God's Under Shepherd 1 Peter 5:1-4 Cooper Abrams |
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Introduction: We are living in a time of great compromise of God's word. It is really nothing new. Since the early years of the 1st Century pastors have been under great pressure to change, weaken, water down and make God's message and truth to make it more appealing to the world.
It is true today as is was then. Men have taken themselves the pulpits of churches claiming to be called of God and preached a compromised and watered down message. It is the reason today we have what is called the "Emerging Church" movement. It is the reason for the boom in the Contemporary and Non Traditional Church services which are little more that a show put on to please, entertain, and appeal to the flesh and worldliness of men.
In many modern churches, true biblical worship of God is shunned as being old fashioned, outdated, and ineffective. In the place of biblical worship has come pragmatism which puts it stamp of approval on anything that works no matter is at odds with God's word. If it works...then do it.
All this comes from men whom Jesus called "hirelings." Jesus said:
"But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." (John 10:12-13) Many of us Independent Fundamental Baptists are alarmed and very concerned today because what we have seen for years of Protestant apostasy and the unbiblical churches is making inroads in to once sound IFB churches.
I have said all that to say this. Dear Friend and members of this church....may I explain to you and remind you of the great treasure in that you have in having a Pastor who loves the Lord and does not compromise His word. I have known him personally now for many years and I know his heart. We have often talked about the things of God and you are blessed to have a man of God who loves God's word.
May I also say that the benefit of this man to you is precious especially in our current age where that is so much pressure to put aside sound biblical truth and practices for the sake of numbers and money.
There are two kinds of men in pulpits today. One is a biblical pastor, and the Lord Jesus named the other as a hireling. Let's look at the difference.
I. What is a pastor? Ephesians 4:11
2. We do have evangelists today because that word means to evangelize and is best seen in the calling of a missionary who goes into the world preaching the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gift and calling is to men who are not shepherds to the flock, but non stationary itinerant preachers who preach God's word and with a strong emphasis on winning the lost.
3. The fourth office or calling of God is the Pastor-Teacher. There is some debate about if this is one or two callings. I firmly believe it is one. The reason is that the calling and gift of this ministry is to feed the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ and it absolutely is done in pastoring the sheep and teaching them. They go together and the use of the words Pastor-Teacher emphasize the position and gift of God.
2. This office in a local church is more than just a preacher. He not only feeds the sheep, but he tends to them.
READ John 10:1-6 Do you note what Jesus said?
The true shepherd enters by the door. Read verse seven. "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:7-9)
A man who does not enter the door of the sheep, Jesus said is no shepherd...he is a hireling. The door of the sheep is Jesus Christ who is the WORD as John 1:1 plainly states.
A man who will compromise God's word has no respect for the true Shepherd who is Jesus Christ.
True pastors refer to themselves as "under shepherds" because they recognize that Jesus is the True Shepherd and the flock, the local assembly of believers, a church belongs to him.
The Lord used Peter to instruct pastor about their ministry saying. "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:3-4)
Jesus said "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11) Jesus was referring to Himself and His sacrifice in which He paid the price for sin through His shed blood on the cross. Likewise the true under shepherd following in the footsteps of his Master...will also put his life on the line for the sheep.
The hireling will flee when the wolves come and believe me in every Bible believing church there will be attacks by the wolves.
I did an internet search on churches in Stokes County, NC where my home church it. One church said it was the fastest growing in the area...their slogan was "A friendly place!" Another's was "Open hearts, open minds, and open doors". Another "Children of God serving each other." Another "The church that loves." Another "Friendly People." My home church...."We believe, preach, and practice the fundamentals of the word of God. A Bible believing church...."
Did you note the differences...?
My Friends...your pastor has the same commitment to His Lord and Savior. He would never compromise God's word to increase the membership or finances of this church....and you should thank the Lord who called him and loved you enough to bring you to this church for you good fortune.
It is used for every kind of calling to a person which is meant to produce a particular effect, hence, with various meanings, such as "comfort, exhort, desire, call for," in addition to its significance "to beseech," which has a stronger force than aiteo which means simply to ask. It is an strong appeal to heed Paul's challenge to them.
The same sentiment is used in verse 14 in the word "exhort" [parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o] It is an appeal and call to action. It also has the element of admonishment. The word does not mean to comfort or to be passive, but something to be attended to immediately which will bring a future result.
The word is used in context of Paul urging the assembly to "know" their pastor. It means to "to know:--be aware, behold, consider, have knowledge of, to look on, perceive, see, be sure, tell, and understand of your pastor and his circumstances, responsibilities and calling.
Know them that "labor" among you. A.T. Robertson explains this is a word that means to labor hard even when you are weary. That's takes character to stick it out when the going gets hard and the road is full of bumps, holes and traps.
But this is the calling of the sheep toward a true pastor, under shepherd who tends His flock. I will not bore you with illustrations, but dear friends any pastor who truly serves the Lord will have many illustrations of the difficulties, and hardship involved in pastoring sheep.
I could also mention that sheep are not the easiest animals to take care of. It has always been fasinating to me that God uses the analogy of sheep in referring to His children.
B. Yet, the Lord loves His sheep and gives them a shepherd to care for them. They are special and valuable to the Master.
Sheep are not affectionate animals in the sense they do not show any sense of appreciating it the shepherd's care of them. However, they will cuddle the shepherd and nuzzle up to him especially when he feeds them. That is where the analogy breaks down.
God's people, His flock, unlike sheep, can and should be appreciative to the work of their shepherd.
Sheep need to be lead and they do not like to be alone or be the center of things. Sheep by nature are passive and not aggressive. Sheep do not attack their shepherd. That is the nature of a goat. The Bible always refers to goats as not being God's children. That analogy to sheep speaks volumes about those in churches who are know it alls and constantly criticizing the pastor, working of the church and their fellowsheep.
Sheep are herding animals and need the company of other sheep. That is not the nature of a sheep that is God's child. God says the flock is to "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1 Thessalonians 5:13)
You will not be criticizing and judging the pastor if you love him and esteem him highly. Note that reasoning God gives for this. He says "for the work' sake." You want to kill a church then attacking the pastor is a good way to do it. It spreads dissension and causes confusion in the flock.
If you do not understand what your pastor does, then privately go to him and respectfully discuss it with him. You go seeking reconciliation and not as his judge. No where in God's word does God give a sheep the right to lord over their pastor.
The same is true for the pastor as well.
Note what Ephesians 5 tells us about a local church, the Lord's assembly "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)
Turn into your Bibles to Hebrews 10:22-25......
God's plan for us is to work together to do His will. Where two or three are gathered in my name.....
The Lord is a God of organization and that all things be done properly and in order and therefore He, calls and puts man over His flock to guide and shepherd it.
Unlike sheep, we have a will. We are to love the Lord, His local church and in supporting the pastor work together to honor and carry out the Lord's will for the assembly and in each life.
A. In Ephesians 4:11 God tells us of the men He has called to minister to His flock. Today we do not have Apostles as they were the twelve men who walked with and were personally called and taught by the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Today we do not have prophets who foretell the future given to them by revelation from God. When the sixty six books of this Bible were finished God had completed His revelation to man. This gift was given in the early church and was valid until the Bible was complete. It also can refer to prophesing which is preaching what God has already given.
B. Let's look closer at the word "poimenas" [poy mane as] which is the word Shepherd.
1. Vines defines the word as :"a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks" (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian "pastors," Eph. 4:11. "Pastors" guide as well as feed the flock; cp. Acts 20:28, which, with ver. 17, indicates that this was the service committed to elders (overseers or bishops); so also in 1 Pet. 5:1, 2, "tend the flock ... exercising the oversight," ; this involves tender care and vigilant superintendence.
ILLUS: I was a few weeks ago in the office a pastor who had asked me to lunch. An elderly couple came in and the pastor left the office where we were talking and went to talk with them. I found out when he returned the wife had just been told she had colon cancer. They were an elderly couple in their 90's and they came to seek their pastor's advise about what to do. Their options were to take KEMO therapy or let the cancer take it course. That pastor showed his deep love for the couple and shared with them in their distress. He prayed for them, and listened to them pour out their hearts. He was their preacher...yes, but he was more....he was their shepherd who tended to them.
ILLUS: In my first church in Utah I had wolves show up. They came in the form of a couple who came in sheep's clothing saying they were deeply concerned for the growth of the church. Not souls saved, but a larger church. They then brought out a note pad and began to read a list of things that I needed to change. First, we must get rid of the name Baptist and call ourselves a community church. That meant we would abandon sound New Testament Bible teaching. They said I should not preach negative messages anymore and not talk about sin and hell because that offended people. My answer then and today is simply this. NO! It won't happen as long as I am the pastor. This church, this flock belongs to the Lord and I am His shepherd. I will obey Him and I will not compromise His word for anything or because of any pressure you or anyone else would bring on me. If Jesus the Chief Shepherd preached salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ....so would I. If He preached and warned people about sin, the judgment to come and of hell....so would I.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
II. The True Pastor Tends the Lord's Sheep.
A. The church as a responsibility to the Lord and that includes following their pastor. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-13.
III. The Pastor's responsibility. 1 Peter 5:1-4
1. Paul says he "beseeches" them to know them which labor among you. It is the word "erotao ( er-o-tah'-o" )
The word "beseech" the most frequent word with this meaning, lit. denotes "to call to one's side," hence, "to call to one's aid."
ILLUS: Sheep can be hard headed and have a mind of their own. I once had a Navaho Indian who was in my church in Beaver come to me and tell me much about the nature of sheep. As a boy and young man he spent years tending sheep down in the Four Corner's area on the Navajo Reservation. His conclusion about sheep is not flattering because he concluded that sheep are really dumb animals, maybe higher than a turkey, but not much.
In leading sheep the shepherd at times has to admonish them. That means to correct and instruct their mistakes.
A. God says in 1 Peter 5, that pastors are not to be lord's over the sheep. "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.' (1 Peter 5:3)
Conclusion: The church that the Lord instituted is a group of saved believers who have a common bond in Jesus Christ. They assemble together to worship, fellowship and learn God's word so they can grow closer in their walk with him.
1. In a proper church where the pastor and the members are spiritual there will be a sense of unity. The pastor leads...not as the BOSS, but a loving shepherd who wants the best for the sheep and leads them carefully.
2. The good under shepherd is discerning of the state of maturity of each of his members and with God's help, teaching the word helps them to grow spiritually in their relationship with the Lord and in their every day lives.
2. The sheep is to listen, be faithful to the Lord in their lives, obeying God's word and seeking to learn God's truth. The should earnestly seek to study God's word for themselves.
3. The Lord Jesus just prior to His ascension into heaven told His disciples to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2 the Lord tells us of His institution of the local church. That means believers are to assemble together in the refuge of their local church. There they come out of the world for a few minutes and fellowship with each other. Their common bond is their salvation and relationship to Jesus Christ.
1. Hold fast our faith w/o waving.
2. Considering one another... to provoke to love and good works.
3. Not forsaking the assembling our ourselves together. Why because you see the day approaching...which means the Lord's coming.
Oct. 18, 2008
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