“You Cannot Do It Alone!”
Why Every Church Needs Multiple Shepherds:
Exodus 18:13-27; 1 Peter 5:1-4
“Now these things happened as examples for us. They were written down for our instruction.”
Ex. 18:13-27- what was true back then, is true now. This narrative illustrates two important lessons
1)
2)
I) The _______________________ Shepherding Mandate.
II) The Eternally Glorious ____________________.
As a humble, battle-tested leader the Apostle Peter empathizes with the lesser known church elders from Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1-2) which is now Turkey.
A) A ______________________ Calling
B) A ________________________ Witness
C) A _______________________ Reward
For Further Reflection/Application: We must be doers of God’s Word and not merely hearers
How does Exodus 18:13-26 serve as a great introduction to 1 Peter 5:1-5?
How does this wonderful Old Testament narrative speak to similar challenges facing local churches in general and Senior Pastors in particular? Note 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 13:7; Romans 15:4
Moses was the humblest man of his times (per Numbers 12:3). Why was he initially so reluctant to ask other godly men to help share the burden of ministry leadership? Why do some leaders today struggle when it comes to delegation? If you’re a Christian leader, how do you know what to pass on to others and what to focus in on?
In what ways does shared leadership help pastors avoid “ministry burnout(s)?”
How can delegating specific responsibilities to other elders and faithful laypeople help meet the shepherding/ministry needs of Lake Country Bible Church?
Read Ephesians 4:11-16. How does this New Testament passage parallel many of the ministry maxims that are illustrated in Exodus 18:13-26?
Church members need to avoid two extreme positions: 1) Having unrealistic expectations for pastors/elders. Having too low of expectations for church leaders. Provide three real life examples of both one and two.
One might assume that in face of mounting persecution (1 Peter 4:12-13) that issues related to marriage and family and church polity would be relatively unimportant. 1 Peter 3-5 suggests otherwise.
To find out how to pray for the persecuted Church check out opendoorsusa.org
When things are tough and when trials abound, faithful biblical oversight and intentional shepherding is critically important. Explain why this is so.
How did the preacher use the famous “Steady Boys, Steady” (featuring Commander Lewis Armistead) painting to highlight what the Master wants from spiritual leaders today?
What was the three-fold basis of Peter’s shepherding mandate?
The ancient apostles and faithful elders and pastors today have A) a shared calling, B) a common witness, and C) a mutual reward.
By way of review: Are you embracing the Good Shepherd’s plan for your life in terms of
1) the primacy of the local church and 2) the essential need of shepherding; (biblical soul care)?
By God’s design, believers do best in a specific flock with other like-minded sheep.
Per passages such as Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11 and Acts 2:42.
The Word of God also teaches that believers (sheep) need faithful shepherds who willingly over them (hence 1 Peter 5:1-4 and Acts 20:26-28).
How can you more faithfully embrace the Good Shepherd’s plan for your life and His church in the year to come?
(1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrew 13:7; Romans 15:4)
Ex. 18:13-27- what was true back then, is true now. This narrative illustrates two important lessons
1)
2)
Sermon Outline of 1 Peter 5:1-4
I) The _______________________ Shepherding Mandate.
(1 Peter 5:1-3)
II) The Eternally Glorious ____________________.
(1 Peter 5:4)
As a humble, battle-tested leader the Apostle Peter empathizes with the lesser known church elders from Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1-2) which is now Turkey.
The Three-fold Basis of Peter’s Shepherding Mandate
We have: A) A ______________________ Calling
(1 Peter 5:1a)
B) A ________________________ Witness
(1 Peter 5:1b)
C) A _______________________ Reward
(1 Peter 5:1; 1:6-7)
For Further Reflection/Application: We must be doers of God’s Word and not merely hearers
How does Exodus 18:13-26 serve as a great introduction to 1 Peter 5:1-5?
How does this wonderful Old Testament narrative speak to similar challenges facing local churches in general and Senior Pastors in particular? Note 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 13:7; Romans 15:4
Moses was the humblest man of his times (per Numbers 12:3). Why was he initially so reluctant to ask other godly men to help share the burden of ministry leadership? Why do some leaders today struggle when it comes to delegation? If you’re a Christian leader, how do you know what to pass on to others and what to focus in on?
In what ways does shared leadership help pastors avoid “ministry burnout(s)?”
How can delegating specific responsibilities to other elders and faithful laypeople help meet the shepherding/ministry needs of Lake Country Bible Church?
Read Ephesians 4:11-16. How does this New Testament passage parallel many of the ministry maxims that are illustrated in Exodus 18:13-26?
Church members need to avoid two extreme positions: 1) Having unrealistic expectations for pastors/elders. Having too low of expectations for church leaders. Provide three real life examples of both one and two.
One might assume that in face of mounting persecution (1 Peter 4:12-13) that issues related to marriage and family and church polity would be relatively unimportant. 1 Peter 3-5 suggests otherwise.
To find out how to pray for the persecuted Church check out opendoorsusa.org
When things are tough and when trials abound, faithful biblical oversight and intentional shepherding is critically important. Explain why this is so.
How did the preacher use the famous “Steady Boys, Steady” (featuring Commander Lewis Armistead) painting to highlight what the Master wants from spiritual leaders today?
What was the three-fold basis of Peter’s shepherding mandate?
The ancient apostles and faithful elders and pastors today have A) a shared calling, B) a common witness, and C) a mutual reward.
By way of review: Are you embracing the Good Shepherd’s plan for your life in terms of
1) the primacy of the local church and 2) the essential need of shepherding; (biblical soul care)?
By God’s design, believers do best in a specific flock with other like-minded sheep.
Per passages such as Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11 and Acts 2:42.
The Word of God also teaches that believers (sheep) need faithful shepherds who willingly over them (hence 1 Peter 5:1-4 and Acts 20:26-28).
How can you more faithfully embrace the Good Shepherd’s plan for your life and His church in the year to come?
Recommended Resources: “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible;” Charles Spurgeon.
The Shepherd-Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church- by Timothy Witmer
The Conviction to Lead- by Albert Mohler
The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians- by D.A. Carson
The Reformed Pastor- by Puritan Richard Baxter
Loving the Church: God’s People Flourishing in God’s Family- John Crotts
The Master’s Plan for the Church- John MacArthur
9 Marks of a Healthy Church- Mark Dever
The Church in God’s Program- Robert Saucy
The Shepherd-Leader: Achieving Effective Shepherding in Your Church- by Timothy Witmer
The Conviction to Lead- by Albert Mohler
The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians- by D.A. Carson
The Reformed Pastor- by Puritan Richard Baxter
Loving the Church: God’s People Flourishing in God’s Family- John Crotts
The Master’s Plan for the Church- John MacArthur
9 Marks of a Healthy Church- Mark Dever
The Church in God’s Program- Robert Saucy
Related Scripture Passages: Search the Scriptures to see if this be so.
1 Peter 4:12-13, 19; 5:1-5; Exodus 18:13-26; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11; Hebrews 13:7;
Related Praise Songs: Theology fuels Doxology! We dig deeply in order that we may go high!
Rise Up O Men of God- Hymn
I Love Thy Church O God- Hymn
O Church of Christ, Invincible- Matt Boswell
Soldiers of Christ, Arise- Hymn
O Church Arise- the Getty
All related sermons can be downloaded for free on our website at www.lakecountrybible.org
CD's are available immediately following the service in the foyer thanks to some wonderful volunteers.
Related Praise Songs: Theology fuels Doxology! We dig deeply in order that we may go high!
Rise Up O Men of God- Hymn
I Love Thy Church O God- Hymn
O Church of Christ, Invincible- Matt Boswell
Soldiers of Christ, Arise- Hymn
O Church Arise- the Getty
All related sermons can be downloaded for free on our website at www.lakecountrybible.org
CD's are available immediately following the service in the foyer thanks to some wonderful volunteers.
