Good morning. Welcome. You can be seated. So glad you're here. We want to welcome those of you

joining us online as well. So glad that you are real quick before we get started. Just want to let

you know that we will not have our Thursday night Bible study on Thanksgiving, which if you

can believe it or not, is a week from this Thursday already on

the 24th. How crazy is that? So just make a note of it. And today we are continuing our

verse by verse study through 1 Peter. And we're going to commence in chapter 5, the first

four verses. That'll be our text.

I'll ask you if you're able.

If not, that's all right.

But you can stand and follow along as I read.

Again, if not, where you're seated is fine.

The Apostle Peter is continuing to write by the Holy Spirit and says, chapter 5, verse 1, to the elders among you, I appeal

as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving us overseers,

not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be. Not greedy for money, but eager to serve.

Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And verse 4, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown

of glory that will never fade away. Let's pray. Father, thank you so much for your word

and this portion that we have before us this morning here in your word.

Lord, we're asking you at this time, as only you can by the Holy Spirit to get our attention first and then hold our attention so our minds

don't wander.

There's nothing the enemy would want more than to distract us and get us thinking about things so that we miss what you have for us here

...