1. The Epistles of Peter & Jude Lesson 12: Shepherds & Sheep on the Path to Glory (1 Peter 5:1-12) “Shepherd the flock of God…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” -- 1 Peter 5:2, 4

2. The Flock of God needs Dedicated, Motivated & Selfless Shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-5) Peter establishes common ground and mutual faith with the shepherds he exhorts: –He is a “fellow elder” (NKJV) – the word literally means a “co-presbyter” (Strong); it is the opposite of claiming to be Pope or Father over these men. Peter and those he exhorts had met specific qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) –He is a witness of the sufferings of Christ. –He is a partaker of the glory to be revealed. (see 1 Peter 1:13)

3. The Flock of God needs Dedicated, Motivated & Selfless Shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-5) Peter exhorts the elders to… –Shepherd the flock (involves tending & feeding) They are limited to Shepherding the flock among them. –Serve as overseers or bishops – the original word (Gr. episkopos) suggests overseeing a group as a superintendent. Note that in this context the terms elders, shepherds, and overseers (bishops) are used synonymously to refer to the same function or office (cf. Acts 20:17,28) –Serve willingly and eagerly, and not for carnal gain (one must “desire the position”) see 1 Timothy 3:1.

4. The Flock of God needs Dedicated, Motivated & Selfless Shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-5) Peter exhorts the elders to… –Not be Lords over the flock entrusted to them. The word translated “being Lords over” is defined by Strong’s Dictionary as follows: to “lord against, that is, control, subjugate: - exercise dominion over (lordship)” The same word is used in Matthew 20:25, where in the context Jesus forbids the practice among His apostles. Note however that elders are to RULE OVER those for whom they must give account (Heb. 13:17; 1 Tim. 5:17) –Be examples to the flock Elders model Christ-like behavior to the flock. The flock has an implied obligation to strive to emulate the godly lives of their shepherds.

5. The Flock of God needs Dedicated, Motivated & Selfless Shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-5) Peter exhorts the elders… –When the Chief Shepherd appears Jesus is the “Chief Shepherd” –He is over all the sheep and all the shepherds! –See 1 Peter 2:25; Heb.13:20; Ezekiel 34:33; 37:24. –You will receive the crown of glory The crown of glory is received through humble service. Humility precedes exaltation! (1 Peter 5:6; Matthew 23:12)

6. Sheep Must Humbly Submit (1 Peter 5:6-7) Peter exhorts the sheep… –The younger must submit to their elders The Scriptures generally require the young to submit to and respect those who are older (Leviticus 19:32; 1 Timothy 5:1; Proverbs 16:31) Elders of a church are particularly due such respect. –To be subject to one another We are to esteem others better than ourselves and put their interests above our own (Philippians 2:3-4)

7. Sheep Must Humbly Submit (1 Peter 5:6-7) Peter exhorts the sheep… –To humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, that they may be exalted in due time. Jesus repeatedly taught this truth, applying it to our attitudes in prayer, public gatherings and positions of authority (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14). –To be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the Humble. It takes HUMILITY to submit to elders & to one another! It takes HUMILITY to cast all your cares upon the Lord – to realize that you cannot handle them on your own! (Psalm 55:22; 73:25; Philippians 4:6-7) The proud cannot access God’s grace, but it is freely given to the humble!