How to Act Like a Community

1 Peter 5

Good Morning and Welcome to Freedom Chapel. My name is Pastor Terry, my wife Michelle and I serve as the lead pastors here at Freedom Chapel. This Church exists to bring hope to our community, by being a Place to Belong, Church for the Whole Family.

If you are new with us this morning would you please take the time this morning to fill out that little flap on the side of your bulletin. If you put it in the black boxes by the back door we will make a donation in your name to a local charity and we send you cookies. Church can we show our guests some love this morning.

Next Steps!

Tonight at 7 PM we will be beginning a small group we call Next Steps! If you are planning on joining the Next Steps class here is what I want you to do. Pull your phone out and text your email address to 620-798-8360. Then before you leave please pick up this weeks packet at the back table.

Kid’s Camp We Need A Confirmation Today!

Graduation Sunday Next Week! Celebrate with us by bringing a card or gift for our two graduates Hope Werhman and Allysa Nutt

For the last 5 weeks we have been studying the book of 1 Peter. It has been an amazing experience to walk through this letter written by Peter to the early church. What I find so amazing about the word of God is how something written nearly 2000 years ago is still living, breathing, and speaking to us today.

We Need to Understand something. Every letter written by the apostles was written to the church. Believers and followers of Christ. The apostles were not writing these letters to tell the world how the world should act. They were writing the Church to tell the Church how to act.

Week 1: We learned that we are called to be Holy. Holiness is not a list a do’s and don’ts that are to be followed. Holiness is turning our hearts towards God and drawing closer to Him.

Week 2: We learned that we are called to Grow Up and to Follow the Path that Christ Demonstrated for us.

Week 3: We learned how to act as Husbands, Wives, Masters, and Slaves.

Week 4: We learned how to treat others even when we are suffering.

This week we are going to learn How to act as a Community of Believers.

The Title of this weeks message is:

How Act Like a Community

1 Peter 5:1–3 ESV

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

One of my main concerns: Old Church + New Church = Freedom Chapel.

One Thing I have heard over and over again from those who have come before me:

We have served our time, It’s time for the younger crowd to step up?

Peter is saying: As the guy who watched Jesus suffer, join me in shepherding the flock.

We have been watching whale documentaries: Whales work together as a unit to achieve the Goal. The older whales teach the younger whales: Not so that the younger whales will feed the older, but that the younger whales can feed themselves when the older are gone. Then the younger whales become the elder whales and teach the next generation.

We have become a Google It society. We need to become a let me sit down and show you community.

Everywhere I go cost me an hour: The Gym, the firestation, the church. We need more people willing to spend some of their precious time.

Elders You Have a Purpose.

Elders You are Promised a Reward.

1 Peter 5:4 ESV

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Young People

1 Peter 5:5 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

There is a tendency to look at the ones that have gone before us as out of touch, out of date, past the expiration.

In Christianity there is no expiration. We need to be grabbing a hold of those who have already cut the path and figure out how the got there.

Climbing a Mountain:

I Hate the Words “I Know”. “No You Don’t Know.”

The last part of this letter Peter does a recap. Let’s break it down. 1

1 Peter 5:5–6 ESV

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. 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,

Pride=Resistance

Humility=Elevation

To be humble is to follow the Proverbs 3:5 example.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

The words “I’ve Got This” always leads to something bad.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Jesus Cares for You.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Be Clear Headed, Not Drunk, Restrained, Self Controlled.

The Lion devours the Weak.

1 Peter 5:9 ESV

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

We are not animals on the Savannah: we are a community of believers. A community of believers surrounds those who are weak and young to protect them from the Lion.

The Community Surrounds the Weak.

Resistance+Faith= Reward

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.

You may be struggling now, you may feel weak now, you may be fighting stuff now, but up there you will not be restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established.

1 Peter 5:12–14 ESV

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.

Closing:

Where are you in your faith journey?

2. Who is mentoring you, who are you mentoring, and how can God use you to further his kingdom?

3. Where is your mind today?

Holy Spirit what is it that you want me to take with me today?