This week is the last week in which Venture is learning from 1 Peter in our sermon series. The context of 1 Peter has been to churches living in community with one another as they are being cancelled by the outside world.
Remarkably, most of what Peter has to say to the believers under pressure has very little to do with the ways that they can take collective action to see their rights respected by unbelievers outside the church, and more to do with their personal beliefs and conduct so that they can know that they are accurately presenting the love of Christ to the world and to each other.
Peter’s final words in the letter rehash some of the most important standards of living from what he has already said. Faith and action are the things that will define our lives and our identities. Read the passage together to listen what the important beliefs and ways of living are for the church.
1 Peter 5:5-14
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
4 Final Challenges
Austin’s sermon gives us the following challenges from 1 Peter 5:5-14
- Are you living sincerely submitted to one another (1 Peter 5:5)?
- Are you living totally surrendered to God (5:6-7)?
- Are you living fully engaged with the battle to experience His life (5:8-11)?
- Are you living with stubborn refusal to compromise the Gospel? (5:12-14)?
Whether you are reading this passage with your family, with you small group, or with a group of Christian friends in some other setting, it is important to remember how vitally important we are to each other in helping one another to live in such a way that we are pleasing God. Let your discussion of this passage reflect that.
Discussion Questions
- How to you define humility?
- Why is humility difficult to define, but easy to recognize?
- Explain why humility is a cardinal virtue for people who would want to be leaders?
- What is the connection between anxiety and unhealthy personal pride?
- How does humility before God bring a sense of peace?
- What does it mean to be “sober-minded?”
- How does Satan behave as a prowling lion?
- What are the common means in which the enemy lulls us into complacency?
- How has the community of faith shaken you out of complacency?
- What does it mean to stand firm in the faith?
- Is this a matter of belief, practice, or both?
- How are you tempted to compromise the Gospel in your life?
- What has recently reminded you to stand firm in the Gospel?