Shepherds Leading the Flock

1 Peter 5 reminds me of a shepherd and his responsibility of leading a flock of sheep.  Hence, the title of this post:  Shepherds Leading the Flock.  In this chapter Peter is speaking directly to the leaders of the church.  Are you a leader of the church?  Have you paid particular attention to this chapter.  I'm a Sunday School teacher.  I, as a leader of that group, need to take heed to this message.  I need to approach my role with great responsibility.  

So, what does it mean to be an elder?  Elder is defined as "a person of greater age."  But, is that what Peter really meant?  In this context, Peter was talking about wisdom and maturity rather than age.  This chapter tells the elders what they must do to lead their flock.  

1 Peter 5:2-3 tells us the "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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

First, and foremost, the elders are to be shepherds of the flock of God.  In John 21:15-17, Jesus tells them how to do this.  He tells them that they must feed and tend the sheep.  One feeds the Word of God to the sheep.  To tend to them means to protect, guide, nurture and care for the sheep.  Secondly, they should do this willingly, not as if it is something that they just have to do.  You have to want to feed and tend the flock.   You should not lead them for financial gain.  You have to also be willing to be an example to those that you are tending. 

Peter goes on to tell the elders that they need to be humble and watchful.  1 Peter 5:5-8 tells us "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. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Humility.  What does it mean to be humble?  Well, it means to have a low view of one's own importance, to be meek and modest.  Humility is demonstrated by submission.  I talked about submission a few days ago.  Sometimes it is hard to be humble.  Sometimes our pride gets in the way.  God doesn't want us to be prideful.  

The key verse for me is this section of verses is this "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  Read that again!  "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."  Do you have troubles?  Are you suffering?  Do you have problems that you just don't know how to handle?  Well, now is the time to give them over!  Why?  Because he cares for YOU.  Not just me, but YOU!  Isn't that comforting?  Especially, when we read that last part of verse 8, "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  Do you realize that someone he wants to devour is YOU?  Yep, he wants to devour you so that you don't seek the face of God.  But, when we give our cares to Jesus, we defeat the adversary.  

Suffering

There seems to be a lot of debate about suffering.  On Facebook after the death of a child you'll see those who have no faith post statements like this:  "If God is a loving God, like you claim, why did he allow this child to suffer."  I see it all the time. God doesn't cause the suffering, but he does allow it.  We may not understand why things do happen, we should cling to Him for comfort.  Romans 8:28 tells us that God may not cause all things to happen, but he does "cause all things to work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  

This is what Peter is trying to point out to us in 1 Peter 4:12-13.  We are going to face suffering, sometimes because of our faith.  We may even face persecution.  In verses 12 and 13, there seems to be two commands.  The first command is that they "not be surprised" at any trial you face because of being a Christian.  The second command is how to respond to the trials.  He tells us to "rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."  He is telling us that the trials we face will point to God's glory.  See that?  In Romans 8:28 we are told that all things work together for God's purpose.  Now, here in 1 Peter 4:13 we are told that His glory will be revealed.  Peter goes on in verse 16 to tell us that if we do suffer as a Christian, then we are to not be ashamed of it.  

The hymn "How Firm a Foundation" speaks to this very thing:  

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

So, when you're suffering, no matter the circumstances, be assured that you aren't alone.  Also be assured, that it is for God's glory.   

Submission and Beauty

I'm a wife.  Sometimes I have problems with the word "submit" or "obey".  I like being in control.  I don't like being told what to do.  I'm pretty sure if you are a woman and you are reading this you feel the exact same way, especially when it comes to your husband.  But, let me ask you this:  Do you allow your husband to be the head of the household?  If you want to know what Peter tells us in this next chapter, read on!

"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,  when they see your respectful and pure conduct." ~1 Peter 3:1-2

Peter gives us clear instructions on how to behave toward our husbands.  It may not be what the world says we should do, but it is how God wants us to behave.  The women that Peter was talking to were wives of men who were not saved.  So, with that in mind, this was for evangelistic purposes.  He was telling these women that their behavior, being will to be submissive to their husbands, would be and influence to their husbands.  Being submissive didn't mean taking abuse.  It meant having a servant's heart.  See that in verse 2, he says we should be "respectful' and have "pure conduct".  We are to be an example.  This verse gives me hope.  Look at it.  If we are respectful and pure in conduct, we could lead someone to Christ without ever saying a word.  Isn't that great news?

Another thing in 1 Peter 3 I would like to point out is how Peter describes the beauty of a woman.  

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1 Peter 3:3-4

Let me ask a few questions.  How much time do you spend in front of the mirror each morning?  How much time do you spend fixing your hair?  Do you buy a lot of makeup?  Do you go every couple of weeks for a mani/pedi?  Do you buy a lot of beauty products and then spend a lot of time using them?  What about your clothing?  Do you choose your clothing just to get the attention of a man (even your husband)?

My point in these questions is this:  Do you spend more time getting beautified than you do with Jesus?  Your outward appearance should not be your chief concern.  Rather, Peter points out that what is most important is the "gentle and quiet spirit".  The outer appearance does very little to win the world to Christ.  

Cornerstone

What is a cornerstone?  Cornerstone is defined as “a stone that forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls; an important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.”  So, what does it mean that Jesus is the “cornerstone”?  Isaiah 28:16-17 says:

 “Therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,
    a stone, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:
    ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
And I will make justice the line,
    and righteousness the plumb line;
and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,
    and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”

So, God tells us Himself that He is the cornerstone, the foundation.  Jesus is God’s son, He is God, so therefore, He is the cornerstone.  That brings us to 1 Peter 2:4, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God an precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  So, what does that mean, “living stone”?  Jesus is the cornerstone.  We are the stones that God is using to build his house (spiritual).  As believers we place our trust in Jesus.  We place our lives upon His foundation so that we can grow. 

One of the hymns that I loved growing up in church was “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”.  It says:

“My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand,  All other ground is sinking sand.’

If we don’t put our trust in the “cornerstone” and build a good foundation, how will our faith survive?  

Heirs, Trials and Loving One Another

Peter, he was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.  He wrote the first book of Peter to the Jewish Christians that had been scattered throughout the five Roman provinces during the Diaspora. 

The areas that he wrote to were Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.  These were the areas that Christianity had spread to after the beginning of the church.  In the first chapter of Peter, he explained to them that they were “elected”, meaning that they were “chosen” by God and that it wasn’t random.  He went on to tell them what it meant to be saved and to live as saved and that we have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4)  Did you hear that?  We have an inheritance.  What does it mean to be an heir?  An heir is defined as “a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death”.  We are an heir to heaven.  Heaven is for eternity.  Isn’t that wonderful news?!  Romans 8:17 says this: “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”  We are heirs with Christ.  When we accepted Christ into our lives, we became a joint heir, adopted into the family of God.  We cannot experience this inheritance unless we are born again.

Peter then goes on to discuss with them the purpose for trials in their lives.  I read this on a commentary (I cannot remember which one):  “Our faith isn’t tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. It is tested because we often are ignorant of how much or what kind of faith we have.  God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith.”  So, it isn’t a matter of God testing to see if we have faith or not.  It’s to point out to us that we do, indeed, have faith and how much we actually have of it.  What kind of faith do you have?  Are you struggling with trials?  He goes on to describe the process.  Like gold that is purified by fire, our faith is purified by trials.  Gold will one day perish, but our faith will not. 

Peter goes on to inform his readers about their conduct as one that is saved.  How do you act?  Do you act as if you are saved?  I admit, sometimes I am guilty of acting as if I’m not saved.  Don’t you?  We all sin.  Living the way God wants us to is sometimes hard.  He wants us to be sober, or rather, being able to look at life seriously.  He calls us to a life of holiness, giving up the lifestyle that we had before, the lifestyle of the world.  Life isn’t a party.  Do you realize that when we stand before Jesus upon His return, that the only way we’ll be able to stand in front of Him is because of His grace?   It isn’t because we’ve lived a sinless life after we became saved.  We must understand that God isn’t going to show partiality, He is going to judge our conduct.  Peter also tells us that we can call on God for help when we need it.  Verse 17 tells us, “and if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deed…”.    

Peter’s final thoughts in this chapter is this “love one another” (verse 22).  Reminds me of a bluegrass song.  Really?  Yes, really. 

“Cause we’re all bound together,

When you’re down,
I’ll help you brother,
Only love lasts forever,
So, let’s love one another”

Love One Another is by the Infamous Stringdusters.  It’s one of my favorites.  Make the choice to love one another. It’s a decision that we must actively make, a choice.  We are to love others daily with the same love that God loves us with.