Chosen To Lead

This morning, I want to start this Shepherd’s Appreciation off with a message that I pray will set the course for a Word that will be built upon by those coming on behind us for the next three Sundays, encouraging this Shepherd, Pastor Hollman, to continue on in the work of the Lord. I have been blessed to know Pastor Hollman for many years and when I say that I mean practically all of my life. I remember when he was a deacon here in this same church for years. Not, only that, he has supported me when I did revivals in various place in years past. Even then he walked humbly before the Lord and his fellowman. Now as the Shepherd of this flock he continues to walk in that same humble way today.

Now, let me establish that in order to preach or speak in a Shepherd’s Appreciation, you must have an honest heart for the Shepherd and the sheep. You cannot speak well of those for whom you do not really have a heart. I can truly say that I love this shepherd with the love of God and support him and this ministry to the fullest.

Today we are not here to impress anyone with a message that can bragged on as being so in depth, but we are here to encourage this Shepherd who God has chosen to lead His flock in this place. Know this morning that not every preacher that preach this great Gospel of Jesus Christ, has what it takes to lead or shepherd the people of God. They can preach to them, but not have the qualities to lead or shepherd them.

Peter Drucker an Austrian management consultant, said that “Leadership is not magnetic personality, which can just as well be a glib/superficial tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people, which is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, raising a person's performance to a higher standard, building a personality beyond its normal limitations.”

When one is chosen by God to lead his flock, that person is not self-centered (selfish or self-interested), but they are about taking care of the flock of God. A chosen leader never forgets whose sheep the people of God are. They understand that at some point of time they must give account or report to the one that chose them to lead the sheep. Hebrews 13:17 tells us, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

This verse is actually talking to the sheep or people in the House of God. Do not be a people of rebellion that put pressure on their leader because they are the one that watch for your souls. They need to be clear so that they can see the wolf that desires to come in and take you away from the flock of God. Obey them so that their work will be a joy and not a burden because that would be unprofitable or of no advantage to you. God-honoring leaders watch over the church and have the best in mind for them. They do not lead for their own sake but because God has called them to a position of helping people mature in Christ. These leaders are concerned for the deepest needs of those in their fellowship. They take on great responsibility. God will hold them accountable to care for those who are in their charge. Members in the House of God have the responsibility to obey their leaders and submit to their authority. The people of God can greatly ease the burden of leadership when they cooperate with the leader.

In my closing today, let us look back at our main text in 1 Peter 5:1-5. Apostle Peter urges the elders who have been chosen to lead, to feed the flock of God. Then he said for them to take oversight, pastor, take care of or shepherd the flock of God. In so doing he encouraged them not to take the oversight by constraint (feeling compelled or forced), but willingly. Not for filthy lucre (money acquired by dishonorable means), but of a ready (eager or willing) mind. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” God’s people are not a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder.

Verse 3 says, “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Apostle Peter as a disciple of Jesus, wanted the elders that are chosen to lead God’s people not to rule over them as being lords over God’s heritage. In John 21:15-17, we hear Jesus ask this same Apostle Peter when they had dined, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Here Jesus was helping Peter grasp his most valuable life lesson. He must learn humility before he could obtain leadership. Peter needed to confront his shortcomings before he could guide the flock of God. Remember that he had denied Jesus three times after he had promised in John 13:37, that he would lay done his life for Jesus. So because Jesus was about to go back to his Father, he had to affirm Peter’s love and commitment to, “Feed my sheep.” This was not the time for denial, doubt and unbelief. He was being charged to care for the flock of God by feeding and shepherding them. Leadership in ministry requires a servant’s heart: contributing to others, not just directing; developing people, not just demanding that tasks be done.

Pastor Hollman, you have been “Chosen To Lead.