All you Shepherds! 1 Peter 5:2-3

Continuing on the 1 Scripture blog......For Leaders and Elders-all those called to ministry!

Todays message is on shepherding the sheep, and the kind of attitude taken with this task.

1 Peter 5:2-3--"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.


1. What is your role?

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers...."

In this portion of scripture Peter has already identified what this passage is for....(5:1-to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder.")
(Elder-- One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions)

Peter clearly identifys himself--'a witness of Christ' suffering"
We are called to be shepherds......what does a shepherd do? In ancient time, the shepherd was a supervisor and caretaker.
He would protect, care for, help feed, navigate/guide, discipline/correct, and unify other sheep.
The same responsibility that the shepherd has for the sheep of his flock so must the elder/leader must have for God's flock (the church). Peter speaks specifically to the community that he writes--"that is under your care"

2. Supervision and the motives of leadership

"serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve"

Now Peter tells us the type of attitude that we should take on as leaders or elders. We are to serve as overseers in the church. An overseer is a person that keeps watch over and directs the work of others. The function of the church, the operation and order of their congregation and operations are supervised by them. Perter emphasizes the importance of order and proper supervision.
The second part of the verse if my favorite because it displays the type of atttude ALL leaders should take on. We are not leaders, and are not called to leadership in the church because we have to, or out of obligation (we'll someones gotta do it attitude!). As leaders we dont do it for the money nor we SHOULDN'T because it isnt about being greedy or trying to obtain wealth.

I feel that leaders and pastors have forgotten sometimes why they were called to the position they were called to. Some have used it as a catapult for something else like politics, money, fame, exposure for their upcoming book. Maybe they need to return to 1 Peter 5:2-3 to be reminded of WHY they shepherd the flock.
What are the motives of your heart because God certainly know it!
(1 Chronicles 28:9-"for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.")

Look at the 3 right motives:
1. because you are willing-------this is a calling and your willing to submit to the call, not because you are being coerced!
2. because its God's will ------God's calling entails a right attitude!
3. because you are eager serve------with the other two in place, you can't help but want to serve for the Kingdom. You want to be out there in the trenches, the desire is so big that you want to be out in service for the Lord and lead his flock.

3. Examples not Dictators

"not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock

Now because you may have this leadership and supervison over others it should not be abused. Elders shouldnt be slave drivers, nor should they treat the flock as if it belonged to them. Remember its God's flock!! Not only that but the shepherd should be an example. Paul said that people should follow his example because his was Christ-- ("Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1)

THE POINT:
1. Leadership/elders--is a calling not a job!
2. Understand what your job is as a shepherd of God's flock!
3. As a leader know the motive behind your service, and leadership.
4. Are you a dictator or an example?

There is OneTruth....God Bless!

Running like you wanna WIN!

Its been awhile since I have last posted something, this has been in due to lack of internet for my computer. I hope to write to this blog again soon as school is winding down.I wanted to write to let you all know this ( I say all like a bunch of poeple read this thing) but also to encourage you as well. Hopefully to teach, encourage, and learn from it.

Todays verse is from 1 Corinthians 9:24:

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

-First to understand this verse we must understand the recipients of the letter the Corinthians. Why does Paul talk of running and racing and sports? Because the Corinthians were familiar with foot races in the Isthmian games which occured every other year and came 2nd to the Olympics. So Paul was relating to the exciting extra-curricular activities they participated in.

2.-This verse isnt describing the fact that we should trample others to obtain the prize.In fact, our lives as Christians, as people are a race. This is resurgent in the book of Hebrews 12:1-2. We are running a race, this race called the Christian life.

For example:
~Imagine the Boston Marathon, where thousands of people run this race every year.Thousands enter, thousands run, but only one wins the prize, only one comes in first.Pauls call here is for those of you running the race, run as if you were running to win! Pauls call is not a physical call, but more a mental, spiritual call. I have run several times before, and even competitively. There are times where I ran to simply finish, just to get to the end of the race no matter what place I got. Other times, I ran with the attitude and mindset of winning that race. I pushed harder, I ran faster, i focused on keeping myself at the highest level. I ran as if I was winning.

**Imagine trying to compete in something with the mindset of losing! Go into a basketball game and give 5%. Not only does you not having the right attitude affect you but others.Someone with a negative attitude can bring other people down, and make a room turn sour.Paul says not to run like someone who runs aimlessly, but run as if you are going to win!

3. Win what? What prize?Like the prizes that the Corinthians and even Olympians, which were perishable wreaths that symbolized the winner from everyone else, so we gain a crown. The difference is that our crown is a crown of life= eternal life with Jesus Christ. We run the race of life, no matter how long, or how hard it may be so that we may get to the finish line to meet our Lord waiting for us to take us home for our prize!

THE POINT:
1.--Live (run) the Christian life as if you were running to win!
2.--Running in a way not to win can not only affect you but those around you!
3.--What is our prize. Eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ, the crown of Life!
Be Blessed!