2 Corinthians 5:1-10

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords 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 does not fade away.

Peter begins speaking to elders in the churches. The office of elder was common to those with Jewish backgrounds and those that were in the church. The elders were the ones that sat at the city gates and governed and decided the matters in Jewish culture and as Paul and Barnabas planted churches on their missionary journeys, they established or recognized elders in every church.

Peter is saying don’t forget Jesus suffered for you, and He suffered and died for those people that you are leading so you had better take this seriously.

Elders give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.

Elders should be at prayer meeting. Elders should be at our Wednesday evening gatherings, our growth groups, marriage conferences. Anytime the sheep gather, the under shepherd should be present not to be recognized or served. But the shepherds should love the sheep and want to be there when there is opportunity to feed them, to tend them, and to protect them.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ac 6:4.

LEADERS not Dictators

Not better or superior Jon Courson just describes is as I’ve been in the hospital a little longer.

1 Peter 5:5–7 NKJV

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1. Be submissive (v. 5). Peter has already written a great deal about the importance of submission in this letter: we should submit ourselves to every ordinance of man (2:13); servants should submit to their masters (2:18); wives should be subject to their husbands (3:1–5); and angels and authorities and powers are subject to Christ (3:22). Submission is a vital part of authentic Christian lifestyle. We cannot truly follow Christ until we are willing to submit to Him as the Lord of our lives. Peter’s initial counsel is to the younger people who are a part of the flock of God. They

1 Peter 5:8–11 NKJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 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. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

James tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from you. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 2 Co 11:14.

1 Peter 5:12–14 NKJV

12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus

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