As we consider God’s Word in 1st Peter 5, we see that to have strong congregations requires, 1. A strong commitment to God’s Word, and
2. Strong leadership.
We have previously covered 1 Peter 5:1-4, where Peter exhorts the elders of the church.
1 Peter 5:1-4
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,[a] not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
God’s divine plan is to have a plurality of elders overseeing His body, His people. It’s part of the organization of the Church (Phil 1:1-3; Acts 14:23)
Requirement of an elder (v. 1-3)
1) Strong desire/relationship with Jesus
Responsibility (v. 1-3)
1) Feed the flock
2) Take oversight of God’s people
Reward (v4)
1) A crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
This teaching we will focus on exhorting Christians in 1st Peter 5 verses 5-9:
1 Peter 5:5-9
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world
What is a strong commitment to God’s Word?
1) v.5 to have an attitude of submission; the younger to have respect for the older members of the body. The younger are to be submissive to the older.
Proverbs 16:31 – Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
The younger can learn from the older if they have the attitude of submission. Today the younger act as if they know more than the older. God commands that the younger be submissive to the older just as the church is supposed to be submissive to the eldership as long as the eldership doesn’t go against scripture. There is a way to deal with a rebellious eldership (1Tim 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses).
Submission is an essential attitude to be a strong congregation. Spiritual maturity demands that we have this attitude. 1 Peter 2 and 3 are all about submission; Peter brings it up once again in Chapter 5 because it’s so important. (Gal 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love). Paul reminds us to have a spirit of submission. This must be present if we’re going to be a strong congregation.
2) v.5-6 to be clothed with humility; an attitude of humility will cause you to have an attitude of submission. Recognize our weakness; keeps us from thinking more highly of ourselves than we should (Rom 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you).
God resisteth the proud so we are in opposition with God when we think more highly of ourselves, and our pride will keep us from listening to God and even keep us from repenting our sins (Prov. 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall)
Pride was the downfall of God’s people, as is shown in the books of the minor prophets. Peter says we need to clothes ourselves with a robe of humility. (Phil. 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.)
Always think about what is best for the other person, not what I want but what you want as demonstrated by Jesus. (Phil. 2:6-8 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross). This is talking about Jesus who gave up his equality with His Father. At one time He was equal to the Father but he emptied Himself of His equality, not of His essence, but He humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death of the cross.
God will be gracious to you if you humble yourself. In verse 6, the mighty hand of God shows that He is in charge. He created the earth and us and we owe him our submission. Humility is being aware of your sufficiency but trusting God for his all sufficiency. 2 Chron 7:14 : if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land).
We will never stand in awe of God until we recognize our smallness. (James 4:10 Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up). We need an attitude of humility before we confess our sins.
v7 How do you know if you have the attitude of humility? You will cast all of your care on Him because He cares for you. You’ll depend upon God. Instead of worrying and carrying our cares we’re to cast them upon God.
3) v.8-9 We must have the attitude of self control and watchfulness. God wants us to be serious about who we are – serious about spiritual matters (1 Pet. 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers).
Don’t be asleep spiritually because the devil is on the prowl. It’s during the time of trials that we’re most vulnerable to the enemy. For example, Job – during the time of his affliction that the devil was trying to make his move. Trials and Temptation – the devil can take a trial and turn it into a temptation if we don’t have the right focus. Be serious, be spiritual, be on guard. (James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded). The devil will flee from you if you stay in the word. Don’t give the devil an opportunity to enter your life; stand strong.
Conclusion: This is nothing new; it’s foundational to Christianity. Yet Peter mentions it again because it is so important. Submission, humility, soberness, watchfulness – this foundation helps us as we go through this life.