"How to Be a faithful Follower”

Introduction

Two weeks ago, we began to look at Peter‘s final exhortation in chapter 5 and he begins his final thoughts with a charge to the pastors of the churches.

He said “pastors…. “Shepherd the flock of God”.

And as he went on in the text, he described how a good pastor looks like a good shepherd.

He watches over the flock protecting them from harm.

He leads them to spiritual food and water so that they can grow spiritually

and he serves his church motivated by his desire to please Christ alone. to hear those words well done thou good and faithful servant.

Peters point was simple “a good pastor is a man worthy of being followed, because he is following Christ

and now in verses 5-11 Peter transitions to the sheep- The church

ands He gives the church 3 ways that they can be faithful in their own walks with Jesus.

Listen to our text this morning.

1 Peter 5:5–11 (ESV)

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. - Meaning “church follow your pastor.”

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peter begins in verse 5 by saying “Church, if you are going to remain faithful even in the midst of hard persecution You must be…

Be Humble

Peter exhorts the church to, "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another" (v. 5).

Friends Being truly Humble is hard work.

Our natural tendency is not humility its selfishness. thats who we are by nature.

Peter understands that Humility is not something that comes naturally to us; it is a garment that we must intentionally put on.

Our natural self is selfishness not Humility.

We live our live for our own pleasure and glory. Thats who we are by nature

(Expand if needed)

think about the difference between our human selfishness and Christ- like Humility.

The Source

Selfishness: Stems from our sinful nature that is filled with pride, ego, and an inflated sense of self-importance.

Humility: Stems from our new nature we have been given through salvation- that is filled with Christ likeness, a reliance on God’s sovereignty and a heart of gratitude.

think about the difference between the

The Focus

Selfishness: Inwardly focused on one's own desires, needs, and interests.

Humility: Outwardly focused on others and considering their needs above one's own.

think about the difference between the

The Attitude

Selfishness: Arrogant, proud, and entitled mindset.

Humility: Modest, teachable, and a respectful attitude towards others.

think about the difference between the

The Actions

Selfishness: Seeks personal gain and pleasure often at the expense of others.

Humility: Seeks to serve others and elevate them, putting their interests above its own.

Friends, selfishness comes from a sinful heart that is filled with Pride, it is characterized by an inward focus, an arrogant attitude, it results in self-serving actions, and me centered relationships.

. This is who we all once were before Christ humbly stepped into our lives and radically changed us and made us new.

-and Peter is saying “Church if you want to look like Jesus than you need to put on the garments of Jesus _ You need to clothe yourself with humility.

Humility is marked by an outward focus, a deep reliance on Gods sovereignty, a modest teachable attitude, serving actions, and others-centered relationships.

Illustration: When I wake up in the morning How do I chose what to wear?

I think about what I’m about to do for the day,

If i’m going to my office to study and meet with people, I will put on nice clothes that are appropriate for me to wear to my office.

If i’m going to do yard work- Im not going to wear the same thing- Im going to put on work clothes that will equip me to do it best.

If Im going to the beach - I’m going to put on my swims trunks

Peters point is simple if you are going to be faithful, If you are going to be dressed the way that God expects you to look as His follower than you need to put on the right clothes…. and that starts with a humble heart!

Peter goes on in verse 6 to say

1 Peter 5:6–7 (ESV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Humility is not just having a right perspective of yourself it is also having a right perspective of God.

True Humility is saying “I dont know all the answers. I dont have to be in control But I will submit my life to the Lord

To humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God is saying “Im going to wait on Gods timing no matter how long and hard it might be Because I know that he is in total control and His way is best.”

Notice what Peter says in verse 7 about what Happens When we humble ourselves before God, we can cast all of our anxieties on Him, knowing that He cares for us (v. 7).

Friends its only through our humility that we can turn over control of our own lives to the sovereign hand of God,

and its only when we put our trust in His sovereign rule, that we can know He cares for us and that we can cast all of our worries and our cares upon Him.

Think about it. When you believe that God does all things for your good and for his glory you, no longer have to carry the burden of making sure everything in this life works out.

ADD TO THIS!!!!!

If you are gonna Be faithful You gotta Be Humble!.

You must have the same Mind as Christ

You must to put others above our selves,

You must live to serve and not be served

You must seek out the spiritual good of others,

and you must put your faith and trust in the sovereignty of the mighty hand of God casting all your cares and worries on Him knowing that He cares for you.

Peter goes on in verse 8-9and he says a faithful Christian will…

Be Watchful

1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Peter begins by giving us the prerequisite of watchfulness, In order to be watchful You must first be "sober-minded"

That makes sense - You cant be truly watchful if your thinking is impaired

The word sober means that you are not impaired, You are in your right mind.

Sober mindedness is Characterized by self-control, and sound moral judgment.

It caries with it the idea that you are disciplined, and focused on what truly matters.

the author of Hebrews describes what sober mindedness looks like in

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

To be sober minded means that you do not let the distractions of this world pull your attention away from What God has called you to be.

It means that You keep your eyes on the prize!!!

Peter says to the sober minded person- Run with a purpose, But Be watchful as you run this race because there is an adversary that wants to destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Illustration of Hunting turkeys with levi

We were stalking them and they didn't even know - getting closer and closer

We snuck up to the edge of the timber and were hiding in the weeds next to the fence that seperated the woods from the field, Just watching the turkeys move their way across the field.

But all of the sudden, we realized we were not the only ones after those birds, out of no where- appeared a pack of 7 coyotes and they were secretly surrounding these 5 turkeys. Waiting for the opportunity to jump out and pounce on their prey.

As we watched them sneak closer and closer )_ i came up with the brilliant idea to try make the sound of a wounded rabbit.

and as soon as the sound left my mouth, the alpha dog came running full force right in our direction.

and in an instant He jumped over the fence and landed on top of my leg .

Why did he turn and run after that wounded rabbit? Because he realized it was the weakest link.

He knew that a rabbit all by himself was an easy target to get

That rabbit was going to be his prey.

Church, dont be fooled into thinking that the devil doesn't care about you! You are his prey and He will do whatever it takes to separate you from the flock of God so that you become week in your faith, all so that he can devour your..

Church dont ever be fooled into thinking that Satan wants you to be happy-

He hates you- He dispieses you- and everything He tempts you with is not for your good but is meant to destroy your faith.

Friends Satan is just waiting in the bushes, He is stocking you!! He is waiting for that moment of weakness when you stop Being watchful, and you start to wonder away from the flock and away from the shepherds care. +

Because He knows that if he can get you away You will become easy prey.

This is why Peter exhorts the church in verse 9 to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith.

Brothers and sisters You do not have to be the prey of the enemy- God has equipped you with what you need to stand firm

In Ephesians 6:10-11

Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Our faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross is our strongest defense against the enemy's attacks.

When we stand firm in our belief and trust in God's promises, the enemy's schemes are rendered powerless.

The best defense against the fiery darts of satan is a firm stance on the truths of Gods Word

Peter goes on in this verse and he says

1 Peter 5:9 (ESV)

knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Peter says you can find comfort in knowing that your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are experiencing the same kinds of sufferings as you are experiencing here in your life.

Meaning you are not alone! Christian we are part of a global community of believers, united in Christ and also united in our struggle against the same adversary.

Peters point is this ..We have each other- We have been given the gift of the church, This means that We must encourage and support one another, knowing that we all are under attack from the devil.

Friends do you know what this means/ You need the church and the church needs you!!!

To Be a faithful Christian means to Be watchful, standing firm in your faith and standing firm in your care and love for one another in the church.

Finally Peter says to be a faithful Christian One must…

Be Hopeful

1 Peter 5:10–11 (ESV)

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

In the midst of trials and spiritual battles, Peter reminds us to be hopeful in our faith (v. 10-14).

Do you understand that the hope you have in Christ is so much different then the hope of this world,

The hope of the world has no hope!!!!

Think about it… the world says

I hope I will be happy someday

I hope that someone will love me the way i want to be loved

I hope I will find the peace that I am desperately looking for

I hope that I will have enough money to retire someday

Friends this is the hope of the world , Its just wishful thinking. Its longing for something that has no guarantee.

Our hope as believer's is rooted in the God of all grace, Its foundation is in the finished work of Christ.

Our hope doesn't look to chance in the future it looks back to the finished work of Christ on the cross. Meaning Its Guaranteed- It has already been paid for!

We have a hope knowing Christ will return

We have a hope knowing that God is in sovergn control over all things

we have a hope knowing that matter how big our sins may be Gods grace is more

We have a hope that God will never leave us

And as Peter said in this verse We have a hope that even though our suffering may be hard God will not leave us there.

He will one day restore us, Confirm us, strengthen us and establish us

Brothers never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is the source of your hope, and He will not abandon us in our time of suffering.

Instead,We can know from James 1 :3 That He uses these trials in our lives to refine our faith and prepare us for the glorious inheritance that awaits us one day in eternity

Brothers and sisters even though we must suffer for a little while here on this earth, remember our Hope is in the unchanging unwavering hands of the sovereign God and He has promised that Our suffering is temporary and will not last for ever.

Friends if you are In Christ you are on a path that ends with eternal life with jesus forever. And there will be no more pain no more sorrow no more suffering, No more Death.

And that is our hope-

and this is why Peter said we can sing out the praises of Jesus forever

“ To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever AMEN!

TO be a faithful Christian You must Be hopeful- Putting your confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ on that Cross. Looking forward to that blessed Hope that will one day Be yours in Christ.

Bring it Home

God did not call his followers to be perfect. He called us to be faithful.

To be faithfully humble- submitting to God's mighty hand and casting our anxieties on Him.

to be faithfully watchful- standing firm in our faith and guarding our hearts so that we do not succumb to the attacks of Satan

to be faithfully Hopeful- fixing our eyes on the eternal glory that awaits us in Christ Jesus, for the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. Trusting that God will always do what is best for their life and keeping their eyes looking towards the return of Jesus.

Church family- if you want to hear those words “well done thou GOoD and FAITHFUL servant “ You must clothe yourself with humility, you must be watchful, and you must be steadfast in your hope looking to Jesus.

Bothers and sisters, If we are going to truly thrive as the flock of God, bringing glory to His name forevermore We must be faithful.

Pray