1 peter 5a

Whatever God has calledcalled and giftedgifted you to do,

Do it willinglywillingly and faithfullyfaithfully.

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1 Peter 5 1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

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Elder = presbyteros = older; also implies leadership.

God is talking first to the older men, those experienced in godly living.

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder,

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Peter was one of these older, experienced leaders in the church; he was an apostle sent by Jesus.

and a witnesswitness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partakerpartaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Peter was qualified to exhort these men.

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,

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Feed = poimaino = to tend as a shepherd

Besides feeding, it includes caring, leading, guiding, and protecting -- all duties and responsibilities a shepherd has for his flock.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.

All the leadership

"Which is among you"

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Some would besmirchbesmirch the local church with its worship services.

Of God's Plan on earth today."Well I just don't enjoy church."

Get right with God; really right.Participate!

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight taking the oversight thereofthereof,

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Oversight = episkopeo = to oversee; to beware

All the leadership

The elders must guard the sheep from predators upon the church.

Spiritual and physical guardianship

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, not by constraint, but willinglybut willingly;

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Not because you feel that you mustmust,

But willinglyBut willingly.Don't be pressured by menby men into service that

you will not do willinglywillingly.

If GodIf God is calling you, Get willingGet willing!!

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

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(TLB) 2 Feed the flock of God; care for it will-ingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out not for what you will get out of itof it but because you are eagereager to serve the Lord.

The heart's desireheart's desire of any righteous leader is the well-beingwell-being of his people.

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2 Corinthians 12 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; thoughthough the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

Serving the Lord is notnot about:

"What do II get out of it?"

"What I likelike or don't like."

It's all about what I can do for someone elsefor someone else.

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

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The overseers are notare not to lord it over those entrusted to our care,

But we are commanded to lead by examplelead by example.

The saints are God's inheritance;Take good care of them.

4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

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If we do these things faithfullyfaithfully, then when JesusJesus returns to receive us unto Himself,

We will receive an unfading crown of glorycrown of glory.

Men's Fellowship and MeetingMen's Fellowship and MeetingChangeChange: This Saturday at 5 PM: This Saturday at 5 PM

Dinner Bell in FlintstoneDinner Bell in Flintstone

12November 4, 2009

Church Fellowship and DinnerChurch Fellowship and Dinner

November 14 at 1:00 PM