Be sober and vigilant
I Peter Chapter 5
A Sunday School Lesson
Introduction: The chapter is divided into three main sections. He exhorts. What is exhortation? An encouragement of something specific.
The first is an exhortation. to the elders of the churches to be faithful to the flocks committed to their charge, 1 Peter 5:1-4. These are people that minister and there are many who here do that, are associated with that or are married to someone who is involved in that. It’s talking to YOU!
The second exhortation is to the younger members of the church to evince all proper submission to those who were older; to occupy the station in which they were placed with a becoming spirit, casting all their care on God, 1 Peter 5:5-7.
The third exhortation is to all to be sober and vigilant, in view of the dangers which beset them, and the arts and power of their great adversary, the devil, and especially to bear with patience the trials to which they were subjected, in common with their Christian brethren elsewhere, 1 Peter 5:8-11.
Salutations, 1 Peter 5:12-14
An Exhortation to Pastors and Leaders. 5: 1-4 1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
What a Great Attitude! The person who gives this exhortation is Peter. He does not command, direct or set himself above others though he saw Christ. He set himself up as an elder.
NOTE: All apostles were elders, but not all elders were apostles. Peter is humble about this just as we should be humble of our position in this world. Though above unsaved, we should exhort, not judge, command or dominant.
Those who lead must be careful to study their duties carefully
Pastors are to feed the flock. To feed is to be active and responsible. We are pastors of our children.
Must be examples-you are always being watched. It is not enough to have faith, we must practice it.
These duties must be performed, not by constraint, not because you must do them, not from compulsion of the civil power, or the constraint of fear or shame, but from a willing mind that takes pleasure in the work---maintain a good attitude!
An Exhortation to the Young 5:5-7 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
He tells us how to behave. Submit ourselves to the elders, to those whom God has appointed over us. Yes, God has the ability to put people over us, people we should listen to…like your spouse, confidant, pastor etc .Luke 22:26. …but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Be humble. if you be disobedient and proud, God will set himself to oppose and crush you; for he resisteth the proud, when he giveth grace to the humble.
There is mutual opposition between God and the proud—refusing to apologize, refusing to acknowledge wrong
The proud to God are as the Devil was—God scorns such behavior and people.
To ignore an apology, an attitude etc. is to set you against God. God must oppose you.
Learn to cast your cares onto Him. These Christians were going through some very tough times.
NOTE: The best of Christians are apt to labor under the burden of anxious and excessive care; the apostle calls it, all your care, intimating that the cares of Christians are various and of more sorts than one: personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, cares for the future, cares for themselves, for others, and for the church. These can make us unfit for duty.
An exhortation to all Chapter 5:8-9 V.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
He does three things here:
He shows them their danger, their real danger The Devil. He is active!
He shows them what their duties are
Their cares are not singular; they are soldiers in an army that is at war
Their danger, the devil. He goes about as a roaring lion seeking to kill. Ever watched a lion hunt and attack
Their duty is to be sober and vigilant.
They are not alone in their cares, never forget who the real enemy is, the Devil.
Note: When in heaven we will realize who we should have spent our temper and attitudes on…not each other but the enemy!
The Apostles Prayer Chapter 5:10-14 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
He prays for them and their cares. He asked God to not spare them from suffering, for that is life, but to restore them when the time is right.
He reminds in the prayer they are to remain strong
He prays that they will embrace the gospel
He recommends Silvanus to them, the one that has brought them this message.
Finally, the blessing he pronounces upon them is peace.
Conclusion: Tell about National Geographic film of male lion killing for pleasure? The males kill for the joy of killing anything that is in their territory.
We have to active with our faith…not just have it or carry it around with us.
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