This morning we wrap up our 1 Peter series by exploring the topic of leadership and why it matters. Leadership matters to us because it mattered to Christ. Jesus didn't just wander about the countryside as a lone messiah randomly healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, and calling people to repentance. From the beginning of his public ministry, even after his death, burial, and resurrection, one of Jesus' top priorities was to build up a small group of men into whose hands he'd eventually entrust the keys to the kingdom. Jesus' call to discipleship was expansive and all-inclusive. But his call upon the twelve, who'd later be called apostles, was exclusive, careful, and calculated.
The twelve disciples had personal ambitions, prejudices, rivalries, personality defects, attitudes, and temperaments that in the normal course of life might have led them to envy, bitterness, rivalry, or even murder. But it was Christ's desire to chip away at these hardened men and fashion them into instruments of his glory. Each of the four gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John-- are as much as anything a story of the twelve's transformation from self-centered men into humble, gracious leaders who were fit for service to their God.
There are hundreds of stories that could be shared where Christ can be seen correcting, rebuking, admonishing, challenging, and lovingly restoring the twelve. But let me share one example. In Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV), "...Jesus called them (the twelve) to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' "
These words, along with Peter's experience with Christ, must have burned in his heart as he penned the closing verses of 1 Peter. Like their Savior, Peter, James, John, and the apostle Paul can be seen throughout the New Testament letters building and becoming the kind of leaders who would prove faithful in their service to God. In each of the New Testament churches, the apostles would establish teams of elders. Teams of elders were kingdom-oriented, kingdom-vested men who would follow Christ's example and order their daily lives around Christ's priorities. These were men who would inspire younger men and future generations of leaders to rise up and carry forth God's work.
Godly leaders aren't merely discovered. They're not cherry-picked out of the world. Godly leaders have to be cultivated, encouraged, inspired, challenged, rebuked, and patiently loved until they're made fit for service. If developing godly men ceases to be a priority, the whole movement of Christ falls into jeopardy and decline. We need to make, mold, and disciple men to become better men and better leaders, elders, and servants of God! And this is an urgent need that Peter rightly addresses in 1 Peter 5.
In your sermon outline, I want you to observe five attributes of elders; their posture, their heart, their influence, their call, and their endurance.
The Posture of an Elder: A Team, Not a Showboat
Notice the tone in which Peter writes 1 Peter 5:1 (ESV). "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 was an apostle. He was an eyewitness of Christ's whole life, his mighty works, his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. He could have whipped out his manly apostle card. But instead, he addressed the elders of the church as fellow elders and partakers in the sufferings and glory of Christ. He empathized with their suffering. In a healthy team there is equality, mutuality, and humility. There are shared beliefs, a shared philosophy of church life and ministry, a shared testimony, and shared work!.
It's always a problem when one elder begins to overpower, overshadow, or overrun the larger teams of elders. It's always a problem when an elder goes rogue, imagining himself to be speaking for the team, or worse, on behalf of Christ. There is no room for a showboat on an elder team. Christ is chief and the elders are undershepherds.
The Heart of an Elder: A Giver, Not a Taker
1 Peter 5:2-4 (ESV) says, "... 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
The work of shepherding is already tough and demanding. Peter's concern is that elders carry out their work, not under compulsion, guilt, or shame, not for selfish gain, not for some ego stroke, or for self-advancement, or for a status grab. But he exhorts elders to serve faithfully, willingly, and eagerly, from the heart. Eldership is not about taking, being demanding, or being domineering. It's about giving and serving generously. Christ didn't come to be served, but to serve and give his life freely. Christ emptied himself of glory, taking on the very nature of a servant.
The Influence of an Elder: Humble, Not Hyped
1 Peter 5:5-7 (ESV) says, "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.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Who is Peter talking to here when he refers to those who are younger? Elders to be? Younger men who are more idealistic and restless? I believe that these verses are talking about the influence or the legacy of godly elders. Godly elders have true influence among younger men. If they were arrogant, they would have a crop of arrogant recruits in their training. If self-serving, they would produce a crop of selfish recruits. If apathetic, they would produce a crop of apathetic recruits. But no. The test for whether godly leaders are doing their job is producing a crop of gracious and humble men who are following in their footsteps. These are men who accept godly authority, who wait on God to elevate them, and who cast all their anxiety upon God, trusting him to care for all their needs. Like begets like. Godliness begets godliness. Righteousness begets righteousness. Humility begets humility.
We all know what disappointment and disastrous consequences we experience in the world when leaders are overhyped but underqualified, and underdeveloped in character. Arrogance begets arrogance. Selfishness begets selfishness. Leadership should always proceed out of a depth of character and humility, not hype.
The Call of an Elder: Vigilant, Not Sleepy
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV) says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
The devil is the ultimate opportunist. He prowls around in the world like a roaring lion, seeking people to devour. Once he captures a prey, it's impossible to rescue it from his clutches-- save for the grace of God. His appetite is voracious, and never satisfied. Satan is a formidable, powerful, cruel, and subtle predator, but not invincible.
Peter's point is that we are in an epic battle, one that requires vigilance, strength, courage, and wisdom. We're not to keep retreating. We're to be advancing on the enemy. However, the kingdom of God advances on Satan's turf. Satan knows the terrain and he has home field advantage. Much of this world works to his advantage, but God is more powerful than Satan. Peter's hope is that though tested, we will be alert, watchful, and persevere together. Christ's instruction in the garden of Gethsemane to the twelve disciples was to keep watch.
James 4:7-8 (ESV) says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
The Endurance of an Elder: Firm, Not Flimsy
1 Peter 5:10-11 (ESV) continues, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
All suffering is momentary, especially in the light of eternity. James 4:14 (ESV) says, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
But Peter's larger point is that no matter how hard things get, or how bad, or how dire, by his grace God promises to restore us, confirm us, strengthen us, establish us, and reign victorious over all things. In 1 Peter 5:4 (ESV) he promises that when the chief shepherd appears, we will receive a crown of unfading glory! Unlike the kings, rulers, and authorities, we lay down our crowns in this life, only to later be bestowed with honor by God himself. Whatever the reward for our perseverance, it will far outweigh the suffering and tribulations we face in this life.
In summary, these instructions are not just for the elders, but for all of us. We are to be a team. We are to be givers. We are to be humble and teachable. We are to be vigilant. We are to be firm.
In conclusion 1 Peter 5:12-14 (ESV) says, "By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ."