1 Peter 5: The Elder's Charge and the Christian's Response to Suffering
Encouragement and Challenge in the Face of Opposition
Peter wrote to encourage and challenge Christians facing opposition and persecution, reminding them that suffering is expected and an eternal reward awaits them in heaven with Jesus. We eagerly await heaven but live in the present, as temporary residents on earth, facing suffering for following Christ.
Kyle previously spoke about heaven as our final destination and used a pilot analogy: expect turbulence but know we will arrive.
Advice to Elders
Peter addresses the elders in various churches, identifying himself as one to establish his perspective, and instructs them in 1 Peter 5:2-3 to:
Care for the flock God entrusted to them, willingly, not grudgingly, eager to serve God.
Not to lord over those in their care, but to lead by example.
Southeast has been blessed with leaders relying on godly elders, seeing their role as a privilege and leading by example.
The elders' responsibilities include leading, feeding, protecting, and loving the church. They are accountable to the church God has entrusted to them, and are not to govern other churches.
Their reward, as stated in 1 Peter 5:4, is a "crown of never ending glory and honor" from the Great Shepherd, acknowledging their sacrifices and faithfulness.
Guidance for Younger Members
Peter addresses younger members in 1 Peter 5:5, urging them to accept the authority of elders. He recalls his early leadership years at Southeast, where he leaned on the wisdom and experience of godly elders.
Humility for All
Peter broadens his guidance to all church members, urging them to dress themselves in humility (1 Peter 5:5).
He emphasizes that humility is always in fashion and should distinguish Christians from the prideful culture around them. According to 1 Peter 5:5, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
The statement, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble," is highlighted as a frightening sentence. Choosing pride means rejecting God's team and grace. Verse six says, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time, he will lift you up in honor.”
Verse seven says, “give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Humility involves accepting that God calls the shots. We prove that we believe that God is worthy, caring, and powerful by giving all our worries over to Him.
Watchfulness Against the Devil
Verse eight says, “stay alert, watch out, for your great enemy, the devil, he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Peter warns in 1 Peter 5:8 to stay alert, comparing the devil to a roaring lion seeking to devour.
The Christian's assignment is to love non-Christian coworkers and neighbors and lead them to Christ, since they are victims of the enemy.
He shares an experience of flying in a small plane where the pilot warned of turbulence and instructed everyone to fasten their seatbelts. This is analogous to how Peter is warning Christians to be prepared for suffering and persecution.
Peter reminds the Christian community to "stay alert," meaning "fasten your seat belt," aware that there will be seasons of suffering and persecution. He references the persecution under Emperor Nero, who infamously burned Christians.
He says that now, our culture and our country have been moving toward becoming an anti Christian culture. Therefore, Peter implores believers to choose a side.
Satan is furious when someone commits to Christ or has a spiritual awakening and uses fear and intimidation to bring them down. Despite persecution like the beheading of 70 Christians in The Congo, believers must stand strong.
In 1 Peter 5:9, Christians are encouraged to stand firm against Satan, strong in faith, knowing fellow believers worldwide face similar suffering, and emphasizing the importance of community as temporary residents in a hostile world. We can not do the Christian life alone; we were made for community. Satan's easiest conquest with Christians come when he has separated us from others in the body of Christ. Together, we’re strong. We can strengthen one another when someone is weak or struggling.
Eternal Home
This is just our temporary residence. Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, will come again that where I am, you may be also. That's our home.
Peter aims to help believers find their way home to their eternal home in heaven.
Story of Olga
Olga's story, of being born in Azerbaijan to Armenian parents during wartime, highlights the experience of being a refugee, unwanted and without a home.