BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD'S FLOCK

1 Peter 5:1-14
Key Verse: 5:2

   "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; not greedy for money, but eager to serve...."

   In chapter 4, we learned how to live for the glory of God. It is to
live not by sinful human desires, but rather to participate in the
sufferings of Christ. Then the glory of God rests on us.

   In chapter 5, Peter, as a final appeal to his fellow Christians,
talks about basic obligations between elders and young men, so that
Christ may govern his church according to his will, and so that Satan
may not creep into the Christian fellowship. Confucius taught about
fundamental principles in human obligations between elders and young
men. He taught that subjects should obey their superiors. But he did
not mention the responsibilities of rulers and senior people.  So,
rulers and elderly people abused their traditional privileges
excessively. As a result, senior people were corrupted by abusing their
privileges. And young people became habitual, like a factory boy in a
communist country. Confucius' teachings were one-sided. But Peter talks
first to elders, and then to young people about what kind of people
they ought to be.

First, a witness of Christ's sufferings (1). Look at verse 1. "To the
elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's
sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed." In
this verse Peter introduces himself as a fellow elder who is a witness
of Christ's sufferings. In this part, the word "elder" doesn't
necessarily mean an officer in a church, but a senior person who is
spiritually mature in Jesus Christ. Timothy was a young man, but he was
recognized as an elder in the early church (1Ti 4:12-16). One young
missionary does not have a moustache or a bushy beard. But he has been
recognized as an elder in our community, for he has such a
compassionate shepherd heart that he cried with a loud voice to solve
his sheep's marriage problem.

   When Peter had lived by the flesh he was full of fancy dreams. He
never liked to hear the word "suffering." Right after Peter's
confession of Jesus as the Christ of God, Jesus told him about his
suffering, death and resurrection (Mk 8:31). At that moment, Peter was
distressed by the word "suffering." Peter took Jesus aside and began to
rebuke him not to talk any more about suffering.

   With his mind, Peter understood the work of the Messiah. Jesus would
suffer much and die on the cross as the Lamb of God for the sin of the
world, and rise again on the third day in glory. But Peter did not
accept the Messianic work of Jesus in his heart, for he was an earthly
man with human desires.

   After Jesus' suffering, death on the cross and resurrection, and
especially after his own denials of Jesus, not just one time, but three
times, Peter despaired about himself, for he once said, "I will lay
down my life for you" (Jn 13:37), but he had betrayed his Master Jesus.
His dream about the earthly messianic kingdom that he thought Jesus
would establish was broken. When he was in deep despair, the Risen
Christ visited him and gave him the peace of God in his soul, saying,
"Peace be with you!" (Jn 20:21a). Then Peter's spiritual eyes were
opened and he could understand the meaning of Jesus' suffering and
death. He could see the glorious Risen Jesus with his eyes. Then Peter
could accept Jesus' sufferings as his very own. Now, he identifies
himself as a witness of Christ's sufferings. After meeting the glorious
Risen Jesus he was willing to suffer and die as a witness of Jesus'
Messianic sufferings. Here we learn that we can not suffer before
believing the glory of Jesus.

   Peter was sure that Jesus suffered and died; but he rose again on
the third day. He would come again, as he promised, to judge the living
and the dead (1Pe 4:5). After that, he would reign forever with peace
and justice. Peter was most happy to participate in the sufferings of
Christ, because he was very conscious of sharing his power, honor and
glory when Jesus comes again with his angels (Mt 24:30-31). At that
time, Peter was in the midst of fiery trials and persecutions. But he
was not crushed, because he had faith that Jesus comes again in glory.

Second, Elders! Be shepherds of God's flock (2-3a). Look at verse 2.
"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...." At that
time, the early Christians scattered in the countries of Asia Minor
because of persecution were in deep trouble. They needed to survive in
the midst of fiery persecutions. In that situation, they had to take
care of themselves first. If they were not selfish, how could they
survive?

   But what did Peter say to fellow elders? Look at verse 2a. "Be
shepherds of God's flock that is under your care." Peter encouraged
them that they should not be selfish. Instead they should be shepherds
of God's flock first. Plainly speaking, the elders have to be
responsible for the lives of faith of the flock of God under their
care. Peter's admonishment reminds us of Jesus' words in John 10:11.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his
life for the sheep."

   According to verse 2, a shepherd is an overseer. The main role of an
overseer is baby-sitting God's flock one by one. An overseer is the one
who cares about his sheep in every way, especially about their moral
life and inner spiritual life (2:25). Here, the overseer is the
watchman--not like a factory supervisor, but like Jesus. Jesus said in
John 10:3,4: "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen
to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When
he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep
follow him because they know his voice." According to these verses,
Jesus knows his sheep well. He calls them by name. He leads them,
always going ahead of them to the green pasture.

   "Be shepherds." This one phrase reveals Jesus' compassion. One day
Jesus took his disciples for a retreat across the lake. When Jesus and
his disciples got to the other side of the lake, all kinds of needy
people were already there waiting for them. When Jesus saw the large
crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without
a shepherd (Mk 6:34). Jesus did not see them as burdensome people. To
Jesus they were like little children without parents. One elder of our
church borrowed $10,000 and gave it to an unpredictable person to use
for his need. Those who heard about this were shocked by his
generosity. But we cannot deny that he is a man of Jesus' compassion.

   We, as shepherds, should not carry out our task only with a sense of
   obligation, like a tutor or a janitor, but like a mother who cares
for her lovely child.  Look at verse 2b. "...not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants you to be..." We also must not
make use of sheep. There are many faithful sheep among God's flock.
When we see these people we must serve them instead of overburdening
them (2b-3). A shepherd must not help sheep according to his own idea.
A shepherd must lead sheep in order to let them know Jesus, so that
they will not perish, but have eternal life.

Third, be examples to the flock (3b-4). Look at verse 3b. "...but being
examples to the flock." This plainly tells us that a shepherd must be
exemplary. Sheep do not learn much from a shepherd's teaching, but they
learn from his exemplary life of faith. We can see that this is true
through the main characters in the Bible.

   When we study Genesis 12:1-9 we are always greatly moved by
Abraham.  Abraham was an old man, 75 years old, with no son to be his
heir. But when God called him to be the ancestor of faith, promising,
"I will make you into a great, nation and I will bless you; I will make
your name great and you will be a blessing," Abraham left as the Lord
had told him. He left his home, not knowing where he was going. Humanly
speaking, he appears to be a man of nonsense, especially to the eyes of
smart modern people. But in the sight of God, Abraham was the example
of absolute obedience toward God's promises. Because of his obedience,
God could raise him as a source of blessing to all peoples of all
nations (Ge 12:3b).

   We remember the life of Moses. When he was proud through his 40
years of palace education, God could not use him. Moses also could not
help his own people Israel. He only killed an Egyptian with one punch
in a fight in order to side with an Israelite. But after receiving 40
years of humbleness training in the wilderness, he became a humble man.
Then God could use him in the work of the Exodus, and in raising up a
priestly nation from among the slavish people of Israel.

   God's people in the wilderness training habitually complained. Once
they wanted to eat delicious food. Then they began to complain, saying,
"If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no
cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic" (Nu 11:5).
They had no inner spiritual strength to overcome their habit of
complaining. This was the reason why God was training them in the
wilderness to overcome their slave mentality. They did not know God's
will for them. They were only bitter, and complained to Moses.
Sometimes they were ready to stone Moses. But Moses took no offensive
act against their rebellion. He would fall facedown on the ground and
pray to God. Moses always humbled himself before the people of God.
Numbers 12:3 says, "Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than
anyone else on the face of the earth." Moses is known as the greatest
servant of God among men. It was not because of his palace education.
He was great because of his exemplary life of faith with long-suffering
patience. Moses' influence is still great, especially to all generals
in history. God could use him as the deliverer of the Israelites when
he was humble enough to embrace all kinds of people, even people
deranged by slave mentality and by sin-sickness.

   Paul was a murderous man when he lived according to his idealism (Ac
9:1). But he began to live by the Spirit of Jesus. Paul did his best to
learn Jesus as a matter of life and death. Philippians 3:10 says, "I
want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his
death..." His desire to know Christ was a great influence to all the
eminent Christian leaders in church history.

   Peter's words, "...but being examples to the flock," are a warning
to those who are not exemplary to their sheep. We must show our sheep
how to struggle against sin. We must show our sheep that we are eager
to love each other. We must show our sheep how we are willing to
participate in the sufferings of Christ. Most of all we must show our
sheep that we have inner joy which comes from the glory of Jesus. Look
at verse 4. "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that will never fade away" (4).

Fourth, Juniors! Humble yourselves (5-7). Look at verse 5. "Young men,
in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you,
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" Young men are
generally very proud and disobedient because they are spiritually
immature. So Peter urges young men to discipline themselves in
obedience. Young men are like wild horses. If they are not disciplined,
they are useless to God, not to mention in the society. If young men
are proud and disobedient, they cannot grow in the image of God. On the
other hand, if young men are obedient and humble they can grow as
spiritual giants. President Abraham Lincoln was a great man, not
because he was president of the United States of America, but because
he was humble. He never spoke evil of those who wounded him with their
tongues. In order to learn humbleness, young men must clothe themselves
with the humbleness of Jesus and imitate the humbleness of Jesus (5b).

   But it is not at all easy for young men to learn humbleness. Peter
says in verse 6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that he may lift you up in due time." When young men learn how to
humble themselves, God will lift them up. On the other hand, when young
men do not grow in humbleness, they are useless to God. In this, Jesus
is the best example. Philippians 2:6-9 says, "Who, being in very nature
God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made
in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name..."

   Another weakness of young men is fear, which comes from all kinds of
anxiety. One philosopher said that the 20th century is the age of
anxiety. Peter said in verse 7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because
he cares for you." Out of their proud minds, young men do not want to
trust in God. They want to be their own men. Then they begin to swim in
the swarm of anxiety. They must grow in trusting in God.

Fifth, resist the devil (8-11). Read verse 8. "Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking
for someone to devour." The devil is very fearsome, like a roaring
lion. He devours anybody. But he is nothing but a shadowy figure. He
has no hands. He is just like the Philistine champion Goliath, who
threatened all the armies of Israel until they were paralyzed by fear.

   But we must know that the devil attacks us, not with a handgun, but
with sweet, whispering words. When we hear the devil's sweet words we
are easily seduced. Those who yield to the devil's sweet words become
the devil's prey. They cannot be the children of God. Therefore, we
must resist the devil. We should not go out with the devil for a
drink.

   May God help us to be shepherds in this generation for God's flock.
Let's read verse 2. "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...." Let us pray to learn the humbleness and obedience of Jesus
so that God can make us grow spiritually like oak trees.



STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Read verse 1. To whom is Peter speaking? What does it mean that he
   calls himself a fellow elder? What does it mean to Peter that he
   is a witness of Christ's sufferings? That he will share in his
   glory?

2. Read verse 2a. What charge did he give the elders? What does it
   mean to be a shepherd of the flock of God?

3. Read verses 2-3. What should be the attitude of a shepherd toward
   his task?  What should be his motive? (2) How should he exercise
   leadership? (3) What does "lording it over" mean? How can he be an
   example?

4. Read verse 4. When does a shepherd receive his reward? What is
   his reward?

5. Read verses 5-7. What attitude should a young man have toward his
   elders?  Toward his peers? Why? What does it mean to be humble?
   What does it mean to cast our cares on God? What does it mean that
   he cares for us?

6. Read verses 8-11. Why must we always be self-controlled and alert?
   How can we win the victory over our enemy the devil? Why must we?

7. Read verses 12-14. What can you learn about Peter and the early
   church from his final greetings?