Introduction:
- Where do you turn in times of trouble? When the chips are down, and you are isolated and up against it how do you respond?
The Christians to whom Peter is writing find themselves very much in this situation. They are scattered and liable to face persecution as well as hardship for their faith. Peter has done many things in this letter to equip them to stand firm against these challenges. Why not spend some time reminding each other of some of these teachings now?
Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-4
- In this context, why might Peter begin this concluding section by addressing church leaders?
- What are church leaders to do?
- Be shepherds over their flock (v2)
- Watching over them (v2)
- What does this look like? What does this not look like?
- Not pursuing dishonest gain (v3)
- Not lording it over those entrusted to them (v3)
- Why are they to be good shepherds? Who are they accountable to in this?
- Because they are willing as God wants them to be (v3)
- Eager to serve (v3)
- The Chief Shepherd (v4)
- Where do we see examples of good shepherds in the Bible? Who is the Chief Shepherd? Look at Psalm 23 and consider its application here if you have time…
Peter begins rounding up his letter with a call to church leaders because, in these embattled times, they have been given a particular responsibility to care for God’s people. Apostles like Peter won’t always be around, nor are they able to be there on the ground in all these places – average Christians need churches and church leaders to look after them and care for them just like Jesus, and later His disciples did.
They need to be taught and nurtured in the life-giving ways of God’s word. They need to be protected and cared for against the dark forces that wish them harm. They need to be provided for and well-nourished to sustain them against the trials of this age.
Passage: 1 Peter 5:5-11
- Peter isn’t only interested in church leaders; how does he tell all Christians to behave in their attitudes to church?
- Submit to church leadership (v5)
- Humility towards one another and before God (v6)
- Cast all their anxiety on God (v7)
- In our culture, submission and respecting our elders can be frowned upon. How would this passage disagree with this position?
- God opposes the proud (v5)
- God will reward the humble – this isn’t inferiority (v6)
- Peter draws particular attention towards humility here. Why do you think he does this? What is so destructive about pride? Why might this be important given the context facing Peter’s authors?
- Pride can cause division and disunity.
- Pride can blind us to the instruction and care of our leaders.
- Pride can blind us to our own weaknesses and the dangers around us.
In many ways, Peter’s plea here is for the people of God to be united under their church leaders, in mutual love and service of one another, with great humility, so that they might stand firm.
- Why? What challenges do they face?
- The devil prowls round like a lion looking for someone to devour (v8)
- The family of believers are suffering similarly (v9)
These believers live in challenging times. Christians globally are suffering persecution and amidst it all the devil is on the prowl. And just like a lion prays on the weak members or those isolated from the group, he will do the same to isolated Christians.
But Peter wishes for them to stand firm, he urges them to be alert, to stay focussed and sharp – and key throughout it all is that we do this together as Christians. We are much more vulnerable if we go it alone.
Application:
- Does this change the way that you view church?
- What are the dangers with trying to go it alone?
Obviously, politics can be a difficult environment to be really plugged into a local church. It involves lots of travelling and time away from home and it can be awfully long hours. Take some time now to think about the challenges you might face and consider how you might prioritise church and Christian fellowship to counter these dangers.
- What is the good news from verses 10-11?
- Peter calls us to stand firm, here God comes to make us strong and firm and steadfast, the power lies with Him!
- It won’t always be a challenge – we will one day be safe and sound in glory with Christ the Chief Shepherd Himself!
Passage: 1 Peter 5:12-14
- How do we see the global church united and standing firm in these verses?
- It is clear Peter is working in partnership with others – Silas, Mark, and ‘She who is in Babylon’.
- ‘She who is in Babylon’ refers to the church in Rome – Babylon is the epitome of the empire that works against God and opposes His people, in every era, there is one. It was Rome in Peter’s day, what might ours be today?
- It is clear Peter is working in partnership with others – Silas, Mark, and ‘She who is in Babylon’.
Application:
Spend some time thinking about who you could partner with in your political activity to remain accountable and to stand firm. It might be members from your Politics Network Hub, it might be people from church. Whoever it is, make sure you have people who will ‘encourage you, and testify to you of the true grace of God, urging you to stand firm’...
Pray:
- Thank God for your church leaders and pray that God would equip them for their vital task. Pray that we would be good church members who are humble and alert.
- Pray that God would help us to be alert and sober-minded – ask that He would make us aware of areas in which pride might blind us to the dangers out there.
- Pray for good Christian community at church and in politics with whom we can stand firm.
- Pray for God’s judgement to come on Bablyon, and His protection for those who dwell within.
