Sermon Notes for “Shepherding the Flock” – 1Peter 5:1-11   *What are elders? Biblically in NT: Elder = Overseer, Shepherd & Pastor/Teacher Older? Literally elder men?  Also Peter.   *Where did Peter learn how to be a shepherd of God’s flock?   Background/Shepherds and shepherding in the Bible: Ezekiel 34:1-11 -- Bad shepherds fleece the flock/God intervenes John 10:11-15 -- Jesus the good shepherd (vs. hired shepherd) Mark 14:27-31(esp. 29)  cf. Luke 22:25-27  -- Peter says he loves more, in a sense John 21:15-18 -- Charge to Peter to feed his sheep Ephesians 4:11-16 – Role of the Pastor/Teacher Matthew 23:1-12ff.  – Pharisaism: they did what Peter told elders not to do   Conclusion: As God’s people, royal priesthood and holy nation, we are called to be humble and submitted to each other, to serve one another and be examples to the whole world, demonstrating the way everyone should live. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Additional Notes:    *What does Peter tell the elders to do? Shepherd God’s flock, or be Shepherds; but what do shepherds do? Serve as Overseers; oversee who or what? Be Examples to the flock (God’s people), or Lead God’s flock   “I look at what the phone company does and do the opposite.”  Craig Newmark   v.2 possible paraphrase: Don’t serve as overseers because you are compelled by financial reasons, but because you desire to serve God’s people according to God’s will.   Sadly there are those: who have fleeced the flock for their own gain. who like the power to boss others around. who like the prestige, and the perks.  See Matthew 23   *How are God’s shepherds supposed to lead God’s flock? *What makes their leadership distinctive from other types of leaders?   Authority:  Power vs. Responsibility, Lording vs. Serving (Master vs. Servant) Responsible for flock, accountable to God Realize that we all have a Chief Shepherd over us Leading: Commanding vs. Showing (Commander vs. Guide) Spiritual Leader = Loving Servant   *Who is the Chief Shepherd? *How should the elders relate to the Chief Shepherd? "Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better."   - Andre Gide  (gee-d)   *How are God’s shepherds rewarded for their service?   Reward: not money but future glory There are those who see shepherding as an employment opportunity or as just another career option.  A hireling vs. true shepherd John 10:11-15  The hired hand runs when the wolf comes.  For the churches of 1Peter, the persecution may have been the wolf or the false teachers and false doctrines of 2Peter 2.  *What is our wolf?  *What causes us or our shepherds to run and the sheep to scatter?  *And why do our shepherds who have not scattered stay to fight the wolf?