1 Peter 5 www.1peter.weebly.com Please complete Dr. Dennis survey at the bottom of the home page. David says, It's not just for me and my teaching as I have some general questions that I'm going to share with Mark Nelson as we plan CE classes. Thanks! 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ s sufferings, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. God allows us to suffer to demonstrate our character (v 12) Those who identify themselves with Jesus Christ will share in the sufferings of our Savior (v13) Our sufferings will be an occasion of God blessing us (v14) Our suffering will glorify God (v16) 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, let those who suffer according to God s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. Even though it seems like we want to complain when we suffer, instead we should o Entrust ourselves to God who is faithful, and o Continue to choose to do good. I Peter 5: Shepherding the Flock of God / An Orderly Community / The Church Under Trial "An intimate personal note runs through this section, the author alluding to himself and his own experience and standing more directly than heretofore, and addressing his readers, especially those in the ministry, with primary regard to their pastoral relationship to one another in the Church. Earlier themes, such as the need for humility and wakefulness, and the promise of grace to stand firm in persecution and of glory at the last, are repeated." (Blum, Edwin A. "1 Peter." In Hebrews- Revelation. Vol. 12 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary. 12 vols. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981.) Early Church Leadership (From Nav Press 1 Peter) The New Testament gives no clear picture on how churches were organized. Likely, a group of Believers met periodically in the home of member wealthy enough to have a spacious house. A Church probably prayed, sang, and heard Scripture read and discussed. They also ate together, celebrated the Lord s Supper, and baptized. Poor members, widows, and orphans were cared for. The doctrines of faith were also taught. Leadership was probably modeled on the system Jewish Synagogues used. A board of respected men called elders oversaw the synagogues in a locality. A Christian house church probably had several elders who worked both in committee and on divided responsibilities. These men administered discipline, settled friction among members, saw to member s personal needs, and managed finances. Apostles had the highest authority. Prophets were sometimes attached to a particular church, but at other times traveled from city to city. Rules existed for discerning true prophets and regulating the hospitality such travelers might expect. Evangelists and some teachers also probably traveled. The responsibility of the elders 5:1-4 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; Peter could have identified himself in grand terms. Why would Peter identify himself as a Fellow? What motives or character traits might that identify? What is a Witness? A witness one who testifies, originally in a court of law. Acts 10:39-42 We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. Peter participated in sufferings for Christ s sake.
His testimony was formed from those experiences What have you witnessed that made a lasting impression on you, something that forms who you are? Peter exhorts his fellow elders to take care of those under their charge, as a shepherd cares for his sheep. 5:2 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. Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseer Ezekiel 34:1-5 Take care of the flocks; strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bound the injured, brought back the strays, search for the lost. What are the analogies to what a person in spiritual authority should do for those they lead? Serve willingly as opposed to grudgingly (2 Cor. 9:7) Serve zealously and enthusiastically Lead by example if godly living that others can follow, rather than driving people forward with authoritarian commands o 1 Timothy 4:12; Set an example for the Believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity o 2 Thessalonians 3:9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. o II Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm. o Matthew 20:25-28 Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave Are there wrong reasons for accepting spiritual leadership? How can members of the church make it easier for our spiritual leaders to: Shepherd the flock Serve willingly Resist monetary temptations Not lord over members Set an example As an analogy a Husband s primary role is that of Shepherd of his family. He cares for their needs, it is considered a privilege (voluntary), his family a priority (eagerness), he should be a model of integrity (example). He should tell members of his family he loves them. Reread Psalm 23 and put your name in the place of the Shepherd to If you are a church leader, a husband, or other authority figure over others. 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Elders who are faithful now will receive glory that will not fade when Jesus Christ return. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. BELIEVERS' CROWNS Title Reason Reference An Imperishable Crown For leading a disciplined life 1 Cor. 9:25
A Crown of Rejoicing For evangelism and discipleship 1 Thess. 2:19 A Crown of Righteousness For loving the Lord's appearing 2 Tim. 4:8 A Crown of Life For enduring trials James 1:12; Rev. 2:10 A Crown of Glory For shepherding God's flock faithfully 1 Pet. 5:4
The responsibility of the others 5:5 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. Some references say that "Younger men" is literally "younger ones" and includes females as well as males In the ancient world the division of society into older people and younger was just as much taken for granted as the division into men and women, free men and slaves, etc. Leaders of the church were normally in the older age group. Summary: The younger people in the church were and are to take a position under the authority of the older people. The older have more experience in living. But it is not an absolute. Job 32:1-33:7 Elihu 32:7: Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom; 33:1 But now Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak to what I know. 33:6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay; no fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. Have you had an experience in a similar situation - as a younger person like Elihu, or as an older person like Job? Humility 5:5b Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. All Christians, regardless of our age, should put on humility as a garment, (i.e., let it be what others see as we serve; cf. 3:8). The Greek word translated "clothe" is a rare one that comes from a word referring to the apron that slaves put on over their regular clothes, to keep clean. This garment prepared them for service (cf. John 13:4-15). We should be ready and eager to serve one another rather than expecting others to serve us. Believers should not insist on having their way over others. Luke 6:41-42 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother s eye. Romans 12:3 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:16 Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. James 4:1-6 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.god opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (proverbs 3:34). Why does God Opposes the proud but give grace to the humble? What are practical ways we could clothe ourselves with humility toward another person this week? What about toward someone with whom you have difficulty feeling humble?