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"Examples to the flock"

Text: 1 Peter 5:3

EXAMPLES TO THE BELIEVERS

It was not easy to be a faithful Christian, especially in the first century. There were many problems that were difficult and challenging. Some were severely persecuted. Others had to eke out a living as slaves.

In the Lord’s grace, He provided leaders who looked after the Church as overseers. They were regarded as “bishops” or “elders”.

“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock.”
1 Peter 5:3

1. “Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you”

a) The idea of being “a lord” must never be in the mind of the shepherd.

i) He is not the owner.

ii) He is not the master.

iii) He is certainly not a lord.

b) The word “entrusted”

i) The root word suggests the idea of an inheritance.

ii) Believers are seen as the inheritance of the Lord.

iii) This word also suggests that they are given to the care of shepherds.

iv) Hence, they are “entrusted” to the “elders” or “bishops” (shepherds).

2. “But being examples to the flock”

a) Members of the church are described as “the flock” of God.

b) Good and true shepherds are meant to be “examples”.

The following may be highlighted:

i) In faith

ii) In suffering

iii) In obedience

iv) In righteousness

c) Their lives were meant to be exemplary to the flock.

d) They were meant to bring inspiration to believers by the way they lived.

e) Good leaders are hard to come by at any time and in any age.