1 Peter 5:1-14
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords overa God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Contents: Christian service in view of Christ's soon coming.
Characters: God, Christ, Peter, Satan, Silvanus, Marcus.
Conclusion: Humility is a great preserver of peace and order in the church, giving to Christ's ministers a proper attitude toward the flock and to His people a proper submission to their leaders in the Lord. There is mutual opposition between God and the proud, but he who is humble before God will find grace for every trial and power to meet every assault of the devil.
Key Word: Humility, 1 Peter 5:5, vigilance, 1 Peter 5:8.
Strong Verses: 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Peter 5:6; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Peter 5:10.
Striking Facts: 1 Peter 5:6. The best definition of humility is found in John 13:4; John 13:5. Our Lord Jesus was the perfect embodiment of humility.