Shepherds in the trenches
1 Peter 5:1-4

BIG IDEA: Elders- Shepherd the flock entrusted to your care faithfully. Flock- Submit yourself to a church where there are elders who shepherd the flock entrusted to their care faithfully

1. A word from elder to elders
1 So I exhort the elders among you,
1a. A fellow elder- as a fellow elder-
2a. A fellow witness- and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,-
3a. A fellow partaker- as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed-

2. A word of exhortation to elders: Shepherd God’s flock
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you
How do elders shepherd? Exercising oversight-
1a. Potential pitfall #1- not under compulsion-
1b. Shepherd willingly- but willingly, as God would have you;-
2a. Potential pitfall #2- not for shameful gain-
2b. Shepherd generously- but eagerly-
3a. Potential pitfall #3- 3 not domineering over those in your charge-
3b. Shepherd humbly- but being examples to the flock.-

3. A word of hope for elders: A promised reward for faithful shepherds
1a. Shepherd like Jesus is coming back- And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
2a. Shepherd for an eternal reward- you will receive the unfading crown of glory.