Pastor Mike Bowles The Shepherd and His Sheep!

1pet 5:1-9
To the Elders and the Flock
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 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. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Peter is writing to the area of present day Turkey.
Peter is addressing the Elders of the small church’s of that area.

The Elders are the Pastors of the churches.
They were devoted prayer and teaching
Shepard the Flock that God entrusted to you!
Jesus came to Peter to 3 times and said feed my sheep!
We know Jesus as the Good Shepard.
Pastor also means Shepard.
Christian Pastor or elder was different than the Jewish preist. We don’t need a priest or intermediary. We can go right to God through His Grace!

The Pastor leads his people!
God entrust the Pastor and holds him accountable!
Heb 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Being a Pastor is a calling, enters into willingly and with great joy!

Pastors don’t lead like a dictator.
Leads by knowing his sheep.

John 10:4-5 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Pastor Mike wants to know what you love and what you don’t like. He wants to get to know each and everyone of you.

1st century Shepard would lead from the front

1tim 4:16

Practice what you preach!

Perfection is impossible for all.

Rom 3:10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;

Heb 13:7

The Pastor feeds and nurtures his people.

Pastor must feed his flock.

Preaching and teaching is the way the pastor feeds his flock.

Do you need to be fed?

It is not the Pastors job to feed the flock only what they like to eat.

A Pastor comforts and corrects his flock!

Pastor has to protect or rescue his flock.

Sin produces stress and sicknesses.

Do you want to remove your Sin in your life?

1th 5:14-15
Pastors protects their flock!

Do you need to be protected?

The world is full of false teachers.
The world is full Sin and Lies.

Rom 1:32
32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Act 20:28

What about the flock to the Shepard
The people must trust and follow the Shepard.

1th 5:13-14
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Peace is wanted by all.

It can be hard to find pease on this earth.

Love, and forgiveness are important for the people

The People provide for the Pastor.

1tim 5:17-18
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”

Wages create accountability.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

We are all sheep in the flock of God!

Come meet our NEW PASTOR Mike Bowles!