1 Peter 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

This passage reminds me of 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

When I first read this passage years ago I thought it meant that I would need to correct the person that looked down upon me because of my age. This seemed like a great text to my prideful self. If someone didn’t think I could lead because of my age, I had a text a correct them. But actually the pressure is on me, not the despiser. I have the ability to keep people from actually picking up on my “youth” by the way I live. This goes along with Paul saying in 2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue…” This means I should rarely, if ever, have to pull rank and say “I am the leader, listen to me.” But instead people should listen because they see me as a leader. Leadership is about influence not control. 

Domineering, or controlling, is about manipulation and usually involves some kind of legalism. As Pastor Justin Holcomb says its more “if, then”. “IF you don’t come to Community Group THEN your not a legit Christian.” “IF you don’t read your Bible THEN God doesn’t love you as much.” Domineering Pastors use guilt to motivate people.

Examples to the flock are different because they can’t help themselves in pursuing Jesus, because he has loved them so well. Healthy influence flows out of the Gospel of grace. Jesus has already done the work, fulfilling the law and freely forgives us. Its about what we GET to do in response to him, not what we HAVE to do. We GET to be a part of a Community Group because we learn more about the God who has forgiven us. We GET to read the scriptures to know Jesus.  

Question: Outside of preaching, what’s the ratio of people ASKING how they can follow Jesus vs. you TELLING people how they can follow Jesus? Leaders get chased by people. Controllers drag “followers” after them.

5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

Are you willing to be second, or last, so that the kingdom expands, while your name gets smaller, but Jesus’ get bigger? Its not about promotions and demotions in the church its about playing your part faithfully.

Most young leaders (me) follow ambition more easily than calling. What gets me “up the ladder” quicker? What about getting Jesus up the ladder? Oh yeah…

What if you were never given a title? Would you still want to play your part in helping people know Jesus? Would you still want to open the Bible and help people know God more? Do you want a platform, or do you want to help people? Are you working / manipulating up a ladder in your church, school, or company, or following the Holy Spirit and you just happen to be gaining authority and influence? Are you stoked when your co worker comes up with a brilliant idea, gets a raise, more people in the city are helped and the company prospers? Are you excited when other churches in you area lead people to Jesus and explode with influence and fruit? Do you pray for them? Do you even know who they are? 

Don’t chase the title, chase Jesus and people, the titles will shift and your roles will change as the needs in the Church change, and you face different trials and experience different seasons in your walk with Jesus. Easier said than done, I get that. God will get you in the place he wants you, and no one can thwart his hand. The OT is filled with that happening over and over again. He really “cares for you” v. 7

Question: Are you willing to pass up a platform or take a smaller one to be faithful? What if you just need to wait? Sounds like what’s coming in verse 6. 

What is Jesus calling me to?

As I was thinking about this question I recalled the passage I read this morning ,1 Peter 5. My calling and your calling is located there. You may be thinking, “I am not a Pastor, so how can that be?” By verse 5 we all get lumped in together. 

I am going to hit what I see as 16 callings on my life as they appear in this passage. 

1 Peter 5:1-2 

I think too much in terms of structures and systems. Someone told me a while ago, probably Pastor Bill Clem, “we do ministry to get people done, how weird would it be to use people to get ministry done!?” How about you CG leaders and Pastors? Are you shepherding people or just managing people? Yeah we need both, but the managing serves the shepherding, we don’t squeeze shepherding into our systems, the systems are built to shepherd the flock towards being “all in” disciples of Jesus.

I go to the word, and I am told to shepherd, not under compulsion, not under pressure, not obligation, not duty, BUT WILLINGLY. Honestly I really want to Pastor the “the flock” around me. How amazing is it when people “get the Gospel”? I mean really GET IT, to where nothing else is better news. Good grades aren’t better news, new relationship isn’t better, new job isn’t better. Jesus becomes their best, their treasure. Eternal gratitude for forgiveness of sins becomes their song. What a joy! What a privilege. Yes some of the sheep are weird, and some have to be carried, and some have to be chased, but these are the people of God! The people “God cares for” (v.7), who have been called to “eternal glory in Christ” (v. 10). If the chief Shepherd cares for them to the point of dying for them, what does shepherding under him look like? “A servant is not greater than his master.” (John 15:20)

Why do we think we are God?

You are probaly thinking: “I never think I am God”.

Have you ever disagreed with Jesus on what would make you happy? If you determine what will really make you happy, you play God. If you believe that porn or that person, or that job will satisfy you, you play God, determining what will make you happy.

Have you ever determined what was true? Have you ever disagreed with what God says to be true? When you try and determine what is true, you play God. Do you disagree with God about Hell, gender roles or sexuality? When you try and determine what is true, you think you are God, the Truth.

Have you ever punished yourself for your sin? Have you cut yourself? Have you starved yourself? Have you isolated yourself because “you are not worthy to be in public”? When you try to be your own judge or redeemer, you play God.

You may not be the drug dealer or the drunk, but do you think you are God? When you think you are the judge, the arbiter of truth or what satisfies, you worship yourself, believing you are God.

Believing this lie is to believe the original lie: “…you will be like God…” (Gen. 3:5).

The truth is Jesus is God, He satisfies, He is the Truth, He is our Redeemer and Judge. He is such a better God than we are. He has come and died for our sin, our self-worship, to set us free, to be satisified in Him, to believe Him, to let Him be the Judge and Redeemer.

Here’s a list of 29 qualities of a leader from 2 Timothy Chapters 1 & 2. 2 Timothy has been one of my favorite books of the Bible for the last few years. I shared this list with the College Mission leaders Monday night.

Sincere Faith 1:5
Spirit Empowered 1:6
No fear, but power, love, & self control 1:7
Not ashamed 1:8
Shares in suffering for the gospel 1:8
Called to a holy calling 1:9
Follow the scriptures “sound words” 1:13
Guards the gospel 1:14
Makes disciple making disciples 2:2
Shares in suffering as a “good solider” 2:3
Not entangled in civilian pursuits 2:4
Competes according to the rules 2:5
Works hard 2:6
Thinks hard 2:7
Remembers Jesus 2:8
Reminds people of the gospel 2:14
Charges people, doesn’t just make suggestions 2:15
Rightly handles the word 2:15 
Avoids irreverent babble 2:16
Sanctified for service 2:21
Flees youthful passions 2:22
Pursues righteousness 2:22
Avoids foolish controversy 2:23
Kind to everyone 2:24
Able to teach 2:24
Patiently endures evil 2:24
Corrects opponents with gentleness 2:25
Leads towards repentance 2:25
Leads away from lies of Satan 2:26

We had a great time last night at Summer Training. I will debrief the fishbowls later, but I had a a ton of fun. Hard to believe last years Summer Training could all gather around one conference table!