Bible Study - Resilient Faith (6) - Victorious Faith - 1 Peter 5:6-11 - August 17, 2014

Bible Study – Resilient Faith (6) – Victorious Faith – August 17, 2014

This is lesson six (6) and our final lesson in our series entitled “Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 5:6-11.

GOD will strengthen and restore me.

This has been an awesome study. When we examine the first few verses of 1 Peter 5:1-5, we see that the Apostle Peter was challenging church leaders to be prepared to help fellow Christians when bad times get worse. The Apostle Peter is bringing GOD’S message for them to a conclusion.

The church leaders were to submit to GOD and trust HIM to guide them through the troubling times which lay ahead. Church leaders are to never overlook the fact that Satan roams the earth seeking those he can devour. Persecution is one of the powerful weapons Satan uses in an effort to defeat Christians. Satan intends for persecution to be bad but GOD uses it to refine and produce a stronger Christian. In many social circles today, being a Christian is not the popular label to wear and may result in some Christians being shunned or experiencing difficulties.

Young people especially want to be included in their peer group. It can be very tough for them when they are excluded. But often exclusion can be a blessing but when they are excluded their parent or parents must pray and be available to their children during this troubling time.

It is time for all church leaders to walk the talk. Christians are not to walk the talk of legalism but to walk as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit in truth. Verse 5 puts our Christian walk into perspective.

Let’s read 1 Peter 1-5:

1 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the • Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you:

2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly;

3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

5 In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Peter’s use of the title “elder” refers to pastors and Spiritual guides of the church. Peter confirmed that he was an elder. Peter knew the struggles Christians face when they are not on a solid foundation especially with weak or no Spiritual leadership. Growing Christians need mature Spiritual leaders who are filled with the Holy Spirit. They need Spiritual leaders (shepherds) who have walked with JESUS and know HIM through an intimate relationship. They do not need Christian tyrants or holier than thou Christians (those who lord over them) but those who are Spiritually strong and mature but those who are humble and walk the talk.

A humble Christian is strong because he or she rests upon a solid foundation, the solid rock of JESUS and HIS righteousness which is confirmed and guided by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Peter challenged all to clothe themselves with humility. How do you clothe yourself? You make a decision. Do I live according to the way I wish to live or choose to bring my will into conformity with the will, purpose and plan of GOD for my life?

Those who humble themselves under the “mighty hand of GOD” will be rewarded the “Crown of Glory.” Unity is important in the community of faith. The Spiritual body, the true church, is made up of those with various Spiritual gifts according to the will and purpose of GOD. These Spiritual gifts are to be used to minister both within the Spiritual body and outside.

Verse 5 leads us into verse 6, “because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” There is no place for Spiritual arrogance. All Christians are sinners saved by grace. When a Christian begins to think he or she is beyond sinning, he or she needs to be on the watch for that roaring lion.

Let’s read 1 Peter 5:6-7:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Conclusion

Christians are to humble themselves “under the mighty hand of GOD.” Here our attitude can raise its head. What is our motive for humbling ourselves? Are we hoping that GOD will “exalt” us at the proper time? If so, we have an attitude problem.

To humble ourselves under the mighty hand of GOD is to trust HIM completely with our lives and a willingness to obediently serve HIM. We can humble ourselves to test GOD but that will lead to an interesting journey of refinement. But that is okay because GOD allows us to venture out because we learn from it.

Keep in mind that the crucible of life is part of the sanctification process which can result in Christians being more useable to GOD.

When we cast all of our care on HIM, we trust HIM to carry the issues and burdens of life. The word “casting” is a moment of decision in the life of a Christian. It is a once in a lifetime moment. It is that instant when a Christian makes the decision that it is no longer “I” but CHRIST Who lives within me and I will trust HIM completely. It is that moment of embracing trust in HIM. It is overwhelming. It is that moment some Christians experience when they receive their salvation. In fact, it can be equated to salvation because it is a moment of releasing all of your doubts, questions, concerns and trying to figure out Christianity to trust CHRIST completely. Often Christians try to hang onto the world with one hand and CHRIST with the other and they are pulled between the two. When Christians recognize their dilemma, it is time for them to make a decision: The world or CHRIST!

Casting is the release from a self controlled life to a CHRIST controlled life. It is casting “all” of our “care” upon HIM. The word “care” is often associated with apprehension or being pulled in a different direction. Care embodies the things we worry about or are anxious about. Why cast our cares from us to CHRIST? Because HE cares for us!

The word “cares” is a different word from “care.” “Cares” means that GOD is actively working to remove suffering and to restore Christians who are caught in these situations. HE is working whether we realize it or not. HIS work in behalf of Christians does not depend upon them knowing that HE is working but the facts are HE is.  

We need to keep in mind that GOD can allow certain situations to come into our lives for the purpose of making us more useable for HIM. But in all things GOD is sovereign and in control. HIS ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts. That means we have to trust HIM even in bad times because even in bad times our faithfulness brings glory to HIM. HE can use our faithfulness to open the Spiritual eyes of others to seek a personal relationship with CHRIST.

Do you think GOD really “cares” about you? Yes, HE does. HE allowed HIS only Son to give HIS life for all who place their faith in HIM to be redeemed from sin and death and to receive eternal life. Through the miracle of rebirth those who place their faith in CHRIST become GOD’S Sons or Daughters. WOW!!!

But with every “WOW!” there comes a caution as we read in our next scripture.

Let’s read 1 Peter 5:8-9:

8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

All Christians have an adversary the Devil or Satan. Satan/Devil is no myth. He is a fact. The Good News is that CHRIST defeated Satan when HE gave HIS life upon the cross. CHRIST is victorious and as Christians, we too are victorious. Christians must be vigilant as one walking through lion country and hungry lions are on the prowl for food. Peter was telling Christians then and Christians today that they must not become Spiritually arrogant or lax in their walk with CHRIST.

I understand that a roaring lion is a hungry lion and you do not want to become his meal for the day. Christians are to be alert and when the alarms bells go off heed them. I know, I have been there and not heeded.

Notice that Satan/Devil is looking for anyone. To a lion food is food and to Satan defeat is defeat. He will do anything to bring shame and try to discredit CHRIST. Why Christians? It is because they represent CHRIST to a lost world. What is the objective when we fight in a battle? It is to neutralize and destroy. Don’t let Satan neutralize you and destroy your witness. Even if you sin, confess it, repent and GOD restores.

What is our part when Satan/Devil attacks us?

Christians are to resist him by remaining firm in their faith. Quote scripture and know that as written in 1 John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them (the agents of antichrist), because the One (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan/Devil) who is in the world.

James 4:7:

7 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

The question often becomes do we really want to resist the Devil or do we want to use situations we encounter as an excuse or opportunity to do what we really want to do.

The Apostle Peter made it clear that Christians around the world are facing various issues and suffering in their lives. Often, we think we are the only ones suffering or being tested.

Let’s read 1 Peter 10-11:

10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. 11 The dominion belongs to Him forever. • Amen.

All Christians are called by GOD to HIS eternal glory. Once those who are called respond to the call of salvation, they enter into eternal glory.

GOD will:

-          personally restore, This is a beautiful statement. Notice that GOD is personally involved in the restoration. The Greek word used for “restore” means to “make complete or to put in order.” The word was used medically for setting a broken bone. The doctor has to inflict pain to align a broken bone so that it is straight, will heal properly and restore the person back to normal life activities. The pain of setting the broken bone is temporary but the results are rewarding and lasting. Once Christians go through an ordeal their temporary suffering achieves its intended purpose for them while they are upon earth and into eternity. GOD will bring order when HIS Kingdom is complete and put in order. The Apostle Peter knew what it felt like to be restored after denying CHRIST. Notice after JESUS restored Peter; Peter was qualified to teach others by feeding others the message of truth. (John 21:15-19)

-         establish Christians upon a firm foundation, The Greek word for “establish” means to be strong and unfaltering. In Luke 22: 31-32 JESUS told Peter, before Peter denied HIM, that the ordeal he was about to experience would work for a purpose - 31 “Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

-         strengthen through the process of sanctification. The Greek word used for “strengthen” means to strengthen one’s resolve. The process of sanctification refines and confirms our relationship with GOD through our intimate relationship with CHRIST.

-         and support Christians after they have suffered a little. The Greek word for “support” means to set upon a firm foundation that does not fail when tested. When Christians suffer it is not a sign that CHRIST has abandoned them. Suffering has the purpose of witnessing to others and bringing Christians closer to HIM because they are to cast their cares upon HIM. When they can release their cares to HIM it brings healing to them Spiritually.

GOD is sovereign and all belongs to HIM. The Roman Empire was powerful and reached a vast area but GOD’S Kingdom covers the universe and is forever. The Good News is, as a Christian, your citizenship is in heaven and you are GOD’S Child through your faith in CHRIST and the miracle of rebirth.

If you are not a Christian, now is the opportune moment. Ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. When you do, thank HIM. It is CHRIST in you that makes you a Christian. Ask HIM to guide you to the right place where you can be fed Spiritually and grow Spiritually. But most of all read your Bible, I suggest starting with the Gospel of John, pray, which is simply talking to GOD, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in all you do. Blessings!!!