Elders and Youngers (1 Peter 5)
CHCC – November 2, 2014
INTRODUCTION:
At the end of Peter’s first letter to the churches, he gives specific instructions to the elders and the "youngers." For that day and age, we could generally assume elders might be folks over 30 and youngers under 30 … since 30 was considered the age of being fully adult. (This is why Jesus started his ministry at age 30.)
But I think we’ll find this advice applies to all of us. In some respects we are all older and we are all younger. Everyone, young and old, has someone they are responsible to care for … someone who needs their guidance and encouragement. And all of us, young and old, often need someone else to help us.
1. The ELDERS
1 Peter 5:1 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:
The church had only been in existence for around 30 years at the time Peter wrote this letter, but already the church was guided by Elders. Peter considered himself one of these Elders. Elders were the respected leaders of congregations. These men were qualified by their willingness to suffer and even die for their faith.
In Peter’s case, he reminds them that he was an eye-witness to the sufferings of Jesus Christ. When he talks about how we share in the sufferings of Christ, that’s not an abstract idea to Peter. He remembered the horrible details of Jesus’ beatings and his crucifixion. He --- and many others in the church at that time --- had known the Son of God in the flesh!
• The Calling:
Peter writes to the elders because they were key leaders in the churches. He says in vs. 2: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—
The calling of an elder in the church is to be a SHEPHERD, watching over the flock. Shepherds and sheep were a common sight in Israel back them, and it’s still a common sight today. A Church of Christ minister named Lynn Anderson wrote a book called “They Smell Like Sheep.” He tells about a time he and his wife were riding a tour bus through Israel’s countryside. The guide was pointing out the history and lifestyle of being a shepherd in Israel. He was giving a heart-warming portrayal of the ancient shepherd/sheep relationship --- telling how the shepherd builds a trust-relationship with his sheep --- how he feeds them and gently cares for them --- how he is never harsh with them because they recognize and follow his voice.
And then he laughed and told what happened on a previous tour when he told the same story. He said he was giving the same speech about sheep and the caring shepherds when he suddenly realized he’d lost his audience. They were all staring out the bus window at a guy chasing a herd of sheep. He was yelling and throwing rocks at them and whacking them with sticks and yelling for his dog to “sic-em!”
The tour guide got so upset that he jumped off the bus and ran after the man, yelling, “What do you think you’re doing? That’s not how a shepherd is supposed to act!” The man stopped and looked bewildered for a minute, then he blurted out, “You got it all wrong, man! I’m not a shepherd. I’m a butcher.”
This gave a great example of what a “good shepherd” is NOT!
Peter went on to describe the ATTITUDE a good shepherd needs to have.
• The Attitude:
Peter tells the Elders to shepherd the flock --- 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. (vs. 2-3)
The first requirement of an elder is a willing attitude. This is the opposite of the, “well, if you can’t find anyone else, then I guess I’ll have to!” This is true for every area of service in the church.
It’s wonderful here at our church to see how many happy, willing folks we have in the nursery and children’s classrooms; serving coffee in the hospitality room; leading the music for the church service; doing power-point and sound (we can’t have church without our electronics working right!); preparing communion and cleaning up after church … (I especially love seeing the toddlers picking up the communion cups out of the chair backs. They are just the right height – they don’t have to bend over at all. And they have a good time building towers out of the little plastic cups! Their enthusiasm is contagious!)
And I think about the willing attitude of our elders and deacons, our teachers and Pueblo leaders. The leaders at our church have the right attitude. They are willing to serve. It’s not always fun … and it’s time-consuming --- but they see the importance of shepherding the flock.
The next part of verse 2 shows that even though 2,000 years have passed, human nature hasn’t really changed. There always have been and always will be people who want to make merchandise out of the gospel. I read a headline just last year that read: Beloved Church Member also Stole from it… It told how a long-time leader in the congregation seemed to be doing really well financially. He had an expensive home, cars and TVs and computers.
The article said, Congregants figured extra income from personal investments paid for the sweet life, but he was actually an embezzler. He died at 59, apparently of natural causes; just weeks after he confessed to stealing at least $491,000 since 2010. According to a San Antonio police report and a church lawyer, it might be closer to $750,000. In the end the church had to sell their property to pay the debts, but they said the worst part wasn’t the money. The hardest thing was that this church leader broke faith with his people.
What a sad story that is. People in leadership positions in the church need to be people of integrity … not just with money, but with the trust of the folks they serve. Those of us who are called to serve in the church need to guard against all kinds of greed and selfishness. We set an example by following the example of Jesus --- the only truly Good Shepherd.
• The Reward:
Peter wraps up his word to the Shepherds by saying in vs. 4: And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
It’s rewarding to serve God’s church here on earth. But the real reward is still to come --- when we hear the Chief Shepherd say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
2. The "YOUNGERS"
After talking to the Elders, Peter turns his attention to the Youngers. The advice for Elders applies mainly to anyone with a leadership position in the church. But it also applies in some way to all of us … because even young people have responsibility to set an example for the ones who are younger than they are. The advice for the Youngers applies to everyone, too … because all of us are under the authority of someone. But the advice and warnings have special meaning for younger people.
• The Calling:
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. (vs. 5)
The calling of the youngers is to follow the leadership of the elders. All of us are under the authority of Christ. In fact, no one is ready to have authority until they are able to submit to authority. This is the training ground for young people who will one day be the elders in a church.
There are two ways the church will have troubles. One is if the shepherds mistreat the sheep. The other is if the sheep go around biting the shepherds. Our calling in the church is to submit to one another in love --- and particularly for those who are younger to submit to those who are older.
• The Attitude:
When Peter talks about the attitude of the Youngers, he explicitly includes EVERYONE in the admonition: All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (vs. 5-7)
I’ve gotten to the point where I think a humble attitude is the answer to just about every problem we get ourselves into. At least it’s the starting point, because an attitude of Pride separates us from God’s help. Step one to enjoying God’s favor is to get humble! Humility doesn’t mean putting ourselves down or thinking poorly of ourselves. It means not focusing on self at all! We take our minds off ourselves and then we can cast our cares on God!
Most of the trouble I’ve seen in church life could be avoided by a good dose of humility. Church trouble is often related to disagreement between the Olders and the Youngers. Often there’s some change in the works --- the Olders don’t want it AT ALL and the Youngers want it NOW! The solution is for everyone, young and old, to submit to each other and to God with a humble attitude --- in other words, with the attitude of Jesus Christ.
Peter ends with a serious warning. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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. (vs. 8-9)
The words the Bible uses for the Devil give us clues as to his activity in the world: He is called Satan (adversary), the Devil (the accuser and slanderer), Abaddon (the destroyer). Here Peter gives a graphic picture of the devil’s attitude toward us … he is like a hungry lion looking for prey!
I think this warning is especially important for Younger people. When we’re young, we feel like we’re invincible. We somehow think we’re immune to the kind of moral traps other people fall into. Peter is warning young people here --- don’t underestimate the devil’s power to deceive and destroy.
What comes to my mind here is the way Satan wants to destroy young Christian families. When you’re a young family it’s easy to get so busy with children and building your career and trying to pay the bills --- it’s easy to stop being alert to spiritual dangers. When I see a marriage fall apart because the husband or wife is unfaithful, it always comes as a result of not being alert and not resisting the traps Satan sets.
The same is true for all kinds of immorality and all kinds of addictions. It always starts with giving in with little steps that don’t seem dangerous at all. If Satan presented himself as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour., everyone would turn and run the other way. But Satan more often presents himself as a cute little kitty cat. We think we can pet the kitty and we wonder why everyone warns us about this little sin. Our PRIDE tells us this sin can’t hurt us! We say things like, “I can stop whenever I decide to.”
Don’t every think you can flirt around the edges of sin without falling into the trap. Don’t underestimate the spiritual dangers that can ruin your life. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
But for those who resist, the reward is great!
• The Reward:
(vs. 10-11) And the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, settle you. To him be the power for ever and ever.
Even in the midst of trials we can remain hopeful because:
• We have God’s grace
• We know we are going to glory
• Our present suffering is only for a while and afterwards, we will be fully restored.
• Our trials are building Christian character (we are equipped, here are three words to describe that character:
o “Established” (fixed on a firm foundation)
o “Strengthened” (with the power to act)
o “Settled” (stable and immovable)
CONCLUSION:
If you remember back to the beginning of our series, the theme of the 1 Peter letter is that we have a LIVING HOPE. Verses 10 and 11 give the reasons for our hope.
Whatever may come, Peter is calling each of us to a LIVING HOPE ---because we serve a LIVING LORD. The Victory is already won. The glory is soon to come!
