THE PEOPLE WE BECOME
PETER THE SHEPHERD
Sunday, NOVEMBER 16, 2025
Pastor Gio Harris
SCRIPTURE READING: 1 PETER 4:7-11
1 Peter 5:1-5
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another, because, “God oxpposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Main Points
1. God calls all of us into leadership (not all pastors — but all pastoral)
2. We’re always leading — when we’re blind to this, we lead in the wrong direction.
3. Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
4. Leading well does not mean you’re always in charge.
5. Leading well starts with loving those under your care.
Scriptural Arc
Point 1. God calls all of us into leadership (not all pastors — but all pastoral)
The Call to Be Pastoral (Galatians 6:1–2)
While not everyone holds the office, every believer is called to be pastoral in nature—caring, loving, and spiritually responsible for others in the body of Christ. This reflects Jesus’ heart and is an overflow of the Spirit at work in us.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:1–2 (ESV)
The phrase “you who are spiritual” doesn’t mean “superior Christians” — it means those whose hearts are being governed by the Holy Spirit, not by pride, comparison, or judgment.
Key traits of being pastoral:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Key insights:
SLIDE: A hired hand works for pay and abandons the sheep when danger comes, but the Good Shepherd willingly sacrifices Himself to protect and save His flock.
Story of Dog Sitter…
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
— John 20:21
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
— Matthew 28:18–20
At its core, shepherding is about care, guidance, and growth, while discipling is about formation, obedience, and multiplication — but both flow from the same spiritual posture: love that leads. Jesus doesn’t just shepherd His followers for comfort — He shepherds them toward calling. “Shepherding is the soil, leadership is the cultivation, and discipling is the fruit. The heart of the Good Shepherd nurtures through care, leads through example, and multiplies through formation. “As proxies of the Good Shepherd, we embody His heart through sacrificial love, faithful stewardship, and pure motives. We do not replace His leadership — we reflect it. Every act of care, correction, and compassion becomes a living echo of the Shepherd who still leads His flock through the hearts and hands of His people.”
Leadership is RISKY:
though we are called to this type of leadership it rarely holistically assumed because of the risk involved
1Peter 5:2
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching
over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be
This prophecy foretold Peter’s martyrdom.)
Point 2. We’re always leading — when we’re blind to this, we lead in the wrong direction.
John 21:1-3 “leading with stained clothes is hard to do & often avoided”
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter goes back fishing – and takes Thomas and Nathanael with him
(even after seeing the resurrected
Jesus – he’s pastoring… just in the wrong direction)
Point 3. Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 1:16 (the choosing of Matthias)
Peter leads the others both in the choosing of Matthias and in the understanding of the Gospel Peter anchors his leadership and decision-making in Old Testament prophecy (Psalms 69:25 and 109:8).
SLIDE: “When communion with Jesus is lacking, leadership loses its anchor. Emotions begin leading where faith should, and even the strongest leaders — like Peter saying, ‘I’m going fishing’ — drift into activity without assignment, motion without mission, leading from feeling instead of fellowship.”
Part 3. Continued..Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 2:14-36
Peter’s first sermon.
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them:
“Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter Preaches Jesus
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Peter Quotes David (Psalm 16)
25 For David says concerning him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Peter Explains the Fulfillment
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says:
“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
Acts 2:14-36
Peter’s first sermon.
Point 3 Continued..Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 –
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
(Contrast with Peter’s denial
when he was recognized as having been with Jesus).
Acts 10
“What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”
Peter is the first to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles (he then defends this decisions in Acts 11)
Point 4. Leading well does not mean you’re always in charge or right.
Galatians 2:11 – Paul opposes Peter
Peter allows Paul to oppose him AND persuade him. Peter admits is wrong and changes direction. This is
real leadership.
Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV):
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Evidence of Peters response to Pauls public correction
Peter and Paul’s Later Relationship Appears Respectful
In 2 Peter 3:15–16, Peter speaks highly of Paul and his writings:
“… our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters …”
Peter’s Later Ministry Reflects the Gospel Unity Paul Defended
In Acts 15, Peter strongly defends the inclusion of Gentiles into the church without requiring adherence to Jewish law:
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)
SLIDE: “Correction doesn’t diminish a leader—it develops one.”
Point 5. Leading well starts with loving those under your care.
Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:2–3 that true leadership begins with love, not authority.
You don’t lead because you have to — you lead because you’re willing, because you care.
Conclusion
Peter’s life shows us that leadership doesn’t start with being in charge — it starts with being in communion with Jesus and loving those around you.
He went from: leading in the wrong direction, to leading with Scripture, the Spirit, and humility.
And that’s our invitation too:
Be a shepherd wherever God places you.
Love well. Lead well.
Reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd.
That’s the kind of person we become in Christ.
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another, because, “God oxpposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Main Points
1. God calls all of us into leadership (not all pastors — but all pastoral)
2. We’re always leading — when we’re blind to this, we lead in the wrong direction.
3. Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
4. Leading well does not mean you’re always in charge.
5. Leading well starts with loving those under your care.
Scriptural Arc
Point 1. God calls all of us into leadership (not all pastors — but all pastoral)
The Call to Be Pastoral (Galatians 6:1–2)
While not everyone holds the office, every believer is called to be pastoral in nature—caring, loving, and spiritually responsible for others in the body of Christ. This reflects Jesus’ heart and is an overflow of the Spirit at work in us.
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness… Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:1–2 (ESV)
The phrase “you who are spiritual” doesn’t mean “superior Christians” — it means those whose hearts are being governed by the Holy Spirit, not by pride, comparison, or judgment.
- So, the instruction assumes maturity and humility.
- Before you restore, you must walk in the Spirit.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 — “Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
- Romans 15:1 — “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak.”
Key traits of being pastoral:
- Gentleness and restoration (Gal. 6:1)
- Love and compassion (Col. 3:12–14)
- Encouragement and teaching one another (Col. 3:16)
- Bearing burdens (Gal. 6:2)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Key insights:
- Love and Sacrifice: Jesus doesn’t merely protect; He gives His life—pointing directly to the cross.
- Ownership and Care: The sheep belong to Him; He knows them intimately and values them.
- Contrast of motives: Unlike self-serving leaders, Jesus’ leadership flows from love, not gain.
SLIDE: A hired hand works for pay and abandons the sheep when danger comes, but the Good Shepherd willingly sacrifices Himself to protect and save His flock.
Story of Dog Sitter…
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
— John 20:21
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
— Matthew 28:18–20
At its core, shepherding is about care, guidance, and growth, while discipling is about formation, obedience, and multiplication — but both flow from the same spiritual posture: love that leads. Jesus doesn’t just shepherd His followers for comfort — He shepherds them toward calling. “Shepherding is the soil, leadership is the cultivation, and discipling is the fruit. The heart of the Good Shepherd nurtures through care, leads through example, and multiplies through formation. “As proxies of the Good Shepherd, we embody His heart through sacrificial love, faithful stewardship, and pure motives. We do not replace His leadership — we reflect it. Every act of care, correction, and compassion becomes a living echo of the Shepherd who still leads His flock through the hearts and hands of His people.”
Leadership is RISKY:
though we are called to this type of leadership it rarely holistically assumed because of the risk involved
1Peter 5:2
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching
over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be
- just before or at the beginning of Nero’s persecution in Rome.
- The air was thick with fear, uncertainty, and rising violence.
This prophecy foretold Peter’s martyrdom.)
Point 2. We’re always leading — when we’re blind to this, we lead in the wrong direction.
John 21:1-3 “leading with stained clothes is hard to do & often avoided”
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter goes back fishing – and takes Thomas and Nathanael with him
(even after seeing the resurrected
Jesus – he’s pastoring… just in the wrong direction)
Point 3. Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 1:16 (the choosing of Matthias)
Peter leads the others both in the choosing of Matthias and in the understanding of the Gospel Peter anchors his leadership and decision-making in Old Testament prophecy (Psalms 69:25 and 109:8).
- It’s a powerful picture of how the early church relied on Scripture + prayer to interpret and act.
SLIDE: “When communion with Jesus is lacking, leadership loses its anchor. Emotions begin leading where faith should, and even the strongest leaders — like Peter saying, ‘I’m going fishing’ — drift into activity without assignment, motion without mission, leading from feeling instead of fellowship.”
Part 3. Continued..Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 2:14-36
Peter’s first sermon.
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them:
“Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter Preaches Jesus
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Peter Quotes David (Psalm 16)
25 For David says concerning him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Peter Explains the Fulfillment
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says:
“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
Acts 2:14-36
Peter’s first sermon.
- Peter’s Spirit-filled boldness marks a dramatic shift from fear to confident leadership, showing that wise leadership begins with deep communion and empowerment from Jesus.
- Peter interprets Pentecost through Scripture, using Joel’s prophecy to explain that God is pouring out His Spirit on all people and launching a new era of Spirit-led living.
- Peter preaches Jesus as the center of God’s redemptive plan—attested by miracles, crucified according to God’s purpose, raised from the dead, and now exalted at the Father’s right hand.
- Peter uses David’s words (Psalm 16) to prove that the resurrection was foretold, showing that true leadership is anchored in the Word, aligned with the Spirit, and boldly points people to Jesus.
Point 3 Continued..Leading wisely requires a right relationship with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 –
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
(Contrast with Peter’s denial
when he was recognized as having been with Jesus).
Acts 10
“What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”
Peter is the first to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles (he then defends this decisions in Acts 11)
Point 4. Leading well does not mean you’re always in charge or right.
Galatians 2:11 – Paul opposes Peter
Peter allows Paul to oppose him AND persuade him. Peter admits is wrong and changes direction. This is
real leadership.
Galatians 2:11–14 (ESV):
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
Evidence of Peters response to Pauls public correction
Peter and Paul’s Later Relationship Appears Respectful
In 2 Peter 3:15–16, Peter speaks highly of Paul and his writings:
“… our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters …”
- Peter calls Paul “beloved” — indicating there was no lingering bitterness.
- He acknowledges Paul’s writings as Scripture-level authoritative, which implies deep respect and spiritual unity.
Peter’s Later Ministry Reflects the Gospel Unity Paul Defended
In Acts 15, Peter strongly defends the inclusion of Gentiles into the church without requiring adherence to Jewish law:
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)
- This is consistent with Paul’s argument in Galatians 2.
- It shows that Peter stood with the gospel of grace, affirming that Gentiles and Jews are saved the same way.
SLIDE: “Correction doesn’t diminish a leader—it develops one.”
Point 5. Leading well starts with loving those under your care.
Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:2–3 that true leadership begins with love, not authority.
You don’t lead because you have to — you lead because you’re willing, because you care.
- Willingness over obligation — A true shepherd wants the good of the flock.
- Service over status — Leadership is not about gain but sacrifice.
- Example over dominance — People follow what you model, not what you demand.
- Humility over pride — “Clothe yourselves with humility” (v.5) because humility creates the environment where real spiritual growth can happen.
Conclusion
Peter’s life shows us that leadership doesn’t start with being in charge — it starts with being in communion with Jesus and loving those around you.
He went from: leading in the wrong direction, to leading with Scripture, the Spirit, and humility.
And that’s our invitation too:
Be a shepherd wherever God places you.
Love well. Lead well.
Reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd.
That’s the kind of person we become in Christ.