This document provides a summary of 1 Peter 5:1-9. It outlines four key points: 1) roles of leadership where elders are called to shepherd willingly and not lord over others; 2) relating to others with humility; 3) relating to God by humbling oneself under God's mighty hand; and 4) resisting the devil by standing firm in one's faith. The overall message is about maintaining the proper attitudes and relationships in the Christian community through humility, submission to authority, and trusting God rather than being proud or fearful.

3. Living in Faith
Lesson Passage:
1 Peter 5: 1-9
Background:
1 Peter 5: 1-14

4. 1. In Roles of Leadership
(1 Pet. 5: 1-4)
2. In Relating to Others
(1 Pet. 5: 5)
1. In Relating to God
(1 Pet. 5: 6-7)
2. In Resisting the Devil
(1 Pet. 5: 8-9)

5. 1 Peter 5:1 Therefore I, your fellow elder & a witness of the sufferings
of Christ, and also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed,
exhort the elders among you: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you,
exercising oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with
God, and not greedily but eagerly, 3 and not as lording it over those
under your care, but being examples for the flock. 4 And when the chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5
In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders, and all of
you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he
may exalt you at the right time, 7 casting all your cares on him,
because he cares for you.
8
Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like
a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in
your faith, because you know the same kinds of sufferings are being
accomplished by your community of believers in the world. 10 And the
God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you
have suffered for a short time, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen,
11

6. The new pastor of a Texas church used mixed metaphors to assert his
dominant attitude. "This will be a one-horse church," he said, "and I
am in the saddle." Then he added, "If you have any objections to this,
you had best get off the train now."
[Honestly, this really happened.]
Have you ever encountered people’s attitudes toward their right to lead,
and all others being subjected?
Bad example: a singles’ leader at another church (only X miles away!)
How does God consider and reward our attitudes?
Peter is a great example of someone with many “about faces” in life!

7. 1. In Roles of Leadership (1 Pet. 5: 1-4)
1
Therefore I, your fellow elder & a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and also a sharer of the glory that is going to be revealed, exhort the
elders among you: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising
oversight not by compulsion but willingly, in accordance with God, and
not greedily but eagerly, 3 and not as lording it over those under your
care, but being examples for the flock. 4 And when the chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Did Peter assume special position or privileges, e.g. “papal primacy”,
or even to be a head “elder” of these churches he wrote to?
Why is it important for a godly leader’s heart to be that of a servant?
Jesus characterized what our attitudes should be in Matt. 20:25
Do you ever encounter a “gentile” – as opposed to gentle – leaders’
attitude in other Christians? In yourself? How does it come across?
Does it really work to lead others?
Sheep follow leaders’ examples.What if leaders are off track spiritually?
How can leaders avoid “compulsion”, gain willingness?
“Hey, Leader!” God will, at journey’s end, give you REST & JOY! (Rev.
2-3; Matt.6; Luke 12:37, Jn. 21:16)

8. 2. In Relating to Others (1 Pet. 5: 5) [Lexham]
5
In the same way, younger men, be subject to the elders,
and all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Not just older leaders are to be humble (Gal.6:1): also younger followers
Parents treat 2-year olds gently, but are the younger ones meant to
have the upper hand?
No, they are to learn from their elders. So with new Christians (Heb.
13:7)
Mutual humility is the key: serving others, putting yourself LAST – SO
you will become, under God’s supervision, the so-called ‘greatest’.
Why does God oppose the proud but give grace to the humble?
He is the giving God, Who enjoys giving to those who don’t deserve it,
to those who simply trust Him

9. 3. In Relating to God (1 Pet. 5: 6-7)
6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He
may exalt you at the right time, 7 casting all your cares on Him,
because He cares for you.
God is in process of growing and raising you up, if you are emptying
yourself: honestly humbling yourself (flesh) (Luke 14:8)
God is your ultimate total Shepherd (leader). The rest of us will have
problems at times leading (Jam. 3:2).
Ultimately cast it all on Jesus. He loves you beyond what others do (He
gives them His love (Romans 5:5)
What do you do with an “uppity” Christian?
If you have concerns with trusting and ‘humbling’ to a fellow believer or
leader, whom you fear might abuse your trust (or you wonder), let God
be the judge and commit it to Him while serving with Love (forgiveness).
God will reward you, and that person’s fellowship of appreciation will
also (Luke 6:38 “Good measure”).
Trust and leave room for the grace of God (Rom. 12:19)

10. 4. In Resisting the Devil (1 Pet. 5: 8-9)
8
Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like
a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast
in your faith, because you know the same kinds of sufferings are
being accomplished by your community of believers in the world.
Many Christians were suffering persecutions, VERY obviously Satanic.
Peter knew firsthand Satan’s wiles (Lk. 22:31,Eph. 6:10-19; 2 Cor 2:11)
How else does Satan work? Why does he seek us? (John 10:10)
:9 How do we resist him?
Jesus KNEW scripture – where God His Father stood !
Have you ever been scammed? Satan will use many such tactics:
Gaining trust by acting ‘friendly’ to your sin nature, offering ‘candy’ (an
angel of ‘light’) (Mark 8:33, Luke 9:55)
When Satan’s scam is resisted, a next tactic is to paralyze you by fear
When you resist a weaker opponent (as Christ is stronger), they flee for
fear of what might RIGHTLY happen to them (reporting to higher
authority or your greater strength).
God plans battles, you WIN by Grace: others will pour thru these gaps!

11. 5. Your ultimate Salvation
10
And the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory
in Christ, after you have suffered for a short time, will himself
restore, confirm, strengthen, & establish you.
11
To him be the power forever & ever. Amen.
When you resist a weaker opponent (as Christ is stronger: 1 Jn. 4:4,
Mk. 3:27), they will flee for fear of what might RIGHTLY happen to them
(reporting to higher authority or your greater strength).
God will allow the battle to ensue until you ROUT them (James 4: 6-10)
God has called you, so He is in control of the victory process: this is
victory from God, not your flesh!
Great struggles reveal God’s purpose to overcome “hosts”: Pharaoh’s
entire army, the Midianites many thousands, … His resurrection power!

12. (Backups)

13. 2 Corinthians 2:10–11 (AMP)
10
If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I
have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your
sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the
Messiah), 11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us;
for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

14. 1 Peter 4: (HCSB) 17 For the time has come for judgment to
begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the
outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if a
righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner? 19 So those who suffer according to God’s
will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a
faithful Creator. There are NO
more rest stops
for the next
1,000,000,000,0..
People are weary, tired of the trip
miles Matthew 9:35–37 (The
Message)
35
Then Jesus ... 36 When
he looked out over the
crowds, his heart broke.
So confused and aimless
It’s not about the trip.. It’s about our they were, like sheep with
no shepherd. 37 “What a
Destination: Home! huge harvest!” he said to
his disciples. “How few