Biblical Ministry: The local shepherd

First Peter 5:2 reads, "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness..."

Over the past few months, I've been studying the letters by Peter. Here's a wonderful passage that I would like to take the next few weeks and walk through the passage and explore each word and/or phrase. 



Here's the outline that will be used as we explore:
1. Word
2. Dig Deeper
​3. Application

I'll tend to follow the example of John Calvin when writing about Scripture. As Bingham wrote, "When expounding Scripture, Calvin was remarkably straightforward and to the point. He did not launch his message with a captivating story, a compelling quote or a personal anecdote." www.ligonier.org/blog/10-distinguishing-marks-john-calvins-preaching/. Let's jump in.

WORD

• Shepherd (ESV)
• Feed (KJV)
• Care (NLT)
• Be shepherds (ISV)

DIG DEEPER

• Greek - Poimaino, verb meaning keeping sheep/to feed, to tend to a flock
• Tending to the sheep, the entire work of the shepherd. Feeding, caring, guiding, protecting
• Peter is speaking to the elders among the churches that are scattered (1:1). He's giving a command to the local elders, speaking to them as a fellow elder. 
• Reference John 21:16

APPLICATION

• There are many within the church who suffer. Some are persecuted, some are sick, some are hungry, some are tired. Whatever the situation, the people of God need care. While Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, He has placed some within the church to be shepherds. 
• Shepherding is an active role. 'The LORD is my Shepherd' is a famous passage (Psalm 23), but this passage shows God is actively at work in the life of His flock. Here, Peter states God has placed shepherds within the church to play an active role in the care of their soul, in the feeding of the Truth of God to the flock, in guiding them toward the True Gate (John 10:7), and protecting the flock from wolves (John 10:12). 

Peter continues next by saying who they are shepherding, "The Flock of God". That's the passage we'll take a look at next time. 

Do you have any thoughts about the shepherd?

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