Welcome Suffering as a Part of Life: The Suffering and Glory of Servant Leadership - 1 Peter 5:1-4

1:43And what Peter knows is true to life: that how the leadership of an organization goes is how the organization is going to go. The future of any organization, really, depends upon its leadership. Whether that organization be political in nature, governmental in nature, or business, or in the industrial world, or academic in nature, whatever that organization may be, the family, how leadership goes is how that organization is going to go. And the crying need of our times is that the Lord would raise up some servant leaders, people who will know how to lead those that they are commissioned to lead.

2:40And I pray that out of this church that the Lord would raise up many leaders and that you would be leaders in wherever God places you. And that is the crying need of our times. And especially, I pray that the Lord will raise up more and more leaders who will fill roles very Critical roles throughout this church. That is the crying need for this church, the crying need of our times, the crying need of our society. And it was the crying need in Peter's time for these churches.

3:16So Peter calls for servant leaders. Look at verse 1. Therefore, therefore, in light of everything that he has just said in chapter 4, and everything that he's really said in the whole book, but in just chapter 4, he says, Therefore, in verse 1, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with this same purpose. In verse 7, he says, the end of all things is near. In verse 12, he says, don't be surprised that there's going to be some trials, fiery trials coming your way. They're there for your testing and the church is testing. And in verse 17, he says, the time of judgment is here, and it begins with the household of God. And then in verse 19 of chapter 4, the verse immediately before this, he says, therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

4:15If anybody in the church, all this comes down to the leadership, if there's anybody on this planet that should trust God, it should be the leadership of the church. See, the church needs leaders who are. Embody a trust in God. They're the examples. They are the ones to live out what trusting in God looks like in the face of a hostile culture. And Peter calls upon them in light of everything he's just said. He then exhorts the leadership of the church. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you.

4:56Those specifically in positions of overseeing the church. Let me see, he says this: the church needs servant leaderships. They need servant leaders. And so, what Peter does is he exhorts those who already hold a position of leadership in the church. And he calls them to be more focused on being a servant leader. He calls upon leaders to be more servant-minded. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you. Peter's example is one of servant leadership. Note the, look back at verse 1 and note the humility and sympathy with which Peter exhorts. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed. And see, Peter doesn't just come in throwing his apostolic authority around, does he?

6:01But he empathizes with them as a fellow elder who understands the difficulties and the challenges and the perplexities of shepherding, especially in a hostile culture. It's as though what Peter comes along beside these elders and he says, Look, I know the challenges you face. I witnessed the sufferings of Christ. I saw them. But I also want you to know I am a partaker of the glory that's going to be. And so, as a witness, as a fellow elder, as a partaker of the glory to come, Peter lays out his exhortation. Verse 2: Shepherd the flock that is among you.

6:50Exercising oversight. Shepherd the flock. That's his command. That's the imperative command in this whole passage. Shepherd the flock. It's very similar to in John 21, if you remember, when Jesus came to Peter after he had been raised from the dead. And he sits down in verse 15, they have breakfast together, and he says to Peter, Peter, do you love me? Yes, I do. Tend my lambs. And in John 21, 16, he says to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. He said, Shepherd. My sheep. And then he goes on a third time. Do you love me? He says, yes, Lord, tend my lambs.

7:38Shepherd the flock. It's like Peter is just passing on the command that came from the mouth of his Lord. He now passes on to us. Shepherd my sheep. And the word for sheep or for shepherding means to tend. And it includes all that's involved in shepherding, feeding, lots of it. Feeding, guiding, protecting, and caring for. And all the other duties that go along with shepherding a flock of sheep. Very strong imagery, biblical imagery throughout. Take care, this is what my church needs. Peter, now Peter is saying to the next generation, this is what the Lord's church needs. It's interesting that he never uses the term church in 1 Peter. He uses the word flock.

8:39Very tender picture of the relationship that the leaders, that those under your charge, that God has given to you to lead. Very tender relationship. It's a direct command. This is the pattern of leadership in my church. That's what the chief shepherd has handed down. And Peter's command sets a pattern for servant leadership that should characterize his church throughout its existence. Shepherd, back at verse 2, the flock among you, that is in your area, near you, among you. See, the flock of God is one, one flock. Shepherd the flock, which is among you. It's one flock, but it is distributed in different local congregations across the globe. Shepherd them. Care.

9:37Back at verse 2. How do you shepherd the flock? By exercising oversight. It's the word episcopao, the noun form, we get the word episcopas, which is a bishop or an overseer, to have scope over, to keep watch over. That's the idea. In fact, if you go to Jerusalem today, there's a ridge of mountains just on the east of the city, of the old city, and it's most of that ridge of hills is called the Mount of Olives, right? Familiar with your topography? Well, the peak of that ridge is called Mount Scopus, which means the watching, to watch over, or the point of the lookout. That's the idea. And this Mount Scopus. Played a very important role in the history of Jerusalem and all of its conquests. In fact, that's where it's a very strategic point because you can see all of Jerusalem. You have a vantage point up there like no other place to look out and see what's going on. In fact, that's where the 12th Roman Legion camped during AD 66 and later destroyed Jerusalem. In 1948, the commander of the Israeli forces on Mount Scopus said, I believe that he who controls this commanding ground will rule Jerusalem. And that's been a true picture of history. Well, what this boils down to is shepherds are basically watchers. Watchers. They exercise oversight. They must be positioned in mind and in heart and in their daily routine to watch over the sheep, to assess their spiritual condition, to feed, to protect, to guide. That's the idea of a shepherding ministry.

11:39And Jesus is a shepherd. 1 Peter 2:25, a couple chapters back, Peter says this, For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. You see, you need a shepherd and a guardian of your souls. I need a shepherd. We are in need. We are not autonomous beings. We need shepherd, a shepherd, a great shepherd who will watch over our souls. And that's how Jesus is revealed. And elders are to serve in the same occupation as that of Christ, that of a shepherd. Shepherd the flock among you, exercising oversight. So a servant leader is a shepherd at heart.

12:33And so what Peter does, having given this command at the beginning of verse 2, he goes on to describe three characteristics of a servant leader. And these principles, I mind you, are not just limited to elders, but they apply to godly leadership in general. Anyone who desires to be a leader of any kind would do well to pay attention to what Peter says here about the qualities of a good leader, of a godly leader. I'll tell you this much: kings and presidents would do well to pay attention to the leadership principles that Peter lays out here in these two verses. Whether you're a professor or whether you're in the world of business or whatever. How about husbands? How about husbands in the family? Amen. How about moms?

13:26Let's not leave them out of here, right? Anybody, whatever. Whatever kind of leadership role, I'll tell you what, if you will pay attention to these principles, you will be a good leader. And yet, it is to the leadership of a persecuted church that these words were originally addressed. And it's in that context that we're going to study them. But you've got to understand these are the best principles for leadership. Let me tell you why. Because God always gives the best to his church. That would include the best principles of leadership. He always gives the best to his people, and he sets forth these principles of leadership. And not only that, this is a church that's in dire need. So he comes to them and gives to them the best in a very crucial time of need. So these are the best characteristics of a servant leader.

14:28And I want us to look at these characteristics this morning so that we will know how to recognize, pray for, imitate servant leaders, and that we would become servant leaders ourselves. Three characteristics. Three characteristics. A servant leader, first of all, leads voluntarily. Look back at verse 2. Shepherd the flock among you, exercising oversight. Not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God. He's going to go through and he's going to give three contrasts. And you can look at them. First one, they lead voluntarily, not under compulsion. Under compulsion is a rare word, it's only here in the New Testament, but the idea is to be forced to do something you are reluctant to do. I think it's very easy to understand. A similar principle in 1 Peter 4:9, he speaks about being hospitable to one another without complaint. Hospitality. There are people that needed hospitality. And the idea, what Peter is saying, is don't serve them reluctantly or grudgingly. In other words, like, okay, I'll serve you. Come on in. You can stay at my place too. Sure. Come on in. There's a bed for you. I'll serve you just so you know how good of a person I am. Get in there and let me serve you. That's the kind of grudging service, right? Here. He says, no, that's not it. In fact, a similar thought also, Paul communicates a similar thought in 2 Corinthians 9 when he's talking about that gift that's going to go, that's coming from the Corinthians. He says, you must do what's purposed in your heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.

16:27You see, reluctant service is not a virtue. Like, okay, I'll serve you. Sure. That's not a virtue, but really a vice. And there's real dangers of this kind of service. If you have to be compelled, crowbarred into service. And there's some real dangers of a service, those who serve under compulsion. Number one, it'll be a minimal service. You'll be a minimalist. If you do something under compulsion, you will tend to do no more than is absolutely necessary. You'll be a minimalist. Second danger of such a service is joyless service. Those who serve only because they feel they must will lose their joy, and the church will suffer as a result.

17:17Joyless service. But another danger is resentful service. If you have to serve under compulsion, you will begin to resent the flock. You'll begin to resent the church and individual members in it. You'll get mad at the people who need you. It's devastating. Devastating for a church. Another danger is your service won't endure. You'll have a non-enduring service. You see, servant leadership involves long hours. It involves an engaged mind and a willingness to be the first targets of criticism and persecution. And if you're not willing to step into that, Role, you're not ready to lead the church. And that is what Peter is saying. Those who serve out of compulsion are not going to continue long at their post. And there is a suffering involved.

18:16So the kind of leader that God looks for is one that does not serve under compulsion, but serves voluntarily, leads voluntarily. And the word simply means willingly. And it involves an inward desire for the work. Not an outward compulsion, but an inward compulsion. In fact, Paul gives a good example of this in 1 Corinthians 9:16. He says, For I preach the gospel. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. In other words, don't applaud because I'm preaching the gospel, because I am compelled to preach. Woe is me if I don't preach. That's that inward compulsion.

19:04This is the kind of leader. This is characteristic of a godly leader. They lead willingly. In fact, a real vivid picture of this is the construction of the tabernacle back in Exodus 35. Very profound set of verses beginning in chapter 35. And you don't need to turn there, but you can. I'll give you the verses. You can jot them down and I'll read them to you. But in chapter 35, verse 4, God is getting ready to build the tabernacle and that meeting place where the children of Israel are going to meet with the Lord. Moses spoke to all the congregation in verse 4, the sons of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord's contribution. And he goes on. And then in verse 20 of chapter 35, then all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from Moses' presence. Everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved came and brought the Lord's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold. So did every man who presented an offering of gold to the Lord. He goes on. Then he has some other key individuals.

20:38I'm just going to read them to you. In chapter in verse 1, Bezalel and Oholiab were two very skilled individuals whom God had put skill. And he says this. Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom The Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him to come and perform the work. And these workers said, Look, the offerings have been incredible. We've got way more than we need. Because the hearts of the people had been stirred to give out of a free will.

21:19And then God had to put a stop to it. Say, okay, no more. But it's important to understand that God did not want the services or materials from reluctant hearts. And this is just a pattern. This is just a copy of the reality of heaven. Just a copy, a mere copy, a mere tabernacle. And God doesn't want the services or materials from reluctant givers. You see, these people gave because their spirit was willing and it flowed with the gratitude and a love for God who just delivered them out of Egypt. And they loved the work itself. And this moved them. And it was sufficient.

22:12How much more, as we are dealing with the eternal souls, that God wants servant leaderships. It is a privilege to serve. It would be a privilege for your earring to have been part of the tabernacle, just like it'll be. A privilege for you, whatever gifts, whatever talents, whatever you have, to bring in and to you that God would use to build up his eternal kingdom. Souls are involved. And he doesn't want reluctant gifts. It is a privilege. The days and hours that God has given you are a gift. May you use them wisely. The servant leadership flows from a love for the chief shepherd and for the flock, a love for him and a love for his people. That alone should be sufficient to drive you. John 10, 11 says, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Christ voluntarily laid down his life.

23:24Look at that little statement in verse 2. Serve voluntarily according to the will of God. You see, this is the way God wants you to serve. Willingly. I want to say something as a point of clarification here. Just because authentic ministry flows out of voluntary service, that does not mean it rests purely upon human whims or human desires. It doesn't rest upon your feelings. Well, I don't feel so great today, so I don't really think I'm going to jump in. No, he hadn't put the ministry subjected to the human. Whims or desires, but it does imply that a love for the goal will make the sacrifices worth it. For instance, let's suppose I told my son, I'll tell you what, or my daughter, I'll tell you what, I want you to mow 500 lawns next summer in the Texas heat. You think they'd be too excited about that? Probably not. But if I told them, I'll tell you what, After you've done your 500th yard, I'll take you down to whatever car lot you want, and I'll buy you whatever car you want. All of a sudden, that puts a different perspective on it, right? He can be out there smiling as he's bearing the Texas heat, mowing all these yards, right? Well, that's the same thing. I mean, that's where Christ is. This is the attitude of Christ. The perfect servant leader is Jesus. These words in Hebrews 12, 2 are very profound. For we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross. Wow.

25:21That was the attitude of the chief shepherd. You see, his attitude was not, oh, I got to guess I better get up and go save these miserable wretches. Just so all the world will know just how good of a guy I am. No, he loved the Father, He loved us, and because of this, He could face the cross with joy. Profound. Think about it. You are worth going to the cross for. With joy, He did it. Wow.

26:01And as leaders, are we not to embody the very same thing and serve as if to say to the person next to you, you are worth whatever sacrifices I have to make? This is exactly the heart of our Lord. You are worth the cross. And he did it with joy. Isn't that incredible? Doesn't that speak of a depth of love that you can't even get your mind around? You see, a servant leader does not have to be forced or coerced or guilt-tripped into service. A servant leader does not serve reluctantly or grudgingly. A servant leader leads voluntarily.

26:55But second, a servant leader leads eagerly. Leaves eagerly. Look back. Verse 2: Shepherd the flock among you, dot, dot, dot, and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness. What is sordid gain? Well, it literally means fond of dishonest gain. This word describes a person who is in it for the money. And he's even fine with acquiring it in underhanded ways. His goal is money. However, to get it, even if it has to bend a few rules, whatever it takes, he's fine with that. That's what it describes. But he's in it for the money. But true shepherds are not in it for the money. They'll never use the ministry as a mean to get their hands on people's money. This is what the false teachers do. In fact, this is exactly what Peter is going to warn against in 2 Peter, in his second letter. He says, But just as false prophets arose among the people, there will also be false teachers among you. And in 2 Peter 2:3, he says, you're going to be able to tell them because in their greed they will exploit you. In verse 14, that they have eyes full of adultery, never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed. They're good at greed. They're good at exploiting. Extracting money from those under their care, quote, under their care.

28:391 Timothy 6:5, Paul warns about these, that calls them that they are men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Well, there's dangers, as you can imagine, in such ministries. Selfish ministry is what it will be. They'll focus on the needs and desires of self rather than others. It's a selfish ministry. They'll be lazy for true ministry, kind of like those who have to serve under compulsion. They'll only do the minimal amount. If you only do what you're paid for, your ministry will not go the extra mile. And it will produce a leadership that views people as nothing more than a means to an end. And this will promote skewed judgment, a favoritism. And the ultimate result of this is it will reduce ministry to another corporate business that is never satisfied. And this was the problem with Israel's leadership. Isaiah 56:10 and 11, he refers to the leadership as dogs. All they do is eat and sleep. They don't bark. They don't watch. They just can never get enough. And they eat. They're greedy. And he says this in verse 11. And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied, and they are shepherds who have no understanding. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain to the last one. There's no hope. And so judgment came in on Israel. But it happened because the leadership were no longer servant leaders, but were fond of sordid gain. But contrary to being in it for the money or other forms of personal gain, maybe his reputation or position, a true servant leader leads eagerly or with eagerness. Verse 2. Literally, the word means with enthusiasm. Eagerly. There's an inward zeal, an inward delight for the task itself.

30:56You see, a true servant leader is not motivated by personal wealth, but by the joy, by bringing a smile to the great shepherd's face. Satisfaction doesn't come from the money, but from the joy of our Lord. So servant leaders are to be enthusiastic about their tasks of ministry. It's sufficient. There's enough to be enthusiastic just to see people coming to Christ to be able to. To be part of that role, that instrument that God has sovereignly chose to take the hand of God and to take the hand of man and see him join together.

31:42There is reward in seeing a person come to Christ and grow in Christ. You see, a servant leader is to serve voluntarily and eagerly. Do you start seeing a progression here? He serves not just voluntarily, I'll do it, but is enthusiastic about it as well. So a servant leader leads voluntarily, a servant leader leads eagerly, and a servant leader leads by example. Look at verse 2. Shepherd the flock of God among you. Drop down to verse 3, not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

32:35You don't act as an overlord. It's not godly leadership. The word literally means subduing somebody by force. It's really a comical illustration of it. If it weren't so serious, you'd want to laugh. But in Acts chapter 19, there's Paul, and he's doing this incredible ministry, and even his handkerchiefs are used and People are being healed, and demons and evil spirits are going out. So then there's these seven sons of Skiva. They decided they're going to get on this action. This is pretty cool. And so they get in and start trying to cast out evil spirits. And in one instance, one said, I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you? And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. That'll teach them, right?

33:34But that's the word. Subdued them all and overpowered them, ruling by force. That's the idea here. It's kind of an overlord mentality. Yet, this is how many parents run their homes. This is how many managers run their businesses. This is how many pastors or elders or ministers lead in the church. A real good example of this domineering personality in the church is Diotrephes. 3 John 1:9. John is writing to the church, and he mentions this guy by the name of Diotrephes who loves to be first among them. And he doesn't like correction. And then, if they cross him, he forbids those who love the brethren and he puts them out of the church. You don't go along with. Them, he puts them out. Well, there's dangers of such a ministry. First of all, a scattered sheep. First chance, a lot of the sheep will get, they'll bolt. Those that do stay will be the coward sheep. The creativity suppressed. A form of godliness will be there, but they'll be lacking its power.

34:54Be service out of compulsion, a heavy hand, and everything that goes along with the service out of compulsion. But what this kind of overlord mentality will do, it'll turn church life into drudgery. It'll make it cold. It'll make it callous, indifferent, and lifeless. There was a time when the disciples had this little lordship mentality. You remember that? Perhaps Peter is thinking that as he is writing this. Remember in Mark chapter 10, they're sitting there, disciples, or one, the sons of Zebedees, wants to sit on the right and on the left. And Jesus says, wait a minute. And he calls them, and in verse 43, he said, it's not this way among you. But whoever wishes to become great among you, you shall be your servant. You shall be your servant. And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a Ransom for many.

36:03But look at verse 5, 1 Peter, I mean, verse 3, back in 1 Peter 5. Under shepherds, have those allotted to his charge. That is, the Lord Himself has allotted those under your leadership. He has put them under your charge. And God does not put people under your care so that you can kick them around as if God needed some sort of secret service, some sort of brutal secret service type class of ministers. You see, the church doesn't need ruthless dictators who delight in pointing out others' mistakes and others' deficiencies, because we all have them. But what does the church need? Examples. Examples. Look back. He gives the church shepherds that will be examples, not dictators.

37:04Shepherd the flock among you. Verse 3. Nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. It's the same word, image. It's the same word that he's already used back in chapter 3 and verse 21 to describe spirit baptism or the baptism that saves. If you remember, there is Noah's flood that is a picture. Of that spiritual renewal. And water baptism is a picture of that spiritual renewal of the baptism that saves, that which takes place. Well, here it's referring to shepherds, undershepherds. Undershepherds are a picture of Christ. It's kind of scary, especially if we know this text is talking to you. But here it's, again, it's this imprint.

38:03An undershepherd, an elder, is to be a picture of Christ. In John chapter 20, the disciples were there. And Thomas said, unless I see his hands, in his hands, the imprint of the nails, I will not believe. The imprint, the imprint. That's the same word here. You see, undershepherds and leaders are given as an imprint, as an exact representation. Scary. They're to be an imprint of Christ to the flock. You should be able to say to your children about those who lead the church, kids, be exactly like them.

39:00That's where he's going with this. And he's not saying go have a personality like them, but he is saying to be like them in character. You see, a servant leader embodies the destination or the journey's end for those who he leaves. And this is true in business, this is true in academia, this is true in industry, management, it's true in the family, and it is especially true in the church. And one of the problems with the church today is that, or with the church and the families and everything, is that our leaders are not always the role models that they need to be.

39:39And as I look at this text, my lament as one looking at my own heart, I am very aware of my complete and utter character deficiencies to be held up to say, go out and be just like me. I'd like to say, yeah, but I want you to be better than me. And I ask, who is adequate for these things? I mean, my wife, my kids, they see me. And I'll tell you what, the temptation is for a leader, is just to walk away. Walk away from this. And say, look, why would I want to take this on? Let me just go off into the woods. And you've heard me say it before, take my six kids, raise my freaks, and just be off into the woods someplace and just do my own thing and not stick my head out.

40:25There's a temptation, and it's a spiritual battle for leaders. Because there is such a high standard. And we recognize we are to embody Christ. And there is suffering involved in that. But there is comfort in this passage because the very sense of the verb is to become. There is growth in Christ's likeness. Be an example. There's a present ongoing action. You have become an example. And you are becoming a better example. You are an example of Christ's likeness, and you are growing in Christ's likeness. And even our growth in Christ's likeness is a model for the church, or for your family, or for whatever organization that you may be allotted to lead.

41:19Paul says in Philippians 3:17, Brethren, join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. In other words, follow me as I follow Christ. You see, the best kind of leadership is leadership by example. A leader to say, I want to show you exactly how these principles apply and how they live out in my life so that you will be able to understand how they relate to your life. And though we may have different stations and different personalities, the fundamental principles are there, and you should see in me a likeness of your Lord.

42:00You see, the best kind of leadership is leadership by example, and that's one reason why God became flesh and dwelt among us. And this is what separates biblical Christianity from all other religions. God Himself has walked among us and given us an example that we may walk. And there's going to be suffering involved. It's going to take time, energy, resources, pride, and even some pain. Well, there's a Peter contrast two different styles of leadership in this passage. There's the worldly leadership, and you can see the progression. They lead under compulsion, for personal gain, naturally follows, and they tend to be overlords. But then there's also a progression of godly leadership. They lead voluntarily, they lead eagerly, and they lead by example.

42:59And these are the qualities that make a great leader in any field, in any area. And you implement these practices in your work, I promise you, you will excel. Because that's exactly the kind of leadership that God Himself embodies. And He gave us that. But especially as it relates to the church, such leaders are going to be. First targets of criticism. They're going to be the first targets of persecution. And they have to be because they have to provide an example for the flock, for how you endure such times, especially in the context of 1 Peter and a hostile culture.

43:47So a servant leader will suffer. But there will also be glory. Look at verse 4. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory, the chief shepherd, the arch shepherd. And when he appears, literally when he is revealed, the arch shepherd, the chief shepherd will be revealed. And you will receive an unfading crown of glory. You see, wreathed crowns were, rather than medals or trophies, were the awards for victorious military heroes or victorious athletes. And you can imagine what a crown of green leaves would do over time, right? Kind of fade and eventually you throw it away, right? In fact, I got an email from T. Getterman. If you just sat in his class, you'll appreciate this because he's a CPA and keeps track of some obscure little dates. He wrote me this on August 19. He said, I thought you might be interested to know that today is the 2000th anniversary of the death of Augustus Caesar, who was emperor at the time of Jesus. Jesus' birth. And then he was succeeded by Tiberius Caesar, who was the emperor during Jesus' crucifixion. How many of you on August 19th were really riveted, caught by, or took even a moment of silence to remember Augustus Caesar? He's vanished from the minds of man. His great kingdom, his great position. This was a man for his times. Completely forgotten. Completely forgotten. Yet, those shepherd leaders, servant leaders, are promised the unfading crown of glory, one that's not subject to losing its newness. It's like a flower in eternal bloom, eternally fresh, never losing its quality or its beauty. It will always be new, always. That's the crown. And what is the crown? Well, from the perspective of the chief shepherd, it's his smile.

46:07Matthew 25, 21, his master said to him, Well done, and good and faithful slave. You were faithful in a few things. Behold, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. That joy doesn't fade. God is eternal. His joy is eternal. But also, you can think of it from the perspective of the joy. Of the saints in Daniel 12:3, God tells us that those who lead the many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Think about that. You playing a role under the sovereign hand of God to shepherd, to lead eternal beings to a right relationship with God.

46:57And they're there eternally. Their favor, their gratitude, it's not going to get old. A servant leader leads voluntarily, leads eagerly, and leads by example. And I hope, as you meditate on this over the next few days, that you'll begin to recognize servant leaders, that you will pray for servant leaders, that you'll protect them, that you'll imitate them, and that you will become a servant leader. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we recognize that you are the great, good chief shepherd, and you know that we need oversight. And Father, we thank you for your oversight, whether it is direct or whether it is through parents and or other people that you have put in our lives. Father, we thank you. Help us to arrange. Our lives under the leadership that you have given us and put in our lives. Father, help us to all desire to be like you and how we serve and how we relate to those you've put under our care. Father, may we truly be a servant leader just like Christ to the end that your name would be praised and glorified and simply because you deserve it in Christ's name.