Posted 5 years ago by Anonymous

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Posted 3 months ago by Anonymous

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Summary

“Until He Comes: Follow the Great Shepherd!”(Pt2) - I Peter 5:1-5 All of us must be followers, some of us must be leaders (husbands, parents, teachers, employers, supervisors, committee chair). Good leaders are first of all followers. If no one is following, you’re not a leader. 2012 Theme: Until He Comes - looking for Jesus to come again & seeking to live according to that perspective. Until He comes, we must follow the Great/Chief Shepherd, which means following those He has placed over us. I Peter 5:1-5 - Peter addresses 2 specific groups: 1)Elders, 2)Those under the elders’ charge (the “younger”). Foundational truths: The Lord Jesus Christ is the “chief Shepherd.” We who believe are the “flock of God.” I)Christ the Chief Shepherd - He suffered for His flock (vs1) - He is coming again in glorious triumph (vs1, 4) - He is a caring Shepherd - vs7 - He has appointed “under-shepherds,” through whom He will care for His flock, the Church. What a loving thing to do! II)The Flock of God: the Church worldwide, throughout history, but also the local church - “the flock of God among you.” - No “lone ranger” Christians. - We are in need of a shepherd. - Benefits of Christ as Shepherd are great - Salvation, His tender care, Eternal life in His “fold” - As sheep must follow the shepherd, so we must follow Christ. “Christian” means “Christ-follower.” Following means obeying! Are you following Jesus? If you are not following Jesus, can you call yourself a Christian? - Humility and submission are essential - vs5. III)The Under-shepherds - Elders - vs1 - “presbyteros” - “elder of age, term of rank or office; among the Jews, members of the great council, rulers of the people; among Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) - bishop, elder, presbyters” (Strong’s Concordance). Not sought, but appointed. - The Charge: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you” - “poimaino” - “feed, tend, rule, govern, nourish, serve, supply the sheep (Strong’s). - “episkopeo” - “exercise oversight, look upon/after, inspect, oversee” (Strong’s). - “Not under compulsion, but willingly” - vs2b. - “Not for shameful gain, but eagerly” - vs2c. - “Not domineering, but as examples” - vs3. - The reward will come in the eternal kingdom - vs4. - Pray for your elders! IV)The Local “Flock” (Church) - the “younger” - vs5. - The Charge: “Be subject to the elders.” We follow Christ, the Chief Shepherd, in part, by following the lead of the under-shepherds/elders. - Humility is essential - before Christ; - before the under-shepherds/elders; - before each other. - No one wants God’s opposition, but pride brings it. - Everyone wants God’s grace, and humility finds it. Until He comes, we must follow our Shepherd, being leaders He has appointed and humble followers, seeking His grace.