Keys of the Kingdom 16 – A Final Exhortation

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Peter's final words call the citizens of heaven to humility, submission, vigilance, and trust in the all-sufficient grace of God.

Keys of the Kingdom

At the end of January this year, we began this series in 1 Peter. My goal at the time was to teach through it in six studies. We've gone a little beyond that—this is our 17th study—but that's okay. I believe the Lord has had something He wanted to teach me, and hopefully you as well, through this letter Peter wrote 2,000 years ago.

I called this series Keys of the Kingdom because this book holds a number of important keys we need to learn. If you're a follower of Jesus today, then according to Philippians 3 you are a citizen of heaven. You belong to another kingdom. So what are the important truths to live by as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven, even while we find ourselves here in the world as ambassadors of His kingdom?

Some of those keys we've seen are sanctification, submission—everyone's favorite topic—suffering, eternal salvation, and our witness in a world contrary to Christ. As we finish this section, Peter returns to sanctification and submission. Our goal here at Cross Connection is to go through the Scriptures book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse, rightly dividing the word of truth so that we present the whole counsel of God. That means we cover hard topics—suffering, submission, sanctification—that we might otherwise move away from.

The Necessity of Sanctification

I'll admit I'm not a fan of suffering. I don't like it any more than anyone else does. And submission is not easy for any of us; none of us find it easy to yield, to be meek, to submit to those above us. Yet if we are going to be transformed into what God desires and to live the life He desires for us, both here and in eternity, then we need to understand suffering, submission, and this process called sanctification.

Sanctification is a cleansing process. The more I study the Scriptures, the more I understand my need for it. It's essential, but it's not always fun. The process of becoming what God wants us to be is a difficult one.

If you're a parent, you have experienced firsthand the need for sanctification in your children. Much to the shock of many first-time parents, children don't come out perfect. There is a segment of our population that believes all human beings are born inherently good. I think those who hold that view either have never been parents or didn't raise their own kids, because children are not born perfect.

The Foolishness in the Heart of a Child

A number of years ago, Christian author Charles Swindoll wrote a book called Your Child and You, and in it he quoted the Minnesota Crime Commission. Their summary statement said:

Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it—his bottle, his mother's attention, his playmate's toy, his uncle's watch. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness, which would be murderous were it not for his helpless state. He has no morals, no knowledge, no skills. This means that all children are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in the self-centered world of his infancy, given free reign to every impulse, every child would grow up a criminal, a thief, a killer, a rapist.

You know that wasn't written in 21st-century America, because it's totally politically incorrect today. And yet if you're an honest parent, you hear those words and say, "There's truth in that." We see it, sadly, in our children. The Scriptures say there is foolishness in the heart of a child, and the heart of man is desperately wicked.

We have four wonderful children, and our youngest will be three at the end of this month. He is exceptionally cute—until about eight months ago, when a transition took place. We call it the terrible twos, though in my experience it just keeps going into threes and fours. As precious as he can be, there is this foolishness in his heart. He's completely selfish, wants what he wants, and it's a good thing he's small and doesn't have my strength, because when he balls up his fist and punches into my chest, if he were bigger I'd be scared to death.

Let me say this: some people use the term "PKs," preacher's kids. Listen, they're just kids. There's nothing preachy about them. They're just as delinquent as any other child, and I'm not perfect either—I'm being sanctified too. Recently one of the siblings did something our youngest didn't like, and he said, "You little jerk." Andrea and I wondered where he got it—until we realized he'd watched Home Alone a million times over Christmas, and now he calls everyone a little jerk. There is foolishness in the heart of a child, and he needs to be sanctified so he will experience the life his mother and I envision for him.

Discipline That Yields Righteousness

That sanctifying process isn't always fun—not for our children, and not for us as parents. But it's essential. The author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 12:11:

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The King James says "to those who have been exercised by it"—and some of us needed some exercising. No chastening is enjoyable in the moment, not for the one giving it and not for the one receiving it. But apply that picture to the reality that every one of us is a child of our Father God. He needs to sanctify us. He has a vision for your future far better than anything you can imagine, but for you to experience the fullness of that joy, this sanctifying, refining process must take place.

Sometimes that process feels quite akin to suffering. And almost certainly it brings us to a place where we must yield to authority and respond in a submissive way to those over us. There's no way to experience the life God desires, and no way to be a witness of His glory in this world, without this suffering and submissive sanctification.

Submit to Your Elders

So Peter returns to the topic of submission. In 1 Peter 2 and 3 we talked about submission to government, to employers, of wives to husbands. Here he does it again in 1 Peter 5:5: "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders."

In the first four verses of this chapter, which we studied last time, Peter exhorted the leaders—the elders, overseers, under-shepherds of the flock. God uses the metaphor that we are sheep, He is the chief shepherd, and He has placed under-shepherds over His people, called by various titles—bishops, elders, pastors, overseers. We saw there that leaders must maintain humility, must not lord it over the flock, but serve with genuine love.

Now Peter addresses those under the leaders. The word "younger" is the Greek neos, often translated "new." It could be rendered "newbies." It doesn't necessarily mean younger in age; it can mean someone newly born again. Some of you became Christians in your fifties or sixties. You may be older than those in leadership, yet you're still a "younger." So Peter says you are to yield to the authority structure God has ordained.

This doesn't mean you are less in dignity, ability, or intellect—you may well be greater in those areas. The exhortation still stands. As Hebrews 13:17 says:

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Those who lead must answer to the chief shepherd. How do you increase their joy in leading? By yielding to it. So point one: it is proper to respect the authority of leaders. That respect is evidence of meekness and of submission to God.

Contrary to Our Culture

None of us like to submit, especially in an American culture that emphasizes from the earliest age our individual nature, will, and authority. We're constantly encouraged to be assertive, to demand, to stand up for our rights. There's a part of us that says yes and yes and yes—so when we read a passage like this, we say no. Many times the kingdom-of-God culture is quite contrary to American values.

Just in case you think this doesn't apply to you because you've been around a long time and you're older than the guy on the stage, look again at verse 5: "Yes, all of you be submissive to one another." It's given to the whole body of Christ, not some small segment you can find a loophole around.

I can speak firsthand: in my experience as a leader, it has frequently been the case that I've been placed over people older than me, which increases the difficulty of submission. Yet I can speak nothing but praise for the leadership team of this church. As elders go, I'm the youngest on our board. Our executive pastor Mark, our family ministries pastor Jason—they're older than me, and yet they follow the Scriptures and respect the authority of eldership God has given. How is that possible? Verse 5 tells us: "be clothed with humility."

Clothed With Humility

Here's another kingdom value not exactly prized by American culture. I grew up in a culture that amplifies assertiveness and even pride. In junior high I was a band geek—I played trumpet in the marching band at Hidden Valley Middle School, and our band director made us all memorize the definition of pride: "a justifiable appreciation of one's worth, abilities, and high ideals." I remember almost nothing else from those three years, but I remember that. When I played football at Orange Glen High, "PRIDE" was painted big on the side of the gym. It's as American as apple pie.

Then we come to a passage like this: be clothed with humility. Point two: proper respect is an indication of a humble heart. Submissive respect is impossible without humility. And you will never be worthy of respect and honor as a leader without humility.

Last week I said leaders are to maintain humility—and you can't maintain what you don't have. So leaders never achieve their position without it. Paul warns that we should not lay hands on someone too quickly—not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. There's danger in putting someone in leadership who hasn't first learned humility.

The only way to submit is to walk in humility as Christ did. Philippians 2 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant." We see it pictured in John 13, where the Lord humbles Himself and washes His disciples' feet, then says, "I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." He's not commanding foot-washing parties; He's calling us to live humbly.

Solomon writes in Proverbs 15:33 and again in 18:12, "Before honor is humility," and in 22:4, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life." There's a theme. You will never ascend the ladder of leadership in God's kingdom without first learning humility. What brought about the fall of Lucifer? In Isaiah 14 you peek behind the veil and see his "I wills"—"I will ascend to the mountain of God, I will be seated above the congregation." His assertiveness led to his downfall.

God Hates Pride, but Rewards Humility

Even if your aim is not to become a leader, take heed of Peter's next words: "be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Point three: God hates pride, but He rewards humility. There are things that God, who is the personification of love, hates. Proverbs 6:16 lists six things the Lord hates, and the very first is "a proud look." Number one on God's list of things He detests is pride.

The application follows in verse 6: "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Very little commentary is needed. God resists the proud, therefore humble yourself.

Here's an important truth I've learned: if you refuse to humble yourself, God will allow you to be humbled, and that is never fun. Think of Peter himself. Jesus told him, "This night you will deny Me." Peter said, "Though all deny You, I never will. I would die with You." Jesus said, "Peter, you don't even know your own heart. Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And by morning, he wept bitterly. So Paul exhorts in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." Any of us who ever fell because we thought, "I've got this"—there's the exhortation to humility.

Be Vigilant Against the Adversary

Peter continues in verse 8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith." It's no accident that Peter moves from humility and pride to sobriety and vigilance regarding the devil, because we must be on guard against our adversary.

There are four things to consider here. First, we must recognize there is an adversary. A growing number of people, both inside and outside the church, disregard the reality of evil and a personal devil. About 80% of Americans say they believe in God, but only about 50% say there's a devil. There's a great line from a mid-90s movie I don't recommend: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist." Sadly, many Christians have been convinced by the enemy that there is no enemy—and if you're convinced of that, you won't stand against him and you'll be an easy target.

Second, the devil is dangerous and cunning. He prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. He appears as an angel of light, he deceives, he is the father of lies. Third, we must be sober—clear-headed—and vigilant—on guard. When does the lion tamer get maimed? When he arrogantly lets down his guard, thinking he can handle it, and finds he is prey to the one he thought he had mastered. We must maintain meekness in this spiritual battle.

Fourth, we must stand strong in faith against him, knowing that though he is real, dangerous, and cunning, he is weak before God. He may not be weak before you or me, but he is weak before God. First John 4:4 says, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Christ dwells in you by His Holy Spirit; you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So you can and should resist the enemy, standing steadfast in the faith.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6, "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." He goes on to the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, feet shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God—and praying always. With these we resist the enemy. Point four: be unsubmissive in your dealings with evil. As Winston Churchill said, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never give in."

God's Grace Is Sufficient

Peter continues in verse 10: "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

When confronted with suffering, submission, sanctification, and spiritual attack, Peter exhorts us to trust the God who by His grace has called us. He will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us forever for His glory. Point five: in all things, God's grace is sufficient. When called to submit to authorities you feel more able than, God's grace is sufficient. When faced with suffering, God's grace is sufficient. When faced with spiritual attack, God's grace is sufficient. In everything God uses to sanctify us and prepare us for what He has prepared, His grace is sufficient.

As a great reminder of that sufficiency, we'll finish our service by partaking of communion—a piece of bread to remind us of the body of Christ broken for us, and a cup to remind us of His blood shed for the removal of our sins. This is a picture of God's grace: He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might receive His righteousness. He has given us all things, more than we could ever imagine.

Closing Prayer

Father God, I ask that You would meet us here now. We invite You to come and minister by Your Spirit, reminding us of Your great grace and Your love for us. Lord, I thank You that You are a loving Father, and that Your desire is to transform us more and more into the likeness of Your children, that we would bring glory to You and also experience the satisfaction of Your glory. Jesus, we thank You that You laid down Your life for us. Your body was broken, Your blood was shed, so that we could know and experience Your forgiving grace and Your presence continually. As we prepare our hearts now for communion, Lord, remind us of the goodness of Your grace. It's in Your name we pray. Amen.