Introduction
- Final exhortations to Jewish Christians exiled to Asia Minor. They were suffering persecution, mostly verbal chastisement, but Peter has been preparing them for an increasingly violent persecution.
- He’s encouraged them to maintain a heavenly perspective so that they might persevere knowing the glory that awaits.
- After addressing the elders, he broadens his scope to include everyone.
Read 1 Peter 5:5-7
- We often clothe ourselves in arrogance, assuming we know better than everyone else. We may not openly disagree, but we simply disregard their opinions.
- Sometimes our decision is right/wrong, but it’s always prideful. Disregarding the opinion of others, as insignificant or unworthy of our consideration, will eventually spill out in unbelief. Pride > Unbelief.
- When we humble ourselves before God we trust him to do what our pride cannot do.
- God Gives Grace to the Humble (5)
- God Exalts the Humble (6)
- God Cares for the Humble (7)
God Gives Grace to the Humble (5)
- The “younger” show humility by submitting to elders. The contrast is not age, but authority (1-4).
- Younger people may be rebellious, but humility is needed by “all of you”.
- All of us are to be clothed in humility toward one another.
- Submitting to authority requires humility, especially when you don’t like their instruction. But God opposes anyone who doesn’t have humility.
- Humility is essential for building and maintaining unity.
John Calvin For, when authority is granted to the elders, there is not given them the right or the liberty of throwing off the bridle, but they are also themselves to be under due restraint, so that there may be a mutual subjection (husband/wife, father/child)…In short, all ranks in society have to defend the whole body, which cannot be done, except all the members are joined together by the bond of mutual subjection.
- Children, just like you got yourself dressed for church this morning, you should clothe yourself in humility. Consider what others think (Phil. 2:3-4).
- Where parents allow disrespect they are awarding pride. However, they only perpetuate the lack of respect by disciplining in anger.
- However, this mutual accountability goes beyond the parent/child relationship.
- In every sphere of life: Humility dissolves animosity and paves the way for swift reconciliation.
In addition to giving grace…
God Exalts the Humble (6)
- Humility under God’s mighty hand will lead to our exalting at the proper time. That means we won’t be exalted on our timing. We won’t be exalted as soon as we do the right thing. The promise is that God will exalt us at the “proper time”.
- He determines what’s best for us. That also means he is accomplishing his purposes in the meantime. Our humility is equipping us for our exalting.
- There is a link between the humility we show one another and our humility before God.
- We fool ourselves if we think we can act proud and arrogant around each other, but then possess the proper humility in worship or prayer.
- This doesn’t mean we need to be insecure about our identity and talents. Humility is not humiliation. But, if we aren’t finding our security in Christ, the result will be shame before God and others.
- Pride encourages us to trust in ourselves if we want to accomplish anything.
- From a young age, we learn that if we do it ourselves, we get all the credit.
- Proud people depend upon no one so they can receive all the glory. Our culture celebrates this.
- However, when we humble ourselves before God we trust him to do what our pride cannot do.
God gives grace to the humble. God exalts the humble. And finally…
God Cares for the Humble (7)
- Now Peter answers how we humble ourselves “under the mighty hand of God.”
- This is where the compassion of our God is so evident (cf 4:19).
- Those who humble themselves under God do so by casting all their anxieties upon him knowing that he cares for them.
- What is anxiety? It is a feeling of worry about the future. Anxiety is doubting that God will follow through on his promises.
- Casting all your anxieties upon God, in humble reliance upon him, is an act of total trust (Psalm 55:22).
- It is the cheerleader stretched out high above her support.
- Keeping anxieties to myself is easier. Frequently worrying about tomorrow gives me a fleeting sense of control. In reality, I know I’m not in control at all.
- If I were walking by faith whenever I felt worry I would immediately cast it upon the Lord.
- Maybe you don’t really doubt the big stuff. It’s all the little events and circumstances that lead up to the big stuff that you worry about.
- However, if you always worry about tomorrow, why wouldn’t you worry at the end of your life as well? Living in constant fear of the unknown is not walking by faith.
- God can eliminate your anxious thoughts. Will you entrust them to him?
God gives grace > exalts > cares for the humble.
Conclusion
- You can’t force humility. You can’t wake up tomorrow and decide whether you are going to wear your pride pants or humility shorts.
- Clothing yourselves in humility means relying upon the Holy Spirit for the patience and wisdom to respond to others in a way that builds unity.
- God gets all the credit when we are slow to anger and quick to reconcile.
- Our obedience is an act of trust that God rewards humility.
- That’s the gospel! In his humility on the cross, Jesus made himself nothing. In his exaltation, the Father gave him everything.
- Do you trust him?