Standing Firm in the Grace of God • 09.24.23
Jack Flaherty   -   September 24, 2023

Standing firm in the grace of God

1 Peter 5:6-14

Peter’s final words to the elect exiles in Christ

  1. Stand humble under God
  2. Stand vigilant against the devil
  3. Stand together for the glory of God

Good morning! My name is Jack Flaherty and I serve as one of the Pastors here at Harvest. I am excited to open up God’s Word with you all this morning. Before we do, 4th-5th graders dismissed. The rest of us open up to 1 Peter 5. Ushers and Bibles.  We are wrapping up our study of 1 Peter which has been titled “Elect Exiles: Living as Outsiders.” As we close the series today think back to the lessons learned. How have you grown? What thoughts have changed? What looks different in your life? I have been blessed by this study and praise God for His Word at work in the church. Next week we will start a new series titled “Blessed are the peace makers” talking about communication and conflict. Looking forward to that! Lets read 1 Peter 5:6-14 together.

 

My favorite thing about Central Iowa is the wind…NOT! Whether picking up sticks, setting out blankets, trying to play catch or toss a frisbee, nothing seems firm like it ought. Favorite part of towers is when they fail and fall down…NOT! Though my 9month old giggles his brains out which is funny, I actually want that thing to be firm. If you’re a football player, there is nothing better than having a weak core and base that keeps you from exploding out and doing the job you need to do AND lets the other team crush you and push you around like a tackling dummy. NOT! All of this is in jest. But my point is that without being firm there are some problems that can arise. And in life this lack of firmness, steadfastness, and solidity brings much more problems!

 

Every culture values those who are firmly grounded. Not that this means unchanging or ill affected by life. Just that they know who they are and what they are to be about in a way. This helps with the massive swings of life events and forms the foundation that gets through the mundane everyday. This is what Peter’s final words to the elect exiles in Christ is all about. They are meant to be a final call to stand firm in Christ and for Christ. The Christians Peter addresses are living in a place that is not their home. The winds of persecution, the tumbling blocks of sin, and the all-out blitz from a very real enemy requires God’s grace at work in you so that you may remain resolute. This grace helps those living as outsiders have confidence and joy and peace and love until the day you enter their glorious eternal home.

 

It seems here like Peter ends with a list of imperatives and some concluding thoughts of people and places. Though true, I would ask you to think about how this ending supports the argument of the whole letter. Not just throw away statements bur rather foundational reminders of who these Christians are by God’s grace and how they are to stand firm in God’s grace to the glory of his grace. The first of three final foundations from Peter to the exiles in Christ…

 

  1. Stand humbled under God (v5b-7)

First, let’s actually go back to part of what we covered last week looking at v5b. We wrap ourselves in this! All encompassing! And probably drawing images of Jesus tying the towel round his waist as he goes to wash the disciples feet. Humility is painted here as an extremely positive thing. Also an extremely important thing–God will exalt you with it; God will oppose you without it! Which sets up where v6 goes. Therefore, linking back (God will oppose if not humbled) and linking forward (God has the mighty hand so get under it). The doxologies in 4:11 and 5:11 also use the same word “might” to also ascribe all dominion/power/ might to God. The hand of God has both judgement and exaltation vibes in the OT. First with regards to judgement the Exodus comes clearly into view as the hand of God was against Pharoah and the Egyptians. Often God’s hand is said to be against his enemies. It crushes them! But his hand also holds his people tight. He won’t let us go! In fact he will lift us up or exalt. Which is where v6 ends and reminds of the likes of Jesus as spelled out explicitly in Philippians 2 humbled himself and was exalted by God. Almost same language as v6 is found in James 4:10. So the humbling and exalting hand of God does tie in the warning about pride BUT also comes with incredible promise for the humble.

 

Now we read this as an imperative. Yet “humble yourselves” is in the passive voice so more literally “be humbled.” Less do something more let something be done unto you. This makes sense. God is the one who gives the grace. He is the one who exalts. He is the one who brings the strength that allows us to stand firm. Look at just three passages noting highlights/underlines.

 

  • 1 Peter 5:5-6God gives grace under his mighty hand.
  • 1 Peter 5:10 God of all grace and might restores, confirms, strengthens, establishes (more on this soon)
  • 1 Peter 5:12The true grace of God is what we are to stand firm in

 

The strong, solid, mighty hand of God graciously moves us towards firmness. Instead of resisting we surrender to God’s work. But we are not simply limp noodles. How do we practically see this happened upon us? That’s were v7 goes. By casting on the Lord! We humble ourselves by not taking things into our own hands but entrusting them to God! Casting! Praying! Could be “be humbled by casting” or “be humble and so cast” but either way the idea is humility doesn’t take life’s cares into one’s own hands but entrusts them to God’s might hands.

 

Can you remind me, what kind of cares do it say? ALL OF THEM! The sentence structure here fronted “all your cares/worries” to make sure you know that though the immediate context is persecution its general for a reason. What are some examples of worries we might have?

  • worrying how a person will respond to us
  • worrying if prioritizing Jesus or the church means I lose out on hobbies for me/my fam
  • worrying that standing for Jesus might mess with friendships at school or work
  • worrying I might miss out on stuff if I seek to honor God with use of technology OR worried how my kids will respond if I seek to lead our family in a new direction
  • worrying about illness and lack of answers
  • worrying about family miles away
  • worrying about things that I wish to happen beyond my control

 

And the list could go on and on! We humble ourselves by taking the worries of life as outsides in a sin filled world and bringing them to God. Recognizing the humiliation of our circumstances, getting low, and throwing them at the feet of Jesus. That will result in your exaltation.

But interestingly enough, exaltation is not the motivation. It is certainly the promised outcome from back in v6. But v7 gives you the WHY. Why trust them to God? Because he cares! The sovereign God with all the incredible power to speak and bring the universe to existence, to act in deliverance for the Israelites in Egypt, the deal with the sins of the world and defeat Satan and the grave…is the same God who wishes to take on whatever care you got.

  • You feeling overwhelmed with life right now? God cares
  • You feeling the pressure of wanting to fit in but grow in Godliness? God cares
  • You feeling misunderstood? God cares
  • You want/need to address something unwise maybe even sinful? God cares!

Like we studied a while back rooted in Matthew 11:30 we have a God whose heart wishes for us to bring our heavy burdens to him and receive rest. And as we studied in Hebrews, God cares because he’s been there. Jesus is the High Priest who can sympathize with us! We can draw near with confidence to the throne of mercy and of grace! He gives grace when we prayerfully humble ourselves before him.

 

So what does your prayer life say about your humility? Or a step further what does your prayer life say about the thoughts of the character of God? Mighty, gracious, and caring OR weak, aloof, and hard-hearted? Or one step further what does your humility/lack thereof, as demonstrated, in your prayer life say about who you think you are compared to God? If those answers are somewhere like mine, it says we need to grow in humility through the practice of prayer. Starts with getting in the habit of taking things to God…all the things. Then take steps to grow. Study what the Bible says about prayer. Use the tools we have as a church like grabbing the new prayer handouts, using the resources page on our website, talking to you SGL or Pastor, or joining us this Wednesday for Praise and Prayer Night.  Leonard Ravenhill once said of prayer “Failing here, we will fail everywhere.”

 

Peter wants these exiles to be reminded they serve a mighty and gracious God who cares for them in the midst of what can be a tumultuous life following Christ in this word. In this life full of worries remember that our humiliation will result in exaltation one day, AND until that day we have aid in our humiliation because the one who cares for us gives us grace and welcomes the casting of all our things on him.

 

Before you say OK just be lazy and “pray about it,” First of all, that’s a misunderstanding of prayer and the one we pray to. Again based on how often we do it I think you agree prayer takes effort! But also Peter here makes clear casting cares doesn’t mean we just turn it all off. The second final word is to these elect exiles is

 

  1. Stand vigilant against the devil

If you think prayer is cop-out to doing anything else, Peter says nuh-uh. In fact the exact opposite is implied in v8! WAKE UP! STAYALERT! WATCHOUT! THERE IS A REAL ENEMY OUT THERE! These two commands are essentially synonymous and bring up the several other times we’ve seen sober-minded in Peter’s letter. I use vigilant in our outline because it captures the careful watch and alertness to danger or difficulty. These folks living as sojourners in wild lands far from their final home face real danger and even in trusting God are to be active in opposing the enemy.

What kind of danger? An enemy who wishes to devour us. The devil/slanderer. He hates you. He hates God. He prowls around looking to devour you. Ian D in Mexico with Jaguar walking around in the corn fields. This would keep you awake and alert. Might be looking a bit too much into it, but these cats sneak attack and come for your head. This makes sense when equated with our adversary who tells lies and half truths and seeks to deceive. We are called to be on the lookout!

 

And not just on the lookout for danger, but ready to resist danger! How? I think v9 gives us some clues. First, we are to resist the enemy standing firm in our faith. Faith triumphs over evil even as Eph 6 shows and James 4:7. We battle his lies and deceits with truth and faith. A second aspect is knowing others in the faith are also suffering the same kinds of things. “Are being experienced” has sense of finishing/accomplishing. This suggests a final goal.  God’s will and purposes are being accomplished in the sufferings. Not just for the elect exiles of Peter’s audience in Asia Minor but the elect exiles in the whole world! No matter how isolated you feel, it’s not unique to you.  We are bound together in brotherhood by our kinship with God the Father and we resist together. I picture the scene from 300 where they are all together. Or Rudy where teammates all lay jerseys on coaches’ desk for him to play. Team effort!

 

The “same kinds” is meant to be a bit ambiguous. No two sufferings are quite alike because God has different purposes in different sufferings for different people. BUT for all who are a part of the brotherhood we stand together. Some examples I thought of in our body are:

  • Resisting temptation to sin
  • Wrestling with speaking truth to transgender co-workers or being truthful with pronouns
  • Ridicule for not being a “good Christian who loves” according to other standards.
  • Struggling to fight for truth when pain is real or hits keep on coming

 

This is hard! The opposition we face is real. The lies and sin we are tempted with is real. But the God we serve is also very real. We don’t stand against by being preoccupied with Satan and demons. Nor by being uber fearful. Nor trying to do it in our own strength. Rather resist by the grace of God firm in our faith. This means having truth in mind, our brothers/sisters in mind, and looking to the Lord. When Satan comes at you through persecution or temptation look to the Lord! That is exactly who Peter has us look to v10. He gives us two key emphases I think for all of life but especially for vigilant faith: God’s timing and God’s grace.

 

First the God of all grace. I think he wants us to draw back on what all God’s grace does! Let’s remember what God’s Grace in 1 Peter has been out there.

  • Is Peter’s prayer wish for his recipients (1:2)
  • Was prophesied by the OT prophets (1:10)
  • Is part of the benefits coming to believers at the future revelation of Jesus (1:13)
  • Suffering for doing right finds grace (favor) with God (2:19–20)
  • Husbands and wives are joint heirs of God’s grace (3:7)
  • The diverse spiritual gifts are manifestations of God’s grace (4:9–10)
  • God gives grace to the humble (5:5)
  • God is the origin of all grace (5:10)
  • His grace is dependable (5:12)

 

Do we think about this reality? I confess I do not. But Peter thankfully does and speaks of it in great ways! Which brings the second matter of time. Suffering is only for a little while and then we experience eternal glory in Christ! How incredible is that!

 

In our quick fix western society, patience and delayed gratification is not good. I’ve been challenged by reading John Piper’s 21 Servatns of Sovereign Joy about godly men from the past. Charles Simeon was picked to take over leadership of Trinity church in Cambridge England. The church didn’t want him so for 12 years he couldn’t preach afternoon services not to mention Sunday mornings congregants locked the pews for 10 years. He was hanted on Cambridge University campus where he lectured and faced several bouts of illness including essentially losing his voice for a decade. But he stayed there 54 years and when asked how he handled persecution he said, “My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ’s sake.” Simeon is one I’d encourage you to read more on. Look to examples of those who are enduring, look to the grace of God, look forward to eternity with Him! This eternal perspective and limited time remind us to make the most of the days we have and remembering what is to come. the whole take up your cross thing means its not a walk int eh park V10 Little suffering is in light of eternal glory…do we stop and stare down the corridor of eternity? Or do we microscope in on the tiny speck of our lives.

 

Did we really even highlight that yet!? Four promised things. “He will” is a promise we can take to the bank. Is that sweet treat we know waits for us in the fridge after the kids go to sleep. Good as mine gotta wait for the right time. All four of these verbs are promises not wishes. Focus on eschatology and future exaltation and thus refers back to in order to reiterate and clarify what exalting in due time means. This is like a glorious crescendo meant to tell you God will make things right beyond our wildest dreams!

  • Restore– like reset bone. Medical term.. put right Understanding of being complete. Perfecting. Make adequate or sufficient.
  • Confirm- make firm, Make firm is to fix or set foundation. Steady
  • Strengthen-make strong, capable and less weak, empower
  • Establish-make steadfast secure

 

Peters response of worship in v11 is fitting. All dominion belongs to Jesus so you need not fear he can do what he says he will do NOR do we need any other security policy in our fight! God will accomplish this. To make it clear if it hasn’t been already, this book is written to Christians whose ID is firmly in Jesus Christ. These promises of grace are for those who are saved by grace. The hope of the end of suffering is only those who place their hope in the suffering servant who saved us. The ability to stand firm in faith is only for those who have saving faith in God & his promises. IS that you? If it its, praise and glory and might be to God! If not, know that  Jesus offers these glorious realities if you will enter into exile with his people. He calls you from the darkness to light by his grace may you respond with humility, repentance, and belief.

 

Were reminded that we stand firm in God’s grace by being humbled under God. We stand firm in this grace vigilant against the devil. we stand firm in God’s grace together. That’s Peter’s final word to the elect exiles in Christ to bring to out attention this morning.

 

  1. Stand together for the glory of God

This is not just for individuals nor individual churches. Peter is speaking as one of many others over the millenia who are standing in that same faith graciously given by our King. I think togetherness has been implied the whole book. From the multiple churches in ch1, the royal priesthood and nation comments as well as the temple being built together in ch2, to the relational pieces talked about in ch3-4, to last week’s reminder of local church, the brotherhood comment in v9, all the plural “you alls,” and now even in the parting comments about people and places. We stand firm in the grace of God together. This togetherness is both the rational for resistance “knowing others of the brotherhood are doing the same” and it is the heartbeat of the whole letter for the glory of God.

 

First lets focus on the second part of v12 on standing and then on together. “Briefly” might indicate the politeness of short letter (and sermons ;-)) but also indicates more could be said. But “THIS true grace” is what the previous paragraphs of this letter is what Peter thought most important and true. Them we get to the ultimate purpose for the letter. “Exhort & declare.” Exhortation shows how to live faithful as exiles. Declaration bears witness to our God gracious and the saving grace work through Jesus work. He wants them to hear truth and respond accordingly. Not just a random message to be ignored. Not a list of actions devoid of the WHY behind them. This letter is sent for encouragement and to testify of the dependable grace of God to the glory of God! Not what we’ve done or are doing but God enables us to stand firm.

 

Second, how about togetherness? Paul lists some people here. First in v12 is Silvanus. A good dude and possibly the same referred to in Acts 15 and in both 1 & 2 Thess. Also called Silas his Greek name vs Silvanus his Latin name.  This is a guy you can trust and who is one of the brotherhood. Then we see in v13 “she in Babylon” and “Mark.” She in Babylon is probably referring to the church in exile. Church as feminine and Babylon not as the metaphor for exile. Not at home. Peter writes to those not at home, he also is not at home. There is togetherness! Mark is likely the John Mark, cousin of Barnabas who was known to have first been brought along with Barney and Paul, then after a bit of a disagreement ended up going with Barney to hang with Peter. Some believe Peter had good influence on the content of Marks gospel! All that is to say in these refences is there is a comraderies from individuals and from groups of believers. This is mean to encourage others! Leading to…

 

But this is not a passive togetherness. This takes action. Doing the one-anothers as we’ve seen a lot in Peter. Even seen here with blessings, greetings, and commands to greet. We just talked about this v14 in Harvest Students. This is not romantic or weird but rather a common greeting of the day. This idea is there is a familiarity and love! We will not see kissing in our church, especially not in our student ministry, BUT we ought to see loving greetings. The kiss of love. There is actually a lot of talk about kissing at the end of the epistles and “kiss of love” vs “holy kiss” is unique to Peter. I think this means Peter intends to ends with a short but sweet note that carries forward to tune of the whole letter than togetherness takes intentionality to love God and love others to the glory of God. Lets consider where else this has happened in the letter!

 

  • Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22
  • Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:1
  • Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8
  • Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
  • Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.1 Peter 5:14

 

How that would have blessed those who were in exile. They’ve been kick out of family. Hated by neighbors. Persecuted by the government. But there is a people they belong to. Do you think of it that way or are other communities and ID more important? I struggle with that! Even as we work on it mentally, how are we living that out?

 

Just last week a sister in Christ reminded me that though family wasn’t here with her, family in Christ is here. Like Jesus said when told his mom and brothers were outside. Not that we forsake family BUT we prioritize the love of those who are in Christ.

 

Who did you greet today? Seems like OK easy to greet. But with an expression of love? I know I probably walked past some of you without a word! Lets not leave the same nor come back next week the same. WHY? Because we are standing firm int eh grace of God together! We are suffering together. WE are humbled under God together! Hugs comments form Joe Brummel.

 

Maybe not physical greeting but is there a way you can encourage someone in love?

  • Talk to one teenager or one kid each Sunday.
  • Bless a parents by supporting them attending the Steadfast Parenting class which starts next Sunday night.
  • Regular serving in all the ways and through one-another’s in SG.
  • Taking your 5-3-1 car seriously with mission and life together.
  • Maybe we can be intentional with the hospitality and meals as Nick has challenged us.
  • Normal church life BUT with intentional love and intentional aim to glorify God!

 

Who do you think they thought glory belonged to? Who did it look like? Rome! What a helpful corrective! Who do you think glory belongs to? Even as we ready for an election yet this might be a helpful encouragement or rebuke for us. Its not America nor a particular party. God! Like the reference to Isaiah 40 back in 2:24 all flesh is like grass and its glory fades. But God’s glory if firm forever. By God’s power and for God’s glory stand firm in the glorious grace that is our ins and through Jesus Christ! Our life ought to be radically God-centered, Christ-exalting an d Spirit-dependent. Not just do it but rather embracing the cross of Christ as our substitute and then as our model. We long for the day when we meet him face to face and peace isn’t just in our hearts but also in all creation. We long for the day to meet our Jesus face to face, and until then whatever comes our way, we can trust in the grace of God shown in Jesus Christ. We can stand under God, against, Satan, and together for His glory.

 

Peter ends with a benediction of peace for those in Christ. The final mark of love from Peter is a prayer of blessing Been challenged by a family devotional. Not that we manifest or claim something but it is OK to pray that God will bless! Praying to God for favor for someone! May we be humbled under God’s mighty hand. May we through prayerful humility rest in his grace. May we grow in and be restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established by his grace. May we stand firm together in his grace until the day when his future grace is revealed.

 

Pray