Why in this setting does Peter say right off the bat, don't do your

elderly if you don't want to.

Don't do it under compulsive.

Don't feel pressed into doing it.

Don't feel coerced.

What would ever bring to his mind that there are elders who don't want to be elders?

When Peter wrote his first letter, some elders

In this episode of Light and Truth,

John Piper opens 1 Peter 5, 1 to 4

to examine what should and shouldn't motivate men to be shepherds of God's people.

This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on November 14th, 1994.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,

which comes upon you to test you as though some strange thing

were happening to you but to the degree that you share the sufferings of

Christ keep on rejoicing. So here's a church that is moving into an

ordeal. They're in it already in part. We know that from Chapter 1 because it

talks about how to handle the present sufferings and they're moving into something worse evidently

And not only are they moving into suffering from men but Peter tells them in verse 17 of chapter 4 that it is a judgment from God on the world

which starts at the house of God.

Verse 17, for it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God and if it begins with us first

what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the Gospel of God. Now on the basis of that, here comes the

ordeal, here comes the fiery ordeal, and it is God purifying his body before he punishes the world.

...