SHEPHERD AND SHEEP

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you….  (1 Peter 5:2a)

Few passages of Scripture are dearer to the believer than the twenty-third Psalm.  God is identified as Shepherd.  It was a title Jesus Himself took.  This is the terminology likewise used to describe a pastor. What an awesome privilege and responsibility!  So, what does God have to say on the topic of spiritual leadership in 1 Peter 5?

First, hear A WORD TO THE SHEPHERDS: ACCOUNTABILITY (v.1-4).  As a spiritual leader in this church I will one day give an account to God for my stewardship of this sacred trust.  

Four requirements are listed here:

·        There must be the proper conviction (v.1).  That is—a conviction of the call we have received.  To be an elder in the church isn’t the result of personal ambition or popular appeal.  We lead because God has led us.  God is still calling men to shepherd His flock as elders of the church. 

·        There must be the proper direction (v.2a). “Shepherd the flock…serving as overseers….” God directs us in the work.  The shepherd is to lead, feed and be willing to bleed for the flock.

·        There must be a proper motivation (v.2b).  Worthy and unworthy motives are contrasted.  It isn’t a profession but a passion.  This is the difference between what Jesus called a shepherd and a hireling. 

·        There must be a proper demonstration (v.3).  We must model the truth we are teaching.  We aren't lords spouting edicts, but leaders showing examples. The title demands a testimony to match.

Along with the requirements comes the promise of the reward (v.4).  There is a price to pay for leadership—the hours are long, the burdens are large, and the disappointments are legion.  But, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!  With the eternal in view we will not become consumed with the material and yield to the temptation to fleece the flock rather than feed them.  

Peter also has A WORD TO THE SHEEP: RESPONSIBILITY (v.5).  Pastors have an accountability to lead, but members have a responsibility to follow.  You can lead a sheep to pasture, but you can't make him eat.

There is to be submission in our labors.  “Likewise”—the laity have duties as well as the clergy.  All of us are ministers.  Sheep were valuable in that culture—and so are the members.  The church cannot be what it needs to be unless the saints are engaged in ministry.  It seems the few who are willing are worn down trying to carry the whole load.  Church work, done properly, is labor intensive.  Yet, it can be done with joy if each member does their share.

There is to be submission to our leaders (v.5a).  I understand that sheep can be unruly and that they are prone to wander.  That’s why they need a shepherd.  Submission isn’t a natural trait.  Have you ever considered why the shepherd carries a rod and staff?  One of the most important purposes pastors have is to prod and discipline the sheep.  In so doing, he loves them!

There is to be submission to other laity (v.5b).  Why is it so hard to submit?  Our arrogance!  We think we know it all.  It is a humbling thing to have to listen to anyone—but especially one of our peers.  Yet, this is the very thing Peter is talking about.  We have a choice to receive heaven’s resources or resistance.  Which do you prefer?  Humility paves the way for grace to operate in us.  How much we need it!

THE GLADNESS OF GIVING

 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

“Give till it hurts!”  That is the advice we often hear.  But, if we stop at that level of giving, we haven’t given enough.  We need to give until it feels good!  That’s what Paul is encouraging us to do.  In chapter eight of Second Corinthians there is a grace and a glory in giving.  Now, in chapter nine, the Apostle informs us there is a gladness in giving.  Grace is the exhibition of God’s power.  Glory is the experience of God’s presence.  Gladness is the expression of God’s praise.  That is why we gather on the Lord’s Day—for the purpose of worshipping our worthy Lord.  Our giving is an essential way that we express our worship to God. 

God is as much concerned with why we give as what we give.  Our attitude matters as much as the amount.  Underscore that last phrase in verse five, “as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.”  The story is told about Billy Graham visiting a church service years ago.  It came time for the offering and he reached in his wallet and pulled out what he thought was a twenty dollar bill.  When he looked down, he saw he had taken out a hundred by mistake.  He fidgeted.  He knew people were watching.  What could he do?  He reluctantly tossed it in the plate.  His wife Ruth, knowing his intent and seeing him squirm, leaned over and whispered, “You only get credit for a twenty!”  Our motives matter to God.  God wants gladness.

Paul bragged on them for their desire to minister to others through giving (v.1-2).  People who are concerned for others buy Bibles, support missionaries and broadcast the Gospel.  It should make you glad to know that your giving is touching a world with love! 

Paul exhorted them to keep their promise (v.3-5).  They had committed to giving and now he expected them to honor that commitment.  We are committed to the bank, the car company, the grocery store, the electric company, the phone company, the insurance company, and on and on.  How committed are we to God’s work? 

Verse six reminds us of the law of the harvest: if you want a bumper crop then you best sow bountiful seed.  Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom.”  If you are stingy in giving, then God will be slight in blessings.  If you are generous in giving, then God will be generous with grace.  

Don’t you want to be the kind of giver that God loves?  Then do it cheerfully (v.7)!  What would you think if one Sunday, the preacher announced, “You’ve given so much we really don’t need anymore.”  Then, we posted the ushers to hide the offering plates so no one could give!  Far-fetched?  That’s what happened in the collection to build the tabernacle during the days of Moses.  Read about it in Exodus 36:3-7. 

God ministers to us and through us as we gladly give (v.8-15).  God will provide whatever He puts in our heart to give.  Every need that arises is simply God inviting us to trust Him for Divine resources.  The giving of the Corinthians resulted in praise to God.  May God make us glad givers!

MOTIVES MATTER

“So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”  (Matthew 20:16)

God judges us for our deeds.  The sinner will be judged for his or her evil deeds.  The list of their crimes will be read in the High Court of Heaven before they are sentenced to hell (Rev.20:12).  The saint will be judged for his or her righteous works in view of receiving their reward in heaven (1 Cor.3:11-15).  God will not only judge us as to what we do, but for why we do it.  Motives matter to God.  The right thing done for the wrong reason is still wrong.  Jesus warned that to give, pray, or fast to impress people was to be rewarded only with human approval (Matt.6:1-18), and to miss heaven’s applause.  We might suppose that such religious acts would be see by God as, “gold, silver, precious stones,” yet, because the motive is self-centered and not God-honoring, temporal in its end and not eternal, then such will prove to be, “wood, hay, straw,” to go up in smoke in the fire of Christ’s scrutiny.  Motives matter.

That is the thrust of the parable Jesus presents in Matthew 20:1-16.  It is sandwiched between this point: “But many who are first will be last, and the last first. …” (19:30) and “So the last will be first, and the first last.  For many are called, but few chosen.” (20:16)  The context of the teaching is in response to Christ’s call to sacrificial service (19:23-29).  Peter has popped off—as he was prone to do—“See, we have left all and followed You.  Therefore what shall we have?”  (19:27). Jesus tells that their labor and loss for His sake will be rewarded (19:18-29), but that an additional test beyond the manner of service is the motive of service.

1)      GOD SEEKS SERVANTS (v.1).  God is God.  Therefore, he needs no one or nothing other than Himself.  He is self-sufficient and self-existing.  In His amazing grace and infinite knowledge, He has chosen, however, to employ frail creatures of flesh to partner with Him in His work.  Many are called, but few chosen—have you responded to His call?

2)      SOME WORK AS AN OBLIGATION (v.2).  These were contract laborers.  They were motivated by what they would receive—and that alone.  There is no hint of grace or love, just “punching the clock,” in order to collect the pay.  If we are not careful, duty becomes drudgery—and God knows our motive.  As concerning His service is it, “I’ve got to,” or “I get to”?

3)      OTHERS WOULD WORK IF ASKED (v.3-6).  Some are idle because they are indolent.  These are idle because they were yet to be invited.  They respond eagerly to the offer.  How many people do we have in church life, ready to serve, if only asked?

4)      THERE IS A WORK OF FAITH (v.4-7).  No contract was negotiated—they simply trusted the Landowner to do the right thing.  Faith is crucial not only in salvation, but in service.  Read Hebrews 11 concerning the works accomplished by faith.  Supernatural possibilities exist when reliance on God is manifest, and will be rewarded (Heb.11:6).

5)      GOD DISPENSES REWARDS ACCORDING TO HIS SOVEREIGNTY (v.8-16).  We will have no ground of complaint at the Judgment Seat.  We will know He does right.  Let us not complain now!  Just do the right thing with the right motive and God will reward someday.