Outrageous Hope Extravagant Joy | Week 9
The final session from the Bellevue Women study of 1 Peter sees Donna Gaines closing with an important word from 1 Peter 5.
Week 9 – While We Wait - 1 Peter 5
I. Instructions for the Pastor/Elders – 1 Peter 5:1-4
“The New Testament Assemblies were organized under the leadership of elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3). The word ‘elder’ and ‘bishop’ refer to the same office (Acts 20:17; 28)...The word ‘pastor’ (which means ‘shepherd’) is another title for the same office (Ephesians 4:11)” Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, p. 427).
A. Shepherd the flock of God – John 10; John 21:15-17
B. Be an example – I Corinthians 11:1
You cannot lead people where you have not been. Passion for Christ is caught more than it is taught.
C. Keep an eternal vantage point
We long for the day we see our Master and Lord. Because we know He is returning, we live for “that Day”!
II. Choose humility and submission – 1 Peter 5:5-7
Just as Christ took off His outer garments and put on a towel to become a servant as He washed His disciples feet, we too must be servants.
A. Submit to your elders Submission is proof of our faith.
B. Clothe yourself with humility
“Humility is not thinking poorly of oneself, it is not thinking of oneself at all.” G. K. Chesterton
“ ‘Clothe yourselves’ (egkombosasthe) is a rare word that refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving. So Christians are to imitate their Lord, who girded Himself and served (John 13:4-17)” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 251).
C. God opposes the proud
“God resists the proud because God hates the sin of pride (Proverbs 6:16-17; 8:13). It was pride that turned Lucifer into Satan (Isaiah 14:12-15). It was pride – a desire to be like God – that stirred Eve to take the forbidden fruit” (Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, p. 431).
“There is a mutual opposition between God and the proud, so the word signifies; they war against him, and he scorns them; he resisteth the proud, because they are like the devil, enemies to himself and to his kingdom among men, Proverbs 3:34. “Where God giveth grace to be humble, he will give more grace, more wisdom, faith, holiness, and humility” (Matthew Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, p. 2432).
D. Humble yourself under God's mighty hand
E. Cast your anxiety on Him
Unless we obey Peter’s admonition to submit and humble ourselves, we cannot claim the care of God in verse 8. Casting (to throw upon as an act of the will) all your care upon Him, literally means to cast all your anxiety upon Him, (Luke 10:42; Philippians 4:6).
III. We have an adversary – 1 Peter 5:8-9
A. Stay alert
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping” (1 Peter 5:8 MSG).
“As the serpent, Satan deceives (2 Corinthians 11:3); and as the lion, Satan devours” (Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, p. 432).
B. Resist him
Ephesians 6:10-12 – We stand firm against the schemes of the evil one by standing on God’s Word.
IV. Last words – 1 Peter 5:10-14
A. Suffering
“The four verbs emphatically promise divine aid” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 253).
- Perfect – also translated “restore” - equip, repair, or render pure, complete – used of Peter mending his nets in Matthew 4:21.
- Confirm – to fix, set fast, or strengthen.
- Strengthen – firm; strengthen one’s soul (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)
- Establish – “settle” – refers to the two ledges of the altar (Strong’s concordance). Also used to “lay the foundation” – a firm foundation. The same word used also in Matthew 7:25 to describe the house built upon the rock that stood in the midst of the storm.
All that we face in this life is temporary. Every trial, temptation and all of our suffering will pass away. It is only what we invest in God’s kingdom that is eternal.
Illustration from The Chronicles of Narnia, Outrageous Hope Extravagant Joy p. 201. Revelation 21:1-4