Summary: this is a characteristics development of a christian

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:1-4

THEME: Five (5) Good Characteristics of a Christian

PROPOSITION: All Christians, especially us – members of the Assembly of God, must be S W E E T

1. S - hepherds – “Be shepherds of God’s flock. . .” v. 2

• Whenever we saw this letter S in a t-shirt, it always stands for

- SUPERMAN

This letter S – stands for SHEPHERD

The word SHEPHERD connotes the work of a Pastor toward the sheep.

The word itself carries the idea of CARING ONE FOR ANOTHER.

This ministry is not limited to our Pastors only, but this ministry is for - EVERYBODY

2. W – illing – “. . .but because you are willing.” v. 2

• This word carries the idea “that you became a believer NOT because somebody forced you, but it is your OWN PERSONAL decision.”

• Maybe some of you were being forced to something.

• This could also be applied, every time we attended our Worship Services –

• WE MUST BE WILLING not because somebody forced us.

3. E – ager – “…but eager to serve.” v. 2

• Going back to the previous phrase, it says, “not greedy for money, but eager

• TO SERVE.

• According to Colossians 3:23 – “Whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord not as unto men.”

– The word whatsoever connotes the ff:

4. E – xample – “…being an example to the flock.” v. 3

• There are only two (2) categories in which we could become an example:

• 1. Bad example

• 2. Good example

5. T - riumph - “…you will receive the crown of glory.” – v. 4

• This verse is eschathological in nature

– meaning, we are looking forward to that day, when the Lord will say,

• “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into my Kingdom.”

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not stop in doing good for at the proper time we will harvest if we do not give up.”

Emphasis - Whatever we can do today, do it for the Lord, because he had already prepared a reward for everyone of us. Halleluyah!

• S – hepherd, - “Be shepherds of God’s flock. . .” v. 2

W – illing - “. . . serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing.” v. 2

• E – ager, – “ . . .not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” v. 3

• E – xample,– “ . . . being an example to the flock.” v. 3

• T – riumph, – “. . . you will receive the crown of glory.” v. 4