The Shepherd and the Sheep
Notes
Transcript
Today we will find ourselves in the last chapter of 1 Peter. This 1st epistle or letter Peter writes to persecuted church.
Peter, an apostle and an elder, writes to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor who are facing persecution and suffering.
He exhorts them to stand firm in their faith and hope in the grace of God that will be revealed at the coming of Christ.
In this passage, he addresses the elders and the church members, using the metaphor of a shepherd and a sheep to describe their roles and responsibilities.
I. The Elders’ Duty: To Feed the Flock (v. 1-2)
I. The Elders’ Duty: To Feed the Flock (v. 1-2)
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
Peter calls himself a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of his glory.
He identifies with the elders as one who shares their calling, experience, and hope.
He urges them to feed the flock of God, which is among them.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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, “Feed My sheep.
Feeding the sheep means to preach the word of God faithfully, to teach sound doctrine, to instruct, admonish, and encourage the believers, and to protect them from false teachers and wolves.
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
He also tells them how to feed the flock: not by constraint, but willingly. They should not do it out of obligation, compulsion, or fear, but out of love, joy and eagerness
They should not do it for selfish gain, greed, or ambition, but out of generosity, humility, and service.
1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
No of this by the way is accomplished by ones own strength. It is by the power and grace of God.
II. The Elders’ Manner: To Be Examples to the Flock (v. 3)
II. The Elders’ Manner: To Be Examples to the Flock (v. 3)
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
Peter warns them not to be lords over God’s church, but to be examples to the flock.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
They should not abuse their authority, dominate, or oppress the church members, but to respect them as God’s people and his inheritance.
They should not act as tyrants, but as servants.
They should also be examples to the flock in their conduct, character, and attitude.
They should model Christ-like virtues such as faithfulness, holiness, love, patience, gentleness, and wisdom.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
They should lead by example, not by words only.
III. The Elders’ Reward: To Receive a Crown of Glory (v. 4)
III. The Elders’ Reward: To Receive a Crown of Glory (v. 4)
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Peter assures them that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, they will receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The New Testament mentions five crowns for believers who are faithful to God. They are:
The Crown of Glory: for those who serve God faithfully as His stewards, reflecting His glory and nature, and who will share in His eternal glory when He appears (1 Peter 5:4; Acts 7:55-56; Romans 8:18).
The Crown of Glory: for those who serve God faithfully as His stewards, reflecting His glory and nature, and who will share in His eternal glory when He appears (1 Peter 5:4; Acts 7:55-56; Romans 8:18).
The Crown of Life: for those who endure sufferings and trials for the sake of Christ, even to death, and who have the assurance of eternal life in Him (Revelation 2:10; John 10:10, 4:10, 6:35; 1 John 2:25, 5:3; Hebrews 12:2).
The Crown of Life: for those who endure sufferings and trials for the sake of Christ, even to death, and who have the assurance of eternal life in Him (Revelation 2:10; John 10:10, 4:10, 6:35; 1 John 2:25, 5:3; Hebrews 12:2).
The Imperishable Crown: for those who run the race of life with discipline and endurance, not seeking earthly rewards that fade away, but heavenly ones that last forever (1 Corinthians 9:24-25; Matthew 6:19; 1 Peter 1:4).
The Imperishable Crown: for those who run the race of life with discipline and endurance, not seeking earthly rewards that fade away, but heavenly ones that last forever (1 Corinthians 9:24-25; Matthew 6:19; 1 Peter 1:4).
The Crown of Rejoicing: for those who rejoice in the Lord and His blessings, and who share the gospel with others, bringing them to the presence of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19; Philippians 4:4; Luke 15:7; Revelation 21:4).
The Crown of Rejoicing: for those who rejoice in the Lord and His blessings, and who share the gospel with others, bringing them to the presence of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19; Philippians 4:4; Luke 15:7; Revelation 21:4).
The Crown of Righteousness: for those who love and long for the return of Christ, and who live righteously by His grace, not by their own works or pride (2 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:20).
The Crown of Righteousness: for those who love and long for the return of Christ, and who live righteously by His grace, not by their own works or pride (2 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:20).
Which ever crowns that you may receive will be cast down at His feet.
Revelation 4:4–11 (NKJV)
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Conclusion:
Peter exhorts both elders and church members to follow the example of Christ, the good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
He calls them to live in harmony, humility, and mutual submission to one another.
He urges them to cast all their cares upon God, who cares for them.