Clothed in Humility

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Clothed in Humility

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: 1 Peter 5:5-9


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STUDIES IN 1 PETER (29)

 

Tonight, we are continuing our study of 1 Peter.  We are coming to the conclusion of this letter.  It is a letter in which Peter is preparing these brethren to suffer for the cause of Christ.  We have found multiple references to suffering and various things we can do to help us deal with suffering.

In our last lesson, we examined the role of elders shepherding the flock.  Christian leaders in the church have a part in helping brethren to prepare for the hardships of this life, even if it means suffering persecutions for His name.  They are to “watch out for your souls”.   In our lesson tonight, Peter turns back to all the saints in some final admonitions.  Our final lessons in this book are his summary thoughts.

 

  1. Submit to one another
    1. Likewise, you younger submit to your elders. This could be reference to the elders just mentioned, or respect for the elderly (cf. Acts 2:17, John 8:9, etc.).  Contextually, the stronger case would be a reference to the eldership of the congregation as previously mentioned.  But both certainly apply.
      Likewise – of interest, this would tie it to the previous verses.  In what way do the elders (bishops) submit?  The answer would be to Christ, the Chief shepherd.   As such, this would be a call to respect the decisions of the elders as “they watch out for your souls” – consider Hebrews 13:7, 17.
      IF elders have your best interest at heart (spiritually), especially as we face persecutions and troubles, you need to listen and submit to them because they will not deliberately steer you wrong.
    2. Submit – we have addressed this throughout this letter.
      1. The word means to put yourself under, to subordinate, to obey and be subject to…
      2. We have talked about submitting to governing authorities (2:13-17), slaves submitting to their masters (2:18-20), wives submitting to their husbands (3:1-6), husbands likewise dwelling with their wives with understanding (3:7), AND in the midst of this, Christ submitting to the Father (2:21-24 – while not using the word submit, it speaks of Him committing Himself to God the righteous judge).
      3. We have discussed in this letter how submitting, while not always pleasant, can help your cause. 1) It removes reason for accusation (2:11-12 – which led to the various submission examples above); 2) It can possibly cause God to be glorified; 3) It can calm a volatile situation; and 4) It can keep you humble – WHICH we will address in this lesson.
    3. All of you be submissive to one another –
      1. In difficult times, tensions can run high. It is imperative that we be willing to submit to one another.
      2. This is an oft emphasized principle in scripture. Ephesians 5:21- we submit to one another in the fear of God; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 where Paul describes us a body with many different but necessary parts – he says we all work together, “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”  Colossians 3:12-13 calls for us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…
      3. Dealing with a hostile world is difficult and can be painful. Why add to that by failing to tolerate each other as brothers and sisters in Christ?
      4. The bottom line – WE NEED EACH OTHER! Peter has addressed this as well throughout this letter.  1 Peter 1:22 – love one another fervently with a pure heart; 1 Peter 3:8-12 – be of one mind with compassion, tenderhearted, courteous, etc. 1 Peter 4:8-10 – again fervent love for one another (love will cover a multitude of sins), hospitable without grumbling, ministering to one another, etc.
  2. Be clothed with humility
    1. What is humility? It is word that means lowliness of mind, one who does not think too highly of himself, one who empties himself of a prideful attitude.
    2. We have addressed humility often in times past. Consider passages like:
      1. Philippians 2:3 – lowliness of mind;
      2. Ephesians 4:2 – walk worthy of your calling – with all lowliness and gentleness…;
      3. Colossians 3:12-13, etc.
      4. Also, Luke 18:14 where Jesus notes, “whoever humbles himself will be exalted (in the end)
      5. AND Romans 12:16 where we are called to “associate with the humble.”
    3. We are to be clothed in it – fully covered. The word in this text is found ONLY here.  Literally it means to bind something to yourself. TDNT describes this word as, “To invest oneself with”, “to make one’s essential characteristic.”   IOW it is to become a part of who you are! It is a primary attitude that will affect everything else about us.  It needs to be our disposition.
    4. There is no better example of this than Jesus – Philippians 2:5ff AND 1 Peter 2:21-24. This is the disposition that cause Jesus to wash the feet of the disciples as they likely argued among themselves about their greatness (John 13:1-15, Luke 22:24ff).
    5. The attitude that will yield submission to others.
    6. – For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble – taken from Proverbs 3:34 (LXX). James also quotes this (James 4:6) in another text that quotes this, BUT that text is addressing how God resists prideful behavior. The word resist is a word that means to set oneself against. I Cannot think of something more terrifying than that – Hebrews 10:31 – it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; Matthew 10:28 – fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.
    7. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God – NEVER forget why we are doing this. God is in control.  He controls your destiny and ultimately He is the one who you will answer to in the end.  “Let Him have his way with thee” as we sing from time to time.
    8. That He may exalt you in due time – if you humble yourself now, in the end God will exalt you to a place of great honor. The eternal reward with Him in heaven. James 4:10, “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  This is the same wording found in Matthew 23:12 – whoever humbles himself will be exalted. AND this will happen in His time.
  3. Casting all your cares upon Him
    1. Casting all your cares on Him – what do you do when you are struggling and dealing with disappointments, unfair rejection, ridicule and maybe even worse FOR His cause? Lay your burdens at His feet! God to Him in prayer – James 5:13 – if you are suffering, pray!   Matthew 6:24ff – where we are called upon to no worry or be anxious, but rather seek first the kingdom of God (vs. 33).  God knows how to take care of you and what you need.  Matthew 11:28-30 recall the invitation of our Lord.
    2. For He cares for you –
      1. Man sometimes wonders if God really cares (or at least we feel as if He does not care) because of everything we are putting up with and the rampant wickedness that seems to be prevailing. Satan will use this to discourage you (we will talk about him in our next lesson).
      2. BUT rest assured that God does care. Scripture continually emphasizes His care.  Psalm 55:22, Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
    3. God cares:
      1. About the lost – John 3:16.
      2. About those who have wandered away – Consider the prodigal – Luke 15:11-24
      3. About us when we are struggling and discouraged – Psalm 23 – is that not its message. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – shows that He cares.
    4. Jesus cares
      1. For the lost – Romans 5:8-9 – He died for us
      2. For the wayward – Luke 15:4-7 – the parable of the lost sheep.
      3. For us as we struggle – Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:14-16 – He sympathizes with our weaknesses. 2 Timothy 4:16-18 – the Lord stood with Paul when all others forsook him.
    5. Holy Spirit cares
      1. For the lost – Revelation 22:17 – the Spirit and Bride say come.
      2. For the wayward – Ephesians 4:30 says that He can grieve. When we reject God’s word, He cares.
      3. For us as we struggle – Romans 8:26-27 – He helps with our weaknesses, interceding for us with groanings.
    6. What is the answer to this? Philippians 4:6-7 – be anxious for nothing.

 

And thus we can see our need for humility as we face the trials and troubles of this life.  Living in this world is hard.  Trying to live a godly life makes it harder, and likely we have not seen the worst of it yet.  But God has given us reason and help to endure – we have each other as brethren and we have hope in Him for that which is better when this life is over.  Let us never forget that as we live in this land as sojourners and pilgrims.  Do NOT give up!  Humbly submit to Him and one another.  Will you submit to Him in humility?  Think about it!

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