Shepherding

I WAS TERRIFIED… as I stood there, a 14 year old young man, shy, and not a huge fan of doing anything upfront of people, I opened up this Bible to deliver my first sermon! There was this pastor… Charlie Hornick who was convinced I could do this. Shaking in the knees and I am sure voice as well I read and briefly expounded on John 10:1-18 at the Denver Rescue Mission.

My Message:

I shared about the Good Shepherd

I shared a salvation message

Very rough and unrefined, but a heartfelt gospel message

Let me share a journey through time with you…

1990 - Pray for a church plant in Parachute, CO

1993 - That 14 year old kid would preach for the first time

2000 - Pray for this church plant building their building

2002 - Pray for a new pastor for this church in Parachute

2003 - Pray as Charlie considers being pastor

2007 - Prayer & Praise as Lisa and I become church missionaries

2011 - Pray as I consider coming as Associate Pastor

2015 - Prayer as I transition into role of Senior Pastor

Passing the baton…

I was now responsible… to SHEPHERD Christ church!

I love shepherding this church family. I am committed to ministering.

My Commitment:

You see on that timeline is the marker 1993… not only is that the year I preached my first sermon at age 14… a little later at age 15 there would be a moment where I committed my life to serving the Lord in fulltime vocational ministry.

This event in time and commitment would dictate many choices in the years ahead…

Today we are looking at a letter from Peter. He too had a moment in time that I believe was pivotal…

Peter stands before Jesus…listen to that moment… John 21: 15-17

John 21:15–17 NASB95

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

A Letter to Churches

Notice now how Peter opened his letter and to who he is writing… 1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter in this letter is addressing MULTIPLE churches

Peter is addressing the churches as a whole… all would assemble to hear Peters letter read allowed to ALL

As Peter writes he is writing with a pastor’s heart, a heart and mindset of a shepherd following the directive that Christ Himself gave him

Peter is also writing with the authority of an Apostle… not lording it over them though

At the close of this letter Peter addresses the elders (the shepherds of the church)

There is NO separate private letter to them

There is NO executive session held for this portion of the letter

Peter writes these words we will look at this morning for ALL to hear as this letter is read

There would be an accountability amongst the elders and the people in the church

I would like to ask the elders to stand as I read from 1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Peter 5:1–4 NASB95

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

A Strong Message to Elders

Exhort… this is urgent this is important concept Peter is asking (asking with urgency, priority, a STRONG appeal!!)

This is an urgent message to the elders especially due to the suffering that the church is experiencing

Notice the plurality of the elders in multiple churches

Among you (sheep with sheep)

Those serving the local body

We live life like all others, we just happen to be sheep with bells on saying follow me…

During this sabbatical I was able to feel like a sheep some:

I was ministered to

Sent 1 son to college

Daughter turned 16

2 Boys at home alone much of the summer

Fought a wildfire

Read some good books

Caught up with some time with my bride

As an elder, Peter was speaking from experience. However, Peter’s authority came from the fact that he was an apostle, and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who has suffered for Christ. In other words:

Peter wrote these words, inspired by the Spirit of God,

From his own personal experience with Jesus Christ. Peter saw Christ suffering first hand

He had a relationship with Christ, this made it possible for him to minister effectively

Peter knows both the suffering and sharing in the glory

Peter’s urgent message to the elders is… Shepherd the flock of God!

Shepherding

Peter charges them to “SHEPHERD the flock among you” shepherding here is a VERB… an action

Before getting into shepherding let me make several observations for us:

We are all God’s flock, we belong to Him! Psalm 23:1 (ownership) God has given temporary responsibility to elders (as sheep themselves) to be under shepherds caring for God’s people.

OVERSIGHT= to have responsibility for the care of someone, to minister unto, to be responsible, to care for

Pastors are to be “overseers” and not “overlords.” We lead by serving, and we serve through suffering. This is the way Jesus did it, and this is the only way that truly glorifies Him. John 10:11-15

Peter exhorted the elders to be examples to serve as models for the people to follow. They were not to drive God’s people, but to lead them by their examples of mature Christian character.

The warning in 1 Peter 5:3 about “lording it over” the saints reminds us of Christ’s lesson about true greatness in Luke 22:24–27 , as well as the other times that He taught His disciples about humility and service.

Jesus Christ the Chief Shepherd exemplified service for us

Shepherds who serve with false motives care only for themselves and devour the flock

Some beat the sheep using God’s Word… not for correction or growth but power and control

There is a TRUE NEED for people to be fed with God’s Word solid meat to grow and be strengthened

Paul in Ephesians would declare that the pastors/shepherds role is to EQUIP the saints for the work of the ministry

There is more than just feeding though...

Constantly searching for green pastures, water, poisonous plants,

How important it is for pastors to lead their people into the green pastures of the Word of God so that they might feed themselves and grow.

Some need milk and some need solid food. A shepherd needs to give both… KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING his flock

Caring

Make sure all were in the fold, check for snake bites, inspect for health, he knew their name and their personalities!

It is important for an elder to know his people. Be able to minister to them as a whole and individually. Names show value.

This summer caring for the Guichard family with Rob’s passing

Celebrating with the Jansen family as Kellen and Cheyanne were married

The concerning moment that our church building was vandalized

Some pastors today are interested only in the crowds; they have no time for individuals. Jesus preached to great multitudes, but He took time to chat with Nicodemus (John 3), the woman at the well (John 4), and many others

Leading

Sheep are a herd animal. It is what helps them stay safe

Shepherds go in front, lead by example, going through the valleys first

It has been well said that “the church needs leaders who serve and servants who lead.”

Guiding

The pastor is not a religious lecturer who weekly passes along information about the Bible.

He is a shepherd who knows his people and seeks to help them through the Word

He directs them away from some things that may seem appealing yet would harm the flock

He remains vigilant to the surroundings and things that would draw the people into danger

Protecting

Paul in Acts would challenge the elders to GUARD THE FLOCK

Dangers… wolves that sneak in waiting to prey on the weak

False doctrine… seasoned to appeal to ones appetite for ease and self desire

Even within the flock, guarding and caring to protect from sickness within

The sheep do not suffer as the shepherd is vigilant… he goes between the threat and the sheep

The Chief Shepherd

We pastors must be careful how we minister to God’s sheep, because one day we will have to give an account of our ministry.

As Chief Shepherd He holds all AUTHORITY

As Under-Shepherds we have RESPONSIBILITY

Because of this relationship there is ACCOUNTABILITY

But the sheep will also one day give an account of how they have obeyed their spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17), so both shepherds and sheep have a great responsibility to each other.

Hebrews 13:17 NASB95

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

LIKEWISE… both shepherd and sheep are to adorn themselves in HUMILITY (Christ is our Example= servants apron)

Be subject… learn from, follow their them as they follow Christ

Place ones-self under, instruction, leading, protection, and their care

When He comes there is reward, the crown of His Glory!!!

The rewards that Christ brings with Him are unfading, eternal… while we shepherds shepherd the suffering, we remember all of us this is temporary BUT what he brings is ETERNAL!!!

Church… I believe Peter wrote this in a public forum in order for two things to occur...

1 ) That there would be accountability among elders and the people, both understanding what God has directed

2 ) That there would be prayer…from one sheep to another. Please pray for your shepherds.

In 1993 I stood TERRIFIED as I shared about The Good Shepherd.

Today I stand here HONORED to be your shepherd and PRIVILEDGED to continue sharing about our Good Shepherd…

NOT as a hired hand, but as an Under-Shepherd. I love and care for you all so much… AWESOME CONGREGATION! (mug illustration)

I love you guys!