What We Owe our Elders

intro- Last week we spent all day talking about qualifications of elders. This morning we spent our time looking at what an elder is supposed to be and not supposed to be. Tonight we are going to shift our focus to the rest of us. What is our obligation to the elders?

Our primary obligation to our elders is submission.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

It is interesting to point out that the Greek word that is used here for “younger” can also mean “new”. Just as a qualification of an elder is that he is not a novice… He must be an experienced man. There may be someone who is aged in years but their faith is newer. Meaning this command isn’t just given to young people, but given to all people.

The command is clear… Be subject to the elders.

We would do this topic a disservice if we didn’t look at this with a bird’s eye view of scripture, so we can see the whole.

Luke 9:27 ESV

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:23 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

If we temporarily wipe away our thoughts of the church and just focus on Jesus… He was clear that anyone who wanted to follow Him, would be required to deny themselves.

James writes in - “Where selfish ambition exists will be disorder and every evil practice”

The picture of scripture is clear, If you are going to be a Christian, submission, humility, selflessness are going to be cornerstones of your life.

Peter has common theme of submission, all throughout this letter.

- Be subject to every human institution of government

- Servants commanded to be subject to their masters

- Wives are to be subject to their husbands.

- we are called to be subject to our elders.

In every facet of life, Christians are called to humbly submit. It is no different within the church.

What does it mean to be subject?

The Greek word for subject - ὑποτάσσω / hypotasso literally means- to intentionally arrange under.

I want us to think about the marriage relationship for a moment. I believe the parallels are clear in scripture between a marriage and the relationship elders have with the congregation.

A husband is never told to make his wife submit to him. A Husband is commanded to love his wife to the point of self sacrifice. He is commanded to live in an understanding way. He is commanded to provide for her. It is a wife’s obligation to intentionally arrange herself under him. Not because he is more important or of more value, but she follows his leadership because of what he does for her.

In the same way, an eldership is not commanded to make a congregation submit. Pounding their iron fist and demanding submission. Rather, an elder is commanded to carefull tend to the needs of the sheep. The congregation in turn, seeing what the elders are doing for them, submit to them, and follow their leadership.

There are some in the church who sort of view elders as the bosses and the ministers, deacons, members, as employees. That is not reality. The reality is more of a relationship, like a committed marriage.

What submission is NOT:

Following the elders… as long as you agree with them

Being openly critical of their decisions

Some of the worst damage to the church is done by individuals who gossip and slander church leadership.

Refusing to work if they make that* decision

I’ve known individuals who have quit teaching Bible class, or quit helping with evangelistic efforts, or quit helping around the building all because they disagreed with a decision made that isn’t even a matter of doctrine. it’s the “i’m taking my ball and going home, because I didn’t get my way” mentality.

As members of the congregation, it is our duty, to intentionally arrange ourselves under the elders and follow them.

Why? Why is this important?

Why is this important?

1 Peter 5:5–8 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Notice here that Peter is now addressing both parties. The elders and the congregation- “Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one another”

If you have an arrogant elder, you have an elder that the people will not follow. If you have arrogant members, you have a people who will refuse any leadership because “They know the way things need to be done”

I want to skip down to the famous passage that we often quote

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

It is important that we recognize this is in the context of the relationship between elders and the members… This is why it is so important that we understand humility and submission.

Satan is looking to destroy souls. If an elder doesn’t clothe himself with humility, Satan has hold of his heart and the congregation will suffer

If church members refuse to clothe themselves with humility and arrange themselves under the elders, Satan has hold of their hearts and the congregation will suffer.

Conclusion- We have spent some time talking about our need as a congregation to submit to our current elders’ leadership as well as the leadership of any elders added in the future. One thing is certain, we will never succeed in submitting to and following our shepherds here at NW if we do not first submit to and follow the Good Shepherd (Jesus.)