Different Roles, One LORD
1 Peter 5:1-5
1. The “Elder” Should Shepherd and Oversee God’s Flock. (Vs. 1, Col 1:17-18)
a. Colossians 1:17-18, “He [Jesus] is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.”
2. The “Elder” Should Serve:
a. Whole-Heartedly. (Vs. 2a, 1 Tim 3:1, James 3:1)
i. 1 Timothy 3:1, “This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer he desires a noble work.””
ii. James 3:1, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment.”
b. Eagerly. (Vs. 2b)
i. 1 Timothy 3:2-3, “An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy.”
ii. 2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.”
c. Gently. (Vs. 3, Matt 20:25-28)
i. Matthew 20:25-28, “Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
d. Expectantly. (Vs. 4)
e. In Unity. (Vs. 5, Heb 13:17, 1 Thess 5:12-14)
i. Hebrews 13:17, “ Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
ii. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”