1 Peter 5
1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Every bit of Suffering as a result of obedience to God’s will has meaning. This suffering is not meaningless.
This Suffering is producing a peculiar Glory that you will get as a result of suffering in obedience.
v.1
1 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:
If you recall the way we finished chapter 4 we heard about the judgement that all will face.
18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.
So chapter 5 opens with therefore and Peter identifies himself as a fellow elder. He does not use the term apostle but he identifies himself with those he is writing to as a fellow elder. In this, he knows that he as well is saved with difficulty and that suffering will take place.
1 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:
He then says elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah.
Do you remember what had taken place between Christ and Peter when Christ was suffering?
Peter had denied Christ 3 times. This reminds us and the readers of what kind of witness Peter was to Christ crucifixion. He was one who’s courage failed.
Peter here demonstrates for us humility as a leader. He points us back to one of the most humiliating times in his life. This also reminds us of Christ restorative work in Peter’s life. Peter failed Jesus and Jesus restored Peter.
And also a participant in the glory about to be revealed.
I just love this phrase. There is a difference between an audience member and a participant. I have experienced both being a participant playing sports and being an audience member.
Given the option I want to be a participant.
Peter says also as participant in the glory about to be revealed.
This is active. This also describes it as now. Peter’s full restoration from sin is available now through Jesus Christ. Peter does not have to wait to be restored but Peter is a now participant in the Glory that is about to be revealed!!!!
This Glory is both now and future. Notice he says the Glory about to be revealed. He is not only thinking of the Glory he is partaking or participating in now but also the Glory that will be revealed when Christ returns.
v.2
2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;
Scripture calls the elders to shepherd God’s flock or Shepherd the sheep of God. The verb Peter uses is the same one Jesus used when he said to Peter, Tend my sheep in John 21:16. This is when Jesus restored Peter.
The way the Holman Christian Standard Bible puts not in front of overseeing tricks my mind just a little. The emphasis of the word not is for out of compulsion.
It helped me to look at the ESV
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;
You can see the instruction is clear for the elders to exercise oversight.
Some instruction about this oversight is given.
I like Calvin’s Summary of this section
In exhorting pastors to their duty, he points out three vices especially which are often to be found, namely sloth, desire for gain, and lust for power.
Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 195). InterVarsity Press.
2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;
3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Not out of Compulsion but Freely
Pastors and Elders should never serve with the attitude that well I guess no one else will do it so I will.
It should never come because of obligation or because someone has to do it. It should be done because the pastor or elder has freely and willingly chosen to carry out this valuable work.
According to God’s will
No one should ever be pressured into accepting a church office which they don’t really want to have. God wants willing servants
Not for money
That is not for shameful gain. Money should not be the driving factor for ministry. It can never be a nice side hustle. It is not wrong for Pastors to be paid as we see that clearly in other parts of scripture but money should never be the driving factor behind why a pastor becomes a pastor or why a pastor stays a pastor.
The pastor/elder should always guard against greed and selfish gain.
Eagerly
This is a positive emotional desire to do the work. This is a decision of the will to do the work.
Love what you do! Enjoy the journey. Like what you do.
Not Lording it over
Power
forcefully ruling over, subduing, harsh or excessive use of authority
This word depict bringing something into subjection by the use of force.
1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary 1. Elders: Shepherd God’s Flock Rightly (5:1–4)
Peter forbids the use of arbitrary, arrogant, selfish, or excessively restrictive rule. He implies that elders should govern not by the use of threats, emotional intimidation, or flaunting of power, nor generally by the use of ‘political’ force within the church, but rather by power of example whenever possible.
Being examples to the flock
Leaders should live in such a way that others can follow or imitate. Leaders follow Jesus and set an example for others to follow.
Leadership positions in the church should never be taken lightly. Leaders are not perfect. Leaders follow Jesus and life a life worthy of imitation. This is not optional for leaders.
The reward
The reward
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
This is not an earthly reward. Look beyond this present world when it comes to serving Jesus. The reward is out of this world.
You serve as scripture has laid out and you will receive the unfading crown of glory
Which is better?
Serve now and get a reward that fades away
or
Serve now and receive a reward that is unfading
5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
v.5
This whole passage has been speaking of Pastors/Elders in the church.
In this passage, this is not just a general statement of younger being subject to the older.
From the verses that surround this, we see that he is speaking for the younger to subject themselves to the leaders of the church.
I hope it is clear that the Pastors/Elders have responsibility of how they are to carry themselves by the previous verses. When it is done in this manner, then it is easy to subject oneself to this type of leader.
He moves from the subject of Pastors/Elders to how everyone should treat each other within the church.
No one is exempt from this. This includes church officers and non officers, young and old, new Christians and mature believers, children and adults, rich and poor.
Clothe yourselves with Humility
Humility is an attitude that puts others first. Which includes but is not limited to desires, needs, and ideas of others. Placing these as more important than your own.
3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
It takes active energy to put on Humility.
(Putting of of a coat)
You have to choose humility
Yesterday I had to choose humility...
It can be hard to choose humility
It is not in the flesh to be humble.
The flesh says I know and I don’t need any help. I can do it on my own. I don’t need anyone else. I will get through this.
How prideful that statement is!
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble
34 He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.
6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Pride says God I don’t need you.
Humility says God I need you.
God resists the proud but gives grace (unmerited favor) to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
Among other things is involves bowing to the wisdom and will of God, accepting the twists and turns of his will and entrusting all this to him. This is true in times of suffering as well.
When God deems it best, He will exalt or lift you up from your humble circumstances. This exalting may be increased spiritual blessing and deeper fellowship with himself or also in terms of responsibility, reward, or honour which will be seen by others as well.
Casting all your cares on Him, because He cares about you
Proper humiliation is attained by casting all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.
How prideful it is to say I can handle this? I got this.
In Humility...
If I put others first constantly then who will care for me?
The answer is that God himself will care for our needs. His care is far greater than anything we could ever receive from someone else.
1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary b. Gain Humility by Casting Your Cares on God (5:7)
Therefore casting all your anxieties on him is the path to humility, freeing a person from constant concern for himself and enabling him or her truly to be concerned for the needs of others.
Cast means to throw something upon someone or something else.
You clothe yourself with Humility and then you cast all your cares up on Jesus.
22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
The word cares in 1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
Means concerns or things one is anxious or worried about.
8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.
11 The dominion belongs to Him forever. Amen.
12 I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it!
13 The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son.
14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.