1 Peter Part 6

 

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on October 22nd 2023  by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

1 Peter 5:1-13 – PART 6

Peter talks more about suffering than any other book in the New Testament. Peter wrote during the reign of Nero. He is writing to the persecuted church, and he is encouraging them that there is something to look forward to.

Peter is addressing the Elders in the church in this chapter and then the young people. He encourages us all to be humble.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

Verse 8 – He asks us to be alert to the enemies' schemes.

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: - 1 Peter 5:1

Verse 1 Peter is the great apostle > He is the most mentioned person after Jesus in all the 4 Epistles. Yet he addresses himself as a fellow elder and a witness to Christ’s suffering.

V4 We will share in his glory as a result of our suffering. Paul also reminds us that these sufferings are “light and momentary”.

Elders – Leaders of God’s church. Peter uses 3 words: Elders, Shepherds, and overseers. These refer to the same person who has different functions. Peter uses a common language so that people can relate to him. He calls the church flock and the elder a shepherd.

Jn21 Jesus uses the same language as Peter: “Feed my sheep”.

The flock belong to God, and it is God’s church and God’s people. The elders are under-shepherds who serve under the great shepherd.

Willing – if you have the gift of leadership, you need to serve (2 Cor 9:7), willingly and not under compulsion.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Cor 9:7

Humility – not lording it over .1 Pet 5:3 – Perhaps Peter remembers Mk10:43 “Who will sit at the right and left hand”.

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. - 1 Pet 5:3

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, - Mark 10:43

Do you have a servant's heart? How do you react when you are treated as a servant when you are not acknowledged? Leaders do have authority but lead by example.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. - 1 Peter 5:4

V4. There is a promise to elders and pastors – there is a special reward for them.

There are many crowns mentioned.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] - 1 Peter 5:5

V5. YOUNG MEN/WOMEN

Be submissive to those who are older. Youths tend to be arrogant. There is value in life experience.

EVERYBODY clothe yourself with humility towards one another. WHY? God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility delights the heart of God. Even Ahab got a second chance because he humbled himself before God.

We need to be intentional in being humble. It is easier to be humble with those above us in authority than with our equals of those who serve us. We need to be humble with all!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

V7. Cast all your anxiety on Him.

Are you anxious? Throw your burdens at Jesus' feet because HE cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

V8. Be self-controlled and alert. Why? The enemy is on the prowl. The moment you became a Christian God became your Father and the devil your enemy. He is known by many names.

2 Cor 2:11 – Do not be unaware of the devil's schemes.

Peter tells us to resist him and stand firm in the faith. Job stood firm in faith. “Even though He slay me, yet will I praise him”.

Trails test your faith. Will you trust God or give in to the lies of the enemy?

Be self-controlled and alert.

Be sober.

Resist the devil.

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering. - 1 Peter 5:9

V9. We are not alone in our suffering. Many Christ followers do not have the freedom to meet the way we do. We need to keep our eyes on the glory that awaits us. Satan may roar but we have the Lion of Judah who roars.

Resist – what does that look like? We need to respond to problems differently.

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. - 1 Peter 5:13

V11-13 She is in Babylon – it was a secret way of referring to the church in Rome.

God will give us grace to endure suffering and God watches over us and we need to remind ourselves that we have a great hope and future. Let us grow in humility, love and serve one another. Amen.

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.