Be Shepherds of God’s Flock

1Peter 5:1-14

Key Verse 5:2

 "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve...."

 “Rejoice to participate in the sufferings of Christ.” Though it was about suffering, the message was encouraging words of God. I realized that I am honored and privileged to participate in the sufferings of Christ through this campus mission. Otherwise, I would spend all my life for evil human desires. In this final chapter, Peter gives important instructions for the churches in Asia Minor which were undergoing persecutions: “Be shepherds of God’s flock” “Clothe yourselves with humility.” I pray that we may accept these words as the word of God for us. When we do so, God will lead us victory in this summer ministry.

I. Be shepherds of God's flock (1-4)

Look at verse 1. "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed...." In this part, Peter speaks to elders. Who, then, are the elders? It does not necessarily mean older people with gray hair, but spiritual leaders in the church. When Paul pioneered a church, he appointed elders, prayerfully entrusting the local church to their care (Ac 14:23). The qualification required of an elder was spiritual maturity, not old age. Who might be elders among us?

 In addressing the elders, Peter did not consider himself "the Elder of the elders."  But, he identified himself as a fellow elder. In this way, Peter respected the elders as God’s servants who were called by Jesus to serve his Church just like him. As “fellow-elder,” Peter is not speaking from a higher platform, but he puts himself right on their level. His appeal is not from a stranger, but from one who shared responsibility and suffered together. Though given humbly, Peter's appeal had great weight. It came from one who was "a witness of Christ's sufferings...." He was there when Jesus taught, healed, and fed people day and night. He was there when Jesus was arrested and tried. He was there when Jesus was crucified on a cross. He saw how Jesus suffered for his people. He saw that Christ loved God's sheep so much that he shed his blood on the cross for them. When he shared his testimony, “I was there,” then all the teachings and the amazing love stories became real and true. He saw Jesus suffer, but he also saw him raised from the dead. He saw him ascend into heaven and heard the promise of the angels that he would return again.  Peter was willing to give his life to testify about Christ, believing that he would also share in his glory. As a fellow elders, a witness of Christ’ suffering, and one who also share in the glory, Peter appealed to them. We do not know yet what he is going say. But it must be something that we must listen to carefully.

Look at verse 2a. "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...." “Be shepherds of God’s flock.” Does it sound familiar to you?  I am certain that Peter was recalling one of the last words Jesus gave him. This incident occurred soon after Peter’s denial of the Lord. Three times Peter had denied the Lord, and so the Lord, three times, affirmed Peter’s love for him, and commanded him to be shepherd for God’s flock: “Feed my lambs! Take care of my sheep! Feed my sheep!” Jesus commissioned Peter to be a shepherd just like himself. Now, Peter is charging the elders to be shepherds of God's flock. In fact this solemn charge is from Jesus. Peter is just passing on what he had received from Jesus. “Be a shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care!” One simple task! Though Peter did not explain it in detail, it means a lot to him because he learned what it means to be a shepherd from Jesus. Let’s think about what it means and see how to be a shepherd.  What actually does shepherding consist of?

 First of all, a shepherd feeds the sheep. This might be a primary task for a shepherd. David praised his shepherd, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” His shepherd satisfied his hungry stomach and also his thirsty soul. A shepherd never leave sheep in hunger and thirst. He feeds sheep by any means, especially by faith and compassion. Five thousand needy people came to Jesus. The disciples wanted to send them out. However, when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. More than that, he fed them with 5 loaves and 2 fish until all were fully satisfied. Sheep might be the most stupid animals. They need a lot of attention and care. What they need most is to be fed with the living word of God.(2 Ti 4:2). Sheep suffer a lot because they eat wrong stuff and drink wrong stuff. They need shepherds who can feed them with the word of God. To feed sheep with the words of God, a shepherd must read the Bible and study the Bible faithfully. We must prepare Bible study material and be ready to feed sheep any time.

 Secondly a shepherd guides and leads sheep to God. According to David, a shepherd should lead sheep to a green pastures and guide them to the path of righteousness. Sheep have really bad sight. They do not know where to go. To make matters worse, they are stubborn. Though they do not know the way, they want to go their own way. With a rod and staff, a shepherd guides and leads sheep to a green pastures and back home. It means a shepherd must give spiritual direction to sheep to find the meaning and purpose of their lives in God. Shepherds must help them find their gifts and use them for the glory of God. Shepherds must pray for them to establish mission centered house Churches, instead of following their fleshy desires. Shepherds must have prayer topics and vision for sheep, and guide them to grow as a kingdom of priest and a holy nation. In these ways, a shepherd guides and leads sheep to God. 

 Third, a shepherd protects sheep from enemies. Most of the time, it requires a life giving spirit. Sheep are defenseless. Their only defense is their shepherd. Jesus laid down his life to protect his sheep. His first concern was not about himself, but about God and the flock of God. A prostitute was about to be stoned to death. She was caught in act of adultery. But Jesus stood for her against the angry crowd. He forgave her and blessed her go in peace. Though the religious leaders abused a man with a shriveled hand, Jesus called him and healed his hand. After Jesus healed him, the religious leaders decided to kill Jesus. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus, all disciples’ lives were at stake. But Jesus protected them: “I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." Most of all, he did not save himself from the cross. It was to save the sheep from their enemy, the power of sin and death. He did not spare his life, but he sacrificed his life to give eternal life to his sheep. Under his protection, sheep have found abundant lives. Under his protection, sheep found salvation. Shepherds feed sheep, guide and lead sheep, and protect sheep. To do so, shepherd should be selfless.

 At that time, the early Christians were in deep trouble because of persecution. They needed to survive in the mist of fiery persecutions. In that situation, they had to take care of themselves first. If they were not selfish, how could they survive? But Peter encouraged them that they should be not selfish. Instead, they should be shepherds for God’s flock first. Then why shepherd? Why not doctors, lawyers, or mangers?  Shepherds are not like business managers, nor entertainers, nor politicians, nor psychologists. Shepherds are those who lay down their lives for sheep. Shepherds are needed today, especially in campuses. Many students are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. They need shepherds who can feed them, guide them, and protect them with life giving spirit. I believe Bush campus students are really blessed for there are two house shepherd house churches which are ready to serve them. God may bless Dr Junhee Lee’s house church and Sh. Jason Perry’s house church to be shepherds for God’s flock under their care. Under their care, God may raise up 12 nations.

 Look at verse 2 and 3. “Be a shepherd of God’s flock that is under your care -- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Here we can find three pairs of false motivations that we should avoid and three true motivations that we should seek.

 The first pair is, "not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be...."  Why do you want to be a shepherd?  Is it because you have to be? Is it because someone expects or demands it of you? Is it because you feel guilty unless you do something? If so, we cannot please God who is sick and tired with dutiful offerings.  God loves a willing heart. We should serve sheep willingly according to the will of God. A willing heart is the heart of God who loves his sheep so dearly that he sent his one and only son to be with them and to serve them. God’s heart desire for us is to love him willingly, to serve him out of love, gratitude, and joy. Out of a desire to please God, we serve sheep. That is what God want us to be.

 The second pair is "...not greedy for money, but eager to serve...." Shepherds must never use sheep for their benefit, but serve with humility and sacrifice, for the glory of God, and the benefit of the sheep. Some people want to be leaders so they can be looked up to and respected. They want praise and recognition from men. Shepherds should flee the temptation to love money. Rather, they shepherd with eagerness. Their concern is not money, not glory, but sheep and their salvation. When the enemy comes, hired hands run for their lives. But shepherds fight against enemies with life giving spirit. They are eager to serve. They are eager to feed sheep. They are eager to sacrifice whatever is necessary to save sheep.

 The third one is “...not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." In the world, a leader lords many burdens over others. But shepherds  have no power other than the power to serve. Form Peter we see that leadership is not lordship. Shepherding is not about lordship, but servantship. Shepherds lead by examples, going ahead of the flock. Sheep do not learn much from a shepherd’s teaching, but they learn from his exemplary life of faith. Shepherds are the first to suffer, the first to repent, the first to face danger, the first to take up the cross of mission. Shepherd’s authority as a leader or an elder does not come from their power or background. The authority comes out of their obedience to the truth. They inspire others to follow by their example, not just with their mouths.

 The ultimate motivation that Peter looks for most of all is the reward from the chief shepherd. Look at verse 4. "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." What is the reward? It is the crown of glory that will never fade away. This crown is not like the glory of the world such as Nobel Prize, Academy Awards, or Super Bowl Trophies; these things fade and perish. This crown of glory never fades away. On the day Jesus comes again, before the heavenly angels and the holy men and women of God, our Lord Jesus Christ will say to us, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," and will place upon us a crown of glory. We can not win that by our own power or struggle. We can not buy it. But we can obtain it by being a shepherd for God’s flock, willingly, eagerly, and by being examples. Actions caused by false motivation always fade away. If we are waiting for sheep to show a little appreciation, we will be disappointed. Most of sheep will not. That is all right. We should not look for it. We must keep our eyes on the Chief Shepherd, and wait for his approval and his reward. This hope will carry us through.  Be shepherds of God’s flock willingly and eagerly by being examples to the flock.

 II. Clothe yourselves with humility (5-14)

In this part, Peter speaks to young people, but he really speaks to all of us about humility. Look at verse 5. "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

 Peter begins with young men, for this is most difficult for them to be humble and submissive. They want to assert themselves, to have their own way and to get what they want. They think that the elders are blind and deaf – out of touch with reality and insensitive to current needs. They think they are right, and they have better ideas. They like to live independently. They want to their own men. They are easily tempted to study the weak point of their elders and use this as a basis to refuse to listen to them. Peter commands “young man to be submissive”. Submission is not a matter of who is right or who is wrong. It is a matter accepting God’s sovereignty. Refusing to listen to the elder, they fail to realize that it is God who appointed the elders to shepherd over them. They fail to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Submission to the elders is actually submission to God. It is essential that young people acknowledge their elders and submit to them. Young men can grow under any kind of elder when they are submissive. I like this verse. But young men might like verse 3. “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but by being examples to the flock.”  What should we do?

 “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” Whether young men or elders, we must put on humility toward one another. Humility is not something natural for us. If God never intervened in our life, our heart will be filled with pride. We do not need to be taught to be proud. So we should put on humility, especially the humility of Christ Jesus. On the night before he was crucified, Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet. “Clothe yourselves with humility” means to take the place of servants like Jesus. “Clothe yourselves with humility” means to wash one another’s dirty feet. It means to consider others more significant than ourself. It means to wear an apron and serve one another. Humility is the clothing of Jesus. Humility is the clothing of believers. Why should we be humble? “Because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Here we see that pride is sin. We cannot take pride lightly. Pride is sin that is so hateful to God that he opposes the proud. It is pride that keeps us from humbling ourselves. It is pride that causes young man not to submit. It is pride  that keeps us from serving. It is pride that cause us be rebellious and stubborn. God oppose the proud. It means almighty God becomes the enemy of the proud. Do you want have God as your enemy?

 Then, look at verse 6.  “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” We should make a conscious decision to be humble, trusting God’s mighty hand. Unlike pride, humility opens the door of God’s grace. Humility brings God’s grace, God’s protection and God’s reward. God gives grace to the humble. God protects the humble from all the enemies, and delivers them from all harm with his mighty hand. God lift the humble up in his time. Pray that we may clothes ourselves with humility of Christ. Young people should remember that God humbles those he uses greatly, like Joseph or Moses. We do no need to lift ourselves up. God will lift us up as he lifted Jesus in the most high place. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Ph2:9)

 Look at verse 7. ^“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Pride brings you anxiety, but humility brings you peace and true rest in Christ. Why are you so anxious? It is because we are proud. Out of pride, we act as if we are responsible for all problems, as if we are in control, as if we are able, as if God is not there, and as if God does not care for us. Then worries, fears, and anxiety attack us. There will be no peace in our hearts. God is waiting for us to come to him with humility. We should acknowledge: we are not able, but God is able. we are weak, but God is mighty. Most of all, we should believe God cares for us. Take all our anxiety and throw it on God. God is mighty and he cares for us. Psalm 121:1, 2 say, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” We need God’s grace. Let’s humble ourselves for God gives grace to the humble.

Look at verse 8. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." Do you know that you have an adversary? It is devil.  He is our adversary. He hates us. He is vicious like a lion. He is out to destroy us. The real enemy of elders is not troublesome sheep. The real enemy of young men is not imperfect elders. Our enemy is the devil who is looking for opportunity to attack and to devour us.

Then what can we do? Look at verse 9. "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of sufferings." We are God’s sheep. How can sheep resist a lion? Sheep are utterly defenseless. But their defense is the good shepherd, Jesus. We should stand firm in Jesus. We must resist him. We must make a conscious decision to resist by remembering the word of God we have received. When Satan attacks us with doubt, or despair, or discouragement, that is the time to remember the words of God: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a people belonging to God.” When we stand firm in the word of God, the devil runs away from us. We must stand firm in our faith. We should know that we are not alone. We have a tendency to think, “My trouble is unique. No one has gone through what I am going through.” But we are not alone. There are brothers and sister who are going through the same sufferings. We need to trust one another, entrust the truth to one another, comfort one another, encourage one another, and share in the struggle together.

 Look at verses 10-11. "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” Though we do our best, we cannot win the absolute victory in our own strength. This victory comes by God's grace. This is not wishful thinking. This is a promise. God is God of all grace. He is not limited. When sin increases, his grace super increases. There is not enough sin that God’s grace can not take care of it. The God of all grace is able to restore us. In the spiritual battle, we might be wounded, losing our arms or legs. But still our God of all grace is able to restore us completely. God of all grace is able to make you strong to stand. The God of all Grace is the God of victory. One thing we should not ignore is that we will suffer a little while, but after that, we will enter eternal glory in Christ. For a little while we will suffer for our weak bodies, but we will enjoy the eternal glory in the kingdom of God with resurrection body. For a little while we will suffer from persecutions, and rejections, but we will enjoy the eternal fellowship with Jesus in the kingdom of God. After we suffer a little while, we will enter eternal glory. Stand firm in your faith. Let nothing move you.

 Peter's purpose in writing was to encourage the early Christians so they would stand firm in the grace of God during trials (12). Though times were difficult, Peter was full of love for his coworkers (13-14). His affection for Mark was so deep; he called him his son. Peter wanted to impart the love and peace of Christ to all of his dear coworkers in Asia Minor.

In this passage, Jesus, our chief shepherd, charges us to be shepherds of God’s flock! Knowing about shepherding does not make us shepherds. Knowing about humbleness does not make us humble. We must be shepherds, and we must be humble. Let's pray for God's help and strength and decide to be humble shepherds for God's flock.