SERIES: Faith Under Fire
Living Together as God’s Flock
Now to the final chapter of 1 Peter. The relational rules of the world are characterized by competition, division and individualism. The Church of Jesus Christ is called to live by a different set of relational rules, not only with the world but with each other. That’s why I have entitled this chapter as “Living Together as God’s Flock.” We’re going to see a variety of topics here, but most fit somewhere under this title. We start with instructions to …
Elders: shepherd God’s flock rightly. (1-4)
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
This is an important passage on the place of elders in the church, by no means the primary passage (that would be in 1 Timothy), but important nevertheless. Peter is not speaking of elders simply in terms of age; he is talking about the leaders of the church, who, on average, will probably tend to be elders in age also, but who are elders principally by position and authority. He appeals to them (doesn’t command them) as a fellow elder, i.e. someone who himself has an important position and authority in the church. He also appeals to them as a witness of Christ’s sufferings. He’s been talking a lot about suffering, and he wants to emphasize that he personally saw the sufferings of the ultimate Shepherd. He is not asking them to endure anything Christ did not endure.
He also reminds them that not only is he a witness but also a sharer in the Glory to be revealed. He’s trying hard to identify with them so as to encourage them to persevere.
Peter’s primary instruction to the elders is to shepherd God’s flock, i.e. the congregation under their care. This is the very same command which he was himself given by the risen Lord in John 21:16. We might ask, “How does a shepherd shepherd a flock?”
Feeding
Protecting
Leading
Seeking the lost sheep
All of that is wrapped up in “shepherding God’s flock.”
But in addition he mentions “overseeing,” which includes supervision, discipline, instruction, and direction.
Serve willingly instead of out of obligation. Eldes are to serve in the right spirit. Elders in a local church might feel obligated because of past service or vacancies, but God wants them to serve willingly.
Serve eagerly instead out of a desire for personal gain. Some elders, at least those who worked full-time, were paid. Here Peter is urging them not to be greedy for money. Among other things I think this means that a pastor should not go to a larger church just because the salary is greater, which has no doubt happened often. Of course, you’ll never hear a pastor admit that. Instead they will speak of the wider ministry they will have in this larger church. But frankly, this is such a potential problem that Peter and Paul both mention it.
Serve as a model (example) instead of as a lord (a tyrant). Have any of you experienced elders (or pastors, for pastors are elders) who lorded it over their flocks? It’s not a pretty sight, and people don’t generally tolerate it very long. Rather than fight back they often leave and find another church home. If a church is known more for its discipline than it is for its love and restoration, you probably have a church where the elders are lording it over the flock.
Elders should lead by example. If they want people to live a certain way, they should live that way themselves.
And the reward for shepherding the flock rightly is that the Chief Shepherd will grant a crown of glory (probably not a glorious crown but rather a crown that consists of glory) to faithful undershepherds that will never fade away. That will happen at the Parousia, at the Second Coming. Jan and I used to have a plaque on the wall that someone gave us. It read concerning the ministry, “The pay is not much, but the retirement plan is out of this world.” That was probably more appropriate for when my father was a pastor. The pay was REALLY not much back then. Today pastors are paid more generously. But even today the ultimate reward awaits the Second Coming.
Now starting in verse 5 Peter addresses young men and then everyone.
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Young men: live in voluntary submission to your elders. (5a)
In the first paragraph he has addressed elders who are leaders in the church. Here he seems to be speaking of elders as a synonym for older men. He tells the younger men to respect and submit to the older. This only makes sense. They’ve lived longer, they have more experience, they’ve learned more lessons. They should be listened to.
Now, of course, a man is not automatically wiser or more godly just because he grows older. Some are just “dirty old men.” But in general young men should show deference to their elders.
Then Peter has instructions for everyone.
Everyone (i.e. all believers):
Live together in humility. (5b-7) Now the very fact that he urges this shows me that it is not natural for people to be humble.
Humility is not a natural human quality. What is natural is pride, haughtiness, arrogance.
Humility needs to be intentionally developed. That is the notion behind “clothe yourselves.” When we get dressed we think about how we’re going to look. We want to make sure our clothes are clean and pressed, that they match, that they are appropriate for the occasion, etc. Clothing yourself with humility means you give thought to it. I am certain Peter is recalling the amazing experience he had in the Upper Room as Jesus girded himself and stooped to wash His disciples feet.
Notice that the exhortation is not to feel humble, or even to pray for humility, but to act humbly by serving others.
Humility is necessary because it moves the heart of God. Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humility results in exaltation in due time. Verse 6. When you humble yourself before God, you are taking a risk that God is trustworthy. But is that really a risk? God can be trusted. In fact, you can cast all your anxiety on him because HE CARES FOR YOU.
Now in verse 8 Peter makes it clear that humbling yourself and casting all your care on God is not a passive thing. It is not equivalent to resignation. Strong confidence in God, as has just been expressed, does not justify indulgence or carelessness.
Be self-controlled and alert for the roaring lion (Satan). (8-9) This is the third time in this short book where Peter has urged us to be self-controlled and alert (sober). This time it is because of our Enemy. He is the devil, he prowls around and like a roaring lion he is seeking to devour (destroy) God’s people. Peter well knew from personal experience because Satan sifted him and caused him to deny Christ.
Resist him: how? By standing firm in the faith.
Resist him: why? Because you are not alone.
Benediction: (10-11)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
In calling God the “God of all grace” he is implying that God’s grace covers every need and is available for every believer.
There is a huge contrast here between eternal glory and temporal suffering.
God promises to do four things for us, all future tense:
Restore you. The verb is used of mending nets.
Make you strong.
Make you firm. Means to equip for active service.
Make you steadfast. To settle.
Final greetings (12-14)
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Mention is made of two of Peter’s companions: Silas was Peter’s amanuensis. Peter probably takes the pen himself and writes this conclusion. He claims to have written briefly, meaning he would like to have said a lot more. Encouraging and testifying are Peter’s objectives in this epistle. “The true grace of God” indicates that Peter is claiming that his message is the Gospel of Christ.
Greeting from she who is in Babylon (probably the church in Rome). Greetings from Mark, the author of the 2nd Gospel. Greet one another with a kiss of love, sometimes called a holy kiss, sometimes a kiss of peace. This was common in the early church but soon fell out of practice because of abuse.
Tags:
Elders
Humility
Satan