Shepherding the Flock (Pt.1)

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 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. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Leadership is important for a suffering church because “in time of persecution, much depends upon the prudence and fidelity of...leaders” (Hiebert)

“When churches experience persecution and suffering, it falls primarily on the church leaders to provide help, comfort, strength, and guidance” (Strauss).

So how a leader leads during this difficult time will either encourage or cause disillusion

A leader is to lead by example

He is to weep with those who weep

He is to rejoice with those who rejoice

Peter already said trials are grievous (1:6)

But it is the testing by fire that reveals the true nature of a person

Trials have a way of purging us from sin

They also have a way of revealing who and what we are trusting

Peter has already told his readers in 1 Peter 2:20, “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

So as we look at verse 1 this morning, we need to understand “There is a deep sense of personal concern and urgency in Peter’s exhortation” (Strauch).

Peter begins verse one with “Therefore” as we hear him write...

LESSON

I. From Elder to Elders (v.1)

Notice...

The Exhortation

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you”

“The fact that Peter can address in one letter the elders of churches in five Roman provinces (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1:1) demonstrates that the elder system of government was standard practice” (Strauch).

“Therefore” (oun) refers back to 4:12-19 “where Peter’s readers were suffering persecution and being attacked for righteousness sake” (MacArthur). Peter wants his fellow elders to shepherd the flock in the midst of these attacks.

“The word, ‘therefore,’ links the exhortation to the elders (5:1-4) with the preceding instructions to the entire church (4:12-19)” (Strauch).

Next he says “I...”

“exhort” (parakaleo, pres.act.ind.) is an “appeal not command” (Hiebert). The word literally means, “to call alongside,” or in the general sense, “to encourage or compel someone in a certain direction” (MacArthur)

This word is translated “encourage” (Acts 11:23), “implored” (Mat.8:34), “urge” (1 Thess.5:14), “appeal” (Mat.26:53), and “comforted” (Mat.5:4)

Peter has already used this word in 2:11 translated “urge” and 5:12 “exhorting”

Who is Peter coming along side to appeal to?

“Therefore, I exhort the...”

The Identification

as “elders” (presbyteros, adj)

What are elders?

This term is rooted in the OT and is of Jewish origin

The primary Hebrew word for elder, zaqen, was used, for example, in Numbers 11:16 and Deuteronomy 27:1, of the seventy tribal leaders who assisted Moses.

There it refers to a special category of men who were set apart for leadership—much like a senate—in Israel.

***Deuteronomy 1:9-18 indicates that these men were charged with the responsibility of judging the people.

Moses communicated through them to the people (Ex.19:7; Deut.31:9).

They led the Passover (Ex.12:21) and perhaps other elements of worship.

Later, the elders of Israel were specifically involved in the leadership of cities (1 Sam.11:3; 16:4; 30:26).

Still, their function was decision making—applying wisdom to the lives of the people in resolving conflicts, giving direction, and generally overseeing the details of an orderly society.

The OT refers to the Greek word for elder, presbuteros, is used about seventy times in the New Testament. Like zaqen, which means “aged” or “bearded”; sab, which means “gray-headed”; and our English word elder; presbuteros has reference to mature age. For example, in Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel 2:28: “Your old men shall dream dreams.” The Hebrew word used for “old men” in Joel is zaqen, and the Greek word used in Acts is presbuteros. Used in that sense, elder does not constitute an official title; it simply means “an older man.”

In 1 Timothy 5:2, the feminine form of presbuteros is used to refer to older women. There, older women are contrasted with younger ones: “[Appeal to] the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” In that context, the term again signifies only mature age, not an office in the church.

First Peter 5:5 contains a similar usage: “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders.” There, as in 1 Timothy 5:2, the word is used to contrast between age and youth. In such a context, presbuteros is generally understood to mean only “an older person,” not necessarily an officeholder of any kind. That is the primary meaning of the term in general Greek usage.

In the time of Christ, presbuteros was a familiar term. It is used twenty-eight times in the New Testament to refer to a group of ex officio spiritual leaders of Israel: “the chief priests and elders” (Matthew 27:3); “the scribes and elders” (27:41); “officers of the temple and elders” (Luke 22:52); and “rulers and elders of the people” (Acts 4:8). In each of those instances and every similar usage, presbuteros refers to recognized spiritual leaders in Israel who aren’t defined as priests of any kind. These seem to be the Sanhedrin, the highest ruling body in Judaism in Jesus’ time.

Matthew 15:2 and Mark 7:3 and 5 use the phrase “tradition of the elders.” There presbuteros refers to an ancestry of spiritual fathers who passed down principles that governed religious practice. These were the teachers who determined Jewish tradition.

In this sense, elder is equivalent to rabbi and may or may not signify official status.

There are twelve occurrences of presbuteros in the book of Revelation. All of them refer to the twenty-four elders who appear to be unique representatives of the redeemed people of God from all ages. (John MacArthur, Answering Key Questions About Elders)

Each synagogue had ruling elders who held leadership duties and were responsible for teaching (Neh.8:4-8; Acts 15:21)

After the church was born the leadership was the apostles

Later there were added prophets and elders

Each NT church had elders that were also identified by three interchangeable terms: “elders” (presbuterion) (Acts 20:17), “overseers or bishops” (episkopos) (Acts 20:28) and “pastors” or “shepherd” (poimen) (Acts 20:28)

***According to Ephesians 4:8 these are gifted “men” who are identified in verse 11 as “pastor-teachers” (“pastors and teachers”) or “teaching Shepherds”

The term “Elder emphasizes the man’s spiritual maturity…bishop, or overseer, states the general responsibility of guardianship. Pastor is the word shepherd and expresses the priority duty of feeding or teaching the truth of God’s Word” (MacArthur)

There were always more than one in a given church (Titus 1:5 - the churches at Crete, plural is used in Acts 14:23; 15:2, 6, 22, 23)

What do elders do?

They equip the saints for ministry - Ephesians 4:11-12, “11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

They preach the Word of God - 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

They baptize new believers - Acts 2:41, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

They confront false teaching - 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.”

They labor in the Word of God

1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard (“labor” kopiao, “to work until one is exhausted” [Rienecker]) at preaching and teaching.”

1 Timothy 3:2, “An overseer, then, must be...able to teach”

Titus 1:9, “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

They ordain other elders to ministry

Acts 14:23, “When they (Paul and Barnabas) had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.”

“To lay hands upon someone to affirm their suitability for and acceptance into public ministry. It expressed solidarity, union, and identification with them” (MacArthur).

1 Timothy 5:22, “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”

“Thorough investigation must precede ordination. To fail to do so leaves the church liable to share responsibility for the sins of others” (MacArthur).

Titus 1:5, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order (“appoint” Gr.diatassomai, “to ordain” [Rienecker]) what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you”

They rule (preside) in the church

1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

“rule” (proistemi), “to stand first,” “preside, lead, direct” (Rienecker)

“Elders are first in terms of leadership. They have the oversight of the church and are to care for it.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

Hebrews 13:7, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

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.”

They model righteousness

1 Timothy 3:1-7, “1 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, peaceable, 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, so that he will not 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 will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Titus 1:6-9, “6 namely, if any man is 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, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

They pray over the sick - James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

“Let the spiritually weak go to the spiritually strong”

They oversee the finances - Acts 11:29-30, “29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”

How are they qualified? (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9)

They are qualified by the Holy Spirit - Acts 20:28, “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.”

They must have a desire for the office - 1 Timothy 3:1.

They must meet certain qualifications (25) - 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

“above reproach” (v.2; Tit.1:6)

“the husband of one wife” (v.2; Tit.1:6-7)

“temperate” (v.2) - “clear headed”

“prudent” (v.2)

“respectable” (v.2)

“hospitable” (v.2; Tit.1:8)

“able to teach” (v.2)

“not addicted to wine” (v.3; Tit.1:7)

not “pugnacious” (v.3; Tit.1:7) - lit. “a giver of blows” or “a striker”

“gentle” (v.3)

“peaceable” (v.3)

“free from the love of money” (v.3)

“manages his own household well” (vv.4-5; Tit.1:6)

“not a new convert” (v.6)

“a good reputation with those outside the church” (v.7)

“believing children” (Tit.1:6)

“not self-willed” (Tit.1:7)

“not quick tempered” (Tit.1:7)

“not fond of sordid gain” (Tit.1:7)

“loving what is good” (Tit.1:8)

“sensible” (Tit.1:8)

“just” (Tit.1:8)

“devout” (Tit.1:8)

“self-controlled” (Tit.1:8)

“holding fast the faithful word” (Tit.1:9)

as your “fellow elder” (sympresbyteros, n) only occurs here and places Peter on the same level with the elders in the church

D. Edmond Hiebert says, “Peter’s elaborate self-identification adds to the persuasiveness of the appeal. Aside from his name in 1:1, the writer’s identity appears more forcefully here than anywhere else in the epistle. Modestly, Peter did not assert his apostolic identity.”

Peter is not only a “fellow elder” but...

as a “witness of the sufferings of Christ”

“witness” (martus, n) “one who testifies of something” (Hiebert)

Peter gave testimony concerning the...

“sufferings (pathema, n) of Christ” and was an eye-witness to it

He was in the Garden when Jesus was arrested (Jn.18:1)

He cut off the right ear of one of the officers arresting Jesus (Jn.18:10)

He was in the court yard while the trial of Jesus occurred (Jn.18:15)

Everyone knew about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion (Lk.24:18)

as “a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed”

D. Edmond Hiebert again points out, “Of the about to be revealed glory” (Greek order) points to a glory whose unveiling is eagerly anticipated. The reference is not to the glories of heaven to be entered at death, as Barnes suggests, but to the unveiling of Christ’s glories at His return to earth.

Having witnessed the sufferings of the Christ, Peter was assured that the revelation of the messianic glory would follow (1:11). Of that glory, Peter described himself as being “a partaker” (koinōnos), “one who takes part in something with someone.” The term implies personal participation. Peter had a glimpse of that glory at the transfiguration (cf. 2 Peter 1:16–18), but on that occasion, he did not participate in it.

CONCLUSION

This is Christ’s church

He mediates His rule through godly men called “elders”

“elders” are the pastors of the church

They are “overseers” of the church

They care for the church

They are guardians of the church

Peter emphasizes the role elders play in a suffering church

They come alongside and comfort and encourage

The biblical pattern of church leadership is elders

That is also the biblical pattern of church government

You need to pray for our church that God would raise up additional elders to lead our church

Next week we will look at verses 2-4 and see how elders are to exercise oversight to the church

As we close, we need to always remember what Charles Spurgeon said

“A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.”

That is never our desire but it can happen

To prevent that we must continue to be committed to the Word of God and live what it says

That is also true when it comes to what it says about the church

Jesus is the head of His church

He is also the Savior of it

Has He saved you?

If you have never come to Him for salvation, you can come right now

Thrust yourself on Him by repenting and believing the Gospel and by confessing Him as Lord