Servant Leaders
First Peter 5:1 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.
Are you a church Elder? Have you served as one in the past? Can you picture yourself ever being in that position?
To the many believers who had to run for safety, now scattered over many parts of Asia minor, Peter writes to encourage them and instruct them on how to live under such difficult times. In this chapter, Peter recognises that each house church, made up of just a few families, has a leading Elder. Very likely, each local area would have a number of house churches, and also very likely, there would be one overseer to work with the Elders. We would call that overseer, Pastor. Peter writes a few words just for the elders and overseers.
Before we look at these words more closely, I want to direct your attention to what Paul had to say about Elders.
First, here is what Paul wrote to his partner, Titus. 1:5 ¶ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you —
6 ¶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Besides Paul’s list of requirements for Elder, I want to point out only one thing here, and that is that an elder is also called an overseer. Each house church would have an elder to oversee the ministry of that house church. Each cluster of house churches in a local community would have an overseer to work with the elders. And we would call such an overseeing elder, Pastor.
I will move right on to what Paul says to Timothy.
Actually, in speaking to Timothy, Paul never uses the term, ‘Elder’. In its place he says, Overseer. Here are Paul’s words to Timothy.
1 ¶ The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
I really cannot add to this list. Paul makes it very clear and simple. There is an area that some people argue about today, and that is the gender issue. As you probably have gathered by now, I strongly believe that God wrote this just exactly as He wants us to take it. He has a divine order, and for us to say that a woman can make a fine elder, is to place our thinking above God’s. I do not dare to do that.
Perhaps we think we are more intelligent that those whom God inspired to write scripture, but Paul goes on to address the other sex as well. He says, 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. etc.
But we must get back to what Peter is telling us.
As we look at his comments, always keep in mind the small house church setting that would range in size from just a couple of families to maybe 30 or so people, if they could get that many together in one house.
Peter is an apostle. That position was first appointed by Jesus himself, and, in the order of things, was the very most responsible of all positions when it came to church order or guidance. But Peter says here that he is a fellow elder. He identifies with elders.
He says, 2 shepherd the flock of God
Actual shepherds lead sheep to pasture … and away from pasture for rest and protection. And they expected some produce … such as wool and such as other little sheep. The shepherds were on guard against thieves and animal predators.
Translate those actions to church overseers. Feeding comes right out of the word of God. And predators are often kept away by warning believers via scripture. Rest and refreshment also comes right out of sharing the right passages out of God’s word.
Peter says that this task involved exercising oversight.
As Elders took on the responsibility to lead their small house group, they realized that the position was a serious one. People would depend on guidance from them. The Elder may or may not have had to be busy with daily employment, but he would have to be aware of his small congregation and their needs.
How did he handle this responsibility? Peter warns, Don’t do it under compulsion, but willingly. There would be no room for them to think, What is in it for me? Jesus came down willingly to be a servant of all. So Peter says, do it as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
Don’t do it for the money, Peter cautions. And, when you find yourself in the position of Elder, don’t be domineering over those in your charge, That can happen. The wrong kind of leader can let a little ‘responsibility’ be confused with ‘power’ and let it go to his head. Leading the flock of God must be done strictly by being examples to the flock.
If an Elder will humbly lead in this way, Peter says, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
I don’t know what this unfading crown of glory represents or looks like. But I see Peter making this comment, not to create a motivation to grasp for some kind of a crown, but more as an affirming thought for elders who give their lives for the congregation. They do it tirelessly. And they do it joyfully. To simply feel that affirming pat on the back by God one day, makes it more than worthwhile.
In contrast to elders … he addresses the ‘younger’ ones. 5 ¶ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
He is not speaking in terms of age. Peter, as he addressed elders, was clearly thinking about those who, not only may be older in the Lord, but they are reaching maturity in their thought, understanding of God’s word, and also maturity in the life choices that they are making.
So, now that he addresses ‘younger’ it would be the opposite of that. He means, first of all, those who have not reached maturity. They are newer believers. So, it is possible for an eighty year old to accept Jesus, and be called a ‘younger’ by Peter.
These ‘younger, less mature in the faith’ believers are asked --- or instructed, to be subject to the elders.
In a situation where there exists a committee of believers who have been commissioned to work on a project for the church, the younger-elder thing needs to be looked at.
Here is an example --- A committee is formed and is to be in charge of Christian education. There are, say, 8 persons on the committee. A few names are put forward as suggestions for new sunday school teachers. Let’s say, for the purpose of my example, that only one of the committee members is a mature believer. Of the names being put forward, this mature committee member has a choice in mind. He or she has picked the prospective teacher that has the strongest Christian testimony, an obvious love for God and His word, and seems to have the gift of teaching. The majority of committee members, however, are quite taken with another candidate. This person is bubbly outgoing and loves to relate to kids. A vote is taken. The majority rules, and a less biblically qualified teacher is chosen.
According to what we hear Peter saying … democracy, (majority rule) does not apply when deciding on issues that have a spiritual impact. In that case, listen to and submit to the elder. And I don’t think this simply means a voted on, appointed elder in the church. We should submit to any christian who is more mature and wise in the Lord.
Humility, says Peter, is a wonderful thing. It's like the best suit of fine clothing. 5b 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.
God’s mighty hand can protect us, can bring us through persecution and suffering, can discipline us, and can put us into positions of responsibility.
Being under (sheltered by) God’s hand, and when this thought really sinks in, you will be 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Peter, as he wraps up this letter to the believers who have fled in the face of intense danger and the possibility of persecution, reminds the believers that the dangerous situation facing the church is not directly the fault of local enemies, or even government. He points out that there is a real Satanic kingdom behind everything. So he says, 8 ¶ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Sober-minded and watchful. This advice is essential. What is going on against Christ and His church is not a joke. Christians need to take the anti-church practices of the world and worldly governments seriously. We are to be watchful. The time is short. Jesus also commanded us to keep our eyes wide open. The writer of Hebrews says, as you ‘see the day’ approaching, encourage one another. Satan is invisible, and that makes him an enemy that is hard to watch. So Peter says, 9 Resist him, firm in your faith. Do what Jesus did when Satan tried to get Jesus to sin. Jesus resisted him by quoting appropriate scripture. Being God, He could have done much more. But He only used scripture to resist Satan. It took three tries, but it worked. Satan can be resisted … but only by our using God’s word. The Psalm writer, David said, I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Palms 119:11 So that is your insurance against falling for Satan’s temptations. Get to know His word better and be surprised how the Holy Spirit will give you victory against the attacks of the devil. It is Paul who counsels us to stand against the ‘wiles’ of the Devil by putting on armor. He mentions the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit … which is the word of God.
So Peter says, Resist him, firm in your faith. And then he adds, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Does that help you, when you pause to remember that most Christians down through the centuries have suffered persecution? We are so very spoiled. We almost think that the freedom to meet publicly is our right. We want to demand it of our government. Remember that our forefathers in the book of Acts had no such a privilege. They met in secret if they had to. Pray for your brothers and sisters throughout the world who live their Christian lives in danger every day.
Now Peter signs off with this: 10 ¶ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Can you wait for that? A while of suffering now, if He should so desire, and an ultimate restoration, confirming, strengthening, and establishing that will last through all eternity.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And then Peter’s P.S.
12 By Silvanus,( a faithful brother as I regard him)...,
Silavanus (also known as Silas) was a close friend of Paul. Here it appears that `Peter knows him as well and that he has helped in the production of this letter.
And he adds: , I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
He has given some very sensible advice in how to stand firm in the grace of God during difficult times.
Finally, Peter passes on a greeting ...13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Peter is writing from Babylon. We don’t know if he means the real Babylon that is in Iraq, or is still in Jerusalem, and he is implying that it has gotten really bad there, so he refers to it as Babylon … Or could it be that Peter is in Rome, and he considers it totally corrupt, so he calls it Babylon. We don’t know. At any rate, the place where he is as he writes, he is calling Babylon, and the church there sends greetings. Peter says that ‘his son’, Marcus, also sends a greeting. Bible commentators believe this is John Mark being referred to here. This would be the nephew of Barnabas. So, no physical relative of Peter, but still he calls him ‘son’ … a term of endearment.
And then 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
this would be difficult during the days of Covid. We would be kissing through our masks. But we get the point … love and respect one another.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
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.
Are you a church Elder? Have you served as one in the past? Can you picture yourself ever being in that position?
To the many believers who had to run for safety, now scattered over many parts of Asia minor, Peter writes to encourage them and instruct them on how to live under such difficult times. In this chapter, Peter recognises that each house church, made up of just a few families, has a leading Elder. Very likely, each local area would have a number of house churches, and also very likely, there would be one overseer to work with the Elders. We would call that overseer, Pastor. Peter writes a few words just for the elders and overseers.
Before we look at these words more closely, I want to direct your attention to what Paul had to say about Elders.
First, here is what Paul wrote to his partner, Titus. 1:5 ¶ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you —
6 ¶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Besides Paul’s list of requirements for Elder, I want to point out only one thing here, and that is that an elder is also called an overseer. Each house church would have an elder to oversee the ministry of that house church. Each cluster of house churches in a local community would have an overseer to work with the elders. And we would call such an overseeing elder, Pastor.
I will move right on to what Paul says to Timothy.
Actually, in speaking to Timothy, Paul never uses the term, ‘Elder’. In its place he says, Overseer. Here are Paul’s words to Timothy.
1 ¶ The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
I really cannot add to this list. Paul makes it very clear and simple. There is an area that some people argue about today, and that is the gender issue. As you probably have gathered by now, I strongly believe that God wrote this just exactly as He wants us to take it. He has a divine order, and for us to say that a woman can make a fine elder, is to place our thinking above God’s. I do not dare to do that.
Perhaps we think we are more intelligent that those whom God inspired to write scripture, but Paul goes on to address the other sex as well. He says, 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. etc.
But we must get back to what Peter is telling us.
As we look at his comments, always keep in mind the small house church setting that would range in size from just a couple of families to maybe 30 or so people, if they could get that many together in one house.
Peter is an apostle. That position was first appointed by Jesus himself, and, in the order of things, was the very most responsible of all positions when it came to church order or guidance. But Peter says here that he is a fellow elder. He identifies with elders.
He says, 2 shepherd the flock of God
Actual shepherds lead sheep to pasture … and away from pasture for rest and protection. And they expected some produce … such as wool and such as other little sheep. The shepherds were on guard against thieves and animal predators.
Translate those actions to church overseers. Feeding comes right out of the word of God. And predators are often kept away by warning believers via scripture. Rest and refreshment also comes right out of sharing the right passages out of God’s word.
Peter says that this task involved exercising oversight.
As Elders took on the responsibility to lead their small house group, they realized that the position was a serious one. People would depend on guidance from them. The Elder may or may not have had to be busy with daily employment, but he would have to be aware of his small congregation and their needs.
How did he handle this responsibility? Peter warns, Don’t do it under compulsion, but willingly. There would be no room for them to think, What is in it for me? Jesus came down willingly to be a servant of all. So Peter says, do it as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
Don’t do it for the money, Peter cautions. And, when you find yourself in the position of Elder, don’t be domineering over those in your charge, That can happen. The wrong kind of leader can let a little ‘responsibility’ be confused with ‘power’ and let it go to his head. Leading the flock of God must be done strictly by being examples to the flock.
If an Elder will humbly lead in this way, Peter says, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
I don’t know what this unfading crown of glory represents or looks like. But I see Peter making this comment, not to create a motivation to grasp for some kind of a crown, but more as an affirming thought for elders who give their lives for the congregation. They do it tirelessly. And they do it joyfully. To simply feel that affirming pat on the back by God one day, makes it more than worthwhile.
In contrast to elders … he addresses the ‘younger’ ones. 5 ¶ Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
He is not speaking in terms of age. Peter, as he addressed elders, was clearly thinking about those who, not only may be older in the Lord, but they are reaching maturity in their thought, understanding of God’s word, and also maturity in the life choices that they are making.
So, now that he addresses ‘younger’ it would be the opposite of that. He means, first of all, those who have not reached maturity. They are newer believers. So, it is possible for an eighty year old to accept Jesus, and be called a ‘younger’ by Peter.
These ‘younger, less mature in the faith’ believers are asked --- or instructed, to be subject to the elders.
In a situation where there exists a committee of believers who have been commissioned to work on a project for the church, the younger-elder thing needs to be looked at.
Here is an example --- A committee is formed and is to be in charge of Christian education. There are, say, 8 persons on the committee. A few names are put forward as suggestions for new sunday school teachers. Let’s say, for the purpose of my example, that only one of the committee members is a mature believer. Of the names being put forward, this mature committee member has a choice in mind. He or she has picked the prospective teacher that has the strongest Christian testimony, an obvious love for God and His word, and seems to have the gift of teaching. The majority of committee members, however, are quite taken with another candidate. This person is bubbly outgoing and loves to relate to kids. A vote is taken. The majority rules, and a less biblically qualified teacher is chosen.
According to what we hear Peter saying … democracy, (majority rule) does not apply when deciding on issues that have a spiritual impact. In that case, listen to and submit to the elder. And I don’t think this simply means a voted on, appointed elder in the church. We should submit to any christian who is more mature and wise in the Lord.
Humility, says Peter, is a wonderful thing. It's like the best suit of fine clothing. 5b 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.
God’s mighty hand can protect us, can bring us through persecution and suffering, can discipline us, and can put us into positions of responsibility.
Being under (sheltered by) God’s hand, and when this thought really sinks in, you will be 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Peter, as he wraps up this letter to the believers who have fled in the face of intense danger and the possibility of persecution, reminds the believers that the dangerous situation facing the church is not directly the fault of local enemies, or even government. He points out that there is a real Satanic kingdom behind everything. So he says, 8 ¶ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Sober-minded and watchful. This advice is essential. What is going on against Christ and His church is not a joke. Christians need to take the anti-church practices of the world and worldly governments seriously. We are to be watchful. The time is short. Jesus also commanded us to keep our eyes wide open. The writer of Hebrews says, as you ‘see the day’ approaching, encourage one another. Satan is invisible, and that makes him an enemy that is hard to watch. So Peter says, 9 Resist him, firm in your faith. Do what Jesus did when Satan tried to get Jesus to sin. Jesus resisted him by quoting appropriate scripture. Being God, He could have done much more. But He only used scripture to resist Satan. It took three tries, but it worked. Satan can be resisted … but only by our using God’s word. The Psalm writer, David said, I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Palms 119:11 So that is your insurance against falling for Satan’s temptations. Get to know His word better and be surprised how the Holy Spirit will give you victory against the attacks of the devil. It is Paul who counsels us to stand against the ‘wiles’ of the Devil by putting on armor. He mentions the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit … which is the word of God.
So Peter says, Resist him, firm in your faith. And then he adds, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Does that help you, when you pause to remember that most Christians down through the centuries have suffered persecution? We are so very spoiled. We almost think that the freedom to meet publicly is our right. We want to demand it of our government. Remember that our forefathers in the book of Acts had no such a privilege. They met in secret if they had to. Pray for your brothers and sisters throughout the world who live their Christian lives in danger every day.
Now Peter signs off with this: 10 ¶ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Can you wait for that? A while of suffering now, if He should so desire, and an ultimate restoration, confirming, strengthening, and establishing that will last through all eternity.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And then Peter’s P.S.
12 By Silvanus,( a faithful brother as I regard him)...,
Silavanus (also known as Silas) was a close friend of Paul. Here it appears that `Peter knows him as well and that he has helped in the production of this letter.
And he adds: , I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
He has given some very sensible advice in how to stand firm in the grace of God during difficult times.
Finally, Peter passes on a greeting ...13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Peter is writing from Babylon. We don’t know if he means the real Babylon that is in Iraq, or is still in Jerusalem, and he is implying that it has gotten really bad there, so he refers to it as Babylon … Or could it be that Peter is in Rome, and he considers it totally corrupt, so he calls it Babylon. We don’t know. At any rate, the place where he is as he writes, he is calling Babylon, and the church there sends greetings. Peter says that ‘his son’, Marcus, also sends a greeting. Bible commentators believe this is John Mark being referred to here. This would be the nephew of Barnabas. So, no physical relative of Peter, but still he calls him ‘son’ … a term of endearment.
And then 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
this would be difficult during the days of Covid. We would be kissing through our masks. But we get the point … love and respect one another.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.