Every Christian has to be on guard against the subtle deceptions of sin and pastors are no exception.

Whether it's selfish motives or a desire to conform to the world's pattern of leadership, pastors need to be reminded of the stewardship God has given them and how he has instructed them to carry it out.

Welcome to the Radical with David Platt podcast, the latest sermons from teacher, author and pastor David Platt delivered weekly.

As always you can find thousands of more gospel center resources at our website Radical.net.

In today's message from 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 1 through 4, originally given at the 2020 together for the gospel conference, David Platt urges pastors to ask eight questions of themselves as they seek to faithfully shepherd the flock of God.

And gratefully Christ our great shepherd has grace and power enough to sustain his unworthy but dearly loved undershepherds.

Here's David with a sermon titled shepherd the flock of God, eight questions or pastors of God's people from 1 Peter chapter 5.

If you have a Bible and I hope you do let me invite you to open me to 1 Peter chapter 5 while you're turning there.

A quick explanation for this bandage on my head. One morning a couple weeks ago I blocked out all of a sudden fell on a sharp edge and just gashed my forehead.

So a lot of stitches, concussion and cardiologist appointments later. I'm good now by God's grace but for your sake I'll keep what's under this bandage covered up for now.

Each year I have attended or spoken at T for G. I have felt completely undeserving to even be in the room.

This year I stand alone in a room and I still don't feel like I deserve to be here, particularly speaking to you on this text and this topic.

So Mark Ligonal asked me to preach from 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 1 through 4 with the title shepherd the flock of God.

And there are so many other pastors who should be preaching this sermon.

I think about my childhood pastor Don Bolton who went to be with the Lord this last year after decades of faithful pastoral ministry.

I think about Jim Shaddaks my mentor and the man who faithfully pastored a flock of 150 people Sunday after Sunday during my time in seminary.

I think about Cory Vardin a bivocational pastor who tirelessly works while shepherding God's people in a traditional Baptist church.

I think about Matt Pearson who moved with his wife to live in a trailer on the church property in a small town to love and lead and marry and bury saints in ways no one but God would ever see.

Or overseas we're starting a new initiative right now through radical to partner with indigenous pastors and missionaries on the front lines of the most urgent spiritual and physical need in the world.

We're focusing initially on work in 12 countries including Somalia, Yemen, Botan, Afghanistan, North Korea and the pastors in these places know far more about this topic than I do.

And on top of all this if I could be completely honest I'm in a season right now where I feel pretty insufficient as a pastor.

I'm going to details but I've been convicted over recent days about ways I have not cared well for the church that I serve.

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