Shepherd God’s Flock 1 Peter 5:1-14

Good afternoon, everyone! I’m happy to give the message today not only because it is Sunday, but today is also Maria’s birthday! Yesterday we had a birthday party for her with family. [Pic 1] When I first started giving messages here at WestLoop it was on 1 Peter, which I had started in Podil UBF in Ukraine. I would like to finish 1 Peter with today’s message on chapter 5. In the book of 1 Peter, the word “suffer” is used more than in any other book in the Bible even though it’s only 5 chapters long. This is because the early believers during the time of 64 A.D. and 67 A.D. were suffering terrible persecution under the megalomaniac Roman Emperor Nero. The early believers were like helpless sheep being hunted down by ravenous wolves. In order to help them and protect them, Peter exhorted the elders in the local churches to shepherd God’s flock. In today’s passage, we learn the role of elders and also the right attitude young people, particular young men, should have towards elders and one another.
SHEPHERD GOD’S FLOCK
1 Peter 5:1-14
Key Verse: 2:
“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.”
Look at verses 1-2. “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.” As mentioned, Peter was addressing the elders in the church. Elders were the mature men in the church, older, responsible, faithful, godly, and more experienced. In the gospels and the book of Acts, we see that Peter fulfilled his role as Jesus’ earthly successor to the church as it’s spiritual leader and guide. Of course, Jesus is the head of the church but he uses men, though sinful, as spiritual leaders of his church. Peter had a special place and Jesus said based on his confession of faith the church will be built upon. Peter’s name, after Jesus,’ is mentioned more times in the gospels than any other. He had the high position as an apostle. In Acts 2, we remember after first Peter’s public gospel message, three thousand people repented and were added to the church. But Peter did not use his spiritual authority proudly to boss people around. He wrote to the elders in verse 1b, “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.” He associated with them as a fellow elder. In other words, he was not asking them to do anything that he wouldn’t do. He was a humble servant of the church as they were. He could be humble because he saw the sufferings of Christ for his sins and had a personal relationship with him. Though he was a humble servant he had to carry out his duties as a spiritual leader. And one of those duties was to encourage his fellow elders in the church. What was he exhorting them to do?
Look at verse 2 again. “…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.” Shepherding was a well-known work in Peter’s time and the congregation would understand the use of this analogy. Sheep are among the most helpless animals in the face of predators. They do not have fangs or claws or even a smelly odor to spray against their enemies. They are docile, weak, and can get easily lost when left alone in the field by themselves. [Pic 2] Someone said that sheep really disprove the evolutionary theory because there was no way they could have survived on their own. In brief, sheep need a shepherd to take care of them in order to survive and flourish. Shepherds must do so with a willing and caring heart.
We can see in the Old Testament replete with examples of shepherds. King David was the greatest king in Israel’s history, but he came from a humble background as lowly shepherd boy. Since he was the youngest among his brothers, he stayed behind to watch the sheep while his older brothers went out to fight a war against their arch nemesis the Philistines. But he took his job as a shepherd very seriously and even defended his father’s flock of sheep with his life. Whenever a predator came to steal or eat his father’s sheep he went after it without fear. In order to protect sheep, he even fought and killed a lion and a bear. [Pic 3] When the giant Philistine Goliath threatened God’s people everyone was afraid to face him in battle. But boy David was not afraid because to David he looked like the bear he had killed while protecting his sheep. David later was chosen by God to be the king of his people Israel after Saul. He became a warrior king because he had to defend God’s people from many enemy nations. While engaging in many battles his life was threatened many times, but God saved his life. As he was a shepherd to protect his father’s sheep, David realized that God was his shepherd and protecting him. So, he wrote in Psalm 23:1-3, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” David learned from God how to be a good shepherd for God’s people.
Peter gave advice to the elders of the church so that they would also be good shepherds for God’s flock. It was very important for the elders of the church to know that those under their care were not their own, but God’s flock. This is why Peter emphasized “shepherd God’s the flock of God that is among you.” Shepherding God’s flock is just as serious than babysitting others children. Several times going to Ukraine we went with Yulia and Natalka to cross the border and travel many hours. Of course, we helped babysit their children with great care because they were not ours but our precious friends. [Pic 4] How much more should we care for God’s flock because they do not belong to us but to their Father God. The elders were not to make use or abuse those under their care because they will have to one day answer to the Chief Shepherd.
Look at verses 3-4. “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Here we see how Peter had matured as a servant of God. In the gospels, we find some incidents when the disciples were arguing amongst themselves who was the greatest among them; and what seats of power they would hold in the earthly messianic kingdom. One time, James and John, with their mother, asked Jesus to save the seats to his left and right for them so that they could be in seats of power. Jesus told them that they did not know what they were asking. They were not at all interested in serving and taking care of helpless people. Jesus taught them if they really wanted to be leaders in God’s kingdom, they had to learn to humbly serve others. It is to have a servant’s attitude. Everyone in God’s church, in general, would like to be called a servant of God. But do we have the servant’s attitude? One pastor said you can check yourself to see if you have a servant’s attitude. You can check by this: what is your attitude when someone treats you like a servant? Do you resent it or is your pride hurt? Because a true servant of God is not serving to be recognized by people or even expect others to thank them for their efforts. They may serve behind the scenes, help others with a willing heart, and make a spiritual environment for God’s work. It is to have Jesus’ attitude that he did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.
Again, in the Old Testament, we find examples of not only good shepherds, but bad shepherds as well. God had wanted the leaders of his nation Israel to be like shepherds over them. But they only became power hungry and abused the people of God for their own gain. God became angry with them and decided to punish them. Ezekiel 34:1-4 reads, “The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.’” God rebuked the leaders because they did not have a shepherd’s heart for God’s suffering people. They were too concerned with their own affairs and human comforts to think about the needs of God’s flock of sheep. They did not strengthen the weak or heal those who were injured. They did not look for the lost sheep. God was not pleased with them.
Look at verses 3-4 again. “Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” In verses 3-4, we can see how Peter’s life was changed by the life-giving examples he saw in Jesus. Jesus washed their dirty feet. Jesus served all kinds of weak, sorrowful, and helpless people. He loved and cared for widows. He shepherded people whom no one else wanted to take care of. While teaching a large crowd, Jesus’ heart was broken and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Peter and the other disciples saw Jesus’ shepherd heart for them. Most of all, Jesus died on the cross for their sins. Jesus laid down his life for them as their Good Shepherd. Though Peter had failed his Master and denied him three times, Jesus reinstated him as a shepherd over God’s flock. John 21:15-17 reads, “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, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him 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, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 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 everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” From then on, Peter understood the importance of being a shepherd over God’s flock. We also learn from Jesus that we can express our love for him by taking care of his sheep. We can say we love Jesus, but do we love his sheep? According to Jesus, there is a clear correlation between the two kinds of relationships. It is interesting and also kind of funny to some of us that in the past we used to address each other as shepherds or shepherdesses. I would say, “Hi shepherd Rhoel” or “Hi shepherdess Christy.” Though we no longer follow this practice we understand the spirit behind it because God called each of us to shepherd his flock. From the many examples Peter saw in Jesus, Peter understood that actions are more powerful than words. Saying we care for others is one thing, but taking the time to spend with them, providing for their needs, and loving them is another thing. Peter encouraged the elders to set the example for others to follow.
I thank God for the double blessing to be an elder both in Podil UBF and WestLoop UBF churches. As mentioned before, in Podil UBF the leaders are too young to be called elders, so we call them council members. There are nine council members including Maria and I. [Pic 5] We still make important decisions for the church together. It is important for a church to have elders or council members so that the burden of the church will not rest on the shoulders of one man. Rather, the burden becomes lighter when a group of believers carry the load of responsibilities together. It also prevents one man from dominating the church and making all the decisions. Rather, important decisions in the church must be agreed upon by all the leaders unanimously. This keeps unity and harmony among leaders and in the church as a whole. The reason that I am doubly blessed is because I can serve more people in two places at once. I can spend my time, resources, and prayers helping more of God’s people around the world. God blessed me to officiate weddings both in America and Ukraine. [Pic 6] God blessed me to baptize Katya, a Ukrainian young lady, in Lake Michigan along with elder Rhoel. [Pic 7] This week God blessed me to study with young men from Podil UBF Kirill, 20-years-old, and Oles, 19-years-old via Zoom. [Pic 8] I can only thank God for the spiritual blessing to be an elder in God’s work and pray to carry out my duties as an elder with the fear of God in my heart. We also need to pray for elders to be raised in the future. This is why Peter addressed the young men.
Look at verses 5-7. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” As we see in Christian history, the gospel is spread from one person to another and from one generation to another. The next generation ought to learn from the older generation in doing God’s ministry in order to propagate the gospel further into the future. This is a difficult challenge for many young people in the American culture today. Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2012, also known as Zoomers because they are the generation that grew up with the existence of the internet. According to one business survey, some managers and business leaders reported that they find Gen-Z more difficult to work with than other generations. These respondents attributed the difficulty due to the group’s feeling of entitlement and lack of effort, motivation, and productivity. Of course, we cannot apply this generalization to all young people. Thank God for the young men in our church who are amicable and hardworking young fellows. But overall, young people in the church must know God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Those who humble themselves before God can also humble themselves to their elders and spiritual leaders. Then they can continue doing the work of God, and in God’s right time God himself will exalt them to positions of spiritual leadership in the work of God. When we go back to the story of King David, he had started only as a humble shepherd boy. He was very respectful to the elders, spiritual leaders, and even King Saul. When King Sauel realized that David would be the next king of Israel he wanted to kill him. Even though David knew this he continued to honor and respect him as king over the nation of Israel. Though he had several opportunities to take Saul’s life David refused to kill him because he had the fear of God in his heart. Instead, he humbly trusted in God’s sovereignty and protection. Then he God’s right time, he exalted David to be the next king of Israel. When young people humble themselves before God, they learn that they can cast all their anxieties on God who cares for them and looking out for their best interests to make them more useful and productive in God’s work. God will also give them strength and wisdom to overcome the evil schemes of the devil.
Look at verses 8-9. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” It’s interesting how Peter compares God’s flock as sheep to the devil who is like a roaring lion. We know what the result will be when a flock of sheep comes across even one powerful and hungry lion. It would be a slaughter. Since it is football season, we hear about our Chicago Bears, not our Chicago Sheep. But if they keep losing maybe they should be called Chicago Sheep. The devil’s purpose is to make us doubt God’s love in the time of suffering. He aims to make us doubt the goodness of God or the presence of God or the power of God or that God cares. So how can God’s people fight against this formidable foe? Peter writes, “resist him, stand firm in your faith.” Spiritually, it means to put our trust in God because only God can protect us from all of the devil’s schemes. God is above all and there is no other. But if we do not trust in God we will become like lunch meat to the devil. Psalm 56:3-4 reads, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Here we learn that faith is not the absence of fear, but in the presence of a fearful situation we put our trust in God. Then God takes away our fear and gives us peace that goes beyond human understanding. We are also encouraged by Peter’s words that whatever suffering we may be going through now has been suffered by our brothers and sisters all around the world. As we share in their sufferings, we also know that we will be strengthen by their fortitude and faith in Christ.
Look at verses 10-11. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” In these verses, we find the reason why we need to keep enduring suffering in this world because in the end we will share eternal glory in Christ. Even if our body, mind, and soul may be racked and broken with pain, in Christ we will be restored, confirmed, strengthen, and established. God’s restoration work is amazing. As we know in this world, when something is broken and later fixed, it is not quite the same as the original. But in God’s restoration work the final result will be far greater and more improved than the original. We will have an eternal, indestructible, beautiful, and powerful resurrection bodies (with a full set of hair) where we will be in Christ’s kingdom forever and ever. In Christ, all the wrongs in the world will be set right. In Christian history, many of God’s people were falsely accused and thrown into prison. But all the injustices will be removed and Christ’s justice and righteousness will reign. Those believers who have been humiliated in the world will be glorified in Christ and share in his glory forever. Paul concludes his letter in verses 12-14.
Look at verses 12-14. “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. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” Verse 12 probably means that Silvanus was the pen writer for Peter. As Peter was speaking orally, Silvanus was dictating his words. According to the footnote, Silvanus was known also as Silas, the same man who had escorted Paul on his missionary journey. He was a man who also knew about suffering and hope in God. As you recall, in the book of Acts Paul and Silas were thrown in prison after they had healed a young girl from a demon. But they rejoiced in their sufferings and became a testimony to those in jail. Acts 16:26, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” While praying God sent an earthquake and opened the prison doors. Through this miracle, Paul and Silas were able to witness to the jailer who later became a believer in Jesus, along with his whole family. Another testimony in these verses was the change of Mark. Mark was a young man when he escorted Paul on one of his missionary journeys, but he became afraid of suffering and went back home. But now he had become a mature and courageous servant of God and became a blessing to Peter like his spiritual son. Thank God for helping us to finish the book of 1 Peter today. In this passage and the summary of 1 Peter, we learn how to deal with the sufferings that may come our way in the course of serving God. God uses all kinds of sufferings in order to strengthen our faith in him, cast our anxieties on him, and trust him in every situation. May God bless all of God’s people in the church, both young and old, work together humbly in order that the gospel may continue to spread in our generation and the next generation as well. May God help us to be good shepherds for God’s flock. Amen.

SHEPHERD GOD’S FLOCK

1 Peter 5:1-14

Key Verse: 2:

“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.”

1.Look at verses 1-2. Who are “elders” in a church? The word “suffering” is used in the book of 1 Peter more than in any other book in the Bible. Do you remember how they were suffering? How would this explain Peter’s exhortation to the elders of the church?

2.Look at verses 3-4. How are the elders to set the example for the church? Who are elders accountable to? What reward will they receive? When did Jesus appoint Peter to be a shepherd? (John 21:15-17)

John 21:15-17: 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, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

3. Look at verses 5-7. Why did Peter turn his attention to the young men? What should be their attitude and the attitude of all of God’s people? (Proverbs 3:34) How does God care for us?

4. Look at verses 8-9. Who is the great enemy of the church? Why must we resist him? (James 4:7) How do the struggles of fellow believers encourage us?

James 4:7:  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

5. Look at verses 10-11. What does God do for those who keep their faith in him? What does it mean to be “strong, firm and steadfast”? Why did the believers in Peter’s time and all believers need God’s power? (Ephesians 6:10)

Ephesians 6:10:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

6. Look at verses 12-14. Who was Silas? Who is Peter referring to in verse 13 as “She” and “Babylon”? Who was Mark and where was he mentioned before?

1 Peter 5

English Standard Version

Shepherd the Flock of God

5 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: ² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,^[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;^[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷ casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood 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 himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

¹² 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 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

1. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
2. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you