PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP

I PETER 5:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson

The first few verses of chapter 5 deal with leadership in the church but the principles of leadership cannot, or rather, should not be ignored by anyone. Almost anyone is a leader to someone and everyone should be following the God-given authority in their lives wherever it may be.

I. THE PRESENTATION OF SIMON PETER [v. 1]

1. Elder to Elder

presbuteros, pres-boo'-ter-os; comparative of presbus (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian "presbyter":-- elder(-est), old

Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

2. Witness to Witness

martus, mar'-toos; of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr":-- martyr, record, witness.

3. Partaker to Partaker

koinonos; a sharer, i.e. associate:--companion, × fellowship, partaker, partner.

II. THE PART OF THE PASTOR [v. 2-3]

1. Feed God’s Flock [v. 2]

2. Willingly Oversee [v. 2]

episkopeo, ep-ee-skop-eh'-o; from 1909 and 4648; to oversee; by implication, to beware:--look diligently, take the oversight.

3. Set An Example [v. 3]

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

There is obviously authority in the pastoral office but the pastor cannot make a person obey any more than a husband can make a wife submit. If they won’t submit to God what chance does the pastor have? He is to be an example.

III. THE POWER OF PROMOTION [v. 4]

1. The Perfect Presenter - the Chief Shepherd [v. 4, 1:20]

John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

2. The Perfect Prize - the Crown of Glory

3. The Perfect Particulars - that fadeth not away

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.