WEBVTT 00:00:01.800 --> 00:00:03.665 Thank you. Isaac. 00:00:03.665 --> 00:00:04.732 Welcome. 00:00:04.732 --> 00:00:07.033 Good to see everyone this morning. 00:00:07.033 --> 00:00:08.300 I’m glad to be here. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:12.432 I don't know about any of you, but our family struggled with sickness this week. 00:00:12.432 --> 00:00:15.066 So I'm glad to be standing here with you. 00:00:15.066 --> 00:00:19.265 I thought I could pull in Colby at the last minute, but he was like, no, I'm staying home. 00:00:19.265 --> 00:00:22.265 So here we are. 00:00:24.265 --> 00:00:28.132 And you know, as I prepared for this week, we've been working through the book of First Peter. 00:00:28.132 --> 00:00:34.200 I was reminded of maybe you've read the book“Killer Angels” or seen the movie “Gettysburg” about the Civil War. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:37.232 There was this one general in particular. 00:00:37.232 --> 00:00:38.700 His name was Joshua Chamberlain. 00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:39.665 He wasn't. 00:00:39.665 --> 00:00:41.066 You can show the image of him. 00:00:41.066 --> 00:00:44.665 He wasn't a general at first, but obviously worked up to that. 00:00:45.700 --> 00:01:02.566 But he was on the Union side of the war and came from Maine and became very famous in particular for his leadership abilities, his wisdom, his ability to assess the situation and apply great wisdom, courage, bravery. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:05.033 So we had Joshua Chamberlain. 00:01:05.033 --> 00:01:10.832 He's preparing for Gettysburg, which is the biggest, likely the biggest battle of the the whole war. 00:01:10.832 --> 00:01:13.000 He's trying to gear up his troops. 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:18.299 But then here comes a group of prisoners. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:25.700 They're delivering a group of prisoners to him for him to now handle these prisoners, as well as everything else he has to deal with. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:27.865 Now, normally, that would just be part of normal war. 00:01:27.865 --> 00:01:33.965 The weird part of this, though, was that these prisoners were actually also Union troops. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:37.266 Here I am having to fight on behalf of the Union. 00:01:37.266 --> 00:01:41.533 But now I've got to handle my own guys who have mutinied. 00:01:41.533 --> 00:01:44.465 They've said we're not going to fight anymore. 00:01:44.465 --> 00:01:51.632 In fact, there's this image from the movie of him giving them a speech, trying to encourage them in the midst of their discouragement. 00:01:53.132 --> 00:01:56.900 What had happened was they felt like, hey, we did what we were asked. 00:01:56.900 --> 00:02:02.599 And yet you're continuing to string us out, you're continuing, and now we're being mistreated and we're done. 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:03.900 This has gone on long enough. 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:05.266 We did what we were asked. 00:02:05.266 --> 00:02:06.965 We're done. 00:02:06.965 --> 00:02:11.199 Well, when they were brought to him, they were rough handled, shoved, pushed. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:14.366 They turned him over to him and said, by the way, you can do whatever you want with them. 00:02:14.366 --> 00:02:17.366 Feel free to shoot them if you need to. 00:02:18.133 --> 00:02:21.966 Not a great way to start out a relationship with another group of people. 00:02:21.966 --> 00:02:27.332 Knowing that you have the threat of taking them out if you need to. 00:02:27.366 --> 00:02:29.466 The first thing he did, though, showed so much wisdom. 00:02:29.466 --> 00:02:35.532 The very first thing he did was he pulled aside their leader and said, tell me what's going on? 00:02:35.532 --> 00:02:37.566 Tell me your story. 00:02:37.566 --> 00:02:38.566 There's so much wisdom in that. 00:02:38.566 --> 00:02:39.733 Just taking the time to listen. 00:02:39.733 --> 00:02:43.566 I wonder how many people actually took the time to listen to someone in their group. 00:02:43.566 --> 00:02:52.466 You know how much power there is in just listening to someone who is struggling, who has been suffering, who feels they've been wronged? 00:02:52.466 --> 00:02:54.532 And then he said, all right, gather your men, and I'm going to meet with them. 00:02:54.532 --> 00:02:56.765 I'm going to talk to them. 00:02:56.765 --> 00:03:02.099 And then when he approached them, and I love this, he didn't approach them like you would a normal group of soldiers. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:03.532 He didn't come issue an orders. 00:03:03.532 --> 00:03:04.800 All right, man, here's how it's going to be. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:06.633 Here's what we're going to do. 00:03:06.633 --> 00:03:11.966 No, they came to him- They came to him as those who have been suffering. 00:03:11.966 --> 00:03:13.566 Listen, I heard your story. 00:03:13.566 --> 00:03:16.099 I'm sorry about what you've been through. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:19.099 It sounds like it's been really hard. 00:03:19.466 --> 00:03:22.233 Met them at their level. 00:03:22.233 --> 00:03:28.500 Let me tell you guys, we've got probably the biggest battle in the whole war coming. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:34.300 He turned from-- let me just try to relate to now, let me cast vision again for why we're here. 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:37.265 Let me remind you of why we're in this situation. 00:03:37.265 --> 00:03:39.366 Because I need help. 00:03:39.366 --> 00:03:40.765 I don't want to go out there alone. 00:03:40.765 --> 00:03:43.765 I can use every soldier that will help. 00:03:45.699 --> 00:04:00.733 When I read back over that speech, listened to his speech given to them, I thought one of the great things that showed so much wisdom that we're going to see in today's passage is how you can meet the needs of someone who's hurting in the midst of their pain. 00:04:00.733 --> 00:04:05.066 How do you, as a leader, engage with someone who's hurting? 00:04:05.066 --> 00:04:06.866 Meet the needs of the suffering. 00:04:06.866 --> 00:04:09.300 How do you minister to those in the midst of their suffering? 00:04:10.466 --> 00:04:12.265 We saw last week in First Peter. 00:04:12.265 --> 00:04:14.733 We were wrapping up chapter four. 00:04:14.733 --> 00:04:20.565 We saw that he was encouraging them, saying, look, don't be surprised that suffering has come upon you. 00:04:20.565 --> 00:04:22.966 Don't forget you signed up for this. 00:04:22.966 --> 00:04:26.333 And sometimes we don't want to be reminded of that in the midst of suffering. 00:04:26.333 --> 00:04:27.500 Sometimes we don't want to be. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.500 Yeah, I know, but it's still not fun. 00:04:30.665 --> 00:04:37.233 How do you meet people in the midst of the suffering, when they're ready to give up, when they feel like this isn't what I signed up for. 00:04:37.233 --> 00:04:38.466 I don't want any more of this. 00:04:38.466 --> 00:04:43.865 How do you still lead the hurting, lead the suffering in the midst of the challenge? 00:04:43.865 --> 00:04:46.665 That's what we're going to see today in the book of First Peter. 00:04:46.665 --> 00:04:54.665 If you can turn to first Peter chapter five, if you have a church Bible that will be on page 955, the page will be on the screen. 00:04:54.665 --> 00:04:59.600 First Peter chapter five, and we're going to read verses one through four. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:00.932 He's going to address the elders. 00:05:00.932 --> 00:05:02.833 He's going to address the leaders directly. 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:08.199 First Peter chapter five. 00:05:09.899 --> 00:05:21.065 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. 00:05:21.065 --> 00:05:24.932 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you. 00:05:24.932 --> 00:05:29.466 Exercising oversight not under compulsion, but willingly. 00:05:29.466 --> 00:05:40.100 As God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:48.132 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:05:48.132 --> 00:05:52.600 What we're going to see in this passage today is three ways to lead those who are hurting. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:53.932 Three ways to lead. 00:05:53.932 --> 00:05:57.233 To continue to give leadership and direction to those who are hurting. 00:05:57.233 --> 00:06:00.365 To those who are in the midst of suffering, to those who are ready to give up. 00:06:00.365 --> 00:06:04.399 How do you continue to engage, to lead, to serve them well? 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:05.565 I want to see three ways here. 00:06:05.565 --> 00:06:08.899 And the first one is in this very first verse. 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:13.766 The first one is all about showing a strong sense of self-awareness. 00:06:14.766 --> 00:06:24.865 You can't lead others in the midst of their suffering if you don't already have a strong foundation, a strong sense of self-awareness to lead others. 00:06:24.865 --> 00:06:28.665 In fact, you've had those leaders in your life who didn't have that. 00:06:28.665 --> 00:06:31.165 They seemed oblivious to everything else that was going around them. 00:06:31.165 --> 00:06:32.865 It was only about them. 00:06:32.865 --> 00:06:40.000 I remember one summer I was serving on a project, and the leader of that project seemed to lack self-awareness. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.565 Had a lot of talent, a lot of gifts. 00:06:42.565 --> 00:06:48.000 Very brilliant, but seemed to really lack a sense of situational awareness, self-awareness. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:49.432 In fact, one day I came to him. 00:06:49.432 --> 00:06:54.632 My grandmother had passed away over the weekend, and this was my grandmother. 00:06:54.632 --> 00:06:57.432 You know, for many years I was her only grandchild. 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:04.300 So I got all the attention till my brother showed up and ruined it all. 00:07:05.466 --> 00:07:11.033 But I was the, let's say, most favorite grandchild for many years because I was the only one. 00:07:11.033 --> 00:07:14.065 She meant a lot to me for many reasons. 00:07:14.065 --> 00:07:21.665 Not just because of all the well, probably because mostly all the attention she showed me, but it was hard to know she had finally passed. 00:07:21.665 --> 00:07:22.565 She lived a long life. 00:07:22.565 --> 00:07:23.899 She was 93. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:27.065 But I said, listen, I'm going to need to fly to the funeral. 00:07:27.065 --> 00:07:28.800 I leave this afternoon. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:30.365 I'll be back this time. 00:07:30.365 --> 00:07:31.699 Still engaged with the project. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:32.899 Here's my plans. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:35.899 I've got people stepping in for me. 00:07:36.065 --> 00:07:40.932 And his response was, so sorry to hear that. 00:07:40.932 --> 00:07:42.966 When you get back, here's what we're going to do next. 00:07:42.966 --> 00:07:44.399 Here's the next step of the project. 00:07:44.399 --> 00:07:45.699 Here's the task. 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.766 It was like he didn't even hear a word I said. 00:07:47.766 --> 00:07:52.533 Never missed a beat, just stayed on the topic of business for the project and everything he was a part of. 00:07:52.533 --> 00:07:55.632 And I thought, I'm never working with this guy again. 00:07:55.632 --> 00:07:59.165 Just complete lack of situational awareness. 00:07:59.165 --> 00:08:06.899 You need to show when it comes to serving those, to leading those who are hurting, struggling, suffering, ready, ready to give up. 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:09.932 You got to make sure you have a strong sense of self-awareness. 00:08:09.932 --> 00:08:12.165 And Peter does that here in three ways. 00:08:12.165 --> 00:08:13.300 Look back at verse one. 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:18.665 So I exhort the elders among you, I'm getting ready to give direction to you, the leaders. 00:08:18.665 --> 00:08:19.632 Here's what you need to do. 00:08:19.632 --> 00:08:23.766 But first, I am a fellow elder. 00:08:23.766 --> 00:08:26.466 He's going to relate to them on three levels. First, as a peer. 00:08:26.466 --> 00:08:27.665 I'm a fellow elder. 00:08:27.665 --> 00:08:32.365 And look, if anybody could say I'm not the same as you, it would be Peter. 00:08:32.365 --> 00:08:39.633 Peter could say, look, Jesus put me in charge, actually, of all this, if you remember, let me take you back and quote you what he said to me word for word. 00:08:39.633 --> 00:08:40.732 I've memorized it. 00:08:40.732 --> 00:08:43.566 This is the kind of thing Peter could do. 00:08:43.566 --> 00:08:44.166 He didn't do that. 00:08:44.166 --> 00:08:46.100 He says, I'm a fellow elder. 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:49.232 At one level, we are on the same playing field. 00:08:49.232 --> 00:09:07.166 Every Christian could say that no matter what gifts or talents God has given you, no matter what leadership position he's given you, God doesn't look at my family and goes, you know that the dad is really the most important person here in terms of he's worth more to me than his kids. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:10.332 No, no, no, we are worth the same to God. 00:09:10.365 --> 00:09:11.966 We have different responsibilities. 00:09:11.966 --> 00:09:19.633 He doesn't look at the church and go, you know, the pastor really is worth more than anybody else in the church. 00:09:19.666 --> 00:09:20.200 No. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:24.100 Look, at one level, we all are believers, children of God. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:31.166 He comes to them as a fellow elder on the same playing field, comes to them as peers. 00:09:31.432 --> 00:09:37.633 Then he comes, the second level, he relates to them not as a peer, but as a subordinate. 00:09:37.932 --> 00:09:40.966 Now it's kind of veiled here, but look at what he says next. 00:09:40.966 --> 00:09:47.232 He says, I come to you as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ. 00:09:48.633 --> 00:09:52.265 Now, at first glance, that seems like a subtle flex. 00:09:52.265 --> 00:09:57.500 Hey, by the way, I was there, I was I saw how things went down. 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:59.466 You weren't, but I was. 00:09:59.466 --> 00:10:00.666 It seems like a subtle flex. 00:10:00.666 --> 00:10:03.932 But if you remember how that went for Peter. 00:10:03.932 --> 00:10:06.865 Yeah, he was there when Jesus was being crucified. 00:10:06.865 --> 00:10:09.566 How did he respond to that? 00:10:09.566 --> 00:10:12.832 I've never even heard of the man he cursed. 00:10:12.832 --> 00:10:15.232 He said, leave me alone, I deny him. 00:10:15.232 --> 00:10:18.133 I don't want anything to do with him. 00:10:18.133 --> 00:10:28.500 I don't know about you, but I don't usually tend to bring up my biggest failure of all time very often. 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:34.100 The beautiful part of that, though, was how Jesus responded to him. 00:10:34.765 --> 00:10:42.332 Because if you remember when we studied the book of John at the end of the book of John, Jesus was on the shore while they were fishing. 00:10:42.332 --> 00:10:44.232 Peter's like, I think that's Jesus. 00:10:44.232 --> 00:10:47.432 Jesus says ‘Cast your net’, they get a bunch of fish. That is Jesus. 00:10:47.432 --> 00:10:52.332 He swims back to shore and Jesus had waiting there a charcoal fire. 00:10:52.332 --> 00:10:54.265 That was the one place where that phrase was used. 00:10:54.265 --> 00:10:58.566 The only other place it was used is when Peter was warming himself at a charcoal fire. 00:10:58.566 --> 00:11:00.466 Actively denying Jesus. 00:11:00.466 --> 00:11:01.899 Jesus sets the setting. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:03.600 Remember the last time you saw me? 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:04.865 It was around a charcoal fire. 00:11:04.865 --> 00:11:06.765 Remember what you were doing last time? 00:11:06.765 --> 00:11:14.133 You denied me three times and so he asks him three times. Peter, do you love me? 00:11:14.133 --> 00:11:15.600 Peter? 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:17.133 Do you love me? 00:11:17.133 --> 00:11:21.832 Peter, do you love me? 00:11:21.832 --> 00:11:24.832 If so, here's was his charge to him. 00:11:25.732 --> 00:11:27.966 Tend my sheep. 00:11:27.966 --> 00:11:30.232 Feed my sheep. 00:11:30.232 --> 00:11:33.500 Three times. Tend my sheep, feed my sheep. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:36.000 Care for my flock. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.966 And he restores Peter. 00:11:37.966 --> 00:11:41.133 Now the reason why this is him coming as a subordinate. 00:11:41.133 --> 00:11:52.299 I was a witness to that saying, look, I'm not above any of you here because I have done something none of you have done which is to deny him at his worst moment. 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:54.865 And if he can forgive me. 00:11:54.865 --> 00:11:57.566 And by the way. 00:11:57.566 --> 00:11:58.899 I don't know what you've done. 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:01.566 I'm sure there are some people here today who think like. 00:12:01.566 --> 00:12:04.832 I think God could never forgive me for that thing I did. 00:12:06.066 --> 00:12:15.666 If he can forgive Peter, who in his lowest moment said, I don't want anything to do with you, he can forgive you. 00:12:15.666 --> 00:12:18.133 He will forgive you. 00:12:18.133 --> 00:12:21.799 Don't believe the lie that he can't forgive you. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:27.365 That is the enemy lying to you, trying to keep you in a place of unforgiveness. 00:12:27.365 --> 00:12:30.365 It doesn't matter. 00:12:30.932 --> 00:12:33.232 He will forgive you. 00:12:33.232 --> 00:12:35.399 And Peter comes as a subordinate. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.832 Yeah, I was there. 00:12:36.832 --> 00:12:38.566 But you remember how that went down? 00:12:38.566 --> 00:12:40.666 I'm no better than you. 00:12:40.666 --> 00:12:42.365 Lastly, he relates to them this way. 00:12:42.365 --> 00:12:46.133 Fellow elder, as a peer I witnessed the sufferings of Christ as a subordinate. 00:12:46.133 --> 00:12:52.533 But then he does come as a superior, not positionally, as a superior, but experientially. 00:12:52.533 --> 00:13:02.232 Let me tell you what I have experienced, that none of you have. Listen to what he says, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. 00:13:02.232 --> 00:13:08.732 So Peter says, let me tell you, I have tasted of the glory of Christ like none of you have. 00:13:08.732 --> 00:13:14.033 We don't know exactly what he's referring to here, but many believe it's the what's the word? 00:13:14.033 --> 00:13:15.000 It's escaping me all of a sudden. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.533 Transfiguration. 00:13:16.533 --> 00:13:19.666 The transfiguration, when he's standing there with Jesus. 00:13:19.666 --> 00:13:22.232 And then the cloud comes down and the bright light. 00:13:22.232 --> 00:13:24.265 And there's also Moses and Elijah there. 00:13:24.265 --> 00:13:34.666 And he's like, this is the holiest moment I've ever experienced, because it was the presence of God and a strength that no one else had experienced, and it absolutely overwhelmed him. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:39.799 When you've had that experience, you've had a taste of the glory to come. 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:44.466 Like like few others in the history of humanity have tasted. 00:13:45.332 --> 00:13:51.832 And so he comes to them and says, look, before I even give you instruction, we're peers, by the way. 00:13:51.832 --> 00:13:54.666 I'm your subordinate. By the way, let me tell you what's coming. 00:13:56.932 --> 00:14:04.265 So come first with a strong sense if you are going to try to lead others who are hurting, just have a strong sense of self-awareness. 00:14:04.265 --> 00:14:10.566 And if a guy comes to me with this sense of humility that Peter showed, look, I'm no better than you. 00:14:10.566 --> 00:14:17.166 I'm going to be a lot more open to hearing from them their direction for my life. 00:14:17.466 --> 00:14:23.365 So that's the first way we help others, lead others who are hurting, suffering, ready to give up. 00:14:23.365 --> 00:14:31.865 Now the second way here starts in verse two and the second way is focus on your main purpose. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.765 Focus on your main purpose. 00:14:34.765 --> 00:14:43.666 Look at verse two here he says, A fellow elder, I exhort you, Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight. 00:14:44.166 --> 00:14:46.865 So here's the direction Peter gives to the elders. 00:14:46.865 --> 00:14:50.299 He says, Shepherd the flock that's among you. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:55.466 He is calling them to focus on their main purpose as leaders is to shepherd the flock. 00:14:56.732 --> 00:15:03.666 There are a lot of different directions that a pastor or a staff member at church can be pulled throughout the week. 00:15:03.666 --> 00:15:06.365 I mean, I can be involved in choosing paint color. 00:15:06.365 --> 00:15:09.365 I could serve as what seems like a general contractor. 00:15:09.365 --> 00:15:17.666 Might be a part of a wedding or a funeral, or give marriage advice or ideological direction or book recommendations. 00:15:17.666 --> 00:15:19.932 Probably my favorite part of the week. 00:15:19.932 --> 00:15:33.765 There can be 100 different directions you can be pulled over the course of the week, but at the core of the responsibility of a pastor of this church is to shepherd the flock, to care for the flock. 00:15:33.765 --> 00:15:45.732 And if I mention that story of Peter being restored, the two words that were given to him feed my people, feed the sheep, tend the sheep. 00:15:45.732 --> 00:15:49.265 The word there for tend is the same here as shepherd the flock. 00:15:49.265 --> 00:15:53.466 Feed and tend, deliver the Word of God to them. 00:15:53.466 --> 00:15:55.566 Feed them with my word. 00:15:57.265 --> 00:16:00.100 That's the core of what our church is about. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:02.432 Our foundation is His word. 00:16:02.432 --> 00:16:09.832 If we do all that other stuff throughout the week, but we're not feeding you his word, then we've we've missed it. 00:16:09.832 --> 00:16:18.133 If we're not focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ presented in His Word, we can do all that other stuff all throughout the week. Great. 00:16:18.133 --> 00:16:20.265 And we've missed it. 00:16:20.265 --> 00:16:30.865 So the starting place when it comes to helping those who are hurting, leading those who are suffering is to not give up on your core calling. 00:16:30.865 --> 00:16:41.100 Don't forget that what whoever is hurting needs more than anything else is the Word of God and Jesus Christ presented in it more than anything else. 00:16:41.466 --> 00:16:44.466 Focus on your calling. 00:16:44.466 --> 00:16:47.033 Focus on the core of your calling. 00:16:47.033 --> 00:16:47.899 Don't get distracted. 00:16:49.265 --> 00:16:50.600 All the other things. 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:52.432 This is what he's saying to the elders here. 00:16:52.432 --> 00:16:54.365 Keep feeding, keep shepherding. 00:16:54.365 --> 00:16:57.232 Keep tending. Keep caring to their needs. 00:16:57.232 --> 00:17:01.932 Don't lose focus in the midst of the suffering. 00:17:03.133 --> 00:17:07.000 Now the third way he gives them direction here. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.165 And this one's important. 00:17:09.165 --> 00:17:12.165 Know your temptations. 00:17:13.165 --> 00:17:20.032 Anyone who has been in a leader leadership position and look, that could be as a parent, that could be as a boss. 00:17:20.032 --> 00:17:25.532 That can be just the time you got the opportunity to pick the team on the playground. 00:17:25.532 --> 00:17:35.865 Anyone who is in a leadership position knows there are temptations to abuse that, to use it for your own advantage rather than for the good of others. 00:17:35.865 --> 00:17:41.165 Anyone who's been in that position knows how that that little taste of power feels. 00:17:41.165 --> 00:17:41.599 Feels good. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.700 I kind of like this. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:45.965 How can I use this for me rather than for others? 00:17:45.965 --> 00:17:53.465 You need to know your temptations, specifically the temptations of eldership leading in a church. 00:17:53.465 --> 00:17:58.665 What are some of those primary temptations that elders church leaders are going to face? 00:17:58.665 --> 00:18:00.665 He's going to address a few here. 00:18:00.665 --> 00:18:01.633 Look back at verse two. 00:18:03.266 --> 00:18:08.965 Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight. 00:18:08.965 --> 00:18:16.333 Now he's going to give three contrasting pairs of temptation and antidote. 00:18:16.333 --> 00:18:22.965 First, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:36.133 So the first temptation is the temptation of obligation, of compulsion is to think that, well, I guess I got to be an elder in the church. 00:18:36.133 --> 00:18:37.365 I guess I have to be a leader. 00:18:37.365 --> 00:18:38.766 They didn't have anybody else. 00:18:38.766 --> 00:18:39.965 They asked me to. 00:18:39.965 --> 00:18:44.133 I don't really want to, but I guess I will. 00:18:44.133 --> 00:18:45.365 No. 00:18:45.365 --> 00:18:51.900 He's saying that may be a temptation to feel, just feel like, I guess I got to serve because I have to. 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:57.432 But no, that is not to be the case in the house of God. 00:18:57.432 --> 00:19:03.000 And look, we all have plenty of areas of life where you are obligated to carry out your responsibilities. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.432 You're obligated to serve whether you want to or not. 00:19:06.432 --> 00:19:07.865 Maybe it's your schoolwork. 00:19:07.865 --> 00:19:12.066 I can't tell you how many times I didn't want to do my schoolwork, but I still did it. 00:19:12.066 --> 00:19:14.099 Or it's your job. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:19.566 Maybe you don't want to do your job, but you still did it out of obligation. 00:19:19.566 --> 00:19:20.266 No one went. 00:19:20.266 --> 00:19:24.566 You know what, I -- I don't really think you can work here anymore because you didn't really want to. 00:19:26.333 --> 00:19:27.532 No. Great. 00:19:27.532 --> 00:19:28.200 You got it done. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:31.200 That's all we care about. Now, your attitude may play into it eventually. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.532 You know what I'm saying. 00:19:32.532 --> 00:19:35.299 One example of this that's always stood out to me is Andre Agassi. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.333 Do you remember him? 00:19:36.333 --> 00:19:39.299 Andre Agassi, the tennis player back in the 90s. 00:19:39.299 --> 00:19:40.900 He was on all the camera commercials. 00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:44.465 The funny part of him was for the longest time, he had the long hair. 00:19:44.465 --> 00:19:45.599 That was kind of his image. 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:47.766 Image was everything for him. 00:19:47.766 --> 00:19:51.000 Like his hair had fallen out years before. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:55.833 Then he was wearing a hairpiece for the longest time because of how much of his image that was. The thing about him. 00:19:55.833 --> 00:19:58.000 I read his biography. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:20:08.865 He said, let me tell you, from a young age I absolutely hated tennis, and I hated it my whole life, but I was good at it. 00:20:08.865 --> 00:20:13.365 I experienced success and I thought, well, I guess I'll keep doing this. 00:20:13.365 --> 00:20:16.932 And my dad made me, but I hated it the whole time. 00:20:16.932 --> 00:20:19.732 I always hated it. 00:20:19.732 --> 00:20:26.066 No one went, Andre, you've ruined the game of tennis because you don't like it, yet you keep playing. 00:20:26.066 --> 00:20:29.000 Oh look, that works in plenty of other fields of life. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:33.165 But the point he's making here is not here. 00:20:33.566 --> 00:20:36.732 Not under obligation, but willingly. 00:20:37.865 --> 00:20:39.000 We want our elders. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:45.932 We want our church leaders to feel like God has made me to do this. 00:20:46.165 --> 00:20:49.266 This is the greatest privilege that I do out of joy. 00:20:49.266 --> 00:20:52.599 And of course, there'll be moments where you go, okay, maybe not today. 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.500 Something came up. 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.865 I'm not happy, I get that. 00:20:54.865 --> 00:20:57.965 But in general, in general, it should be. 00:20:57.965 --> 00:21:03.365 Thank you God, this is a great joy, a great privilege, a great delight. 00:21:03.365 --> 00:21:08.799 And if that's not the case, have the courage to go, maybe this isn't the season for me to serve in this way. 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:10.599 And we've had people do that. 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.900 And I think that shows wisdom. 00:21:13.232 --> 00:21:21.032 But the temptation is to just keep going, even though you're not even sure you should be doing it. 00:21:21.032 --> 00:21:21.932 Willingly. 00:21:21.932 --> 00:21:25.299 Instead, that's the first temptation is just to serve out of obligation. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:33.865 The second temptation here, though, is look at the next pair, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:39.965 The second temptation is the temptation of shameful gain, shameful gain. 00:21:39.965 --> 00:21:43.833 The context here specifically is financial. 00:21:43.833 --> 00:21:48.700 Finance is gained in the wrong manner, done for the wrong reasons. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:53.833 Now, gain inherently isn't bad, meaning it's not wrong to serve in ministry. 00:21:53.833 --> 00:21:57.165 I feel a little self-serving saying this to be paid to serve in ministry. 00:21:57.165 --> 00:22:00.799 It's not inherently wrong, but if your main motive is for money, that's a big problem. 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:06.965 And it's a temptation, by the way, that churches face all the time. 00:22:06.965 --> 00:22:11.165 That's why we have a lot of controls in place around our finances. 00:22:11.165 --> 00:22:29.133 I mean, the people who collect the money are different than the people who count it, are different than the people who deposit it in general, different than the people who then check the deposits versus those who said what they said they deposited and versus-- it's different even then, than the person who comes back and checks each individual transaction. 00:22:29.133 --> 00:22:36.365 In banks, we have one control over another to protect the church and to protect the people who are handling money. 00:22:36.365 --> 00:22:39.500 I've had instances where people try to give me a pile of money. 00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.566 Hey, look, we just had this event. 00:22:41.566 --> 00:22:47.532 That didn't sound right, but I'm talking about in terms of if there's, like, a conference or we had a men's breakfast. 00:22:48.665 --> 00:22:51.700 Hey, here's here's the money we got from people who paid for breakfast. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:57.965 And I'll say, oh, before you hand that to me, you count it and you text the number to the person I'm going to give it to. 00:22:57.965 --> 00:23:00.066 And so then we've got accountability. 00:23:00.066 --> 00:23:02.833 The amount you gave me, there's no wonder. 00:23:02.833 --> 00:23:05.099 There's no reason to question where did that money go? 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.032 I wonder what he did with it. 00:23:06.032 --> 00:23:08.133 I saw him shove a big wad of cash in his pocket. 00:23:08.133 --> 00:23:10.266 Here's the amount he's going to give it to this guy. 00:23:10.266 --> 00:23:11.400 That guy knows how much is coming. 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:11.932 He's going to count. 00:23:11.932 --> 00:23:14.165 He's going to let him know that I got it. 00:23:14.165 --> 00:23:18.400 There's a lot of things we put in place to protect, to protect our own hearts. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:24.032 Because we're not in this for financial gain. 00:23:24.032 --> 00:23:27.066 And I hope that God blesses the church financially. 00:23:27.066 --> 00:23:29.365 I hope he blesses every one of you financially. 00:23:29.365 --> 00:23:34.200 But that's not any of our main motives for being here. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.633 It's not. 00:23:34.633 --> 00:23:37.566 It shouldn't be. 00:23:37.566 --> 00:23:39.900 What's the contrast here that he gives? 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:49.365 Because he said, if it's not for a shameful gain, and this is interesting, you would think that the response to that would be not for shameful gain, but for good gain, for healthy gain. 00:23:50.965 --> 00:23:59.232 Look at what he says here, not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:24:04.066 --> 00:24:07.965 I love this contrast, not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:24:08.333 --> 00:24:13.633 The point being that we are not here because of what we get out of financially. 00:24:13.633 --> 00:24:18.000 We are here to serve, to see God move in the lives of every person here. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:21.066 That is where the eagerness is. 00:24:21.066 --> 00:24:23.165 That is where the excitement is. 00:24:23.165 --> 00:24:39.365 Yeah, it's great when a big donation comes in, but let me tell you, the excitement around that doesn't compare at all to the story of one kid coming to know Christ, the eager, the excitement of that is a hundred fold of a large gift that comes in. 00:24:39.365 --> 00:24:44.700 Our eagerness is around the gospel word, not the financial part of it. 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.900 That's part of it. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:50.665 A church has a business side, but that's not the point. 00:24:50.665 --> 00:24:53.833 It's not where we give our passion, our energy, our excitement. 00:24:53.833 --> 00:24:56.833 It's an eagerness for the gospel. 00:24:56.965 --> 00:25:01.665 But the temptation is to make it about the numbers. 00:25:01.665 --> 00:25:04.165 But we can't get stuck there. 00:25:04.165 --> 00:25:08.333 And if you want to lead others well in the midst of their suffering, you've got to stay focused on the gospel. 00:25:09.566 --> 00:25:14.766 The third temptation he presents here, not under compulsion, not for shameful gain. 00:25:14.766 --> 00:25:20.532 And then, number three, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 00:25:20.532 --> 00:25:31.099 The third temptation is just the temptation of power to use your place to get what you want to run roughshod over people. 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:35.465 And you've had this happen where people just keep talking on top of you to get their way. 00:25:35.465 --> 00:25:46.400 They don't let you have a voice, but they use their power to get their way rather than using their strength to serve. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:52.165 Jesus said this to the disciples when they came to him in Mark chapter ten, a couple of them said to us, Hey, Jesus, will you? 00:25:52.165 --> 00:25:54.833 You give us anything we ask? 00:25:54.833 --> 00:25:58.465 Which, by the way, that's a terrible way to start a conversation. 00:25:58.465 --> 00:25:59.500 I want to ask you for anything. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:02.200 I just want you to say beforehand that you'll give it to me. 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:04.299 I mean, whoever says yes to that. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.232 But Jesus was like, what? 00:26:05.232 --> 00:26:06.566 What are you asking? 00:26:06.566 --> 00:26:07.599 We want to sit at your right and left. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:09.932 He's like, you have no idea what you're asking. 00:26:09.932 --> 00:26:11.766 You really have no idea. 00:26:11.766 --> 00:26:12.665 Oh, yeah, we do. 00:26:12.665 --> 00:26:13.833 Yeah, yeah. 00:26:13.833 --> 00:26:16.266 You think you do. 00:26:16.266 --> 00:26:17.266 And here's what he says to them. 00:26:17.266 --> 00:26:23.299 He says the ruler of the Gentiles, they lord it over their people. 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:27.465 They lord their leadership, their rulership over the people. 00:26:27.465 --> 00:26:30.099 They make sure everyone knows how powerful they are. 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:34.232 They make sure everyone knows they are the ones in charge. 00:26:34.232 --> 00:26:41.266 But the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:26:41.266 --> 00:26:46.700 The temptation is to use our power to get what we want. 00:26:46.965 --> 00:26:50.165 The temptation is to go, well, here's what you're going to do. 00:26:50.165 --> 00:26:53.165 I know you're suffering, but you need to give with it. 00:26:53.165 --> 00:26:54.865 We need you here serving at church. 00:26:54.865 --> 00:26:55.700 Stop questioning. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:57.000 Stop doubting. Stop struggling. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:58.232 What's the problem? Get with it. 00:26:58.232 --> 00:27:04.766 If you really believe you wouldn't have any problems, That’s the temptation, to start shouting that at people. 00:27:05.032 --> 00:27:12.732 It takes a lot more work and care and shepherding to go tell me what's going on. 00:27:12.732 --> 00:27:15.066 How can we come alongside you? 00:27:15.066 --> 00:27:20.099 In fact, you want to know what takes the most work is the example he gives here. 00:27:20.133 --> 00:27:20.766 It's what he says. 00:27:20.766 --> 00:27:29.566 The antidote is not domineering, but being examples to the flock. 00:27:31.566 --> 00:27:41.165 Especially in this day and age, it doesn't matter what you say, I mean it does at some level, but you can say the right things all day long. 00:27:41.165 --> 00:27:43.932 But if you're not living it, I'm not going to listen. 00:27:43.932 --> 00:27:45.532 You're not going to listen. 00:27:45.532 --> 00:27:52.566 You might for a little bit till you figure out the game and you realize, oh, he's a fake. 00:27:52.566 --> 00:27:54.500 He says one thing and does the other. 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:57.066 I'm out of here. 00:27:57.066 --> 00:27:58.066 Be an example. 00:27:58.066 --> 00:28:00.965 The charge given here instead of domineering. It's not. 00:28:00.965 --> 00:28:02.232 So be nice. 00:28:02.232 --> 00:28:03.566 It's be an example. 00:28:03.566 --> 00:28:06.000 Focus on what God is doing in your life. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:08.299 Focus on your own growth. 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:12.133 Focus on being the kind of elder they need. 00:28:13.566 --> 00:28:18.532 We talked about this last week, where the temptation for many is to just focus on what I think you need. 00:28:18.532 --> 00:28:20.232 I really hope Sally was listening to that. 00:28:20.232 --> 00:28:21.365 She needed to hear that. 00:28:21.365 --> 00:28:28.865 Or Billy gosh man, I'm going to remind him after that was a point he really needed to work on instead of going, what does God need to do in me? 00:28:28.865 --> 00:28:30.965 How do I need to keep growing? 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:47.232 Parents, if you want your kids to follow Christ, to passionately pursue him, to know him and have him as their greatest priority -- you want to know the most powerful way to do that? 00:28:48.032 --> 00:28:54.965 It's for you to be passionately pursuing Christ, to be going after him in all things. It doesn’t... 00:28:54.965 --> 00:29:00.500 it almost doesn't matter in comparison what you say to them if you're not doing that as well. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.032 I'm not looking for perfection. 00:29:02.032 --> 00:29:03.865 None of us are going to pursue him perfectly. 00:29:03.865 --> 00:29:06.333 But start, start there. 00:29:06.333 --> 00:29:09.333 And how can I grow hungry for him? 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:11.500 How can I pursue him? 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:16.865 I remember in college when my dad was on fire for Christ, like I hadn't seen before. 00:29:16.865 --> 00:29:19.766 That caused me to want to get to know Christ better. 00:29:19.766 --> 00:29:21.299 And he wasn't preaching at me. 00:29:22.266 --> 00:29:30.066 He was coming up here during the week, getting mentoring, spending time with a group of men, starting prayer groups, and I'm like, what is going on? 00:29:30.066 --> 00:29:33.066 This is exciting. 00:29:33.965 --> 00:29:38.266 Become on fire for Christ if you want to see your kids on fire for Christ. 00:29:38.266 --> 00:29:39.932 And it's crazy how this works. 00:29:39.932 --> 00:29:43.566 The statistics show you want to know the best predictor of who you will become. 00:29:43.566 --> 00:30:02.365 Everyone in this room, statistically, the number one predictor of who you will become in life in terms of health, job, where you'll live, how long you'll live, how much money you make, your education rate the number one predictor more than anything else. 00:30:03.165 --> 00:30:04.965 Is your parents. 00:30:04.965 --> 00:30:12.000 Statistically speaking, when you look across society, they can pretty much tell you, yeah, here's here's probably who you'll be. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:16.766 People don't like to hear that, especially if you're like in high school, you're like, no way. 00:30:16.766 --> 00:30:18.133 I'm not becoming like them. 00:30:18.133 --> 00:30:21.900 Okay, don't try to tell me I get it, I get it. 00:30:23.133 --> 00:30:26.133 The charge for us is. 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:29.133 Don't fall into the temptation of power. 00:30:29.133 --> 00:30:32.133 You're going to do what I say. 00:30:34.766 --> 00:30:36.633 Be the example. 00:30:36.633 --> 00:30:39.633 Passionately pursue Christ. 00:30:39.766 --> 00:30:48.465 Especially when people are hurting, when they're struggling, when they're wondering, how am I going to get back on track now? 00:30:48.465 --> 00:30:49.333 Here's the reason why. 00:30:49.333 --> 00:30:52.333 Here's what this all comes down to. 00:30:52.432 --> 00:30:54.266 Here's where this all points. 00:30:54.266 --> 00:30:56.900 Because here's the hope for the leader in the room, for the elder in the room. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.766 Why am I doing this? 00:30:58.766 --> 00:31:01.900 Why am I doing what's not natural to serve those who are struggling? 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:05.900 Look at verse four. 00:31:06.066 --> 00:31:15.566 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 00:31:16.833 --> 00:31:20.732 The motivation for the leader in the church is not. 00:31:20.766 --> 00:31:26.232 Let me just show you how many people I can influence. 00:31:26.532 --> 00:31:29.333 Now that's a piece of it, man. 00:31:29.333 --> 00:31:39.066 I hope God uses every one of us in here to see many, many, many come to know Christ, and there's so much joy in being a part of that. 00:31:39.333 --> 00:31:46.465 But that doesn't compare to being able to receive an unfading crown of glory. 00:31:46.465 --> 00:31:53.500 And there's a lot of confusion, I think, in Christian circles about crowns and rewards in the Bible. 00:31:53.633 --> 00:31:59.432 Let me tell you what the elders do with the crowns they get. 00:31:59.432 --> 00:32:01.833 Because we know it's in Scripture. 00:32:01.833 --> 00:32:04.500 There are 24 elders in revelation chapter four. 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:08.566 And when they get their crowns and they're before Jesus, what do they do with them? 00:32:10.932 --> 00:32:13.500 They put them at his feet. 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:16.500 Whatever you've given me, hey, it's yours. 00:32:17.066 --> 00:32:18.633 Thank you. 00:32:18.633 --> 00:32:21.633 It is worship. 00:32:21.633 --> 00:32:32.032 And at the end of the day, our leaders in the church are to be the example of those who say, Jesus, everything you've given us, it's yours. 00:32:32.032 --> 00:32:34.865 We worship you. 00:32:34.865 --> 00:32:37.232 We worship you. 00:32:37.232 --> 00:32:39.465 We fall down. 00:32:39.465 --> 00:32:45.032 We lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. 00:32:45.732 --> 00:33:09.500 If you know those who are hurting, who are struggling, who are wondering, how am I going to make it through the suffering and you want to lead them well, pursue Christ, keep worshiping him, keep him at the center of your life and all that you do, and watch him use that to soothe their souls and to lead them back to him. 00:33:10.732 --> 00:33:13.732 Let's pray. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:24.133 God, we thank you for this morning. 00:33:24.365 --> 00:33:33.799 And we thank you that even in the midst of knowing Peter knew his audience was struggling, there was suffering. 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:36.799 They were under a heavy burden. 00:33:38.566 --> 00:33:39.333 And he still knew. 00:33:39.333 --> 00:33:44.665 We've got to lead well, we've got to continue to minister, to continue to pour into their lives. 00:33:44.665 --> 00:33:53.932 And I know I'm sure there are people in the room today who are on the verge of just going, I don't know, I'm not sure I can bear up any longer. 00:33:54.766 --> 00:33:58.266 God, I pray they would feel comforted today. 00:33:59.333 --> 00:34:00.833 This world wants to beat us down. 00:34:00.833 --> 00:34:03.365 This world wants to point out everything we do wrong. 00:34:03.365 --> 00:34:07.833 This world wants to make us feel like we're not good enough. 00:34:07.833 --> 00:34:12.532 And you just say, come, come to me, come all who are weary and heavy laden. 00:34:12.532 --> 00:34:13.965 Take my yoke upon you. 00:34:13.965 --> 00:34:15.300 For his yoke is easy. 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:17.166 His burden is light. 00:34:17.166 --> 00:34:18.932 His his yoke, his joy. 00:34:22.465 --> 00:34:26.632 I pray those who are on the verge of giving up on right now. 00:34:27.733 --> 00:34:29.166 Back where you are. 00:34:29.166 --> 00:34:30.833 Just pray. 00:34:30.833 --> 00:34:33.965 I pray that there would be a crying out of the soul today. 00:34:33.965 --> 00:34:36.965 God, would you bring comfort? 00:34:37.932 --> 00:34:43.333 And I'm going to call out some words and you just pray those silently as if that word hits you where you are. 00:34:43.333 --> 00:34:46.333 God, would you bring comfort? 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:51.199 Would you bring peace? 00:34:51.666 --> 00:34:54.666 Would you bring hope to endure? 00:34:57.365 --> 00:35:00.266 Would you give wisdom? 00:35:00.266 --> 00:35:06.465 Whatever suffering continues to be piled upon, would you give wisdom for how to handle that? 00:35:07.233 --> 00:35:10.233 Would you restore joy? 00:35:17.233 --> 00:35:23.166 I thank you for the example of so many that have gone before me, and set the example for me to follow. 00:35:23.166 --> 00:35:30.099 God help us to be an example of a faithful follower of you in the coming days. 00:35:32.166 --> 00:35:34.833 We love you, Jesus. 00:35:34.833 --> 00:35:36.365 Amen.