Lesson 74
Study of
First Peter Chapter 5
Review:
The duty of the P/T to shepherd the flock
5:2 Shepherd the flock of God among you, not under
compulsion but willingly according to the standard of God (expressed in the
Word) and not for dishonorable gain but with eagerness.
5:3 Continues the characteristics of the P/T
nor yet (mhde,) as lording it over those allotted to your
charge,
What we have here is a warning then to the P/T to not abuse the
authority granted to him.
Clearly
the congregation served by the P/T is in view when he says those allotted to your charge
- There is no verb
here at all just (o` klh/roj) which is used 3 ways
-
Used here in (1 Pet 5.3) to refer to the P/T's appointed
flock, that would be those in a given
geographical location that choose to assemble together to study the Word of
God.
God
has assigned the various portions of His precious possession to the P/T's personal care. That they are precious in the eyes of God was
noted in 1 Pet 2:4.
but
proving to be examples to the flock.
All
who are in any leadership position in the church should realize that the
requirement to live a life worthy of imitation is not optional-it is a part of
the job, challenging though it may be.
5:3 And not as bullying those allotted to your charge
but becoming examples (a tupos) to the flock.
Summary 5:2-3
1.
The P/T's motivation and focus must always be in line with the Word of God.
2. Operating on a false motivation will result in
malnourished and disoriented believers, not prepared to handle to handle the
tests of life.
3. To study and teach must absorb the P/T's
thinking and energy.
4. The P/T must not do his job as a communicator of
doctrine as unto people.
5. His occupation with Christ and his love for the
Word must spur him on to teach the whole counsel of God.
6. This includes an eagerness to consistently teach
and witness the resultant transformation of his kleros, his flock, as they
apply the divine viewpoint in their lives.
7. Peter exhorts the P/T that materialism lust or
dishonorable gain must not in anyway color his motives or objectives in the
ministry.
8. Power lust must not lead him to abuse the
authority of the office entrusted to him.
9. There are 2 passages that give us insight into
the areas that a P/T is to be an example to the flock. 1 Tim 4:12,16; 2 Tim 2:22-26
5:4 The reward for the P/T who fulfills
responsibilities of his gift
And when
the Chief Shepherd appears
The
when reflects the circumstantial ptc. (fanero,w) aorist ptc to appear or be revealed; here refers to the rapture when we as Church
age saints will see Him in all of His glory;
you will receive the
unfading crown of glory.
- This
takes us to where? The judgment seat of
Christ!
The point here is that the P/T will be paid back, that is rewarded,
for his faithfulness in fulfilling his role as a P/T in whatever niche God
places him.
the
unfading crown of glory describes the
specific reward for the P/T
5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will
receive the unfading crown of glory.