Monthly Archive for January, 1998

Page 2 of 4

1 Peter 5:4b

Published on January 21, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

 

you will receive
 
“You will” implies the future. At some future point, the leadership of the local church will receive a “crown.” The “crown of glory” is a crown specially designed for pastoral leadership. There is a special reward for faithfulness to a congregation. The word “receive” means to bear, carry (Luke 7:37). It comes to mean in this verse to bear for oneself, hence to receive. The idea is “Your faithfulness to your congregation will bring to yourself the fadeless crown of glory.”
 
Sometimes “receive” means requital. We will receive back again at the Judgment Seat of Christ what we have done in time for Christ. Jesus will repay us for what we do for him.
“But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality” (Colossians 3:25).
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13).
Principle:
The Chief Pastor is coming back to reward the under-pastors.
Application:
One day, pastors will stand before the Chief Pastor to receive the crown of glory for faithfulness to their congregations that will not fade away. This is a major incentive to serve our congregation faithfully. The simple question he will ask is, “Was I faithful to my flock?”
This passage promises reward to pastors who faithfully serve their congregations. Are you going to receive a “full reward” for giving everything you could to your congregation? (2 John 1:8). Will you receive a half reward? A quarter reward? No reward?
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
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1 Peter 5:4

Published on January 20, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Peter

 

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

 

and when the Chief Shepherd appears,
 
The New Testament uses the title “Chief Shepherd” only of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is the Head Shepherd, the Chief Pastor. The Head Shepherd directs the activities of other shepherds [pastors]. The word “chief” carries the idea of preeminence.
 
The primary meaning of “appears” is to make visible, clear, manifest, known. The essential meaning is to uncover, lay bare or reveal. The word “appears” refers to the manifestation of the Lord Jesus at the Second Advent. Then he will show all the glory that He truly possesses. The word “manifestation” is stronger than the word “appear.” A person may appear without true disclosure of his true character. Jesus will come in full divulgence of His character.
“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:20).
“Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you” (2 Corinthians 7:12).
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28).
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
Principle:
When Jesus comes, He will fully disclose everything and reward true faithfulness.
Application:
The Chief Pastor is coming back (1:7). When He comes, He will bring rewards with Him — crowns (Revelation 22:12). When the Chief Pastor shows Himself, He will expose everything. If a pastor did not take the leadership (vv.2-3) anarchy resulted. He was not faithful to the flock. If everyone is the leading, no one is a leader.
There are special rewards for leadership. Christian leaders will receive special rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We do not realize our rewards for leading in this life. It is difficult to serve sometimes when no one recognizes our contribution. Some Christian leaders serve in obscurity with little human recognition.
But Jesus will personally reward these leaders. The Chief Pastor will personally reward the under-pastors. No human organization will give the final applause.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Jesus will reward leaders with an unfading crown of glory. At that final day the Lord will say, “I want you to reign with me. You did a fine job leading on earth in time, now in eternity I want you to reign with me forever.” That will be our reward.
Pastors need to keep in mind that they are not the Chief Pastor. If a pastor begins to think that he is the Chief Pastor, he starts to play God. The ultimate Shepherd and Bishop of our souls is the Lord Jesus (2:25).
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20- 21).

 

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1 Peter 5:3c

Published on January 19, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Peter

 

“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

 

but being examples to the flock
 
An “example” was a visible impression of a stroke. Therefore, it is a mark (i.e. an impression left by a blow). The New Testament uses this word for the mark of the nails in Jesus hands after the crucifixion,
 
“The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe’” (John 20:25).
 
An “example” then is a copy, image, pattern, the effect of a blow, the print or impress of a seal general form or character, the type or model of a thing.
In the context of a relationship between leaders and followers, Christian leaders are to serve as models for people to follow. They are to be modeled or patterned, much like an “example.” Christian leaders follow as well. They follow their Archetype, for they are of the same kind, class, and type as He is. Jesus is the model and pattern for Christian leaders.
“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17).
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen” (Acts 7:44).
“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:6).
“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3:17).
“So that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1Thessalonians 1:7).
“Not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (2 Thessalonians 3:9).
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Christian leaders are not to drive God’s people, but to lead them by their examples of mature Christian character.
Principle:
A pastor motivates from within, and by his example.
Application:
As no one can drive a pastor into leadership by coercion from without, no one can drive the congregation by external pressure either.
The greatest power of a leader is his own integrity and capacity. The reason he cannot lord it over his people is simply because he is not Lord. Even the Lord did not coerce his people. He motivated them through integrity and love. Leaders are most effective when they demonstrate how to face trial and testing. Complainers shut their mouths to such testimony. This is a big order for a pastor.
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
“Imitate” is the Greek word mimic. “Be mimics of me.” We can often learn more from what we see than by what we hear. We have a wonderful Lord and he proves himself over and again.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you” (Titus 2:7-8).
A biblical leader is not a boss who commands, dominates, manipulates and coerces his people. He does not operate by leverage but by service,
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them [same Greek word as in our passage], and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant‘” (Mark 10:42-43).
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1 Peter 5:3b

Published on January 18, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to 1 Peter

 

“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

 

those entrusted to you,
 
The word “entrusted” is literally “lot,”
“And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).
The secular Greek used this word for an allotment of land assigned to a citizen by civic authorities. God portions a certain group of people to the pastor. This “lot” is the sphere of his pastoral care.
The Greek word means something allotted to the pastor. It is something specially assigned to him. God specially assigns congregations to pastors. The congregation is his sphere of service. He never earns or deserves this “lot.” God gives each congregation to each pastor out of his grace. No pastor deserves his congregation. God is the source of the allotting process. God gives it by his grace.
God especially allotted Israel to himself. God assigns them to his own will and choice.
“Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance [same word], whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 9:29).
Principle:
Each pastor obtains his congregation by God’s grace.
Application:
God assigns the congregation as the responsibility of the pastor to take care of them. The congregation is not his but God’s. His responsibility is to care for them as a steward. He does not have the prerogative to lord it over those who are God’s people. God has the privilege of Lordship.
The congregation is not his, but his to manage. The pastor is the under-shepherd. The true shepherd is the Chief Shepherd, the Chief Pastor (1 Peter 5:4). The under-shepherd must give account to the Chief Shepherd. The under-pastor must give account to the Chief Pastor. The under-shepherd is simply a steward, a manager of someone else’s property.
No pastor should be pontifical or dictatorial. He dare not strut or swagger. A pastor should guard against taking on an air of infallibility.
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1 Peter 5:3

Published on January 17, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

 

nor as being lords over
 
We come now to the third negative phrase that qualifies the leadership of a pastor — pastors should not become dictators over their congregations.
 
The phrase “being lords over” means become master, gain dominion over, subdue with the implication of lording it over. God does not give the pastor the right to rule or reign over their congregations. A pastor has the right to rule as we saw in previous studies but he does not have the right to lord his authority over his congregation, as a king would reign over an empire. The pastor is not to be in the business of wielding power and subduing his congregation by superior force.
“Being lords over” conveys the idea of a domineering pastor who takes advantage of weak people (cf. Matthew 20:25; Mark 10:42; Acts 19:16). The pastor is not to exercise lordship over his congregation.
The words “lord over” imply ruling to one’s own advantage in Mark 10:42 (Gentile rulers)
“And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors”” (Luke 22:25).
Ezekiel warns of this kind of leader: “You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:4-5). Some leaders tyrannize their people by coercive means (Matthew 20:25-26; 2 Corinthians 1:24).
The people of a church are God’s flock and God’s heritage. The pastor should treat them accordingly. The pastor is simply the under-shepherd who cares for the flock of another.
“Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand” (2 Corinthians 1:24).
A pastor who becomes a tyrant steps outside his God-ordained authority. Diotrephes loved power. He operated with a high hand.
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church” (3 John 1:9-10).
There is a proper exercised authority and a proper honor of that authority.
“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
“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’” (1Timothy 5:17-18).
Principle:
God does not want the pastor to bully his flock.
Application:
A pastor should not dominate his people. No pastor should abuse his authority. God wants him to be fair in his leadership of his flock. The issue here is whether the pastor is unjust and unfair in use of his authority. Does he use his authority out of a lust for power? No pastor should use his authority to express vindictiveness.
Every pastor faces two extremes, either he:
1) lets congregation run over him
2) or, bullies the congregation.
No pastor should fear his authority. He should “rule” because God wants him to rule. However, there is great danger in power as we have seen by so many who have abused that power.
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1 Peter 5:2d

Published on January 16, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly."

 

not for dishonest gain
 
Some people in ministry are in it for the money. Greed is their motivation for ministry. “Dishonest gain” is any personal gain sought in a selfish way. No pastor should commercialize his ministry. God does not want us to put a price tag on our ministry. 
 
“Dishonest gain” occurs only five times in the New Testament. 
 
1Tim.3: 3 “Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.”
 
1 Tm 3: 8 “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money.” 
 
Ti 1: 7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.” 
 
Ti 1: 11 “Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.”
 
It is interesting that all five uses of this term refer to Christian leadership. The pastor who is eager for a large salary prostitutes the ministry to low purposes. He commercializes his ministry by selling benefits. 
 
Lest we over interpret this to mean that we should not pay pastors adequately, there is another side to this story. The Bible not only allows for pastors to receive pay but it insists that they have the right of remuneration.
 
1 Co 9: 11 “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”
 
but eagerly
 
There are two words for “willing” in this verse: “willingly” and “eagerly.” The latter term is a strong word implying far more desire and eagerness.
 
 “Eagerly” means predisposed, a readiness of mind coming from two words: before and mind. This pastor’s mind is predisposed beforehand to lead. He prepares his mind beforehand to take the initiative to lead. There is a mental condition of readiness and willingness to lead. He gladly initiates executive action because he anticipates the needs of his congregation. The true pastor carries within himself the predisposition to lead. 
 
“Eagerly” means that this pastor is so predisposed to ministry that he is eager to do what he does. He is ready and willing to serve Jesus Christ.
 
Ro 1: 15 “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” 
 
A true pastor desires to give, not get. He selflessly and sacrificially cares for his flock.
 
PRINCIPLE:
 
The pastor should lead and feed the flock, not fleece it.
 
APPLICATION: 
 
The pastor who seeks personal gain from the ministry is not a purpose-driven pastor. He is self-driven. A pastor who serves from the motivation of greed is out of the will of God.
 
A predisposed mind is a spontaneous mind. A preacher would rather preach than eat and some of them love to eat! His heart orientation is to preach. As well, he should orient his heart toward leadership. 
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1 Peter 5:2c

Published on January 15, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.

 

Three negatives follow as qualifications to shepherding. Each negative is followed by a positive contrast by using the word “but.” 
 
not by compulsion
 
Some people are in the pastorate out of obligation rather from a heart’s desire to do the will of God. The person who serves the sheep of God under coercion is a resentful person. This shepherd will never serve his sheep properly. A true shepherd serves, not because he must, but because he wants to make an impact on their lives. No one should draft a pastor into the ministry.   The pastor should volunteer with no need for anyone to urge him to do what he does. To him the ministry is no burden. 
 
2 Co 5: 14 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” 
 
Some of the pastors in Asia Minor felt it was a good career move to go into the pastorate. They went into ministry because of their image in the community.
 
The pastor who must be shanghaied into the job while he drags his feet is not in God’s will. In the army the widespread scuttlebutt is, “Don’t volunteer for anything.” The Christian army has many generals of these types. They volunteer for and initiate very little. 
 
but willingly
 
“Willingly” means without compulsion, deliberately, intentionally, voluntarily. This person leads his congregation without being forced or pressured into leadership. He leads his congregation of his own free will. No one imposes this desire on him. Leadership is in his heart. 
 
Phm 14 “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.” 
 
1 Cor 9: 16 “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.” 
 
Ministry requires deliberate intention. Pastors must serve not because he must but because he wants to make an impact for Christ. Therefore, the leadership is no grim and unpleasant duty to him. 
 
according to [the norm or standard] of God
 
The New King James Version does not translate this phrase.
 
The pastor needs to operate on the same norm and standard of leadership that God does. He should have the same spirit as God as in leading his flock. Eagerness of the fleshly leadership will not do. He leads his church as God would have him pastor the church. 
 
PRINCIPLE:
 
No pastor should do his pastoring as a job.
 
APPLICATION: 
 
No pastor should lead because it is his job. He does not lead because he has to do it. He does not do it because he someone forces him into it. He eagerly and enthusiastically assumes the initiative for the direction of his flock. 
 
No pastor should serve as pastor unless God called him. No one should pressure someone to go into the pastorate. The mother who wants he son to be a preacher probably does not realize the pressure nor the capacity for leadership that is necessary for the pastorate.
 
The pastor forced into serving will not be an effective leader. If he leads by obligation, he will not be creative and will not establish vision. He will not see the potential for his ministry. An unwilling servant who operates by imposition will not be effective.
 
Any pastor who has a pure heart accepts the pastorate with some reluctance. He knows his own unworthiness for such a high office. He knows his inadequacy for such a role. However, he also knows that God is sufficient to enable him to serve as pastor. 
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1 Peter 5:2b

Published on January 14, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.

 

serving as overseers,
 
“Overseer” comes from two Greek words: over and see. An overseer is one who has responsibility for the care of someone, implying an official responsibility within a congregation probably referring to the pastor. He ministers to and responsible for the care of the local church.
 
Mt 25: 43 “I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.” 
 
This word carries such ideas as review, inspect and examine.  The pastor looks over his congregation for inspection. An “overseer” looks after and cares for the congregation’s direction.   An overseer is a leader who has responsibility to care for the church. He carries the position of oversight.
 
1 Ti 3: 1 “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.”
 
1 Pe 2: 25 “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 
 
We get our word Episcopal from the word “overseer.” The pastor is to exercise oversight for his church. Every pastor must discharge this duty. This word conveys an injunction for polity for the local church. “Overseers” implies authority. No pastor can pastor without authority. Three negative clauses that follow qualify how he is to use his authority. 
 
An overseer is a church leader who is in charge of God’s work and should be without fault,
 
Ti 1 7 “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money.”
 
PRINCIPLE: Pastors must take the initiative of leading their churches.
 
APPLICATION: Pastors must take the oversight of their churches. It is not enough to defer to the board for this. 
 
Sheep get sick when not sheared regularly. If the shepherd does not cut off their wool then they will not be healthy. Sometimes the shepherd nicks sheep in the process of shearing. After sheared, they look thin and some even bleed. If a novice shears the sheep, it can be a bloody affair. The pastor needs to remember that the sheep belong to the “Chief Shepherd,” who is the “Chief Pastor.” 
 
No pastor should assume authority unless he has a sense of responsibility and fairness. 
A pastor can shear sheep many times but they can only skin them once. Some people love authority because it stimulates their power lust. 
 
Some sheep do not want any supervision. They are spiritual anarchists. They are a law unto themselves. They do not permit anyone to have authority over them. 
 
He 13: 17 “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.”
 
No pastor should preach the Word out of fear or favor of people. He is not in the business of a popularity contest.  
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1 Peter 5:2

Published on January 13, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly."

 

Shepherd
Shepherd means to tend, cherish, herd, tend, (lead to) pastor with the implication of providing for the sheep. This word carries the ideas of lead, rule, or guide.
The shepherd rules with the idea of guiding and helping the sheep. A shepherd protects, rules, governs, fosters protection, cares for and nurtures. Jesus was a Shepherd (Matthew 2:6). Those who act as spiritual shepherds under him tend their flocks as under-shepherds (John 21:16; Acts 20:28).
"Shepherd" covers more than just feeding the flock. It includes all that involves tending. Everything that a shepherd does the pastor does. This entails discipline of sheep who go astray, authority, restoration, material assistance and feeding. This is the spiritual care of God’s children. So shepherding involves all that falls to the shepherd’s lot to do for the sheep. "Shepherd" is translated "rule" in the book of Revelation.
"He shall rule them with a rod of iron" (Revelation 2:27).
"She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne" (Revelation 12:5).
"Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (Revelation 9:15).
The noun form of "shepherd" is "pastor." Pastor means shepherd.
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11).
the flock of God which is among you,
The "flock of God" is the church. Sheep are defenseless and liable to stray. Nero is about to send his legions so pastors must go on a crash program to protect their flocks. Pastors must use both ends of their staff [rod]. They need to care and they need to discipline. The crook has two ends:
 
1) the hook end pulls sheep out of holes,
 
2) the pointed end pokes sheep in the right direction and away from danger or false doctrine
 
Although the church is God’s flock, God does not feed them directly. He uses pastors to do that. The flock needs more than food; pastors must tend them.
Principle:
A pastor’s role includes both toughness and tenderness.
Application:
God has one paramount, primary and indispensable directive to the pastor: "Feed the flock of God." If the pastor is not feeding his people then he is not doing the will of God. With some sheep, the pastor needs to be tender. They are mature believers who understand the importance of inculcating the Word into their lives. They have great reverence for the Word. They appropriate the Word to their experience.
On the other hand, some sheep have hard heads. They operate on negative volition toward the Word. They need discipline. Some sheep need more correction than sweetness because of their negativity toward the Word. If they become negative, the pastor with integrity will challenge them.
A leader does not have to have a certain type of personality. In other words, personality is not an issue in leadership. People make a major mistake when they choose a pastor based on personality, or qualities that they personally admire. Suppose someone admires the quiet type and someone else admires the noisy type. This choice is simply a matter of preference. There is no biblical standard in this process of choosing a pastor.
If a congregation chooses the mouse, they will use him as a bean-bag kicking him around until they get tired of him. In the New Testament, it was the leaders who did the kicking!! Under conditions of catastrophe, pastors must assert their authority more than they would in normal circumstances. Many pastors fear this. They are not willing to sacrifice their image of a "nice" person for the sake of their church. They are more concerned about acceptance by people than honoring their Lord.
Part of pastoring is feeding the sheep. Sheep cannot grow unless they ingest food. This is the source of their spiritual energy. Many sheep get indigestion from the Word because they have been feeding on poison. They cannot absorb good food because of their diet. False doctrine is toxic to spiritual health. Spiritual nutrition is preventive medicine. Today’s foods are to heavily refined and processed that vast quantities of nutrients essential to general good health have been removed. Sermonettes create Christianettes!
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1 Peter 5:1b

Published on January 12, 1998 in 1 Peter. 0 Comments
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"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."

 

I exhort
"Exhort" means to encourage or exhort. Most pastors need both encouragement and exhortation. "Exhort" is the probable meaning here. The pastors in Asia Minor needed exhortation follow some issues of leadership found in vv. 2-4 due to the duress they were facing from Rome.
I who am a fellow elder
Peter views himself as a "fellow elder." He does not pull rank with his fellow elders. In 1:1 and 2 Peter 2:1 he identifies himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ." An apostle holds authority above an elder. Apostleship is the ultimate authority for the church. For example, only an apostle has the right to write Scripture. Peter establishes his authority as a leader by calling himself an "elder" and a "witness" to the sufferings of Christ. He did not usurp authority as the ultimate elder.
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ
"Witness" means to testify. "Witness" does not refer to the act of seeing but to the act of testifying to what one has seen. Peter was an eyewitness to the suffering of Christ (2:21; 4:1). Peter personally saw Jesus bound and led away for judgment. He followed Jesus into the courtyard. No doubt he saw Jesus crucified. Peter personally witnessed and testified to the passion of Christ. He spent the rest of his life telling others about his wonderful Savior.
and also a partaker of the glory
"The glory" is the Second Advent of Christ. This will be the day of Jesus’ great triumph over the world. He will be King Jesus, King of the world. Note that Peter combines the sufferings and the glory of Christ in 1:11.
The sufferings of Christ is the first advent and the glory of Christ is the Second Advent (Romans 8:16-19). Our glory lies ahead. Peter makes this same point in 4:13 that those who share in Christ’s suffering will share in his glory.
that will be
The words "will be" mean to be about to. Peter talks about the "about to be revealed glory." Peter wants to share issues of the Second Advent. The word "will be" means to be inevitable, with respect to future developments.
 
"But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands" (Matthew 17:12).
The Second Advent is an inevitable event.
revealed
"Revealed" means to uncover, to take out of hiding. "Revealed" refers to the future second coming in glory of the Lord Jesus,
 
"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed" (Luke 17:30).
Principle:
The ultimate glory of the Christian still lies ahead.
Application:
All Christians will "partake" of the glory of the Second Advent. This will be a day of great rejoicing. All the pain we face now will be over. We will see Jesus in all of his glory. What a day that will be!!
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