A Word for Elders

Sermon Text

1 Peter 5:1-4

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords 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 does not fade away.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

• Peter addresses a plurality of elders as a fellow elder, humbly grounding his exhortation in Christ's sufferings and the glory yet to be revealed.
• Elders are commanded to shepherd God's flock through attentive spiritual care, remembering that the people belong to Christ and are only entrusted to their oversight.
• Shepherding must not arise from bare compulsion, dishonest gain, or a desire to control and lord authority over God's people.
• Faithful elders serve willingly and eagerly and lead by visible example, practicing the holiness, repentance, hospitality, and humility they teach.
• Jesus alone is the chief shepherd; elders look to his return and seek his approval rather than building personal kingdoms or chasing praise.
• The congregation should look ultimately to Christ, receive the elders' care, and lovingly hold fallible shepherds accountable to God's Word and Christ's example.

• Do the elders regard the congregation as Christ's flock entrusted to their care rather than as their own possession?
• Is shepherding motivated by love for Christ and his people or by guilt, reputation, money, and control?
• Are the elders attentive enough to know and pursue wandering sheep without becoming intrusive busybodies?
• Does an elder's visible life support the holiness and faith he teaches with his words?
• Can the congregation identify healthy ways to raise concerns and call its elders back to Scripture and Christ's example?
• Do church leaders respect family and vocational responsibilities while serving willingly and eagerly?
• Whose approval matters most in ministry—the congregation's immediate praise or the chief shepherd's commendation at his return?

Elder

A man called from within the congregation to share in the spiritual oversight and shepherding of Christ's church.

Shepherding

Knowing, watching over, visiting, teaching, protecting, and caring spiritually for people who belong to God.

Oversight

Delegated responsibility to attend to the church's spiritual welfare without claiming ownership or sovereign control.

Stewardship

Managing and caring for what belongs to another; elders care for Christ's flock and will answer to him.

Spiritual tyranny

Manipulating, coercing, or controlling believers as though they belonged to an elder rather than to Jesus Christ.

Chief Shepherd

Jesus Christ, the church's true owner, perfect model of pastoral care, returning King, and final judge of every elder's service.