Living for the Kingdom of Heaven 1 Peter 5:1-10

What are some things leaders in the church can do to make sure the members are cared for?

1. What did Peter say he witnessed? 1 Peter 5:1 The elders who 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:

eye-witnessing A necessary qualification for apostleship. Witnessed the living pre and/or post resurrected Christ. Apostle focus on exhorting, that is to encourage another's faith.

2. What is the church to willingly take oversight of with a ready mind 2. What is the church to willingly take oversight of with a ready mind? 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind;

Read John 21:15-18

Feed My Sheep Care for the spiritual well-being of the flock. Tend as a shepherd by a concern for all the Church. One oldest manuscript, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic, add, "as God would have it to be done."

3. Should the elders be good examples for the church 3. Should the elders be good examples for the church? [yes] [no] 1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

the elders be good examples Bernard of Clairvaux wrote to Pope Eugene, "Peter could not give thee what he had not: what he had, he gave, the care over the Church, not dominion." The elders examples: in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and be patterns of good works by their own lives, in gentleness and humility.

4. What will God’s people receive from the Chief Shepherd? 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.

The Crown of Life Chief Shepherd is the title given to Christ. The crown in Greek stands for victory, is the prize in the Grecian games. Read James 1:12 The Christian crown is distinguished as "incorruptible" and "fadeth not away," as the leaves did. It is the crown of life.

5. Should the young people submit themselves to the elders 5. Should the young people submit themselves to the elders? [yes] [no] 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

Likewise, the younger submit Among the Greeks "younger" sometimes meant those inferior in position. The duty of submissiveness and humility is the thought in the passage. Mutual submission is shown, as well as mutual service.

6. What time will God exalt us when we are humble under his hand 6. What time will God exalt us when we are humble under his hand? 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

God's due time God exalts, that is He lifts up the humble. In God's own time; not our time, but God's. Wait patiently for His time in the season of visitation.

Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. 7. Why should we cast all of our cares or anxiety upon God? 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

Casting to God Confident reliance on God's goodness. The fretfulness is a burden which faith casts off the person on God. Psalm 55:22 - "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be forsaken."

8. Who is an adversary to devour the Christians? 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

Why be sober . . . be vigilant ? Adversary means "opponent in a court of justice." Devil is the accuser or slanderer. He counteracts the Gospel. The roaring lion imply his violent and insatiable hunger for prey. Devour means to get entangled in worldly care.

9. What happened to other Christians in the early church? 1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

steadfast established in the truth Satan's power exists only in unbelievers; the faithful he cannot hurt. Faith gives strength to prayer, the great instrument against the foe. Your fellow Christians have the same battles of faith and prayer against the wicked one.

10. What happens after those who are called have suffered? 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, restore, establish, strengthen, settle you.

suffering is preliminary to glory Shall perfect so that there shall be nothing defective in you. Establish is not to waver and strengthen with might in the inner man by God's Spirit, against the foe. "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church."

Jesus Christ Implores Peter To "Feed My Sheep" https://www. youtube

REVIEW 1. What did Peter say he witnessed? 2. What is the church to willingly take oversight of with a ready mind? 3. Should the elders be good examples for the church? [yes] [no] 4. What will be God’s people receive from the Chief Shepherd?

REVIEW 5. Should the young people submit themselves to the elders? [yes] [no] 6. What time will God exalt us when we are humble under his hand? 7. Why should we cast all of our cares or anxiety upon God?

REVIEW 8. Who is an adversary to devour the Christians? 9. What happened to other Christians in the early church? 10. What happens after those who are called have suffered?

What is the Good News in this lesson?