Sermon Text:
1 Peter 5:1-4
God designed the church to function in a way that shows his glory. While we sometimes assume that means we should have less structure, God gives the church structure so that it can thrive and share the message of Jesus effectively. Every Christian has a part to play in how God designed the church to function for his glory.
Sermon Transcript:
(transcribed with AI)
Good morning. It's good to be here with you all. I don't know if you've ever heard somebody say, the church in the New Testament, the early church really looked nothing like the church we have today. I don't know if you've ever heard this as a pastor, I feel like I've lost track how many times people have said this to me, whether in the church or outside of the church, online or in person. I have heard this kind of statement many, many times. "You know, the church today looks nothing like the church used to look in the New Testament."
Now the challenge with any sort of broad statement like that is that of course there's a ring of truth in there, right? You're right, the church today does look very different than the church in the early church, in the first century looked, certainly, you all drove here. In cars, right? On the other side of the world, we're speaking a different language. I'm speaking into a microphone. There's a giant screen behind me. There's lots of things that are very different that we do here today that they certainly didn't do in the New Testament.
But it's probably also wrong to say that everything is different, right? Because actually we open our Bibles and we're reading about what they did, what they taught, right? The very same gospel that was proclaimed in the early church is what we proclaim here. Yes, salvation is through Jesus alone by faith and trust in Jesus, we are saved. That is the same message. In fact, that hasn't changed from the early church till now.
But very often when I hear people say, the church looks nothing like it used to. Very often what they have in mind is that the church today can feel very institutional, right? It can feel very much like it's just this organization that runs and has nothing to do with the people within it. And so very often I'll hear stories about, the church in the New Testament, it was just these small groups of believers gathered together in their homes and they just kind of talk about what God is calling them or leading them to do. They didn't have all this sort of structure that we have here today. Right, everyone just kind of got along without any problems.
I understand why it's a bit of a compelling picture, but let me argue that that picture might actually speak more about what we want than about what they did. Right, actually it's 21st century North America that really values individualism and sort of against any sort of idea of authority that that actually reflects more of us than it does of them because actually as you open your Bible and you begin to read a little bit about the early church, what did they do? How did they operate, you're actually gonna find there was structure. They actually had a design, right?
We've been doing this sermon series looking at the church, what it is, right? And while certainly we should never say the church is a structure or a system of doing things, the church certainly has it. God designed his church to function in a particular way and design is not a bad thing, right? Structure is what keeps a train on the tracks, it's what keeps your roof from collapsing down on you in the middle of the night. You want structure to exist. Structure is also what keeps the church from becoming just an unruly disorganized mob. Doing whatever anyone thinks we should be doing rather than actually the structure of the church is meant to actually help us accomplish the mission of the church.
God calls us to go out to make disciples, to grow in holiness. Actually, the structure of the church is meant to help us do exactly that. And so I know, I'm well aware that a sermon on how the church structure works is what everyone woke up this morning thinking, oh, I just can't wait till he talks about church polity. That's what I've been longing for. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and yet I think it's helpful for us to understand how God has designed the church to work because actually it's for our good, and it's for God's glory.
And so this morning, that's what we're gonna do. If you have a Bible with you, let me invite you. Please open to the book of 1 Peter. 1 Peter chapter 5 is where we're going to be this morning. And Peter here is describing part of the structure of the church. Specifically, he's gonna talk about elders, all right, those who are to lead the church.
So it's our tradition here, we stand as we read God's word. So if you're able to, would you stand with me? First, Peter chapter 5 starting in verse 1, this is God's word.
So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and as a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. 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 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock, and when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
As far as the reading of God's word, you may be seated.
Well, this morning, as we talk about the sort of structure of the church, what is this design that God has for the church to function in? Peter here is helping us understand the role of an elder, but I want us to understand the wider context, right? So we're gonna talk about elders, we're gonna talk about deacons, we're gonna talk about members. I know you're just so excited at this moment, but actually it is a really good thing. Like I said, God's given us this actually as a gift. For us so that we can actually grow in our faith so that we can actually share the gospel well together rather than just being scattered all on our own.
God actually brings the church together, designs it to work so that we can actually bless one another, right? God's design for God's people is to show his character and actually the structure of the church is part of that good design. I know sometimes, especially here in North America we ruffle a little bit at the idea of someone imposing some sort of structure on us and yet it is for our good and his glory.
So let's start off we're gonna look at elders, all right, elders shepherd, that's what they are to do and right off the bat we probably just need to clarify the Bible has a number of different terms. There's elder, there's pastor, there's overseer, there's bishop, really all of these terms. We are talking about one and the same role. I'm just gonna call it elders, right? Culturally, we kind of make a distinction between a pastor and an elder. Pastor is someone who's paid by the church. Elder is someone who volunteers their time, but biblically, there's no distinction. Actually, no, there's the same role biblically.
So look here in verse one. Peter writes, so I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and as a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Paul here is addressing elders, and notice here it's plural. Elders plural. In fact, I'm gonna argue actually pretty much every time elders are brought up in the New Testament, it's always talked about in a plurality, as in more than one elder.
All right, look, you can look at Acts chapter 14. Paul here has just planted these brand new churches, says, and when they had appointed elders for them in every church with prayer and fasting, they committed. To the Lord in whom they had believed, Paul has just planted these brand new churches, and what does he do? He goes through and he makes sure they have elders in each of them. Two things to notice. First, actually that's really early. That is right at the very beginning of the church going forward further and further. We see already there is a design, there is a structure intended, but 2, he appointed elders plural. In every church, not an elder in every church, but rather elders, it's the reason we don't just have one elder here, right?
I am not the sole leader of the church. No, in fact, we actually have a number of elders even as we step out as Promontory Community Church in a few weeks, we actually have 5 elders who will be serving. Right, so we have Eddie, Tyler, Rich, Justin, and myself and actually I think that's a good thing lest any one person think, well, I get to be in charge, and it's all up to me. No, I think God's design is that actually everyone, even among the elders are accountable to one another.
So what are the elders actually supposed to do? Verse 2. Peter says, 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, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. Right, Peter here, I love the way he does it because he gives us both the positive this is what you are to do and this is what you are to avoid, right?
Positively, what should elders do? They should shepherd the flock, they should exercise oversight, they should do so willingly as an example for other people to follow, right? What are they not to do? Whether or not to use their authority poorly, right, not to domineer or manipulate other people. They are not to seek their own good, as if they should sort of be enriched in some way by their position. They are not to take it on just because they have to, OK, I guess I'll lead. I don't want to. That's not what elders are to do.
Now, elders are called to spiritually lead, shepherd, guide, take care of, give oversight to the church. Right, and actually that is quite a weighty role, right? In fact, Paul, as he writes his letter of First Timothy, he begins to outline all the qualifications for an elder who they are to be in order to take on this role. He gives a long list, but please, I'm gonna read it all. I think it's worth hearing.
First Timothy chapter 3, Paul writes, says the saying is trustworthy. If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, An overseer must be above reproach. The husband of one wife, sober minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well with all dignity, keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders so that he may not fall into disgrace into a snare of the devil.
Right, please notice here these are high qualifications that are meant to be there, right? God set the bar high on purpose. Actually he expects a lot out of those who are to be leading the church and, and first and foremost, the first thing we get here is they are to be above reproach, right? Everything else really in this list is following from that one description. You are to be above reproach that doesn't mean sinless, none of us are. Rather, it means there is no besetting sin in your life that is holding you back by which Satan might actually cause you to stumble and therefore many others as well.
Really the character issue of an elder is the most important thing. Even before we ask whether or not they have the skills required, you are to ask whether or not they are the people required do they show the character of God in their life? That in many ways is what matters most. Right, now Paul does give two skills that he is asking an elder to be able to do, to be able to teach and to be able to manage his own household, right now managing a household at that time would refer to more than just how you get along with your spouse and your children. It would actually also include your job, right? You would work from your house, people would actually be part of it. So how do you treat your employees or how do you actually work at your job?
Right, we can all think of an example of a CEO, right, of a big company managing it, doing all kinds of things, maybe even very successfully, and yet, what happens? Well, What happens is their lives don't reflect it, all right? We've all seen that CEO, massive company and yet life in shambles. That's not who is to lead in the church. The church is not to be led in that way, right? Actually no character matters who you are at home matters just as much as what you are able to do in the church. Don't forget.
But the second one was able to teach the second skill, I should say, and Titus Paul includes with this correction of doctrine. Titus 1, he writes, He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that he may be able to give instruction and sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Right? To be able to teach actually means to be able to correct false doctrines, right? Leading the churches, guarding what is taught, protecting what is most essential to the mission of the church that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. If that gets lost, everything gets lost. What are the elders to do? Make sure the gospel is never lost out of the church. That's the role of an elder, lead and guide, spiritually, watch over these things.
Now In our context, let me make one more sort of side point, right? And in one sense I don't have nearly enough time to go into all of this, but the Bible talks about this role being filled by men, right? This is not because the Bible thinks that women are somehow inferior or don't have anything to say. No, in fact, the Bible starts with the full equality of men and women before God made in His image together. And yet the Bible does call men to lead in this particular role in the church.
First Timothy chapter 2, Paul argues, actually this is meant to reflect the way in which God created Adam and Eve to function. In fact, the Bible talks about this kind of role in a lot of different ways. Just a few months ago we were going through the book of Ephesians, and we looked at quite a number of them, right? The Bible talks about this role of leadership and submission in the realms of marriage with husbands and wives, then with parents and children, then with employers and employees, and in all of them we see a reflection of who God is meant to be put on display.
The father sends the son. The son listens and obeys. The father leads and the son submits to his leadership, both being equally and fully God and yet distinct in their role. Actually, even in the leadership of the church, we see a reflection of who God is. Now let's be very, very clear. Leadership is always meant to be a self sacrificial leadership that puts the good of others first. Submission is not being a doormat, but rather recognizing God's design and seeking to bless others.
This doesn't mean men get to be dictators in the church. They get to do whatever they want. Hardly. Paul has just said you are not to use this authority to domineer nor manipulate in the church. I'm well aware that has happened too many times. That's not God's design. No, actually, the elder is not to be domineering, not to be self-serving, but to be an example to the flock, upholding the character of God and submitting to God.
So here's the one final thing Peter says in this passage, verse 4, he says, and when the chief shepherd appears, you'll receive the unfading crown of glory. Now just notice two things here. Number one, actually God says there is a particular blessing, a reward for those who serve as an elder. This is a heavenly reward, not an earthly one, and he doesn't really expand in terms of what that all looks like, but it should probably be noted that while God promises a reward for elders, so there are rewards for every believer. But he reminds us actually for this one, God has a particular reward.
But second and perhaps most importantly here, Peter is reminding the elders, the chief shepherd will return. They don't have the authority to do whatever they want. They are hired hands in God's farm. He is the owner. They are just looking after for a little while. And in fact, this is exactly why Peter has been talking about this in the first place.
Peter has dealt with this because just look your eyes a little bit back into chapter 4, chapter 4, verse 17. Peter writes, he says, for it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God. Peter actually reminds the church, hold on, there is a judgment that is coming. Every single person on this earth will stand before the judgment seat of God. And by the way, church, we are included in that. We will stand before God and we will give an account for every single thing we have done in our life, both good and bad.
Right? The good news of the gospel is that Jesus actually comes and takes our place while we stand before the judgment seat of God and every one of our sins listed, Jesus comes and says, I've paid for that one. By faith in what Jesus has done when we will stand there. Every one of our sins shall be covered. I paid for that. I paid for that. I paid for that over and over and over again. The good news of Jesus Christ is not that we will avoid judgment altogether, but that we shall be saved through that judgment.
So here's the question. Now, why is Peter talking about that when he's talking about elders? Well, what are elders supposed to do? There to lead, to guide you until you come to that judgment seat so that you are well prepared when you get there. That's the role of an elder. There is a judgment coming, and so the elders of the church are charged. Make sure everyone under your care is ready for that moment so that when we all stand before God, we'll say, I know what to do, all my faith is placed in Jesus Christ. Hear me. Elders don't make the gospel. They help you know it. That's their job. That's what they have been given by God to do.
And hear me, that is a weighty responsibility, rightly it should be. In fact, James, he writes, he says, not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. Right? The elders of the church called to guard, teach and lead will be judged with the greatest of strictness before God Himself, and that should cause us to tremble, to say actually it matters who the elders of the church are. It's not an irrelevant detail of my life. No, actually those who are called to lead you, to guide you, to know God matter more than well. Most things in your life.
In fact, this is why there is such a high bar for who can stand as an elder. Right? The church is called to follow the leadership of the elders and actually as the church, you need to demand, actually the leadership is pointing to God. And is accountable to him. Elders are to lead by shepherding our souls, following the example of the chief shepherd who is coming back. Right, God's design is that the church reflects him. It's seen in the role of an elder. It's also seen in the role of a deacon.
Right? Deacons are to serve in many ways this is the easiest of all the roles to kind of understand, right? What do deacons do? They do the practical stuff of ministry. Right? Peter here in our passage, he doesn't talk about deacons and yet we see it in the rest of the New Testament. If you're familiar with the book of Acts, you'll know, well, actually they eventually got to a point where they said we can't do everything, right? Look here with me in the book of Acts, he says.
And the twelve, that is the twelve apostles, right, they summoned the full number of disciples and said, it's not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the holy or full of the spirit and of wisdom whom we will appoint to this duty. The word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.
Again, notice two things here from this. First, the disciples, the apostles themselves went, I can't do everything. If you ever come up and you think, man, I just can't do everything that God has called me to do, you're right, you can't. That's why God has given us the church. The apostles themselves couldn't do everything required. They said, actually we need others to help and support what's going on.
But number 2, Notice here what it says at the end. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly. Right, the addition of deacons into the church, people who could handle the practical ministry that was going on, increased those who came to know Jesus, right? The structure of the church actually increased its effectiveness. Structure is not the gospel, it's what helps it go forward.
So if there were those in the church who said, yeah, I can take over this area of ministry so that I'm actually free then to do other things and on and on and on it goes. Imagine how ineffective the church would be if everything had to go through those twelve apostles. I mean they'd never get anywhere. No, in fact, they say, all right, we're going to have people serve. Deacons are essential to the health and of the church and the expansion of the gospel and just like with elders, actually what matters most is character, right?
Do you notice what who did the apostles choose? Those who had good reputation and were full of the Holy Spirit. Being a deacon is no less spiritual than preaching, it's just a different gift of the same Holy Spirit. And so even in, as Paul outlines, what are the qualifications for deacons, he primarily talks about their character. But in 1 Timothy 3 he also adds in, he says, and let them also be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless, right? Being that serving as a deacon is a very practical job, Paul says, look, give him a tryout, right? Let him go through it a little bit before we can say yes. All right, you're the one who's going to be in charge.
Hear me, I'm so grateful we have deacons here. Who can take over ministry areas to actually allow the church to continue to flourish. The reason you're sitting on a chair right now is because we have a deacon who looks over that. The reason you can hear me through a microphone is because we have a deacon who looks over all of these things so that the church can flourish. Hear me, if I had to set up every single chair and had to try and get a microphone hooked up, no one would hear anything and you'd all be standing, right? Praise God for deacons. Actually, it frees us, it frees the church to be more effective when we can lean one on another.
And actually, the Bible again promises a reward for those who serve in this area. Paul writes, he says, for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. There is a reward for those who have served and built the church in the strength of the Holy Spirit. How do deacons show the character of God by relying on the Holy Spirit to make the ministry of Jesus practical in our lives to free the church to do the work of ministry.
And so here we come to really our final role within the church that is that of members, right, members minister, right. The Bible talks about members of the body of Christ. It's a frequent analogy that's used, but here's often where people say, well, there isn't really membership in the New Testament, right? And to be fair, nowhere in the Bible does it outline, OK, this is what you need to do to have new members come in. We don't get that outline.
But I'm gonna argue what we do have is a very clear idea of who was part of the church and who was not. In fact, we get quite a number of examples of that idea. In fact, we've already read one of them. Look back at 1 Peter 5:2, he says, Shepherd, the flock of God. That is among you. See Peter, as he's talking to these elders, he says, actually, you have a job to do. You are to shepherd this flock. Who? All believers everywhere across the world? No. Actually, your context shepherd, the people of God among you clearly they had to have some idea of who they were actually called to minister to.
I'd argue actually in the book of Acts we see in a number of different occasions they seem to keep track of people who were coming to faith, right? Acts 2:47, the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. They had some kind of idea of who was part of it. First Timothy 6, we see Paul instruct Timothy to actually create lists of those who are widows, right? He says, if they're truly widows, add them to the registration. They had some form of actually recognized some organization of this church or or listen to Paul in First Corinthians.
He has to deal with a church discipline situation where someone is actually being removed from the church. He says, but now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother. If he's guilty of sexual morality or greed or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, swindler, don't even eat with such a one. Right now we're not talking about church this one at this moment, but apparently they knew who was part of their church and who was not. In fact, it wasn't even just whoever called themselves a Christian because Paul is very clear, this guy is trying to call himself a Christian while living a completely immoral lifestyle. You are to take him out.
Right? We don't have membership outlined in the Bible. But the pattern of identifying who is part of the church and the commitment to one another, I would argue is very clear really that is what membership is it's identifying yourself and saying, yes, I'm a follower of Christ and I'm committing myself to serve and be accountable in this church.
So why should I become a member of a church? Well, let me give you three reasons. Number one, I think it does follow the biblical pattern laid out. While I certainly am gonna draw a distinction between elders and deacons, which are very clearly outlined, I think the pattern for us of understanding and being committed to a group of believers is the biblical pattern.
Number 2, I think it's actually clarity for the elders, right? For those who are leading to know who is part of the flock? Who are they being, who are they responsible for ministering to? By becoming a member, what you're saying is, please keep watch over my soul. Please don't let me fall away. Please inspect my life, make sure that I've understood the gospel rightly and that I would continue to follow after Jesus all the days of my life. Hear me, that's not an insignificant thing to say. For some of you, it's the very reason why you don't want to become a member. You want to avoid that kind of accountability. Hear me, it's the very thing your soul needs most. Don't avoid it.
Number 3. Reason to become a member because it is a practical public declaration of your commitment to follow Christ. Just like marriage is a public declaration of your commitment to your spouse now to a much lesser degree, right? Church membership is a public declaration of your commitment to follow after Jesus with this group of believers. Hear me, we live in a world in a culture that is commitment phobic in so many ways. The idea of committing to anything is just always at arm's length.
To make a commitment to be accountable to other believers is a clear statement of your faith, identifying with the church as one who is committed to working for the good, not just as a casual drop in sort of program, not as a passing fling or a casual subscription that can be canceled at any moment. No, you are saying my enduring allegiance is to Jesus. If the church is to be this visible public gathering of God's people, are you part of it? Are you committed to be part of what God is doing? Or is your faith just kind of saying, well, I'll float nearby? I'll keep this kind of private. It's my own thing. I have to know God myself.
I hear me, that is true. No one can believe for you. And yet the design of the church is actually that we would be tethered together, that we would support one another to be an isolated individual Christian is not the biblical pattern. So often Actually, our broad culture of North American Christianity that says we'll just jump from one church to another whenever you find something you don't like. Just float from one to another, actually reflects more of a consumeristic mindset than a biblical Christianity. Noncommittal Christianity doesn't exist in the pages of Scripture, but a deep abiding public commitment to follow Christ and to be identified with his people certainly does. Membership is just how we do that.
Right, so what does a member do? I'm gonna argue it's the work of ministry, right? If you've been around Central for a little while, you've probably heard this kind of language before and it's because it's found in the Bible, right? Ephesians 4, right? God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers what to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Hear me, it's not the pastors or the elders who do all the work of ministry, but it is the members of the church. Elders and deacons, as it were, set the stage so that ministry can actually be done and go forward.
Hear me, as good as the very best of pastors is, he cannot do the work of 50 people. You know who can? 50 people Actually, when all of us are saying yes, I'll answer and I'll actually do this work of ministry, we are far more effective than any one super pastor, elder or leader. No, it is actually the intention that the leaders are to equip the saints for the work of ministry, actually to equip the church to be able to do this work, that is its purpose. The church doesn't exist without people committing to following what God has called us to do and to do together.
Right, the author of Hebrews writes, obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Every membership not only clarifies for the elders who they're called a shepherd, it clarifies for you who you are called to follow.
Hear me, we live in a time when you are going to hear in between right now this Sunday and next Sunday, probably 1000 different people tell you things online, in person. There are so many different ideas, especially around God, around how we are to follow Christ, who are you to listen to? Who has God called you to listen to? In fact, Hebrews 13 goes on and says, I want you to actually look at the lives of your leaders, inspect them, pray for those who are in leadership. How are you to do that? Let me suggest again membership is part of how we accomplish these things.
This idea that no one should inspect my life or my faith is not how God designed the church to work. God actually designed it for your good. Hebrews says it would be of no advantage to have your leaders begrudgingly trying to lead you, but what would? is joyful leaders. Actually, that is of a great advantage to you.
God's design for the church is for your good and for His glory. Committing yourself to the church is actually the best that we can, for God's glory to the world around us. God designed the church to function in a way that his glory would be seen, that the gospel could be shared. From the elders who are called to lead and shepherd as an example to follow, not to domineer or manipulate, but as those who are held accountable by God to lead like Jesus, to the deacons who are practically putting things into place so the gospel can be heard, so the pavement or so the gospel hits the pavement of real life, to the members who commit themselves to hold one another accountable, care for one another, so the ministry of the gospel goes forward.
No one person is designed to do all of that. God designed the church to work together for His glory. Let us seek after the glory of God in his design for our lives.
Let's pray together. Our heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for The way in which you have called us to work together. Lord, we recognize we cannot do this on our own. Just as we could not be saved on our own, but that you sent Jesus to die on the cross, to pay for our sins so that anyone who trusts in him would be saved. So we are not saved to be alone but rather called and designed to work together for your glory. Father, I pray that we would always seek after your glory as we seek to minister to one another, as we speak to care for one another. Let us reflect the pattern, the way in which you have called us to live. We ask all these things in your name. Amen.