1 Peter 5:1-13
All through this series in 1 Peter, people at different times have told me that when they leave church actually to face the trials they are going through, it feels like a battle – like a war. I do empathize with that. It surely felt like a war for Peter's first readers. It was a war in which they were being pressured to give up their faith in Jesus and to return to the way of life that their former friends continued in. They were mocked, cut off from family and jobs, and soon they would have to make a choice – to renounce Jesus or be put to death. I'm sure they went to church and sang songs of hope and praise because that's what Jesus-followers have always done. I'm sure they would read and re-read letters like this one Peter had written them. They would share communion and remember that Jesus had suffered for them and then overcome suffering and death through his resurrection. But then they would have to go right back out into the world – just like you and I do. It must have felt like a war.
And that thought of going into a battle will help us understand how these last words of 1 Peter, found in 5:1-11, fit together. On first reading, they may seem like a string of random and unrelated thoughts and instructions. But, now that we have read the whole letter, we might see it as a caring pastor's last sermon to prepare a church he cared about for the struggle that they were in. He did not want to have them go out into the tough times in which they had become "aliens and strangers" among their own biological people without some practical and clear admonitions.
And we need to hear them too – so what did he say? Let's listen as carefully as the first readers surely did.
Instruction #1: Spiritual Leaders, Be Caring and Faithful Servants (5:1-4).
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them...
In any battle, you have to have good, honest, energized and caring leaders. But, it must have been hard to be a leader in a church that was looked down on so much by virtually everyone in society. And, in the years that would soon come for these churches in Turkey, it would be the leaders who would be the first to be martyred. But, the leaders who had been appointed had the responsibility to care for, to watch over those who were finding it hard to follow Jesus. It was "God's flock" so they were accountable to him to care for them. And that responsibility has never changed. Peter gives three admonitions to spiritual leaders. Much of it applies to any leadership role God gives to us. But, those of us who are pastors and elected leaders should listen especially attentively right now.
1. A warning against an "oh, I'll do it if I have to" attitude (Ingratitude) -- Not because you must, but because you are willing, according to God's will...
The Bible always portrays leadership of the church as a high privilege. The local church has been, is and always will be the central vehicle God uses to do his work. To go into leadership of God's church with a ho-hum or "I really don't want to do this" spirit will insure that the people called "God's flock" are people you think are not worth your time. And, it will be clear to them that you don't care.
In tough times, those of us who are to lead God's people must oversee and care for the people of the church in a way that cares about them, protects and provides as possible, and – clearly – in a way that is evident to all that this calling is a calling of enormous importance for the people are God's people.
2. A warning against a "what do I get out of it" attitude (Greed) -- not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve...
This would apply especially to us who make our living in the ministry. In the earliest days of the church, a few spiritual leaders were compensated for the work they did as shepherds – especially those who taught the Scriptures. But, just as quickly, a few abused the privilege of being set apart to serve the church people. Paul told Timothy in 1 Tim. 6:5, "Watch out for the temptation to make godliness a means of gain."
Of course, our Ministry Council isn't paid financially. I often tell them at meetings, that there will be a vote to double or even triple their salaries. (LOL) I am grateful for the leaders who serve at LAC. But, there is still a warning even to the unpaid leaders because there may be other perceived gains such as respect or personal honor that could motivate a church leader. I love the charge Peter gives, "Be eager to serve." That is, love your calling because you love the people of the church. Find joy in your work.
3. A warning against a "follow me or else" attitude (Power-mongering) -- not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
And, of course, some simply want to wield power. It is so tempting to go into church leadership thinking like the world thinks, "I've got to be the advocate for people who agree with me." This is such a different attitude than, "How might I seek the Lord's face and serve his people to become more like Jesus and to be made ready for this tough world."
A Good Promise for a spiritual leader in a church
So, who would ever want to be a leader with this kind of task ahead? V. 4 says that someday the "Chief Shepherd" is going to appear and there will be a reckoning with the under-shepherds, the elders. That is a sobering thing to those of us in leadership. But, God promises that faithful service will bring great joy and blessing not only to those served but also to the servant-leader. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. And, yes, that "crown of glory" is referring to exactly what it sounds like, i.e., the well-known victor's crown at the Olympic Games. There is eternal blessing when we serve God's people. So, I ask all at LAC who are in leadership to make a commitment to being these kinds of leaders.
But I must ask the rest to do something too.
Instruction #2: Church People, Respond Willingly to Your Church Leaders (5:5).
In the same way, you who are not elders, submit yourselves to your elders.
The word sometimes translated "young men" is really a word to distinguish this group from those called elders. Neither term is talking so much about age as about God's calling to a task. And, what he calls the church to be is something I think a congregational church like ours needs to hear more than most church folks do. The Bible is calling the whole church to have a heart that longs to support and follow its leadership. I believe it calls you to long for the leaders to lead well – to pray that the leaders will walk closely with God and make wise decisions. It obviously would never allow for us to tear down or dishonor those God has placed into the role of leadership.
If leaders lead this way and the church follows this way, what kind of church will we have? I think it will be a beautiful place to be. In other words, the church is never a place in which we are to do battle. It is a place to be made ready for the battle that will always be a part of living in an imperfect world. And, in a place with humble, caring servant leaders and responsive members, we can be strengthened for the battles that will be faced in the world. That's what Peter is teaching here.
Instruction #3: Be Prepared for Your Enemy (5:6-9).
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour...
In this section, we come to a part of the Bible's message about "tough times" that we haven't dealt with in this study thus far. What is the Bible saying?
*First, there is a devil. Let's jump right into the struggle here with this lion that is roaring in verse 8.
The Bible consistently teaches that there is a reality beyond empirical reality and as a part of that teaching there is a supernatural person with tremendous evil and power operating in the world. I want to go at this head-on. I imagine I could be ridiculed by some for what I believe and, perhaps, criticized by others for not seeing the devil in every trial and failure. The notion of a devil has been ridiculed in our world for being primitive – with him pictured with a red outfit, long tail, and horns. But there are others who really seem to think like Flip Wilson used to say, "The devil made me do it!" Some seem to blame the devil for every problem in the world and in our lives. I'm convinced both views are misguided.
C.S. Lewis in his Screwtape Letters suggested there are two mistakes people make in thinking about a devil – there is, he said, super-stition and sub-stition. There is over-belief and underbelief. In superstition, people think there is a demon behind every problem. Sometimes, an unhealthy fear develops as if the devil were a power on the level with God – omniscient and omnipresent and all-knowing as only God is. But the Bible does not teach that. The devil is also a part of God's creation. Jesus always cast out demonic powers through a word. Superstitious people diminish the majesty of God by giving the devil more credit than the Bible does. He is a powerful enemy – but he is nonetheless under God's dominion and he is one of the three great enemies that war against us – there is also the world and our own flesh.
But those who are substitious mock at the idea of a devil as if he were a fairy tale creature. Many have pointed out that, in the Western world, ever since the Enlightenment people have tended to live conscious only of physical realities – of what science can get at with its methods. (Though, I must say, many scientists are the first to admit that there must be realities beyond this physical world. I had breakfast Thursday morning with a not-yet-but-close-to-be follower of Jesus who is a physicist at Oxford University. When he heard I was a pastor, he wanted to talk about ultimate realities. He wanted me to know that although scientists are often thought to believe only in material realities, this simply is not true. He said, "Almost all of us here at Oxford in the physical sciences are quite sure there are realities that go beyond what we can get at with our disciplines. He even said, "I don't know but I could imagine there may be more Christians in the physical sciences that in humanities and social sciences.")
But, back to substitious people. Most Westerners don't live with much of an awareness of non-material realities. And what this limited world view does is that it leaves them unprepared for the problems they encounter in the world. They think all the trials of this world can be solved by reason, by more money, by therapy, by more police officers, by better education... But the Bible insists that there is more to the wrongs in our world than just the world's systems and our own fleshly weakness. I do believe that psychologists and sociologists and good law enforcement officers and better education and so many other servants can help with many problems in the world simply be using the knowledge and authority God has created and given to all of us – but not all the problems of our lives can find solution through scientific means. Why: because the material world is not all there is.
Paul said, "We battle not only against flesh and blood..." Peter says that the devil is an adversary that walks around roaring seeking to devour professing Christians. Now why is this lion roaring? If a lion wants to eat someone, you'd think it would sneak up instead of roaring. The point Peter is making here is that a lion is dangerous not mainly because it sneaks, but because it's so strong. Even if you know it's there through its roaring, you're a goner unless you have some power on your side greater than your own. The devil is more powerful than many of us are ready to admit. And he wants to devour Christians. I'm quite sure Peter is talking about the pressure the Christians in Turkey were feeling to give up on their faith – even to renounce Jesus.
Most of us here in Southern CA haven't even experienced the kind of pressure they felt. Their trials soon would lead to people, like their church member named Antipas in Pergamum, to martyrdom. And still, we in CA in the 21st C often drift away from the church – drift away from God – when the trials come. Peter says, "Be alert. Resist these attacks that the devil is involved in." But how? Magic incantations? Silver crosses?
Second, the basic way the Bible tells us to resist the devil is to deal with our sin. We are to slow down; to be self-controlled and alert. Be aware of the battle – don't be naïve. Know your enemy and – if we look back at what leads into this text, we see that he is telling us to be alert because we know our vulnerable spots. Look at vv. 5-7: All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another... Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you... Be self-controlled and alert.
An article in Field and Stream magazine was written to hunters telling them how to be effective in killing different animals. (I hope this illustration won't make you squeamish but it might help you to see the seriousness of knowing the vulnerable spots in our lives.) It tells hunters that they must learn to set their rifles at the right angle to get at the "kill zone" for different animals. For a deer, this was not in the heart but above the heart and through the ribs. Pictures were shown illustrating the angles of the deer's vulnerable places. For a bear, a different angle was called for because of the strength of the hides and bones. The angle shown was through the lungs. The goal of this article was to make the hunter efficient in the kill.
And we can be sure that the devil knows our vulnerable spots. And if we don't want to acknowledge them, Peter tells us two of them: pride and anxiety. That's what vv. 6-7 are about. Pride and anxiety are not the only angles through which the devil gets at us. Ephesians 4 talks about unresolved anger giving the devil a foothold. But, the main vulnerable area of believers and for churches is in pride and anxiety. These two seem very different from one another, don't they? But they really are not. They both are rooted in a refusal to trust God's grace and sufficiency. Did you see v. 5? Quoting Proverbs 3:34, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Pride is put in opposition to grace. Pride is the kind of self-centeredness that thinks it isn't all that bad – not really needing God's grace. Anxiety is the kind of self-centeredness that thinks God's grace isn't sufficient for my problems. Both make us go into the battle on our own and when we do, we are vulnerable. God's remedy for humility is not to think more of yourself or less of yourself. It is to think of yourself less. It is to trust the goodness and grace of God.
So, be alert. We have a real enemy. And our main vulnerability points are our pride and anxiety. We are called – as we so often are – to an intentional act of faith. We are to cast all we are, including all our pride and anxiety, on the Lord knowing that he can be trusted to do what is best for us. He cares for us. "Cast" -- it's a fishing term. We put the problem on the table. We describe the tough time as it really is. We then acknowledge our pride and anxiety. Call pride and anxiety what it is – a failure to rely on God's grace. Then, cast it away! Give it to God.
Humility is not a popular human trait in the modern world. It's not touted in the talk shows or celebrated in valedictorian speeches or commended in diversity seminars or listed with core values. And if you go to the massive self-help section of B. Dalton's or Barnes and Noble you won't find books on humility.
The basic reason for this is not hard to find: humility can only survive in the presence of God. When God goes, humility goes. In fact you might say that humility follows God like a shadow. We can expect to find humility applauded in our society as often as we find God applauded—which means almost never.
-John Piper
And, on the flip side, anxiety about this world will not exist in the presence of God either. Putting this all together, the devil will gain a foothold:
1) Into our church with self-centered or faithless leaders. That is our vulnerability point as a church.
2) Into our church through disgruntled, complaining, proud, and anxious church attendees. We are vulnerable in precisely those places.
3) Into our individual lives through our pride and anxiety.
So, Peter says, be alert. Resist evil by giving those sins of self-centeredness to God. And, just as Peter indicates in v. 9, this is a part of following Jesus in an imperfect and sin-filled world: Do this, he says, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
What anxieties do you need to give the Lord? What tough times are you going through that you need to cast over to him? What places do feel that you are being devoured – because deep down, you don't think God is great enough to be trusted with them? Cast them onto God who truly cares for you. That's how you resist the devil.
A Final and Blessed Promise
So, after many months, we come to the end of the book of 1 Peter. But, before we end, we must turn our face to God and his promise to all who will trust him and be faithful to him in tough times. Do you remember my sermon about the church in Pergamum from Rev. 2? Those were among the believers to whom this letter of 1 Peter was sent. They lived in a city about which Jesus said, "the devil himself has his throne" there. But they were faithful to the name of Jesus there. And Jesus gave them a promise: I will give you hidden manna and a white stone. Hidden manna: That unexpected and unforeseen provision of God. The manna wasn't there when they went to bed and, then God provided – seemingly, out of nowhere. I've experienced it so often: God providing just when everything seems hopeless. Jesus said, "I know where you live – and manna is on the way." Trust me. Cast your anxiety on me.
A white stone: This was the gift from the emperor that guaranteed admittance to any great event in the empire – and to the best seat. Tough times do not come because God doesn't want us to have joy. They come to refine us into people who will reflect the image of God – into people who live the life of shalom for which God made us.
How does Peter put this? Peter ends his letter with the same joy and hope and triumph that he had in the resurrected Christ in the letters opening verses. There is a battle, he admits. But, the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord. Look at his final words and let the voice of the Lord speak to you:
The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:10-11
