Closing Remarks
Some Closing Remarks
1 Peter 5:5-11
Introduction:
As Peter closes his letter he is going to give some important challenges
I. The believers were to be humble vv. 5-6
1. Humility defined: Having a proper view of ourselves and others
2. Humility described:
Psalm 18:27 “For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.”
Psalm 147:6 “The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.”
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.”
Proverbs 16:19 “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
3. Humility pictured:
Jesus washing feet
Jesus coming to earth Phil. 2:1-11
4. Humility rewarded:
God resists the proud:
God hates pride: Proverbs 6:16-17, 8:13
Pride turned Lucifer into Satan Isaiah 14:12-15
Pride led to Eve taking the fruit in Genesis 3
Pride of life is not of the Father 1 John 2:16
He will exalt you in due time:
What is “due time?”
Warren Wiersbe, “The key…is the phrase “in due time.” God never exalts anyone until that person is ready for it. First the cross, then the crown; first the suffering, then the glory. Moses was under God’s hand for forty years before God sent him to deliver the Jews from Egypt. Joseph was under God’s hand for at least thirteen years before God lifted him to the throne. One of the evidences of our pride is our impatience with God, and on reason for our suffering is that we might learn patience (James 1:1-6). Here Peter was referring to words he heard the Master say: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).”
II. The believers were to cast their care on the Lord v. 7
Based on the conditions of verses 5-6, must be humble
1. Cast your cares on Him
All of our cares: past, present, and future
All of our cares: not just the ones we don’t think we can handle
2. Why? He cares for us
Who knew that better than Peter:
Jesus healed his mother-in-law Mark 1:29-31
Peter saw a great catch of fish Luke 5:1-11
Jesus helped pay his temple tax Matt. 17:24-27
Jesus caught him when he sank in the water Matt. 14:22-33
Jesus repaired Malchus’ ear Luke 22:50-51 and John 18:10-11
Jesus delivered Peter from prison Acts 12
How does God show His love and care for us when we call on Him?
A. His gives us courage to face our cares Isaiah 41:10
B. He gives us wisdom James 1:5
C. His gives us strength to do what we must do Phil. 4:13
D. He gives us stronger faith to trust Him Psalm 37:5, 55:22
III. The believers were to be watchful for the enemy vv. 8-9
1. The enemy presented:
He is the devil: Satan means adversary Devil means accuser or slanderer
He is apposed to all that God is and does
From the beginning he has tried to stop the working of God
He is like a lion:
Strong with much stealth
He is seeking:
Looking for those that he can devour/destroy
Used to feel sorry for those animals on Wild Kingdom when it would show the lion sneaking up and them unsuspectingly feeding, unaware that danger was lurking
We should not find ourselves in that situation: we know he is lurking
2. The enemy is prepared for:
1) Be sober: Have our minds ready, under control.
Putting out of our minds those things that Satan can use.
Bitterness, pride, etc.
Also includes what we put into our minds
2) Be vigilant: always on guard
Satan is the great deceiver, we must be on guard
Eve in the Garden was not on guard
Achan and David were not on guard
3) Resist him
Take a stand against him: stand on the Word
Ephesians 6:10-13 stand having on God’s armor
IV. The believers were to be hopeful vv. 10-11
Peter ends by reminding his readers that God is in control
We can be hopeful because:
1. We have God’s grace
He called us to Himself by grace: He desired for us to be saved
2. We have the knowledge of eternal glory
3. We will only have the suffering for a short while
Why Paul said that the sufferings not worthy to be compared
4. We know that God accomplishes much through trials
Perfect you: Helps us to grow in our faith
Establish you: set fast like an anchor. Keep us from wandering
Strengthen you: How do trials strengthen us? Show us power and faithfulness of God.
Settle you: Set on a firm foundation and secure on it. The storms of life set us more firmly on the foundation of the Lord and help us to more fully see how firm that foundation really is.
