’s position here at CBT.

I guess it wasn’t really that long ago, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago.

The things that I said then, I still believe today.

I’m excited to be able to share them with you again.

In the year 2000, when I was 12 years old, the church I grew up in found itself without a pastor. For 2 years the church struggled to decide on what they wanted in their next pastor.

In 2003, we were at a different church where I watched as some influential church members attacked the pastor’s family and ran him off. Again I watched as the process began of searching for someone who met the requirements of a pastor.

In January 2016 the pastor of the church, where I last served, had to step down. And once again, I watched as a church searched for a pastor.

At our last ministry, a well-meaning man on staff produced a list of 15 things we were looking for in a new pastor.

Even here at CBT, I’m sure there were many conversations both public and private about what the next pastor should be like.

Everyone has expectations of the position based on their previous experiences. And there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s normal.

But, we should also be willing to submit our expectations to God’s expectations, tonight I would like to look at just what does God expect of His servants.

Though Peter’s letter had a broad reach, he begins chapter 5 by singling out a specific group. - SLIDE #2

1 Peter was written to all of the believers scattered throughout Asia. PT #1

This would be what we know as Turkey.

Unlike many of Paul’s letters, this letter is not written to a single church.

Many churches and pastors would have received this letter.

It’s contents were a general message for all believers.

But, here in chapter 5, Peter turns his attention to his fellow elders. PT #2

Peter has a very direct message for any pastor that reads this letter.

So, he reminds them that he too is an elder.

All that he is about to say, applies equally to his own life.

And yet, Peter is also an Apostle, an eye witness of the sufferings of Christ.

He’s also received a glimpse of the glory God has planned for the future.

Though only a few have glimpsed this glory, all believers will one day experience it.

In verse 1, Peter is establishing connections with his audience so that they will receive his message.

We have the same responsibilities.

I’ve witnessed some things you have not.

You’ve seen some things that I have not.

But ultimately, we will all share in His glory

Peter addresses these other Pastor’s from a position of equality and authority. PT #3

This is significant, because he is practicing what he is about to preach to them.

These are not suggestions, the three things we are going to look at today are all given as directives.

So, what did Peter have to tell these men that was so important?

Peter’s purpose for addressing the pastors is to clearly define God’s requirements for their positions. - SLIDE #3

It is the Pastor’s responsibility to feed the flock. - SLIDE #4

The greek word that we have translated as “feed” in this verse is the action form of the word that is most often translated as “pastor” (poimen).

The word “pastor” means “shepherd”. PT #1

Peter is telling these men that they are to do the work of a shepherd.

The flock is not his own, it’s God’s, but God has tasked the pastor with shepherding them.

As we consider the job of a (poimen) shepherd, I believe it can be summed up in two biblical words that go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. PT #2

Dress and Keep

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

This is what God expects of all people.

Whether you are a pastor or not, we are all to apply these two words to our labors.

But what does it mean for the pastor?

The word dress means to cultivate, to care for, to invest in. PT #3

The Pastor is do his best to give the people, that God has entrusted to him, everything they need to grow spiritually.

This goes along with our message from this morning, because everything you need to grow spiritually is found right here in the Bible.

A pastor who will not dedicate the time and energy to provide a balanced spiritual meal for the people in his church is neglecting his duties as a pastor.

The other word “keep” means to protect. PT #4

The picture here is actually constructing battlements and walls around something to keep danger out.

As the pastor invests in God’s people, he must also give attention to protecting the flock.

There are those out there, and sometimes in here, who would like nothing more than to see CBT close its doors.

If they can’t scatter the flock, then they’ll try to pick off the young Christians, the weak Christians, or the Christian that gets too confident.

It’s the pastor’s job as he shepherds the flock to do everything he can do to protect God’s people.

A pastor who is careless in what he allows into the flock is neglecting God’s command to do the work of a shepherd.

The church needs a balanced spiritual meal. PT #5

The church needs to be protected from threats.

When you go home tonight, read Psalm 23 and notice how everything the Good Shepherd does is from the perspective of dressing and keeping His sheep.

Next, Peter commands these pastors to take the oversight of their ministries. - SLIDE #5

That word “oversight” is the greek word “episkopeo” most often translated as “bishop”. PT #1

You can get a sense of what this responsibility entails by examining the word used.

Epikopeo has two parts.

Epi = something that laid over something else. Superimposed. (epidermis)

Skopeo = spy, aim at, look at

It is the pastor’s responsibility to provide oversight for what goes on within the flock.

This is extremely humbling to consider.

If God has given the responsibility of oversight to the pastor of a local church, then who will He hold responsible for what goes on in that church?

Ultimately, the pastor is accountable for everything that happens within that local assembly. PT #2

This is such a responsibility that Peter makes some observations about what kind of men should be placed in this position.

It should be a man that assumes the responsibility willingly and not of constraint (not forced).PT #3

Believe it or not, there are men standing in pulpits today that are in the ministry because they felt forced.

This is not healthy for anyone, and the church will suffer.

It should be a man that has a ready mind (willing heart to serve) and not someone just doing it for how it will benefit them.

Pastor’s must constantly guard against a feeling of entitlement.

We would all (pastors or not) do well to remember that no one owes us anything.

If we got what we deserved, we would all be in hell right now.

Before a pastor assumes this humbling responsibility, he’d better make sure he is doing so in willing obedience to God and for the right reasons.

Finally, Peter challenges pastors to lead by being an ensample. - SLIDE #6

Before we deal with what it means to be an ensample, let’s follow Peter’s frame of thought and examine the warning that precedes this.

As a man seeks to shepherd and provide oversight, he must guard against acting like a lord over God’s heritage. PT #1

Listen to some of the words associated with the definition of this word and determine if you think these are words that should be applied to a pastor.

Control, subjugate, exercise dominion over, overcome.

These are not words that I believe are healthy in the pastor-people relationship, though I’ve known of men who have employed these ideas.

Peter offers a God-given alternative in this word ensample. PT #2

An ensample is a die that has been struck, a model, a statue.

The word comes from another word that refers to the act of chiseling something into shape.

An artist, or a craftsman strikes or chisels away at his work until it meets his expectations.

A pastor, then, as an ensample, is to be one who allows God to shape and mold their life as a model for others to follow.

Though they may try, no one can force you to do anything.

If you’re around me for any length of time you will hear me say this often, but I firmly believe that people will do what they want to do.

People go to great lengths to do what they want to do.

I knew a guy who lived in Kansas City who decided he wanted to be in New York City to see the ball drop on New Year’s Eve.

He and his brother left

That applies to church as well.

If you want to be here, you’ll find a way to be here.

If you want to be a witness, you’ll find a way.

If you want to give and invest in this ministry, you’ll find a way.

A pastor trying to lord over or force people to do what he wants them to do, will only succeed in frustrating himself and the people.

Peter insists that, instead, the pastor should focus on making sure his life is one that others would want to emulate.

You’ve heard the old saying, “do as I say, not as I Do?”

That doesn’t work in parenting, and it doesn’t work in pastoring.

These are not Peter’s requirements for a pastor, these are God’s requirements. - SLIDE #7

And that is an incredibly sobering thought.

But, it is also an incredibly encouraging thought. PT #1

God will judge the unfaithful pastor.

He will reward the faithful pastor. v.4

Peter has challenged his readers (then and now) by clearly defining the requirements and potential reward for all pastors.

It is and has been my desire to apply these principles to my life and ministry.

I hope tonight that you will commit to praying for me in this area.PT #2

You all have been so kind to give me this opportunity to serve as your pastor.