Bible Study PH

I Peter 5:1-4

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Help in suffering

  • 1st – Shepherd the flock… vs. 1-2
    • 1st – Coming along side… vs. 1
      • The elders who are among you I exhort!
      • EXHORT [παρακαλέω] – to come along side [often used as a title for the Holy Spirit]
      • ELDER [πρεσβύτερος] – speaking of someone who is OLDER – spiritually WISE…
      • There are THREE words used to describe a LEADER in the church…
      • These terms are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
      • BISHOP – describes their RESPONSIBILITY – to PROTECT the people – I Timothy 3:1-7
      • PASTOR [ποιμήν] – describes their PURPOSE – to TEACH the people – Ephesians 4:11
      • ELDER – describes their EXPERIENCE – so they can LEAD the people – Acts 14:23
    • 2nd – A unique perspective… vs. 1
      • I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ…
        • And also a partaker [κοινωνός] of the glory that will be revealed [ἀποκαλύπτω]!
        • Peter had witnessed the SUFFERINGS of Christ – His crucifixion on the cross…
        • As well as the GLORY of Christ – His resurrection and ascension…
        • Peter had been there throughout the ministry of Jesus – and had learned a few lessons…
        • And he wanted to pass on those lessons to other ELDERS in the church!
      • The FAILURE…
        • Peter had denied Jesus on three different occasions – Luke 22:61
        • He assumed he was finished – he had FAILED as a disciple of Jesus…
        • He went back to his old ways – fisherman – to the life he had before Christ…
        • Jesus met Peter there – asked him TWO questions – John 21:15-16
        • Peter do you LOVE [ἀγαπάω] – me more than these [the world]
        • Peter had failed – he could not say he [ἀγαπάω] the Lord…
        • Peter honestly answers BOTH times – Lord You know I LIKE [φιλέω] You!
      • The RESTORATION…
        • A THIRD time Jesus asked the question – Peter do you LOVE me…
        • RATHER than using the word [ἀγαπάω] – He used the word LIKE [φιλέω]
        • Jesus did NOT expect Peter to come to His level [ἀγαπάω] – Jesus came to Peters level!
        • Jesus does not choose perfect people to SHEPHERD His sheep – there are NONE…
        • He takes ordinary people – fishermen – businessmen…
        • Men tend to look for the DIPLOMA – a degree that shows they are qualified…
        • But the PROOF of the calling of God is not in the recognition of men…
        • I know a lot of men who have a pastoral DEGREE – who are NOT pastors…
        • And I know a lot of men who have NO diploma – who are pastors…
        • The calling of God – is SEEN through the WORK of God through a persons life!
    • 3rd – Teach the Word… vs. 2
      • Shepherd the flock of God which is among you!
        • The ONE command Jesus had given to Peter – he passed onto other ELDERS – John 21:17
        • SHEPHERD [ποιμαίνω] – 11x in the NT – means to feed…
        • PASTORS must [imperative] FEED the flock [people of God] – the Word!
        • Yet many PASTORS today do NOT the teach the Bible – Amos 8:11
        • They are AFRAID to talk about hard subjects – sin – hell…
        • They do NOT want to OFFEND people – so they only talk about HAPPY subjects…
        • They are more interested in ENTERTAINING people – than TEACHING them!
        • II Timothy 4:3 – “A time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will… look for teachers who will tell them what they want to hear.”
      • Faith comes by HEARING…
        • The church is not a theatre or a show – it is a place to HEAR the Word of God…
        • Being ENTERTAINED does not change lives – jokes CANNOT take away sin…
        • The power of salvation is in the Word of God – PASTORS must TEACH the Word!
        • Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing… the Word of God.”
    • 4th – THREE ways…
      • The only COMMAND given by Peter to the ELDERS – is to SHEPHERD…
      • But we are given THREE descriptions [particles] – on HOW they are to SHEPHERD…
      • They are to OVERSEE – they are NOT to LORD – and they are to be EXAMPLES!
  • 2nd – Serving as Overseers… vs. 2
    • 1st – Protect the Sheep…
      • Serving as overseers – not by compulsion but willingly – not for dishonest gain but eagerly!
        • OVERSEER [ἐπισκοπέω] – 2x in NT – the root word for BISHOP…
        • BISHOP – describes their RESPONSIBILITY – to PROTECT the people – I Timothy 3:1-7
        • Someone who ALWAYS [present] watches out for the people – keeps the church safe…
        • One way to KNOW a PASTOR – is to see how he PROTECTS the SHEEP!
      • The HIRELING…
        • John 10:12 – “A hireling – who is not the PASTOR [ποιμήν]… sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees…”
        • When satan attacks – things get tough – the HIRED pastor is quick to run away…
        • When times get tough – when people do not show – when there is no money…
        • Because the HIRED pastor does NOT love the sheep – or care what happens to them!
      • The PASTOR…
        • I Samuel 17:34 – “When a lion comes to steal a lamb from the flock – I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth…”
        • Satan is a LION who wants to devour us – he wants to HARM the sheep – I Peter 5:8
        • The job of the PASTOR is to go after the SHEEP – take them out of the jaws of satan…
        • Because He God has given him a LOVE for the SHEEP!
        • John 10:11 – “The good PASTOR [ποιμήν] gives His life for the sheep.”
    • 2nd – Volunteer…
      • Not out of COMPULSION – no one should be FORCED to serve…
      • WILLINGLY – someone must VOLUNTEER for the role serving as a PASTOR!
      • If a man can do ANYTING else other than be a PASTOR he should…
      • Not because he lacks the qualifications – but because of what ministry demands…
      • But if there is NOTHING else that a man can do – if he MUST serve – then be a PASTOR!
      • Jeremiah 20:9 – “If I say I will never mention the LORD or speak in His name – His word burns in my heart like a fire… I am worn out trying to hold it in! I cannot do it!” [NLT]
      • There is more NEED than there will ever be PASTORS to go and do the work…
      • A PASTOR could work every moment of his life – and still never put a dent in the NEED…
      • Jesus said PRAY – the Lord of the Harvest will send out more laborers – Luke 10:2
      • Who will go – ONLY those who CHOOSE to obey the call – those who VOLUNTEER…
      • Because anyone else would quickly burn out – get frustrated – and give up! 
      • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send – and who will go for Us. Then I said – Here am I! Send me.”
    • 3rd – Not for Money…
      • DISHONEST gain – to be GREEDY for MONEY…
        • The same QUALIFICATION is given by Paul – I Timothy 3:3 – Titus 1:7
        • That is NOT to say it is wrong for a PASTOR to be supported by the ministry…
        • It is a BIBLICAL principle – we are provided for by our work – I Corinthians 9:7
        • God provided for the priests with the offerings in the Temple – Leviticus 7:36-38
        • Those who minister to the SPIRITUAL needs of the church – PASTORS…
        • As much as possible – should be provided for PRACTICALLY by those within the church…
        • If a pastor has to work to support himself PRACTICALLY – limited time for the church…
        • It is a BLESSING to the people to provide for the pastor to free him up to minister!
        • I Timothy 5:18 / Matthew 10:10 – “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
      • NEVER ask…
        • I Corinthians 9:18 – “What is my reward then. That… I may present the gospel of Christ without charge – that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.”
        • PAUL did not CHOOSE to preach the Gospel – he was CALLED by God to PASTOR…
        • If he had CHOSEN it as his profession – then he would have expected PAYMENT…
        • But since it was God who CHOSE Him – it was God who would PAY his salary!
        • If you asked me to build you a bench – I would expect you pay me for the work…
        • But if someone else asked me to build it for you – they would be the one to pay!
        • If a pastor is truly CALLED by God – then God will PROVIDE for all his needs!
      • The DANGER….
        • A great danger for men who serve God – is to start to look for the BLESSINGS…
        • And forget the calling of a PASTOR is to be a BLESSING to the people of God!
        • When being a PASTOR becomes a job – a way to make MONEY…
        • When a PASTOR is no longer there to FEED and PROTECT the people…
        • When they use the PULPIT as a means for personal gain – taking advantage of people…
        • The result is people are WARY of the CHURCH – the Gospel message become tainted…
        • And they fall under the JUDGMENT of God – because they abuse HIS sheep!
        • Ezekiel 34:2 – “Destruction is certain for you PASTORS who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Should PASTORS not feed their sheep!”
    • 4th – Serve eagerly…
      • EAGERLY [προθύμως] – only here NT – BEFORE [προ] and WRATH [θύμως]
      • It carries the idea of being READY for the BATTLE – prepared for the FIGHT!
      • Romans 1:15 – “As much as is in me – I am ready [πρόθυμος] to preach the gospel to you…”
      • A PASTOR needs to be prepared for ministry – like a soldier prepares for battle…
      • People are hurting – people are SUFFERING – there is a battle for their mind and souls…
      • And the call is to run out to the front line of the battle and fight for them…
      • There is no time CLOCK for a PASTOR – when a someone goes to the hospital at 3am…
      • When a marriage is struggling on a Saturday – when the OFFICE is closed…
      • The heart of the PASTOR is to run to the aid of a hurting sheep – ANYTIME!
  • 3rd – Not LORDS… vs. 3
    • 1st – How to lead…
      • Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you!
      • LORD over [κατακυριεύω] – 4x in the NT – means to be a MASTER…
      • A PASTOR is NOT [present] to LORD over the people God has trusted to them!
      • Mark 10:42-43 – “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles LORD [κατακυριεύω] it over them – and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you – but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.”
      • In the WORLD – those who are GREAT have all the authority – and often abuse it…
      • But to be GREAT in Gods Kingdom – we must be a SERVANT [διάκονος] 
      • The person who empties the trash – cleans – and helps others…
      • We would call that person a SERVANT – but God calls them GREAT…
      • So if we want to be GREAT – pick up the trash – clean a table – play with a child!
    • 2nd – The FIRST…
      • Mark 10:44 – “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
      • SLAVE [δοῦλος] – the Apostle Paul referred to himself as a SLAVE – Romans 1:1 
      • To desire to be a PASTOR – to be the FIRST – is to be the SLAVE of all!
      • Leadership in the CHURCH – should NOT look like the leadership in the WORLD…
      • It should be the OPPOSITE – a PASTOR does not TELL others what to do…
      • A PASTOR is the one who lives his life to SERVE [δοῦλος] everyone else…
      • The GREATER we become in the Kingdom of God – the more of a SERVANT we become!
    • 3rd – The GREATEST…
      • Mark 10:45 – “[Jesus] did not come to be served – but to serve – and to give His life a ransom…”
      • Jesus had every right to be SERVED – He was God almighty…
      • But instead He came to SERVE – and to give His life as a ransom for many…
      • RANSOM [λύτρον] – price paid to purchase a slave – we were all slaves to sin – Romans 6:18
      • The price Jesus PAID to save us – was to GIVE His life on the CROSS!
      • Jesus gave us the example of Godly GREATNESS – to give our life for others!
  • 4th – Be EXAMPLES… vs. 3
    • 1st – Power of EXAMPLE…
      • But being examples to the flock!
      • EXAMPLE [τύπος] – a PATTERN for others to FOLLOW or IMITATE…
      • Why do we think one style of clothing is better than another…
      • Why were bell bottom jeans in style – out of style – perhaps in style again…
      • There is GREAT power in EXAMPLE – it molds and shapes how we view the world!
      • The EXAMPLE of the people we choose to surround ourselves with influence us…
      • They will by their EXAMPLE either stir us up to live for the Lord…
      • Or they will be a distraction – keep us from following after the Lord!
      • I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
    • 2nd – PASTORS are an EXAMPLE…
      • I Corinthians 11:1 – “FOLLOW me – just as I also FOLLOW Christ.”
      • If the PASTOR is following Christ – and we follow them – we are also following Jesus!
      • I know a pastor who every Sunday after teaching – cleans the church…
      • He is in the bathrooms wiping down the toilets – or checking to be sure they are snacks…
      • Not because he has to – he could TELL others to do it – but as an EXMAPLE!
      • A good PASTOR does NOT just INSTRUCT others – he also show them…
      • A good PASTOR does not tell us to SERVE – he SERVES as an EXAMPLE!
      • Philippians 3:17 – “Brethren – join in following my example [τύπος] – and note those who so walk – as you have us for a pattern…”

Everlasting life and blessing that will NEVER fade away!

5th – The REWARD… vs. 4

1st – The Chief Shepherd…

When the Chief Shepherd appears – you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade!

FINALLY – having given the ONE command – and THREE descriptions of a PASTOR…

Peter finishes by telling us the REWARD a PASTOR will receive…

Chief SHEPHERD [ἀρχιποίμην] – only here NT – the FIRST [ἀρχι] PASTOR…

John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd – and I know My sheep…”

The ACCOUNT…

When Jesus APPEARS – SECOND coming – there will be an ACCOUNTING – Mathew 12:36

We will ALL be accountable – JUDGED for every idle WORD…

YET pastors will receive a STRICTER judgment – James 3:1

You never hear a pastor say – I need your money – they say – God needs your money!

If a pastor is robbing the people of God – people assume God is taking from them!

People may not HEAR the Lord – but they do listen to PASTORS…

So PASTORS will receive greater judgment because of their influence on others…

Therefore we pray for our leaders – pray they will be righteous God fearing men…

Pray because if they are not – they will be held accountable!

2nd – Crown of glory…

What is the CROWN – TWO thoughts…

Our work for the Lord on earth will be TESTED by FIRE – I Corinthians 3:12-14

Any selfish motive will be wood – hay – and stubble [burns up in the FIRE]

Any pure motive will be gold – silver – and jewels [does NOT burn]

Then at Bema seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10

We will receive rewards – CROWNS – for the good things done for the Lord…

We can then throw the Crowns at the feet of Jesus – Revelation 4:10

One CROWN…

The reward of a CROWN is only mentioned FIVE times in the Bible…

I Corinthians 9:25 – II Timothy 4:8 – James 1:12 – I Peter 5:4 – Revelation 2:10

CROWN is always singular [there is only ONE] – always followed a description…

Eternal CROWN – CROWN of righteousness – CROWN of life – CROWN of Glory

The CROWN [singular] we given is ETERNAL life!

PASTORS receive the same CROWN as everyone else – they are SAVED…

From the greatest APOSTLE – to the new believer– the CROWN is Heaven…

Because it is not about how much we do for the Lord…

It is about what Jesus did for us – we are saved by GRACE – Ephesians 2:8-9

3rd – Never fades…

Never FADES [ἀμαράντινος] – only here in NT…

A FLOWER that always BLOOMS – even when cut it will REVIVE if it is given water…

The picture is of EVERLASTING life – the blessing we are given as our CROWN!

The point for us is simple – yet powerful – HELP others…

We may not be CALLED to be a PASTOR– but that does not mean we are not CALLED…

When the Lord brings people into our lives who are SUFFERING…

We can be there to SHEPHERD them – give them the Word of God…

We can SERVE them – because they are no doubt in need…

We can be an EXAMPLE to them – pointing them back to Jesus…

Not because of what we get from them – or what the Lord might give to us…

But simply because we know Jesus – and the hope that He brings to our lives…

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