Last Thoughts

Intro

I always get a kick out the irony of Numbers 12:3; 3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

Why is this so funny? Because tradition has Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (first 5 books including Numbers)

Is it possible for this statement to be true if he himself wrote it?

Humility is an important theme in Scripture, but also one that needs to be understood properly

It does NOT mean thinking to low of yourself, or being walked on, or lacking self confidence

It is much more about having an accurate understanding of yourself as revealed by God through His Word

Peter concludes his thoughts in his first letter by focusing on the importance of humility, and telling us more about what true humility is

Pray

Humility in Leadership

Read 1 Peter 5:1-4.

Elders = Leaders in the church

Not just pastors! LT, SL&CT, SS teachers, youth coordinators and volunteers… any position of leadership

What Peter is about to say is important; he gives his credentials:

“Fellow elder” means that what he is encouraging other elders to do he is praciticing

“witness of the sufferings of Christ” pulls in his apostolic authority and reminds readers of the fact that Christ suffered as they are

The important message is to shepherd the flock of God

Shepherd as a humble form of leadership

NOT:

Out of obligation

But willingly

Talk about not putting pressure on volunteers

For shameful gain

But eagerly (for the gain of others)

Refer to rich televangelists/church setting my salary; move to the dangers of the spotlight

Domineering (lording over) others

But live as an example (servant leadership)

Share about some lessons learned from “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”; even Grant Memorial in the city

All the while acknowledging that church leaders are under-shepherds

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd

He has given church leaders the task to care for His sheep

A lesson that was EXTREMELY personal for Peter

Cf. John 21:15-17.

The promise is to receive the “unfading crown of glory”

“Unfading” was used by Peter earlier to describe our eternal inheritance in 1 Peter 1:4.

A crown was always a symbol of honour given for athletic acheivement, military prowess or to a ruler

Humble Christian leadership is worthy of this honour

Humility in Following

Read 1 Peter 5:5a.

This is NOT about age (picking a fight with translators)

“Likewise” connects this verse the previous 4

“Elders” in those verses were leaders, not just older (same applies here)

“You who are younger” does not always mean age; it means “new or fresh”

i.e. “younger” or “newer” to the faith

What we have is another of Peter’s “household codes”

Just as Christians were to submit to the governing authorities, servants to their masters, wives to their husbands, here the congregation is called to submit to church leadership

Just as the code for husbands and wives spoke to each party, here the leaders are called to be servants and the congregation is called to submit to that servant leadership

Quickly mention COVID-related decisions as this working itself out in real time

Humility With Each Other

Read 1 Peter 5:5b.

We are called to be an entire community that is humble with each other

“All of you” = leaders and congregants alike

“Clothe yourselves” = humility becomes an essential characteristic of a Christian

Just as clothes are essential!

“Toward one another” = focus on peer relationships within the church

Paul gives a great description of what this looks like in Philippians 2:3-4.

Count others more significant than yourselves. Easy, right?

Easy to understand, hard to do

Nelson Mandela; aparthied; imprisoned for 27 years; Truth and Reconciliation Commission (restorative justice and amnesty)

This is God’s will and part of His blessing

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” quoted by Peter from Prov. 3:34.

Humility With God

Read 1 Peter 5:6a.

Ultimately, humility comes first and foremost in our relationship with God

“Under his mighty hand” = God is sovereign, powerful… and we are not

One way we express humility to God is by casting our anxities on Him (1 Peter 5:7)

Anxiety and worry spring from a desire for control

Humility requires us to relinquish this sense of control

Peace is found between the pillars of God’s goodness and God’s control

Goodness = “[God] cares for you”

Control = “the mighty hand of God”

God Will Lift You Up

The beauty of humility before God comes with the promise that He will use His power to lift us up

Read 1 Peter 5:6b.

“He may exalt you”

Pride demands we exalt ourselves (or at least try)

Humility allows God to do the lifting up

It is NOT a lack of anything positive happening to you

“At the proper time”

Part of living humbly before God is allowing Him to decide when to lift you up

Again, we don’t always escape suffering right away (early church knew this)

What does Peter mean that God will exalt the humble?

Read 1 Peter 5:10.

Restore = mend (like a broken fishing net)

Confirm = To support or establish (steadfastness)

Strengthen = strengthen!

Establish = provide a foundation

In Christ, we are repaired, supported, strengthened and founded upon the rock

Just like fixing up an old house

Cf. Matthew 7:24-27.

Conclusion

Peter understands that the victorious life is lived in humility, no matter where we find ourselves

Humility in leadership, in following, toward one another, and ultimately with God

He also knows that when we resist the temptation to lift ourselves up, God will do it for us in His perfect timing

No matter what you have gone or are going through, God will repair you, support you, strengthen you and give you a firm foundation

Let Him do this in your life, come what may