Message In 1peter – Number 5 – Humble Yourselves And The Monster Of Anxiety – 1peter 5:6-7 Series

MESSAGE IN 1PETER – NUMBER 5 – HUMBLE YOURSELVES AND THE MONSTER OF ANXIETY – 1Peter 5:6-7

[A]. INTRODUCTION – STRENGTH AND DEPENDENCE

The strength of youth is most evident when the body is at the prime of its physical development. How many of us have had sons in the middle teens who likes to flex their developing muscles. This is all so natural but teens pass into early adulthood and then into middle age and lastly into the twilight portion of life. The carefree self-sufficiency of youth soon becomes the realisation that this old physical body can’t do what it once could. As the natural abilities decrease, we find more and more that there is a growing dependence on the assistance of others.

A term used more and more for the spouse who supports the dependent partner is that of “carer”. Peter spent three and one half years in earthly association with Christ, and various episodes in his life showed he was a self-determined man, a self-energised man. On the eve of the crucifixion Peter learnt a major lesson for he had boasted a misplaced, personal strength, but found that under trial and testing, that strength evaporated. He learnt that dependence on God was the only way of satisfaction. Later on in life he could write this:-

[B]. HUMILITY AND QUALIFICATION

The physical strength of youth must not be confused with a spiritual strength because they are different. There is a physical that may be strong but there is a spiritual that may be weak. Over the years Peter became more dependent on God and walked in humility. He was a humble man of God.

The academic may write about things he knows nothing about such as a discourse on humility but it is the man who has gone through the training and failures and the practical advancement in growth – he is the one who is qualified to speak on these things. Peter was one such man.

One thing I do not like, and it is so common under a ministerial system that denominations have, is that young men are appointed to the ministry, men who may love the Lord, but have had no experience in life. When you deal with people’s personal problems, and the problems of life, you need an experienced basis for ministry. That is why all the churches in the New Testament times and later as well had elders who were qualified in their experience with God. The very word “elder” means men of maturity, older men, and men of standing. The Old Testament backs this up.

Experience is a very necessary requirement when you are dealing with the overseeing of the flock of God’s people. We must not have novices – {{1Timothy 3:6 “and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.”}} Anyway getting back to Peter, he was qualified to speak on this matter of humility because he knew failure in that regard.

Peter makes two requests here, and we may consider them as commands. For a walk with God these are the necessary steps in a proper walk. Remember Peter walked with very God Himself on earth. He was instructed by the Creator of the universe. Those two positions are, “humble yourselves” and “cast all your anxiety”. We are going to look at those.

[C]. WHAT IS THIS MATTER OF HUMILITY?

{{1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,}}

What Peter says here is that (we) must all humble ourselves under God’s hand and He will exalt those who do so. This is an act of personal decision. There are those who take it to heart and those who don’t. We are told to humble ourselves and I must say this is not a “maybe” but a direct injunction to do it, straight from the mouth of God.

Paul had something to say on this matter. {{Romans 12:3 “Through the grace given to me I say to every man among you NOT TO THINK MORE HIGHLY of himself than he ought to think but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”}} Pride is an awful thing and it is resorted to when a person needs to exalt himself because he wants people to be impressed. When you think more highly of yourself than you ought to you have no right to do so. Why?

I would especially address Christians. What do you have that was not given to you by the Lord? If you are a great speaker in church, a great singer, a great writer and teacher, a great preacher, or what ever it is you have a gift in, the moment you think you are someone important, then you immediately fail God. You are no more than a steward of the gift God has given you. You are no more than a servant carrying the message.