The Elders

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 84
• Hymn — A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#92)
• Prayer of Invocation
• Pastoral Prayer
• Hymn — Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (#598)
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Benediction

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Sermon Title: The Elders

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

I. Elders Practice Authority

A. Peter calls himself a "fellow elder" in 1 Peter 5:1, identifying with the office while also establishing his apostolic credentials as a witness of Christ's sufferings and the transfiguration

1. Apostolic authority is not transferred to elders; the comparison runs one way
2. Peter addresses elders (plural), reflecting a plurality of leadership, not a single bishop

B. Elder and bishop are interchangeable titles for the same office

1. Elder emphasizes the wisdom required for the office
2. Bishop (overseer) emphasizes the function — exercising oversight (1 Peter 5:2)

C. No age requirement exists for elders, but a wisdom requirement does

1. Timothy is an example of a young elder (1 Timothy 4:12)
2. Requirements in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 include the ability to teach, theological maturity, and not being a recent convert
3. The elder must manifest the wisdom of God in character and doctrine regardless of age

D. Younger members of the congregation are to be subject to the elders (1 Peter 5:5)

E. This fits Peter's broader theme of God-ordained authority structures in every sphere of life

1. Civic submission to kings and governors — 1 Peter 2:13-17
2. Servants subject to masters — 1 Peter 2:18-25
3. Wives subject to husbands — 1 Peter 3
4. The church subject to elders — 1 Peter 5
5. Submission to ordained authority in any sphere is ultimately submission to the Lord who ordained it

II. Elders Shepherd the Flock

A. Peter commands shepherding that is willing, eager, and non-domineering — 1 Peter 5:2-3

B. Psalm 23 provides the model for what a shepherd is to be

1. Pleasant — leads to green pastures and still waters; not domineering but a comforting presence
2. Righteous — leads in paths of righteousness, modeling right living before the flock in word and deed
3. Present — with the flock in the darkest valleys; at the hospital, graveside, and in seasons of grief and anxiety
4. Joyful — Peter's adverbs willingly and eagerly indicate the elder must genuinely love and long for the people of God

C. Duty is necessary but not sufficient; there must be a relentless desire to serve

1. Spurgeon: "The first sign of the heavenly calling is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work. If you can imagine yourself doing something else, then do it."
2. An elder who only serves out of compulsion falls short of the Petrine standard

III. Elders Submit to Christ

A. Elders hold only ministerial and declarative authority — their authority is derived from and accountable to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4)

B. Elders must answer to Christ for the care of His flock

1. The flock belongs to Christ, not to the elders
2. James 3:1 — teachers will be judged with greater strictness
3. Illustration: Caring for another person's children heightens the sense of responsibility

C. The elder's ultimate motivation is to hear Christ say, "Well done, good and faithful servant"

1. Service done willingly and eagerly — not merely out of compulsion — is what the Chief Shepherd rewards
2. This hope of approval from the Shepherd King is a motivation for all believers, not elders alone