WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.940 at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:10.179 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:16.399 that you're here not because we're filling seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:21.379 community, and as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good 00:00:21.379 --> 00:00:25.879 that they don't need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:33.619 which means that God has something to say to us in his word. That's why we come back week after week 00:00:33.619 --> 00:00:40.840 to study God's word to us, which is contained in the Bible. We've been studying the book of 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:46.620 1 Peter together. We're almost finished, and as I've been telling you, 1 Peter is a letter. 00:00:47.239 --> 00:00:52.620 It's a letter written by a man named Peter, and he writes it to churches in the first century 00:00:52.619 --> 00:00:59.459 A.D. who are struggling. These churches are in the Roman Empire in Asia Minor, what's now modern-day 00:00:59.459 --> 00:01:04.539 western Turkey, and they're struggling because they're feeling out of place in the world as 00:01:04.539 --> 00:01:11.400 Christians, and they're facing opposition from the world as Christians. Peter writes to instruct them 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:18.180 and to encourage them. He writes to encourage them that Jesus is worth it. He's worth living and loving 00:01:18.180 --> 00:01:24.480 for, and he's worth suffering and dying for, and he also writes to instruct them. He instructs them 00:01:24.480 --> 00:01:31.080 how they should live in the world as Christians and also how to respond when they face opposition 00:01:31.080 --> 00:01:38.760 for being Christians. We've been in this long section on suffering, and we exited that a couple weeks ago 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:43.580 just for a little bit to talk about the community, how we interact together, and then last week we went 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:49.959 back to suffering, and this week we're back in the community, how we function together as a church. 00:01:50.039 --> 00:01:57.200 And I mentioned a couple weeks ago that many people want thick and rich community. 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:08.479 Few people are willing to do the work to get it. Many people want thick and rich community. Few people are 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:15.639 willing to do what it takes. A couple weeks ago we looked at what it takes in a general level, how it 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:21.479 is that we love one another as a church, and this week we're going to look at something more specific. 00:02:21.679 --> 00:02:30.979 How do we handle power as a church? How do we have a thick and rich community when it comes to 00:02:30.979 --> 00:02:35.339 some people who have more influence and some people who have less? Some people that God has given to be 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:41.360 leaders in a specific situation and others that God has given to be followers. How can we be a church 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:46.780 that survives suffering? Well, a church that survives suffering is one that's going to know how to handle 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:54.060 power. There's a famous illustration that's used to talk about marriage. People will say that the sexual 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:59.800 relationship in marriage is kind of like fire. You can either keep it in the hearth, in the fireplace, 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:06.620 and it could be something that warms the entire home, or it can be something that burns everything 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:14.100 down when it's not kept within God's constraints. We could say the same thing about power in the church. 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:22.400 Leaders in the church can use their power to build it up and to make it a place of incredible warmth, 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:32.939 power is something that can be used in either way. And of course, the same can be said. We'll see this 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:37.580 in this passage as followers as well. They can be people who fan that fire into flame, 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:45.939 or they can snuff it out. And so God's going to speak to both of those things in his word this 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:51.439 morning as we look at 1 Peter. We're in chapter 5, and we're starting at verse 1. You can turn in your 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:56.859 worship guide. You'll find it near the end. You can also turn in your Bible or turn on your phone, 00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:01.379 but regardless of your method, I invite you to read with me. As we come to this passage, remember that 00:04:01.379 --> 00:04:10.840 this is God's word. And God tells us that while the grass withers and the flower fades, his word 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:16.220 will stand forever. That's why we read it now, starting at verse 1. 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:46.200 Verse 3. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:05:12.720 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:22.840 Lord, our Father in heaven, we praise you and we thank you for your word that brings life. 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:29.320 You use your word to bring the world into existence at the very beginning. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:36.060 You use your word to bring life to those who are dead in their sin. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:45.220 And you use your word to bring life to those who belong to you, who need to know your love 00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:47.420 and also the way to go. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:52.139 And so we ask that you would send your spirit now and you would use your word in that way, 00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:57.579 that you would give us life as individuals and as a community because you've spoken to us 00:05:57.579 --> 00:06:00.639 by your word, through your word and by your spirit. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:03.919 We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:13.660 I mentioned last week the repetition that occurs in this letter over and over, and we're going to see it once again at the very beginning. 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:16.280 Peter tells us what he's been telling us over and over. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:18.960 There's suffering and then there's glory. 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.159 And that's what we see in verse 1. 00:06:21.219 --> 00:06:22.479 We saw it last week as well. 00:06:22.599 --> 00:06:24.359 He tells that he's exhorting the elders. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:29.060 And when he says elders here, he's not exhorting everyone over a certain age, 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.180 but he's exhorting those who are leaders in the church. 00:06:31.299 --> 00:06:35.079 We learn about this from other passages like 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:37.179 And he exhorts them as a fellow elder. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:40.979 So he's saying, I know the struggles that you have. 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:42.060 I'm with you in this. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:44.959 That means I'm a witness of the sufferings of Christ. 00:06:44.959 --> 00:06:53.060 So we have the same theme of suffering that we've seen before, as well as a partaker in the glory that's going to be revealed. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:55.979 He is telling them the same thing he's been telling them over and over. 00:06:56.099 --> 00:06:59.639 They're suffering, but it's going to end in glory. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:02.379 Jesus suffered. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.039 You suffer. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.379 Jesus' story ended in glory. 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:06.679 Your story will end in glory. 00:07:07.039 --> 00:07:11.560 And there's a special way in which that's true for leaders of the church. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:15.540 And so this theme continues in every area. 00:07:15.720 --> 00:07:21.399 You are suffering now because you have taken a position in the church that brings you a special level of heat. 00:07:22.459 --> 00:07:27.899 And as we see in verse 1, and we'll see also later in verse 4, you're also going to receive God's glory. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:35.879 And so this particular category of suffering is like every other category of suffering that happens when it's for the name of Jesus Christ, 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:39.139 that it is suffering for Jesus and glory with Jesus. 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:40.620 And then he gives us his commands. 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:44.019 There's going to be three commands, main commands in this passage. 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:45.240 First, shepherd the flock. 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:49.240 Second, be subject. 00:07:50.280 --> 00:07:51.519 Be subject to the elders. 00:07:52.660 --> 00:07:53.899 So there's a command for leaders. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:55.840 Shepherd the flock, a commander for followers. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:57.319 Clothe yourselves. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.340 Excuse me. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.399 Be subject to the elders. 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:01.000 And then there's a third command for everyone. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.860 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility. 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:08.900 And so we're simply just going to go through and we're going to take a look at all of those commands. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:10.759 First, shepherd the flock. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:18.600 Peter summarizes his command for all leaders in that way that they should be like shepherds. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:22.080 They should be like shepherds who protect their sheep. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:24.700 Shepherds don't just protect, but they're also leading. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:25.260 They're feeding. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:29.000 They're doing all sorts of things to make sure that the flock is cared for. 00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:32.120 This is something that's going to take an enormous amount of work on their behalf. 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:34.540 And it's also going to take sacrifice. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:37.600 There's going to be times maybe they're going to have to fight off predators. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:41.659 But this is the metaphor that Jesus used in his teaching. 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:46.019 It's also the metaphor that Peter is going to continue to use in his as well, 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:49.200 going over this main category of what it is that leaders do. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:53.540 And then he breaks it into a variety of things that shepherding the flock involves. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:58.820 First, those who are leaders in the church, and specifically he's talking to elders, right? 00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:01.960 There's all kinds of people who exercise leadership in the church. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:02.620 Some are elders. 00:09:03.160 --> 00:09:03.759 Some are not. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:07.720 But this is to the elders who are ultimately responsible to answer to God. 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:10.379 And he gives them several categories. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:12.559 First is the exercise oversight. 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:16.000 It should not be under compulsion, but willingly. 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:21.439 Quite simply, if you're going to be a leader in the church, 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:23.159 you should want to be a leader in the church. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.319 This is a battlefield. 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:29.319 We need people who actually want to be in the fight. 00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:36.840 Shortly following the dust-up that the United States recently had with Iran, with Soleimani, 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:39.600 there was a Google search that skyrocketed. 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:42.900 And it was the search of, how does the draft work? 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:47.100 And is there going to be a draft in this situation? 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:51.940 Of course, many of us registered for selective service, 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.380 knowing that we could be drafted at one point. 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:56.360 And there was all this fear, right? 00:09:56.360 --> 00:10:00.720 Maybe we're going to go to war, and we're going to have people who don't want to be at war who are fighting. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:03.240 Peter is telling them this. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:06.539 There is no draft in God's church. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:10.360 There is no draft for elders. 00:10:10.560 --> 00:10:14.600 No one should be forced against their will to take on the role of leadership. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:19.919 If you become an elder at a leader in the church, it should be because you want to. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:24.279 It shouldn't be because someone else tells you they need you. 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:29.059 It shouldn't be because someone else tells you you would be good at it, 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:31.139 although that's important, that's necessary. 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:32.959 I'm going to say it. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:35.659 It shouldn't be because your wife wants you to be an elder. 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:42.379 You should be an elder, not under compulsion, but willingly. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.980 It's a battlefield in the church, church leadership. 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:52.179 Peter wants only those who are ready and willing to head into the battle. 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:56.079 Next, verse 4. 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:59.839 Not for shameful gain, but eagerly. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:05.819 There is a type of leadership that serves self rather than others. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:11.559 And there's a type of leadership that's interested in what you can gain from your position of leadership 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:13.500 rather than what you can give. 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:22.840 And that kind of leader shows up in the church just like everywhere else. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:28.120 In every human organization, there are people who are interested in leadership, 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.700 and whether they realize it or not, 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:34.159 they're interested in what they can get from being a leader rather than what they can give. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:41.439 Now, Peter perhaps is talking primarily here of financial gain when he talks about shameful gain. 00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:43.759 Certainly there's people who would be interested in that, 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:50.399 but there's all kinds of ways that someone can gain in leadership in a way that actually hurts the community. 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:57.659 In his autobiography, About Face, the famous Army Colonel David Hackworth, 00:11:57.980 --> 00:12:02.559 he became famous, by the way, because he came out publicly against the Vietnam War 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:04.559 while he was still serving as a colonel, 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:08.019 tells the story of his time in the Army 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.959 and also tells about his growing frustrations with the Vietnam War. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:14.500 And one of his frustrations occurred when he showed up at Fort Lewis, 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:15.840 which is in Tacoma, Washington, 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:20.080 and he saw these soldiers being trained to go to the battlefields of Vietnam. 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:23.160 Near the end of their training, 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:27.940 there would come a time where they'd go to this constructed patrol camp. 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:30.220 This patrol base would be simulated, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.860 so they'd have these field training exercises 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:34.460 to simulate what it would be like to be in Vietnam. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:37.700 And they'd have this patrol base that was set up, 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:40.960 except it was in the snow 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:45.080 because it's in Tacoma, Washington. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:49.120 And so you have soldiers who are training 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:51.820 for the tropical and temperate temperatures, 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:53.660 the topic and temperate climate of Vietnam, 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:56.500 training in the snow of Tacoma, Washington. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.980 So what would happen is they'd show up for this training, 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.920 and those who were running, it would realize, 00:13:02.060 --> 00:13:04.200 hey, it's actually too cold for us to do this right now. 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:07.340 And so Hackworth would see that they would set up these bonfires, 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:09.280 and they'd just smoke cigarettes around the fire 00:13:09.280 --> 00:13:13.480 instead of preparing for the battle that was ahead of them. 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:16.159 Of course, the military had bases in other places 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.480 that were more like the climate in Vietnam. 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.580 They had bases in the Philippines, in Hawaii, 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:23.620 but those weren't the ones that were used. 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.340 And so he began to dig in. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:28.560 He was enraged, by the way, 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.100 that this is what the military was doing. 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:32.639 This is part of his growing frustration with the war in Vietnam. 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.560 He had to ask the question, 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:36.779 why is it that we're training people 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:38.259 in a way that's going to get them killed? 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:43.000 We are sending people who are unprepared to the battlefield. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.379 What he found out was this. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:50.919 It was big business to run an army base in Tacoma, Washington. 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:55.379 And the politicians there were unwilling to take the hit 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:56.659 that would happen to the economy 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:59.059 if the base shut down while it was snowing. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:04.980 And so, in exchange for money that needed to go to the military, 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:07.360 these politicians would lay out as one of their stipulations 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:09.180 that this base had to remain open. 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:15.940 And they put American lives at danger in the process 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:19.039 because these politicians were concerned, 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:22.720 not with serving eagerly, but verse four, 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:26.100 they were concerned with shameful gain. 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:31.440 They were exchanging the preparedness of American soldiers 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:36.000 and their lives for what they could get with power and money. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:44.600 God's leaders also put his people in incredible danger 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:48.940 when they serve themselves rather than others. 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:53.480 When they are interested in shameful gain 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:56.200 rather than building up God's people. 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.919 This happens in a variety of ways. 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.680 It can happen for pastors. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:03.259 Pastors perhaps are afraid that they might lose congregants, 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:04.800 and congregants means losing money, 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.359 and maybe that will affect their salary. 00:15:06.579 --> 00:15:11.639 And so, it's easy to not teach on certain portions of the Bible. 00:15:13.979 --> 00:15:16.199 It's easy to avoid the kind of things 00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:18.500 that might upset certain people in the church. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.019 Of course, they look great, right? 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:22.159 We're preaching the gospel. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.299 We're preaching through this book. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.000 It happens to be this hard passage. 00:15:25.099 --> 00:15:26.679 We're going to bury it in a larger section 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:28.120 so we don't have to discuss it. 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:31.679 Perhaps it was tempting for these elders as well. 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.799 It can happen in other ways. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:34.519 Not just fear around what we teach, 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.860 but fear around certain people. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:38.799 Maybe we're going to avoid having a hard conversation 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:42.480 because doing that's going to affect us personally. 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:47.159 And we'd rather live with comfort than do what's right. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:51.519 It can happen in other ways. 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:53.259 Now, perhaps, you know, 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.740 there are some people who receive compensation from the church, right? 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:58.519 And there's a temptation for them to do things for shameful gain. 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:01.060 There's also people who don't receive compensation from the church. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.220 And there's also a temptation for shameful gain. 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:06.720 There are people who desire church leadership 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:10.480 so that they can finally have their way. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.960 There are people who long for church leadership 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:19.360 so that they can finally get rid of that song that they don't like. 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:23.560 They can stop that ministry that they don't think is effective. 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:27.139 They can finally enact their vision for the church in the world. 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:31.379 They can finally do what is best for their group within the church. 00:16:32.479 --> 00:16:32.879 Right? 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:34.500 We need so-and-so to be an elder. 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.179 Finally, that will get changed. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.719 And our voice, right? 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:41.500 Our voice, our tribe within the church will finally be heard. 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:46.039 Philippians chapter 2. 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:50.740 We're questioned people, not answered people. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:55.039 Jesus looked not to his interests, but to the interests of others. 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.860 Those are the leaders that we need in the church. 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:03.360 Not leaders who are trying to make a church that's perfect for them, 00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:05.659 a church that conforms to all of their preferences, 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:09.119 but leaders who are seeking what's good for everyone else, 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.559 seeking what's good for the body. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:21.200 It is always tempting for leaders to look for ways to make things better for themselves 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.119 and worse for others. 00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:27.519 It's tempting for leaders to look at ways that will make things meet their preferences 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.220 rather than what will serve the body. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.519 And so it's a temptation. 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:35.460 It's a temptation in leadership in the world, 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:38.019 and it's a temptation in leadership in the church. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:40.900 Peter is telling them, 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:44.460 this is not how it should be among you. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.720 I've told some of you before, 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.339 if you were here, 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:49.220 when we went through Philippians, 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:51.379 I told you about an amazing church. 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.900 At this church, 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:56.099 everything is done right. 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.400 The church has a name, by the way. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.859 It's called Matthew Presbyterian Church. 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.799 It conforms to all my preferences. 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:06.180 We only sing songs that I like. 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:09.420 We only do the kind of things that I want to do. 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:13.080 We set the service time based on kind of my morning schedule and routine. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:18.100 It's also a very terrible and frightening church. 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:22.539 It's a terrible and frightening church because no one ever challenges me. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.259 No one else gets to have any input. 00:18:27.580 --> 00:18:29.180 No one gets to raise important questions. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:29.779 No one gets to have any input questions. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:34.440 When leaders come to the church, 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:38.220 they are not there to make their perfect dream church. 00:18:38.560 --> 00:18:39.320 This is not, 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.620 Cheyenne Mountain is not the dream perfect church for any of us. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:47.180 All of us have a list of things that we would change 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:49.660 about this church, right? 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:52.279 I have things I would change. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.480 You have things you would change. 00:18:55.080 --> 00:18:57.740 But we're not here for personal preference church. 00:18:58.100 --> 00:19:01.000 We are not here for shameful gain. 00:19:04.100 --> 00:19:05.680 And more than anyone else, 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:07.460 leaders need to be aware of that 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:09.040 because more than anyone else, 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.340 leaders have the ability and the power 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:15.200 to use their influence in that way. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:18.759 Peter warns against that. 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.920 That's not the kind of leadership 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:21.440 that's going to get us through suffering. 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:24.539 That's not going to be the community 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:27.759 that's going to survive when the storm comes. 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.180 By the way, you might be wondering, 00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:35.580 okay, there are six, seven elders at Cheyenne Mountain, 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:37.120 depending on how you do the math. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.840 What does this have to do with me? 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.840 First, this is what you should expect 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.179 and look for in leaders. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:49.159 This is the kind of person you should nominate 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:50.480 when we have officer nominations. 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:54.959 When you move, when you PCS, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.959 what kind of church are you going to look for? 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.779 Look for a church in which you believe 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:03.439 they have these types of elders. 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.359 This is what you should look for 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.819 in leaders in general, right? 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:08.079 If you're the leader of a family, 00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:08.879 if you're a father, 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:12.059 you could take this first 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.779 and you could apply it to your little flock. 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:17.959 If you're a single woman 00:20:17.959 --> 00:20:19.220 and you're looking for a man, 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.919 if you want a little flock at some point, 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.779 this is the kind of man you should be looking for. 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:29.299 You want a first Peter five kind of shepherd. 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:33.059 Peter goes on. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.399 It's not just a shameful gain. 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.079 By the way, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.879 I jumped ahead of myself here. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:40.480 Hackworth saw this situation at Fort Lewis 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:42.859 and decided he was going to do everything 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:44.000 in his power to fix it. 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:46.519 He couldn't fix the fort it was held at. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.299 There were a lot of things he couldn't fix, 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.859 but everything that he could, he did. 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.879 He started to hold leaders 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:52.779 who were under his command accountable. 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.299 He began showing up to classes incognito, 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:57.819 so he would dress as if he was a private, 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:00.379 so no one would know he was there auditing. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:03.059 At one point, he blew his cover 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.379 and took over the class 00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:06.359 so that he could teach what needed to be taught. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.579 He sacrificed himself 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:12.759 for the sake of these people, 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:14.019 knowing that what mattered 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.839 was their safety and their lives, 00:21:16.639 --> 00:21:18.759 much, much more than his comfort 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.079 and his convenience. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.680 Verse three, 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.599 not just from, 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.519 are we avoiding shameful gain, 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.859 but we're avoiding domineering 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.980 those in your charge, 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.460 being examples to the flock. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.799 Elders lead by example. 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.879 They don't lead by explosions of anger 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:40.799 or threats 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.859 or power moves. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.319 That's not how God's shepherds operate. 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:49.879 Instead, they're operating 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:51.179 as examples to the flock 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.379 that people can look at them 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:54.839 and see this is what a godly 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.659 and humble leader looks like. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.720 First Timothy three, 00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:00.079 when it lays out the qualifications 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.619 for elders, 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.579 says this should be someone 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.359 who's gentle. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.099 Also says it should be someone 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.379 who's not contentious. 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.679 If you are looking for someone 00:22:09.679 --> 00:22:10.740 to be a leader in the church, 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.399 you are not looking for the person 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.960 who demonstrates to everyone 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:16.299 that they're able to win every debate. 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:20.519 You're looking for someone 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.700 who is willing to serve. 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:25.039 They don't impose their will on others, 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:27.039 right, through personality or power. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.659 Church leaders can sometimes 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.679 become isolated 00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:32.939 and become heavy-handed 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:35.579 without even realizing it. 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:39.099 It's important instead 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.919 for God's leaders 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:42.259 not to be domineering, 00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:44.779 but being examples to the flock. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:48.740 And what do you get? 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.680 It's tempting for leaders, right, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:55.180 to seek shameful gain 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:57.500 because they want to get something 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.200 for their leadership. 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.460 If that's your view 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.099 of church leadership, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.359 I have some bad news for you. 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:08.000 Church leadership is a lot less 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.619 getting your way, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.359 expressing your opinion all the time, 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.399 being able to do 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:13.200 whatever you want to do, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.360 and it's a lot more of 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:16.100 taking out the church's trash, 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.740 telling people things 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.580 they don't want to hear, 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.620 confronting people in their sin, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.059 dealing with conflict in the church, 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:24.700 having things said about you 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.380 that are not true 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:25.980 and not being able 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.900 to defend yourself, 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:29.400 being a punching bag for Jesus. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.819 What do you get? 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:35.859 You get suffering. 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:39.419 If you're a leader in the church, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.480 what you gain 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.779 is tremendous suffering. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.539 Verse one, 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.279 I exhort the elders among you 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.079 as a fellow elder 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.599 and a witness 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.859 of the sufferings of Christ. 00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.919 What else do you get? 00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:54.960 You get Jesus. 00:23:58.439 --> 00:24:00.079 Verse four, 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:01.079 elders, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:13.759 your service in the church 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:17.699 is not so you can gain things 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.980 now and here, 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:23.679 but it's that you can gain 00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:25.619 the honor and glory 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.539 that Jesus Christ 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.579 will bring to you 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.599 when he returns. 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:33.099 And so you suffer 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:35.619 knowing that he is coming back, 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.500 doing what you need to do 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.359 in the church, 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:39.699 not for your own gain, 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.000 but to build it up 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:42.740 so that we would grow together 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.980 as one body, 00:24:44.139 --> 00:24:45.399 giving tremendous honor 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.919 and glory to Jesus Christ 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:48.299 as we serve one another. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.919 And we're serving, 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:53.799 verse four, 00:24:53.899 --> 00:24:54.899 the chief shepherd. 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.279 In other words, 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.500 Jesus is the one 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.940 who is the shepherd 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.799 of this church. 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.599 We said that multiple times 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.460 during the transition 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.200 when we didn't have 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.819 a lead pastor, 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:04.240 we would say, 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.160 Jesus is the one 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.899 who leads his church. 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.460 That is still true now. 00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:11.579 And everyone who leads 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.299 in his church 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:14.059 will answer to him. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.119 And so there's both 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.680 an encouragement 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.420 and a warning, right? 00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.000 The encouragement 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.819 is you serve 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:20.339 not to get things now here, 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.539 but to get Jesus. 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:21.680 Jesus, 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:25.240 there's also a warning. 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.639 The chief shepherd 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.399 is coming back. 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.859 If you remember 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.740 in our worship guide, 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.839 we read at the very beginning 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:36.240 our preparation for worship, 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:38.079 Hebrews chapter 13, 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:38.899 verse 17, 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.519 obey your leaders 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.460 and submit to them, 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:43.619 for they are keeping watch 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.599 over your souls. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.019 By the way, 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.180 this word keeping watch 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.379 is talking about someone 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:48.299 who's keeping watch 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.019 at night. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.639 Another way to translate it 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.639 would be those 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:54.019 who are losing sleep 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.139 over your souls. 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.440 They're not gaining, 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.000 they're losing 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.339 as those who will have 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.119 to give an account. 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:04.240 In other words, 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.660 I don't know exactly 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.559 what it's going to look like, 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.279 but it's going to look 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.160 something like this. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.319 When Jesus returns, 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:11.119 he is going to sit 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.740 with the elders 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.460 of Cheyenne Mountain 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.539 Presbyterian Church 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:14.879 and he's going to take out 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.740 our church directory. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.400 And he's going to go 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.579 name by name 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.439 through the directory 00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:21.339 and he's going to say, 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.220 what about so-and-so? 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:28.460 As those who will have 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.199 to give an account. 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.559 And so we serve 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.399 as leaders 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:33.879 knowing 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:35.359 that we answer 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.000 to Jesus. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.099 We answer to Jesus 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.819 in our failure 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.740 and our success. 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.119 But most of all, 00:26:41.139 --> 00:26:41.740 we look to him 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.379 in our suffering 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.059 knowing that 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.119 that is our goal 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.659 as leaders. 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:47.019 Not shameful gain, 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.119 but the unfading 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:49.920 crown of glory. 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.200 If you are going 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.799 to lead, 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:58.160 do it because you want 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:59.240 to shepherd the flock. 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.680 That is Peter's 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:05.500 fundamental command here 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.259 and do it 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:08.019 because you want 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.579 to serve 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.559 the chief shepherd. 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.500 Jesus is 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.379 the great shepherd 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.740 shepherd of the sheep. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.480 By the way, 00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:21.640 that's the example 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:23.000 that Jesus has left us. 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.000 In the gospel, 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:26.360 I should say first 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:26.920 in the world, 00:27:27.020 --> 00:27:27.780 we use our power 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:28.920 to lift ourselves up. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.280 Jesus took his power 00:27:32.280 --> 00:27:32.800 and he used it 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:33.920 to lift other people up 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.900 and push himself down. 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:37.440 And he did that 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.940 fundamentally 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:39.360 by dying for us 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:39.960 and our sins 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.580 on the cross. 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:43.579 And so as Christian leaders, 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.379 we also use our power 00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:47.279 to push ourselves down 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.799 and lift other people up. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.019 Jesus, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.139 the chief shepherd, 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.519 is the example 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.819 for his under-shepherds. 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.460 The gospel 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.339 is the narrative 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.059 that informs 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.919 how leaders 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:59.419 in the church operate. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.059 They operate 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.259 for the sake of others 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.500 just like Jesus did. 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:07.339 In the gospel of Luke 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:08.480 in chapter 22, 00:28:08.639 --> 00:28:09.460 there's a dispute 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.079 between Jesus' 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.100 and his disciples 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:12.420 and it tells us this. 00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:14.360 A dispute arose among them 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.100 as to which of them 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.860 was to be regarded 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.559 as the greatest. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.680 And he said to them, 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:20.059 the kings of the Gentiles 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.799 exercised lordship over them 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.720 and those in authority 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.180 over them 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.380 are called benefactors. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:27.980 But not so with you. 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.460 Rather, 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.799 let the greatest among you 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.700 become as the youngest 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.620 and the leaders 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.799 as one who serves. 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.740 For who is the greater, 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.100 one who reclines at table 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:38.079 or one who serves? 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.059 Is it not the one 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.019 who reclines at table? 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.139 But I, 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.139 Jesus, 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.659 am among you 00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.759 as one who serves. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.379 And so also 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.779 the shepherds 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.879 of the church. 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.859 Our next command 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.980 comes in verse 5. 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.480 So we've had 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.240 shepherd the flock. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.419 Verse 5, 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.539 likewise you are younger, 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.799 be subject to the elders. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:06.079 Now we could take this 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.059 as a command 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.639 only to young people, 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.659 old people, 00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.460 older folks 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.419 don't really need to worry 00:29:11.419 --> 00:29:11.980 about what the elders 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.559 have to say. 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.579 However, 00:29:14.859 --> 00:29:15.720 in this context, 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.319 elders, 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.779 follow the logic 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.240 with me here, 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.259 elders is referring 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.180 to leaders of the church, 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.399 not all older people. 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.000 And so the younger here 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.599 in context 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.659 are the opposite of that, 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.139 the non-leaders 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:28.619 of the church. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.220 So this is not 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.539 primarily a distinction 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.139 of age, 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:32.139 although that may happen 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.020 in certain situations, 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.480 it's likely that elders 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.400 are going to end up 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.940 in general being older 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:39.020 and some are sometimes 00:29:39.020 --> 00:29:39.560 going to be younger. 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.500 But the distinction here 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.759 primarily in this passage 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:43.220 is between the elders, 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.680 those who lead, 00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.480 and the younger, 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.380 i.e. those who are not elders. 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.900 You who are younger, 00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.920 you who are not elders, 00:29:52.020 --> 00:29:53.780 be subject to the elders. 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:55.880 I mentioned at the beginning 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.560 that power, 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.460 those who have power, 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:57.759 elders, 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.640 can be like a fire. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.080 They can warm 00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:01.120 and nurture the house 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.000 or they can burn it down. 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:05.160 Followers can fan 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.340 that fire into flame 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:08.020 or they can snuff it out. 00:30:09.780 --> 00:30:11.420 There's a type of following 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:14.020 that causes incredible headaches 00:30:14.020 --> 00:30:14.640 for the leadership 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.300 of the church. 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.880 And those are followers 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.700 who refuse 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:21.100 to be subject. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.780 This could look 00:30:22.780 --> 00:30:23.600 in a variety of ways. 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.480 It could be someone 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.720 who's causing trouble 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.440 in the church. 00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:28.920 And it gets to a point 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.340 where the elders 00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:30.600 have to talk to this individual 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.320 about the trouble 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.139 that they're stirring up 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:33.079 and this person says, 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:33.259 well, 00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:34.439 I really don't care 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:34.819 what you have to do. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.099 I answer to Jesus. 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:41.460 Jesus is this chief shepherd. 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:43.299 He has under shepherds. 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.519 It could be someone. 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.579 They're not an elder, 00:30:47.679 --> 00:30:48.339 but they still have 00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.240 an agenda for the church. 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.480 They have a perfect church 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.000 in mind 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.180 and they're going to push 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:53.039 for it no matter what. 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.839 And they don't realize, 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.799 Philippians chapter 1, 00:30:58.880 --> 00:30:59.720 that we have to discern 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.420 what's best 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.599 and approve what's excellent. 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.619 And we can't do everything 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.240 as a church. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.779 There are a million good things 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.720 we could do in this city. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.480 We could probably actually 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.640 only do one or two of them. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.339 And sometimes, 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.460 we have to make hard decisions 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.700 about what those things are. 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:20.480 And so being subject 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.980 to the elder 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.019 sometimes is realizing 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.700 and recognizing 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:23.680 this is a good thing 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.680 and we as a church 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.920 aren't able to do it right now. 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:28.259 And I'm going to move forward 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.819 with this church 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.799 building up the body 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.440 rather than subverting it. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:34.160 Rather than going around 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.559 the church 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.759 and stirring up division. 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.559 Rather than gossiping. 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:41.660 There is a type 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:42.740 of followership 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:43.500 in the church 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.980 that wastes 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.680 incredible amounts 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.580 of time and energy. 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:50.640 There is division 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.340 that's stirred up 00:31:51.340 --> 00:31:51.779 in the church 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.440 that wastes 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:54.200 countless institutional hours 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.980 between the elders combined. 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:58.440 Another way to put it 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.559 would be this. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.120 Imagine 00:32:00.120 --> 00:32:02.380 if the elders 00:32:02.380 --> 00:32:02.920 of the church 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:04.019 did not have to spend 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:05.259 any time 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.380 addressing conflict. 00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:09.580 Imagine what we could 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.840 accomplish as a body. 00:32:12.840 --> 00:32:13.900 Imagine what we could 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:14.700 get done 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:16.680 if people were willing 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.620 to come together 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:20.440 following the leaders 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:21.580 that God has given them 00:32:21.580 --> 00:32:24.039 even as they do so 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.799 imperfectly. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.799 By the way, 00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:27.840 our preparation for worship 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:29.160 spoke to this as well. 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.460 Talks about leaders. 00:32:30.560 --> 00:32:31.440 They'll have to give an account. 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.220 But it ends with this. 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:34.420 Let them do this with joy 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.340 and not with groaning 00:32:35.340 --> 00:32:36.240 for that would be 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.660 of no advantage 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.400 to you. 00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:42.200 You hurt yourself 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:44.800 when you rebel 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.360 against leaders 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:45.960 in the church. 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:48.220 You hurt yourself 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:48.980 because they're actually 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.960 trying to point you 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.720 towards righteousness 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.280 and holiness, 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.320 something that is 00:32:52.320 --> 00:32:53.100 for your good. 00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.960 You hurt yourself 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.040 because you're stirring up 00:32:56.040 --> 00:32:56.900 division in the church 00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.740 and then you wonder 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.500 why the church 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.200 isn't doing better 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.880 than it is. 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:02.160 because the leaders 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:02.880 are spending time 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.420 with you 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:07.320 rather than the ministry 00:33:07.320 --> 00:33:08.520 that God has called them to. 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:11.000 And so it is 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.200 of no advantage 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.960 to you 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:14.820 to stir up 00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:16.740 division in the church 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.460 to rebel. 00:33:19.340 --> 00:33:19.820 Instead, 00:33:20.820 --> 00:33:21.880 we have leaders 00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:22.880 who are sacrificing 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.480 and followers 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.160 who are following. 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:29.300 By the way, 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.480 in verse 2, 00:33:31.040 --> 00:33:31.640 this phrase, 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.480 among you, 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:33.920 shepherd the flock 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.960 of God that is among you, 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:36.759 the word here 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.180 is the idea 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.880 of an apportion 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.640 or an allotment. 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.420 In other words, 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.500 God has given us 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.100 to each other. 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.860 The elders 00:33:44.860 --> 00:33:45.600 that you have, 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.420 God gave them to you. 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.840 The congregants, 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.400 you all, 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.480 God has given you 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:51.960 to us. 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:56.040 With all our quirks, 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:58.460 with all our flaws, 00:33:59.300 --> 00:34:00.259 both in leaders 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.900 and in followers, 00:34:01.120 --> 00:34:01.920 we are the people 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.560 that God has 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:03.140 for each other. 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:06.960 And so imperfectly, 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:09.420 we are walking together, 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.980 following Jesus together 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:12.500 as one community. 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.680 And if we want that 00:34:14.680 --> 00:34:15.639 to be a thick 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:17.240 and rich community, 00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:20.180 we need leaders 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:21.139 who sacrifice. 00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.960 And followers 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.819 who follow, 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.519 who are subject 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.139 to the elders. 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:29.819 Finally, 00:34:29.899 --> 00:34:31.039 we have our last command, 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.719 clothe yourselves, 00:34:31.839 --> 00:34:32.219 all of you, 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:32.779 with humility 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.639 towards one another. 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.899 For God opposes the proud 00:34:34.899 --> 00:34:35.559 but gives grace 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.039 to the humble. 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.940 How do we do it? 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.239 How can you be 00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:41.399 a sacrificial leader 00:34:41.399 --> 00:34:42.460 and a humble follower? 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.599 A follower 00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:45.759 who doesn't stir up division 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.440 but is willing 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.779 to receive correction 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.619 and hear a no 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:50.980 instead of always hearing yes. 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:51.679 The answer 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.519 that Peter gives us 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.219 is humility. 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:56.059 Remember I mentioned 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.899 two weeks ago 00:34:56.899 --> 00:34:58.039 that there's a rich 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:59.239 humility 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.459 that comes with the gospel. 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.980 You are so flawed 00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:04.759 and sinful 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:06.019 that Jesus had 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.939 to die for you. 00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:11.239 Maybe I, 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.779 not maybe, 00:35:12.859 --> 00:35:14.359 but I am so sinful 00:35:14.359 --> 00:35:14.739 and flawed 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.279 that Jesus had 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:15.980 to die for me. 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.279 Maybe that means 00:35:17.279 --> 00:35:18.039 I don't get everything 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.799 right all the time. 00:35:20.359 --> 00:35:21.259 Maybe it means 00:35:21.259 --> 00:35:22.099 you don't get everything 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.859 right all the time. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:25.980 But we're the people 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.579 who've been allotted 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.239 to each other. 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.839 And so we walk 00:35:29.839 --> 00:35:30.719 in humility 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:32.459 recognizing our own 00:35:32.459 --> 00:35:33.639 foibles and flaws 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.879 and working together 00:35:34.879 --> 00:35:36.859 the best that we can. 00:35:39.359 --> 00:35:40.099 We've had some 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:41.919 positive motivations here. 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:44.079 The chief shepherd's 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:44.799 going to appear. 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.619 There's a positive 00:35:46.619 --> 00:35:47.519 and negative one here. 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.719 God opposes the proud 00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.419 but gives grace 00:35:49.419 --> 00:35:49.919 to the humble. 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:49.980 people. 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:54.519 If you are a leader 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:57.360 and you are looking 00:35:57.360 --> 00:35:58.659 to use your power 00:35:58.659 --> 00:35:59.920 and your influence 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:01.880 to impose your will 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.639 on the church, 00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:06.260 God is opposed to you. 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.740 If you are a follower, 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:16.699 even if you know 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.419 your theology 00:36:17.419 --> 00:36:18.219 really well, 00:36:18.759 --> 00:36:21.159 but you are stirring 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.719 up division 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:22.399 in the church, 00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:24.599 God is opposed 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:24.959 to you. 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.459 We cannot 00:36:28.459 --> 00:36:29.379 mince words 00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:30.259 where the scripture 00:36:30.259 --> 00:36:31.179 does not mince them. 00:36:32.899 --> 00:36:34.279 And so this is not 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:35.419 just a feel-good 00:36:35.419 --> 00:36:36.199 kumbaya 00:36:36.199 --> 00:36:37.899 passage for God's people, 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.400 but it is a serious 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.000 command 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.200 and a serious 00:36:41.200 --> 00:36:41.700 warning. 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.420 God opposes the proud 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.180 but gives grace 00:36:44.180 --> 00:36:44.680 to the humble. 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:46.860 On the other hand, 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.559 if you are a leader 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:48.500 making mistakes 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.180 with flaws 00:36:49.180 --> 00:36:50.740 as all leaders are, 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:53.300 but you have humility, 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:54.660 you're willing 00:36:54.660 --> 00:36:55.320 to recognize 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.039 your mistakes 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.519 and correct, 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.039 you're willing 00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:58.099 to work alongside 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.260 and with other people, 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.420 God's grace 00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.079 is for you. 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.300 And if you're 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:04.800 a follower, 00:37:05.200 --> 00:37:05.680 imperfect 00:37:05.680 --> 00:37:06.519 and flawed 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.159 and sinful, 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.840 making many mistakes, 00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:11.539 but you're humble 00:37:11.539 --> 00:37:12.820 and you're seeking 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.559 to build up 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.059 your leaders 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.599 in the body, 00:37:14.739 --> 00:37:15.360 God's grace 00:37:15.360 --> 00:37:15.960 is with you. 00:37:18.739 --> 00:37:19.719 And our hope 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:20.960 is not in 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:21.920 our behavior 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.519 ultimately, 00:37:23.699 --> 00:37:24.900 but our hope 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.440 and our praise 00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:25.960 is that God 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:26.739 has not always 00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:27.679 followed the pattern 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.599 of opposing the proud 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:29.239 and giving grace 00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.719 to the humble. 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.579 Because when Jesus 00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.179 died, 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:35.360 he did the exact 00:37:35.360 --> 00:37:35.900 opposite. 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:38.699 when Jesus 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.579 died on the cross, 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:41.019 God opposed 00:37:41.019 --> 00:37:41.559 the humble. 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:44.219 He took Jesus 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.000 who was humble 00:37:45.000 --> 00:37:46.239 and he allowed 00:37:46.239 --> 00:37:46.820 him to die. 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:49.780 And then he gave 00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:50.900 grace to the proud. 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.679 He gave grace 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.900 to you and me 00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:55.539 who are flawed 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:55.960 and sinful. 00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:56.759 He gave grace 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.400 to leaders 00:37:57.400 --> 00:37:58.500 who make mistakes 00:37:58.500 --> 00:38:00.039 and followers 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:00.719 who don't always 00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.259 get it right. 00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:05.540 He opposed 00:38:05.540 --> 00:38:06.440 the humble 00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:08.400 to give grace 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:09.080 to the proud. 00:38:10.180 --> 00:38:11.000 And so that's our hope, 00:38:11.080 --> 00:38:11.160 right? 00:38:11.200 --> 00:38:11.640 That's what we're 00:38:11.640 --> 00:38:12.460 uniting around 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.760 as one community. 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.880 We're uniting around 00:38:14.880 --> 00:38:15.380 the fact 00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:17.100 that Jesus is there 00:38:17.100 --> 00:38:18.200 doing that for us, 00:38:18.240 --> 00:38:19.120 that we are sinned 00:38:19.120 --> 00:38:19.440 and flawed 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.220 so much so 00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:20.800 that we deserve 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.420 God's wrath 00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:21.960 and his judgment, 00:38:22.100 --> 00:38:22.780 but Jesus died 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.360 on our behalf 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:24.140 taking the penalty 00:38:24.140 --> 00:38:24.900 for our sin 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:26.380 for everyone 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:27.119 who's willing 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:27.720 to repent 00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.559 and have faith 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.079 and hope 00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:30.059 in Jesus Christ. 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.300 Jesus models this 00:38:34.300 --> 00:38:35.619 for us 00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.880 in John chapter 13. 00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.680 He's near the end 00:38:37.680 --> 00:38:38.380 of his ministry. 00:38:39.220 --> 00:38:40.039 They're preparing 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:40.800 for the Passover 00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:43.639 and he washes 00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.360 everyone's feet. 00:38:47.099 --> 00:38:48.059 And who doesn't 00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:48.820 want to be subject 00:38:48.820 --> 00:38:49.539 to the elders? 00:38:52.200 --> 00:38:52.940 It's Peter. 00:38:55.720 --> 00:38:57.079 Peter tells Jesus, 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:57.680 no, 00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:59.360 you can't wash 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.019 my feet. 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.700 He said, 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:07.500 you shall never 00:39:07.500 --> 00:39:08.320 wash my feet 00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:09.260 and Jesus answered him, 00:39:09.340 --> 00:39:10.460 if I do not wash you, 00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:12.360 you have no share 00:39:12.360 --> 00:39:12.860 with me. 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.720 Simon Peter said to him, 00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.059 Lord, 00:39:17.180 --> 00:39:18.280 not my feet only, 00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.900 but also my hands 00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:20.460 and my head. 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:24.960 And then he says, 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:25.679 do you not understand 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.519 what I have done to you? 00:39:26.539 --> 00:39:27.300 You call me teacher 00:39:27.300 --> 00:39:27.699 and Lord 00:39:27.699 --> 00:39:28.300 and you are right 00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.119 for so I am. 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:30.760 If I then, 00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:31.480 your Lord and teacher, 00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.599 have washed your feet, 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:33.460 you also ought 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.780 to wash one another's feet. 00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:36.599 For I have given you 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:37.099 an example 00:39:37.099 --> 00:39:38.300 that you also should do 00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:39.119 just as I have done 00:39:39.119 --> 00:39:39.480 to you. 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:39.920 Truly, 00:39:40.099 --> 00:39:40.340 truly, 00:39:40.460 --> 00:39:41.099 I say to you, 00:39:42.179 --> 00:39:42.619 a servant 00:39:42.619 --> 00:39:43.139 is not greater 00:39:43.139 --> 00:39:43.840 than his master 00:39:43.840 --> 00:39:44.659 nor is a messenger 00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:45.519 greater than the one 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.099 who sent him. 00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:52.420 How do we handle 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.820 power in the church? 00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:55.900 And how do we have 00:39:55.900 --> 00:39:58.260 thick and rich community? 00:39:59.380 --> 00:40:01.079 We do it by having leaders 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:02.480 who want to sacrifice 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:03.599 rather than gain. 00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:08.240 We do it by having followers 00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:10.099 who are willing 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:13.280 to follow Jesus together 00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:15.139 as they follow his shepherds. 00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:17.780 We're only able to do it 00:40:17.780 --> 00:40:18.800 as we clothe ourselves 00:40:18.800 --> 00:40:19.480 with humility. 00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:22.220 And we do it 00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:23.039 because we know 00:40:23.039 --> 00:40:24.079 that Jesus' grace 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.980 is for us. 00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:26.179 He set us his example 00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:28.159 by washing feet 00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:29.139 and being among us 00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:30.000 as one who serves. 00:40:30.720 --> 00:40:31.639 And he's enabled 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:32.380 and empowered it 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.400 by being the one 00:40:33.400 --> 00:40:34.300 who allowed God 00:40:34.300 --> 00:40:35.380 to oppose the humble 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:37.380 so that he could give grace 00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:38.780 to us who are proud. 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:40.880 And so that's our hope 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:42.300 and our confidence. 00:40:43.039 --> 00:40:43.800 Please pray with me. 00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:47.039 Our Father in heaven, 00:40:47.179 --> 00:40:48.159 we thank you 00:40:48.159 --> 00:40:49.260 for your word 00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.680 and we ask 00:40:50.680 --> 00:40:51.400 that you would drive it 00:40:51.400 --> 00:40:52.280 deep into our hearts, 00:40:53.240 --> 00:40:54.740 that we would be filled 00:40:54.740 --> 00:40:55.440 more and more 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.200 with the humility 00:40:56.200 --> 00:40:57.360 that comes with the gospel 00:40:57.360 --> 00:40:59.240 and it would cause us 00:40:59.240 --> 00:41:00.840 to serve you 00:41:00.840 --> 00:41:01.760 and one another. 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:03.340 We ask these things 00:41:03.340 --> 00:41:04.080 in Jesus' name. 00:41:04.760 --> 00:41:04.960 Amen.