1 Peter Chapter 5

In this transcription, Julie Calio discusses the main points of 1 Peter chapter 5. She mentions that believers have a living hope through Jesus, and that Peter instructs Christians on how to live differently from the world. Peter addresses church leadership, reminding them to shepherd the flock of God and be examples to others. He also emphasizes the importance of humility and submitting to authorities. Peter warns about Satan's attacks and encourages believers to resist him. The transcription concludes with a reminder of God's grace and the closing remarks of the letter. I am Julie Calio, your host, and thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to tune in with me today. If by chance you want to contact me, you can do that at vab.bc.pc at gmail.com. Today we are finishing up 1 Peter with chapter 5. Peter, the apostle of Jesus Christ, shared with us that believers have a living hope because Jesus shed his precious blood for us. We are born again. We are in the process of being saved, also known as sanctification, and we will be fully saved at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus died, was buried, was resurrected, and ascended to be at the right hand of the Father, having everything subjected to him, we have hope. Jesus suffered for us as an example of how we should be when we suffer. Peter also told us how to live as Christians so that the world would see a difference in us. Some of those characteristics are submission to authorities, honor all people, love believers, fear God, live harmoniously with other believers, be sympathetic and kind-hearted, and we are to be humble in spirit. We are not to do evil for evil or insult for insult, but we are to be a blessing because that is what we are called to do. Since the end of all things is near, we are to have sound judgment and sober spirits for the purpose of prayer. We are to be hospitable without complaining, and we are to use our speaking and serving gifts that God has given us to bring glory to God through Jesus. Chapter 4 ends with a reminder that we are not to be surprised when suffering and persecutions come our way because Christ also suffered and was persecuted. When it happens to us, we share in his sufferings, and when the revelation of his glory comes chapter 4 verse 13, we will not be ashamed, but we will be filled with joy as we meet him face to face. Now chapter 5 verses 1 through 4, Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God, and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness, nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Here Peter is addressing the church leadership of elders. He reminds them that he is also an elder, plus he was an actual eyewitness of Jesus' sufferings, and he knows he is a partaker of the glory that is to be revealed. One thing to think about is that Peter was one of the three disciples that witnessed Jesus on the mount of transfiguration with Moses and Elijah in Matthew chapter 17 verses 1 through 13, Mark chapter 9 verses 2 through 13, and Luke chapter 9 verses 28 through 36. Peter had a small taste of the glory of Jesus, so he is ready for it again. Another thing to keep in mind about Peter is when Jesus reinstated him from ministry after he had denied Jesus three times, Jesus told him three times, tend my lambs, shepherd my sheep, and tend my sheep. This is found in John chapter 21 verses 15 through 17. Peter has been a faithful shepherd of the Lord's sheep, and he reminds the religious leaders to do the same. They are not to do it because they have to, or because of the money, and they are not to lord it over the people, but they are to be examples to them, as Peter was. Psalm 23 declares that the Lord is my shepherd. In the gospel of John chapter 10 verse 11, Jesus declared that he is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. In Hebrews 13 verse 20, Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep, and here in first Peter, he reminds the other shepherds that there is a chief shepherd. He's the shepherd over every other shepherd, and if they are faithful, they will receive a Stephanon or Stephanos, a victor's crown, not a diadem like a kingly crown, but one who has run the race and won. That crown's glory will never fade away. Church leadership will give an account to God for how they led. Verse 5 reminds the younger men to be subject or submit to their leaders, which reminds us that all believers are to submit to human authorities. Then Peter said, and all of you, clothe yourself with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. This comes from Proverbs chapter 3 verse 34. Edwin A. Blum said, clothe yourself is a rare word that refers to a slave putting on an apron before serving. So Christians are to imitate the Lord who girded himself and served. This is found in John chapter 13 verses 4 through 17. One time there was a statewide minister's wives retreat at our church. I was asked to lead the music. The organizers were so kind that they allowed me to stay in the hotel with the other ladies so I could also be pampered just a bit. In the morning the hotel breakfast bar was so busy and there seemed to be only one lady who was doing everything. While in line to get food I noticed the garbage was overflowing and there were bags to replace them, but the woman was too busy to change them so I emptied the garbage and put it in a new bag. What was so amazing to me was as the line kept going past me one of the ladies from our retreat said to me, are you the lady that was leading the music yesterday? I answered yes and then she said, and you're willing to help with the garbage? Truthfully I can't remember what I answered but it was probably something like, well it needed to be done. The thing that struck me is that I too knew of many ministers and wives that it would be beneath them to take out the garbage and I thought how far away the religious community has come from the Jesus of the Bible that we are too big for our britches to be a servant. Then I marvel at Jesus. He came as a servant. He humbled himself from his glory to become human to then serve, suffer and die because he loved us and he loves us still. He wanted to come to our level in order to bring us up to his level. We are to be like Christ ladies and put on our aprons and serve those around us so that they too can join us with Jesus. Romans 6 and 7 say humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him because he cares about you. Edwin A. Blum said in the Old Testament God's hand symbolizes discipline and deliverance. He also said the due time is the time God sets for Christ's appearing thus the whole destiny of Christians whether suffering or glory is God ordained. We are to purposefully throw to God all our cares because God cares about us. Blum also said this conception of God's concern for human affliction is one of the peculiar treasures of the Judeo-Christian faith. Though Greek philosophy at its highest could formulate a doctrine of God's perfect goodness it could not even imagine his active concern for mankind. Not only does he actively have concern for us he truly truly loves us. One thing Jen Wilkins said in her Bible study on 1 Peter our anxieties show us where we are being self-reliant. Johnny Erickson Tata who suffered in a diving accident and became a quadriplegic has an amazing ministry to people with disabilities. She commented about this verse and said put your care into his heart and he will put his peace into yours. And then she said I will let God do the worrying for me because God stays up all night anyway. Then Peter says in verses 8 and 9 be sober be on the alert your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for anyone he can devour resist him firm in the face knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your brothers in the world. We are called to pay attention and keep watch because we have an adversary. Peter David said the term the devil is Greek for accuser and it is the equivalent for the Hebrew word Satan. My New American Standard Bible said lions attack sick young or straggling animals. They choose victims who are alone and not alert. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. Feeling alone weak helpless and cut off from other believers so focused on our troubles that we forget to watch for danger we are especially vulnerable to Satan's attacks. During times of suffering seek other Christians for support keep your eyes on Christ and resist the devil then says James he will flee from you end of quote. Peter said we are not alone in our suffering there are Christians all over the world who are suffering. We are part of something bigger that we can't see and we are not alone. Verses 10 and 11 read now the God of all grace who calls you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus will personally restore establish strengthen and support you after you have suffered a little to him be the dominion forever amen. Grace is unmerited favor and God pours it out on his children who will spend eternity with him all thanks to what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. We will experience God's glory someday but for now while on this earth he is with us and he is making us complete. He will guide us in the right direction. He will give us the strength we need. He will make us steadfast after we have suffered a bit. God is the ruler over all things and he has dominion over all things forever so be it. Verses 12 through 14 are the closing remarks. Verse 12 through Silvanus the Greek version of Silas whom I consider a faithful brother I have written briefly encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it. It is thought then that Silas was the one that brought the letter to the church in modern day Turkey. Unger's Bible handbook says Peter wrote with ringing authority because he himself was a brilliant trophy of God's grace. Verse 13 she who is in Babylon also chosen sends you greetings as does Mark my son. As I shared in the introduction with chapter 1 traditionally the she is thought to be the church not Peter's wife. As for Babylon there was a Babylon in Mesopotamia a town in Egypt or the Babylon on the Euphrates River but traditionally it is believed to be a code name for Rome. Mark could be Peter's physical son which we know nothing about but traditionally he is John Mark his brother in the faith who was Barnabas's cousin and who traveled and did missionary journeys as well as wrote the gospel of Mark. It is thought that Peter was John Mark's source with the writing of his gospel. Verse 14 greet one another with a kiss of love peace to all of you who are in Christ. Peter David's said the standard Greco-Roman family greeting was a kiss on each cheek. While it was sometimes exchanged between rulers and clients it was normally only used within a family. Thus Christian brothers and sisters were indicating by its use that they considered one another not just members of a club but family and this was a kiss of love ladies. One thing that struck me this time in reading 1st Peter is how many times he says we are to love our brothers and sisters in the faith. Chapter 2 verse 17 love the brotherhood. Chapter 3 verse 8 we are to brotherly love. Chapter 4 verse 8 above all keep fervent in your love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins and here in chapter 5 verse 14 greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace is a typical greeting for the Jews Shalom. When Jesus reinstated Peter by asking him three times do you love me Peter? Then Jesus said truly truly I say to you when you were younger you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you and bring you where you do not wish to go. Then John writes now this he said signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God and when he had spoken this he said to him follow me. This is found in John chapter 21 verses 18 and 19. There is a tradition about Peter's death called the Quo Vadis which is a Latin phrase meaning where are you marching? The story goes that Peter's friends had swayed him to leave Rome to spare his life but as he was on the Appian way he saw a vision of the Lord. When Peter asked him where he was going the Lord replied I am going to Rome to be crucified again. Peter being ashamed went back to Rome and was crucified upside down for his faith. He did not feel worthy of being crucified in the same way that Jesus was. Peter taught us of this precious salvation, encouraged us to be faithful in the midst of persecution and challenged us to live in such a way as to bring glory to God and to have the world ask us what is the reason for your hope? He reminded us of the amazing example of Jesus and how we should use our gifts of speech and service to love one another for love covers a multitude of sins. He reminded us that we are not alone but we are a part of the family of God from all over the world and together we are to serve the Lord faithfully until the revelation of Jesus Christ in all of his glory. So ladies let me ask what anxieties weigh on your heart which reveal your self-reliance instead of trusting the Lord? How is your hope? Do you realize that you are not alone? Do you know that God is for you and not against you? Do you know that you are loved with an everlasting love? Do you know that he cares for you? If you have heard his voice today please don't harden your heart, instead let's be women who pray attentively and obey faithfully until Christ comes again in all of his glory. Until next time and thank you so much for listening.