1 Peter 5:1-4
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Church Stability Through Servant-Leadership
Church Stability Through Servant-Leadership
The Gospel we received gave us a new identity (Christian) and a new family (Church). In this new spiritual family, God designed it in such a way where everyone can serve and receive service and everyone has purpose and function.
Here in our passage, we read the Apostle Peter’s concluding remark and it is a series of instructions and exhortation addressed to specific groups in the church with the goal of strengthening the church and maintaining the spiritual health of the church in order to withstand the presence of suffering as they await the second coming of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
2 specific groups:
1. Elders (vv.1-4)
2. Young People and all the Believers (vv.5-11)
In God’s wisdom, he appointed people in the church to serve as Elders and to function as God’s under-shepherd to guide, lead, protect, and care for His local church.
The Apostle Peter sounded an urgent call for the Elders and that they must fulfill their duty in a God-pleasing way in order to accomplish God’s agenda.
I. Elders; Shepherd God’s flock that is under your care (vv.1-4)
I. Elders; Shepherd God’s flock that is under your care (vv.1-4)
A. What is An Elder?
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,
Exhort - to call upon, to persuade, to encourage to respond
Elders - the words “elder,” “bishop,” and “pastor” are used interchangeably in the New Testament.
Presbuteros = “elder,” describes the man as—one who is to have some maturity, experience, and history with God.
Episkopos, “bishop,” describes the ministry—not as overlording or overburdening, but as overseeing.
Poimen, “pastor,” describes the method—as that of feeding the flock of God.
“In the NT a group of leaders responsible for managing and teaching a local church. As the name implies, they were normally men of experience and maturity. Although women played a very significant part in early Christian ministry, there is no specific NT evidence for women as elders.”
Because Christ cares for His church, Christ appointed Elders to shepherd His Church.
B. How can a Christian become an Elder in the church?
They are appointed by God through the Apostles
All throughout History, God has been electing and raising leaders in every local church.
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,
Jesus Christ died for His Church and he will protect and purify His church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Jesus will continue to guide, lead, protect, and preserves His church by providing Elders to be his under-shepherds to care for His flock.
C. Qualifications of an Elder
1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 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.
3 Lessons on how Elders can be faithful and effective Servant-Leaders (vv.1-3)
2 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; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Be shepherds = this command was also given by Jesus to Peter (John 21:16)
A. Always remember that the church belongs to God.
God’s flock = The church is God’s flock and God assigned you there to serve and to be accountable.
Take care of it because His church is dear to God.
B. Serve like Jesus (Servant leadership / Christ-like Leadership)
“Shepherd the sheep of God”
- Care for the flock like Jesus (John 10:11-13)
Exercising Oversight = watch over, direct, care and be accountable for the assembly of believers.
“Seek for the interest and welfare of the sheep”.
Examples of Jesus:
- Jesus protected, guided, and fed the sheep that has been entrusted to His care and no one got lost.
- Jesus serve under the Father’s power and direction (Jesus was dependent upon the Father)
C. Lead by example. (walk the talk, taught and caught)
Leading is taught and caught.
You will be an effective Elder / Pastor when people see that you practice what you preach.
Illustration: Peter failed at times (denial 3 times, hypocrisy), but he humbled himself and he was renewed and he continued to serve God.
3 Dangers of Ministry Leadership (vv.2-3)
1. Laziness (serving like it is a duty, no love for the church).
Serve not because you are forced to do it, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.
2. Covetousness (serving for gain, greediness).
Serve not because you can gain things, but because you have gained Christ.
3. Hungry for Power (serving to rule, abuse of authority).
Serve not because you can gain power, but because you are empowered by Christ.
Failings of an Elder:
Abuse of authority, Greediness of power and money, Serving with wrong motive, Serving like a hired shepherd, Lack of commitment, Failure to imitate Christ in words and action, No love for the flock.
My personal prayer as a Pastor: Lord, help me and give me a Christ-like heart that I may serve your flock willingly, and empower everyday by your Word and Spirit. Help me and guide me that I may walk the talk and set an example to my fellow believers, and when I fail, renew and strengthen me!
The Motivation to Serve (v.4)
A. The Chief Shepherd (Jesus) will appear and He will bring a reward that never fades.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Chief Shepherd Appears - Jesus will come again for the 2nd time to judge the living and the dead.
Illustration: When a person serves in leadership in any secular or government positions, he or she receives a reward that fades (money, fame, power).
but When a Christian serves in the Kingdom of Christ, he or she receives an eternal reward that never fades.
Be encouraged Elders / Pastors:
Your commitment in serving Christ and His church sometimes will go unappreciated but it is never unseen nor forgotten by Christ. Christ himself will give you the reward that never fades when he comes again.
Proper Response:
1. Ask God to raise up faithful Christ-like Elders / Pastors for GCCC.
15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.
2. Honor your Elders / Pastors by praying for them and blessing them.
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.”
3. Protect your Elders / Pastors by gently correcting them when they do not exhibit Christ-like servant-leadership and affirm them when they exhibit faithfulness.
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