A SPECIAL NOTE TO ELDERS
February 10, 2002 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 5:1-4
INTRO: I am not the least surprised that close to the end of this first letter Peter had a special word to address to the elders among the Lords church. He had written of the privileges and obligations of the Christian life, of the several relationships Christians sustained, of fiery trial which would soon burst upon the church ... no wonder, then, that a special word is needed for the men who would lead congregations of the church through perilous and difficult times ... who would be watching for the welfare of the church. From the four verses we have read I would infer that there is no weightier human responsibility than that of ones being an elder in the Lords church.
I. PETER A FELLOW ELDER (5:1)
A. He does not here refer to his apostleship
1. in this first letter no direct mention of apostleship
2. may I suggest, then, a couple of possibilities:
a. apostleship was a one time office but eldership a continuing one
b. he identifies with privilege and responsibility of the eldership as the office vital to well-being of the church
B. As an elder, he could not have been first pope
1. obviously a married man: Mt 8:14; 1 Cor 9:5; 1 Tim 3:2
2. too, does not speak of any primacy here ... he is also an elder not chief elder on earth, etc.
II. THREE GREAT ELDERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Feed the flock (5:2a)
1. feed is of word from which pastor comes
2. denotes all involved in shepherds care of flock
3. but especially idea of feeding is here emphasized
4. only way Christians survive and thrive is through the proper diet .. that of Gods word taught abundantly see Acts 20:28-32 the answer for apostasy is the word
B. Oversee the flock (5:2b)
1. oversight from the word from which bishop comes
2. denotes superintending the flock and its affairs
3. the elder is a person in authority within the church expressly charged with managing (1 Tim 3:4,5) and with soul responsibility (Heb 13:17)
4. it is noteworthy that flock is to obey the church of the Lord is neither democratic nor anarchistic! God placed elders in the organization of the church to feed and to rule
C. Lead the flock (5:3)
1. being ensamples from the word for pattern
2. denotes, then, showing flock how to live Christian life
3. observe Heb 13:7 whose faith follow
4. these men will stand up in any persecution, controversy, circumstance on the side of the Lord - a few courageous leaders can take us safely through!
III. THE SPIRIT OF THE ROLE?
A. A firm spirit taking
1. he must be a firm, decisive man
2. leadership is no place for a man who is unwilling to make decisions, commit to those decisions
B. A willing spirit not of constraint
1. he must not feel the office is a burden of duty such a sense would lead to neglect, procrastination ... even to compromise
2. he must be willing to be spent (2 Cor 12:15)
C. A selfless spirit not for filthy lucre
1. must not seek any particular self advantage
2. he must - to the contrary - be a man of open and great generosity ... who truly is concerned with giving (not with getting)
D. A humble spirit neither as being Lords
1. first, the church is Gods heritage not the elders
2. elders must not be petty tyrants, bossy a quiet calm, concerned, decisive oversight is the manner of their rule
CLOSE: The elders have an end in view. They look for Christs coming and for the unfading crown (5:4). Perhaps they will receive little applause in their role, but that is not their interest. They seek Gods approval; therefore, they serve faithfully by Gods word and pattern.
Cecil A. Hutson
10 February 2002