1 Peter 5:1-5 - Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership

Finally done with suffering!

Now doing good within the Christian community

1 Peter 5:1–5 ESV

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.”

Ok why does this matter?

How should you judge someone in a spiritual leadership

Leadership is fluid

Vs 1 - A request for the leaders

Who are the elders?

NT governance - Elder, Bishop and Pastor are the same title. Eph 4:11 apostle charges the elder of the church to feed (pastor) the church in which the Holy Spirit has made them bishops.

Someone who “looks after the spirituality of others” - Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, Children’s Pastor. “Pastor calling” defined

Peter identifies himself as one and comes alongside them

VS 2 & 3 - What do "Pastors” do? How do they do it?

What do Pastors do?

Shepherd the folk!

Those God has GIVEN this local congregation

Contextually - “House Church” - family, servants, in their court yard (place of business)

How do they do it? - Exercise oversight

Like this, not like that…

Compulsion (force) vs Willing

Regardless of how you become a leader

Shameful gain vs eager to serve

not finical, self esteem, identity

A giver not a taker - Adam Grant

How do you know which one you are?

Takers are oriented to the use of complex strategies to help others while contributing to some ultimate self-gain; givers tend to think more holistically, weighing the gains and losses of each individual implicated in each choice.

how to look for others - look for win-win situations

Domineering vs By example

Matthew 20:25–27 ESV

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,

Exercising oversight

Feed the flock well

Guide

Protect

How is this important to you?

1) Don’t listen to anyone who isn’t trying to be like this.

2) House Church - Who are your family members? Where is your court yard?

Vs 4 - Jesus is coming

Why?

The chief Shepherd - is coming

You will receive royalty and God’s glory

vs 5 - Younger

Who are the younger?

Anyone who has room to grow

Command! be subject to the elders

What does this mean?

Willingly support the leadership

Only if they have the qualifications of Pastor

Conclusion

Now everyone - Clothes yourself with humility

Wrap an apron around your waist as a humble servant.

Because God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.