130224 The Shepherds and Sheep of the Chief Shepherd

SUNDAY MORNING (February 24th)  •  1Peter 5:1-5 The Shepherds and Sheep of the Chief Shepherd When a New Testament writer "exhorts" (5:1) someone, what is he doing?"So Iexhort the elders among you" (5:1a). Who were these elders and what can we know about them?What can we learn from the ways Peter describes himself in 5:1b:> A fellow elder -> A witness of the sufferings of Christ -> A partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed -When the Spirit of God encourages elders through Peter to "shepherd the flock of God that is among [them], exercising oversight" (5:2a), what is he communicating?The shepherding efforts of elders are elaborated upon in5:2b-3.The shepherding efforts of elders are elaborated upon in 5:2b-3. What do these mean?> Not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you -> Not for shameful gain, but eagerly -> Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples of the flock -"And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory" (5:4). What can we learn from this inspired statement?Why would Peter "likewise" encourage those "who are younger, be subject to the elders" (5:a)?