Bible Text: 1 Peter 5:2-7 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Authority and Humility

Peter’s third caution to Elders is found in 5:3 and is a warning about having a wrong view of authority. In Peter’s words not lording it over those entrusted to them, but being an example to them, an example that reflects what Jesus taught about authority (Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 9:46; 22:24-30).

Peter’s discussion of service in vs. 2 leads naturally to a discussion of authority. Those who consider themselves “lords” make poor servants. They are used to being served, being obeyed. Your view of authority will affect your view of service and the quality of your service.

“The authority of which [Jesus] spoke was not an authority to manipulate and control. It was an authority of function [the towel], not of status [the ‘pecking-order”]. …   He totally and completely rejected the pecking-order systems of His day….   Therefore the spiritual authority of which Jesus spoke was an authority not found in a position or a title but in a towel.” (Foster).

Elders are not to love position, they are not to be authoritarian or domineering. They are not to be “petty tyrants” (Barclay). They are not to be “a master but a model” (Murdock).

“The true leader will have no desire to lord it over God’s heritage, but will be humble, gentle, self-sacrificing and altogether ready to follow when the Spirit chooses another to lead.” (A. W. Tozer)

Finally Peter encourages the leadership, as he did the Body (4:13), with the future glory which will be received when Jesus’ returns. As with the Body, the leadership would give an account (5:4; 4:17). Leader were to seek to please God first and foremost, not themselves and not others. Elders are leaders not representatives. A representative Board sees itself as representing various factions in a church, finds it hard to reach consensus, and leads by surveys and polls. A leadership-oriented Board seeks God and listens to Him, asking the question “What is it that God wants us to do?”