MESSAGE IN 1PETER – NUMBER 7 – SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK OF GOD – MESSAGE FOR PASTORS, MINISTERS, ELDERS, SHEPHERDS – 1Peter 5:1-3 - PART 1
[A]. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD
What grazier (rancher) would ever entrust his animals on agistment (feeding livestock at a designated location) to a farm where the paddocks are uninvitingly bare and the animals already there are lean looking and dispirited? Should we not expect better from ones entrusted to care for the cattle not their own? The responsibility is to care for the animals whether yours or others, and severe neglect as in this case, is inexcusable.
This is not an easy message to construct as I could be a bit harsh at times on some pastors. Note carefully, I said some, hopefully only a small number. The purpose is not to cause offence to anyone. Some things here I have seen.
Peter waits until near the end of his letter before he raises a concern on his heart. This is how he begins this section:-
{{1Peter 5:1 “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,”}}
The ground for Peter’s authority lies in the commission given to him by His Lord. Peter was an elder in a wide sense as one who had the care of the wider church, not just one single church.
These are the important verses of commission – {{John 21:15 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.” John 21:16 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.” John 21:17 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.”}}
What the Lord said to Peter in the wider sense applies to each man in the position of pastor, minister, shepherd or elder. For Peter, that had many outcomes including the writing of this letter. Now he gives his specific insights into shepherding God’s people. This is strong exhortation from a fellow elder to those holding the office of elder/shepherd/pastor. In the New Testament the words pastor, elder, shepherd, overseer, bishop (used wrongly in the AV/KJV) all mean the same office. The words look at different aspects of that office. We may look at that distinction later on. What catches our attention is the basis he used for addressing his fellow elders. That basis was in three parts - firstly, as a fellow elder; secondly, as a witness of the sufferings of Christ; thirdly, as a partaker of the future revealed glory. We can’t overlook the importance to Peter of these three points.
[1]. AS A FELLOW ELDER. This is beautiful language from Peter, the language of humility. There is no lording it over God’s heritage, no pontifical demands. Peter was no more than a fellow elder, no prancing around with superiority. Peter was just an elder among all elders to serve the Body of Christ. There is nothing popish here, nothing false, nothing ecclesiastical, nothing of pride.
[2]. AS A WITNESS OF CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS: Peter had heard the Lord say a remarkable truth to the disciples and they did not understand the ramifications of that at the time – {{John 10:14-15 “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.”}}
Is this not the example left for all who would attain the shepherd’s office? If a man can’t be prepared to follow Christ as one willing to lay down his life for the flock, he has no right to the office. It speaks of complete dedication and surrender in the service of the sheep. If the shepherd sees a wolf coming and deserts his office he is a disgrace. That is why Peter refers to the sufferings in that way. There is 100% commitment to the sheep in a pastor’s care (or there should be!). I am afraid there are some pastors who think it is a good life style with church work on the side; prepare some talk for Sundays and enjoy life.
I know of a case where a person in a desperate need tried to contact a rector in a certain place only to be told, “Go away and make an appointment.” Such a disgrace that is to Christ, but people like that exist where pastoring a church is a job with a job description, and nothing more than a play actor pastor. As we near the end of the church age I think that problem gets worse and worse because we are in the Laodicean age of Church history.
As Peter saw Christ suffer, he realised what love the Saviour had for His own (His sheep), and He gave all He had for those He loved. How many modern pastors are annoyed if someone contacts them late at night or at a time when he might be on the golf course!
[3]. AS A PARTAKER OF THE FUTURE REVEALED GLORY: Peter had observed that after the Good Shepherd’s sufferings that had cost Him His life for the sheep, He was received up into glory and glory attends Him now. Peter had seen a tiny touch of that glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. He knew it was real. God’s beautiful promise of the future glory will be for all good and faithful shepherds (and I believe for all in the Body). It ties in with the verse ending this section, the Chief Shepherd’s reward for all good and faithful shepherds:- {{1Peter 5:4 “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”}}
[B]. PETER’S SEVEN POINT EXHORTATION TO ELDERS/SHEPHERDS/MINISTERS
Peter then proceeds in his letter to a SEVEN point exhortation to the elders in this shepherding role. It is very clear we are not playing monkey business here. This is a very serious calling in a dual capacity – in qualifications, and in ministry in the position. We will look at these serious verses -
{{1Peter 5:2-3 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.”}}
[1]. FIRST EXHORTATION: “Shepherd the flock of God among you.” Lazy or incompetent shepherds will either allow the sheep barely to exist or even starve, or they will feed the sheep processed, tasteless pasture or, adulterated chaff. It is easier to buy or scrounge a bale of hay that has been grown as lucerne by someone else, and dried and bundled by someone else, than to seek out the best nutritious pasture themselves. From the experience I had on a farm, dry processed feed needs supplementing with molasses or similar nutriments, and without it, the sheep will look for it and thereby wander off from the flock only to find themselves in other pastures, sometimes to their own hurt.
The shepherd must be active in finding the pasture for the sheep; to seek it out himself; then lead the sheep to that choice pasture. As the food is green, fresh and nutritious, there will be no need for the sheep to wander to another fold, which they sometimes do to their own detriment. The pastor who does NOT spend much time in the bible, cover to cover feeding himself and meditating, will have no ability to feed his sheep anything useful. He may take messages from others, found on the internet, because he is too lazy to grow as a Christian discovering his own material from the bible.
There is one very necessary word I want to say. I am putting my messages on SermonCentral, an internet site. They are viewed by people from over the world and I am thrilled to see many views from India, the Philippines, and African nations, and that is a main reason I submit my messages. There is absolutely nothing wrong with pastors from those places using material from this source when they are building themselves up and lacking resources themselves. I trust God will bless what He has given me to help others in their ministry. That is NOT what I mean by lazy, careless pastors/shepherds who use their position deceitfully.
[2]. SECOND EXHORTATION: “exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily.” Peter states this office is not attained through compulsion. He means by that a man is not to be coerced or pressured into leading a church or becoming a minister, or holding a church position – minister, elder, etc. Nor is a man to sense that he is being forced into the position through popularity or a deficiency in others, to assume a role that is not his by divine appointment. Too many in church positions have appointed themselves or been pressured into it, but it is not of God.
However, for the true shepherd, there is true compulsion. He is compelled into the office but that compulsion is nothing less than the Spirit moving the man in affirmation of the calling that comes from God. Now I realize that there are some today who speak of the ruin of the church and disclaim any official oversight for these days. Nevertheless those will still speak of doing the work of the “shepherd’s office”. I do not want to look into that as it will sidestep what I want to do. I will add too, that some of the problems churches experience is that they think the minister is the “be all and end all” of everything. Churches should be led/guided/maintained, and ministered to by a godly group of men who are doing the shepherding role for the church. I have heard it said, “The minister does all that. That’s what we pay him for.”
[3]. THIRD EXHORTATION: “according to the will of God;” I won’t elaborate but it is important to know God’s will in whether the position is yours or not; doing the work is yours without God, or yours with God. A wrong man in a right office, or a right man in the wrong office is a setback for the assembly or group of God’s sheep. This is a great danger of church meetings and business meetings when vocal people have their say but somehow, God is left outside the door. Appointments are made on popularity, likeability, appeal to a certain faction, but has God made that decision or has man? Is the church being controlled by the Holy Spirit or by a business meeting?
[4]. FOURTH EXHORTATION: “and not for sordid gain.” Several bible versions use the expression, “sordid gain” in preference to “lover of money,” as that latter expression does not cover the expression adequately. It means using the office for any sort of personal gain. In other words, the interests of the sheep are secondary to the interests of the position, or to the benefits one derives from that office. One who uses that office for self-service, for some personal advancement or advantage, or for some surge of power or popularity, or for accumulating money as we see in prosperity teaching, is one who is using the position for sordid gain; using it for self-service, not for loving service in the accountable will of God.
It must be said that the structure of some churches in allowing a full time and/or fully paid pastor/minister/shepherd is not what this verse is referring to as “sordid gain.” It is looking at the heart of the shepherds, their motivations and calling and priorities. Motive is extremely important as this is the personal fellowship with the Lord and Saviour.
[5]. FIFTH EXHORTATION: “but with eagerness.” Eagerness comes with calling. A coerced shepherd is not eager. A true shepherd will be an eager shepherd. A committed shepherd will be a faithful shepherd. Eagerness must be genuine and impelled by the Holy Spirit who enables us with all the desire to be doing the will of God.
[6]. SIXTH EXHORTATION: “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge.” There is nothing worse than an overbearing, forceful shepherd, sometimes married to a specific agenda or system. He drives the sheep away or at least intimidates them. They fear him and grow critical and resentful. There are people in ministry who like to lord it over God’s people because they are know-alls, and think they are superior because of their position. It really is a horrible thing.
I love this verse – {{Revelation 1:9 “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”}} John refers to himself as “John, your brother,” for that is all he was. We are all brothers in Christ, in simplicity and humility. There is no cause whatever to lord it over others in any popish behaviour of priests and bishops and cardinals as has been done. It is an abomination indeed. Peter stresses the same thing exactly.
It is important to note the correct expression, “allotted to your charge.” “Your charge” is the ones given to you by the Lord into your care. Whatever you do, do not fail them. Minister, all are lambs of God that need care and nurturing. Elder and shepherd, feed the flock, love them, and protect them from the multiplying number of traps and evil doctrines that are upon us. This “charge” demands responsibility and therefore accountability. It demands commitment and faithfulness, which really means dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ. Self-assessment is good.
[7]. SEVENTH EXHORTATION: “but proving to be examples to the flock.” Proving, or becoming examples to the flock is tested over time. Now here is the meekness of the high office. Looking unto Christ with both eyes on Christ who is our example; the shepherd serves under Him. Some start as bright burning stars but quickly fade in disappointment because they are the wrong people in the wrong place. True shepherds must be examples in doctrine, behaviour, and in people ministry.
[C]. JUDGEMENT MUST BEGIN WITH THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD
Peter raises another matter of great importance. He realised there were problems in church leadership as well as in the ones associated with God’s people. That caused this verse to be written -
{{1Peter 4:17 “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”}}
Judgment begins at the household of God. It begins with all us first before it can impact those in need of the gospel. If it begins at the household of God firstly, may I respectfully suggest it begins with the elders; with the oversight; with the minister. The problem of some assemblies and churches may be in the oversight (the elders, ministerial team). Examination and judgment must begin there firstly. How often will chastening in an oversight spread for good through the whole assembly and beyond it to those who do not obey the gospel of God. Who knows where it may lead?
Certain wrong aspects must be eliminated in the life of those in ministerial office and in church leadership, things like a potential pastor looking at conditions that may suit his comfort and leisure before he accepts a call. In fact man seems to have reversed God’s order. It was the Holy Spirit who sent men out, but for many years, man has been calling others when the church should be looking at developing its own gifting that God surely gives to a church. I know of a denomination that treats the call of a pastor as “a career move” with better pay. What about the ministry the Holy Spirit sends a man to?
Ministers and church leaders, there is more to preaching the word of God and teaching its great doctrines and the way to conduct ourselves, than in giving some message or devotion or a homily each Sunday morning and thinking that is the main aspect of your responsibility.
One more matter I need to raise. I knew of a church that had between 200 to 300 attendees and the church pastor took all the services. When he was absent for a while, there was no one to take any services, no one “qualified”. I think that is a lamentable state of affairs. Look at this passage –
{{Ephesians 4:11-12 “and He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, FOR THE EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF SERVICE to (in) the building up of the body of Christ,”}}
When Christ ascended he gave gifts to the church for ministry. Pastors and teaches are among those gifts. However, do not miss what follows which is the reason the gifts are given – “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service.” The equipping of the saints is the training and development of the saints. Church pastors and shepherds who do not train others for the ministry in their churches, have failed. Train up those of the flock for pastoral work for elders, of which a church pastor/minister is but one of them; train up men for biblical teachers in the church. Those who think they own the pulpit or who have a high opinion of themselves are failures in Christ's ministry.
Peter speaks to the elders in this letter, for each church was governed by elders, not by a single minister or pastor. This is what he said to them – {{1Peter 5:4 “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”}} That is a reward that will be given to faithful elders living in the truth of 1Peter 5:1-3.
We read this in {{Isaiah 40:11 “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock. In His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom. He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”}} That great promise speaks of the Shepherd of Israel in a coming day tending to the flock of Israel. It is the Lord Messiah. However we can make application to all of us in the Church age for Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Shepherd of the sheep. He loves us, cares for us, feeds us, tends to our hurts and leads us in the paths of righteousness.
I have a Part 2 of this message that will follow this one.
ronaldf@aapt.net.au
