1 Peter 5:8-14 Sermon
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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. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Introduction
Introduction
I find it troubling that in our culture today, we have not given ourselves much time to think deeply about thinking.
I find it troubling that in our culture today, we have not given ourselves much time to think deeply about thinking.
Did the reality of
We live a very distracted environment that if not careful we can easily waste our lives not thinking about what is real and true.
We live in a world that seeks to make our preoccupation one of images, videos, social networking and so on.
As Christians, have we given ourselves time to think clearly, free from the distractions of the world?
Many have become numb to what actually lies behind the veil.
There is a world full of demonic opposition. And what has put a huge dent in the church is the distractions that cause us to see only what lies before us.
There is literally an enemy of our faith and he is literally seeking to devour someone.
Forgetting this and being preoccupied with other things than the things of God, will make the Christian unaware and unable to be watchful. Especially when suffering.
Verse 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Throughout the world we see opposition and trials. Believers in countries where our faith is illegal find themselves with choices to make. Choices that involve whether they should live or not.
But what has been an amazing pattern is that God gives them grace to endure. Even to the point of death. This should encourage us also.
This should encourage us also.
The problem isn’t getting grace. God has given us the Holy Spirit. The problem lies in our stubborn, distracted mind that has made much of the world around but forgetting to be watchful for what lies behind it.
We must always remember to prepare our minds for action, we must remember to be self controlled and watchful.
Which for me was very convicting even as I was putting this together.
May God grant us grace to be worshipful and gracious. Self controlled and watchful as we read through this portion of Scripture today!
2. The Grace for the Christian (V. 10)
Verse 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.
3. The Doxology from the Christian (V. 11)
Verse 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
Verse 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Verse 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Verse 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Outline
Outline
1. The Sobriety of the Christian (V. 8-9)
2. The Grace for the Christian (V. 10)
3. The Doxology of the Christian (V. 11)
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
Main Idea
The Christian must remain sober minded and given grace to resist the devil so that they can give glory to God and express love towards one another.
Verses 8-9
Sermon
Sermon
1. The Sobriety of the Christian (V. 8-9)
1. The Sobriety of the Christian (V. 8-9)
Verse 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Verse 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.
to get self-control ⇔ sober up v. — to curb the controlling influence of inordinate emotions or desires (and therefore become reasonable); conceived of as sobering up from the influence of alcohol.
Be watchful
to be alert ⇔ be awake v. — to beware, conceived of as staying awake.
Adversary
plaintiff (accuser) n. — the antagonistic and accusing party in litigation; especially understood as a hostile enemy.
Prowls
to walk v. — to use one’s feet to advance; advance by steps.
Verse 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
In verse 8, we see two imperatives or commands given to believers.
But before we look into being sober-minded and being watchful, we must look at the imperatives prior to this to get a sense of what Peter is concerned with when writing this to the dispersed saints of his time.
Here are the imperatives in chapter 5 prior to our text.
To elders (v.2-3)
He tells elders to shepherd the flock of God
He tells them to exercise oversight
Not under compulsion but willingly
Not for shameful gain but eagerly
Not domineering but being examples
Exercising oversight has much to do with what not to do. Because it is easy to guilt people, it is easy to be driven by money and it is very easy to lead in a domineering way.
Peter is simply calling elders to be humble as we exercise oversight.
Exercising oversight has much to do with what not to do. Because it is easy to guilt people, it is easy to be driven by money and it is very easy to lead in a domineering way.
To those that are younger (v.5)
He told them to be subject to the elders.
Peter called the younger to be submissive.
Again a call to humility.
To everyone (v.5-7)
He tells everyone to clothe themselves with humility toward one another
He tells them to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God
He tells them to cast their anxieties on Him
These commands seem to be given with a concern for humility and care within God’s people to one another.
The command before our passage I believe sets the tone for how we are be sober-minded and watchful.
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.
It is no coincidence that Paul does this very same thing in Ephesians.
It is no coincidence that Paul does this very same thing in Ephesians.
Before Paul speaks of being able to stand against the schemes of the devil with the armour of God, he says in
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Before we get into out text today, we have to remember that humbling ourselves under Christ precedes watching and standing against the devil.
It was Paul’s concern to the church at Ephesus.
It was Peter’s concern to the elect exiles of the dispersion.
It must be our concern today!
Peter begins this portion of Scripture with believers being sober minded and watchful.
He has jurisdiction in the world but no power over the Christian.
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Here we see two commands given to believers.
The first is the command to be sober minded.
Peter calls believers in this letter three times to be sober minded.
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
1 Peter 4
And the third of course being our text today.
In all three we see a sense of urgency and concern when Peter calls believers to be sober minded.
To be sober literally meant to not be intoxicated. In a figurative sense to be sober minded, meant to be free from an illusion.
It meant to have clear judgment, which would enable someone to be temperate and rational over their emotions and desires.
3525 nḗphō – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.).
3525 /nḗphō ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 3525 /nḗphō("uninfluenced by intoxicants") means to have "one's wits (faculties) about them," which is the opposite of being irrational.
It had the idea of curbing the controlling influence of an excessive amount of emotions or desires flooding the heart and mind.
Remember who Peter is talking to. He is talking to suffering believers.
Peter was calling the Christian to be reasonable and self controlled even in their suffering.
It was also used in that time to call someone to be sober from the influence of alcohol.
to get self-control ⇔ sober up v. — to curb the controlling influence of inordinate emotions or desires (and therefore become reasonable); conceived of as sobering up from the influence of alcohol.
The cause for Peter’s call to be curb the controlling influence of inordinate, excessive emotions and desires was what followed.
This command is a call to not allow emotions and desires to rule the Christian. And more specifically our way of thinking.
Question: Why does Peter address this when speaking of the devil?
Answer: Peter understands that sin comes from our desires.
Thus the call to be sober-minded.
James reminds us of where sin comes from.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James
Our desires are the root cause of sin. So we need to curb desires from taking over because the devil is the tempter.
This needed to be addressed, especially in suffering.
The devil presents opportunities to sin. But we sin when we act out in disobedience desires and emotions that defy God’s truth.
That is why Peter follows with the call to be watchful which is the second command.
To be watchful means to be alert, to be awake, to beware.
to be alert ⇔ be awake v. — to beware, conceived of as staying awake.
Peter’s call to be alert, awake and to beware, was urgent.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Again, The cause for Peter’s call to be alert, awake and to beware, was that the devil was prowling.
This was a call not to fall asleep!
Jesus when speaking of the end times told the disciples in .
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
This was an urgent call to control your thinking over your emotions and to stay alert because your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
Adversary is used to speak of an antagonist and an accuser. Usually, it was used to speak of an accusation from a hostile enemy.
Peter is calling believers to resist him by being sober minded, alert or awake because there is an accuser.
plaintiff (accuser) n. — the antagonistic and accusing party in litigation; especially understood as a hostile enemy.
But I do not believe this is meant to set our gaze at our enemy. But it is meant to set our gaze upon Christ and to be watchful and sober-minded. Remember:
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded.
The way a Christian can curb their desires from sin and the way to be watchful and alert, is to set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ and to remember that the end is at hand!
I don’t think that Peter was calling for Christians to be preoccupied with the devil. Rather, he is telling believers to be sober of mind and alert
What better way to resist the devil than to be sober minded and watchful
What better way to resist the devil than to set our hope on Christ!
This is the way to resist! It isn’t because you know the devil prowls around. We resist because of Christ and we can endure temptation because of Christ. But nonetheless we must not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes.
We do have an adversary. The devil.
The Scripture is full of warnings to believers about the devil.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
In , it speaks of not being outwitted by Satan.
We watch so that we give no opportunity to the devil.
We watch so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil.
We watch so that we are not being outwitted by Satan.
He prowls around like a roaring lion. Meaning that he walks around, advancing like a lion.
And he prowls around like a roaring lion. Meaning that he walks around, advancing like a lion.
He prowls around like a roaring lion. Meaning that he walks around, advancing like a lion.
And he seeks someone to devour. Which means someone to consume.
But the Christian life is not a life being preoccupied with being devoured or consumed.
It is a life of sobriety that comes from the reality and hope we have in Christ!
This is the way we resist the devil! By being firm in our faith in Christ!
Th
Verse 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Verse 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Verse 10
Some have bought into the idea that our authority in Christ gives us the immediate right to rebuke the devil.
But that is not what the Scriptures teach to be our response.
First, we must be concerned with submission to God.
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:
Second, Resisting the devil comes from a submitted heart to God.
We must resist the devil firm in our faith. Meaning that we should be solid in our reliance upon God.
Having faith means to have trust in God. Staying firm by trusting God.
Resisting the devil comes from a submission to God.
It comes from a reliance upon God.
Peter goes on to talk about their same sufferings being suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Peter goes on to talk about their same sufferings being experienced by the brotherhood throughout the world.
Doesn’t it seem strange that many in the visible church don’t even talk about the Christian suffering?
Many think it strange to teach that Christians will suffer.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter
Examples of believers suffering.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
I think it strange to think that all who live a godly life would be free from persecution and suffering. But that is exactly what many in the visible church teach today.
They teach that we must be preoccupied with who we are in Christ but neglect reliance upon Christ.
They believe that rebuking the devil comes from the authority we have in Christ. And because of a preoccupation with their seat in Christ, they neglect the deny yourself, carry your cross and follow me part of this life.
What they do not understand is that submission to God precedes spiritual warfare.
Suffering was common in the church then and suffering is no different today.
The true church throughout the world is experiencing suffering.
All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
So don’t think it strange!
Resist by being firm in your faith in Christ!
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The end of all things is at hand! Christ is coming! Stand firm in your faith!
I remember someone saying,
“Get on your knees and fight like a man!”
That is why we need grace!
The call earlier on this chapter is no coincidence.
The call to be humble under the mighty hand of God and to cast all anxieties on Him.
This is the root to our resisting the devil. To be humble under God and casting our anxieties on Him.
James also knew this!
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
He gives grace! Grace to be able to resist the devil! Especially when facing great suffering!
Suffering that was being experienced throughout the world in Peter’s day!
2. The Grace for the Christian (V. 10)
2. The Grace for the Christian (V. 10)
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
And after you have suffered a little while?
, answered the question “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
Peter reminds believers how finite life is. It is only for a little while. Life is but a mist. A vapor.
Notice a contrast here.
Peter speaks of suffering for a little. But after calling God “the God of all grace,” he speaks of the eternal glory in Christ!
There is grace for the suffering Christian! Meaning that God favors us so much, that He has given us Christ forever!
And the God who has given us Christ will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Life is a mist.
I looked at different translations to capture each one to better explain them. Using mostly the NASB.
God will Himself perfect (NASB), confirm (NASB), strengthen (ALL VERSIONS), and Settle (KJV) you.
God will:
1. God will: Perfect. Which means to prepare, to make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, or other purpose.
God will:
Perfect. Which means to prepare, to make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, or other purpose.
God will perfect you! This is God’s grace!
Like . It speaks of equipping the believer with everything good so that we may do his will. And that it is God working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.
English Standard Version Chapter 13
equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight,
2. God will: Confirm. Meaning that God has marked us with firm determination.
toprepare v. — to make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, or other purpose.
confirm
to strengthen v. — to make strong or stronger.
He will finish the work He started!
(God will support) Meaning to strengthen, to make strong or stronger.
God will give you strength!
3. God will: Strengthen. (God will support) God will strengthen us.
God will give you strength!
4. God will: Settle us. Meaning that God will to lay a foundation for us to stand on.
to found v. — to lay a foundation stone.
This is not about us. But its about God working in is and through us according to His will and purpose!
Through grace God works in us, even in our sufferings to endure, to resist and to glorify Him even in suffering!
The God of all grace does all the work!
That is why grace is unmerited.
We have often noted how we do not need to work for God’s favor but forget to mention with full and complete confidence that grace means that God has done all the work!
This is good news! This is the doxology of the Christian!
Verse 11
3. The Doxology of the Christian (V. 11)
3. The Doxology of the Christian (V. 11)
Verse 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Verse 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter reacts to what he is writing with worship and praise! And rightfully so!
He does this also in , after exhorting believers to keep loving one another!
The acknowledgement of God having dominion comes from remembering the work God has done!
God has done the work to humble us in order to place us with Him!
He humbled Himself in order to bring
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
God came in the flesh and humbled Himself. In doing so He brought us into glory!
The acknowledgement of His dominion is the acknowledgement of His controlling power over all things!
No matter if the adversary is roaming or the Christian suffering. God has dominion over all!
This is where grace comes from.
This is how we come into humility.
This is how we resist.
By remembering the preeminence of Jesus Christ!
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
Verses 12-14
Verse 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Verse 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
SILAS sīʹlas [Gk. Silas]; SILVANUS sil-vāʹnəs [Gk. Silouanos]. A leader of the Jerusalem church who was later involved in ministries with Paul and Peter.
SILVANUS, who was also called SILAS, was a leader of the Jerusalem church who was later involved in ministries with Paul and Peter.
Silas is first mentioned as traveling with Judas Barsabbas ().
He was sent by the Jerusalem Council to Antioch to communicate the council’s decision that Gentiles weren’t obligated to be circumcised.
R. C. Campbell, “Silas,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 509.
Paul though highly of Silvanus in Antioch.
After Paul and Barnabas parted ways due to a sharp disagreement over taking Mark with them, Paul chose Silas to accompany him on his second missionary journey ().
Silas was also there with Paul in his Philippian ministry and imprisonment, the jailer’s conversion, and their release ().
R. C. Campbell, “Silas,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 509.
R. C. Campbell, “Silas,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 509.
Clearly, this was a faithful brother as Peter states here.
R. C. Campbell, “Silas,” ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979–1988), 509.
And he encourages him to stand firm in the grace of God!
Verse 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Verse 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Verse 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Verse 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
She who is at Babylon refers to a church in Rome.
Rome is often seen as “Babylon.”
This interpretation has been generally accepted in the early church since the second century.
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
The uniform testimony of early church history is that Peter was in Rome at the end of his life.
R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 1808.
Mark, called John Mark, was the spiritual son of Peter.
(cf. , ) in Rome (cf. , ; Introduction: Background and Setting). Mark my son. Mark, called John Mark, was the spiritual son of Peter. Tradition indicates that Peter helped him write the Gospel of Mark (cf. ). This is the same Mark who once failed Paul (; , ; ), but later became useful again for ministry ().
Tradition indicates that Peter helped him write the Gospel of Mark.
This is the same Mark who once failed Paul, but later became useful again for ministry.
Peter’s concern is clear.
John MacArthur Jr., ed., The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), 1949.
In the midst of increased suffering, stand firm in your faith in Christ and love one another!
Verse 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Verse 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
1. The Sobriety of the Christian (V. 8-9)
2. The Grace for the Christian (V. 10)
Verse 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.
3. The Doxology from the Christian (V. 11)
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
4. The Closing of 1 Peter (V. 12-14)
Notes
Verses 8-9
to get self-control ⇔ sober up v. — to curb the controlling influence of inordinate emotions or desires (and therefore become reasonable); conceived of as sobering up from the influence of alcohol.
to be alert ⇔ be awake v. — to beware, conceived of as staying awake.
plaintiff (accuser) n. — the antagonistic and accusing party in litigation; especially understood as a hostile enemy.
Prowls
to walk v. — to use one’s feet to advance; advance by steps.
Verse 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
He has jurisdiction in the world but no power over the Christian.