To the Elders,… 1 Peter 5:1-4

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 The elders which are among you I exhort,… An elder is advance in terms of spiritual responsibility (Acts 14:23; Heb 11:2)

1 The elders which are among you I exhort,… An elder is advance in terms of spiritual responsibility (Acts 14:23; Heb 11:2) An every member a minister philosophy means that everyone is being challenged to lead at some level.

...Feed the flock of God which is among you.

Jhn 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Jhn 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry [thee] whither thou wouldest not. 19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

KEY POINT #1 We only have today to love the Lord and feed his people.

how do we feed God’s flock? Act 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. ... 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

KEY POINT #2 One feeds the flock by preaching the kingdom of God and declaring all the counsel of God

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof],

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], 1Co 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

KEY POINT #3 Oversight is a paternal responsibility, not an academic one

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over [God’s] heritage,

KEY POINT #4 Feeding God’s flock can only be done well when done with pure motives

Oversight & its motivations 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over [God’s] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Crown of Reward 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.