Spiritual Leaders of the Flock

ME: Intro - “Roll” Model

Back when my wife, Stephanie, and I were dating while we were in college.

It was really important to me to be a role model.

Especially to her.

So, one day when I was in the grocery store,

I saw a fresh, golden opportunity to be a roll model.

I managed to get a picture of it,

And I sent it to her.

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I am pretty sure that’s when she knew I was the one.

I thought I was a pretty good roll model.

But I am not the only one.

Our other elders make pretty good roll models too.

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In fact, Paul, our grow elder,

Takes roll modeling to a whole ‘nother level.

In his own words,

He is on a roll when he roll models.

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Then you have Ryan, our go elder,

He is a gem of a roll model.

He tries to blend in more as he models to the rolls around him.

Lastly, Adam, our serve elder.

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He has a real heart for the nations as an international roll model.

As you can see here,

He is a Swiss Roll Model.

But a roll model nonetheless.

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So, there you have it.

Our elders...

The roll models.

And even though we may try to be good roll models,

R-O-L-L.

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According to 1 Peter 5:1-5,

It is a far more important for elders to be good role models,

R-O-L-E.

Because Peter teaches that elders are Spiritual Leaders of the Flock.

A church with spiritual leaders who make good role models,

Is typically a church that is stable, unified, and healthy.

We cannot leave spiritual leadership to chance.

Elders must meet the biblical standards.

We cannot just do whatever seems to work best in the moment.

Otherwise, power struggles quietly transpire under the surface,

Disunity creeps in,

Then those struggles rise to the surface in a harsh way.

Or we try to just bring in some new blood to infuse fresh life.

Which may seem to work for a little while.

But this does not make the church healthy.

Because the cycle will occur again,

And again,

And the church will become increasingly frustrated and disappointed.

Problems like this will remain until a church appoints leaders who meet the biblical standards of eldership.

Because if the spiritual leaders lack character,

The church will lack character too,

And instability will result.

No short-term fixes, new life, or creative ideas will solve the problems caused by a lack of character.

This does not mean biblically qualified elders will solve every problem,

And the church “arrives.”

But it does provide a framework for developing a strong and healthy church.

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So, this morning, we are focusing on three areas related to Spiritual Leaders of the Flock:

Clarify Elders (vs. 1-2a)

Clarify Elder & Member Function (vs. 2b-3, 5)

Clarify Accountability (vs. 4)

Elders willingly and eagerly model the humble service expected of every member.

Let me give a quick summary of the context for our passage,

Then we can jump in.

1 Peter is an instructive letter written to several early churches,

Spread throughout Roman provinces in first century Asia Minor.

Just before Peter instructs the elders of these churches in our passage,

He addressed the subject of suffering for the sake of the gospel in ch. 4.

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He wrote in 1 Pet. 4:12,

1 Peter 4:12 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

These first century Christians were facing increasing troubles and hatred for their faith in Christ.

Persecution was especially common in Roman provinces,

Because Christians were not participating in emperor worship.

So, their “disloyalty to the government” was treated as a political threat,

You could imagine how tempting it would be for these Christians to fear Roman officials.

However, one commentary wrote,

“Christians faced what was perhaps an even greater threat from the attitudes of the general populace.”

This, I believe, is a fear we can relate to.

Despite the fear of governmental persecution,

First century Christians likely feared the people,

Feared being estranged from their own communities.

This is part of what Peter addresses in his letter,

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Encouraging Christians with things like,

1 Peter 3:16 (ESV)

have a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

So, Peter is writing to believers who suffered for the gospel.

This them comes up again and again,

Immediately after our passage this morning,

Peter addresses suffering caused by anxiety and the attacks of the devil in vs. 6-11.

But right in the middle of Peter’s exhortations to persevere through suffering,

He pauses for a brief moment,

To address elders.

Why?

How does addressing suffering and addressing elders relate?

What relationship do these two subjects share?

For one,

Peter says that suffering believers need spiritual leaders to model a dependence on the Lord amid fiery trials.

But secondly,

Suffering believers need nurturing amid suffering,

And Peter tasks elders to oversee this nurturing.

WE: Clarifying Elders? (vs. 1-2a)

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This is how Peter begins his address to elders in vs. 1-2a,

By Clarifying Elders.

First, he identifies the spiritual leaders by their pastoral position in the church.

Elders are the spiritual leaders of the flock.

This letter had been written to the entire church,

But here in ch. 5,

He begins to address the subgroup of elders in the church.

He is not just referring to those who are older.

This is made clear in the next verse when he tells elders to shepherd and give oversight.

And even more clear in vs. 3 when he tells them to refrain from using their position to lord over others.

But the first evidence that Peter is addressing the office of elder is Peter’s identification as a fellow elder.

When Peter first introduced himself at the beginning of this letter,

He introduced himself as an Apostle.

But here, he stresses his solidarity with the elders.

He is not speaking as an Apostle to elders,

He is appealing to the elders by leaning on his shared eldership as a way to encourage them.

So, the elders Peter is referring to are those who are given the responsibility of leading according to the biblical qualification.

And notice how Peter refers to the elders as plural.

This has been the norm all throughout the NT.

Elders are spoken of as a plurality.

A specific fixed number is not given.

But when there is one or none present,

A plurality must always be pursued.

Why?

Because a plurality provides a greater measure of wisdom and leadership.

It adds to the mix of spiritual gifts to serve the body.

Together, elders can seek the Lord on critical issues facing the body.

And together, elders hold one another accountable as examples for the flock.

Peter understood this.

He leans on his own firsthand experience as an elder among elders in Jerusalem.

But this also allowed him to sympathize with the pressures these elders were enduring.

Adding that he was also a witness of the sufferings of Christ.

So, Peter is saying,

Like these fellow elders,

He testifies to the sufferings Christ endured to redeem sinners.

He can relate to these elders.

But Peter also points out that he was a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed.

He got to partake in the glory of Christ displayed at the transfiguration,

And after Christ rose from the dead.

So, Peter is assuring his fellow elders by keeping the gospel central.

Directing the attention of these elders to the radiant glory of Christ that will be revealed.

This was the hope that anchored their souls in the midst of persecution.

So, Peter identified himself with the elders in three ways:

He identified with their position as elders,

Passion for the gospel as witnesses,

And hope in Christ that is going to be revealed.

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Next, Peter moves in vs. 2 with a charge for elders to be exemplary, model servants.

He commands elders to shepherd the flock of God among them,

And to exercise oversight.

These two commands are the verbal forms of the same words for pastor and elder.

The verb form of the word used here that is translated, “to shepherd,”

Is the same word in the noun form translated as “pastor.”

The same is true for the verb form of the word that is translated to “exercising oversight,”

The noun form of the same word is translated as “elder.”

So, those who shepherd give pastoral oversight.

We talked a little about the shepherd imagery two weeks ago.

But here, Peter emphasizes it.

A shepherd knows his sheep,

Watches out for danger,

Ensures they are cared for,

Heals their wounds,

And disciplines if necessary to keep them with the flock.

So, in the context of the church,

Shepherds watch over the souls of the flock of God among them.

This means they spend time with the flock,

They understand their needs,

And they apply God’s Word with precision.

They feed the flock with Scripture,

They unfold God’s Word for them to help them stand firmly in their faith.

Just as shepherds lead the way for sheep,

Elders lead the way in spiritual growth for the flock of God by example.

Elders are tasked with promoting the overall good for the flock.

Again, going back to the OT,

The shepherding imagery was first used by God to illustrate the way He cares for His people.

Then in the NT,

Jesus continued this imagery by portraying His own care for the church in John 10,

Where He calls Himself the Good Shepherd,

Who leads His sheep,

Who goes out before them,

Who lays down His life for His sheep,

That they may have abundant life.

Jesus also taught about God’s gracious concern for sinners using the imagery of sheep in Luke 15,

The parable of the lost sheep.

Where the sheep owner leaves the 99 to find the one,

Then carries the lost sheep back on His shoulders,

Rejoicing over His found sheep.

But think about our author.

Peter received a firsthand teaching from Jesus in John 21.

After having denied Jesus three times the night Jesus was crucified,

The resurrected Jesus came to Peter and asked Peter three times,

“Do you love Me?”

All three times, Peter responded with an emphatic yes.

So, Jesus commanded Peter to feed His sheep.

Now, this same elder is extending this command to all elders.

Adding the responsibility of exercising oversight.

These early church elders were charged with guarding the flock from false teachers who were making their way into churches causing disarray.

So, Peter was tasking elders to ensure the churches were maintaining a solid biblical footing,

Equipping members to resist the influence of false teachers.

Today’s elders are called upon to do the same.

When members are influenced by false teachings,

Elders go after them like a shepherd going after his sheep.

So, elders are called to organize care for the flock,

And the teaching of the Word.

Because these things ensure the ongoing stability and health of the church.

Well-fed and well-cared-for sheep are far less likely to wander from the flock into danger.

GOD: Clarifying Elder & Member Function (vs. 2b-3, 5)

So, this responsibility comes with much authority.

Elders cannot truly lead without authority.

But authority in our day and age seems to imply this idea of a maniacal dictatorship.

Yes, it is true, that there have been egotistical leaders who have wielded authority like a weapon,

Both from the world and even in the church.

But this does not mean we abandon the biblical direction because of poor examples by sinful humans.

But it does mean we uphold the function of elders Peter clarifies in vs. 2-3,

And the function of members Peter clarifies in vs. 5.

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The first elder function Peter clarifies in vs. 2 is the motivation for serving as an elder.

Sometimes, people serve in churches out of a sense of guilt,

Having their arm twisted into it.

This is not a healthy way to serve.

And Peter outright condemns this for elders.

Instead, he says elders must shepherd willingly.

Why?

Because a person who serves under compulsion is more like a slave or a prisoner than a voluntary servant.

And if an elder specifically, serves under compulsion,

Then they do not truly aspire to be an elder,

Which is a qualification for eldership.

This can happen for a variety of reasons:

Members keep pressuring someone to be an elder that they see potential in,

Others may threaten to leave if they want someone to be an elder who doesn’t aspire to be an elder.

Regardless of the details,

Elders who serve under compulsion are serving according to man’s will,

Rather than God’s.

So, really everyone who serves in the church must resist serving under compulsion.

But Peter’s point is that this is especially true of elders.

Elders must serve with a willing heart,

“As God would have them,” Peter says.

When a person serves voluntarily rather than under compulsion,

They work harder,

They find joy in their service,

They do not give up when times become difficult,

And they are well-equipped to deal with discouragement.

The prime example is Jesus Himself.

Jesus did not go to the cross under compulsion,

He went willingly.

In fact, Hebrews said there was joy set before Him to endure the cross.

And it was not as if it was easy.

He sweat drops of blood just before He was arrested.

He asked the Father if there was a way for this to pass to make it so.

But because it was the Father’s will,

He willingly submitted,

Took joy in suffering,

As He endured the cross.

So, likewise, elders are not to shepherd under compulsion.

It is to be something done willingly,

And submissively to the Father’s will.

Elders have to be willing to accept an incredibly difficult task.

Elders themselves in the front line of the battle against Satan.

We must be prepared for all the criticism that comes our way.

There are severe troubles waiting for elders.

But knowing we are in the center of God’s will,

Gives the right perspective for all the demands and pressures faced by elders.

All that being said,

It is equally encouraging when the body affirms God’s will for an elder.

Both by an ordination examination and by a vote of affirmation.

All this together creates a peace in the elder’s heart concerning all the responsibilities and tasks required of an elder.

This voluntary service with the affirmation of the body empowers elders to face all the demands of eldership with joy and thankfulness.

Because there is this assurance from the body that we are serving according to the will of God.

So, an elder serves willingly,

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And, as Peter continues in vs. 2, eagerly.

It would seem that by the time Peter wrote this letter,

Some elders were being compensated for their service.

1 Tim. 5:17-18 implies that elders who preach and teach are laborers worthy of wages.

1 Cor. 9:14 says that those who proclaim the gospel should make their living by the gospel.

So, it seems, some elders who were preaching and teaching were compensated for the time it took for this task,

Enabling them to dedicate themselves to this more fully.

That being said,

Peter’s point is that even if some elders may be compensated,

That compensation should not be their motivation.

In other words, elders do not seek to become elders for greedy reasons.

Elders must love to serve as a shepherd with eagerness,

With this strong enthusiasm for the duties of the office,

With a devoted zeal out of love for Christ and His church.

Elders must not love to serve for money or fame or power or attention.

Elders must find their greatest satisfaction in the acts of service,

In what they give through service,

Rather than what they get from their service.

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One of the greatest dangers when it comes to any sense of authority is a haughty,

Power-hungry spirit.

This is true in government, business, school, home,

And especially the church.

So, Peter’s next exhortation to elders in vs. 3 to shepherd and exercise oversight,

Without domineering over the flock God entrusted them with.

Sadly, there are power mongers who creep into churches,

Desiring to hold this iron grip over everything.

They want to be the one to make all the decisions about finances, sermon series, music selection, calendar events,

You name it,

If there is a decision to be made,

They want to be the one to make it.

People like this can use subtle forms of intimidation to control entire churches with their influence.

That is not spiritual leadership.

Peter says that elders serve under the Chief Shepherd,

Who has placed one of His flocks under their charge.

The picture is a Master who owns fields and fields filled with flocks of sheep.

So, the Master parcels out portions of His flock to undershepherds,

With the understanding that each undershepherd reports to Him.

Therefore, Peter says,

The undershepherds do not domineer over the flock.

This is the same thing that Jesus said the rulers of the Gentiles did in Mark 10,

When He told His disciples that we are to be different.

Jesus said, He came not to be served but to serve.

So, He told His disciples,

That His leaders are to be servants, shepherds, and examples,

Not masters, dictators, and authoritarians.

Again, our author learned this lesson firsthand from Jesus.

Now, he is teaching the same thing.

Saying, elders are to prove themselves by being an example,

Just like Jesus was an example.

You could imagine as Peter was writing this,

Thinking about how Jesus in John 13,

Knelt down at Peter’s feet with His basin and towel in hand,

And Peter had to be corrected by Jesus for trying to keep Jesus from washing his feet.

Phil. 2 teaches that Jesus took the form of a servant,

Being born in the likeness of man,

And humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on the cross.

That is the example elders are called to model.

But really it is the example all members are called to follow.

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Peter briefly clarifies this member function in vs. 5.

But before he does that,

He commands the younger to be subject to the elders.

It is important we understand that the exact meaning of this command is highly debated.

Some suggest that it is referring to those who are younger in age.

While others point out how the context seems to suggest something different.

This term translated to younger can also be translated as new or less mature.

So, while it is true for those who are younger in age to honor through obedience those who are older.

The context of Peter’s teaching to elders would suggest this is referring to younger believers.

Those who are the younger or newer to the faith.

Or those who are less mature.

Peter is saying that for their good and their growth,

They are to be subject to those who are more seasoned in the faith,

Or more mature.

Specifically, those who are elders.

It is a command to accept the shepherding from elders,

To be subordinate to their leading.

Peter Davids believes these younger believers had a burning passion that is common when a person first becomes a believer,

That Peter was addressing new believers who were zealous to spread the gospel.

But as a result, would spring into risky situations due to the persecution of the day,

Which would be detrimental to the work of the gospel.

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So, Davids writes,

“Their very readiness for service and commitment can make them impatient with leaders, who either due to pastoral wisdom or the conservatism that often comes with age are not ready to move as quickly or as radically as they are.”

Either way,

These younger believers needed Peter’s council to be subject to the elders,

To continue walking with submissive hearts under their God-given authority.

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Then it is from there,

Peter turns his attention to all members,

Elders included,

Commanding all members to clothe our selves with all humility toward one another.

The imagery of clothing ourselves pictures this slave tying an apron over his garment as he goes about his work.

The apron is a sign of the slave’s humble position.

This humility toward one another can be outwardly seen by others.

There is an internal and external posture of humility toward one another.

Because, as Peter alludes to Proverbs 3:34,

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

So, humility is how all members must function.

An elder is not better than any other member,

Elders are not above any other member,

Peter says all members, all elders, clothe ourselves with humility toward one another.

Elders are to model this to the other members.

But all members of Christ’s body are clothed with humility.

YOU: Clarifying Accountability (v. 4)

So, Peter’s exhortations in our passage must be taken seriously.

Because one day,

All members,

Elders included,

Will stand before the Lord.

As we talked about two weeks ago,

Hebrews 13:17 says that elders will have to give an account for how we serve.

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Here, Peter clarifies accountability in a positive way in vs. 4,

Where he teaches that we are accountable to the Chief Shepherd.

You see, the church does not belong to the elders, it does not belong to the pastor, it does not belong to any member, or even the members corporately.

The church belongs to Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

This truth must be seared in our hearts if we are going to accept the Bible’s teachings about spiritual leaders of the flock.

We already talked about how the illustration Peter uses here is that of a group of sheep entrusted by the Chief Shepherd to undershepherds.

Back in ch. 2,

Peter talked about how the church was straying like sheep,

But had returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.

This is talking about Jesus Christ,

The preeminent shepherd in all authority over all other shepherds.

It brings out the relationship of Christ’s own pastoral care for the church,

And the work of elders who serve as undershepherds,

Who are accountable to the Chief Shepherd when He appears.

This appearance is talking about the second coming of Christ,

When He returns in glory at the end of the world.

At this second coming,

The world as we know it will dissolve,

And the new heavens and new earth will begin.

This is a central theme of the NT.

This second coming motivates us to diligence, hope, and patient endurance.

Because the end of the world is the climactic redemptive action of God.

So, now Christians live with this expectation of Christ’s second coming.

Jesus taught how His ministry on earth inaugurated the coming of the Kingdom of God,

That would not be brought to complete fulfillment until a future time.

So, this is the already-not yet tension we are presently living in.

The Kingdom of God has already come,

But it is not yet fully come.

NT authors seemed to be aware of living in this tension.

In the first-century,

Believers expected the imminent return of Christ,

Knowing it could occur at any time,

Having experienced several astonishing events around Christ’s ministry.

Such as His death, resurrection, and ascension.

But since Christ did not immediately return,

It became necessary for Christians to continue what seemed to be the mundane aspects of life,

While also wrestling with the present reality of pain, grief, and even death.

So, NT authors warn about biblical errors coming in response to Christ’s delay.

In fact, Peter explicitly addresses this concern in 2 Peter 3.

But there is this balance between the imminence of Christ’s return and the ongoing display.

Today, we must maintain a certainty that Christ’s return could occur at any moment,

While accepting that we do not know the exact time it will occur.

As a result,

This expectation of Christ’s return is an incentive for obedience to the Chief Shepherd, His under-shepherds, and all members.

Christians must constantly be ready in light of the sudden and immediate return of Christ.

We must remain steadfast in both hope and action until the day of Christ’s return comes.

But Jesus also warned us not to confuse any world event,

No matter how traumatic or dramatic,

As evidence of the final consummation of the Kingdom of God.

Instead, Jesus encouraged His followers to act rightly and faithfully,

So that none of us are caught unaware when He returns.

Similarly, Hebrews also uses the imminence of Christ’s return to encourage believers to endure suffering.

But Peter’s point here is that Christ’s unknown yet imminent return is the day of God’s judgment,

Where God’s power is on full display as He destroys His enemies.

But also, His full glory will be on display for those who trust in Christ.

This truth should increase a desire in us all for Christ to return.

For elders specifically,

Peter is saying that elders who serve faithfully with the flock in our charge,

Despite suffering while here on earth,

We will receive unfading glory from Christ when Christ returns.

WE: Conc.

Remember, Jesus Christ laid down His life for His sheep.

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He calls His sheep out of darkness and into the light of a relationship with Him.

The sheep hear His voice,

Know His voice,

And follow Him.

As a result, Jesus Christ gives eternal life to the sheep.

So, that none of His sheep will perish.

The flock of God is not held in the hands of us mere human elders.

All members are securely held in the hands of the Father and the Son.

He has merely charged elders to steward a flock under the watchful accountability of the Chief Shepherd.

Spiritual leaders of the flock must always remember that we are undershepherds,

Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd.

One day,

He will return,

And we who are His will be gathered with Him for all eternity.

And we whom He has appointed as undershepherds will give an account for how we have watched over the flock.

The reward for faithful service is the unfading crown of glory.

So, spiritual leaders of the flock,

Like every member of the body,

Must turn our eyes to the coming of Christ,

Continue to willingly and eagerly serve for the great reward prepared by the Lord.

But this is true of every member,

We all are called to serve humbly.

But in our passage this morning,

Peter emphasized how elders willingly and eagerly model the humble service of every member.

Pray.