Shepherd
July 18, 2023
“Shepherd”
Blessings folk!
Peter exhorted the elders.
To what purpose?
1 Pe 5:1-3
So I exhort the elders among you,
as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight,
not under compulsion,
but willingly,
as God would have you;
not for shameful gain,
but eagerly;
not domineering over those in your charge,
but being examples to the flock.
ESV
The Lord spoke through Peter to exhort the elders then and now.
What are elders to do?
Shepherd the flock of God.
The flock among them.
The elders are to shepherd the flock of God.
Not “their” flock.
God’s.
How are they to shepherd?
Read carefully.
Give close attention.
They are to exercise oversight.
They are to exercise oversight without compulsion.
They are to exercise oversight willingly…
As God would have you.
They are not to do so for shameful gain.
They are to do so eagerly.
They are not to be domineering in their shepherding.
They are to be examples.
They are to lead by example.
Is this what we see in the western church?
Not just the title/label “elder”, but in role, function and heart.
This is a portion of biblical picture of leadership.
If you are under any other structure, depart.
Too many have been “compulsed”.
Too many domineered.
Too many abused.
Today is the day of freedom.
The Lord will lead.