Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22
1st Peter Chapter 5 - Following after the good Shepard
Sunday services on May 22, 2022
Following after the Good Shepard1st Peter 5:1-14
Intro: This is the last sermon in the book of 1st Peter. I love this book because like Isaid in the beginning it is really simple and really to the point! No nonsense. Peter is likethat this practical fisherman finally has some parting words for the elders of the church.This book is also directed to those who are called to Shepard the flock of God. Thisoffice of Shepard has another name.PastorThis comes not from the greek word here which is “Poimaino” But instead comes fromthe Vulgate. The Latin translation of the word. In Latin pastor literally means Shepard.This word is derived from the word the quite literally means Shepard.So right away when preparing this message it is directed towards two audiences,elders and Shepards.This is also an exhortation. So take it as an encouragement. How many of you needencouragement this morning? It is my goal and desire for you to walk out encouraged.T/S: Let’s get into this word.1. Shepard with humilityCIT: Peter recalls the words of Christ and writes to the elders of the church about following after the goodpastor, and humbling themselves before him.CIS: We encourage each other and pastor each other, as wen seek to humble ourselves before the Lord.SO: To strengthen discipleship between each other and make sure that we are relying on the power ofGod, rather than our own plans or ambitions.MO: Devotional
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferingsof Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not undercompulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, buteagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to theflock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfadingcrown of glory.(Congregation)5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, allof you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but givesgrace to the humble.”
Exp: Peter gives the end cap of his letter here. He tells the elders and the pastors toShepard the flock. Calling them to exercise oversight, but not under compulsion butwillingly. Sometimes this can be a difficult exhortation. Especially in a small church,sometimes you have to wear a bunch of hats, sometimes you have a lot to do to getready for Sunday and you do it in the wrong way or with the wrong attitude. (Guilty ascharged) However honestly which among you wants to be handled? If this is the familyof God, then who actually wants to sit and be attended to? Not for shameful gain buteagerly.This is directed at the attitude of those who serve the church. Do you do it with a goodattitude? Are your motives for Christ or for someone or something else? Are you settingand making a good example of those who call themselves a christian?This isn’t a correction this is an exhortation. You know that the chief shepherd iscoming and coming soon! Jesus is coming and he will crown you with unfading glory.Jesus is coming and he sees all that you do for good and for bad.This is also an address to those who are younger; listen and be subject to those inleadership.The end capHumble yourself.Ill: Is humility easy?NO of course not! Humility is like pulling teeth, it is the easiest sin to notice in someoneelse, and yet the hardest sin to recognize in ourselves. It is more than talking about how lowyou are, it is an actual realization that you are not all that great. But it is also the realizationthat you are valuable and wonderful and you are unequally talented and special. It is
knowing your place and rejoicing in it. It is also the realization as a believer that next to Godyou are nothing, and yet in him is found everything and he values you infinitely.Pride is the original sin. You may say, no that Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that wasthe original sin. But in fact Satan in time eternity allowed pride to consume him completelyand rebelled against God and took 1/3 of the angels with him.Pride and in particular spiritual pride is open rebellion against God, it is Satanic.App: There is a freedom in showing out the sin of pride, things just start to wash off of you.You are no longer concerned with the thoughts so much of others and instead concernedwith the thoughts of God.Things don’t stick and don’t hurt as bad. Throw out pride. Throw out the constant need toperform and instead joyfully and eagerly serve the Lord.T/S: Let God handle it!
2. Healing for weary souls6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at theproper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because hecares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowlsaround like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in yourfaith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by yourbrotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while,the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himselfrestore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion foreverand ever. Amen.Exp: This next passage is probably the crux of the entire book and certainly rich in lifeverses that I personally recommend you memorize. I mean it, there is so much meathere that you might want to be like one of those Yellowstone bear traffic Jams and justsit and gawk at the spiritual wisdom dropped here.Humble yourself under his might right hand! Recognize his mighty hand which sustainsand holds you up. Recognize that he is the one who truly sees your tears, he sees yourstrain he sees your pain, and he will lift you up in the right time.Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.Take this as a recurring command! Cast your anxieties upon him. Why because hecares!
Be Sober minded and watchful. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion! He willdevour you if you are not prepared. He is looking for places to destroy churches, andfamilies and people. He will kill you!(See Cain and Abel)7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what isright, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule overit.”Gen 4:7Ill: Resist him! Actually fight! If you could see your sin incarnate or see Satan in theflesh, I fear many of us would make causal acquaintances with him. Resist him andrecognize him where he is! It’s no joke the evil in this world, it becomes bolder andmore open and christians become more timid! Wake up!Recognize your brothers and sisters who suffer all over the world. The persecuted andthriving church. Christianity thrives under persecution and in thriving. There are moreChristians in Chine (Where it is illegal to share your faith) Than there are in America. Youwill suffer for a little while and this life feels so long. Yet it is so short!App: Jesus is coming the joy of your faith is right around the corner.He bringsHis GloryHe will restore youHe will Confirm youHe will strengthen youHe will Establish youHe will come to you and he will be the great fulfillment of the desires of your heart, thisis for all who believe!Glory to God.
3. Glory to God and hope for his church12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you,exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 Shewho is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so doesMark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you whoare in Christ.Exp: Never! Ever! Skip the final greetings at the end of the letters in the NewTestament. They usually don’t contain the great theological truths or life verses, butthey often carry the most context. The names and roles and personalities of peoplewho are long gone but not forgotten.Sivanus this brother who delivered the letter, and possible dictated the letter. He isfaithful and a brother.This brief letter Exhorts and declares the true grace of God, Stand firm in it!The She his says at Babylon (Whether literal or spiritual) is the church that is in aphysical location.He then mentions Mark! (Hello Men’s group) Maybe he was in the process of gatheringinformation for his gospel!!?Church can we practice this passage this morning. We need some response time, weneed some altar time. If you need prayer, if you need exhortation, if you need healingwe are gonna open up these altars and allow you time to be the church.Faithful ones let us go to the throne.Greet one another with a kiss of Love! Amen!
Intro: This is the last sermon in the book of 1st Peter. I love this book because like Isaid in the beginning it is really simple and really to the point! No nonsense. Peter is likethat this practical fisherman finally has some parting words for the elders of the church.This book is also directed to those who are called to Shepard the flock of God. Thisoffice of Shepard has another name.PastorThis comes not from the greek word here which is “Poimaino” But instead comes fromthe Vulgate. The Latin translation of the word. In Latin pastor literally means Shepard.This word is derived from the word the quite literally means Shepard.So right away when preparing this message it is directed towards two audiences,elders and Shepards.This is also an exhortation. So take it as an encouragement. How many of you needencouragement this morning? It is my goal and desire for you to walk out encouraged.T/S: Let’s get into this word.1. Shepard with humilityCIT: Peter recalls the words of Christ and writes to the elders of the church about following after the goodpastor, and humbling themselves before him.CIS: We encourage each other and pastor each other, as wen seek to humble ourselves before the Lord.SO: To strengthen discipleship between each other and make sure that we are relying on the power ofGod, rather than our own plans or ambitions.MO: Devotional
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferingsof Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not undercompulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, buteagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to theflock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfadingcrown of glory.(Congregation)5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, allof you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but givesgrace to the humble.”
Exp: Peter gives the end cap of his letter here. He tells the elders and the pastors toShepard the flock. Calling them to exercise oversight, but not under compulsion butwillingly. Sometimes this can be a difficult exhortation. Especially in a small church,sometimes you have to wear a bunch of hats, sometimes you have a lot to do to getready for Sunday and you do it in the wrong way or with the wrong attitude. (Guilty ascharged) However honestly which among you wants to be handled? If this is the familyof God, then who actually wants to sit and be attended to? Not for shameful gain buteagerly.This is directed at the attitude of those who serve the church. Do you do it with a goodattitude? Are your motives for Christ or for someone or something else? Are you settingand making a good example of those who call themselves a christian?This isn’t a correction this is an exhortation. You know that the chief shepherd iscoming and coming soon! Jesus is coming and he will crown you with unfading glory.Jesus is coming and he sees all that you do for good and for bad.This is also an address to those who are younger; listen and be subject to those inleadership.The end capHumble yourself.Ill: Is humility easy?NO of course not! Humility is like pulling teeth, it is the easiest sin to notice in someoneelse, and yet the hardest sin to recognize in ourselves. It is more than talking about how lowyou are, it is an actual realization that you are not all that great. But it is also the realizationthat you are valuable and wonderful and you are unequally talented and special. It is
knowing your place and rejoicing in it. It is also the realization as a believer that next to Godyou are nothing, and yet in him is found everything and he values you infinitely.Pride is the original sin. You may say, no that Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that wasthe original sin. But in fact Satan in time eternity allowed pride to consume him completelyand rebelled against God and took 1/3 of the angels with him.Pride and in particular spiritual pride is open rebellion against God, it is Satanic.App: There is a freedom in showing out the sin of pride, things just start to wash off of you.You are no longer concerned with the thoughts so much of others and instead concernedwith the thoughts of God.Things don’t stick and don’t hurt as bad. Throw out pride. Throw out the constant need toperform and instead joyfully and eagerly serve the Lord.T/S: Let God handle it!
2. Healing for weary souls6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at theproper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because hecares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowlsaround like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in yourfaith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by yourbrotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while,the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himselfrestore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion foreverand ever. Amen.Exp: This next passage is probably the crux of the entire book and certainly rich in lifeverses that I personally recommend you memorize. I mean it, there is so much meathere that you might want to be like one of those Yellowstone bear traffic Jams and justsit and gawk at the spiritual wisdom dropped here.Humble yourself under his might right hand! Recognize his mighty hand which sustainsand holds you up. Recognize that he is the one who truly sees your tears, he sees yourstrain he sees your pain, and he will lift you up in the right time.Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.Take this as a recurring command! Cast your anxieties upon him. Why because hecares!
Be Sober minded and watchful. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion! He willdevour you if you are not prepared. He is looking for places to destroy churches, andfamilies and people. He will kill you!(See Cain and Abel)7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what isright, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule overit.”Gen 4:7Ill: Resist him! Actually fight! If you could see your sin incarnate or see Satan in theflesh, I fear many of us would make causal acquaintances with him. Resist him andrecognize him where he is! It’s no joke the evil in this world, it becomes bolder andmore open and christians become more timid! Wake up!Recognize your brothers and sisters who suffer all over the world. The persecuted andthriving church. Christianity thrives under persecution and in thriving. There are moreChristians in Chine (Where it is illegal to share your faith) Than there are in America. Youwill suffer for a little while and this life feels so long. Yet it is so short!App: Jesus is coming the joy of your faith is right around the corner.He bringsHis GloryHe will restore youHe will Confirm youHe will strengthen youHe will Establish youHe will come to you and he will be the great fulfillment of the desires of your heart, thisis for all who believe!Glory to God.
3. Glory to God and hope for his church12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you,exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 Shewho is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so doesMark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you whoare in Christ.Exp: Never! Ever! Skip the final greetings at the end of the letters in the NewTestament. They usually don’t contain the great theological truths or life verses, butthey often carry the most context. The names and roles and personalities of peoplewho are long gone but not forgotten.Sivanus this brother who delivered the letter, and possible dictated the letter. He isfaithful and a brother.This brief letter Exhorts and declares the true grace of God, Stand firm in it!The She his says at Babylon (Whether literal or spiritual) is the church that is in aphysical location.He then mentions Mark! (Hello Men’s group) Maybe he was in the process of gatheringinformation for his gospel!!?Church can we practice this passage this morning. We need some response time, weneed some altar time. If you need prayer, if you need exhortation, if you need healingwe are gonna open up these altars and allow you time to be the church.Faithful ones let us go to the throne.Greet one another with a kiss of Love! Amen!
