God Approved Christ-Like Sacrificial Servant Eldership: An Exhortation for Sonny Barrett and Michael Koen to Elder well at FBCL (1 Peter 5:1-5)
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We are a Tree Planted by streams of water
We are a Tree Planted by streams of water
I often pray Psalm 1 over the church: Lord, make us like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in its season that does not whither. In all we do for you kingdom, may we prosper.”
Today is an answer, in part that prayer I’ve prayed over the last eight years. I asked God to help me to teach the church about the plurality of elders and to raise up Godly men who could wisely serve in this honored office. Last November we changed our constitution and By-laws to reflect the plurality of elder church polity, and today we vote to install our first two elders, Sonny Barrett and Michael Koen. This is some of the fruit of God planting us by streams of water to bear fruit. The Barretts and the Koens are an answer to prayer. They have blessed our church in so many ways, and now they will answer the call to elder ministry and bless us even more.
As these men serve as elders at FBCL, we will entrust them with the responsibility to shepherd God’s flock in Litchfield. Their leadership, along with God’s grace, will open more ministry opportunities as we install deacons and lay leaders. This historic day marks a turning point, and I hope you recognize its significance now and in the future. My prayer is that we reflect on this day in awe as we witness their faith and obedience to answer the call to pastoral ministry, rooted in God’s grace, help us to continue to grow into a strong oak tree by streams of water—fulfilling Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered fidelity at FBCL and bearing fruit in joyfully advancing God’s kingdom while magnifying Jesus in our community and homes.
Peter is a wonderful example of the kind of elder we want to hear from this morning. After Peter denied Jesus, Jesus shored him up and entrusted him to feed his sheep. Peter did so with exceptional faithfulness until he was martyred. He loved Jesus and he loved the church. That is why his appeal to elders in his first letter will help us feel the weight and magnitude of what Sonny and Michael are being called to do.
it is helpful for us to know the context of Peter’s first letter. Peter wrote this letter from Rome via Silvanus to the communities in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It targets non-Christians facing persecution from pagan neighbors and authorities (1 Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:16). Peter encourages the Gentile Christians, urging them to confront struggles gracefully and exemplify their faith in Jesus and hope for His return. He greets them as God's chosen people in exile, akin to the Israelites and Abraham's family. In verses 1:3-12, Peter praises God for uniting those reborn to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
Peter reminded these Gentile Christians that they have a new family in Christ, a fresh identity, and they are to await Jesus’ return to renew the world with hope. With this hope, they are to see suffering as a refining gift, focusing on Christ’s return while resisting worldly lusts. In chapter 1 Pet 1:13-20, Peter uses Old Testament imagery to connect with these exiled Gentile Christians, highlighting their journey.
In verses 15-16, he identifies them as God’s new people in the wilderness, representing a new exodus redeemed by Jesus’ crucifixion (17-21). They live under the new covenant with God’s word on their hearts (22-25). They symbolize the new temple founded on Jesus (2:1-8) and embody the new kingdom of priests serving God (2:9-10). In chapters 1 Pet 2:11-4:11, Peter encourages enduring suffering as a means of witness for Jesus. They should live holy lives and submit to the Roman government, even when it's
hard (1 Pet 2:13-17). Through Jesus, they can love their enemies and respond to wrongs with kindness, just as He did.
In 1 Peter 3:8-4:11, he encourages them to face challenges as Jesus did. Despite unfair treatment, Jesus was vindicated through His resurrection and now reigns over all dark powers. As Noah found safety in the ark, they are vindicated and find salvation in Christ. With renewed hearts, they are urged to emulate Jesus in suffering.
In 1 Peter 4:12-18, Peter calls them to rejoice in trials, for Jesus blesses those who suffer for His name (Matthew 5:11-12), assuring them great rewards in heaven.
In light of this, we focus on our text this morning. Peter urges elders to care for suffering Christians who feel like exiles, eagerly awaiting Jesus’ return. Elders must remember that the church faces hardship until united with Jesus. To effectively shepherd the church, elders must embody Jesus’ servant leadership of love and compassion. Peter calls on elders to keep the hope of Christ before the suffering church, which is demonstrated in how they serve as elders. So, Peter appeals to them as one elder to another.
Hear my appeal to your heart…
Hear my appeal to your heart…
I want to appeal to you like Peter. An exhortation is an deep seated heart felt appeal to do something. I want to appeal to the church, Sonny, and Michael in our historic moment.
I appeal to the church to recognize Sonny and Michael as elders.
I appeal to the church to recognize Sonny and Michael as elders.
Peter affirms the place of elders in the church. First, He does this through his exhortation. He singles out special leaders who are to shepherd the church. Who are the leaders? They are the presbuteros, the elders. The word for elders clearly functions as leaders who have pastoral oversight.
Elders oversee the church. Peter subtly identifies himself as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1), suggesting that they hold leadership authority—not apostles, but not just followers. They have the right to lead and are commanded by Peter to shepherd the flock, meaning they are entrusted with caring for the sheep. Therefore, FBCL, we recognize,
Elders are pastors who have the authority to oversee the church.
Elders are pastors who have the authority to oversee the church.
Sonny and Michael will now be referred to as Pastor Sonny and Pastor Michael. The church entrusts them with the responsibility and privilege of guiding our congregation, performing their roles in a way that honors God and earns Jesus' reward.
With the blessing of the church,
I appeal to you, Sonny and Michael, to care for our flock as men of character and with a God approved, Christ-like sacrificial servant heart that anticipates receiving an unfading crown of glory from Jesus.
I appeal to you, Sonny and Michael, to care for our flock as men of character and with a God approved, Christ-like sacrificial servant heart that anticipates receiving an unfading crown of glory from Jesus.
I want to break this down into pieces for us to digest. First, we need to be clear about whom Sonny and Michael are responsible for shepherding? Who are the “flock of God?” How should they see their role as elders? What kind of men should they be?
The Responsibility and Privilege to Shepherd God’s flock among us.
The Responsibility and Privilege to Shepherd God’s flock among us.
In Peter’s first epistle, “God’s flock” are those who have a new identity (1 Peter 1:2-3), who are the new exodus Israel who have been redeemed by Jesus (1 Peter 1:17-21), who are under the new covenant with God’s word deeply buried in them (1 Peter 1:22-25), who are a temple being built on the foundation of Jesus (1 Peter 2:1-8), who are a new kingdom of priests who are serving God (1 Peter 2:9-10), those who are suffering now for their love for Christ as they wait for their chief shepherd to return (1 Peter 2:11-4:11). They are genuine Christ loving Spirit-empowered Bible-saturated God honoring Christians.
While awaiting the Good Shepherd's return, the elders, as "under shepherds,” must care for the flock as Jesus would (Greg Forbes EGGNT). Your responsibility is to shepherd God’s people at First Baptist Church Litchfield.
Dr. Thomas Schreiner’s wisdom is good for us, brothers, to receive into our hearts.
The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it.
Thomas Schreiner
As elders, we serve our FBCL community. Never forget the responsibility and privilege of shepherding them. We all belong to God, and the church is Jesus’ bride. Sonny and Michael, you have the duty to help the church be beautifully blameless before her Groom. Furthermore, if you are going to help present her blameless, you must be a man of character and you must imitate Jesus.
Be Men of Holy Character
Be Men of Holy Character
David Helm was helpful to me as he reminded me of the need for elders to be men of character.
Elders who shepherd the flock of God must be men of Godly character.
Elders who shepherd the flock of God must be men of Godly character.
When I was meditating on what potion of scripture to appeal to you to elder well, my heart was first drawn to Ezekiel. In Ezekiel’s day, the shepherds of Israel were called out by God for their vile corruption and greedy self-centeredness. In Ezekiel 8:9, God exposed their actions inside the temple as vile abominations. A few verses later, the Angel of Lord said,
12 Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’ ”
These men lacked Godly character. Character derives from Greek, meaning "graving tool" or mark, representing the morals and ethics framing a person’s nature. Israel's shepherds displayed corruption, greed, and self-centeredness, committing abominations in the temple, acting as if God did not exist. Their character was fleshly. Later on in Ezekiel’s book, God says as much.
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
These men did not care for the sheep because they lacked the godly character to care for the sheep. To care for God’s flock you must look to the One who is the chief shepherd says Peter.
Elders who shepherd the flock of God must imitate the Chief Shepherd.
Elders who shepherd the flock of God must imitate the Chief Shepherd.
God promised he himself would seek his sheep and set a Good Shepherd from the house of David, who would rightly care for his flock. God makes a promise to Ezekiel and his people,
“I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep.… And I will feed them on the mountains.… And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:11–13, 23).
The New Testament reveals that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who properly cares for his flock. Peter refers to Jesus, in verse 4 of our text, as the Chief Shepherd. How does the chief shepherd care for his sheep?
He calls them, and they listen to his voice (John 10:3). He protects them from wolves, robbers, and thieves who try to destory their faith (John 10:8). He gives them life, and give it abundantly (John 10:10). He lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). He seeks after the lost sheep and brings them home (John 10:16). He feeds his sheep (John 14:13-21).
David Helm sums up what it means to shepherd the sheep well when he says,
1 & 2 Peter and Jude—Sharing Christ’s Sufferings Elders Must Emulate the Chief Shepherd
an elder must be a model of Christian maturity through godly character. He must protect the flock through selfless service. He must feed the flock by expounding God’s Word. He must express his love for Christ by his love for God’s people
There are four exhortations Peter offers to help you elder well at FBCL.
Shepherd those among us at FBCL from a God approved duty that is driven and adorned with love, not compulsion (1 Peter 5:2a)
Shepherd those among us at FBCL from a God approved duty that is driven and adorned with love, not compulsion (1 Peter 5:2a)
In verse 2, Peter says 1 Peter 5:2
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you…
Peter urges elders to care for God's flock willingly, not out of compulsion.
He contrasts this by emphasizing that obligation shouldn't drive the shepherd's role. The CEV Bible explains compulsion as feeling forced. Elders should lead from desire, not obligation it.
I view the relationship of church membership and eldership as akin to
marriage. We share a covenant in Christ and are in a covenant relationship. A marriage struggles when one spouse feels only obligation. I can imagine how Stacy would feel if I served her and the family out of mere obligation.
My son might say, “Dad, I need help with my homework.” What if I replied,
“Didn’t God say you can do all things through Christ? I guess I have to help
since I’m your father.” Or if my daughter asked, “Dad, can you take me driving today?” and I answered, “You want me to drop everything for your license? You always seem to inconvenience me, but I’ll do it.”
What if I never honored my wife? If my only message to her was that she’s a
burden? I’ve used a similar example from John Piper before. Suppose it’s her birthday. I buy her a beautiful necklace. When she opens it and says, ‘Thank you for my gift,’ I respond, “I entered this marriage, and God says I must honor you, so there you go.”
The danger of shepherding the flock of God out of a lone sense of duty is
that duty can become grey and cold when you lack love. There are times when elders have to do things they don’t want to do, but if you are pastoring a flock out of obligation, you won’t love the church, and in fact, you may end up hurting it. To shepherd he flock well, you must do it out of love.
Consider how Paul characterizes love for the Corinthian church. Love is patient; it isn’t quick to anger or easily irritated. Love is kind; it is neither arrogant nor rude. Love is selfless, meaning it doesn’t pursue its own interests or take pleasure in wrongdoing. Love forgives; it doesn’t harbor grudges or keep score of offenses. Love is hopeful; it consistently hopes, trusts, protects, and endures. Love embraces truth, celebrating it while rejecting evil. As Paul conveys to the Corinthians, there’s no coldness in the Christ-like love that God approves. It radiates warmth and beauty. It’s the kind of love God approves.
Peter uses the phrase God-approved, which captures the same sense of Paul’s words to the Corinthian church about giving 2 Cor 9:7
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
In the same way as Paul saying God loves a cheerful giver, Peter is, is some ways, is saying, “God approves a willing leader.”
What role does duty play?
What role does duty play?
Duty undeniably has a place in pastoral ministry. It is a precious resource to uphold your ministry, whether towards your wife or the church, particularly when your soul feels dry and you lack the motivation for God-approved leadership. I am called to love my wife, even when I don’t feel like it. I am called to love and serve my church, even when it’s challenging to serve them well. No, brothers, don't neglect your sense of duty. Instead, let your duty be driven and adorned by love.
Thomas Merton was a Catholic Monk and poet. Although I do not agree with much of his theology, I can agree with this piece of wisdom.
Duty does not have to be dull. Love can make it beautiful and fill it with life.
Thomas Merton (Trappist Monk and Writer)
Shepherd the flock among us at FBCL with a duty that is driven and adorned with God approved love as you exercise oversight. Be an elder who loves God’s people the way Jesus loves his people. And out of the fullness of love, use your sense of duty to serve the church well.
Shepherd those among us at FBCL from a Christ-like sacrificial motive for ministry, not money (1 Peter 5:2b)
Shepherd those among us at FBCL from a Christ-like sacrificial motive for ministry, not money (1 Peter 5:2b)
2 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;
As the lead pastor at FBCL, I preached through Paul’s first letter to Timothy. A key theme is that the love of money is the root of all evil. Greed taints the heart, undermines character, and shipwrecks faith. Thus, it’s unsurprising that Paul says an elder must not love money (1 Tim 3:3). In a letter to Titus, Paul reiterates this qualification (Titus 1:7), noting that greed indicates a false teacher (2 Timothy 3:2).
David Helm, once again hits the head on the nail, when he says,
1 & 2 Peter and Jude—Sharing Christ’s Sufferings Not for Shameful Gain, but Eagerly
Today, as in Peter’s day, far too many teachers and preachers of God’s Word are in it for the money. In the end those who exercise leadership in the church for financial gain pervert the truth and peddle God’s free gift of true grace.
Peter emphasizes the same teaching as Paul to the elders in his letter: do not shepherd God’s flock for shameful gain. Instead, positively stated, shepherd God’s flock with a Christ-like sacrificial motive for ministry. Peter wants his elders to be eager to serve simply for the joy of serving the church. This eagerness is closely linked to the word 'willing' mentioned earlier. It has been translated in various Bible versions as: ‘with enthusiasm,’ ‘something you want to do,’ ‘of a ready mind,’ ‘generously,’ ‘out of sheer devotion,’ and ‘from a real desire to serve.”
You do not serve the church out of love for money, but out of love for Christ, who is devoted to his bride. To such a degree that, for the joy set before him, he died to present her blameless. With the same eagerness Jesus sacrifices and cares for his bride, so should you sacrifice and care for the church.
Theologian and father of Biblical Counseling, Jay Adams, offers us some wise counsel to elders. He says,
Trust and Obey: A Practical Commentary on First Peter Section Twenty-Three (1 Pet. 5:1–4)
One’s enthusiasm (eagerness) must grow out of the work, not out of the pay. The elder always must be enthusiastic about ministry, not money. When he loses this eagerness, he must stop and reexamine his motives. He may find that money has replaced ministry.
This brings up an important question. Is Peter saying we should not pay our elders? No, he is not saying that. The Bibel clearly preaches that it is good and wise to pay those who shepherd over you. For example, Paul says to the readers of 1 Timothy, which was the church in Ephesus,
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Laborers deserve wages. Elders who rule well merit double honor. Peter
focuses on the elder's heart, warning against entering ministry for a “good
living" or "secure living," which he deems shameful. Therefore, pastors
should be compensated adequately, allowing them to prioritize joyfully
advancing God's kingdom, Jesus.
You may be wondering, “Will we pay Sonny and Michael?” Currently, they serve as unpaid lay elders. Fortunately, they have incomes from their jobs. My goal as an elder is for them to receive some compensation. They serve our church well and deserve double honor. As Paul states, “Pay them their wages.” Please pray for God to help us support Sonny and Michael financially as they serve FBCL.
Shepherd those among us at FBCL with a Christ-like selfless servant, not as a tyrant (1 Peter 5:3)
Shepherd those among us at FBCL with a Christ-like selfless servant, not as a tyrant (1 Peter 5:3)
3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
An axiom states, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Power in sinful hands can oppress. Elders must responsibly serve, avoiding misuse of their authority. They should emulate the Chief Shepherd, Jesus. In Mark, James and John request to sit at Jesus’ sides, seeking honor. The other disciples, upset, likely desired the same status, prompting Christ to confront their misguided views on leadership, which likely amounted to tyranny. Jesus says its about being a humble example.
In the Mark 10:43, Jesus tells his disciples that to be great you must be the least. He says, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be a slave to all.”
Jesus exemplifies servant leadership to his disciples by washing their feet. He posed the question, “Which is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Isn’t it the one who reclines? Yet I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Additionally, in Mark 10:45, Jesus states, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The term "ransom" here refers to His atonement—the blood He shed for your sins. It illustrates the substitutionary sacrifice He made for you, taking on your sins while offering you His righteousness so that you may be justified before the Father. He redeemed you from the shackles of sin and death; you were bought at the cost of His blood. The old has passed away, and the new has come. Paul reinforces this in his letter to the Philippians by detailing Jesus’ humility (Phil 2:5-10).
In essence, Jesus served you by emptying Himself, assuming the form of a servant, wearing human flesh, and humbling Himself to die on a cross, enabling you and me to enjoy abundant life now and forever. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection centered around glorifying the Father through serving and loving you with ransom love. Notably, Jesus’ approach to servant leadership lacks any hint of a domineering attitude. Aubrey Malphurs is right to say,
Jesus came to serve and give his life for many, and so also must our service be to benefit others, not ourselves. Servant leadership is selfless.
Aubrey M. Malphurs
If you enter into elder ministry with a desire to lord over people you will be a tyrant. I give you this motto the brand on your heart to help you ransom the tyrant in you so you can give life to those whom you serve:
I did not come to be served, but to serve, and ransom my life to help others know the joy of Jesus.
I did not come to be served, but to serve, and ransom my life to help others know the joy of Jesus.
Shepherd those among us at FBCL Anticipating your Unfading Eternal Reward, not the fear of man (1 Peter 5:4)
Shepherd those among us at FBCL Anticipating your Unfading Eternal Reward, not the fear of man (1 Peter 5:4)
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Peter gives you the reason you should shepherd those among you well. There is coming a day when the Chief Shepherd will physically return. He will gather all of his sheep and give them their reward. For those who were under shepherds, elders such as yourself, Peter says Jesus has a reward for you. It is an unfading crown of glory. What is this crown of glory?
The Bibel teaches that all believers will be given a crown. For example, 2 Tim 4:8
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
also consider
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
These passages seem to be using crown as a metaphor for eternal life. In our passage, Peter indicates something a bit more. In Hebrews 12:1-3, we observe that the crown symbolizes a victor's accolade, akin to the wreath presented to successful athletes. Additionally, it represents the golden crown awarded by a Roman general to soldiers who displayed bravery in combat. Regardless of its form, the crown signifies a public acknowledgment of exceptional honor, reserved solely for those deemed
worthy. This reward reflects either valor or athletic achievement. It appears that Peter embodies this concept in mind.
He refers to an "unfading crown," which brings us back to the first chapter where Peter mentions our unfading inheritance, safeguarded by God. This implies that it is a crown awarded to elders in eternity rather than in the present. Peter's choice of the term "glory" adds depth to the concept of "crown," indicating outward signs of honor, as noted by Wayne Grudem. This reminds me of the crowns that the twenty-four elders lay before Jesus’ feet in Revelation 4:4 and 4:10. While these may not be identical crowns, they represent tangible symbols of honor bestowed upon specific individuals in heaven.
All this to be said, Michael and Sonny, your reward for serving as an elder
is not material wealth or recognition on earth, as it is for far too many men
in this office. It is not for the fear and praise of men. It is for the joy of our Lord. You want to hear him say, “Well done thy faithful servant,” not just as a Christian, but as his the elder he appointed as a pastor to oversee his beloved people at First Baptist Church in Litchfield, IL.
Today, I appeal to you to burry your seeds of faith and obedience in the rich soil of FBCL in your call to pastoral ministry. I pray that God will grant you the grace elder well at FBCL. May the Lord firmly plant our tree by streams of water, and let us bear fruit in our season. And may the church eat of the fruit of Sonny and Michael’s pastoral ministry now and for many years to come. May God bless you. Amen.
