Sermons

Series: A living Hope in a dying world

Title: How to lead your family & your church well

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-14 NIV

Bottom Line: We lead our family and church family like Jesus told us to: teaching them to obey all he’s commanded us.

1. SERMON OUTLINE

2. NOTES

3. OUTLINES

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

5. MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

My dream last night was like no dream I’ve ever had.

It was clear, not overly weird, and it repeated. And it had a clear point.

And I actually remember it.

I was at my old church after being gone awhile. We were coming out of the Sunday worship service and old friends were greeting me after being gone a long time. Some invited me to share a word with their Sunday school class. I was thrilled to do that. But I had to come up with something to say.

But then I found myself wandering around the campus trying to find that Sunday school class. I spent 55 of the 60 minutes looking for this class. When I finally found it I realized it was right where I started when they asked me to come in and share. I’d been right where I was supposed to be in the first place.

I also knew what I was to share in the brief time I had with them. It would be Matthew 28:19-20, especially this part… “Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you”

And then as I was driving in this morning praying about what to do with this dream, I felt led to share this and then I felt like God shared another thought. That just like I wandered all over that church campus looking for the class room, Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Why? Because they didn’t believe God’s words about taking the promise land and so they disobeyed the commands of God.

This led me to wonder if we aren’t doing the same thing today.

Are we leading (shepherding) our families and church family to obey the commands of Christ?

This goes with the questions we’re wrestling with in 1 Peter 5 today.

What is an elder in the Bible?

Shepherd

Pastor

Bishop

Overseer

Elder

The New Testament uses this interchangeably.

Duties include: lead, feed and protect the flock.

I (Darien) am speaking as a current elder in our church.

I am speaking to our current elders.

I am speaking to our future elders.

I am speaking to our church members who are responsible for choosing our elders and holding them accountable to lead according to God’s word.

I am speaking to every person who is or wishes to be a leader in the church—we’re all called to lead like our chief shepherd Jesus Christ.

I am also speaking as a husband to Anita and father to our four daughters (who are grown and out of the house now)

I am speaking to parents and future parents.

I am speaking to kids.

I am speaking to every church member.

This is important because so much rises and falls on leadership. And God has defined leadership for the church is it’s broadest terms as shepherds.

OUTLINE (Based on E Clowney’s outline)

1. How do lead your family and church family well? 5:1-11

1. How do pastors/elders do this?

1. Remember who Peter is (1)

1. Apostle

2. Elder/pastor

3. Witness

1. To Christ’s sufferings

2. To Christ’s glory

2. Remember who I am (1)

1. Fellow apostle (little ‘a’) in that I am also sent by Christ

2. Fellow elder/pastor/undershepherd to Christ

3. Fellow witness to all Christ has done in and through me including how we suffering together

3. Shepherd/pastor/oversee Christ’s flock under your care (2-4). How? By leading, feeding and protecting them like this:

1. “Watching over them” (overseer) like a general inspecting his troops or better a shepherd caring for his flock; not just looking for flaws but knowing the history, personality, & unique challenges of each individual sheep (2)

1. Not because you must—duty (2)

2. But because you are willing, as God wants you to be—delight (2)

3. Not pursuing dishonest gain (money, position, reputation) (2)

4. eager to serve (not lording it over those “entrusted” to you; remember how we defined that word last week (like the person you entrust your life savings to while gone on vacation when there are no banks like in the first century) (3)

2. By being examples (of Christ) to the flock (3)

3. In a manner worthy of the reward that awaits (4)

2. How does everyone else do this? (5-11)

1. In mutual service to one another (5)

1. Why?

2. Because God opposes the proud but gives favor to the humble. (Cf. Prov 3:34; James 4:6)

2. In humble service to God and each other (5c-7)

1. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand.” God is able!

2. “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” God cares!

3. In triumphant suffering (8-11)

1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9)

1. “Be alert and of sober mind.” Pay attention to the world around you.

2. The Devil is roaring looking to devour.

1. Christians in that day would know about lions in the colosseum in Rome. Lions devouring enemies of Rome for entertainment.

2. Words from elder/pastor Ignatius (AD 108-140) anticipating his death in the Roman Colosseum: “Let me be given to the wild beasts, for through them I can attain unto God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread...Come fire and cross and grapplings with wild beasts, wrenching of bones, hacking of limbs, crushings of my whole body, come cruel tortures of the devil to assail me. Only be it mine to attain unto Jesus Christ.” Clowney, p. 172-3

2. The assurance of God’s saving purpose (10-11)

1. There is God’s glory and life awaiting us at the end of the narrow way

2. There is suffering for us between here and there along the narrow way that leads to life

2. Final Greeting (12-14)

1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12) Messenger and amanuensis (took dictation)

2. Peter’s purpose in writing (12)

1. To encourage them

2. To remind them of the true grace of God

3. Greetings from whom? (13)

1. The local church (network of house churches)

2. In Rome (Babylon is symbolic)

4. Peace to whom? (14) Those “in Christ”

Conclusion

Bottom Line: We lead our family and church family like Jesus told us to: teaching them to obey all he’s commanded us.

Are we shepherding our families to obey the commands of Christ?

Are we shepherding our church family to obey the commands of Christ?

Other stories/examples

Daniel is a great example of a disciple of Jesus Christ as described by Peter in 1 Peter. He is a literal exile living in a kingdom hostile to his beliefs. He stays faithful over and over even when it costs him.

He is thrown into the lion’s den when he defies the King’s edict and prays to God instead of to the king per the new law. He is maliciously setup to bring his downfall. This seemingly happens when he is thrown into the lion’s den until the next morning when we learn that God shut the lion’s mouths and he was fine.

We will be persecuted for following Jesus Christ.

We will be slandered and misunderstood too.

We will become targets of hate for our beliefs.

God is faithful. He will not abandon us.

He calls us to bless them.

He will bless us.

In successive weeks at [HTB](https://www.htb.org/), I (Nicky Gumbel) interviewed two people of courage and faith.

One, Ben Freeth, inspired by his faith in Jesus Christ, had taken a courageous stance against the unjust regime in Zimbabwe. As a result, he was beaten, tortured and forced to watch his elderly mother-in-law and father-in-law undergo torture, from which the latter eventually died. Yet in the midst of his suffering, he chose to love and bless the torturers.

The second was a pastor from one of the sixty countries around the world where physical persecution of Christians still takes place. He had been imprisoned and, at one stage, sentenced to death for no other reason than his faith in Jesus Christ. Yet in the face of extreme suffering he refused to deny his faith.

Pray

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How to lead their family and church well.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because this is God’s plan for parenting the family and the family of God.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. 1. Elders, lead the church like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

2. People, lead one another like Jesus Christ led his disciples.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. This leads to healthy, reproducing families of faith that impact our broken world for good.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. 1. At home, for those under our roof, we lead, feed and protect the flock through the teaching and applying God’s word to our lives and each other.

2. At church, for those in our local fellowship, we lead, feed and protect the flock by choosing qualified men to lead like Jesus Christ.

NOTES

“Suffering Christians who look to the Lord also gain comfort by remembering the family of believers (2:17). Samuel Bénétreau points out four advantages to be gained from knowing that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (9).

First, there is encouragement in knowing that you are not alone and isolated, suffering in a unique way.

Second, you are reminded that the bond that unites you to Jesus Christ also joins you to the family of God throughout the world. Suffering Christians have a caring fellowship with those similarly afflicted.

Third, Christians are reminded that suffering is inherent in the Christian faith. Through suffering they have fellowship with Christ and their faith is purified. Peter speaks of the suffering that must be 'accomplished' or 'brought to its end' by the 'family of believers'. Suffering has its place in God's plan for a world destined for justice, peace and glory.

Christians know that the 'family of believers' does not suffer in vain; their experience of suffering is being brought to the victorious conclusion that God has designed.

Fourth, knowing of these sufferings stimulates hope.

The spread of persecution and trials points to the nearness of the consummation: the promised land is in view.50” -Clowney, p. 176

“In southern France, overlooking the Mediterranean, stands the Tower of Constance. There, in the eighteenth century, Huguenot women were imprisoned for decades because they refused to surrender their Reformed faith. In the tower room where they were held captive, a stone coping surrounds a round opening in the floor. Inscribed in the stone is the word

'Résistez! Marie Durand entered that room in 1729, when she was fifteen years old. Three years later her brother Pierre was hanged at Montpellier.

In 1745 she was offered her freedom if she would agree to renounce Protestant worship. She refused all such offers and remained captive for thirty-eight years, resisting the temptations to despair, to suicide, to betrayal. From her imprisonment she began a ministry of encouragement by correspondence. Some of her letters are kept today in the Museum of the Wilderness in the mountains of the Cévennes.” Clowney, p. 175

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV): 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.

1. Complete/restore

2. Establish - strengthen and protect

3. Strengthen

4. Place on firm foundation

-Clowney, p. 178

Elders in the New Testament are tasked with several key duties, including:

1. **Spiritual Oversight:** Providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the church community.

2. **Teaching and Doctrine:** Instructing and ensuring adherence to sound biblical doctrine.

3. **Shepherding the Flock:** Caring for the well-being of the congregation, like a shepherd caring for a flock.

4. **Modeling Character:** Demonstrating a godly and mature character for others to follow.

5. **Prayer:** Engaging in prayer for the church and its members.

6. **Protecting from False Teaching:** Guarding the congregation against false doctrines or teachings.

These duties are often outlined in passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 in the New Testament.

I. Living in the Suffering Church of God 5:1-11

1. The humble role/rule (leadership) of Christs’ elders (1-4)

1. Their fellowship with Christs’ sufferings and glory (1)

2. Their charge as shepherds of God’s flock (2-4)

1. The calling of the shepherd/elder/pastor

2. The manner of the shepherd/elder/pastor

3. The reward of shepherd/elder/pastor

2. The humble service of Christs’ people (5-11)

1. In mutual service (5)

2. In confident devotion: humble service to God (5c-7)

3. In triumphant suffering (5:8-11)

1. The Christian resistance movement (8-9)

2. The assurance of God’s saving purpose (10-11)

II: Final Greetings 5:12-14 (Clowney)

1. Silas: Messenger or editor? (12)

2. Peter’s purpose in writing (12)

OUTLINES

Shreiners outline

Elders—3 exhortations:

1. Shepherd and oversee God’s flock

2. Be eager in fulfilling their task and should not serve for financial gain

3. Live as examples of the flock instead of using their authority to domineer the church

Helms Outline

I. An exhortation to elders (1-5)

A. The elders role (1-2a)

1. To shepherd the flock of God

2. Elders must not lack character

3. Elders must not misunderstand their calling

4. Elders must emulate their Chief Shepherd

B. The elders readiness (2b-3)

1. Not under compulsion, but willingly

2. Not for shameful gain, but eagerly

3. Not domineering, but as examples

C. The elders reward (4)

D. Everyone else’s responsibility (5)

II. True Grace and eternal Glory (6-14)

Divine Logic of True Grace

A. Divine commands & encouragement (6-9)

1. Humble yourselves/God cares for you (6-7)

2. Be sober-minded and watchful and resist (8-9)

B. Divine Principle Repeated (10a) - True grace looks like this: present sufferings are intimately connected to eternal glory

C. Divine Actions Followed by Our Adoration (10b-11)

1. Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, Establish

2. Our adoration

D. Finishing in True Grace (12-14)

NIV Study Bible brief outline

After the opening (1:1-2), the letter has three main sections:

1: Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God's own people, and are called to a new way of life.

2: Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.

3: Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

P Schreiner Commentary

“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner

0. Elect exiles (1:1-2)

1. Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2)

1. New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12)

2. New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God’s people. (1:13-2:10)

2. Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4)

1. Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7)

2. Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)

3. Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5)

1. Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19)

2. Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)

4. In Babylon (5:12-24)

Relying on Willmington’s Outline Bible

1 Peter 5

-Chronological life application, study Bible notes

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

1. Retell the story in your own words.

2. Discovery the story

1. What does this story tell me about God?

2. What does this story tell me about people?

3. If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

3. Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

- What is God saying to you right now?

- What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Alternate Discussion Questions: Based on this passage:

1. Who is God?

2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

4. What do I get to do? (In light of who I am)

Final Questions (index cards optional)

- What is God saying to you right now?

- What are you going to do about it?

MAIN REFERENCES USED

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“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

AnswerThePublic.com

Wikipedia.com

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