2025-01-26 The Men in Leadership (1 Peter 5.1-4)

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WPM:

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[INTRODUCTION] [TIME: ]

[GREETING/ENGAGEMENT]

Local churches, in many ways, stand or fall with leadership. You might have a congregation slide into ungodliness, but with godly leadership applying biblical wisdom, a church can turnaround and become biblically faithful. However, once leadership is corrupt and rebelling against Christ and His Word, it is difficult to remove such leadership, regardless of how godly the congregation is, and it’s only a matter of time before Christ removes his lampstand, as Revelation’s seven churches reveal. And remember, not one of those churches is with us today. Those churches serve as examples and warnings for us today about the issues we must avoid and the priority to remain holy and faithful in service to our Lord and Savior. This is a heavy burden and, frankly, a nearly impossible task. But we can be the church victorious if we remain faithful to Christ, His word, loving and serving one another.

So, what are the characteristics of godly leadership in Christ’s church? Peter will illuminate.

Our passage today may initially seem only applicable to church leadership, but it has implications for the whole congregation. My goal today is for us to discern the true shepherds from the false shepherds.

For GNBC to be a generational church and to outlast us, its first generation, we must have the right foundations for leadership to serve and protect the congregation, and Peter provides us with the wisdom for building such a foundation. Since more is said on leadership outside of Peter’s letter, we will draw from other Scriptures to gain additional insight.

[PROPOSITION]

In our passage today, there are three overarching principles for leadership in Christ’s church so that leaders help the church and not hinder her work.

[OUTLINE]

Our outline is as follows:

1. Shepherding with Oversight (1 Peter 5:1-2a)

2. Serving with the right attitude (1 Peter 5:2b-3)

3. Submitting to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

[TRANSITION]

By the way, Peter focuses on attitude and motive, where as Paul in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 speak of the character of the leaders, which we taught during Sunday school.

Let’s turn to 1 Peter 5, verses 1 and 2:

[BODY] [TIME: ]

[SLIDE]

[POINT #1] [TIME: ]

Let’s look at

1. Shepherding with Oversight (1 Peter 5:1-2a)

A. The Experience of Peter

B. The Exhortation of Peter

[ENGAGEMENT]

1 Peter 5:1–2 | 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, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight

[EXPOSITION/EXPLANATION]

Peter begins with “therefore.” And since this section introduces the leadership role, you could argue that in everything up to this point, chapters 1-4, the shepherd will be overseeing the flock in these matters. All the suffering, serving, and sanctifying exhortations and commands of Peter, the leadership of the church is to come alongside the congregation, helping the church in season and out of season; reproving, rebuking, exhorting, with great patience and instruction through the ministry of the word (2 Timothy 4:2) as well as praying!

The word “exhort” is a call to the church leadership, the elders, the men leading in the church. It’s an invitation, a plea, and, as we will soon see, it includes a command to shepherd the flock of God, and much more. This passage is unique in that it identifies all three roles of leadership: elder for leading, and decision-making, overseer for supervision and administration, and shepherd for caring and protecting. Peter does not cover all the responsibilities of leadership in this passage. Paul’s letters give us the most insight.

But before Peter instructs, he reviews his experience as a shepherd for the past 30 years.

He humbly reminds them that he is their equal with the expression “fellow elder.” This expression reveals that every church has local leadership, which Paul also affirms in Titus 1:5. This statement has significant implications as it refutes the Roman Catholic concept of Peter being the first Pope and, for that matter, any pope-like position.

Peter also shares that he is an eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings. This affirms the truthfulness of the Gospel and the cost of shepherding.

Peter adds a third idea, “partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed.” This references the transfiguration of Christ’s event on the mountain. This event pictures the future glory of Christ to be revealed at has 2nd coming.

So, Peter “bookends” the first coming of Christ emphasizing His Suffering sacrifice and the second coming of Christ with His glory to rule and reign. Between these two events, the shepherds serve.

Peter begins with “shepherd” which is a command in verse 2. It simply means to guide and help, primarily through the word’s ministry and prayer. This word ‘shepherd’, of course, draws from imagery of a shepherd tending to its flock.

Peter combines another idea with the command “shepherd,” which is exercising oversight, which means to care for, guard on behalf of, or minister.

The Apostle Paul provides insight into this role by combining both ideas of ‘shepherd’ and ‘oversight’ as he exhorts the elders in Ephesus from the book of Acts:

Acts 20:28–31 | 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. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.

[EXHORTATION/PRINCIPLE/SUMMARY]

And because of these threats to the local church, you need a strong, biblical, discerning leadership. We have Paul instructing Titus to silence and rebuke false teachers, a threat to biblical truth in Titus 1:10-16. The Apostle John confronts Diotrephes in 3 John 1:9-10, who abused his authority. Paul had to address the significant sin in the Corinthian Church. Jesus confronted the hypocritical Pharisees. The list goes on and on because the world, the flesh, disobedient Christians, and fake Christians, as well as the devil, continue to directly or indirectly seek to undermine the Word of God and the authority of God within the local church. I have seen churches split, godly pastors attacked, people scheming, as well as ungodly leadership in the church. Peter’s exhortation to the leadership and local church is a call to soberness and seriousness to find shepherds to serve and safeguard the church as much as possible with courage, discernment, and fortitude; all the while being faithful to the Lord and the work to be done.

[TRANSITION] (Review Last Point & Introduce Next Point)

Now, with this in mind, shepherding with over-site, we now turn to “serving with the right attitude.”

[SLIDE]

[POINT #2] [TIME: ]

2. Serving with the right attitude (1 Peter 5:2b-3)

A. Compulsion vs. Commitment

B. Covetousness vs. Cheerfulness

C. Control vs. Character

[ENGAGEMENT]

1 Peter 5:2–3 | 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

[EXPOSITION/EXPLANATION]

Attitude is everything. We know this intuitively. It makes all the difference. As a kid, I hated pulling weeds, and I knew exactly how to let my mom know how much I hated it. I would be so annoying and frustrating to her that she would eventually send me away.

If we are honest with ourselves and examine our own attitudes, we soon realize how often our attitudes help or hinder our relationships and impact on how we relate to and serve one another, whether in the home, at work, in the church, or even in public places.

Consider how attitude impacts the actions that follow in the following examples from scripture:

Job’s response to devastating loss - Job 1:20–22 | 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

Cain after his inappropriate offering: Genesis 4:4–5 | 4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refusing to worship the idol: Daniel 3:16–18 | 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison - Acts 16:25 | 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Jesus praying in the Garden before His arrest and crucifixion - Matthew 26:39 | 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Attitude is everything.

Peter reveals three core attitudes that define the difference between a true shepherd and a false shepherd, between a godly leader and an ungodly leader, between a leader fit for service and one unfit for service.

Peter helps us understand the range of these attitudes through contrasts, and they speak to the manner and motive for service.

I have placed them on the handout for your convenience:

They are as follows as they shepherd, exercising oversite they do this

A. Compulsion vs. Commitment

B. Covetousness vs. Cheerfulness

C. Control vs. Character

Let’s tackle the first contrast: compulsion vs. voluntary

Compulsion describes a choice made out of necessity, due to an inward or outward pressure, but the source of the pressure is man-centered rather than God-called. This is an obligation by man, and not from God. Here are some examples of wrong reasons to enter the ministry:

• Family Pressure

• Peer or Cultural Expectations

• Romanticized View of Ministry

• Seeking Validation or Healing for Personal Brokenness

• Inability to Pursue Other Career Paths

• Pressure from a Crisis or Life Hardship

• Guilt or Fear of Displeasing God

Biblical examples include Jonah – Compelled by Reluctance (Jonah 1–4), Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Peter contrasts “under compulsion” with “voluntarily according to the will of God.”

This describes a willingness; it is intentional and deliberate, and it is a response to God’s calling. Peter clarifies, though, the conditions of the volunteering, “according to the will of God.” This means according to His Word, His Ways, and His priorities. This is why Paul refers to himself as a bond-servant. Paul sets aside his will, for the will of God and serves according to God’s word.

Some biblical examples would include: Moses – Leading Willingly According to God’s Will (Exodus 3–4, Numbers 12:3), The Apostle Paul – Willing Service According to God’s Will (Acts 20:22–35; 2 Corinthians 12:15), Timothy – Willing Service Without Selfish Ambition (Philippians 2:19–22), Nehemiah – Serving Willingly for the Sake of God’s People (Nehemiah 1–6), Epaphroditus – Willing Service to the Point of Sacrifice (Philippians 2:25–30), King David – A Shepherd’s Heart (1 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 7:8–16), and Jeremiah – A Reluctant but Willing Servant of God (Jeremiah 1, 20, 45).

I hope you can see by these examples that you want your leader to have examined their calling, to ensure they are not in leadership for some man-centered reason, but be the kind of leader serving voluntarily, and serving in a manner according to the will of God, conformed and aligned to His Word and His Ways. If a leader fails to be vetted properly, it can go from good to bad to worse quite quickly, and all will suffer, the ministry will stall, and the gospel and Christian witness will be hindered, or worse, God may even be blasphemed.

Ministry should never be entered because of external pressure, fear, or self-centered motives, but rather from a willing, eager heart that seeks to glorify God and serve others faithfully. True ministry is a response to God’s call, not an attempt to satisfy human expectations or personal inadequacies.

Our next contrast in attitude is Covetousness vs. Cheerfulness. Peter writes, not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Sordid gain is about greed, but Peter uses even stronger terms, dishonest greed. I think the best example of this is your miracle healers and other online pastors crying out for more money. One pastor, a US televangelist, has asked his followers to help fund his fourth private jet (54 million dollars) - because Jesus “wouldn’t be riding a donkey”. These types of leaders look to fleece the sheep to indulge themselves. Some examples of these would include Simon the Sorcerer – Entering for Power (Acts 8:9–24), Balaam, a prophet for hire – Compelled by Greed (Numbers 22–24; 2 Peter 2:15). Eli’s Sons (Hophni and Phinehas) – 1 Samuel 2:12-17.

Now, in contrast, consider someone who is eager, not motivated by a price or personal gain, but is standing by, eager to serve, ready to help, and zealous toward the work of the Lord. The key concept is ‘freely.’

Paul describes this offering of ourselves to the Lord and His work in Romans 12:1 with some intense imagery and implications:

Romans 12:1 | 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

God has always honored, loved, and appreciated the free-will offering in love of our time, talents, and treasures when the one offering expects nothing in return but is just thankful to be serving and useful to the Lord.

A great example of this is Barnabas – Eager and Selfless Service (Acts 4:36–37; Acts 11:22–26), Isaiah in Isaiah 6:8, “send me.”

As, you can see this kind of attitude and motivation are about giving of themselves freely in service to others rather than taking from others.

The third and final contrast is Control vs. Character. Peter writes: nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

Lord it over means overpowering, making decisions for others, subduing and controlling. This is beyond micromanaging; this has the implications of instilling fear, personal threats, and personal consequences.

The Pharisees were this way, threatening to throw people out of the synagogue, and Diotrephes (3 John 9-10) behaved this way unjustly, accusing godly people, like the Apostle John, with wicked words, refusing godly counseling, and forbidding relationships with certain people, hindering conversations, and avoiding accountability.

The leadership’s authority, which ideally is a plurality of men, is limited to the Scriptures. leadership can inform someone of what the Scriptures say, but the leadership can’t force anyone to obey. Leadership has administrative authority to hire, fire, and resolve personnel issues, and there is the authority to handle sin in the church, deal with factious and meddling people to protect the church, and deal with individuals who are in rebellion. As long as the leadership is following scriptures in this matter, the “Lording it over” concern is not applicable when dealing with genuine sin and rebellion.

The expression “those allotted to your charge” means “responsible and accountable to the leadership.” Hebrew confirms this responsibility. Hebrews 13:17 | 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.

I hope you can see how the author of Hebrews reveals the significant accountability, responsibility, and burden leadership has before the Lord, who knows all things and is a faithful judge of all things.

Paul understood this burden:

Acts 20:17–21 | 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What’s interesting about this contrast is that instead of “Lording it over,” the leadership exemplifies and models Christlikeness. This is the example to be given to the flock. It’s a picture of the leadership walking by the spirit, which is “authority by example.” “Lording it over” is a top-down, authoritative man-centered approach, whereas the other is the servant-leader approach. The former is the way of the world; the latter is the way of Christ. Let me stress that this does not mean decisions are avoided or one is not assertive. The very nature of leadership is to lead, to intervene, to be proactive, to prepare and respond, and to make scriptural decisions. Peter’s point is leadership is not ungodly, hypocritical, and abusive with power, but is godly, authentic, and operates within scriptural mandates in leading Christ’s church.

[EXHORTATION/PRINCIPLE/SUMMARY]

Our Lord provided some excellent insights on being a servant-leader to the disciples when they were arguing about who was to be the greatest.

Luke 22:24–27 | 24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. 27 “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

That last line says it all. Jesus is Lord and God. He reclines at the table to be served, but Jesus is the one who serves. That is the very definition of servant-leader. Mind you, the disciples would later understand this lesson, and they would become servant-leaders in the church, serving along other shepherds and leaders in the church as well as other deacons and others who were serving in the church.

I think a helpful analogy for picturing leadership is a gardener who carefully tend a garden, nurturing what is weak, pruning what is overgrown, and ensuring that each plant has the best conditions to grow. Just as a patient gardener invests time and attention into every leaf, so leadership invests themselves in the spiritual well‐being of each member of the flock.

Another helpful analogy is looking at leadership as a lighthouse keeper on a stormy coast: always keeping the light burning bright, looking out for souls in danger, and warning of hidden rocks. The purpose isn’t to show off the lighthouse but to guide and help those at trouble in the sea to avoid shipwreck.

[TRANSITION] (Review Last Point & Introduce Next Point)

We now come to our last point, which gets to the heart of what really matters in church leadership: submitting to the Chief shepherd.

[SLIDE]

[POINT #3] [TIME: ]

3. Submitting to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

A. Acknowledge Christ as the Chief Shepherd

B. Await Your Reward

[ENGAGEMENT]

1 Peter 5:4 | 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

[EXPOSITION/EXPLANATION]

I am sure you have realized that the Chief Shepherd is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The word for shepherd is poimēn, but the word for chief shepherd is archipoimēn. Peter, earlier (1 Peter 2:25), described Jesus as the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

The author of Hebrews reveals Jesus as the great shepherd in Hebrews 13:20–21 | 20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jesus revealed to the disciples in John 10, that He is the good shepherd:

John 10:11–18 | 11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 “He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 “He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

Peter, however, is speaking of a future event, but what specific future event? The judgment seat of Christ, that all believers are rewarded for their earthly service, the millennial kingdom at the inauguration of His reign as King of the world, ruling from Jerusalem, or something else?

The apostle Paul speaks of this future reward as well for him and others:

2 Timothy 4:7–8 | 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Based on Peter’s context, only the second coming after the tribulation, at the beginning of the millennial kingdom fits Peter’s description. The work of leaders in the church, is fully realized at Christ’s coming.

Paul looked toward this future as well for fruit for his labors amongst the local churches he served:

Philippians 2:14–16 | 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

The crown is given two descriptions: unfading and “of glory.” Unfading implies it won’t rust, corrupt, or decay but will remain as new as the day it is awarded and received. The word Peter chose refers to a type of flower in his day known for being vibrant in color and long-lasting. The second description is “of glory.” This describes brightness, light, honor, and splendor.

Peter encourages the shepherds that the sacrifices, the challenges, the attacks, the work, and the service unto Christ and His church will be rewarded; it is not for nothing!

There is no greater praise than praise from the Lord. In the parable of the talents, Christ reveals how these rewards will unfold.

Matthew 25:23 | 23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

[EXHORTATION/PRINCIPLE/SUMMARY]

As I have shared before, your service today matters. We each have a limited life, limited time and resources that have been allotted, and our faithfulness determines our future reward. From leadership to congregation, all our service for Christ and His coming Kingdom, will not be forgotten. We will be awarded, and part of this reward will determine our role in Christ’s kingdom on earth. His decision will be just, and final.

The question for each of us is, what are you doing with the time, talents, and treasures you have left?

Serving is a sacrifice, it’s never easy; there are thorns, thistles, and trouble. It can be a bumpy ride as you grow and persevere. But Jesus said it so succinctly: Luke 9:62 “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Christ understands our weaknesses and shortcomings; He equips, He helps, and He sharpens. May we be faithful in putting our hand to the plow, never looking back, but in one way or another moving forward in service to Christ, His Flock, according to His will.

A helpful word picture is to understand that leadership is like an assistant conductor in an orchestra. Leadership helps the musicians stay in harmony, but the true Conductor is Christ. The assistant conductor doesn’t create the music—he faithfully ensures everyone follows the Composer’s score. In the end, the applause rightly goes to the Chief Conductor.

[TRANSITION] (Review Last Point & Introduce Next Point)

In review, please pray that Good News Bible Church will always have good and godly leaders,

[CONCLUSION] [TIME: ]

[REVIEW OUTLINE]

1. Shepherding with Oversight (1 Peter 5:1-2a)

2. Serving with the right attitude (1 Peter 5:2b-3) and

3. Submitting to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)

[CONCLUDING PROPOSITION]

May these three overarching principles for the servant leader in Christ’s church guide Good News Bible Church’s leadership so that her work in Green Bay is not hindered. Pray for Henry, myself, and the other men who have joined our steering committee from the IFCA and MCE. Pray for our future leadership as well.

[FINAL ENGAGEMENT/EXHORTATION]

[TRANSITION] (To prayer)

Let’s pray.

[PRAYER]

Next week We will wrap up 1 Peter, in a message title, “To the Congregation.”

and celebrate the Lord’s supper.