Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 29, 2007 "Act With Humility" Background & Lesson: I Peter 5:1-14 Motivation: Under the direction of God's Holy Spirit, Peter writes specific instructions to Church leaders as well as the Church at large. Special attention is given to pastors. Each Bible Study Director and Teacher serves as a pastor in his/her area of responsibility. Special attention in this lesson is given to our enemy, Satan. Examination: I. Exhortation to Church Leaders (5:1-4) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1771: "5:1-3 Three descriptive terms are employed in the N.T. to depict the role of the pastor. All three are used in this passage, though here two are used in verb form: (1) Elders' ( presbuteros, Greek) is a term generically referring to a fully mature man. The respect accorded to an elderly man is transferred to the office of the pastor. The use of the word elder' indicates profound respect and esteem for the office. (2) Shepherd' the flock of God employs the Greek verb poimaino. The nominal form of the word is poimen, which is rendered pastor' or shepherd.' The word describes the spiritual ministries of the leader of the church. As pastor or shepherd, he is to feed, protect, guide, and pray for the flock of God. (3) Serving as overseers' is a translation of episkopountes (Greek). The noun form episkopos is usually translated bishop.' The emphasis is upon the administrative responsibilities of the chief officer of the church. The terms are all synonymous in that they refer to the same office. They differ only in emphasis. These responsibilities are to be discharged willingly as an example ( tupoi, Greek) to the flock, and they are not to be rendered due to constraint, due to the desire for inordinate gain, or due to the ambition to be lords over God's people. The term bishop' indicates strong leadership but not dictatorship." (Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20), and Chief Shepherd (I Pet. 5:4) 1 / 7
A. Elder "The elders who are among you..." (1) 1. Old Testament References - William Barclay, I Peter, pp. 262-263: "There came a time when Moses felt the burdens of leadership too heavy for him to bear alone, and to help him seventy elders were set apart and granted a share of the spirit of God ( Numbers 11:16-30). Thereafter elders became a permanent feature of Jewish life. We find them as the friends of the prophets (2 Kings 6:32): as the advisers of kings (1 Kings 20:8; 21:11); as the colleagues of the princes in the administration of the affairs of the nation ( Ezra 10:8). Every village and city had its elders; they met at the gate and dispensed justice to the people ( Deuteronomy 25:7). The elders were the administrators of the synagogue; they did not preach, but they saw to the good government and order of the synagogue, and they exercised discipline over its members. The elders formed a large section of the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of the Jews, and they are regularly mentioned along with the Chief Priests and the rulers and the Scribes and the Pharisees ( Matthew 16:21, 21:23, 26:3, 57:27, 1, 3; Luke 7:3; Acts 4:5, 6:12, 24:1). In the vision of the Revelation in the heavenly places there are twenty-four elders around the throne. The elders were woven into the very structure of Judaism, both in its civil and its religious affairs." 2. New Testament References - ordained in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5), received offerings (Acts 11:30); prerequisites listed (I. Tim. 5:17); decision makers (Acts 15:2; 16:4; Acts 21:18-25); overseers of the flock, defenders of the faith (Acts 20:28-29). The primary reference here is to pastors; by extension, it would refer to church staff as well. B. Pastor "Shepherd the flock of God..." (2) (John 21:15-17) 1. Called "not by compulsion but willingly" - God's church needs ministers called by God. Many good people may feel guilt at not serving or may sense a real need to serve. These are not the same as God's call to vocational ministry. 2 / 7
2. Challenged "not for dishonest gain but eagerly" - the issue is not whether to pay ministers. By the completion of the New Testament, a paid clergy was the norm (Luke 10:7; I Cor. 9:14; I Tim. 5:17). As a " fellow elder ", Peter urges leaders to make certain their motivation is correct. If a person enters the ministry motivated only by material comfort, he/she will not stay long. God will not honor a ministry that is not giving in nature. (II Cor. 9:7; James 1:9) 3. Circumspect not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock " - The spiritual leader should not be motivated by money, nor should he desire to be boss (Mark 9:35). Instead, the spiritual leader motivates by example "Example is not the main thing in influencing others - it is the only thing" - Albert Schweitzer (I Cor. 10:11) (Matt. 11:29; Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15; Rom. 15:13-18) C. Overseers "serving as overseers" (2) - In secular life, an overseer did not serve, they bossed. So Peter makes a deliberate play on words to underscore the role of pastor. It is based on servant leadership. This is a role model for anyone in leadership in God's church: - A servant-leader does not ask others to do that which he/she is unwilling to do. (Matt. 23:12) - A servant-leader is a person of integrity and high morals. (I Timothy 3:1-7) - A servant-leader seeks to build consensus based on God's direction. (II Tim. 3:16) - A servant-leader establishes priorities and makes wise decisions. (Phil. 3:13; Prov. 1:1-7) The overseer has an awesome responsibility to understand and implement God's will in the life of the church. Recognizing this, God promises "the crown of glory that does not fade away." (4) II. Warning of Satan's Plan (5:5-10) 3 / 7
Peter's admonition to be humble, sober and watchful is repeated here for emphasis because "your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." (8) Jesus reminds us of His victory "casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you." (7) A. Satan's Person 1. His reality (Ezekiel 28:11-19) "... you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God." (16) Satan's creation (13, 15) 2. His rebellion (Isaiah 14:12) "How have you fallen from heaven O Lucifer, son of the morning..." 3. His reign (Ephesians 2:2) "... according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." 4. His ruin a. predicted (Gen. 3:15) "... He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" b. produced (I Peter 2:24-25) "Who Himself bore our sin in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness." (24) (Col 2:14-15) c. pronounced (Rev. 20:1-3) "and he cast him in a bottomless pit..." (3) d. profound (Rev. 20:10) "the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire." B. Satan's Program 1. To perpetuate spiritual bondage for the lost. (II Cor. 4:3-4) "whose mind the god of this age has blinded." (4) 2. To promote the sinful behavior of the redeemed. (I Peter 4:1-3) "for we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles." (3) C. Satan's Prescription (an antidote to Satan's program) 1. Put your faith in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:17) "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation..." 2. Plan to follow Christ's example. (Luke 4:1-13) a. Establish your Position ("in Christ") b. Engage the Promises ("it is written") c. Express the Pronouncement (In the name of Jesus "Get behind me, Satan!" " The Lord rebuke you 4 / 7
", Jude 9) If we resist Satan, God promises to "perfect" (complete), "establish&q uot; (direct us in the right way), strengthen (shore- up weaknesses), and settle us (like a firm foundation). III. Benediction to God's People (11-14) A. Greatness "To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen " (11) As a closing benediction Peter reaffirms the glory of God (4:14, 16) God's omnipotence and eternal nature are affirmed. (Heb. 6:1, 10) B. Greetings 1. "Silvanus" - This is the full name of Silas, known throughout Acts as a companion to Paul (Acts 15:37-40); he is associated with the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:22, 27). He is also mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:19; I Thessalonians 1:1 and II Thessalonians 1:1. If this Silvanus is the same Silas who accompanied Paul, then he was truly a remarkable man to be the trusted confidant of these two great apostles, Paul called to preach to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews. 2. "she who is in Babylon" - Although the origin of this letter affects our beliefs not at all, there exists widespread disagreement over whether Babylon refers to the literal city in Mesopotamia or is a metaphorical reference to Rome. The "she" has traditionally referred to the church in that city; however, Barclay raises the possibility that it could refer to Peter's wife ( I Peter, p. 277) who was known to accompany him on his missionary trips (1 Corinthians 9:5). 3. "Mark, my son" - Just as Paul had his Timothy (I Timothy 1:12, 18) Peter mentioned Mark. Most scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark is based on the preaching and first hand accounts of Peter. 4. "Greet one another with a kiss of love" - Other references to this kiss include Romans 16:16: I Corinthians 16:20; II Corinthians 13:12 and I Thessalonians 5:26. Obviously, the custom of kissing first on one cheek and then the other was widespread in the early church. Many writings associate it with the Lord's Supper and Baptism, as a means of 5 / 7
demonstrating unity and love. That this custom passed away by the fourth century reveals a contrast between what the church is designed to be and what it is: a. The Church is designed to be a loving family composed of moms and dads, brothers and sisters. (I Tim. 5:1-2) An innocent kiss would seem most natural in this context. However, in fact, the church is a mixture of lost, carnal and spiritual people. Early on, the church fathers had to warn about "evil reports" from the abuse of this kiss. b. The Church is designed to be a supportive community in which each member loves and defends the others (Romans 12:10). In fact, all too often we let pride, selfishness, and personal agendas creep into our business at the church. Instead of a kingdom mindset, we first ask "How does this affect my comfort, convenience and sense of well-being?" It is sad that church members will treat fellow church members just as they would a lost associate at a public meeting: quick to criticize, slow to forgive, and willing to ascribe the basest motives for anything they find unpleasant. c. The Church is designed to be a mission organization, united with a purpose of sharing the Good News (Matthew 28:19-20). Throughout the New Testament we're reminded to be of one mind (Romans 15:5-6) that our oneness reflects a virtue of God (John 17:21-22); we're to work toward unity (Eph. 4:8) and that love is to be our identifying badge to the world (John 13:35). Christians are the most diverse collection of individuals on earth. Our only rallying point of unity is Jesus Christ, His Spirit and His Mission. When we begin to operate outside that unifying force, dissension creeps in. Application 1. Leaders in the church are to be called, challenged and circumspect in behavior. 2. Satan seeks to discourage and disrupt. 3. The Church is designed to show God's love and unity to the world. Adult Teachers Packet: Item 16: Chart: Lesson Outline Illustrator: p. 11: "Simon Peter: The Man and His Ministry" Notes: **You may now access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: http://www.hfb cbiblestudy.org/ 6 / 7
Dates: 1/23-4/17 - Living Proof with Beth, Apr. 5 - "Broken For You"/church wide event, Apr. 8 - Easter, normal schedule, Apr. 19 - Aid Sudan Banquet, Apr. 26 - Celebration Lunch, Apr. 27 - FBA Auction, May 5-6 - Pineywoods Summit Spring Retreat; May 20 - Sunday School Leadership Appreciation Day; May 24 - FBA 8 th Grade Graduation; May 24 - First Kids Pre-K Graduation; May 27 - Memorial Day, both a.m. services (SS opt.) 6:30 Ascend; May 31 - Celebration Dinner - AEM; May 30 - June 3 - Middle School Camp; May 31 - HCHS Graduation. 7 / 7