(2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” While not every scripture applies directly to you, all scripture is for your benefit and most contain principles that can help you.

In 1 Peter 5:1-4, Peter directs his words to the spiritual leaders of the churches that were scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Peter gave instructions and encouragement to those pastors.

Transition

Though these verses do not directly apply to you, they contain information that will help you to work with your pastor and pray for him more effectively.

As you pray for your pastor,

Pray that He Will Live Up to His Title (v.1)

  1. Peter addressed the leaders as “elders.”
    1. The term “elder” has a twofold meaning.
      1. It can refer to one who is older.
      2. It also referred to the spiritual leader of a church. That is how Peter uses it here of a church’s pastor.
      3. Elder and bishop is the same person in Titus 1:5, 7.
      4. Elder and overseer is the same person in Acts 20:17, 28
      5. The leader is called a pastor (shepherd) and teacher in Ephesians 4:11.
    2. Peter also identified himself as an elder (literally a fellow-elder). In addition he was a witness of Christ’s sufferings and a partaker of the future eternal glory.
  2. These elders were among them.
    1. They were among the congregation (v.1). They were fellow-Christians, ordinary people, and church members.
    2. At the same time, they were leaders of the congregations. The Holy Spirit had Peter exhort them. The word “exhort” means to call to one’s side for a talk, to encourage, to challenge, to admonish, to comfort, or to instruct.
      ☆ Pastors spend many hours weekly preparing sermons to build up their congregations, yet they seldom sit under preaching themselves. Pastors must listen to sermons that will challenge and edify their souls. Pray that your pastor will find sermons that will build him up spiritually. Pray that your pastor will be the elder and spiritual leader God wants him to be.
      As you pray for your pastor,

Pray that He Will Fulfil His Duties (v.2-3)

  1. A pastor’s first duty is to feed the flock.
    1. The word “feed” deals with all the duties of caring for a flock of sheep, not just giving them food. The shepherd must lead, guide, direct to pastures and water, protect, and care for the sick. All of these are included in this word. Years earlier Jesus said to Peter, “… Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:16) Likely those words of Christ rang in Peter’s mind as he penned our text.
    2. An elder (pastor, bishop) must care for his congregation like a shepherd does his flock.
      1. He must direct them to spiritual food and water. This means he must prepare clear sermons that explain and apply the Bible. He must also urge them to study the Bible themselves.
      2. He must lovingly lead them down a biblical path and steer them away from error.
      3. He must encourage them when they are down.
      4. He must guide them with Biblical counsel.
      5. He must protect them from predators like false teachers and cults.
      6. He must warn them of social evils and devilish traps.
      7. He must rebuke them when they go astray and urge them back on the right path.
      8. He must pray for those physically and spiritually sick.
  2. A pastor’s second duty is to oversee the flock (v.2)
    1. The word “oversight” means to look after or care for. This is similar to the job of a manager.
    2. The elder must oversee the flock with a right attitude.
      1. Not by constraint BUT willingly.
        1. His heart must be in it. He must care for the congregation because he wants to.
        2. If he lacks a heart for the work he will feel forced to study and he won’t enjoy it.
      2. Not for filthy lucre, BUT of a ready mind. Not because he covets money, but willingly or eagerly. This does not mean he should not be paid for his work. It simply addresses his attitude toward the work.
      3. Not as a lord over God’s heritage BUT by being an example.
        1. To lord over means to bring under one’s power. Pastors are to be biblical directors not selfish dictators.
        2. God’s heritage speaks of the sheep God has given him to tend. The flock belongs to God but he is to care for the flock for God.
        3. Instead of forcing the flock to submit, he is to lead them by example. His life and character are to be examples for them to copy. Warren Wiersbe said, “It is by being an example that the shepherd solves the tension between being ‘among’ the sheep and ‘over’ the sheep.”
          ☆ Pray that your pastor will do his duties well. You can make his job easier and more enjoyable by following his leadership. This will be a blessing to him and a benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
          As you pray for your pastor,

Pray that He Will be Worthy of God’s Reward (v.4)

  1. Each faithful elder will receive a crown.
    1. God knows that caring for the needs of a spiritual flock is sometimes unrewarding. God also knows that other jobs provide more financially than the job of a pastor.
    2. However, when the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, returns, He will reward His faithful under-shepherds.
  2. The promised crown will be glorious and unfading.
    1. The word “crown” describes a victor’s crown or a crown of honour and exalted rank. Being a “crown of glory” enhances the splendour and great honour of the crown.
    2. Again, Wiersbe points out that some pastors “work hard to build personal empires; others strive for the applause of men; still others seek promotion in their denomination. All of these things will fade one day.”
    3. God’s crown of glory will never fade or wither like a flower. It will remain as precious and priceless throughout eternity as it will be the moment it is received.
    4. While this crown is said to be for pastors, the Bible describes other crowns that every Christian can earn like the incorruptible crown, crown of rejoicing, crown of life, and crown of righteousness. If you want to win a crown, follow God’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
      ☆ Pray that God will find your pastor to be worthy of receiving the crown of glory. If God finds him worthy, he will be a good pastor for you.

Conclusion

As I said at the beginning, these verses are not addressed to you, but they contain information that can help you. They also ought to motivate you to pray for your pastor. I need your prayers. I want to be a godly spiritual leader. Spiritually, I want to care for you and feed you as a good shepherd. I want to lead you with a right attitude and by a good example. Most of all, I want God to be glorified in all that I do. Please pray for me. Pray that God will make me the kind of shepherd that will give his very best for his sheep. Pray for your pastor!

If you are not a member of our congregation, you ought to be. Coming to church is good, but joining a local church and getting involved is God’s plan for this age. I would be happy to talk to you about it today.

Song: Teach Me to Pray – 346
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How to Pray for Your Pastor
4 October 2015 AM – 1 Peter 5:1-4 – 1Pe15 – Scott Childs