Bible Study

Title: The Shepherd's Reward
Date: Apr 14, 2011
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood
Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:25-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Romans 5:30-31, Romans 12:10, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Colossians 4:2-4, 1 Peter 5:1-4

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Ron Klassen, Director of the Rural Home Missionary Association says, "People can be divided into roughly two types: stars and servants. The stars are the ones who capture attention. The servants work for a lifetime in obscurity. They work in inner-city churches. They are small-town pastors ministering quietly. Servants don't need spotlight or recognition from others. They are working for the Lord. They are not zeros in small churches; they are servants of a great God."

One of God's eternal rewards is reserved for His servants who have ministered faithfully. It is called the "crown of glory" and is mentioned by Peter in 1 Peter 5:1-4. We'll look at that in a moment.

What Does God Say?

Take a piece of paper; draw a line down the center from top to bottom; then read the instructions the apostle Paul gave to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV) about the necessary qualities of a pastor. On the left side of your paper, list the traits he should have and on the right, those he should not have.

"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."

Now, read the following passage:

1 Peter 5:1-4 (ESV). "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed : shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, 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 to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."

Note that Peter describes himself as a "partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed" at the coming of Christ. He says that a faithful pastor's work will be rewarded with the unfading crown of glory.

Now re-read 1 Peter 5:1-4. Take your paper with the columns, and in the left column write down the tasks you find that a church leader is to do; and in the right, the things that he is not to do. When you are done, review your lists in both columns. It will reveal many of the prayer needs that your pastor has.

My Thoughts

You may never personally be a shepherd, an elder or a pastor of God's flock, but there are some special ways for you to share the joy of their "crown of glory" reward. As a believer, you have significant responsibilities to those whom God has called to minister the Word of God, just as they have responsibilities to you.

Read over at the following Scriptures and write down the duties you see that you and other Christians have as followers of God's servants.

• Romans 15:30-31 and 1 Thessalonians 5:25
• Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:29 (In the context of Philippians 2:25-30)
• 1 Timothy 5:17-18
• Hebrews 13:17

My Part

No one needs God's protection more than your church leaders. Take time now to consider their needs and pray for them. Make it a daily part of your devotional life. You will share in their rewards.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" (Colossians 4:2-4, ESV).

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