63. Final Exhortations to the Chruch Pt 1_Elders

Final Exhortations – Elders Part 1

Church attendance is down. Christians do not have the same convictions about church attendance even in the last decade. As beneficial as streaming church services are to people unable to attend it has become normal for people to disregard attending church believing that being present for worship is optional. It isn’t. It is God’s ordained means of grace for the growth of His people. He meets with His people in a unique way when we draw together for worship. What we are seeing is as Christians grow more lax in the practice of their faith the world gets more brazen in the practice of sin. I didn’t see it but heard of the spectacle of a show at the latest music awards show celebrating Satan.

As we look into these verses I want us to consider our own church. We must not be those that hold to tradition outside of what the Scriptures teach us. We must always evaluate ourselves in light of Scripture.

1Pe 5:1-14  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.  (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.  (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.  (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.

Chapter 5 begins the closing comments of Peter to the churches of Pontus, Galatia, Cappodocia, Asia, Bythinia and to us. For all that has been written from Peter is to all churches and all Christians in all ages and will be so until Christ comes again in glory. Therefore it is as important to us as it was to the original readers to drink in all that it has to say pertaining to the subjects covered and with the same since of heightened vigilance they had in light of the persecutions and sufferings they endured. I cannot help but believe that they felt like they were in a vice, in a pressure cooker, with the ever-building stress of daily living in a world that hates you. The enemies of Christ mock and jeer. Every day we witness the smirks on the faces of those in the media who no longer hide their utter disdain for the things of God and the people of God.

On top of all that, we have our own hearts to contend with. The desire of wanting to live a godly life with the reality that we often fall far short. We are to put aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander 1 Peter 2:1. The very command implies we are prone to these things. In light of all that we know concerning this great salvation, and brethren, we have received a great deal, a wealth of knowledge concerning salvation and still prone to sin. At times we don’t need for anyone to call us hypocrite because we often accuse ourselves of this. There is the constant warfare against fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. The troubles we sometimes have in our homes in our marriages. Wives that are to be submissive to their own husbands even if they are disobedient to the word. Husbands are likewise to submit to Christ and live with our wives in an understanding way when neither of these apart from the Spirit’s work comes naturally.

Our relations to one another are likewise framed and governed by the Scripture. All of you, be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit. All of this would be difficult enough without any of the persecutions and sufferings. But they are ever present and history shows us that the intensity of persecution the church knew at this time was only going to grow. Death was on the horizon for the believer in Jesus. The emperor Nero would illuminate his garden at night with the burning bodies of Christians. The historian Tacitus writes,’Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight has expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle… So brethren we are not there yet, but there are many of the brethren around the world who already are. Are we to be spared? The Lord only knows.

As we have read chapter 5 Peter addresses the elders, the younger men, and the church as a whole. Where as the therefore of 4:19 fixes on the theme of suffering, I believe the therefore of 5:1 has broader themes.

The circumstances of the times

Therefore – refers to chapter 4. In Chapter 4 we have a summary of the letter in covering the Godhead, suffering, godly living, judgement, salvation, life in the church and God’s sovereign control in all of our suffering. It is light of this that we understand why Peter addresses the elders first. Peter didn’t write the elders a separate note to be read by only them. It was in the letter to the churches as a call to action by those elders and also as a means of accountability of the elders to the church. And the importance and role of the elder cannot be understated. In light of the following verses I think it is beneficial to review the qualifications of elder. As we review these qualifications it will add the necessary weight to Peter’s exhortation to the elders.

There are 4pts.

The Elders Among You

Peter’s Qualification for His Appeal

The Matter of the Exhortation

The Reward

This morning we will address the first two points.

Elders

1Tim 3:1-7  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, uncontentious, 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, lest he 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 may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9  For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,  (6)  namely, if any man be above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.  (7)  For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain,  (8)  but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,  (9)  holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

There are those that aspire to the office, there are those who are appointed. But regardless whether it is a desire that we have or in the church’s desire for us to serve there are objective qualifications by which they must attain.

The must be above reproach - He lives in a way that gives no cause for others to think badly of the church or the faith or the Lord.

The husband of one wife – in ancient times it could have referred to the practice of polygamy. There is some issue with how that is presently interpreted. Does it mean that any man who was divorced no longer meets the requirements? It would depend on whether the divorce was his fault, as in marital infidelity.

Temperate - He exercises self-control and mastery of his appetites. He prizes freedom from enslavements to such a degree that no bondage is yielded to.

Prudent - He is reasonable. He has good judgment. He sees things as they really are. He knows himself well. He understands people and how they respond. He is in touch with reality, such that there are no great gaps between what he sees in himself and what others see in him.

Respectable - He is honorable and dignified. He conducts himself in situations so as not to step on toes unnecessarily. He does not offend against propriety.

Hospitable – he welcomes strangers and opens his home ministerially to others.

Able to teach to exhort in sound doctrine - He is an apt teacher, skilled in teaching. He knows biblical doctrine well and is able to explain it to people. He is astute enough theologically that he can spot serious error and show a person why it is wrong and harmful.

Not addicted to wine

Not pugnacious but gentle and peaceable - He is not belligerent. His temper is under control. He is not given to quarreling or fighting. He has a conciliatory bent. His feelings are not worn on his sleeve. He does not carry resentments. He is not hypercritical. He is not harsh or mean-spirited. He is inclined to tenderness. He resorts to toughness only when the circumstances commend this form of love. His words are not acid or divisive but helpful and encouraging. Titus adds not arrogant meaning He is lowly in his demeanor, not speaking much of himself or his achievements. He counts others better than himself and is quick to serve. He sincerely gives God the credit and honor for any accomplishments.

Free from the love of money - He puts the kingdom first in all he does. His lifestyle does not reflect a love of luxury. He is a generous giver. He is not anxious about his financial future. He is not so money-oriented that ministry decisions revolve around this issue.

Must manage his household well keeping his children under control with all dignity. He is the leader of a well-ordered household. If he has children, they are submissive (not perfect, but well-disciplined, so that they do not blatantly and regularly disregard the instructions of their parents). His children revere him. He is a loving and responsible spiritual leader in the home. He respects and tenderly loved his wife. Their relationship is openly admirable.

Not a new convert – meaning there must be a time established maturity in the faith.

Has a good reputation with those outside the church.

Those that meet these qualifications do so under the same pressures we all feel as we seek to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. The same pressure of dealing with the power of remaining sin and how it affects our loving our wives as Christ loves the church and bringing up our children in the fear and nurture of the Lord. And on top of that their functions are as follows:

Elders lead the church [1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:1–2], 1Ti 5:17  Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

Teach and preach the Word [1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9], 2Ti 4:2  preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Protect the church from false teachers [Acts 20:17, 28–31], Act 20:17  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. Act 20:27-28  "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.  (28)  "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Exhort and admonish the saints in sound doctrine [1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:13–17; Titus 1:9], 2Ti 3:13-17  But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  (14)  You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them;  (15)  and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  (17)  that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Visit the sick and pray [James 5:14; Acts 6:4], Jas 5:14  Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;

Judge doctrinal issues [Acts 15:6]. Act 15:4-6  And when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.  (5)  But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses."  (6)  And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

In biblical terminology, elders shepherd, oversee, lead, and care for the local church. Just as a quick note, when we read through the Scripture and see pastor, elder, overseer. It is all referring to the same office. First, in Acts 20:28, elders are encouraged in the “pastoral” duties of overseeing and shepherding. Second, in 1 Peter 5:1–2, elders are exhorted to “shepherd” the flock of God that is in their charge, which is the role of a pastor. Third, in Ephesians 4:11, the one time that the word pastor occurs in the NT, pastors are treated as one group with teachers. This suggests that the chief role of the pastor is to feed the flock through teaching, which is a primary role of elders (Titus 1:9). Hence, the NT seems to indicate that “pastor” is another name for “elder.” An elder is a pastor, and a pastor is an elder.

It is my prayer that we begin to feel the weight of responsibility our Pastor/Elders have for us and it is light of this Peter makes his appeal.

Peter’s Appeal

Peter makes his appeal on three facts.

He is a fellow elder.

He is establishing the fact he is not chief elder over them, he is not the pope, he is not the vicar of Christ on the earth. Rather he is a co-laborer with them. If ever he were going to establish his credentials as more than this is here is the place to do it. He does not exalt himself over but rather appeals to them as his equal in the labor. The Lord drew him aside particularly and established the type of ministry it would be. Joh 21:15-17  So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs."  (16)  He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."  (17)  He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.

Witness to the sufferings of Christ –

A witness is more that someone who has seen an event occur. A witness also testifies to the facts of the event. Why is that important here? He was witness to the beginning of Christ’s sufferings during His earthly ministry. The insults and dispersions that were cast on Him and He preached the gospel, as He displayed His love, kindness, compassion, grace, and mercy. The mockery of a trial, His scourging, His crucifixion and death. He, himself was part of the suffering, deserting the Lord at His arrest and then denying him three times at the Lord’s trial. Luk 22:60-62  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed.  (61)  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times."  (62)  And he went out and wept bitterly.

You may be thinking, You still have not told us why it is important. It’s coming.

The third fact is a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed.

There are three ways commentators interpret this. 1) Peter is referencing Christ’s transfiguration on the mountain. Peter was present and saw His glory along with Moses and Elijah. And such was his joy that he wanted to stay there. 2) He is referencing the eternal glory and happiness of the saints, which we presently do not have but shall be revealed at the coming of Christ. 3) Peter calls himself a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed because Christ is his head and representative. In Christ the assurance of that glory that is to be revealed is displayed in the resurrected Christ. His is the first fruits of the resurrection.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.

1Co 15:20-23  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.  (21)  For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.  (23)  But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming,

Just as Peter witnessed the sufferings of Christ, he also witnessed His resurrection.

What is interesting to me is that Peter makes no mention of his own suffering and persecution. He was scourged, put in prison, and tradition tells us he was crucified upside down because he would not be crucified in the same way Christ was. Remember, Peter knew how he was going to die. Joh 21:18-19  "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."  (19)  Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

These two facts point to Peter knowing beyond any shadow of a doubt the end of it all is glory. Now you know why being a witness to the suffering of Christ is important. It is the beginning of the story and the glory that was first revealed in Him will also revealed in us at the consummation of the ages. And it is on the basis of this Peter makes his exhortation.

How do we apply this?

Congregationally this is a help for us to pray for our pastors/elders. You as a congregation understand and cannot plead ignorance to the weight of the duties and responsibilities your elders have. Heb 13:17  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.

Also be encouraged. Peter has shown you the beginning and then end. We know with assurance that one day we will see the glory of our Lord Jesus face to face. Our federal head has secured for all eternity our place in heaven based upon His marvelous work of salvation. We will be partakers of that same glory. Amen