Chapter 5

Introduction

Blood Drive

Day of Prayer - Prayer Circles

Tension

Have you ever wondered what I do?

Occasionally I hear jokes about working only one day a week

And I’ve got to be honest with you… it’s a pretty good job

Monday through Friday I clean house, cut the grass and do my kids homework

I write down some thoughts on Saturday and work on Sunday

It’s the best job, you should do it!

My job (calling) is layed out in 1&2 Timothy and Titus

Pastoral Epistles

Truth

1 Peter 5:1–2 “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”

Elder: The early church adopted the term “elder” to refer to church leaders

In the Pastoral Letters (1&2 Timothy, Titus), elders had functions including directing the church, preaching, and teaching

Peter is addressing the role of the church leaders

Overseers

I appeal - strong urge to listen and do what you're told

Listen and Obey

Care for those entrusted to you

Watch willingly, not grudgingly

Put the needs of others before your own

The shepherd's role is a powerful metaphor for God's care and Christ's relationship with His followers

(Church) A good shepherd provides spiritual nourishment, knowing and tending to each member of the flock individually

(Literally) The shepherd's vigilance is constant, leading the flock to food and water, carrying lambs when necessary, and protecting them from dangers in difficult terrain

Christ, as the ultimate Good Shepherd, went beyond earthly shepherds by laying down His life for His flock

This sacrificial love is central to the shepherd's role, focusing on the needs of the flock rather than personal gain

John 10:11–16 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”

1 Peter 5:3–4 “Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”

This is not a position of power and authority

This is a sacrificial calling

A tale of three kings

Sheep from the front, shepherd from behind

Give whatever it takes to care, support, and lead “To know Jesus and Love like Him”

1 Peter 5:5 “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

This is not coming from a place of authority, but of wisdom

Listen to those who are ahead of you

Learn from them

The terminology all throughout his writing is that we are sheep who listen to their shepherd

He’s calling the next generation to learn

Peter moves his focus to everyone who hears this letter

He calls us to humility

Humility is not thinking less of yourself - its thinking of yourself less

To dress yourself = to tie onto yourself

Deuteronomy 6:6–8 “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.”

1 Peter 5:6–7 “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Humility allows us to submit (yeild)

last week Eli defined suffering = forced to endure

yielding, submitting… laying down our lives for Christ

Will be the hardest thing we ever do

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Mark 8:34 “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Luke 9:23 “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

1 Peter 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Peter uses animal analogies all throughout his writing

Sheep are innocent and in danger if isolated

1 Peter 5:9 “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

But together with the watchful eye of a shepherd, there is safety

1 Peter 5:10–11 “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”

Application

Are you Humble?

What do you need to surrender?

Where do you need to yield?

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