1 Peter 5

\\#1-4\\ Be good leaders

\\#1\\ "The elders" - A term that seemed to be used for the older men of a
    a people both in Egypt \\#Ge 50:7\\ and Israel \\#Ex 3:16\\ Althought
    these men appear always to have been respected as leaders, after Moses
    followed his father-in-laws advice, the term became more offical a position
    of leadership \\#Num 11:16-17\\.  The terms carried over into the church
    \\#Acts 11:30, 14:23\\ and was an ordained (God called) position
    \\#Titus 1:5\\.  It is appears in definition to the same position as a
    bishop and was probably called that more often among Gentile believers.
    These elders or bishopes are not the pastor but helpers in the ministry,
    perhaps to be considered associates or assistants to the pastor in our
    church.  Although not having authority over the pastor, they would have
    authority over the church to further the cause of Christ.  Peter is not only
    an Apostle.  He is also a bishop or elder who has seen the Lord’s sufferings.

\\#2\\ Peter tells the bishops to lead the people—not because they are forced
    to do so nor because they are paid to do so but because they want to be
    obedient and faithful in the duty God has called them to do.

\\#3\\ But as there could be a problem with leaders not wanting to lead, so the
    other extreme is possible and they might want to be militant leaders,
    trying to control the people of God everything.  Peter tells the elders that
    their most common role of leadership is by example.

\\#4\\ For such faithfulness, they will be rewarded when Jesus, our "Chief
    Shepherd" (the definition of the Greek word used there for SHEPHERD) shall
    appear.  Jesus is the Leader over the leaders.

\\#5\\ Be good followers.  In contrast to speaking to the "elders" or older
    people, Peter now speaks to the "younger people."  His council is for them
    to submit, be obedient, and humble.  Most everyone would like to lead but it
    is not the calling of God for everyone to do so.  God calls some to lead and
    the remainder to follow the leadership.  Such is not a secondary duty to the
    one called to follow.  It is their primary duty.

\\#6-9\\ Peter returns to giving short, direct instruction to the people.

\\#6\\ "Humble yourselves" - As he spoke to the younger, so now he speaks to
    all.  God will honor \\#5:5\\ and exalt \\#5:6\\ those who do so.

\\#7\\ "Casting all your care upon him" - Don’t worry or fret but let God
    handle your problems.  Some people make a life of carrying other people’s
    duties.  (i.e. At Hampton Inn, two ladies fretted over the lack of workers
    so much that they would not take time off.  They, in turn, were overworked
    and grew discouraged.  Such fretting was not theirs to bear.  It was the
    General Manager who could have easily hired additional staff and would have
    if she had had to work a shift for either of these ladies.)

\\#8\\ "Be sober, be vigilant" - Be alert and diligent.  Why? Because we have
    adversary who desires to destroy us.  None other than the devil,

\\#9\\ "Whom resist" - We should consistantly resist the devil knowing that all
    other Christians are fighting the same fight.

\\#10\\ "But… God… make you perfect" - God will use the trials we fact to
    perfect us, and to establish and strengthen us.

\\#12\\ "Silvanus" - Perhaps the one who actually did the writing or perhaps
    one who carried the letter from Peter to those it was intended.

\\#13\\ "Babylon" - Probably not the country Babylon.  Perhaps a city was named
    after the country or, as most seem to think, Peter was speaking symbolically
    of the city he was in, referring to it as Babylon because of its abundant
    evil.

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