SERMON OUTLINE:
• The reason for having elders (vs 1)
• The responsibility of elders (vs 2-3)
• The reward of the elders (vs 4)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• I like the story of the shepherd woke up one afternoon having enjoyed a deep sleep,
• Realising the situation, he panicked in case somebody had stolen his sheep.
• So quickly he started to count them, “1, 2, 3, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
• TRANSITION: This little section of Peter’s letter is about Church leaders,
• But that does not mean the rest of you can fall asleep!
• Peter has something still to say to each one of us!
The New Testament uses five different Greek words to describe church leadership.
• Elder – 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 1.
• Deacon – Philippians chapter 1 verse 1.
• Overseer (the KJV uses the word bishop) – 1 Timothy chapter 3 verse 1.
• Pastor – Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11.
• Teacher – James chapter 3 verse 1.
In our Bible passage this morning we will be focussing on just one of them.
• In this chapter Peter uses the Greek word used is ‘presbuteros’
• Which is often translated as “Elder” or “Eldership”
• Both English words sound very outdated terms for our modern times.
• ill: I confess that when I describe how our Church operates to non-Christians,
• Or those with little Bible knowledge,
• I often say that we have a leadership team,
• Everyone seems to understand that description.
• TRANSITION:
• Elders are simply leaders, chosen for their wisdom and spiritual maturity,
• Now I can see you lot looking at me and asking, “How did you get the gig!”
• In reply to that query, “I think I must have drawn the short straw!”
Note:
• The qualifications of elders are set out in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and Titus chapter 1,
• The qualifications stress the character of the elder.
• Not their education or business skills but their character.
• I have never met an elder yet who has all twenty-one of the characteristics mentioned,
• In those two lists, we all fall far short.
• But this is the ideal.
• e.g., Just like you will not find a woman who has all the characteristics of proverbs 31,
• It is the ideal to aim at,
• Many scholars believe this chapter speaks of a group of women not just one lady!
• Likewise, when it comes to elders in a Church,
• You will not find a man who has all twenty-one of the characteristics mentioned.
• But the plurality in leadership means that together,
• They should be able to work together to demonstrate all those qualities mentioned.
• So please don’t expect perfection in your leaders,
• None of us are perfect, that is not an excuse but a fact.
• You are not the perfect congregation, so why do you expect them to be perfect leaders?
• But as a rule of thumb, the leaders will have many of the qualifications listed,
• And as mentioned these qualifications have to do with their character,
• Above everything else.
This little section of Peter’s letter is about Church leaders,
• You might be thinking, what does this have to do with suffering?
• Which is what we looked at last week in chapter 4 (verses 12-19).
• Has Peter gone off on a theological tangent?
• Well, the answer is No,
• If you scan down to verse 9b you will see that Peter is still talking about suffering,
• As he concludes his letter.
“…you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Notice the first word of verse 1, “so” or “therefore,”
• That word again shows to us that this section is not disconnected,
• To the theme of having hope during hard times.
• The context of these verses are Christians are facing Persecution,
• Which Peter described as, “a fiery ordeal” (chapter 4 verses 12).
• Life was hard and about to get a lot harder.
• These Christians were also told to get their act, their lives together (chapter 4 verses 17).
• “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us.”
• So, Peter tells them to watch their lifestyles.
• And to help the Church survive persecution and remain holy,
• God has given the Church leaders who will guide, encourage and care for the flock.
• Quote: Henry Ford that great theologian, ok maker of cars.:
• “Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success.”
• Shepherds are needed all the more during hard times,
• The Shepherds would have a bullseye on their back for the persecutors to aim out,
• You remember the words of Jesus (Matthew chapter 26 verse 31).
• "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'”
• When persecution comes it is often it is the Shepherds who are targeted first.
(1). The reason for having elders (vs 1).
“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.”
Ill:
• There is a great quote in the film, ‘A Bug's Life’.
• “First rule of leadership: everything is your fault.”
• Leadership comes with a heavy load,
• Because every decision you make pleases someone and upsets another,
• That is the joy of having a diverse congregation of people.
Another reason leader’s sometimes get it wrong, is that Biblical leadership is a paradox,
• Matthew in his gospel says a leader must serve,
• Yet, 1 Timothy in his letter says that a leader must rule.
• Matthew in his gospel says that a leader must be confident,
• But James in his letter tells us that a leader must be humble.
• Mark in his gospel teaches us that a leader must be a man of action,
• But Luke in his gospel teaches us that a leader must be a man of prayer.
• Luke in his gospel says a leader must have a strategy,
• And James in his letter says a leader must submit to God’s will.
• TRANSITION: So, Biblical leadership is a paradox,
• But leadership is needed, and Peter reminds us of why in these verses.
Note:
• Christians did not invent the idea of elders,
• We find them in the Old Testament and also in the Gospels.
(A). THE OLD TESTAMENT.
• e.g., Moses appointed 70 elders to help in leading the people of God,
• (Numbers chapter 11 verses 16-30).
• e.g., Elders as leaders then continued throughout Israel’s history,
• (Deuteronomy 25:7; 1 Kings 20:8; 21:11; 2 Kings 6:32; Ezra 10:8).
• The nation of Israel had certain men who were elders.
• They were responsible for the supervision of the nation.
• They were mature leaders who were responsible to make decisions.
• They were to see that justice was served.
• They played a very vital role in the direction and future of the nation.
(B). THE GOSPELS.
• When you read through the gospels you will come across these elders of Israel,
• They are often mentioned in the gospels,
• Along with the priests and the chief priests and the scribes.
• (Matthew 16:21; 21:23; 26:3, 57; 27:1, 3; Acts 4:5; 6:12; 24:1).
(C). THE CHURCH IN ACTS.
• We know that the church was born in Acts chapter 2,
• As the gospel message spread and local Church congregations were planted.
• It appears that the concept of elders carried over in part from the nation of Israel.
• In the early church, e.g., Acts chapter 14 verse 23,
• Elders were first appointed by the apostles.
• e.g., Acts chapter 15 verse 2,
• It was the elders who guarded the truth of the gospel,
• And made sure the teaching/doctrine was sound.
• In Acts chapter 15 verse 2,
• Some people had been teaching circumcision was necessary for salvation.
• The elders decided and taught otherwise.
• TRANSITION: So, having elders/leaders is not a new idea,
• It is rooted in the Old and New Testaments.
• It is rooted in the authority of the apostles. It was practiced in the early church.
• Although the situations and details of the role may have changed,
• The principle and the objective are the same.
Notice:
• The description Peter uses regarding himself, a “fellow elder.”
• That is very important!
• It is a reminder that Peter was not the first pope,
• He regarded himself as an equal with the other elders.
• Yes, he was an apostle, with apostolic authority,
• But I like his humility, he was humble, just a “fellow elder.”
Notice: Peter appeal to these Christian leaders is threefold.
FIRST: Peter is a fellow elder.
• Peter knows the challenges and difficulties of serving as a shepherd over a local church.
• So, Peter says that he is writing to the shepherds as a shepherd himself.
• Jesus charged Peter to feed his sheep in John chapter 21.
SECOND: Peter is a witness of the sufferings of Christ.
• Peter is very aware of the suffering that these shepherds were having to endure.
• But Peter reminds them that he also saw the suffering of Jesus Christ.
• So, Peter is saying, Jesus suffered for you and you are suffering for him.
THIRD: Peter is a partaker in the glory to be revealed.
• Though suffering now, their hope is in the glory that will come later.
• Peter too is sharing in that hope,
• And looking forward to the glorious return of the Lord.
• It is on the basis of these three things,
• Peter now makes his appeal to the elders.
(2). The responsibility of elders (vs 2-3)
“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; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
• Shepherd the flock of God.
• The word shepherd here means to tend a flock, feed, lead, rule and pasture them.
Ill:
• Video: The 3 Jobs of a Shepherd.
• A homemade video illustration - YouTube: https://youtu.be/yh30k3qbhtQ
(a). Peter says, “Feed the flock of God” (vs 2a)
• KJB: “Feed the flock of God which is among you”
• J.B. Phillips: “I urge you then to see that your “flock of God” is properly fed and cared for.”
The apostle Peter says to these leaders/elders, “tend the sheep.”
• That of course is the same command that Christ gave Peter after the resurrection.
• Jesus asked Peter a question, “Do you love Me?”
• (John chapter 17 verse 21)
• When Peter replied, Jesus gave him three instructions,
• The Lord gave Peter three commands, “feed My lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”
We have all heard the proverbial saying 'You are what you eat.'
• It is the notion that to be fit and healthy you need to eat good food.
• Both physically and spiritually that is true,
• We need good wholesome, nutritional food to be strong and healthy.
“Feed the flock of God” also carries the idea of protecting from outside attack,
• Especially protecting against false doctrine.
• Twenty-six out of the twenty-seven New Testament books warn against false teachers,
• Only the personal letter Philemon does not carry a warning.
• Part of the Elders job is to feed the sheep a good healthy and balanced diet,
• One reason we try to make teaching a priority in this Church.
(b). Peter says, “watching over” the flock (vs 2b).
• NIV: “watching over them”
• NASB: “exercising oversight”
• NLT: “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you.”
• KJB: “taking the oversight “
Elders/Shepherds are told to serve "as overseers".
• An "overseer" is someone who manages the property, business, or estate of another.
• The flock belongs to the Lord (“The Chief Shepherd” vs 4) not the local shepherd.
• Remember the words of Jesus to Peter, “Jesus commanded Peter to feed MY sheep”
• (John chapter 17 verse 21).
• An "overseer" is someone who manages the property, business, or estate of another.
Ill:
• Joseph in the Old Testament book of Genesis,
• Was the overseer for both Potiphar and Pharaoh.
• The word implies both authority and responsibility.
• The elders are charged with looking out for the flock.
• They are charged with being responsible for the flock.
• However, as the title "overseer" implies, they are answerable to Another, to the Master.
• He, the Lord, will hold the elders responsible for His flock,
• And some day they will have to give account to Him.
Now don’t misunderstand this next statement:
• The church is not a democracy run by the will of the majority of members,
• The sheep do not guide the shepherds rather the shepherds lead the sheep.
• The Elders are the ones with the authority and the responsibility.
• Of course, we listen to what you the sheep (‘the members’) have to say,
• We value your input and comments,
• And we often talk through them and pray through what you say to us,
• But in the end, we are not answerable to you but to the Lord,
• So, we will make our decisions in light of that.
• And we are always happy to explain to you why we have taken that course of action.
Most of us have never been physical shepherds, looking after real sheep. One shepherd writes,
“Looking after sheep is a full-time relentless responsibility.
Sheep have great needs.
They can’t protect themselves.
They can’t feed themselves.
They can’t get water by themselves.
They can’t even do things to heal themselves.
They become so very discouraged over pain and injury.
They are helpless, hopeless, easily led astray.
They are dirty, and they need us to be there to give attention to all these issues.”
• TRANSITION: As shepherds of the sheep, leaders in this Church,
• We want to and will try to do those things for you.
• English dictionaries say that "to shepherd" means,
• “to guide, direct or guard in the manner of a shepherd.”
• That is what we are seeking to do.
Note:
• It is hard to care for a sheep that is not actually part of your flock,
• What I mean is if you are not a member of this Church,
• Then you are an independent sheep attached to this flock of sheep.
• We have no problem feeding you, watering you and showing care for you,
• But sooner or later you need to respond to that care,
• You need to decide is this the flock God wants me to be part of,
• And if the answer is yes, then put yourself under the care & authority of the shepherds.
(c). Peter says, do it for the right reasons (vs 2b-3).
“not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
The apostle Peter indicates some of the characteristics of a good shepherd/leader:
• Each begins with a negative,
• i.e., “Not because you must…”
• i.e., “Not greedy for money…”
• i.e., “Not lording it over those entrusted to you…”
• “Not because you must…”
• Peter goes on to say, that their motivation has to do with the heart,
• Those who serve Christ faithfully do it willingly, they are eager to serve.
• Because they love Christ and the flock, and not simply because he has a job to do.
• “Not greedy for money…”
• Those who serve Christ faithfully do not do it for the money.
• False teachers are usually motivated by greed and desire for money (e.g., God TV)
• This does not mean an elder cannot receive a fair return for honest work.
• Peter, like Paul, accepted the teaching of Jesus Christ that
• “the labourer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18).
• But Peter is saying good shepherds/leaders don’t do it for the money,
• i.e., “Not lording it over those entrusted to you…”
• Those who serve Christ faithfully are not on an ego trip.
• J.B. Phillips paraphrase is boldly pithy…” You should aim not at being "little tin gods”.
• Good shepherds/leaders are there to serve the Church,
• They should not be arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons.
• Jesus led by love and example and that’s how elders are to lead and serve.
• (Mark chapter 10 verses 42–45)
So, these are some of the responsibilities of the eldership.
• Feed the flock- exercise the oversight.
• Don’t do it for selfish motivations.
• Lead by example
(3). The reward of the elders (vs 4)
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
Ill:
• A couple of thousand years ago,
• The Roman statesman and orator Cicero wrote what has become a well-known maxim:
• “Virtue is its own reward.”
• It means of course,
• That when we do something honourable or good,
• We don't need any reward or compensation.
• It is an interesting statement, but it is not quite true Biblically.
• The Bible tells us that God will reward us for obeying him in faith,
• TRANSITION:
• The New Testament teaches,
• There are five heavenly crowns that will be awarded to believers.
• i.e., The incorruptible crown, for those who had disciplined bodies and self-control.
• (1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 24-25)
• i.e., The crown of rejoicing, for those who are soul winners.
• (1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 19)
• i.e., The crown of righteousness, for those who have longed for his appearing.
• (2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 8)
• i.e., The crown of life, for those who persevered through trials.
• (James chapter 1 verse 12 & Revelation chapter 2 verse 10)
• i.e., The crown of glory, for faithful leaders who are examples to the flock.
• (1 Peter chapter 5 verse 4)
• The apostle Paul’s in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 24-25,
• Best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.
Note:
• In ancient writings “Chief Shepherd” seems to refer to a particular shepherd,
• Who had a number of shepherds working under him?
• So, Christ is the Great, “Chief Shepherd” of the sheep,
• And those who are elders in God’s flock are the lesser shepherds.
• They are under His supervision.
• They will answer to him, give an account of how they led the sheep,
• But they will also be given their reward when he returns.
Ill:
• The reward is described as “a crown of glory”.
• This may well be a wreath or garland which victors in athletic games wore.
• Their equivalent of a gold medal.
• Crowns could also be worn in conjunction with a wedding.”
• It was a way to show honour towards someone.
• There was a problem with these earthly crowns.
• These garland crowns or wreaths were made of leaves or flowers.
• So, in time they would naturally fade away.
• Notice what Peter says,
• The crown which the faithful elder will receive will never fade away.
Ill:
• In 1896, an American track and field athlete named James Connolly,
• Ascended the victor's podium at the first modern Olympic games.
• He was the first Olympic champion in 1,400 years.
• Connolly embodied the Olympic moto, "Faster, Higher, Stronger”.
• That's a pretty good slogan for the Christian life too!
• Let me finish by reminding you of the apostle Paul's words,
• In Philippians chapter 3 verses 13-14.
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=u9YTYVq7Tsxz68BSh0ejd8zxtv5VJwPD
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/F8MMlIO2OuU
