1 Peter - Part 29 - 5:1-4 - 9-17-2017
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Elders
Elders
We have at last made it to the final chapter of 1 Peter in this, our 29th Session in God’s wonderful word through our brother Peter. We are in the home stretch now my friends - only 14 verses left. So let’s finish strong in the coming weeks shall we. Father God thank you for your wonderful word. Thank you for showing us truth and teaching us your ways. Father we pray that by your word we would learn and grow in our understanding, appreciation, and worship, of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit working through your word on us and in us and through us. All this to your glory we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
In our text for today Peter is relaying practical instructions, specifically this time, not just for the benefit of the individual believer and his or her behavior, but now he is speaking about the corporate life of all believers. Peter is going to focus for a moment on the corporate life of the church. How do we as the church function as a community of believers? What is acceptable behavior in regards to corporate structure? How are we as a group supposed to function? My friends this is desperately needed in the church. I dare say many churches have never touched this chapter of 1 Peter or Paul’s writings in 1 Timothy with a 30 foot pole based upon what I see in church leadership. It’s a sorry day when the people claiming to be God’s people don’t read, abide by, and submit to God’s word. But let’s look at the text.
Peter says I exhort the elders, I encourage the elders among you. Already we have a very big issue to look at. Peter’s language assumes that when a church exists there are elders in that church. Peter doesn’t say if there are elders among you, his writing assumes that there are elders in the churches he’s writing to. This tells us a great deal about how church governance should work. Every church should have elders. If you don’t have elders, I don’t see how Biblically you can have a church. Peter sure seems to presuppose that a church will have elders. Paul sure seems to think it’s important since he not only goes to Peter who explicitly says here that he is an elder, but also other apostles who we know were elders, and Paul then gives us some very clear instructions on who elders are to be in .
Elders are an inherent part of the life of the church. If you want to have a church, you need elders period. It’s not up for debate or discussion, nor are the requirements and qualifications of being an elder by the way. And I know someone out there is thinking about
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
But that passage isn’t about what constitutes a church and how it is structured, that passage is dealing with discipline issues within the church. A church isn’t you and your Bible under a tree somewhere. A church isn’t you’re family gathered in your living room to sing and do devotions together. You can worship at home with your family - no doubt. You can do family devotions and scripture reading together - no doubt, and I hope you do. But that is not the church. A church is the entire community of believers coming together under the spiritual oversight of the Elders for the worship of God, the study of God’s word, and the edification of God’s people. A church has leadership, in particular the men whom God has raised up to shepherd His flock. And yes I did say men. Elder is not a position that women are called to and no that issue is not up for debate. The guidelines for elder in 1 Timothy are exceedingly clear, God has spoken. If you have a problem with that then what you’re really saying is that you have a problem submitting to the authority not only of God’s appointed leaders and God’s planned structure for the church, you’re also saying that you have a problem submitting to the authority of God’s word. My friends if you’re willing to submit to Jesus for salvation, but not to submit to His instructions for how you are to be spiritually led, you are a hypocrite and you’d be better off not pretending anymore. If you won’t completely submit to God - not just in salvation but in His commands and instructions then it’s better for you to go be a part of some other organization and not the church. There’s all kinds of clubs and social groups out there that you can go and do what you want, but if you’re actually a child of God, you’re expected to act like one, you’re expected to follow God’s instructions and submit.
So Peter is specifically talking to the Elders, to the male spiritual leaders of Christ’s church. He says shepherd the flock of God that is among you. God intends His flock to be led, to be shepherded, to be overseen. It is the responsibility of the elders to care for Christ’s sheep. This means teaching them, praying for them, leading them, preaching to them, counseling them, visiting them, correcting them, rebuking them, disciplining them, and being involved in their lives. Being an elder is hard work. This is why not many are called to the role, because not many can handle the task. It’s not for wimps or charlatans. This role is for the serious, this role is for the committed man of God who wants to see Jesus church grow and who wants to see Jesus church thrive.
Peter says if you don’t really want the job of Elder and it’s just a necessary function that you are performing - don’t bother. You won’t be effective, you won’t do as you’ve been commanded, and the church will not be blessed. Elders are to be willing servant leaders - people who sacrifice much for the sake of the Gospel, not for shameful gain. Elders aren’t to take the role so they have power or influence or any type of individual gain. Elders are to seek to give their time, effort, resources, and prayers for the good of the church.
And Peter says in doing all this they are not to be domineering. The Greek word there is associated with the idea of lordship. The elders are not lords in the church, they are leaders of the church. There is only one Lord in the church - Jesus Christ. The elders are simply leaders who have been given charge to govern, facilitate, grow, and benefit Jesus church. The church does not belong to them. The sheep don’t belong to the elders, they belong to Jesus who in His grace and mercy has seen fit to grant us local shepherds to teach and lead and discipline and as Peter says to be examples. The church needs elders not just for practical spiritual functioning, but also to be a living example to the flock of Christian behavior. People watch leaders. They learn from them, not just in what they say but in what they do. Elders are to model Christian living for the covenant community of Christ’s church.
And men I know what a lot of you are thinking right now - yeah this job doesn’t sound very appealing. It doesn’t sound like there’s much in it for me. And you’re right. If you are concerned more about physical rewards and benefits than the role of elder is not for you, because there is no earthly physical reward for being an elder. But Peter says there is a reward for this role to those faithful few that accept the challenge. Peter says when Jesus, our chief Shepherd, the good Shepherd returns, you faithful few that performed this incredibly difficult task will be rewarded. Peter uses the image of the victor’s wreath given during athletic competitions or the ceremonial crown given to exceptionally valiant Roman soldiers for their brave victories in battle. This crown, this victors wreath is a special mark of honor not granted to every believer. Christ will honor his workmen who gave up much in this life with and unfading mark of honor, a designation that this person recognized what was important, what was worthwhile in life and chose to glorify and honor God through their service. Gentlemen, the task is difficult, but the eternal reward will never fade.
To those men contemplating being an elder I encourage you to think about your decision and I encourage you to take up the mantle, not because it is easy or profitable, but because it is hard and sacrifice is called for. But for your sacrifice there shall be reward. And the reward doesn’t just come one day when Christ returns - it will come when you see the people of God grow and learn. It will come in seeing people live lives of faithfulness and obedience to Christ. Your reward will come when you baptize believers and usher the elect of God into times of communion. It will come in seeing those in your charge marry and have children. It will come in seeing those children grow up and mature. It will come in having the privilege of holding the hands of those who are dying as they breath their last breath in this body and enter the presence of the Lord. It will come as you have the honor of proclaiming Christ’s return as you lay their bodies to rest waiting for the day of resurrection and new life eternal. This job is not for the weak or weak hearted, but oh is it ever worth the sacrifice you will make. Gentlemen, Christ is calling some among you to lead his sheep and what a privilege it is. Let’s pray.
PRAYER FOR ELDERS