Leading and following well in the church.
1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted
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The Avengers
The Avengers
Throughout the Marvel Movies each of the main characters have profound abilities but it’s only as they learn to work together that they are able to resist the greatest threats to the universe.
This is exactly true of our lives.
God has profoundly gifted and blessed each of us. Yet only as we learn to live well together in the church will we be able to face the greatest threat this universe offers.
The devil is a real, deadly force in the world around us. He is destroying marraiges. He is corrupting our children. He is devastating lives through drugs, alcohol, and other addictions.
The church is truly the hope of the world. Standing against the devil.
The church is the hope of the world
The church is the hope of the world
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude 1 Peter 5: Resisting Satan
“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”
Augustine
The church is lead even by imperfect leaders like Peter.
The church is lead even by imperfect leaders like Peter.
As a fellow elder
As a fellow elder
As a witness of the sufferings of Jesus
As a witness of the sufferings of Jesus
Peter served as a painfully imperfect witness to the sufferings of Jesus.
Think rooster story
Think swearing
Think denial
60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”
Peter was an imperfect, forgiven witness.
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude A. Leadership in the Church When the Heat Is on (vv. 1–4)
Peter was a spiritual leader, a pastor, who had sinned, repented, and been restored. He was a sinner who would share with Christ in glory
48 You are witnesses of these things.
47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
LUke 24:47-48
As a partaker of the glory to be revealed.
As a partaker of the glory to be revealed.
Peter wrote earlier and wanted the church now to see that those who suffered for Christ would share in the glory of His revelation.
The church needs leaders who shepherd humbly
The church needs leaders who shepherd humbly
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
John 21:
12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
Exercise oversight willingly in obedience to God.
Exercise oversight willingly in obedience to God.
Peter warned against a false sense of humility/unworthiness.
Eagerly serve; not for shameful gain.
Eagerly serve; not for shameful gain.
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain.
Peter is not speaking agains a pastor being paid because the Bible is clear on this.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Eagerness represents a character of the heart that all leaders, all who serve in the church should check their hearts to renew, restore, or find their eagerness to serve.
Be an example; not someone who domineers.
Be an example; not someone who domineers.
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
A pastor should not delight in using authority.
A pastor should not seek to increase, preserve or flaunt his authority. This is very dangerous for the health of the church.
Yet a pastor and elder has authority. It is invested by God in the church leadership.
Authority is crucial for the pastor to the work of the ministry in the church.
In order for the pastor to represent the church at a funeral or a wedding, he needs authority.
In order for a pastor to deeply challenge you on your sin in a personal conversation, he needs authority.
In order for a pastor to help restore a marriage, he needs authority.
In order for the church to be able to meet the needs of the times and flexibly serve, he needs authority.
Serve well and the chief shepherd will give you a crown of glory.
Serve well and the chief shepherd will give you a crown of glory.
Jesus is the one to whom all other shepherds must give account
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Jesus is the great shepherd
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
In the Roman world the victor would receive a crown of Laurels that would die pretty quickly.
This reward that the good shepherd would give is an unfading crown.
The church needs men and women who know how to follow with excellence.
The church needs men and women who know how to follow with excellence.
Let humility clothe all you do.
Let humility clothe all you do.
Be subject to those who are older.
The younger men and women should be subject to the elders.
The pastor has been commanded to lead well.
Those in the church are also commanded to follow well.
When you sew disunity in the church, you allow Satan to use you a tool for destruction.
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
True humility is not self-flagellation.
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude B. Responsibilities of Those Being Led (vv. 5–7)
“Humility is to make a right estimate of one’s self.” Humility is to be aware of personal strengths and to be thankful to God for them. Humility is to be aware of personal weaknesses and to be dependent upon God to help you improve in those areas.
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude B. Responsibilities of Those Being Led (vv. 5–7)
“Humility is to make a right estimate of one’s self.”
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude B. Responsibilities of Those Being Led (vv. 5–7)
Humility is to be aware of personal strengths and to be thankful to God for them. Humility is to be aware of personal weaknesses and to be dependent upon God to help you improve in those areas.
Remember that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.
Remember that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.
Prideful people stink.
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude B. Responsibilities of Those Being Led (vv. 5–7)
They display an attitude of arrogant superiority and generally exude a self-centered and self-sufficient odor.
Submit to the greater power of God
Submit to the greater power of God
Know that God’s power is far greater than that of Satan. You are with the winning side.
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
As we submit to God’s power, we find peace in Him.
As we submit to God’s power, we find peace in Him.
God cares for us!
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Mattehew 6:25-34
When we cast something we are throwing it off and letting go.
This kind of trust is humble and committed and total.
Even in the middle of the worst of pain, we must remember that God cares for us!
Rally together to defeat Satan
Rally together to defeat Satan
Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude C. Rallying Together in Resisting Satan (vv. 8–11)
the two mistakes Christians make in talking about Satan are that we either joke about him or we ignore him
WAKE UP
WAKE UP
PAY ATTENTION
PAY ATTENTION
Resist Him
Resist Him
Standing firm in the faith with assurance
Standing firm in the faith with assurance
We are chosen
We have a new birth into a living Hope
We are shielded by God’s power
We have been called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light
God is building up individual believers into a spiritual house. I peter 2:5
And a royal priesthood and a people belonging to Him.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
I Peter
God promises restoration regardless
God promises restoration regardless
Conclusion
Conclusion
If you lead, lead with humility and confidence
If you lead, lead with humility and confidence
In all you do, live with humility.
In all you do, live with humility.
Wake up to the threat Satan is.
Wake up to the threat Satan is.
Resist Satan with confidence in community.
Resist Satan with confidence in community.
Trust in the promised restoration of God.
Trust in the promised restoration of God.