Leading with Humility

A Message for Pastors v. 1-4

Elder

Category: Exhortation

More accurately v. 1 begins with “So / Therefore”

What connection is there between the persecution he was just talking about and the elders he is addressing now?

It is probably quite simple when overt persecution comes it usually starts with the leadership.

Audience: Elders

In this case elders refers specifically to pastors.

We know this because Peter refers to them not only as elders but as Shepherds and Overseers

Author: Peter

Pastor: “I who am a fellow Elder...”

Makes him relatable to those he is addressing

From one pastor to another

Exhortation is better recieved when the one giving it is relatable and experienced.

If you are a welder would you enjoy taking advice on welding from someone who has absolutely not experience welding?

Peter reminds his group of pastors that he is one of them. He knows their struggles because they are his struggles. Taking advice or criticism from that kind of person is much easier and even more appropriate.

Some people think that they are an expert on everything.

Apostle: “a witness of the sufferings of Christ”

Not only is Peter relatable but he does possess a unique authority over local churches as an apostle.

But this statement also reminds us of Peter’s greatest failure. When he abandoned Jesus at them moment of His greatest suffering.

Christian: “partaker of the glory that is to be revealed”

Suffering first then glory is the central theme of 1 Peter

1 Peter 1:11 “searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”

1 Peter 4:13 “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Peter is saying that the same hope that sustains them sustains him as well. Namely, the revealed glory of Jesus at His second coming.

Shepherd

This is an imperative, it is a command

Where did we get the word “pastor” referring to a spiritual leader of a local church? Its from a Latin word that means “shepherd”.

So while the title of “pastor” is not directly from Scripture it is certainly a biblical concept.

Our key question: What does it mean to “shepherd the flock”?

The comparison of God’s people to a flock of sheep is common in Scripture for instance Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” It is an illustration that hits close to home for Peter because of what Christ said to him in John 21:16 “He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.””

It is not their flock - “shepherd the flock of God” - This makes sense because Peter reminds us that there is a day when the Chief Shepherd will appear.

It is local - “shepherd the flock of God among you”

It is a position of leadership - “shepherd the flock of God among you serving as overseers”

Today we wouldn’t use the term overseer, but we would use the word “supervisor”.

We also see that it is a position of leadership because it is a position that comes with a group of people entrusted to them. v. 3b “over those entrusted to you.”

It has intangible requirements - motives

Desire: “Not by compulsion but willingly” - they shouldn’t be forced into service but they should have a God-given desire to serve.

1 Timothy 3:1 “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.”

This might be harder than you think.

Sometimes churches pinpoint young people who seem to be gifted in such a way that they would be successful in pastoral leadership. But what if they don’t want to? We either have to wait for God to change their desire or accept it as God will.

Pastor’s children especially fall prey to this.

Sincere: “not for dishonest gain but eagerly”

For most churches if their pastors are doing this to get rich they must be pretty dense.

But there have been those who have used positions of spiritual leadership for personal gain. Usually this is in larger churches.

It has tangible requirements

Servant: “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you but being examples to the flock.”

Authoritarian pastors has always and probably will always be a problem

They should be willing to set up tables and chairs just like everyone else

Example:

There is a reason that the phrase “lead by example” is a common phrase

It is a common phrase but it is not a common practice

This is what a servant leader does.

Summary: Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Crown

Like with any position of service in the Lord’s work there is a reward for those who serve in pastoral work.

v. 4 serves as an incentive or encouragement

Given the broader context of persecution in 1 Peter a word of encouragement isn't surprising.

Matthew 5:11–12 ““Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Peter calls it an unfading crown of glory

Why is it that this crown is given at the appearing of the Chief Shepherd? Because it is His glory. It is not the undershepherd that is being glorified with this crown it is the Chief Shepherd and nothing brings the undershepherd more joy than bringing glory to the Chief Shepherd.

Unlike the crowns that those in Peter’s day were used to these crowns are unfading. Their crowns were made from leafy garlands. Christ’s glory doesn’t fade.

A Message for Young People v. 5a

Likewise - in the same way

Serving -willingly, eagerly, and by example

Thus the concept is imitation.

Submit

Learn from them

Imitate them

A Message for All of Us v. 5b

Submissive

We will talk more about humility next, but first notice that this humility is submissive in that we are to be humble toward one another.

It really comes down to putting others first.

Humility

Why does God give grace to the humble? I didn’t think we earned grace by doing anything.

Being humble is not a way of meriting grace it is a recognition of our unending need of grace.

Thus being humble means at the very least you are more aware of the grace that has already been extended to you.

At best it makes you a person who ready to be the recipient of the grace of God.