Sunday School Lesson

1. 1 Peter 5:1-11
“ALERT LIVING”
October 30, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
What’s the number one thing?
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The glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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2. October Memory Verse
Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with
thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Next Sunday -11/6/2016
International Missions Weekend
Nik and Ruth Ripken
The Insanity of Obedience
The Insanity of God (Book and Movie)
References
• Missler, Dr. Chuck. “The Book of First Peter, Chapters 4 & 5, Session 5, May
2016”; YouTube Video.
• ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2008).
• MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Nelson
Publishing, 1997).
Introduction to 1 Peter 5
• Letter written to Christians living in provinces under Roman occupation
(modern day Turkey).
• Christians were being persecuted because of their religious practices –
considered enemies of the state.
• Peter was in Rome when writing in 64 AD, shortly before his upside-down
crucifixion.
• The Roman government was under Nero who was a ruthless ruler.
Themes of 1st Peter
• How are Christians to live and act in an environment that is hostile
because of their religion?
• How do you deal with suffering?
• Jesus answered these questions by His example when He was on earth.
What have we learned so far about suffering?
1. Suffering is multifaceted – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven
to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; down, but not destroyed;

3. What have we learned so far about suffering?
2. Suffering happens in community.
Galatians 6:2
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3. Suffering equips us for ministry.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
What will we learn today about suffering?
1. Suffering is a battleground. (1 Peter 5:8)
Job 2:9-10
9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God
and die." 10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women
would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive
evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
2. Suffering prepares us for more glory. (1 Peter 5:10)
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen
are eternal.
Summary Verse for Suffering from Peter.
1 Peter 4:19
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls
to a faithful Creator while doing good.
1 Peter 5:1
1 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:

4. “the elders among you, as a fellow elder”
• The Southern Baptist Model has 2 church offices:
1. Deacon - servant
2. Elder/Pastor/Overseer - shepherd
• Peter considers himself as the elder/pastor/overseer of the local church
(in Rome or Babylon?).
Greek words that are translated
• “presbyteros” – Used to refer to a person who is an elder or older person.
• “episkopos” – Used to refer to the office of the person serving as a spiritual
shepherd (overseer).
• “sumpresbyteros” – fellow elder – (Peter refers to himself).
Significance of Peter as a “fellow elder”
• No suggestion of a clerical order ruling over the laity here.
• Peter never claimed a superior place above his brethren, but as a fellow
elder, he exhorts them.
• Denies the concept of Peter as Pope with authority over all other church
offices.
“a witness of the sufferings of Christ”
• Peter was very likely an eyewitness to Christ’s crucifixion.
• Peter had to endure watching Christ’s sufferings and death with the
knowledge that he had denied Christ just before the crucifixion.
“as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:”
• Peter got a glimpse of this Glory at the Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew
17:1-3.
• Peter will expand on sharing in the “Glory of Christ” in his next letter 2nd
Peter.
1 Peter 5:2
2 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;
“shepherd the flock of God that is among you”
• In John 21:15-19 Jesus reinstates Peter as a disciple after the resurrection.
• “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” (Asked 3 times)
• “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep”, “Feed my sheep”
• Peter is passing this same responsibility on to the other elders.

5. Feed the flock, NOT fleece the flock!
“shepherd the flock … exercising oversight”
• Principle of serving as “overseer” – episkopeo.
Titus 1:77
77 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach.
1 Timothy 3:1-2a
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he
desires a noble task. 2a Therefore an overseer must be above reproach,
1 Peter 5:3
3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
• Jesus set the example by washing the disciples’ feet.
John 13:15-16
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have
done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his
master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
1 Peter 5:4
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of
glory.
• Peter refers to Christ as the “chief Shepherd”.
• Psalm 22 – Good shepherd gives his life for his sheep.
• Psalm 23 – Great shepherd watches over his sheep.
• Psalm 24 – Chief Shepherd who is coming again.

6. “the unfading crown of glory”
• Crowns are the rewards given to believers after the rapture at the
Judgment Seat/Bema Seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each
one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether
good or evil.
What will we do with a crown?
Revelation 4:10-11
10 the twenty- four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and
worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne,
saying,
11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created."

7. 5 Types of (Victory) Crowns in the Bible.
1. Crown of life – for those who have suffered for His sake.
James 1:12
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has
stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to
those who love him.
Revelation 2:10
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to
throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days
you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the
crown of life.
2. Crown of Righteousness – for those who loved His appearing (2nd coming).
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only
to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
3. Crown of Incorruptible – for those who press on steadfastly.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives
the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-
control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an
imperishable (crown).
4. Crown of Rejoicing – for those who win souls.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 KJV
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
5. Crown of Glory – for those who fed the flock.
1 Peter 5:4
4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading
crown of glory.

8. Chorus of “The Old Rugged Cross”.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
1 Peter 5:5
5 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."
• Pride is the sin of the devil
Isaiah 14:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.'
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the
proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he
cares for you.
• A prideful person cannot humble themselves because they think it is up to
them to solve the problem.
“casting all of your anxieties (cares) on him”
• How do you cast your anxiety on him?
• By humbling yourself and putting God first.
• Give God control.

9. How do you humble yourself before God?
1. Stop putting everything on your own shoulders.
Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Pride says it is up to me!
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Trust in God’s Character
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
 Loving, holy, sovereign, all powerful, endless…
3. Look at the Humility of Jesus
Philippians 2:8
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
• People living under threatening circumstances will have anxiety (fear,
worry, insecurity, anxious).
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to
the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are
all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many
sparrows.

10. How do you handle anxiety?
• We have no ability in ourselves to handle our anxieties, so we must turn to
the one who does!
• There is only one pathway to peace!
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
• Sober-minded = Being watchful and circumspect.
• Treat God’s truths seriously.
“the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.”
• Did Peter portray Satan as a roaring lion as a veiled reference to the lions
of Nero in the arena?
• How does Satan prowl around like a roaring lion?
Satan as a roaring lion by John Piper.
1. Satan lies and is the father of lies. (Genesis 3, John 8:44)
2. Satan blinds the mind of unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
3. Satan masquerades in the costumes of light and righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:30)
4. Satan does signs and wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Matthew 7:22-23;
24:24)
5. Satan tempts people to sin. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 22:3-6; 2 Corinthians
11:3)
6. Satan plucks the Word of God out of people’s hearts and chokes faith.
(Mark 4:1-9; Romans 10:17)
7. Satan causes some sickness and disease. (Acts 10:38)
8. Satan is a murderer. (John 8:44; 1 John 3:12; John 10:10)
9. Satan fights against the plans of missionaries. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)
10.Satan accuses Christians before God. (Revelation 12:10)
The Victory of Christ over Satan: 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 2:15;
Revelation 20:10; Matthew 8:29; 25:41; Romans 8:1

11. 1 Peter 5:9
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being
experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
• Refuse him a place and he flees!
James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
1 Peter 5:10
10 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.
“And after you have suffered a little while,”
• All suffering will be temporary on earth for the believer.
“called you to his eternal glory”
• Heaven is the perfect place with no suffering or sin.
“will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1. Restore – Return to perfection (sinless).
2. Confirm – “Well done” with heavenly rewards.
3. Strengthen – Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
4. Establish – Heaven is permanent and forever.
1 Peter 5:11
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• Dominion = control, supremacy.

12. All suffering is meaningful! - John Piper
Not only is all of your affliction momentary and light in comparison to eternity,
but all of it is TOTALLY MEANINGFUL! Every millisecond of your pain from the
fallen nature of man and every millisecond of your misery in the path of
obedience is TOTALLY MEANINGFUL! It is producing a peculiar glory that you will
get because of that suffering. I don’t care if it was cancer or criticism. I don’t
care if it was slander or sickness, it wasn’t meaningless. It’s doing something! It’s
not meaningless! Don’t look at what is seen. When your mom dies, when your
child dies, when you get cancer at 40, don’t say it’s meaningless, it’s not! It’s
working for you an eternal weight in glory. Therefore, don’t lose heart. Take these
truths and day by day and focus on them. Preach them to yourselves every
morning. Get alone with God and preach His word into your mind until your
heart sings with confidence that you are new and cared for by God.
All suffering is meaningful! - John Piper
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is
being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for
us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the
things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen
are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Next Sunday – November 6, 2016
2 Peter 1:1-11
“BEING USEFUL”
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

13. Romans 6:23a
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7
7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/