Bible Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-4
Pastor: Joel Jenswold
Sermon Date: July 3, 2022

Bulletin July 3, 2022

In the name of, and to the eternal glory of, Jesus,

As citizens of the United States of America, certain documents are very dear to us.  The Declaration of Independence comes to mind.  After that, we have the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Those latter two, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, are special because they outline the unique RELATIONSHIP that exists between the citizen and the government in the United States of America.

I am holding in my hand another very special document.  Most in this world don’t know, or even care, that this document exists.  But may I say to you, for you and me, this document is dear and precious.  I am holding the divine Call you extended to me four years ago.  Here is how this document begins:  “Reposing full confidence in your faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ and in your desire to feed his sheep and lambs Lord of Love Evangelical Lutheran Church of DeForest, Wisconsin, herewith, in the name of the Triune God calls you, Joel Jenswold, to our pastor.”

This document defines the relationship that exists between us:  you desire a “pastor,” so you called me to be your “pastor.”  But what does that mean??  What does it mean to want a “pastor”?  What does it mean to have a “pastor”?  Peter’s words today will help us know what it means to have a “pastor.”

 Peter’s first letter is known as one of the “general” letters in the New Testament.  That means it wasn’t written to Christians in one local congregation.  It was written to be shared by Christians congregations.  It was to be read at one and then passed to the church down the road for them to read.  In chapter 5, Peter has some special words for the “elders” in the churches.  We would use the word “pastors” for these men.

As we read what Peter wrote to the elders, think back to that morning by the Sea of Galilee when the risen Lord Jesus prepared “shore lunch” for the disciples and afterwards took a little walk with Peter.   As they walked, Jesus told Peter, “Be a shepherd for my sheep.” (John 21:16)  Peter uses exactly the same word Jesus used when he says to the elders, Shepherd God’s flock that is among you. (v. 2)

“Shepherd.”  Peter uses it as a verb.  That means it’s an action word.  What does it mean “to shepherd”?  “To shepherd” sheep is to feed and lead and protect.  Elders in the church are to feed and lead and protect.  They are not to feed them fried chicken and potato salad.  Elders are to make sure the sheep have the nourishment of God’s Word.  Elders in the church are to lead the sheep.  Not on paths that lead to worldly prestige and success.  But on the path that leads to heaven.  Elders are to protect the sheep.  Not by encrypting the sheeps’ passwords so no one hacks into their accounts.  But protecting them from spiritual wolves and thieves who come to steal, kill, and destroy souls.  That is why in our church we have come to use the term “pastor.”  The word “pastor” means “shepherd.”

My dear friends, I am a “pastor.”  I am a shepherd.  I am an undershepherd of the one Peter calls in our text the “Chief Shepherd,” Jesus Christ.  I stand in sacred awe of what Peter says in our text.  Peter says you are “God’s flock.” (v. 2)  You are God’s sheep, not mine.  Jesus is the Chief and Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you and bought you.  You belong to him!  My role as your shepherd is to help you follow Jesus more closely every day.

Because I am a shepherd, here is what I am NOT.  I am not a CEO.  I am not an executive officer whose job it is to drive profitability and manage company organizational structure and strategy.  I am a shepherd.  I am not a “life coach” or a “motivational speaker” whose goal it is to “make you want to be a better you.”  I am a shepherd.  I am not a psychologist or a licensed clinical therapist.  I am a shepherd.  I am not an entertainer who is here to “put on a good show.”  I am a shepherd.  I am most certainly not a “celebrity’.”  I say that because I recently heard about a person who was a member of a large megachurch and they thought it was a big deal when they actually met their pastor once.  Yea, they got their picture taken with him at a photobooth at a fundraiser.  I am a shepherd.

That means we have a relationship different from any other earthly relationship.  We are sheep and shepherd.  That means that when you come to worship, or you come to my office to talk, or sit in a Bible class, you will hear about Jesus, the Chief Shepherd.  If you come to talk because you are feeling guilt or shame over sin, I will not give you self-affirming exercises so you feel better about yourself.  We will take a walk to Jesus’ cross.  You will be absolved in the name of Jesus.  If you come with depression or anxiety, we will talk of Jesus’ mercy and review his promises to love and care for you.  When you are hospitalized, the doctors will treat your body, but your shepherd will bring medicine for your soul.  If you are homebound and cannot get to church, your shepherd will bring Word and Sacrament to you.  When you are nearing life’s end, you do not want a CEO or entertainer at your bedside; you want one who will talk to you about  resurrection and life.  One who will bring you THE Resurrection and the Life, Jesus.  A shepherd.  We could go on and on with examples.  The point of them all will be the same.  Your pastor, this pastor, is not here to offer the clever slogans and the “feel-goodism” of popular culture; he is here to give you the risen Christ and all that means for you.

Peter says this shepherding should be done willingly (v. 2).  Who wants a shepherd driven by  “obligation,” a man with a sour grimace on his face so all can see how miserable he is?  Give me a smiling shepherd who loves Jesus and loves serving his sheep.  Shepherding is done not for the money.  Who wants a shepherd who knows more about the stock market than he does the Bible and is more concerned with planning his retirement than he is about the blood-bought souls of Jesus entrusted to his care?  No thank you.  The shepherd does not lord it over those entrusted to [his] care. (v. 3)  I am not your boss, your Lord, you already have one of those; the pastor is to be an example of humility and service.  Forgive this shepherd’s shortcomings!

Peter ends this text with these words for elder-shepherds:  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. (v. 4)   Let’s not misunderstand Peter.  He is not suggesting that pastors earn this crown because of the work they do.  Peter is simply reminding them of “the big picture.”  The Chief Shepherd is coming back!  Here is what the ministry of the Word is all about.  That’s why you sent me this document (divine Call).  So that we might be ready to meet him unafraid and with joy!  That we together, sheep and shepherds alike, might receive the glorious crown of victory and life won, and graciously given, by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep.

Amen.