1 Peter 5:1-5
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: 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. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.”
Three Reasons Why God Gave Us Pastors
1. We are Prone to Wander: I need Compassionate Shepherds
1 Peter 5:1-2
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…
1 John 1:8
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
2. Growth Takes Time: We Need Consistent Hearing of God’s Word
1 Peter 5:1-3
So I exhort the elders among you…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…
1 Peter 5:2
…Not under compulsion, but willingly…
1 Peter 5:2
…As God would have you; not for shameful gain…
1 Peter 5:2-3
…but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge…
1 Peter 5:2
…exercising oversight…
John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
1 Peter 1:23
…you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
3. Jesus is Returning soon: We need Examples of God’s Grace
1 Peter 5:3-4
…but being examples to the flock And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
1 Peter 5:5
…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Resourced Cited
Grudem, Wayne A. 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 17. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
Nieuwhof, Carey, Consumerism and the Church: Reclaiming the Gospel from Our Culture’s Most Powerful Religion. https://careynieuwhof.com/consumerism-and-the-church/
Rinne, Jeramie. Church Elders. Wheaton, IL. Crossway, 2014.
Warren, Rick. The Purpose Drive Life. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan, 2002.