Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the apostles (except for revealing and authenticating Scripture). That involves leading the church and testifying to suffering for Christ (taking the lead in speaking out, and taking the lead in actually suffering).

1 Peter 5:1-10 Therefore 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: 2 Shepherd God's flock that is under your care, overseeing--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Introduction

We come now, in our study of 1 Peter, to chapter 5. This begins a whole new section in the book, and this entire section revolves around one single word. It is the first word of verse 2. The NIV says “Be shepherds,” but literally it is, shepherd the flock. That is actually the only direct command in the whole passage. All the rest is about how to carry it out, why to carry it out, who is to carry it out, and the motivation for carrying it out. But it all centers on the one command - shepherd. Shepherding is probably the most comprehensive one-word summary of the job of a church leader that there is. It is our most basic function.

Context

Peter has alternated in this book from focusing on how we deal with the storm of persecution from the outside to how we are to function as a church on the inside. And once again he makes that shift, starting in verse 1 of chapter 5 the focus turns back now to the inside of the church. But it’s not like it is an unrelated line of thought. The first word in chapter 5 in the Greek is therefore. Because of all the persecution on the outside, elders need to lead well. Very rarely will any group ever rise above the level of its leadership, so the leaders of the church are a huge factor in how the church navigates through the waters of suffering. God designed us like sheep. He designed us to need shepherds to lead us and care for us. And so it is very appropriate, in a discussion about suffering for Christ, to discuss the leadership in the church.

Who? The Elders

And the first question Peter answers for us is the who question. To whom is this shepherding command given? Who has the responsibility of leading in the church? Peter answers that right off the bat.

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore to the elders among you I appeal...

Applicable for Everyone

Now before we jump in to this, let me just say this. Passages like this are hard to preach, because when I preach, I want the sermon to be applicable and helpful for every person in the congregation. But this is one of those rare times when the passage is specifically addressed to a very narrow group - just the elders. But that does not mean the sermon is irrelevant for the rest of you who are not elders.

It is good for you to eavesdrop on God’s words to your leaders for several reasons. First, because we are going to see that you have a role in the selection of leaders, and a role in keeping leaders accountable.

Second, because God wants the congregation and the leaders to have a certain kind of relationship, and knowing what that relationship is supposed to be will help you on your end of it. It is good for you to know what God has called the leaders to do and what He has not called them to do.