Four seconds remain on the clock. The coach calls a timeout. The players hustle over. They’re down one point but will get to inbound the ball at halfcourt. They listen intently as the coach draws up a play that if executed correctly, will win the game and the championship. Have you ever wished you could eavesdrop on timeouts like that? If you could, you would get the inside scoop on what the coach is planning. If sports isn’t your thing, perhaps you would be interested to hear what Handel or Bach may have said to their fellow musicians right before a concert. Or maybe you’re more interested in what kind of advice an out-going president gives to an in-coming one. But we’re usually not privy to such important conversations. Instead, we’re left guessing at what crucial advice was given.
Through our sermon text today, we do get to “eavesdrop” on some very important advice. The advice and encouragement come from none other than Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. While the advice is meant for pastors, it’s important that you all listen carefully because through these crucial words, you’ll learn how Jesus intends to protect you, his flock. (Read the text.)
It used to be that if you wanted to learn how to sew or fix your car, you would have to seek out an expert and learn from that individual in person. Thanks to YouTube, thousands of such experts at our fingertips. There’s no need to join a sewing or car club. We can remain autonomous, that is, we can remain independent—on our own, choosing what we want to learn from YouTube and ignoring what we don’t like.
Unfortunately, that’s how some treat spirituality today. Why go to church? Why be a part of organized religion? Isn’t my faith something that’s between God and me? I don’t need to have anyone tell me how to worship God. I can figure that out on my own, and there’s always YouTube to help me.
The Apostle Peter disagrees with this attitude, however. Listen again to what he wrote to his fellow pastors: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them.” (1 Peter 5:2) The first point worth noting is how Peter assumes that God’s people won’t run around on their own like moose do. Instead, like sheep, they are to be a part of a flock with a shepherd caring for them. That perhaps is a special challenge for us here in Arizona where we pride ourselves on being independent. Why, many of you haul in your own water and cut your own wood to heat your homes. Do you really need others telling you how to conduct your walk to heaven?
Yes, we sinful human beings do need someone to encourage us on our walk to heaven, says the Apostle Peter. And God himself has gives each flock a shepherd to care for them. That’s what I’ve been called to do as your pastor. In fact, the word “pastor” means shepherd. As your spiritual shepherd I am to ensure that you are properly fed with God’s Word, and I am to keep you from spiritual danger by warning against temptation and anything else that would weaken your faith in Jesus.
While I prefer speaking words of encouragement, my job as a divinely-appointed shepherd is to also speak words of rebuke if that’s what is needed. Listen to what Peter himself wrote to his flock in his first epistle: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation...” (1 Peter 2:1-2) While God himself could rebuke each one of us for our sins, he has chosen to do that through pastors and fellow believers. Can you help me with this importance task? You can do so by continuing to be eager in your study of the Word with me, and encourage me to stand against anything that would lead us away from Jesus. Pray that God would make me courageous to confront sin, but to do it in a patient, loving matter.
When someone rebukes us, we often want to separate ourselves from that person. I’ve seen that happen in my ministry. When rebuked, people stopped coming to church. I suppose they felt they didn’t need a pastor in their walk with Jesus. But according to our text, it’s not God’s intent that we each make for ourselves congregations of ones or twos. He wants us to band together, and for the good of the flock, he calls a shepherd to oversee the flock.
Unfortunately, there is a tendency for pastors, me included, to think that because we are the shepherd and the overseer of the flock, that whatever we say goes. Not so, explains Peter in our text. He describes how God intends to keep you, the flock, safe from such spiritual abuse. Peter writes to pastors: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)
One thing you can do to help so that I don’t end up treating you, God’s flock, as MY flock is to continue to encourage the men of our congregation to be leaders here. When the church council and others bring their God-given experience and talents to the table, it helps the congregation to be more balanced than if the pastor made all the decisions. And I am grateful for the leadership we have here. The men that we have elected as councilmen are proactive in tackling the challenges that face us. Keep encouraging and assisting them in their work.
How else does God want me, your pastor, to serve you? Well, he wants me to serve willingly and not out of a sense of obligation. It’s hard not to fall into this trap though—especially when one of my tasks is to prepare a sermon every Sunday. This important privilege can quickly become something that I have to get done to prove that I’m working and worth the paycheck I receive. My attitude instead of course should be excitement over the fact that I get to pull the back the veil of God’s Word to the people of my congregation—that I get to divulge ancient secrets and truths your neighbors may not know.
What helps me approach sermon writing correctly is having the time to do it. So I’m really grateful that you support me to serve you full time and therefore I have the time to craft sermons rather than just throw some thoughts together. I appreciate how you provide a church secretary to take care of creating the bulletin and doing other administrative tasks that allow me to focus on shepherding.
What also helps me serve you cheerfully is when I have the opportunity to get into your homes and find out what challenges you face. When I’m in the habit of doing that, I find writing sermons to be a whole lot easier because I know what issues are close at heart. So when I start to make the home-visit rounds again, can you do all you can to make yourselves available for a visit?
I admit, the Apostle Peter’s words today were really directed more to me, your pastor, than to you, the congregation. Still, it was good for you to eavesdrop on the advice Peter gives. It shows just how concerned Jesus, the “Chief Shepherd” is for you. He is the one in charge of this congregation. He is watching over each of us. He proved his love for us when he, the shepherd laid down his life for the sheep. Now, I know you pet owners would do just about anything for your cats, your dogs, your rabbits, and goldfish, but would you do anything to keep a rabid dog safe? Would you speak soothing words to the racoon that got at your chickens again? No. We want to get rid of animals like that. Yet, those are the kind of sheep we often are—rebellious and ungrateful, and I include myself. In his love, Jesus gave his life to rescue us from a certain future in hell. And it’s this loving Jesus who speaks to both you, the flock, and to me, your shepherd this morning. We will listen to him that we may continue to enjoy his blessings. You, the flock, shouldn’t think you can run off on your own and don’t need the fellowship of the church. And I, your shepherd, will remember that I am here to serve you willingly, not to boss you around. May Jesus work such attitudes in our hearts! Amen.
SERMON NOTES
(pre-service warmup) What kind of conversations do you find yourself eavesdropping on? What makes those conversations interesting to you?
Our sermon text today shows how Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, guards the flock (Christians) against spiritual autonomy. What do we mean by spiritual autonomy? How is it dangerous? How does Jesus guard us against it?
How can you help your pastor guard you spiritually?
Jesus also guards the flock against spiritual abuse. How? (List at least two ways.)
How can you help your pastor from abusing you spiritually?
The Apostle Peter calls Jesus the Chief Shepherd. How does that title remind you of Jesus’ love for you? List at least three ways.
