I Peter 5:5-14

1. be humble - 5:5-6
1. the people are to follow their pastor
1. "submit" means to obey or to yield to their advice
2. the meaning of "younger"
1. younger in age
2. younger in the faith
3. younger in their knowledge of the teachings of Christ
4. younger in the Christian experience
2. what about the older and more mature member? [Yea, all of you be subject one to another]
1. if the churches are to have power among the heathen, then there must be unity in spirit and faith
2. this can only happen by a loyal following of those who were chosen to instruct them
3. submission is an act of the will
3. by submission the Christian body will be realized: each member should help all, and be helped of all
4. if we are to be in submission, then there must be humility [be clothed with humility]
1. humility is a frame of mind that deems others better than self
2. humility is not demeaning ourselves or thinking poorly of ourselves
3. humility is simply not thinking of ourselves at all
4. humility is the preserver of peace and order
5. the opposite of humility is pride, and God is the enemy of the proud [God resisteth the proud]
6. God is the helper of the humble [giveth grace to the humble]
5. humility comes from an awareness of God’s sovereign control over our lives - 6 [under the mighty hand..]
1. God is in control, therefore there is no room for pride
2. since God is in control, we can submit ourselves one to another (especially the pastor)
1. there is a danger in submitting to others; they might take advantage of us
2. when we submit ourselves to God’s control, we do not fear what others may do
3. the "mighty hand of God" that directs our life can direct the lives of others also
4. a person who is yielded to God (the pastor), will not even think of taking advantage of others
3. those who humble themselves and submit to others, will be exalted by God [that he may exalt you]
4. exaltation will come when God determines it best [in due time]
1. God never exalts anyone until they are ready
2. for most Christians, exaltation will not come in this life
2. don’t worry - 5:7
1. God is in control, and "He cares for you"
2. as long as we are in this world, we will have things to worry about
3. the remedy for cares, anxieties, and worrying is to cast them upon God
1. anxieties decrease our devotion to God
2. many religions teach that a person must appease their god in order to find favor with him
3. a distinct Christian promise is that God cares for the believer
4. this truth is a source of comfort and peace, but many never experience it
3. watch out for the devil - 5:8-9
1. the devil’s character
1. "adversary" means an opponent or an enemy
2. "devil" means accuser
3. "roaring lion" reveals his strength, rage, and cruelty, which he directs towards the saints
2. his business [seeking whom he may devour]
1. his whole purpose for being is to destroy souls
2. for this end he is untiring [walketh about, seeking]
1. there is no church fold that he does not eagerly visit
2. he is always on the watch for a chance to injure
3. he never misses an opportunity, and always makes the most of any advantage
4. we are engaged in a conflict with an accomplished and merciless opponent
3. the Christians duty
1. be sober, be vigilant
1. he has mentioned both of these before, but felt it needful to repeat them
2. sobriety and watchfulness are vitally important and useful in the Christian life
3. Satan is a dangerous enemy [be sober]
1. he is a serpent that can bit when we least expect it
2. he has power and intelligence
3. he has a host of demons to assist him in his attacks against God’s people
4. Satan is a great pretender[be vigilant]
1. he is a subtle foe
2. his strategy is to counterfeit whatever God does
3. he would deceive us, if it were not for the Word of God and the Holy Spirit
4. the better we know God’s Word, the keener our spiritual senses will be to detect Satan at work
5. we must be able to "try the spirits" and know the true from the false
2. resist
1. this means that we must take our stand on the Word of God and refuse to be moved
2. never try to fight Satan in our own way
3. victory is won through the power of God, not the power of the individual
4. before we can stand before Satan, we must bow before God
5. Satan can be conquered
4. remember that our trials are not an uncommon experience [the same afflictions...in your brethren]
4. the battle is for the purpose of perfecting Christians - 5:10-11
1. God always acts with grace [the God of all grace]
2. example of His grace is seen in the wonderful salvation He has given [eternal glory]
3. His grace is also seen in that He is working to make us better people (like Himself) [make you...]
4. God is worthy of our praise and worship - 11
5. closing of letter- 5:12-14
1. recognition of Silvanus - 12
1. he delivered the letter, and possible wrote it for Peter
2. he was known to the readers of the letter, because he was considered a faithful brother
2. the objective of the letter - 12
1. to give exhortation concerning the true grace of God (to confirm and encourage the reader to stand firm even in the midst of suffering)
2. to testify concerning the true grace of God (both in his own life and in the Gospel he was proclaiming)
3. personal greetings - 13
4. a final note to remind the believers in the congregations to demonstrate their affection for each other
1. the "kiss of charity" was a sign of unity and love
2. in our culture the handshake has replaced the kiss of charity
5. a closing prayer for peace