The Christlike Church

Introduction

Throughout this letter, Peter has been encouraging Believers to forsake themselves and remove the worries of current trials. Instead, they are to remember that we walk to a different tune. The tune we walk by is most clearly spelled out in 1 Peter 1:15-16, and is the tune of holiness. All that is said within Peter’s letter could be summed up with the command to live holy lives before the face of a holy God.

The Believers of Asia, that is Modern Turkey, were suffering at the hands of their friends, their neighbours, and the local government. And they were suffering due to their faith in Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 4:12, he calls it fiery trials. Fire is a picture the Bible uses, over and over, to relate sanctification with the process of purifying metal. You see, just as metal is made pure by melting in a furnace and skimming off the impurities, so too is the life of the Believer. God uses the suffering and trials of the world to help us to grow in His grace and holiness.

For these Asian Christians, this may have been the loss of family or friendships, or exclusion from the local trade guilds. It could also result in beatings and jail time. The Bible often portrays the Christian life as war and in times of war soldiers look to their commanding officers for directions, courage and examples. In the Church this means that we look to our teaching and ruling elders for biblical direction and godly examples. If change is going to happen in the Church it must first happen and be exemplified by those in authority over us.

LET US PRAY

Elders

1 Peter 5:1, 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. Peter calls upon the leadership to demonstrate the very things he desires all Believers to posses, Christ-likeness. In the first instance holy living must come from those in leadership positions. In the Gospel of Luke we see Jesus teaching about the responsibility those who have been given leadership within God’s House have. Jesus says in Luke 12:37, Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. Those who faithfully wait for the Master are rewarded with the blessing of Christ.

Though in verse 48 we find how great the responsibility is for the elders and Pastors. Jesus says, For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Those called to be elders are given the greater responsibility to teach the truths of God’s Word, and to live them out in real situations. James 3:1 says, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. The hammer comes harder to the elders because the church relies on the elders to teach what the Bible says. The buck stops with them. All this is done with a prayerful heart.

Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about the importance of choosing elders who qualify as godly men, fit for the duties God ordains in the office of elder. It is an important issue,our elders and Pastor need to lead from the front line, ready to take the bullet for the flock. When the attacks come upon the church it is to the elders and Pastors who care for the church, because they know once the leadership goes so too does the church. The church needs qualified men to lead; godly men to shepherd the flock of God.

Peter’s Qualification

Before Peter does any exhorting he first puts his credentials on the table. He calls himself a fellow elder. He could easily have brought out his Apostle badge and have a done deal. But by identifying himself as an elder he emphasizes that he understands the fears and struggles elders go through. To the local church in Asia it must have been a great comfort to know that even the Apostle Peter struggled with leading the flock. Yes, it is tempting to give in to the demands of society. Yes, it is tempting to keep quiet on sin, and allow the world to run into doom and destruction. But that is not how a follower of Jesus Christ is to behave. Peter has done both. Not only did Peter stand tall when interrogated by the Sanhedrin, but he knows the pain and agony of disowning Jesus in His most trying hour.

As Peter shows his credentials he lifts all those elders who would follow, until Christ returns, to the level of witnesses to Jesus suffering. 1) He is a witness of the sufferings of Christ. The Bible is silent on whether Peter attended the crucifixion. Regardless, though, he was present during Jesus earthly ministry, and saw the mounting opposition against him, as well as His arrest and the beginning of His sufferings. But I think Peter may be referring to the preaching of the sufferings of Christ. The same ones we read about in the first half of Acts. In this sense Peter gave testament to Christ’s death. 2) Peter claims to be a partaker of the glory that will be revealed, as he remembers being with Jesus as His transcendent glory is unveiled on the mount of transfiguration. So Peter is showing his qualification papers so the elders and overseers can trust him and act upon his words of encouragement. And more importantly Peter is speaking as one who walked with Jesus and saw His glory shine.

Shepherding

Duty

Peter urges the elders in 1 Peter 5:2, Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers. He introduces them as elders, and here as shepherds, and overseers. Shepherds has a long history throughout the Old Testament. Genesis 4:2 tells us that Abel was a keeper of sheep, a shepherd. Jacob and his sons were all shepherds. Psalm 23 tells us God is our shepherd. Again and again we hear the same thing, in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. In the Gospel of John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Jesus has given under-shepherds, elders and overseers, the task of caring for the flock, protecting the flock, nourishing the flock, and guiding the flock, while here on earth. Caring, and feeding the local church is the primary task of the elders. They are to watch over the spiritual welfare of the God’s flock, the precious Church, making sure they are well fed with the Word of God, and guided along the narrow way.

Freely

1 Peter 5:2, not by compulsion but willingly. After Peter’s brief credentials we are given the content of the exhortation. Elders are not to be lazy, or forced into service of the Church. They find no joy in overseeing the flock, and as such the flock will suffer as a result. Rather, Peter encourages the elders in Asia Minor to shepherd the flock willingly. A shepherd, or elder, is given his orders from the Chief Shepherd, and desires the spiritual growth and welfare of the whole Church. Eldership is not a job, where you get dressed into your work clothes and pack your lunch and drone on for 8 hours, then go home, eat dinner and sleep. Instead eldership is a calling. The Holy Spirit places the call into a man’s heart, as well as into the heart of others, and must be governed by what the Bible says. An elder loves God and loves to volunteer his time and energy to the spiritual well-being of God’s children. When the elders serve the Church according to God’s preferences, it encourages growth in the body of Christ and gives praise and honor to God.

Zealously

1 Peter 5:2, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. Elders and pastors are not in the ministry to gain riches and power. One of the most disastrous times in the history of the church was the century leading up to the reformation. The church was the most powerful organisations in Europe, as well as the wealthiest. One didn’t go into the church to proclaim God’s Word, but for the power and riches. The elders that are pleasing to God are those who eagerly minister to God’s people out of love for God and the Church. The churches in Asia Minor were not popular, but were suffering persecution by their local communities. The brunt of the persecution goes to the eldership of the church. Those most visible as the leaders of the group. You defeat the elders and the flock scatters. In fact this is how the church spread out from Jerusalem. Stephen was a leader, likely even the head deacon. He stood between the world and the Church and was stoned for his effort. The result was a mass exodus of Believers from Jerusalem. Like young David, elders must be willing and eager to stand between the flock and the wolves. Fending them off with prayer and the preaching of the Word of God. The enemy knows the church is more vulnerable and easy prey if they can destroy the the elders and shepherds. God used that occasion to fulfill His plan to reach the world. God may do that, but I think He desires Believers to continue in fellowship with godly elders guiding the congregation.

Modeling

The third and final contrast, in 1 Peter 5:3, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. We all know the dictator, a style leadership that place the leader in the position of a god. Everyone else in the church is beneath him, and so will oppress the people, and demand them to do his bidding. This is not biblical teaching, and is the direct opposite of what Jesus taught in Matthew 20. Matt 20:25-28 says, But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” God does a lot of things topsy turvy to human wisdom. Instead of using an already great nation to bring about mankind’s salvation, he made his own. The Jews expected a savior who comes in guns a-blazing. Jesus the King, came down as a baby to poor parents, and born in a stable. The second person of the Holy Trinity brought about redemption by dying in a most horrible way, on a cross. He demonstration His power not by coercing anyone into submission but by becoming a servant. This is the greatest example any elder in the church has. If elders and pastors desire the church to grow in holiness, then they must not only willingly and eagerly teach it, but demonstrate it themselves.

Finish Line

1 Peter 5:4, and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. The Chief Shepherd is of course The Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 2:25 we saw Jesus as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. It is one of the most precious titles ever given for the Savior. Several times in this letter, Peter has helped us look to the future when Jesus returns in all His glory. This second coming is condemnation for the world, but reward of everlasting life and peace for God’s children.

Are you expecting Jesus Christ to return this afternoon? If your answer is no then you are not living in light of eternity. We are to be ready for Jesus to return in glory at any moment. Paul says we are to keep our eyes on the prize. That prize is the crown of glory that does not fade away. It is a blessed thing and is told to us to keep our hearts rejoicing, and produce hope in times of suffering. And I pray that all watching or listening to this message will know the assurance of Peter is saying. Yes, he may be referring to the leaders among us, but the same hope is for all who believe in the name of Jesus Christ.

Young Men

1 Peter 5:5a, Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Our New King James Bibles have interpreted this verse as speaking to young people. This is quite difficult to know for sure what Peter meant here, but I am going to follow what the NKJV references, young adults.

Those who are young adults are more likely to go on the offensive. Especially when it comes to whole communities causing pain and suffering within the church. Peter uses the command of his eldership and apostleship to charge the young people to come under the authority of the elders. Submit to them because they are mature Christians and are gifted to lead God’s church wisely. Earlier in the letter Peter exhorted the Believers to Submit in all areas of life. Submit to government, to bosses, in marriage, and now in the church.

In Ephesians 5 we are told that the submitting within marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church. The church is called the bride of Christ in Revelation, and just like a godly wife submits to the husbands leadership, so too the church submits to the Christ appointed elders, who lead the church. Eldership is a great privilege God bestows upon a few men. These men have a huge responsibility to lead their brothers and sisters. To guard, and protect, and nourish, so the whole body can grow in faith and love.

elders who immerse themselves and the Church in solid Biblical teaching does three things.

1) Firstly, it enables the church to grow in knowledge of the Truth and the love of God’s amazing grace.

2)Secondly, the knowledge gained enables the Church to wisely apply to their lives, which then testifies God’s truth to a world in need.

3) Thirdly, it provides the strength for those under the care of the elders to stand up under increasing persecution.

If I can finish on this: Pray for your elders. Pray that they will continue to grow in godliness, holiness, and humility. Pray that they may love the God of the Scriptures, and have strength of conviction. That the Church may flourish in good times and the bad.

Amen