5.17.48 10.27.2019 1 Peter 5.1-5 Sheep Shape

1 Peter 5:1–5 ESV

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: 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. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.”

▾ Start:

• Entice: Leadership should not be glamorous. When it is those who lead and those who follow have generally forgotten the example of Jesus and the difficult, hard lessons of

• Entice: Leadership should not be glamorous. When it is those who lead and those who follow have generally forgotten the example of Jesus and the difficult, hard lessons of reality.

reality.

• Engage: Who is the best leader you ever followed? How did they serve you? Did they make you better? Did you find your gifts, understand your calling, and fulfill your ministry because of them? If you did not you may have been herded, you may have been driven, but you were not led.

because of them? If you did not you may have been herded, you may have been driven, but you were not led.

• Expand: Jesus said "follow me." That is our example of leadership. Jesus gifts and equips elders to say "follow us." We have all known drovers; leaders who thought that Jesus called us cows and not sheep. When leadership becomes glamorous both inside and outside the Church those who are led will suffer. They will suffer because those kinds of leaders think that the position, authority, and power are for their benefit.

called us cows and not sheep. When leadership becomes glamorous both inside and outside the Church those who are led will suffer. They will suffer because those kinds of

leaders think that the position, authority, and power are for their benefit.

• Excite: We will soon elect board members. Some will serve as Elders. Some will serve as Deacons. All will join me in the Pastoral…that is "shepherding" ministry of this congregation. Peter reminds us that we are not only shepherds but we are sheep as well.

congregation. Peter reminds us that we are not only shepherds but we are sheep as well.

Explore: We serve under Jesus the great shepherd of the Sheep.

• Explain: Peter reminds us of some basic principles which guide the work of shepherds, A.K.A Elders, bishops, Pastors.

1 Embedded in Community. v. 1

▾ 1 Embedded in Community. v. 1

1.1 Among you…

• 1.2 Fellow elder…

1.2 Fellow elder…

1.3 Witness of the Passion

1.4 Partaker in the glory to be revealed.

2 Exercised with Conscience. vv. 2-3

2.1 Shepherd...

2.2 Exercise eager oversight...

2.3 Don’t be greedy….

2.4 Don’t be a bully

• 2.5 Be an example to follow…

2.5 Be an example to follow…

3 Envisions Commendation 4

3.1 We serve under the “arch-shepherd”.

we are all being shepherded by Him

3.2 He has reserved a crown of glory for us.

4 Excises Conceit. 5

4.1 Know your place.

• 4.2 Learn "divine" humility.

4.2 Learn "divine" humility.

Sheep up or ship out...

• A humble savior-shepherd calls us to humbly serve. We serve Him by serving His people. We are the sheep of His pasture. We have good shepherds. We always need more.

• Good shepherds are made better shepherds by good sheep. And better shepherds make better sheep. Jesus gets the glory when we imitate His humility.

• I think Jesus wants this Church to prosper. I know I do. That prosperity requires leaders to give guidance, protection, and purpose. This purpose comes from Him.