Shepherds & Sheep

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.

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

1 Peter 1:1–2 NASB95

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

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

We are now coming to the end of this letter Peter is writing to the churches. Peter now turns his attention to the Elders.

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 5:1-5

1 Peter 5:1–5 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. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Have all stand for verse 5

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

We need to encourage one another

This is hard work… and ongoing

Among you (sheep with sheep)

Those serving the local body

The leaders have an urgent message to hear (then and now!)

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

John 10:11–15 NASB95

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

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.

Luke 22:24–27 NASB95

And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Jesus Christ the Chief Shepherd exemplified this for us

Shepherds who serve with false motives care only for themselves and devour the flock (Ezekiel 34:2-3).

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.

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

dangerous animals… 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 lays safe and well… he goes between the threat and the sheep

The Chief Shepherd is Returning

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.

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)

What we see in each other and what others see

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

Place 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… we as elders pray for you among all the other things discussed today. I ask on behalf of the elders… Please pray for us as we shepherd, that we would shepherd well, that God would guard our hearts, our families, and that we would lead well as we ourselves follow our Chief Shepherd.

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