WEBVTT

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 It is my joy to present to you, I guess, introduce you to our speaker for this morning.

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 His name is Joel Shory.

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 He's a pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Newark, Delaware.

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 It's a church plant also, three years ago.

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 But before that, he was serving at Covenant Fellowship Church,

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 where we've had a lot of pastors come and visit us from.

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 You've been pastors in 2005, right, Joel?

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 And Joel's married to his wife, Ashley.

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 They have four children.

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 They're all a lot older than my kids.

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 Joel's a wonderful man of God, and he had great leadership gifts

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 and serves a lot in our denominational context as well.

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 So he was actually on the ordination committee that was grilling me

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 when I was getting ordained through Sovereign Grace.

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 And he serves as a church planting committee now,

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 helping church plants get started within our denominations in various places in our region.

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 And Joel, thanks for coming to serve us.

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 Joel is actually the youth pastor at Covenant Fellowship

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 for a lot of the Hawkins non-grown children when they were youth.

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 So it's wonderful to have him come and have that connection.

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 So Joel, come and serve us, please.

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 Good morning, everybody.

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 Good morning.

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 It really is a joy to be with you today.

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 I am very grateful for the opportunity,

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 particularly on this special occasion as we install Matt as an elder here.

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 I not only love Sean and his leadership of this church,

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 and Hannah I met last night and spent time,

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 but I also love Matt and Cheryl and their whole family very, very much.

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 We were members of Covenant Fellowship Church together for many years.

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 And honestly, I'll never forget when we first found out

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 that they were prayerfully considering moving all the way up to Boston

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 to be a part of this local church family.

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 I was and I still am blown away by that sacrifice of service

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 and willingness to follow the Lord in all of life.

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 So I love it very much.

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 Not only do I love your pastors, I love all of you,

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 even though we have never met before.

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 I cherish being in partnership with all of you in our denomination,

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 Sovereign Grace Churches,

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 and my own church family, Redeemer Fellowship,

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 and you aren't dealt with.

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 I send their greetings and their love to you and the Lord this morning.

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 It is an honor.

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 Friends, if you have your Bibles,

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 please go ahead and open them with me to 1 Peter chapter 5.

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 1 Peter chapter 5.

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 We're going to read the first four verses

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 as we consider pastoral ministry and elders within the church.

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 Peter says this.

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 He says,

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 So I exhort the elders among you

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 as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,

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 as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed,

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 shepherd the flock of God that is among you,

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 exercising oversight,

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 not under compulsion,

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 but willingly as God would have you,

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 not for shameful gain,

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 but eagerly,

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 not domineering over those in your charge,

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 but being examples to the flock.

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 And when the chief shepherd appears,

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 you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

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 Amen.

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 May God bless the preaching of his word this morning.

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 Friends,

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 I want to talk to you about godly leadership this morning.

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 And as you may know,

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 godly leadership is under attack in our day and age.

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 And oftentimes,

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 leadership is under attack

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 because of very legitimate concerns

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 about the abuse of power

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 because of ungodly men

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 using their leadership to do harm

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 rather than to do good.

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 Sadly,

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 people have an issue with leaders

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 and sadly,

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 people specifically have an issue with pastors

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 because so many pastors

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 have used their positions of leadership

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 in very ungodly ways.

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 But my friends,

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 that does not mean that leadership

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 is inherently bad.

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 Now,

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 in fact,

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 God's word

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 paints a very different picture for us.

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 It paints a picture not just that leadership is important,

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 but rather that godly leadership

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 is an extraordinary gift and a blessing.

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 That God calls gifted and qualified men

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 to lead his church

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 in ways that will edify

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 and encourage

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 and strengthen

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 and build up his people

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 as they live lives in this fallen world.

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 God calls weak and unimpressive men

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 to fill an extraordinary role

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 in the life of his church.

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 But these men

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 will only be a blessing

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 if they pastor

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 under the chief pastor

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 or the chief shepherd.

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 And this is what we see

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 in 1 Peter 5,

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 verses 1 to 4.

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 This passage

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 is about the shepherding care

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 of pastors

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 within local congregations.

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 In these verses,

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 Peter is talking directly

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 to the men

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 that are called

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 to serve as pastors

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 in the local church.

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 And so specifically

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 in our context

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 here this morning,

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 Peter is talking

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 most directly

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 to Sean

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 and to Matt

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 as your pastors.

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 But Trinity,

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 that does not mean

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 that as a church

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 you should not pay

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 very close attention

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 to what he says.

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 Why?

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 Because we all need

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 to be led.

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 We need to be led

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 by Jesus first,

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 but we also need

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 to be led

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 by godly leaders

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 within the body

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 of Christ.

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 And because we should

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 know what to look

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 for in these leaders.

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 How do we know

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 whether our pastors

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 are leading us

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 well or not?

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 Well,

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 Peter helps us

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 to know today.

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 And so while

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 these first four verses

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 are primarily directed

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 towards pastors,

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 the entire church

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 should pay very

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 close attention

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 to what Peter says here

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 because this picture

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 that he paints

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 of pastoral ministry

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 is for all of our good

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 and for all of our joy

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 and for the strength

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 of our souls.

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 The main idea

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 for our message today

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 is simply this.

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 Pastors are gifts

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 of guidance

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 to God's people

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 who must themselves

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 be guided

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 by God's grace.

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 Pastors are gifts

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 of guidance

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 to God's people

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 who must themselves

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 be guided

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 by God's grace.

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 And friends,

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 believe it or not,

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 we have ten points

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 this morning.

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 I'm not joking.

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 We really do have

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 ten points this morning.

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 I promise not to preach

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 for an hour and a half.

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 But there are ten things

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 that are needed

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 for pastoral ministry

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 as seen

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 in these four verses.

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 Point number one,

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 pastors need

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 to remember

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 their calling.

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 Pastors need

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 to remember

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 their calling.

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 So we see this

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 in the first three words.

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 Peter says,

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 So I exhort you.

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 So I exhort the elders

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 among the words.

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 So there

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 is a tie back

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 to the preceding discussion

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 of chapter four,

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 which was primarily

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 about suffering

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 and trials

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 within the church.

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 If you read chapter four,

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 you will see

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 that an essential part

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 of our suffering

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 as God's people

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 is the testing

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 or the proving

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 of our faith

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 over time

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 that God is doing.

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 And Peter says

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 that this judgment,

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 he says in chapter four,

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 this testing

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 of our faith

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 we trial

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 begins with

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 the household

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 of God.

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 He says that it

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 begins with

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 the local church.

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 And so friends,

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 doesn't it make sense

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 that Peter would

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 move directly

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 from that discussion

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 about the testing

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 of our faith

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 within the church

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 to talking

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 about pastors?

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 If God's judgment

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 would begin

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 with the household

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 of God,

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 well then how

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 that household

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 is led

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 matters a great deal,

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 doesn't it?

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 In fact,

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 many scholars

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 see a direct

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 connection

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 between the judgment

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 of chapter four

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 verse 17,

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 they see a direct

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 connection all the way

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 back to Ezekiel

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 chapter nine

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 when God passes

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 through Jerusalem

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 to mark out

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 those who are his

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 and those who are not.

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 And it says explicitly

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 in Ezekiel chapter nine

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 verse six

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 that God will begin

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 with the elders

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 of the sanctuary.

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 And so it seems

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 very clear

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 in first Peter

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 chapter five

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 that it's consistent

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 with the pattern

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 of scripture

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 that when God

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 comes to evaluate

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 his church

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 on that final day,

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 he will begin

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 with the pastors.

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 James says

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 in chapter three

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 verse one,

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 not many of you

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 should become teachers,

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 my brothers,

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 for you know

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 that we who teach

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 will be judged

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 with greater strength.

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 And so if God's judgment

00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:55.100
 starts not only

00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:56.340
 with the church,

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 but with the leaders

00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:58.519
 of the church

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 that these verses

00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:01.599
 make sense here.

00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:04.000
 Peter needs to exhort

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 the pastors

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 to be faithful

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 to their calling,

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 not just for their own sake,

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 but for the church's sake.

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 As the pastors lead,

00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:16.819
 so goes the culture

00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:17.739
 of the church.

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 And so if the church

00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:21.120
 will be judged as faithful,

00:09:21.599 --> 00:09:23.419
 pastors must be exhorted

00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:24.639
 to lead faithfully

00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:25.939
 in their calling.

00:09:27.179 --> 00:09:27.759
 And Matt,

00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:30.179
 every pastor needs this

00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:31.519
 in their life, brother.

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 We need to remember

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 that our calling

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 is a holy calling.

00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.220
 That eternity

00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:38.799
 is at stake

00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.539
 for ourselves

00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.240
 and for those

00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:40.879
 that we lead.

00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.120
 Pastors are not just

00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.480
 building a fun club

00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:45.439
 that people can choose

00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:46.240
 to be a part of

00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:46.600
 or not.

00:09:46.699 --> 00:09:48.080
 No, the pastor's calling

00:09:48.080 --> 00:09:50.179
 is to the eternal matters

00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:51.039
 and every pastor

00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.819
 needs to be

00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:53.080
 regularly reminded

00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.340
 by each other,

00:09:54.900 --> 00:09:55.960
 by other pastors

00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:57.460
 and by their church family

00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:58.379
 that they are laboring

00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.660
 not for this world,

00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:00.879
 but for eternity

00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:02.320
 and for the glory of Christ.

00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.420
 Trinity,

00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.400
 pray for your pastors.

00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:07.759
 Thank you.

00:10:07.940 --> 00:10:08.759
 Pray for Matt

00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:10.900
 as he is ordained today.

00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.580
 Pray that he would never forget

00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:14.180
 the eternal significance

00:10:14.180 --> 00:10:15.660
 of his calling.

00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:18.320
 Point number two,

00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:20.460
 pastors need

00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.240
 team ministry.

00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.060
 Now this is a point

00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:25.340
 that Peter doesn't

00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:26.840
 clearly state in this text

00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.620
 but it is clearly

00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:29.820
 implicit in what he is saying

00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:30.860
 and it seems important

00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:32.139
 to highlight this morning.

00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:33.400
 Verse 1 says,

00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:35.160
 So I exhort the elders

00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:36.400
 among you.

00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:38.080
 That word elder

00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:39.440
 or elders

00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.600
 is the Greek word

00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:41.480
 presbyteros.

00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:42.560
 That word

00:10:42.560 --> 00:10:43.460
 when used throughout

00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:44.120
 the New Testament

00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:45.700
 to speak of the leaders

00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.200
 of the church

00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:47.720
 is always in

00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.680
 the plural.

00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:50.580
 It's never singular.

00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:54.060
 Paul charges Titus

00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.259
 to raise up elders

00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:56.560
 in the churches.

00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.160
 James instructs

00:10:58.160 --> 00:10:58.560
 the sick

00:10:58.560 --> 00:10:59.400
 to be prayed over

00:10:59.400 --> 00:11:00.340
 by the elders

00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.700
 of the church.

00:11:01.900 --> 00:11:02.200
 Plural.

00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.240
 Acts chapter 20

00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:04.240
 speaks of the elders

00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.320
 at Ephesus.

00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:06.660
 And we see this pattern

00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:07.700
 elsewhere in scripture

00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:08.500
 as well.

00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.100
 Moses raises up elders

00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.000
 to share leadership

00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.780
 with.

00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:12.800
 Jesus even had

00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:13.840
 12 disciples

00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.980
 and when he sent

00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:15.240
 them out

00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:15.899
 he did not send

00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.620
 them out alone

00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.639
 but together.

00:11:19.240 --> 00:11:20.139
 Alexander Strzok

00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.100
 in his excellent book

00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:22.320
 on biblical eldership

00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:23.280
 says this about

00:11:23.280 --> 00:11:24.420
 team ministry.

00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:25.139
 He says,

00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:26.540
 Shared leadership

00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:27.440
 should not be

00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.300
 a new concept

00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:29.820
 to a Bible reading

00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.360
 Christian.

00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.500
 Leadership

00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:33.200
 by a plurality

00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:33.660
 of elders

00:11:33.660 --> 00:11:34.800
 is a sound

00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:36.500
 biblical practice.

00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:38.180
 Friends,

00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:39.019
 here's why this is

00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.240
 important and so good

00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.000
 for us to see

00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:41.560
 this morning.

00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:43.839
 team ministry

00:11:43.839 --> 00:11:45.079
 or a plurality

00:11:45.079 --> 00:11:45.599
 of leaders

00:11:45.599 --> 00:11:46.759
 is so valuable

00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.639
 because it brings

00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.559
 balance

00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:49.739
 and accountability

00:11:49.739 --> 00:11:51.279
 to a pastoral team.

00:11:51.959 --> 00:11:52.679
 Shared gifting,

00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.059
 mutual accountability,

00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.500
 workload distribution.

00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:56.399
 Team ministry

00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.219
 is one of God's

00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:58.079
 primary ways

00:11:58.079 --> 00:11:58.919
 to strengthen

00:11:58.919 --> 00:11:59.819
 and to protect

00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.859
 his church.

00:12:01.479 --> 00:12:01.919
 Friends,

00:12:01.979 --> 00:12:02.919
 you have a wonderful

00:12:02.919 --> 00:12:04.159
 lead pastor.

00:12:04.379 --> 00:12:05.659
 Sean is such a gift

00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.479
 to all of you.

00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:07.379
 I remember I was on

00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.000
 the ordination committee

00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.500
 that examined Sean

00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.500
 and I was

00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:12.340
 blown away.

00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:12.940
 It was probably

00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:14.100
 the best exam

00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:15.399
 that I ever conducted.

00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.500
 The man's brilliant.

00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.419
 The man is gifted

00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.779
 and the man loves you.

00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.419
 But listen,

00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.440
 he's not enough

00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.080
 by himself.

00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.659
 He needs team.

00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.980
 And so praise God

00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:25.039
 that God has brought

00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:25.879
 Matt to be

00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.919
 by his side

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.960
 and we pray regularly

00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:28.980
 that God raise up

00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:30.120
 even more elders

00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:30.720
 among them.

00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.659
 Pastors need team ministry.

00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:33.940
 Point number three,

00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:35.820
 pastors need to live

00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:37.840
 in community.

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.179
 So verse one continues,

00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:42.039
 so I exhort the elders

00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:43.599
 among you.

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.159
 Those two words,

00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.299
 among you,

00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.839
 speak to a value

00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:49.620
 of biblical leadership

00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.239
 as well.

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.439
 They speak to the need

00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:51.899
 for leaders

00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.479
 to not be above

00:12:53.479 --> 00:12:54.620
 those that they lead

00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:56.120
 but among those

00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:56.779
 that they lead.

00:12:57.659 --> 00:13:00.059
 Pastors have God-given

00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:01.919
 authority over the church

00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.879
 to be sure

00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:04.759
 but they live among it

00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.120
 as part of the church

00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.839
 that they lead.

00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:08.500
 Friends,

00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.780
 too many pastors

00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:11.660
 today stand apart

00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:12.840
 from their church.

00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.940
 They stay in their offices.

00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.660
 They study hard.

00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.019
 They work at their books

00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.680
 and then they come

00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:19.080
 and teach

00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:20.100
 and then they retreat

00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:21.780
 back to their offices

00:13:21.780 --> 00:13:22.980
 but that's not

00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.379
 what a true shepherd is,

00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:24.940
 right?

00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:27.580
 Think about the rule

00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:28.480
 of a real shepherd.

00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:30.900
 A man with a stack

00:13:30.900 --> 00:13:31.519
 in his hand

00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:32.920
 guiding flocks

00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:33.400
 of sheep

00:13:33.400 --> 00:13:34.580
 to where they should go.

00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.780
 He can't do that

00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:37.020
 from behind a desk.

00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:38.980
 A skilled shepherd

00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:39.900
 spends days

00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:40.639
 with his sheep.

00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.420
 A skilled shepherd

00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:42.639
 knows the young

00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.660
 and the older sheep.

00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.139
 He knows which sheep

00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:45.660
 are weak

00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:46.780
 and which are strong.

00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:47.700
 He knows ones

00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.280
 that are prone

00:13:48.280 --> 00:13:48.900
 to wander

00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:50.420
 and need to be brought back.

00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:52.000
 A good shepherd

00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.759
 sleeps under the stars

00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.400
 protecting

00:13:54.400 --> 00:13:55.879
 and listening for danger.

00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.420
 A faithful shepherd

00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:58.060
 doesn't look out

00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:58.860
 and just see a big

00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:00.400
 pile of wool out there.

00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:00.660
 No,

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.960
 he knows the sheep

00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.560
 by name.

00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:06.180
 Dr. Timothy Laniak

00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:06.940
 is a professor

00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:08.780
 who also trains pastors

00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:10.740
 and back in 2003

00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.820
 he took a year-long

00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.560
 sabbatical

00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:14.600
 to visit many different

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.840
 Middle Eastern countries

00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.080
 in order to study

00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:18.060
 the imagery

00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.139
 of a shepherd.

00:14:20.160 --> 00:14:21.440
 During his sabbatical

00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:22.200
 he lived with

00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.080
 and spent time

00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.660
 with many different

00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:26.600
 modern-day shepherds

00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.639
 and he tells the story

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:29.460
 of one shepherd

00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:31.000
 whose name was Abu.

00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:32.519
 he asked Abu

00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.940
 about how much contact

00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.639
 he had

00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.720
 with his flock

00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:38.279
 of 2,000 sheep.

00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.299
 Now,

00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:42.159
 Abu was a very successful

00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.559
 and very affluent shepherd

00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:46.600
 with a lot of hired help

00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.519
 and so he could have

00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.559
 just delegated

00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.340
 the actual shepherding

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.340
 of the sheep

00:14:51.340 --> 00:14:52.299
 to other men

00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.960
 but he didn't.

00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:55.399
 His response

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.740
 to Laniak's question

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.720
 of how much time

00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.160
 he says,

00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.120
 he says,

00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.440
 I am with the sheep

00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.680
 every day.

00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:02.840
 He says,

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.360
 in the summer

00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:04.420
 I sleep outside

00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:05.200
 with them too.

00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.620
 If I weren't

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.019
 with them every day

00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.660
 I shouldn't be their son.

00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:11.600
 Church,

00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:12.420
 a pastor should be

00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:12.879
 among

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.779
 and a part

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.360
 of the church.

00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.320
 Church members

00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:17.440
 should know them

00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.259
 and that can only happen

00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:19.300
 when a pastor lives

00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:20.560
 within the community

00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.300
 and not just

00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.440
 over the community

00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.120
 and again,

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.399
 I love your pastors

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:24.840
 for this.

00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:25.740
 I traveled up here

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.840
 with them yesterday

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.879
 and just hearing them

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.180
 speak of all of you

00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.800
 by name

00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:31.240
 reflected this burden

00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:32.600
 in their hearts.

00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.120
 A pastor needs

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.139
 to live in community.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.379
 Point number four,

00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:37.740
 pastors need

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:40.360
 extra local care.

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.000
 So verse one continues,

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.820
 so I join the elders

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:45.660
 among you

00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:48.259
 as a fellow elder.

00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.180
 Very briefly,

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.160
 what we see here

00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.580
 is a biblical model

00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:54.139
 of extra local care

00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:54.840
 and partnership

00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:56.740
 being put on display.

00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.759
 Peter was not

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:59.180
 a local elder

00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.120
 of these churches

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.180
 that he is speaking to

00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:01.960
 but he chooses

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:03.300
 to relate to them here

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:05.180
 as a fellow elder.

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.399
 The speech

00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:09.680
 of the beautiful picture

00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.759
 in the New Testament

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.720
 of partnership

00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.100
 between churches

00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:15.180
 and between pastoral teams.

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:16.740
 Listen,

00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.420
 as we just talked

00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:18.379
 about team ministry,

00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:20.160
 pastors should not

00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.400
 pastor alone.

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.379
 They need plurality,

00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.440
 they need team ministry,

00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.860
 but it's also true

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.360
 that pastoral teams

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.460
 should not pastor alone.

00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:28.720
 No,

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:30.220
 they need partnership

00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.500
 with other local churches

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:33.580
 and with other pastoral teams.

00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:34.140
 And friends,

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.120
 this is why

00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.440
 we thank God

00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:37.780
 for Sovereign Grace Churches

00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:38.700
 as much as we do.

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.840
 We love our denomination

00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.180
 of churches so much

00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.540
 and I don't know about you

00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:44.680
 but I talk to my church family

00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.720
 about our denomination

00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.860
 all the time

00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.540
 and what a blessing

00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.400
 it is to us

00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:49.640
 to be a part of.

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.740
 I hope that you do too.

00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:53.100
 Not only does our partnership

00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:55.779
 help us to do global work,

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.799
 missions throughout the world,

00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:00.120
 not only does our denomination

00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:02.100
 encourage us as pastors

00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:03.080
 as we get to lead

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.919
 with other pastors

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.720
 and other churches,

00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:06.480
 you know,

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.740
 extralocal partnership

00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.859
 is also a significant blessing

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:12.380
 to individual church members

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.079
 as well.

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.519
 You get to partner

00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.180
 with people throughout the globe

00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.519
 who are like-minded

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.220
 and are serving

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.079
 in the same way.

00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.819
 One of the ways

00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.400
 that this is true

00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:24.440
 is how extralocal partnership

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:27.120
 holds your pastoral team

00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:27.700
 accountable

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.359
 to how they are shepherding you

00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.400
 on a daily basis.

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:31.880
 Friends,

00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.420
 did you know this

00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.299
 about our denomination?

00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.000
 Did you know that

00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.380
 within Sovereign Grace Churches

00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.740
 there are policies

00:17:36.740 --> 00:17:38.420
 and procedures in place

00:17:38.420 --> 00:17:39.400
 that allow members

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.599
 of any local church

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.500
 in Sovereign Grace

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.660
 who feels as if

00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.339
 their pastors

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.700
 are not being faithful

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:46.460
 or who are being authoritative

00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.740
 or abusive,

00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:49.440
 if they have a charge

00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.460
 against their pastor,

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.259
 there are ways

00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.860
 that members

00:17:51.860 --> 00:17:52.660
 of a local church

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.420
 can invite

00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:54.299
 the care

00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.100
 and accountability

00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.900
 and leadership

00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.500
 of extralocal churches

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.579
 to come in

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.259
 and to help.

00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:00.660
 What a gift!

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.019
 That your pastors

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:03.960
 don't have the authority

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.660
 in and of themselves

00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.440
 just to do whatever

00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.079
 they want to do,

00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.079
 but you have the place

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.680
 that you can go

00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.940
 and invite help

00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:09.600
 and accountability

00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.740
 for them.

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.799
 We try to tell our members

00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.840
 that all the time.

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.039
 So yes,

00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.579
 pastors and churches

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:18.019
 need extra local partnership

00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.059
 and so we should loudly

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.679
 celebrate our partnership

00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.980
 within our denomination

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.839
 Sovereign Grace Churches.

00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.240
 Point number five,

00:18:25.699 --> 00:18:27.259
 pastors need

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:30.359
 to long for glory.

00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:33.199
 They need to long for glory.

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:35.500
 I love how Peter continues here.

00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.980
 He says of himself,

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.779
 a witness

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.620
 of the sufferings

00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.380
 of Christ

00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:42.579
 as well as a partaker

00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.860
 in the glory

00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:44.799
 that is going

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.680
 to be revealed.

00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:49.000
 When Peter references

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.740
 the sufferings

00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.480
 of Christ,

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:53.120
 that is perfectly

00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:53.880
 consistent

00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.620
 with the rest

00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.360
 of his writings

00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.680
 in this letter.

00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.240
 The sufferings

00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.740
 of Jesus

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.519
 have been spoken

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.240
 of frequently

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.240
 throughout this letter

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.640
 and he has spoken

00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:05.039
 of those sufferings

00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.140
 of Christ

00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.259
 as an example

00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:08.640
 for us to follow him.

00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:10.680
 And so it seems

00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.480
 that in this verse

00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.839
 Peter is referencing

00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.680
 the sufferings

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.920
 of Christ again

00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.900
 and then immediately

00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:17.019
 transition to the hope

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.680
 of glory

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.960
 as an encouragement

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.539
 not just to every Christian

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.299
 though he has already

00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.359
 done that in this letter

00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.620
 but he's doing it

00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.980
 specifically to weary

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.400
 and suffering pastors.

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.759
 He wants to direct

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.720
 your pastors

00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.059
 beyond individual

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.079
 moments of pain

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.779
 and trial

00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.399
 to the hope

00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.539
 that lies before them.

00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.980
 He wants to direct

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.299
 Sean and Matt's eyes

00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.539
 beyond the fear

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.480
 of persecution.

00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:40.759
 He wants to direct

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.419
 your pastors

00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.839
 beyond the bone

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.559
 deep weariness

00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:45.159
 of caring for church members

00:19:45.159 --> 00:19:45.819
 who are living

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.339
 in unrepentant sin.

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.519
 He wants to direct

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.220
 your elders

00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.419
 beyond the weight

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.200
 of anxiety

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.819
 and the fear

00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.339
 of walking

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.299
 through trial.

00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:55.019
 Peter is directing

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.720
 your pastors

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.279
 beyond the immediate

00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.339
 burden and weariness

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.659
 of needing to prepare

00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.679
 yet another someday

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.920
 warning message

00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.259
 or to lead another group.

00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.039
 He wants to point

00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.860
 their eyes beyond that

00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:06.740
 to the glory

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.580
 that is to come.

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.539
 Peter's been doing this

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.700
 for the whole church

00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.840
 as they suffer

00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:13.100
 but he's now doing it

00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.279
 in a particular way

00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.200
 for pastors

00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.420
 as they labor

00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.420
 and even as they suffer

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.640
 in a particular way.

00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.480
 He says that he

00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.779
 is a partaker

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.620
 of the glory

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.200
 that is going

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.019
 to be revealed.

00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.460
 That glory

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.500
 still needs to be

00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.580
 fully revealed, right?

00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:30.460
 We live in a fallen world

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.539
 but because of the

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.519
 gospel church

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.799
 because of the sufferings

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.319
 of Jesus

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:36.299
 because he died for us

00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.779
 and because he rose

00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.199
 from that great triumphant

00:20:39.199 --> 00:20:40.199
 the glory

00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.419
 is not in question.

00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.679
 It is a certainty.

00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.939
 It is a guarantee.

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.159
 In fact, Peter

00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:46.399
 and all of the pastors

00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.399
 and all of God's people

00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.059
 can say

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.519
 that they are partakers

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.519
 of that glory

00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.579
 even now.

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.619
 It is ours

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.639
 because of the work

00:20:53.639 --> 00:20:54.139
 of Christ.

00:20:54.199 --> 00:20:54.399
 Amen?

00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.240
 This is amazing.

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.640
 Pastors need to hear this

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.559
 as they fight

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.099
 and struggle

00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.799
 for faith

00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.259
 to lead their church

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.099
 and the church

00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.120
 needs to hear this

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.000
 as we wrestle

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:06.079
 through all of life.

00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.599
 Brothers and sisters,

00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.559
 be encouraged

00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.799
 this morning

00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:11.120
 by this.

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.000
 No matter what

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.220
 you are going through

00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:15.200
 right now,

00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.319
 no matter how tired

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:20.079
 you may be,

00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.319
 no matter how

00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.819
 worn your marriage

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.960
 might seem,

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.240
 no matter how painful

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.920
 that disease

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:28.480
 continues to be,

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.599
 no matter how anxious

00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:31.539
 you are about the future

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.640
 in this broken

00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:33.900
 and dark world,

00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.779
 Peter reminds us here

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.579
 that glory is coming.

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.400
 Heaven awaits.

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.440
 We will be victorious

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.380
 together.

00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:42.740
 Amen?

00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.480
 Point number six,

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:47.359
 pastors need

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.440
 to shepherd the flock.

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.640
 They need to shepherd

00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.519
 the flock,

00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.500
 and here we find

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.480
 the very heart

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:56.019
 of Peter's exhortation

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.539
 to pastors

00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.839
 in these verses.

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.720
 This is the center

00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.180
 of what he is saying.

00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.400
 Much of what we have

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.240
 seen so far

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.680
 are hints

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.799
 of what a pastor

00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:05.240
 needs,

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:05.960
 but this is what

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.180
 a pastor must do.

00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.680
 This is the job

00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:09.640
 of a pastor.

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:09.960
 Matt,

00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.119
 this is your

00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:12.339
 job description.

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.000
 Verse two,

00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.380
 shepherd the flock

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:14.900
 of God

00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.880
 that is among you,

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.000
 exercising oversight.

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:20.339
 But what does that mean?

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:23.139
 Well, we get at

00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.939
 what this means

00:22:23.939 --> 00:22:24.659
 by considering

00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.579
 what an actual

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.639
 shepherd does

00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.419
 and by considering

00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.619
 the terms

00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.599
 that Peter uses

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.539
 here to describe

00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.579
 us as pastors.

00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.000
 A shepherd's

00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.579
 responsibility

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.779
 is to live

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.019
 for the well-being

00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:37.759
 of his flock,

00:22:37.819 --> 00:22:38.379
 and that happens

00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:38.939
 in a number

00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.799
 of different ways.

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.220
 A pastor's role

00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.980
 is diverse

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.599
 and varied.

00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:43.619
 See,

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.359
 in this passage

00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.639
 we see three words

00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.419
 used by Peter

00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.119
 to describe

00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.859
 the role

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.779
 of each pastor.

00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.439
 And so we see

00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:50.419
 the word elder,

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.059
 we see the word shepherd,

00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:54.000
 and we see the word overseer,

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:54.959
 and they all speak

00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:55.719
 to different parts

00:22:55.719 --> 00:22:57.419
 of the pastor's job.

00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.879
 Pastors must be elders.

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.000
 They must have

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:03.879
 spiritual maturity

00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:04.799
 about life.

00:23:05.699 --> 00:23:06.879
 They must not be careless

00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:08.039
 about how they

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.879
 carry themselves

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.519
 throughout life.

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.359
 And so praise God

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.179
 that Sean

00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.139
 and now Matt

00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.799
 have this

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.319
 spiritual maturity

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.919
 and godly character

00:23:17.919 --> 00:23:18.839
 to be examples

00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.419
 to you

00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.980
 as your elders.

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.519
 Pastors must be

00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.299
 shepherds.

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:24.720
 That's actually

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.379
 what pastor means.

00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.039
 This speaks

00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.819
 to the need

00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.319
 to feed

00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:32.759
 and to teach

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.720
 and to at times

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.539
 correct and adjust.

00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.039
 This speaks

00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.519
 to the need

00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.559
 to protect

00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:41.039
 from wolves.

00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:42.799
 And the pastor

00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.740
 must do this

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.700
 with the word

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.200
 of God

00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.900
 as his staff.

00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.819
 Paul charges

00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.740
 the young pastor

00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.180
 Timothy,

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:52.519
 preach the word.

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.080
 Faithful shepherds

00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:55.000
 use the staff

00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.759
 of God's word

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.340
 to guide his people.

00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:57.900
 Matt,

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.759
 we together

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.360
 must love God's word

00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:02.220
 and we must love it a lot.

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.759
 It must be our staff

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.480
 and our leadership

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.440
 and in our care

00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.900
 of God's people.

00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:09.420
 Pastors must also

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.940
 exercise oversight.

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.980
 We must be

00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.059
 overseers,

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:14.059
 meaning we must

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.279
 watch over the practices

00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.059
 and the direction

00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.200
 and the mission

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.919
 and the habits

00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.720
 of the church.

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:21.220
 We must stand watch

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.039
 and we must bring

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.379
 direction in spiritual

00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:25.319
 and in practical ways.

00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.279
 Pastors call

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.359
 to care for the flock

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.039
 and that happens

00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.399
 not just through preaching

00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.159
 and counseling

00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:32.419
 but through bringing

00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:33.440
 godly leadership

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.079
 and direction

00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.759
 and vision

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.059
 to the people of God.

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.480
 Yes,

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.359
 the pastor is called

00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.399
 on many things

00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:40.880
 but he does it all

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.460
 for the sake

00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.040
 of the flock

00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:44.680
 and for God's glory.

00:24:44.840 --> 00:24:45.300
 And that brings us

00:24:45.300 --> 00:24:46.220
 to our seventh point.

00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:47.040
 Point number seven,

00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.600
 pastors need

00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:50.460
 to cultivate joy.

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:53.100
 They need to cultivate joy.

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:54.580
 Listen,

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:57.320
 too many pastors

00:24:57.320 --> 00:24:59.480
 hate their jobs.

00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:02.300
 I'm part of a pastor's lunch

00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:02.940
 in the area

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.100
 in which I preach

00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:05.559
 and I can't tell you

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.919
 how many of those pastors

00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:08.879
 groan and complain

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:10.039
 about their calling.

00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.679
 Too many pastors

00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.539
 view their role

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.240
 within the church

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.079
 as just a mere vocation

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.639
 that they need

00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:17.079
 to be faithful to

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.279
 when in reality,

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.219
 friends,

00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.119
 pastoral ministry

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:21.379
 is an honorable

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:23.079
 and joyful call.

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:25.899
 To walk in this role

00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.019
 as under shepherds

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.519
 of the chief shepherd

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.879
 is a privilege

00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:31.019
 and it should always

00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.939
 be seen that way

00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:33.139
 by faithful pastors.

00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.240
 Peter says

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.180
 that we are to do

00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.759
 all of this

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.860
 not under compulsion

00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.120
 but willingly

00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:40.640
 as God would have you

00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.860
 not for shameful gain

00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:43.240
 but eagerly.

00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.580
 Those words

00:25:44.580 --> 00:25:46.560
 willingly and eagerly

00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:47.660
 they speak of desire

00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.640
 and enjoyment

00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.400
 and pleasure

00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.400
 in the work.

00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.520
 A loving shepherd

00:25:51.520 --> 00:25:52.960
 should not be forced

00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:54.140
 to do his job.

00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:55.540
 He shouldn't care

00:25:55.540 --> 00:25:56.300
 for his sheep

00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:57.080
 begrudgingly

00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.920
 and then run back

00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.759
 to do what he really

00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.640
 wants to be doing.

00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.680
 Though a pastor,

00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.520
 a true shepherd

00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:02.300
 and I see this

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.480
 in your pastors,

00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.779
 a pastor should find

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:05.799
 joy and delight

00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.480
 in his calling.

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.960
 How can we not

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.659
 as pastors?

00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.759
 If a pastor is following

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.680
 the chief shepherd,

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.539
 if we're following

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.379
 Jesus,

00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.259
 then our eyes

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:14.799
 are fixed

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.299
 on the hope

00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.960
 of the gospel

00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.779
 and we know

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.720
 that what God

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.180
 is doing

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.960
 in our lives

00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.940
 and in the lives

00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.899
 of those that we lead

00:26:20.899 --> 00:26:22.059
 and that's a glorious

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.299
 thing to be a part of.

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.279
 If we do not

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.539
 pastor eagerly,

00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:27.799
 then we have forgotten

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.319
 the power

00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:29.019
 of the gospel.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.920
 If we have no joy

00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.579
 in the task,

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.559
 then it likely means

00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.420
 that we have lost

00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.420
 our hope in Jesus.

00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.480
 But when we keep

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.619
 our eyes on him,

00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.240
 our service will be

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.339
 marked by eager

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.519
 and joyful anticipation

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.480
 of what God

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.319
 is calling

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:44.240
 and equipping us

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.079
 to be and do

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.000
 even in the most

00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.400
 difficult situations

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.299
 and triggers.

00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.460
 I hope and pray

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.200
 that you feel that

00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.680
 from Sean and Matt.

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.720
 I believe that you do.

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.559
 You know,

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:56.259
 there's a documentary

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.640
 on ESPN.

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.000
 I don't know

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.360
 if you're into

00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.440
 basketball or not,

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.339
 but I'm sure you know

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.380
 the name Michael Jordan.

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.640
 Michael Jordan,

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.700
 the greatest basketball

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.920
 player of all times.

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.220
 Michael Jordan

00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:08.420
 was unbelievably good

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:08.940
 and he played

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.200
 for 15 long seasons

00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.039
 and there were

00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.600
 struggles along the way.

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.759
 But did you know

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.700
 that Michael Jordan

00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:17.460
 had a clause

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.700
 in his contract

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:20.299
 with the Chicago Bulls

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.600
 that was called

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:23.299
 For the Love of the Game

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.959
 Clause.

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.299
 Though basketball

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.679
 was his job,

00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.219
 Jordan never wanted

00:27:29.219 --> 00:27:30.699
 to stop loving the game.

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.379
 He didn't want to be

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.419
 restricted by

00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.719
 the Chicago Bulls

00:27:33.719 --> 00:27:34.419
 and so he wanted

00:27:34.419 --> 00:27:35.099
 to be able to play

00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.359
 basketball wherever

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:38.279
 and whenever he wanted to.

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.459
 He didn't want to be

00:27:39.459 --> 00:27:40.779
 restricted by his

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.980
 employment as a

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.980
 basketball player.

00:27:43.719 --> 00:27:44.379
 Friends, I want that

00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.199
 to be my heart

00:27:45.199 --> 00:27:45.859
 as a pastor.

00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.339
 And I believe it should

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.079
 be the heart of your

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.459
 pastors as well.

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.679
 If we ever run out

00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.579
 of love for the

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.639
 ministry, we should

00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.859
 step out of ministry.

00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.339
 This is too great

00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:56.039
 a thing for us

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.559
 to do begrudgingly.

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.220
 As Christ loved us

00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.919
 and joyfully

00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:01.480
 sacrificed for us,

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.039
 so we as

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.720
 under-shepherds

00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.619
 should find great

00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.839
 joy and fall

00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:06.379
 in his steps.

00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:08.559
 And that's so important.

00:28:09.419 --> 00:28:10.439
 It's so important

00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:11.359
 because the joy

00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.039
 in ministry

00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.419
 will change the way

00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.199
 that we do

00:28:14.199 --> 00:28:15.039
 ministry.

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.119
 And that brings us

00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.980
 to our eighth point.

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.539
 Point number eight.

00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:21.980
 pastors need to be

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.420
 gentle.

00:28:24.159 --> 00:28:25.240
 Peter says in verse

00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.740
 three,

00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:28.200
 not domineering

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.740
 over those in your

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.240
 charge.

00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.619
 Here's the thing.

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:36.079
 When leaders find joy

00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.220
 in the gospel,

00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.180
 they will find joy

00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.139
 in their ministry.

00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:42.039
 And when they find joy

00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.680
 in the ministry,

00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.680
 they will lead the

00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.339
 church with

00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.000
 gentleness.

00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:47.619
 it is when people

00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.359
 have taken their

00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:49.400
 eyes off of the

00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.240
 chief shepherd

00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:50.660
 and the hope

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.279
 of the gospel.

00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:53.039
 It's when we forget

00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.140
 Christ that bad

00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:55.440
 things begin to happen.

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.079
 First of all,

00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.680
 we start leading

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.599
 in our own strength.

00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.440
 And when we lead

00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.440
 in our own strength,

00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.619
 we begin to

00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.220
 domineer.

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.000
 We become

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.619
 pushing.

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.220
 We become

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:04.980
 bullies.

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.920
 We become rough

00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.839
 in our leadership.

00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.599
 We want people

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.579
 to do what we

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.339
 want them to do

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.180
 rather than allowing

00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.160
 the grace of God

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.099
 to be at work

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.799
 in their lives.

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.339
 That's where

00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.079
 poor leadership

00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.039
 comes from.

00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.240
 Abusive pastors

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.079
 are pastors that

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.500
 have forgotten

00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.839
 the power of the

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.599
 gospel that they

00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.139
 are preaching

00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.899
 and they're relying

00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:22.059
 too much on their

00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.659
 own strength

00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.379
 and their own

00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:24.039
 wisdom.

00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:25.639
 Abusive leadership

00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.720
 also happens

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:28.019
 when pastors forget

00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:28.960
 who they are

00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.639
 in Christ.

00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.539
 If pastors forget

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:31.960
 that they have

00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.680
 everything that they

00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.419
 need for life

00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.019
 and godliness

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:35.279
 already given to

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.039
 them in Christ,

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.919
 then pastors

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.879
 will begin to look

00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:38.879
 to others for

00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.639
 what they need.

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.379
 They will want

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.440
 to control others.

00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.000
 They will want

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.960
 to manipulate

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.359
 others.

00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.079
 They will serve

00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:45.380
 for selfish gain.

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.359
 But when we

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.440
 cultivate joy

00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.720
 in Jesus

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.240
 and joy in our

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.779
 calling,

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.680
 we will see it

00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.279
 as a privilege

00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.019
 and an honor

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.559
 and we will

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.359
 lead with gentleness

00:29:54.359 --> 00:29:55.019
 because we know

00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.960
 we're not the ones

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.559
 doing the work.

00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.160
 It is Christ

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.900
 doing the work

00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.900
 through us.

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:01.160
 Now it's not

00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:02.980
 that pastors

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.900
 should not have

00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.400
 authority

00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:06.019
 or that pastors

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.940
 should not at times

00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.859
 exercise their

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.400
 authority

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:10.119
 with great strength.

00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.680
 No, pastors

00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.759
 are called by God

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.539
 to govern

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.319
 and to protect

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.039
 and to lead

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.680
 the church

00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.259
 and at times

00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.119
 that will require

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.519
 strong leadership

00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.240
 against certain

00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:20.000
 patterns in the church.

00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.119
 It will take courage

00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.119
 and boldness

00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:23.000
 on their part

00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.319
 but that strength

00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.119
 of courage

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.259
 and that leadership

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.140
 must come

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.099
 not from their

00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.740
 own authority

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.240
 but from the

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:30.200
 authority of Christ

00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.400
 and it must be

00:30:31.400 --> 00:30:32.140
 gentle.

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.480
 Paul the Apostle

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.980
 is such a good

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.879
 example of this.

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.680
 Even when he wrote

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.299
 to the church

00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:38.799
 of God

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.480
 in Corinth

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.440
 which was a pretty

00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.579
 jacked up place

00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:43.139
 a church that needed

00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:44.480
 strong correction

00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:45.599
 and redirection

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:47.159
 Paul still does it

00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.960
 with gentleness

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.099
 and with a shepherd

00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:49.619
 in care.

00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.079
 He says,

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.680
 I thank God

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.359
 upon every

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.399
 remembrance of him.

00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.960
 He writes to the

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.480
 church in Thessalonica

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.680
 in 1 Thessalonians 1

00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.059
 he says,

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.720
 but we were gentle

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.639
 among them

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:02.579
 like a nursing mother

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.539
 taking care

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.920
 of her own child.

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.619
 Meaning they led

00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.240
 with grace

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.279
 and not with force

00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.200
 not domineering.

00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.119
 A pastor must

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:12.519
 be gentle.

00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.480
 Point number nine

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.859
 pastors need

00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:16.759
 to have godly

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.339
 character.

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.599
 Peter says,

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.399
 not domineering

00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:21.039
 over those

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:22.039
 in your charge

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.839
 but being

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.779
 examples

00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.980
 to the flock.

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.139
 Peter makes

00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:27.639
 the connection

00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.379
 here from

00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:29.579
 gentle leadership

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.259
 to being

00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.579
 godly examples

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.240
 and really what

00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.480
 this speaks to

00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.920
 is the sincerity

00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:36.680
 of the pastor's

00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.079
 heart.

00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.240
 We should be

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.039
 conformed

00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:40.140
 by the gospel

00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.420
 before we seek

00:31:41.420 --> 00:31:42.160
 to preach

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.400
 about the gospel.

00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.299
 Our ministry

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.980
 is not just

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.640
 in words

00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.359
 but in our

00:31:46.359 --> 00:31:46.960
 actions

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.000
 as well.

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.380
 And friends,

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.160
 this is seen

00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:49.900
 throughout the

00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.480
 New Testament

00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.160
 particularly

00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:52.180
 in the pastoral

00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:52.599
 epistles

00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.500
 of 1 Timothy

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.339
 and Titus

00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:54.779
 Paul gives

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.660
 the qualifications

00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.740
 for pastors

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.900
 and most of

00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:59.019
 these qualifying

00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.740
 characteristics

00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:01.019
 are not distinct

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.420
 from other

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.880
 Christian

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.740
 men and women.

00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.140
 This is what

00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.599
 we should all

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:03.859
 be.

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.279
 But they

00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.079
 are highlighted

00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.759
 in a way

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:06.279
 that speaks

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.799
 to the fact

00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.720
 that the pastor

00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.240
 should be

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.180
 faithful and

00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.259
 seek to excel

00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.519
 in these things.

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.859
 How we live

00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:13.720
 out the gospel

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.620
 as pastors

00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:15.500
 matters.

00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.420
 Our godly

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.759
 character is a

00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.880
 significant part

00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.819
 of being faithful

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.640
 to preach the

00:32:20.640 --> 00:32:21.720
 gospel as

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.660
 understanders.

00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.920
 One of my

00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.740
 favorite books

00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:27.220
 is called

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.900
 The Reformed

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.740
 Pastor by

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.480
 Richard Baxter.

00:32:29.620 --> 00:32:29.940
 Now have you

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.359
 ever read that

00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:30.620
 book?

00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.319
 It's an

00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:31.799
 extraordinary

00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.219
 book.

00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:32.519
 It's an

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.399
 old book

00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:33.779
 but it

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.639
 is so

00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.039
 good.

00:32:35.979 --> 00:32:36.519
 The first

00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.599
 hundred pages

00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.459
 or so of

00:32:38.459 --> 00:32:39.239
 that book

00:32:39.239 --> 00:32:40.399
 Baxter

00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:40.899
 doesn't even

00:32:40.899 --> 00:32:41.539
 talk about

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.139
 our leadership

00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:43.219
 of the church.

00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.239
 The first

00:32:44.239 --> 00:32:45.099
 hundred pages

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.500
 he charges

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:48.339
 pastors to

00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.279
 shepherd their

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.479
 own hearts

00:32:50.479 --> 00:32:51.359
 before they

00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:52.099
 go and shepherd

00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.879
 the church.

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:54.299
 He says

00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:54.579
 this, he

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:54.759
 says,

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.839
 take heed

00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.220
 to yourselves

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:59.460
 lest your

00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.039
 example

00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.859
 contradict

00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.299
 your

00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:01.940
 doctrine

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.720
 lest you

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.940
 lay such

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:05.059
 stumbling blocks

00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.879
 before the

00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:06.920
 blind as

00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.680
 may be the

00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.759
 occasion of

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.500
 their ruin

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.059
 lest you

00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.700
 unsay with

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.440
 your lies

00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.240
 what you say

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.740
 with your

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.920
 tongues and

00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.319
 be the

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.839
 greatest

00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:18.140
 hinderers of

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:18.900
 the success

00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.359
 of your

00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.180
 own ministry.

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.240
 The pastor's

00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.900
 life should not

00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.759
 contradict his

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.240
 doctrine.

00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:25.900
 The two

00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.220
 should be

00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:26.839
 consistent.

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.420
 Now that

00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:28.940
 does not

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.000
 mean that a

00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.700
 pastor's life

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.359
 should be

00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.039
 perfect.

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.500
 Church, you're

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:32.920
 not to be

00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.859
 nitpicky about

00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.779
 your pastor's

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.379
 sin.

00:33:35.680 --> 00:33:36.339
 God knows

00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:36.839
 that we are

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.420
 not perfect

00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.779
 but a

00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.359
 pastor's

00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.140
 shepherd should

00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:39.660
 be able to

00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.440
 be seen as

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.200
 a faithful

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.839
 example of

00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.279
 what it means

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.839
 to live for

00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.539
 Christ in

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.039
 this world

00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.700
 in every

00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.000
 area.

00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.099
 And so Matt,

00:33:46.160 --> 00:33:46.700
 even as we

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.579
 are thrilled

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.279
 by the events

00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.680
 of today,

00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.220
 even as you

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.500
 are now going

00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.000
 to be spending

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.539
 hundreds of

00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:52.319
 hours in

00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.079
 studying God's

00:33:53.079 --> 00:33:53.500
 word and

00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.400
 preparing sermons

00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.119
 as you already

00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:56.099
 have been,

00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.279
 Peter charges

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.759
 you though,

00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:58.119
 brother,

00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.200
 to not ignore

00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.059
 your own life

00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:00.940
 and godliness.

00:34:01.680 --> 00:34:01.859
 Matt,

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.720
 keep close

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.720
 watch on

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.259
 your conduct.

00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.000
 Keep close

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.960
 watch on

00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.599
 your soul.

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.180
 How you

00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.660
 walk in

00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.119
 humility.

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:08.800
 How you

00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:09.380
 love your

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.840
 family,

00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.320
 which you do

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:10.960
 so well,

00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.280
 brother.

00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:12.119
 How you

00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.780
 exercise

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.760
 self-control.

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.400
 How you

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.940
 use your

00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.880
 words for

00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:16.340
 good.

00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.539
 Be shaped

00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.000
 by the

00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.840
 gospel before

00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.360
 you seek

00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:19.820
 to preach

00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.320
 the gospel.

00:34:20.320 --> 00:34:22.740
 God's

00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:23.240
 point number

00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.660
 10.

00:34:24.620 --> 00:34:25.059
 Pastors

00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.539
 need a

00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:25.820
 chief

00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.360
 shepherd.

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.900
 Pastors

00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.280
 need a

00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.740
 chief

00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.800
 shepherd.

00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.880
 Peter concludes

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.559
 with these

00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.620
 amazing words,

00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.620
 and when the

00:34:34.620 --> 00:34:35.680
 chief shepherd

00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:36.680
 appears,

00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:38.000
 you will

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.440
 receive the

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.120
 unfading

00:34:40.120 --> 00:34:41.500
 crown of

00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:41.960
 glory.

00:34:43.120 --> 00:34:43.940
 There is no

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.760
 better way for

00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.539
 Peter to end

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.720
 this than in

00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.180
 this way.

00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:47.980
 by focusing

00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.519
 our eyes

00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.599
 on Jesus,

00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:50.440
 the chief

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.099
 shepherd.

00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:52.059
 He ends

00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.699
 where he

00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.359
 began.

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.259
 King Jesus

00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:54.980
 is coming,

00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:55.539
 church,

00:34:55.639 --> 00:34:56.000
 and he is

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.419
 going to

00:34:56.419 --> 00:34:57.379
 judge his

00:34:57.379 --> 00:34:57.619
 church.

00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:57.919
 He is

00:34:57.919 --> 00:34:58.259
 going to

00:34:58.259 --> 00:34:59.199
 test his

00:34:59.199 --> 00:34:59.519
 people,

00:34:59.639 --> 00:34:59.859
 and that

00:34:59.859 --> 00:35:00.440
 testing is

00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:00.719
 going to

00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.659
 begin with

00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.559
 the pastors,

00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:03.199
 the elders

00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.639
 of the

00:35:03.639 --> 00:35:04.059
 church.

00:35:04.359 --> 00:35:04.839
 But as we

00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:05.279
 see in

00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:05.940
 chapter 4,

00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.440
 this is not

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.000
 reason to

00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.339
 fear.

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.019
 This is not

00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.559
 reason to

00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.159
 run away.

00:35:09.419 --> 00:35:09.879
 This is not

00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:10.399
 reason to

00:35:10.399 --> 00:35:10.879
 quit the

00:35:10.879 --> 00:35:11.239
 ministry,

00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.259
 because King

00:35:12.259 --> 00:35:13.440
 Jesus promises

00:35:13.440 --> 00:35:14.519
 that those who

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.219
 have faith in

00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:16.339
 him will be

00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.400
 proven faithful.

00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.860
 Peter says

00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.720
 that we will

00:35:19.720 --> 00:35:20.480
 receive a

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.559
 crown of

00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:23.440
 glory, and

00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.740
 indirectly, that

00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.260
 is for the

00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:26.260
 church as

00:35:26.260 --> 00:35:26.640
 well.

00:35:27.660 --> 00:35:28.039
 If the

00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.600
 pastors are

00:35:28.600 --> 00:35:29.019
 faithful,

00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:30.340
 indirectly, Peter

00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:30.760
 is saying that

00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.240
 the church will

00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:31.640
 be judged

00:35:31.640 --> 00:35:32.240
 faithful as

00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:32.500
 well.

00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:33.059
 Why?

00:35:33.640 --> 00:35:34.539
 All because

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.079
 of Jesus,

00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:35.620
 amen?

00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:37.100
 The chief

00:35:37.100 --> 00:35:38.400
 shepherd, the

00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.420
 one who laid

00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.140
 down his

00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:41.200
 life for the

00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:41.840
 sheep, who

00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.120
 died so that

00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:43.960
 we might live,

00:35:44.220 --> 00:35:45.039
 who gave us

00:35:45.039 --> 00:35:45.980
 everything that

00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.699
 we need for

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.500
 life and

00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.079
 godliness.

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.139
 Because of

00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:51.199
 Jesus, because

00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:51.539
 of his

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:53.380
 sacrifice, because

00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:54.199
 of his life of

00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.280
 righteousness, because

00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:56.300
 of his resurrection

00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:58.099
 over the grave, you

00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:59.519
 and I will receive

00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:01.539
 crowns of glory on

00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.539
 that final day.

00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:03.820
 But when we receive

00:36:03.820 --> 00:36:04.460
 them, you know what

00:36:04.460 --> 00:36:05.179
 we're going to do?

00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.400
 We're going to turn

00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.199
 very quickly, and

00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.780
 we're going to throw

00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:08.719
 those traps right

00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:10.099
 down at his feet,

00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:11.920
 because what pastor

00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.880
 is them?

00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:14.039
 Church, what

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.920
 Christian,

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.719
 man, or woman

00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.639
 is there who

00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.739
 can cling to

00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.900
 any glory for

00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:19.340
 himself?

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:21.000
 It's all Jesus.

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.380
 It's all his

00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:22.779
 grace.

00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:24.219
 He has loved us.

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.679
 He has sacrificed

00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:26.360
 for us.

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.619
 He has equipped

00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.659
 us, and he is

00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:30.039
 going to sustain

00:36:30.039 --> 00:36:30.420
 us.

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.779
 He will call and

00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:33.500
 equip pastors to

00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.500
 be faithful to their

00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:36.079
 calling, and he

00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:36.860
 will call and equip

00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.639
 church members to

00:36:37.639 --> 00:36:38.500
 follow the chief

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.920
 shepherd, even as

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:41.259
 they follow their

00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:42.940
 imperfect undershakes.

00:36:45.580 --> 00:36:46.500
 Friends, pastors

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.340
 are gifts of

00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:48.420
 guidance to God's

00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:49.820
 people who must

00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.740
 themselves be guided

00:36:50.740 --> 00:36:51.720
 by God's grace.

00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:54.700
 It is all about

00:36:54.700 --> 00:36:56.080
 Jesus, and it's

00:36:56.080 --> 00:36:57.380
 all about his

00:36:57.380 --> 00:36:58.160
 grace.

00:36:58.560 --> 00:37:00.040
 We need him, and

00:37:00.040 --> 00:37:00.880
 we need the gifts

00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:02.260
 of guidance of

00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:03.340
 pastoral ministry

00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:03.980
 that he has given

00:37:03.980 --> 00:37:05.420
 to us until that

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.060
 final day.

00:37:07.020 --> 00:37:07.580
 Church, again,

00:37:07.660 --> 00:37:08.180
 pray for your

00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:08.620
 pastors.

00:37:09.520 --> 00:37:10.000
 And church, by

00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.820
 God's grace, follow

00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.780
 you pastors, even

00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.960
 as they follow

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.840
 Christ.

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:14.780
 Amen.

00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.280
 Let me pray.

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.960
 Jesus, we thank

00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:19.639
 you for being our

00:37:19.639 --> 00:37:21.059
 chief shepherd.

00:37:21.780 --> 00:37:22.760
 We thank you that

00:37:22.760 --> 00:37:23.860
 as we seek to live

00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:24.920
 this Christian life

00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:25.699
 in a fallen and

00:37:25.699 --> 00:37:26.599
 broken world, we

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.519
 are not looking to

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.360
 fallen and broken

00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:29.780
 men for our hope

00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:30.300
 and confidence.

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.539
 We are looking to

00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:32.880
 you, the perfect

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:34.599
 God of God, the

00:37:34.599 --> 00:37:35.800
 one in whom all

00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:36.820
 our hope is placed.

00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.159
 But we do

00:37:38.159 --> 00:37:39.880
 acknowledge, Jesus,

00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:40.440
 that you have

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.139
 given under

00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:41.820
 shepherds to

00:37:41.820 --> 00:37:42.880
 guide, to

00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:44.059
 lead, to

00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:45.199
 feed, to

00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:45.940
 protect your

00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:46.280
 church.

00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:46.980
 And we pray

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:48.099
 that you would

00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:49.460
 equip both

00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.239
 Sean and Matt

00:37:50.239 --> 00:37:50.920
 to do that

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.900
 well here at

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.239
 Trinity.

00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.000
 And we pray

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.400
 that you would

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:53.980
 give Trinity

00:37:53.980 --> 00:37:54.920
 faith and

00:37:54.920 --> 00:37:55.519
 ambition to

00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.179
 follow them

00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:56.500
 well.

00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.239
 And God, we

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.719
 pray for more

00:37:57.719 --> 00:37:58.480
 pastors to be

00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:58.840
 raised up.

00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.219
 We pray that

00:37:59.219 --> 00:37:59.699
 you would equip

00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:00.980
 more men to

00:38:00.980 --> 00:38:01.860
 lead your

00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:03.000
 church for the

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:03.699
 glory of your

00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:04.000
 name.

00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.380
 Father, we love

00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:05.539
 you.

00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.539
 We put all of

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:06.980
 our hope and

00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.340
 all of our

00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.179
 confidence in you.

00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.239
 In Jesus' name,

00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:09.559
 Amen.

00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.159
 Amen.

00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.039
 Amen.

00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:11.480
 Amen.

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:11.579
 Amen.

00:38:12.039 --> 00:38:12.480
 Amen.

00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:12.599
 Amen.

00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.039
 Amen.

00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:13.960
 Amen.

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:14.619
 Amen.

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:14.920
 Amen.

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.179
 Amen.

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:15.619
 Amen.

00:38:15.780 --> 00:38:16.900
 Even hoping that

00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:18.099
 our