1 Peter 5:1-5
Notes
Transcript
Background
1 Peter is the first letter that we have from the Apostle Peter in the New Testament. The overall theme of the book is that believers should follow Christ’s example by joyfully enduring persecution.
1 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,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Last week we focused primarily on persecution and suffering, and that we’re supposed to follow in Christ’s example.
Jesus suffered and died an unjust death for us.
We should also expect to be hated by the world.
Our suffering brings glory to God.
In light of our sufferings, and our trust in a faithful God, Peter gives an exhortation to those who would be leaders within the church: the elders.
Elders are not just viewed as “old” in the ancient world. Their age and experience affords them a level of respect that those who are younger must earn through living.
32 ‘You shall rise up before the grayheaded and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.
The idea of age assumes that the elder has persevered in his lifetime, and has both self-control to model and wisdom to share.
Respect for our elders in today’s culture is severely lacking.
Peter considered himself an elder in the church, and that understanding will be explained later.
Elders were seen as leaders in the church.
Peter also identified himself as a witness to Christ’s sufferings firsthand.
54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.
55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them.
56 And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”
57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”
58 A little later, another saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 “You are witnesses of these things.
Peter also states he will be a partaker of the glory that is promised.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter calls for the elders to shepherd the flock of God according to God’s will and Christ’s example.
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.
Jesus commands Peter to shepherd His flock because He loves his flock, and He ordained that elders would care for His flock in His absence here on earth.
There are several things that elders must do according to their calling, particularly in light of the persecution that we talked about last week:
Exercise oversight voluntarily, not under compulsion.
The desire and the will must be present to lead by example, particularly in situations of suffering.
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
Lead with eagerness according to will of God, and not for sordid gain.
11 Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the Lord saying, “Is not the Lord in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.”
This is both an exhortation to lead according to God’s will, and a warning to turn away from the ways of the world.
10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,
11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
Finally, lead by example and not fiat rule.
7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
The Jewish priesthood of their day, particularly the Pharisees, were known for taking advantage of their station.
43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.
42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
There is a standard by which elders must live their lives.
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Notice the word overseer. This is sometimes thought as being separate from elder, but the former has to do with office within the church, and the latter has more to do with status.
Leaders in the church must be mature in their faith, having been discipled by a mature believer and taught the Scriptures. They must be capable of teaching also.
9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
It is important to understand that one must hold to this standard if they are to occupy the office. Not everyone should hold a position of authority within the church.
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
Leadership within the church is to reflect the example Jesus Christ gave us.
Leadership within the church is to reflect the example Jesus Christ gave us.
Elders who hold to their task well will be rewarded when their Shepherd returns for His flock.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Peter now turns to the young men, who are expected to subject themselves to the elders of the church who are setting the example.
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
As seen earlier, Jesus gave us an example of humility.
Scripture tells us that we are honor those in leadership within the church.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
Leadership within the church is to held in high honor, as representatives of Christ.
Leadership within the church is to held in high honor, as representatives of Christ.
As leaders live to serve the church, so the church is to honor their leaders and submit to them.
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
Leadership within the church is to reflect the example Jesus Christ gave us.
Leadership within the church is to held in high honor, as representatives of Christ.
Next week, we will conclude 1 Peter.