1 Peter 5:1 KJV
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Peter gives three things he has in common with the elders, that serve as his credentials to give the exhortations he will provide;
- He is also an elder
- He is also a witness of the sufferings of Christ
- He is also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed
I am interested in the second of the three today.
Are all elders[1]witnesses of the sufferings of Christ? Not to the same degree as Peter. He was physically there to witness the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
The Bible says,
Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
In some sense, the local church, as the body of Christ, and its pastor, is a partaker of those sufferings.
The sense of need
As Jesus had need in His earthly life, so does each local church.
As Jesus had need in His earthly life, so does each local church.
The sense of tears
As Jesus wept at the lack of faith in His followers, every local church bears a broken heart for those whose lack of faith prevents them from growing in the Lord.
As Jesus wept at the lack of faith in His followers, every local church bears a broken heart for those whose lack of faith prevents them from growing in the Lord.
The sense of loss
As Jesus watched the multitudes forsake him and asked His disciples, “Will he also go away?” every local church must face the loss of those who leave because they do not like the message.
As Jesus watched the multitudes forsake him and asked His disciples, “Will he also go away?” every local church must face the loss of those who leave because they do not like the message.
The sense of persecution
As Jesus was falsely accused and hounded by the scribes and Pharisees, who looked for some small thing they could use to take Him down, so local churches are falsely accused or unduly targeted for the imperfections that obviously exist in her.
As Jesus was falsely accused and hounded by the scribes and Pharisees, who looked for some small thing they could use to take Him down, so local churches are falsely accused or unduly targeted for the imperfections that obviously exist in her.
The sense of death
As Jesus for nothing He had done, was slain, so churches, the best hope in this world for humanity often die without cause.
As Jesus for nothing He had done, was slain, so churches, the best hope in this world for humanity often die without cause.
Pastors witness the sufferings of Christ daily as they serve these bodies of Christ.
[1]I take this to mean what we call pastors. These are not itinerate preachers, evangelist’s and etc. for they do not embody all that is part of pastoring a church.
To my readers:
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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1 Peter 5:1 (KJV) Partakers of Christ’s Suffering
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