1 Peter 4:12-5:14 WC McCarter
Introduction
Preview
the sermon by listing the six main points for everyone to mark down.
In
the book of First Peter we have discussed the Christian lifestyle—what it means
to live in this age as a Christian. We have clear revelation from God as to how
we are to live in this life. We do not have to go at this alone. A major part
of this discussion has been the subject of suffering. Now, suffering can take
many forms, but Peter has particularly been interested in the kind of suffering
that is caused precisely because we are “Christians.” In America, we have yet
to experience this kind of suffering in a widespread manner, but I think the
application is that we need to prepare for suffering. As a matter of fact, many
scholars believe that Peter’s audience had not yet suffered the “fiery trial”
which he talks about. If that is the case, then Peter was preparing the
Christians for the persecution to come. We should certainly take this to heart.
It is
better to talk about suffering before it happens rather than after it happens.
You ought to be prepared, on the watch, well-equipped. That is the goal of
pastoral preaching—so that when life hits, and it hits hard, no one falls away from
the Faith. There is also a secondary application of how Christians should deal
with suffering in general. There are various forms of suffering: death, poor
health, financial ruin, relationship struggles, etc. God not only wants us to
survive these things, but to do so well. God wants us to suffer well.
READ Scripture- This is the Word of God
#1
Suffering as a Christian is Not Strange (12-16)
Christians
are strangers in this world, but we do not find suffering to be strange. Why is
that? We don’t find suffering to be strange because the Lord taught us that the
world hates us. This is what you signed up for when you became a Christian—to take
up your cross and follow Him. Do not think that the fiery trials you go through
are anything strange. Instead, rejoice because you are partaking in Christ’s
sufferings. Through baptism, you have been united with Christ in His death and
resurrection, and during this age you may be united with Christ in His
sufferings. If you are united with Christ in His sufferings, you will surely be
united with Him in His glory. This is something that should bring about
overwhelming joy.
If
you suffer for the name of Christ, as a “Christian,” there is great blessing
from heaven. Jesus Himself stated this clearly in the Sermon on the Mount. Matt 5:10-12 records the Lord teaching, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and
persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” Peter promises that
the blessing in this kind of suffering is the Spirit of glory and of God
resting on the believer. So, here is another sign that you have been united
with Christ. You know if the Spirit of God is working in your life. You will
produce the fruit of the Spirit—Love and all the others. He will you’re your spirit
that you are a child of God. Although unbelievers blaspheme God in persecuting
Christians, believers bring God glory in suffering well. There is no shame in
suffering as a Christian—none. There is no shame when financially, you are not
as well off as you would like to be because you are doing God’s will. There is
no shame in abstaining from doing what your employer asks you to do that is
clearly against the word of God. He will see you through it. If you lose your
job, you will find another one.
The
kind of suffering that God does not look favorably upon is the kind
brought upon oneself as (1) a murderer, (2) a thief, (3) an evildoer, and (4) a
busybody. No one likes a busybody. No one likes the person who acts like they
are busy but are really doing nothing at all.
#2
Salvation from Judgment (17-19)
I had
my Aha! moment in studying this
paragraph. Suffering and persecution, which are not always the same thing, are
for the God-ordained purpose of purifying the church. Only those who are truly
born-again and persevere until the end will be saved from the righteous
judgment of God. When suffering comes on the church, what happens? There is a
divide between those who are truly Christians and those who are not. When
tragedy comes upon a family and they become stronger in the Faith, they have
passed the judgment of God. When tragedy hits another family and they forsake
the Faith, then we know that they have not persevered until the end. They will
not be saved.
To
suffer well, we must commit our souls to God who is a faithful Creator. Two of
Peter’s key terms show up once again in verse 19: “suffer” and “souls.” It is
not about your body, your resources, your finances, or your family, but it is
about your soul. A faithful Creator is one who is also a Sustainer. We are to
trust our souls to Him. Thus, suffering is a spiritual exercise more so than
physical, emotional, or anything else.
#3
Shepherding and Serving the Flock (1-4)
In
his final instructions, Peter speaks to the elders of the churches. Why do you
think he speaks to the elders? They have to shepherd you through suffering, the
hard times, and the judgment of God. He exhorts the eldership as (1) a fellow
elder, (2) a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and (3) a partaker of the
glory that will be revealed. Peter does not pull rank here, although he could
as an apostle, but speaks to the elders as a fellow elder. Peter may not have
seen every minute of Christ’s sufferings, including His time on the cross, but
Peter was certainly an eye-witness to much of the sufferings of Christ. Not
only was he an eye-witness, but he was one who testified until his death of
those sufferings that Christ endured. Third, Peter says that he is also a
partaker of the glory that will be revealed. Peter, all the elders, and all
believers will partake of the glory that will be revealed when Christ returns.
That coming glory should serve as a motivator to lead well, serve well, and to
continue living the Christian life. This age will one day come to an end.
Christ will usher in the new age, the kingdom of God in all its fullness, and
we will enter into our Father’s glory, see Christ face-to-face, and enjoy Him
forever. Notice, again, that it is through suffering that we attain glory.
What
does he exhort them to do? (1) Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
and (2) serve as overseers. They are to shepherd and serve (1) not by
compulsion—but willingly, (2) not for dishonest gain—but eagerly, (3) nor as
being lords over those entrusted to them—but being examples to the flock.
Notice
that elders are those who shepherd (pastor) the congregation, and
serve as overseers. These three terms
are used interchangeably as titles in a technical sense and simply function to
state who and what they are as leaders.
Ultimately,
shepherds in congregations today are under the authority of the Chief Shepherd.
Christian shepherds are not above what will take place in the end when Christ
appears. Leaders will have to give an account of their lives, their families,
and their churches. That is why the phrase “among you” is used twice and why
the people within the congregation are called “those entrusted to you.” If we
shepherd and serve well, we will receive the crown of glory that does not fade
away.
#4
Submitting to Elders, One Another, and God (5-7)
The
“likewise” may refer back to church shepherd submitting to the Chief Shepherd.
At any rate, the younger people are to submit to the elders. Let me first ask,
how can the apostle instruct younger people to submit to the elders if both age
groups are not a part of the local congregation? A healthy church has both
older members and younger members. A healthy church has an eldership which
folks can respect and follow. Second question, why are the “younger people”
highlighted specifically as those who need to submit to the elders? Younger
folks, which possibly refers to teenagers but more likely refers to younger
adults, are well-known as those who seek independence, buck trends, and
sometimes rebel. Yet, Christian young people are to submit to their elder.
In
fact, all Christians are to be submissive to one another. This is the way of
Christianity. Christ did not come to be served but to serve and give His life
as a ransom for many. Humility is to be our clothing. God favors the humble.
Not
only are young people to submit to the shepherds of the congregation, and all
Christians are to submit to one another, but we all also must humble ourselves
under the mighty hand of God. Although we are humbled for a time, we will be
exalted by God when He deems that the time is right. Humble yourself before
almighty God and cast all your cares upon Him. We have good reason to take our
cares to God because He cares for us.
#5
Spiritual Warfare (8-11)
Beginning
in verse eight, we have several exhortations especially regarding spiritual
warfare: (1) be sober, (2) be vigilant, and (3) resist the devil. Now, look at
the description of the devil in verse eight. He is our adversary, that’s where
he gets his name “the devil.” He is out to oppose us at all costs. He is
actively working against us at all times. He is our enemy. He walks around like
a roaring lion. He is intimidating and rightfully so. He seeks whom he may
devour. He wants nothing more than to destroy us, to consume us. He wants to
bring us to an end.
#6
Salutations (12-14)
“Verse
12 summarizes the letter as a whole. Peter wrote the letter to exhort believers
and to testify to God’s grace. The grace of God consists of what God has done
for believers in Christ. In 1 Peter the gracious work of God in Christ is
communicated. . . . The summons to stand in the grace God has given summarizes
the message of the entire letter. Suffering is at hand, but believers must
stand in the grace God has given and resist apostasy. . . . The final words are
a benediction of peace for all believers” (Schreiner, 247).
Conclusion and Christian
Application
So,
even in the midst of suffering, you can have peace. You can know that you are
suffering well because you are doing God’s will. And, if you want some specific
application for today, greet one another with a holy kiss before you leave this
place!