Living Living in Faithin Faith

Lesson Passage:Lesson Passage:

1 Peter 5: 1-91 Peter 5: 1-9

Background:Background:

1 Peter 5: 1-141 Peter 5: 1-14

1.1. In Roles of Leadership In Roles of Leadership

(1 Pet. 5: 1-4)(1 Pet. 5: 1-4)

2.2. In Relating to Others In Relating to Others

(1 Pet. 5: 5)(1 Pet. 5: 5)

1.1. In Relating to GodIn Relating to God

(1 Pet. 5: 6-7)(1 Pet. 5: 6-7)

2.2. In Resisting the Devil In Resisting the Devil

(1 Pet. 5: 8-9)(1 Pet. 5: 8-9)

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore I, your fellow elder & a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the elders among you: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly, 3 and not as lording it over those under your care, but being examples for the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,

because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the right time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, because you know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, & establish you. 11 To him be the power forever & ever. Amen.

The new pastor of a Texas church used mixed metaphors to assert his dominant attitude. "This will be a one-horse church," he said, "and I am in the saddle." Then he added, "If you have any objections to this, you had best get off the train now."

[Honestly, this really happened.]

Have you ever encountered people’s attitudes toward their right to lead, and all others being subjected?

Bad example: a singles’ leader at another church (only X miles away!)

How does God consider and reward our attitudes?

Peter is a great example of someone with many “about faces” in life!

1 Therefore I, your fellow elder & a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the elders among you: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and not greedily but eagerly, 3 and not as lording it over those under your care, but being examples for the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Did Peter assume special position or privileges, e.g. “papal primacy”, or even to be a head “elder” of these churches he wrote to?Why is it important for a godly leader’s heart to be that of a servant?

Jesus characterized what our attitudes should be in Matt. 20:25Do you ever encounter a “gentile” – as opposed to gentle – leaders’ attitude in other Christians? In yourself? How does it come across? Does it really work to lead others?

Sheep follow leaders’ examples.What if leaders are off track spiritually?How can leaders avoid “compulsion”, gain willingness?

“Hey, Leader!” God will, at journey’s end, give you REST & JOY! (Rev. 2-3; Matt.6; Luke 12:37, Jn. 21:16)

1. In Roles of Leadership (1 Pet. 5: 1-4)

5 In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders,

and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,

because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Not just older leaders are to be humble (Gal.6:1): also younger followersParents treat 2-year olds gently, but are the younger ones meant to have the upper hand?

No, they are to learn from their elders. So with new Christians (Heb. 13:7)

Mutual humility is the key: serving others, putting yourself LAST – SO you will become, under God’s supervision, the so-called ‘greatest’.Why does God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble?

He is the giving God, Who enjoys giving to those who don’t deserve it, to those who simply trust Him

2. In Relating to Others (1 Pet. 5: 5) [Lexham]

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the right time, 7 casting all your cares on Him, because He cares for you.

God is in process of growing and raising you up, if you are emptying yourself: honestly humbling yourself (flesh) (Luke 14:8)

God is your ultimate total Shepherd (leader). The rest of us will have problems at times leading (Jam. 3:2).

Ultimately cast it all on Jesus. He loves you beyond what others do (He gives them His love (Romans 5:5)What do you do with an “uppity” Christian?

If you have concerns with trusting and ‘humbling’ to a fellow believer or leader, whom you fear might abuse your trust (or you wonder), let God be the judge and commit it to Him while serving with Love (forgiveness). God will reward you, and that person’s fellowship of appreciation will also (Luke 6:38 “Good measure”).

Trust and leave room for the grace of God (Rom. 12:19)

3. In Relating to God (1 Pet. 5: 6-7)

8 Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, because you know the same kinds of sufferings are being accomplished by your community of believers in the world.

Many Christians were suffering persecutions, VERY obviously Satanic.

Peter knew firsthand Satan’s wiles (Lk. 22:31,Eph. 6:10-19; 2 Cor 2:11)How else does Satan work? Why does he seek us? (John 10:10):9 How do we resist him?

Jesus KNEW scripture – where God His Father stood !Have you ever been scammed? Satan will use many such tactics: Gaining trust by acting ‘friendly’ to your sin nature, offering ‘candy’ (an angel of ‘light’) (Mark 8:33, Luke 9:55)

When Satan’s scam is resisted, a next tactic is to paralyze you by fear

When you resist a weaker opponent (as Christ is stronger), they flee for fear of what might RIGHTLY happen to them (reporting to higher authority or your greater strength).

God plans battles, you WIN by Grace: others will pour thru these gaps!

4. In Resisting the Devil (1 Pet. 5: 8-9)

10 And the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, & establish you. 11 To him be the power forever & ever. Amen.

When you resist a weaker opponent (as Christ is stronger: 1 Jn. 4:4, Mk. 3:27), they will flee for fear of what might RIGHTLY happen to them (reporting to higher authority or your greater strength).

God will allow the battle to ensue until you ROUT them (James 4: 6-10)

God has called you, so He is in control of the victory process: this is victory from God, not your flesh!

Great struggles reveal God’s purpose to overcome “hosts”: Pharaoh’s entire army, the Midianites many thousands, … His resurrection power!

5. Your ultimate Salvation

(Backups)

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 (AMP) 10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah), 11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

1 Peter 4: (HCSB) 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

People are weary, tired of the trip

It’s not about the trip.. It’s about our

Destination: Home!

Matthew 9:35–37 (The Message) 35 Then Jesus ... 36 When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. 37 “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers!

There are NO more rest stops

for the next 1,000,000,000,0..

miles