Clothed in Humility: Courageous Leadership in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Risen Church. Today, we conclude our series on 1 Peter, focusing on the final chapter, which calls us to courage, humility, and leadership. Peter, who walked with Jesus, wrote this letter to the early church to remind them of their identity in Christ and to encourage them to live for God's glory, even amidst suffering. This chapter is a call to Christian confidence, which is rooted in humility in Christ, not in ourselves. True humility is about having confidence in God's ability to work through us.
Peter, who was once a young man when Jesus was crucified, is now in his late 50s, writing from Rome where many apostles had already been martyred. His focus is on raising up leaders in the church to carry on the Great Commission. He emphasizes that leadership in the church should be clothed in humility, whether you are an elder or a new believer. Peter's call to courage is deeply tied to humility in Christ.
We explored two main points from 1 Peter 5:1-11: First, clothe the way you lead in humility. Peter addresses the elders, urging them to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly, not for shameful gain or domineering power. He emphasizes that rejecting God's call to lead is not humility but a rejection of responsibility. Second, clothe the way you follow in humility. Peter advises the younger members to be subject to the elders and to clothe themselves in humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Peter's message is clear: to stand firm in your faith, you must clothe yourself in the humility of Christ. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about casting all your anxieties on God because He cares for you. It's about recognizing that we are at war with a real adversary, the devil, and that we must be sober-minded and watchful. True courage and strength come from reliance on God, not ourselves.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Humility and Confidence in Christ: True humility is not about being insecure or timid; it's about having confidence in God's ability to work through us. The Latin root of "confidence" is "confide," meaning "with faith." Therefore, our confidence should be deeply rooted in our faith in Christ, not in our own abilities. [01:44]
2. Leadership in Humility: Peter calls the elders to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or power. Rejecting God's call to lead is not humility but a rejection of responsibility. True leadership in the church is about serving others and being examples of Christ-like humility. [07:16]
3. Following in Humility: Younger members are advised to be subject to the elders and to clothe themselves in humility toward one another. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This humility is essential for standing strong in faith, especially in times of suffering and persecution. [35:41]
4. Casting Anxieties on God: Humility involves casting all our anxieties on God because He cares for us. This act of casting our burdens on Him is like changing out of soiled garments and putting on pure robes of humility. It's a daily practice that prepares us for spiritual battle. [38:14]
5. Resisting the Devil: We are at war with a real adversary, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion. To resist him, we must stand firm in our faith, clothed in the humility of Christ. True courage and strength come from reliance on God, not from our own abilities. [42:58]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - Introduction to 1 Peter 5
[02:46] - Peter's Journey and Perspective
[03:59] - Raising Up Leaders
[04:57] - Confidence in Christ
[05:32] - Clothe the Way You Lead in Humility
[06:11] - Clothe the Way You Follow in Humility
[07:16] - Addressing the Elders
[08:17] - The Mandate to Lead
[09:21] - Equipping the Called
[10:18] - Elder, Overseer, Shepherd
[11:53] - Qualifications of an Elder
[12:57] - Aspiring to Leadership
[14:05] - God's Ability, Not Ours
[15:04] - The Process of Equipping
[16:03] - Humility in Leadership
[17:01] - Encouragement to Take God's Calling Seriously
[18:08] - Moses' Example
[19:06] - True Courage and Strength
[20:10] - Examples of False Confidence
[21:47] - Eric Little's Story
[23:47] - Peter's Humility
[25:42] - Shepherding the Flock
[27:15] - Right Motives in Leadership
[28:56] - Jesus as the Chief Shepherd
[30:14] - Peter's Restoration
[32:06] - The Call to Follow Christ
[33:44] - Clothe the Way You Follow in Humility
[35:41] - God Opposes the Proud
[37:09] - Humble Yourselves Under God's Hand
[38:14] - Casting Anxieties on God
[42:58] - Be Sober-Minded and Watchful
[46:01] - Resist the Devil
[48:16] - The Importance of Community
[49:52] - Political and Religious Agendas
[50:32] - God's Sovereign Plan
[52:15] - God's Grace in Suffering
[54:09] - Final Greetings and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Peter 5:1-11 (ESV)
> So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three roles or titles Peter uses to describe church leaders in 1 Peter 5:1-2? ([10:18])
2. According to 1 Peter 5:5, what does Peter instruct the younger members of the church to do? ([33:44])
3. How does Peter describe the devil in 1 Peter 5:8? ([42:58])
4. What does Peter say will happen after believers have suffered for a little while, according to 1 Peter 5:10? ([52:15])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "clothe yourselves in humility" as described in 1 Peter 5:5? How does this concept challenge common perceptions of humility? ([06:11])
2. How does Peter's personal journey and transformation from a young man to an elder influence his message in this chapter? ([02:46])
3. Why does Peter emphasize the importance of casting all anxieties on God in 1 Peter 5:7? How does this relate to the concept of humility? ([38:14])
4. What is the significance of Peter addressing the elders in front of the entire church, and how does this reflect on the communal aspect of church leadership? ([07:16])
### Application Questions
1. Peter calls for humility in both leadership and followership. Reflect on your current role in the church. How can you better clothe yourself in humility in your specific context? ([06:11])
2. Think about a time when you felt anxious or burdened. How did you handle it? How can you practice casting your anxieties on God more effectively in the future? ([38:14])
3. Peter warns about the devil prowling like a roaring lion. What practical steps can you take to be sober-minded and watchful in your daily life? ([42:58])
4. Reflect on the idea that rejecting God's call to lead is not humility but a rejection of responsibility. Is there a leadership role or responsibility you have been hesitant to accept? How can you respond to God's call with humility and courage? ([08:17])
5. Peter's message emphasizes the importance of community and mutual support. How can you contribute to fostering a humble and supportive community within your church? ([48:16])
6. Consider the example of Eric Little, who prioritized his faith over worldly success. Are there areas in your life where you need to prioritize your faith more? How can you make those changes? ([23:47])
7. Peter speaks about the importance of being subject to elders and respecting church leadership. How can you show respect and support for your church leaders while also holding them accountable in a healthy way? ([33:44])
Devotional
Day 1: True Humility and Confidence in Christ
True humility is not about being insecure or timid; it's about having confidence in God's ability to work through us. The Latin root of "confidence" is "confide," meaning "with faith." Therefore, our confidence should be deeply rooted in our faith in Christ, not in our own abilities. This kind of humility allows us to cast our anxieties on God, knowing that He cares for us and will work through us for His glory. When we understand that our strength and courage come from God, we can face challenges with a humble heart, trusting in His power rather than our own.
Peter's message in 1 Peter 5:1-11 emphasizes that true humility is about having confidence in God's ability to work through us. This humility is not about self-deprecation but about casting all our anxieties on God because He cares for us. It's about recognizing that we are at war with a real adversary, the devil, and that we must be sober-minded and watchful. True courage and strength come from reliance on God, not ourselves. [01:44]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel anxious or insecure. How can you shift your focus from your own abilities to trusting in God's power and care for you today?
Day 2: Leadership in Humility
Peter calls the elders to shepherd the flock willingly and eagerly, not for personal gain or power. Rejecting God's call to lead is not humility but a rejection of responsibility. True leadership in the church is about serving others and being examples of Christ-like humility. This means leading with a heart that seeks to serve rather than to be served, and to guide others with the same love and care that Christ has shown us.
Leadership in the church should be clothed in humility, whether you are an elder or a new believer. Peter emphasizes that rejecting God's call to lead is not humility but a rejection of responsibility. True leadership is about serving others and being examples of Christ-like humility. This kind of leadership is willing and eager, not for shameful gain or domineering power. It is about shepherding the flock with a heart that reflects Christ's love and care. [07:16]
1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Reflection: In what ways can you serve others with humility in your current role, whether in your family, workplace, or church community?
Day 3: Following in Humility
Younger members are advised to be subject to the elders and to clothe themselves in humility toward one another. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. This humility is essential for standing strong in faith, especially in times of suffering and persecution. By submitting to one another in love and humility, we create a community that reflects the grace and love of Christ.
Peter advises the younger members to be subject to the elders and to clothe themselves in humility toward one another. This humility is essential for standing strong in faith, especially in times of suffering and persecution. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. By submitting to one another in love and humility, we create a community that reflects the grace and love of Christ. This mutual submission and humility strengthen our faith and unity as a body of believers. [35:41]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: How can you practice humility and submission in your relationships with others today, especially with those in leadership or authority over you?
Day 4: Casting Anxieties on God
Humility involves casting all our anxieties on God because He cares for us. This act of casting our burdens on Him is like changing out of soiled garments and putting on pure robes of humility. It's a daily practice that prepares us for spiritual battle. By trusting God with our worries and fears, we acknowledge His sovereignty and care, allowing us to live with peace and confidence in His provision.
Casting all our anxieties on God is a crucial aspect of humility. It involves recognizing that we cannot carry our burdens alone and that God cares deeply for us. This act of casting our burdens on Him is like changing out of soiled garments and putting on pure robes of humility. It's a daily practice that prepares us for spiritual battle and strengthens our faith. By trusting God with our worries and fears, we acknowledge His sovereignty and care, allowing us to live with peace and confidence in His provision. [38:14]
Psalm 55:22 (ESV): "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
Reflection: What anxieties or burdens are you carrying today? How can you intentionally cast them onto God and trust in His care and provision?
Day 5: Resisting the Devil
We are at war with a real adversary, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion. To resist him, we must stand firm in our faith, clothed in the humility of Christ. True courage and strength come from reliance on God, not from our own abilities. By being sober-minded and watchful, we can recognize the enemy's tactics and stand firm against his attacks, knowing that God is our ultimate source of strength and protection.
Peter reminds us that we are at war with a real adversary, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion. To resist him, we must stand firm in our faith, clothed in the humility of Christ. True courage and strength come from reliance on God, not from our own abilities. By being sober-minded and watchful, we can recognize the enemy's tactics and stand firm against his attacks. This vigilance and reliance on God enable us to resist the devil and remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is our ultimate source of strength and protection. [42:58]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually attacked? How can you stand firm in your faith and rely on God's strength to resist the devil's schemes today?
Quotes
1. "True humility is actually humility in Christ. And it's actually confidence, not necessarily in yourself and your ability, but in God's ability in and through you. In fact, the word confidence, to be confident, confident, it comes from the Latin term confide, with faith." [01:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "To courageously stand firm in your faith in Christ, clothe yourself in the humility of Christ. Look now with me at 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 1. It says this. So I exhort the elders among you. As a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you." [06:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "To reject God's call to lead is not a sign of your humility. It's just a rejection of responsibility. Now, is humility to recognize that you might not be ready. Right? Or even equipped. But I want you to remember that Jesus doesn't just call the equipped. He equips the called." [08:17] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So while you may not be ready to lead in a community group or a ministry team or even become an elder, like that doesn't mean that he's not calling you to join and to help and to serve and to pray and to lean in. Or at least just pray about what it is that he might be calling you to. This is all a part of this." [09:21] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the opposite of humility is to think that it's up to us to accomplish it on our own and in our own strength. Again, God doesn't just call the equipped. He equips. The called. Now, this isn't a position that we put people in without equipping. Hear me. In fact, because we highly value this role in our church, it's a pretty long process. But with all Christian leadership, it's a very worthy process and it's a worthy calling." [15:04] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So the real question is, are you willing to clothe yourself in the humility necessary to receive his calling? And if you enter in that process and then you realize, okay, this isn't what he's called me to, then do you have the humility to not try and hold on to it as if it's your entire identity? Like you may not be ready now, but what about in three years? What about five years? What about 10 years? You know when that process starts? Today. And it starts with the humility to put your yes on the table." [16:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So clothe the way you lead in humility. Point two, clothe the way you follow in humility. Verse five, 1 Peter 5, verse five. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. So he could be referring to age here when he talks about younger, or spiritually, spiritual maturity, but it's likely, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's talking about both." [33:44] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Now, let that sink in a bit. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. This isn't necessarily, you know, talking about salvation when it says, like, grace, okay? I want you to hear this. The New Testament often talks about grace in terms of blessing or unique sort of empowering for any given scenario. And yes, you can be saved and be opposed in an area of your life because of pride. That's a real thing." [35:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So we stand together. We resist him. Firm in our faith. And it says, resist him. Firm in your faith. Knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. So even corporately, you're not alone. It's easy to think that we're the only ones that are out here up against darkness, right? It's easy to think like, I'm the only one doing this. I'm the only one struggling with this. Nobody understands me." [46:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Your struggle with difficulty is not a sign that his grace is not with you. I'm going to say that again for the people in the back. Your struggle with difficulty in this life is not a sign that his grace is not with you. Or even if you're not with him, you're not in his favor. That's why the prosperity gospel is so jacked up. It's the exact opposite of what he calls us to. Your struggle with difficulty is not a sign that his grace is not with you. Trust him. Follow him. Take heart. He's doing something bigger." [53:28] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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