Please turn in your Bibles this evening to I Peter chapter 5 as we continue our study through the Word of God.  Tonight we will finish our study of this letter Peter wrote to persecuted Christian’s living in Asia Minor or modern day Turkey. As I have said before, Peter is trying to encourage them to continue on, to have a steadfast faith in the midst of this persecution and to live exemplary lives in spite of the persecution they were facing.  You see, as Christians, in the midst of dark times, troublesome times, difficult times, we should shine even brighter!

            We are presently in a section we called THE SUFFERING OF THE BELIEVER, which covers I Peter 3:13-5:14.  And we have divided this section into four points and tonight we will deal with the last one covering this chapter and its focus is HOW WE ARE TO MINISTER IN SUFFERING. So with that said, let’s begin reading in I Peter chapter 5, starting in verse 1 and see what the Lord has for us this evening.

VERSE 1

            An elder or PRESBUTEROS in the Greek, spoke of someone who was mature in the Lord and had the wisdom needed for a leadership position.  The position of an elder in the church focused on the spiritual matters or issues of the church.  There are also deacons and they dealt with the physical matters or issues of the church.  You can read of the qualifications of deacons in I Timothy 3:8-13.

            Here at Calvary Chapel we believe the Scriptural order for church government is as follows:

            A.  PASTOR: The Greek word for pastor is POIMEN, or for Bishop is EPISKOPOS and this is the shepherd or leader of the church.  He is the one who guides the church.  All Bishops are elders.

            B.  ELDER:  Again, it is the Greek word PRESBUTEROS and they dealt with the spiritual matters of the church, as I have said.  Now here is the thing, every bishop or senior pastor is an elder but not all elders are bishops.  You see, in the local churches there is one senior pastor or shepherd. The church is not lead by elder rule, each having a vote in the decisions of the church, but by the shepherd.  The elders, the deacons are there to support the work that is being done, to take some of the responsibilities so the pastor can focus on the study of God’s Word and prayer.

            I know for some, they have a hard time with this, but a shepherd watches over his flock, not shepherds.  And in the Old Testament we see the pattern.  Moses was accountable before God for the whole nation and thus, he was the shepherd or senior pastor you might say.  Then came the priests who dealt with the spiritual matters of the nation or the elders you might say.  Then there were the judges who dealt with the civil matters or the deacons you might say. And then came the children of Israel. It wasn’t that one group was more important or better than the other, it was just the pattern that God laid out for the church.

            Now who is Peter speaking of here, elders or senior pastors? I think verse 2 gives us the answer for Peter speaks of them shepherding over the flock that God has given to them, which tells me there were senior pastors in the churches in Asia Minor who were also elders, just as I am.

            What I want you to also notice is that Peter does not call himself “The Pope” but “a fellow elder.”  I am a fellow servant just as you are and we may have different positions in the body of Christ but that does not make one more important than the other.  And Peter is truly qualified to speak of these things because he not only witnessed the sufferings of Christ but also was a witness of His glory.  In I Peter 4:12-13 Peter wrote of this to encourage those persecuted believers. He said, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”  You see, before glory there is suffering and because Peter witnessed these truths, he can speak with authority!

VERSES 2-3

            Paul, in speaking to the Ephesian elders or pastors said this in Acts 20:28, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”  Being a pastor is not a job, it is your life, it is a calling!  And the people God has entrusted to you cost Him His life, thus, watch over them, feed them, care for them, lead them, guide them, protect them. There are those who have become pastors because they are great Bible teachers, but that doesn’t make them a pastor.  A pastor is totally immersed with his sheep and as one person said, it is “Bent knees, wet eyes and a broken heart.” I know that Pastor Chuck Smith, in speaking to his assistant pastors would tell them if there is something else you can do, then do it because the ministry is tough, it is a battle and you need to be ready for it. You don’t get in and then get out if you are called!  And yet the average pastor only lasts a few years.

            The pattern for pastors to follow is having the heart of Jesus. What is that like? Jesus tells us in John 10:11-14, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.  The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”  That is to be the heart of a pastor.

            Peter now focuses on what a pastor is not suppose to do, what he is not to be manifesting in his life, and he will contrast that with what a pastor is to be like, what he is to manifest in his life. Let me also add this to make this more applicable to all of you. You are leaders in your home, at work, maybe at school, as a coach or whatever. Thus, apply these principles to your life as you are watching over the welfare of others!

            A.  NOT BY COMPULSION / WILLINGLY

            There are all kinds of reason why people get into the ministry, maybe pressure from their parents or friends, or whatever.  It is a calling and once you are in the ministry you should not serve as if you are being forced to do it.  A pastor or leader should serve willingly, they shouldn’t feel forced or pressured to serve, but it truly is an honor to serve!

            B.  NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN / EAGERLY

            If you are doing something because of the pay you will receive, to make the big bucks, that is dishonest gain or filthy lucre.  Your motives are wrong. You serve because you love the people and you love the Lord and whatever the pay is, praise the Lord. That is not to say that a pastor is not to be paid, for Paul tells us in I Timothy 5:17-18, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”  Sadly, many times pastors move from church to church to better themselves, to make more money, to be over a bigger flock and that is not the heart of a shepherd!

            C.  NOT LORDING OVER THEM / BE AN EXAMPLE TO THEM

            Folks, the sheep don’t belong to the pastor, they are entrusted to them by the Lord and thus, we don’t drive the sheep, we lead them and that is done by example. I pray that as you look at my life you see a positive example, that I get down in the trenches with you doing the work.  I pray that you have a hunger to know God through His word and a passion to serve Him.

            We are living in the days of false shepherds, hirelings that are not interested in the sheep that has been entrusted to them, but to make a name for themselves, to make money or whatever.  And folks, this is not new for the Lord tells us regarding false shepherds in Ezekiel 34:1-10, “And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them. . . .

. . . Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: “As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock” — therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”’”

            Now, in comparison, Ezekiel goes on to speak of the True Shepherd and what His passion is. And yes, this is speaking of Jesus but again, as pastors; we are to have the heart of Jesus as we serve.  That should be the heart of every pastor who loves the Lord and loves the people the Lord has entrusted to them.  In Ezekiel 34:11-16 we are told, “For thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. . . .

. . . There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.’”

VERSE 4

            Here is the reality, one day we will have to answer to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  You see, what did we do with the flock that He entrusted to us, how did we lead them?  Or what did we do with the family that God has entrusted to us?  Or what did we do with the workers He has entrusted to us?  How did we lead them?  That is very humbling when you put it in that perspective!  You see, in a sense we don’t work for the sheep, we work for the Chief Shepherd and we care for His sheep!

            In the games they played, the Olympic games that took place in Greece and Isthmus games that took place in Corinth the winners would receive a laurel wreath to put on their head, which may have looked great for a time, but they quickly faded away. But for us, there is a crown of glory awaiting us for our faithful service to God, not only to pastors, but to all who faithfully serve Him.

Paul, in I Corinthians 9:25 tells us, “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”  You see, these crowns will never fade away!  He goes on to say in II Timothy 4:6-8, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  And James tells us, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  James 1:12.

            Now, when we get to heaven we are not going to boast about all the crowns we have or who has more crowns.  “Then what are we going to do with them?”  John tells us in Revelation 4:9-11, “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.’”  You see, we cast them at the feet of Jesus for He not only enabled us to do these things, He also equipped us to do these things and thus, all glory and honor and praise go to Him!

VERSES 5-6

            Peter starts out by speaking to the younger people as opposed to the elders and then quickly moves to all of God’s people being submissive and clothed with humility.  The Greek word for to “be clothed with” is EGKOMBOOMAI, (eng-kom-bo’-om-ahee) and it speaks of putting something on like an apron worn by slaves and I think Peter is flashing back to the night of the last supper as Jesus girded Himself with an apron and washed the feet of the disciples.  (John 13).

            Thus, as we are clothed in humility we submit to God’s will and put ours aside and we submit to all in the fear of God.  Christian’s wonder why they aren’t growing, maturing in the Lord and the answer may be very simple. Do you have an attitude of submission; do you clothe yourself in humility? If you don’t, you need to, especially those who are overseeing your spiritual well being. Paul, in Hebrews 13:17 put it this way, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

            Folks, I have said this before, but I think it bears repeating. If you refuse to submit to God’s Word, if you won’t submit to Him, then you will never freely submit to those who are in authority over you, you won’t submit to anyone!

            In our society we have an attitude that it is our right to have this, we deserve that, but that is just pride and it doesn’t work in God’s economy!  If you are prideful, God will resist you or oppose you. But, when you realize you only deserve death and all that you have is a result of God’s grace, His unmerited favor towards you, God can work and will work in you lifting you up and not the other way around!

            Pride is something that God hates and it is what brought Lucifer down.  Meyer tells us this in regards to pride:

            Pride is one of the most detestable of sins; yet does it find lodgment in earnest souls, though we often speak of it by some lighter name. We call it – independence, self-reliance. We do not always discern it in the hurt feeling, which retires into itself, and nurses its sorrows in a sulk . . . We are proud of our humility, vain of our meekness; and, putting on the saintliest look, we wonder whether all around are not admiring us for our lowliness.

- Meyer

            If you want to walk in God’s grace, then lay aside your pride and be humble before God and others!

VERSE 7

            What does casting our cares upon the Lord have to do with humility?  It has everything to do with humility!  You see, pride says that we can take care of it on our own and humility says that I can’t do it on my own, but as Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

            In fact, listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  The song may go, “Don’t worry, be happy” but that is not what the Lord is saying. He is telling us “Don’t worry, give it to the Lord!”  I think that works much better!  And not only will God take care of us, but He cares for us. I am sure there are times that you may feel that God doesn’t care for you because of what you may be going through, but guess what, He does!  God cares for you and He does love you, and He is faithful, you don’t have to worry, just give it to Him!

            Now Paul, in Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Do you see that?  Give it to God, give it to Him with thanksgiving, let Him know what is on your heart and weighing you down and He will give you His peace, He will guard your heart or emotions and He will guard your mind or your thoughts.  May we learn that lesson and give it to Him, for the weight will break us, but it is nothing for Him to carry!

VERSES 8-9

            Being sober speaks of balancing your life, not being taken in by intoxicating influences of the world.  We need to be vigilant or to be watchful, to stay awake, to pay attention.  But why do we need to do these things?  Because the Devil is stalking us as a lion would his prey, he is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour!

            Now there are some who believe that we are living in the Kingdom Age right now and Satan is bound. That is just plain foolish and it goes contrary to what the Scriptures teach.  First of all, if Satan is bound, then why is Peter telling us that the Devil is walking about seeking whom he can devour?  Secondly, look at the evil that is permeating this land. Folks, in the Kingdom Age Jesus is on the throne and righteousness will fill this land for 1,000 years and then God will create a new Heavens and new Earth where we will dwell. This has not happened yet!

            Notice also that Peter does not tell these believers to cast out the Devil, why?  Because Christians can’t be demon possessed and thus, he tells them to resist the Devil by being steadfast or solid in the faith.  Lions don’t go after the healthy, strong, wise animals, but those that are not as healthy, those that are not as strong, those that are not as wise as the other animals because it is easier for them to catch their meal.  The same is true with us as Christians and thus, the secret to spiritual warfare is standing strong in the faith and the Devil will flee!

            Now keep in mind that Satan is the father of lies, it is his natural language, he is a deceiver, and thus, like I said, the only way to withstand him is in the faith, by the power of God’s Word, the truth!  Paul, in II Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  You see, it is not a physical battle but a spiritual battle we face and Satan brings forth his anti-biblical ideas that are mixed with some truth, but they still are deadly, they are there to destroy us! Thus, put on the mind of Christ; know the Word of God and you won’t fall prey to the garbage that he is putting forth!

            One last point before we move on and that is this, Peter wants them to know that the persecution they are now facing and will face are being endured by others in Christ throughout the world.  Don’t be surprised by it, but be prepared!  We have tornado watches and warnings to prepare us and I guess this is a persecution warning to prepare us for what might be coming down the road in this country and is happening to our brothers and sisters in the Lord throughout the world.  It is as Paul said in II Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  But don’t forget what the Psalmist said, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”  Psalm 34:19.  God is in control and He will not let anything happen to us that He is not aware and He will use these to build us up and draw others to Himself!

VERSES 10-11

            Here’s the thing. We want to be called to glory without the suffering, but that is not how it is done!  Yes, we are called to eternal glory, not because we deserve it but because of the grace of God. Yes, we are called to eternal glory but not before we have suffered, but why?  Because God is working, He is perfecting our faith, He is establishing our faith, He is strengthening our faith, He is settling our faith, and then, when He is done, we will be taken home to glory!  Thus, the conclusion of this is, “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  I Peter 5:11.  You see, our God who can do this for us is worthy of our praise because we truly don’t deserve it!

            Again, Peter is saying in this life we will suffer a while, how long is that?  It is up to God and it truly ends when we go to be with Him.  Paul picked up on this in Romans 8:16-18 as he said, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  And again in II Corinthians 4:16-18 we are told, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  You see, having the correct perspective is important, we will be taken to glory one day so don’t be disheartened, discouraged, disillusioned by the sufferings, for they will come, for a while!

VERSE 12

            Silvanus or Silas accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey according to Acts 15:40.  You remember the story that took place. As Paul was preparing for this journey, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin Mark with them. But Paul rejected that idea because Mark ran home on the last journey, not completing it and Paul was all business and didn’t want to take that risk again.  Thus, there was a split between these men of God.  Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus to minister and Paul and Silas went through Syria, Cilicia, and on to Macedonia and Achaia before returning home to Caesarea.

            Peter tells us that he wrote a brief letter exhorting them of the true grace of God, what it is all about so that they can stand strong in the midst of this persecution. We are saved by grace, we stand by grace and one day we will be taken to glory by the grace of God!

VERSE 13

            Peter speaks of the church in Babylon, which we said was probably a title for Rome with all its idolatry and immorality.  But I like this, the church in Rome is greeting the church in Asia Minor.  There is no competition, no jockeying for position, just brethren loving each other in the Lord, encouraging each other and desiring to see the kingdom of God grow not by the work of man’s hands, or his ingenuity, but by the power of God’s Spirit working through them. Folks, that should be our hearts desire!

            Also, Peter calls Mark his son and it could be that Peter built Mark up in the faith. In fact, it seems that Mark’s gospel was written out of the information that Peter shared with Mark.  And in regards to the division between Paul and Mark, that was healed for in

II Timothy 4:11b we are told, “. . . Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”  The Bible never tells us who was right and who was wrong in this dispute because that is not the main issue. The main issue is forgiveness and restoration and that is what we see. That is a good example for us to learn from.

VERSE 14

            Peter ends his letter speaking of love and peace. Folks, I don’t care what you are going through, the love of God and the peace of God in the midst of suffering will help you extend the love of God and the peace of God to others in the midst of these tough times.  May we learn the lessons and have a steadfast endurance during these times and live exemplary lives in the mist of the persecution!  And so, as Peter said, “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”