Attitude of Spiritual Growth | 1 Peter 5:5-18

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our New Year Service. Wish you a blessed New Year 2022. I pray that you grow in every area of spiritual growth this year.

The theme that the Lord laid in my heart for 2022 is the theme – GROW.

Last night I spoke to you about the 4 fundamental spiritual disciplines we can practice to grow.

• Grow in the Word.
• Grow in Prayer.
• Grow in Fellowship.
• Grow in Witness.

Today, I want to speak to you on the attitude of Spiritual Growth.

Attitude of Spiritual Growth

HF: We will briefly look at 9 attitudes we can practice for our spiritual growth.

ILLUSTRATION

We here at City Harvest AG Church appreciate great music. There are people who can play instruments and sing so well. But the truth of the matter is that it is the product of great skill in the repetition or practice of certain fundamental things, fundamentals of music. They have spent time practising the fundamentals and grown, and now they can play so well.

ILLUSTRATION

If you are an athlete or a sportsperson, your coach will always focus on practising some fundamentals every day. And good teams and good athletes have mastered fundamentals.

Well, that is true also in the spiritual dimension. We have to apply ourselves to certain spiritual fundamentals if we are going to be mature if we are going to be effective, if we are going to be all that God would want us to be.

As Peter is concluding his first epistle. He gives us some attitudes that we can practice to propel our Spiritual growth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Growth is given by God, but it also involves human responsibility. That is what this passage talks about.

1 Peter 5:5-18

⁵In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter, likely wrote this epistle between AD 63-64 to a group of persecuted Christians scattered in the Roman Empire. Tradition says that Peter himself died a martyr’s death near Rome. According to tradition, he was crucified upside down. In short, Peter wrote this epistle near the end of his life when he probably stayed in the imperial city for some Christians who were being persecuted.

Peter at the end of this epistle pulls together a series of final commands starting with church leadership to the believers or members of the church. These final commands call for fundamental attitudes that God requires that lead to spiritual maturity.

Today, we are going to briefly look at those attitudes which are necessary for us to grow in Christ to effective maturity. God willing, we will take this up one by one for this New Year.

1. SUBMISSION

1 Peter 5:5a

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.

Peter has been talking about submission in this epistle and it has covered almost all areas.

1 Peter 2:13

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority..

1 Peter 2:18

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

1 Peter 3:1

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husband so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.

Starting in chapter 5 Peter talks about the responsibility of pastors and elders at church and then as a response Peter says:

1 Peter 5:5a

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.

Two areas to submit are hinted in this passage:

1. Submit to your spiritual leadership

Believers are to submit to your spiritual leadership, mainly pastors who are directly overseeing you. The quality of the pastor is given in v1-4: Eager to serve, not lording over people, not greedy for money, and being an example to the flock.

2. Young people submit to their elders.

To submit means to get under the leadership of that person. It is the same word as a submarine, sub here is to get underwater. So, where you have a responsible godly and mature spiritual leadership, you are to give honour, respect and submission to those. That is a fundamental attitude of spiritual maturity.

God always works through human leaders to accomplish his mission. When people rebel against godly leadership God treats it seriously

3. HUMILITY

1 Peter 5:5b-6

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Clothe yourselves with humility. It is like putting on an apron to do some kitchen work so that you can keep your clothes clean. Humility is the garment that we put on.

Humility means low-mindedness.

Why humility?

1 Peter 5:5b

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

You say, “Why is He opposed to the proud?” Very simply, God hates pride.

Peter is talking about humility in two directions.

1. Towards one another

1 Peter 5:5b

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…

ILLUSTRATION

Booker T. Washington, the renowned educator, and founder of president Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.

Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady.

The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, doing something for a friend is always a delight.” She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.

2. Be humble toward God.

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

No matter what God brings into our life, better be humble before God. Don’t fight with God.

The mighty hand of God means different things at different times. Sometimes the mighty hand of God is used to deliver the believer from trouble. Sometimes the mighty hand of God is used to protect the believer through a time of testing. It’s a shelter, rather than a deliverance. Sometimes the mighty hand of God is used as a chastening hand, bringing blows against the believer. But always it is the sovereign mighty hand of God, whether for deliverance, for testing, for chastening, always God’s mighty hand. Therefore, be submissive to whatever God is doing in your life.

 “One of the evidences of our pride is our impatience with God. And one of the reasons for our suffering is that we might learn patience.” Warren Weirsbe

3. TRUST.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

And so Peter says you have to have an attitude of trust. Trust in what? Trust in God’s care so that you cast all your anxiety on Him because you know He cares for you. And so you’re able to say, “Lord, I know it’s difficult, I can’t handle this situation, I am anxious but I’m going to give You the whole deal because I know You care for me.”

ILLUSTRATION

Charles Spurgeon told this story of his grandfather James and his faith in God. “He had a large family and a very small income, but he loved his Lord, and he would not have given up his preaching of the gospel for anything.” One day the cow on which the family relied for milk for the children suddenly died. James Spurgeon’s wife was greatly concerned, but he said, “God said He would provide, and I believe He could send us fifty cows if He pleased.”

On that same day, a group met in London—a group James Spurgeon did not know—that wanted to help meet the needs of poor pastors. They raised a large sum of money and began sending it to different pastors in need to help their families. When they reached the end of the list, there were still five pounds left. One man suggested sending it to James Spurgeon. Another said, “No, let’s not send just five pounds. Let me add five more to go with it.” Others joined in, and the day after his cow died, James Spurgeon received twenty pounds in the mail!

You can trust God to keep His promises and provide for your needs.

Philippians 4:19

My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

4. SELF-CONTROL

1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Self-control is very explanatory. Control of the self or self-control.

Self-control can be as small as not eating a packet of chips or Oreo to a little bit of another half an hour of Facebook or gaming. On the other extreme, it goes to falling prey to temptation.

Example: When I’m at the pizza buffet and I’ve already had more than enough to eat, and I know there’s a good chance another slice will make me miserable for the next 3-4 hours and I eat it anyway …. I lack self-control.

When I watch 5 hours of TV a day, but spend only a few minutes in Bible study and prayer …. I lack self-control.

When I choose the pleasures of sin, enjoying them for a short time … forfeiting the long-term and eternal blessings of living in obedience to Christ, I lack self-control.

ILLUSTRATION

The story is told of a young girl who accepted Christ as her Saviour and applied for membership in a local church. “Were you a sinner before you received the Lord Jesus into your life?” inquired an old deacon. “Yes, sir,” she replied.

“Well, are you still a sinner?”

“To tell you the truth, I feel I’m a greater sinner than ever.”

“Then what real change have you experienced?”

“I don’t quite know how to explain it,” she said, “except I used to be a sinner running after sin, but now that I am saved. I’m a sinner running from sin!” she was received into the fellowship of the church, and she proved by her consistent life that she was truly converted.

Self-control is controlling our minds and actions by the power of the Holy Spirit to avoid sin. Peter has been talking about a sober mind throughout this epistle.

1 Peter 1:13

 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Peter 4:7

….be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Self-control or a sober mind is a discipline of the mind and the body that avoids sin.

True self-control is not about bringing ourselves under our control, but under the power of Christ.

APPLICATION

Where is the area that you need to exercise self-control in? What is the thing that you know it is wrong, you want to avoid but it is difficult.

5. VIGILANCE

1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. You have to have an attitude of vigilant defence.

ILLUSTRATION

We saw the worst attacks on India in Pulwama where a car laden with explosives rammed into a CRPF bus killing some 44 Jawans on the spot and 3 succumbed to injuries later. The Indian Army is very capable of yet this happened.

ILLUSTRATION

The Great Wall of China remains one of the most impressive structures ever built. Stretching thousands of kilometres, the wall runs through mountains, plains, deserts and more, defending China’s historic northern border from invaders. The wall was built over the course of more than 1,500 years as different dynasties repaired existing fortifications and built new ones.

The wall is a formidable barrier to enemy troops. But it wasn’t always as effective as its builders may have wished.

However, the Great Wall was not always effective. Genghis Khan and his armies had no trouble invading Chinese territory, for example, nor did various other tribes from the north. In some cases, the invaders may have simply gone around sections of the wall; in others, they found more ingenious methods. The Tanguts, in 1002, were able to cross the wall easily by filling in trenches along its length when they noticed the guards of the Song dynasty weren’t paying attention.

That incident points to a key weakness in the Great Wall: Defensive fortifications are only as good as the people manning them. This would prove true on more than one occasion during the Great Wall’s history. For example, in 1644, the Ming dynasty was betrayed to invading Manchu forces by a turncoat general who simply let the enemy army in through a gate.

We need to be vigilant in our spiritual life.

The devil is called the prince of the world.

John 14:30

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me.

The devil is also called the prince of the air.

Ephesians 2:2

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

Your adversary, the devil is not only the adversary of God, but he is your adversary as well. “Adversary” is a legal Greek word that means the legal opponent in a lawsuit. So we have an enemy, who constantly attacks and accuses us.

Three areas to develop vigilance.

1. Understand Satan’s attack.
2. Understand our weaknesses.
3. Take up the armour of God

So, fundamental attitudes: Submission, humility, trust, self-control, vigilant defence.

6. HOPE

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 1:6

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Peter says, “..after you have suffered for a little while.” It may seem intense and it may seem long but it’s really very brief, just a little while. Your suffering, your pain is just a little while.

My suffering is just for a little while.

ILLUSTRATION

Several years ago researchers experimented to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope! Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives?

To all those who are going through suffering this is what the Lord says:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

He is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. His comforting hand is around you in your pain today.

Do you know why you are going through the suffering?

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

See the term God will himself work on you.

While I am being personally attacked by the enemy, I am being personally perfected by God.

God is with you right in your circumstances. He is working in you. What is God doing? God is restoring you, making you strong, firm and steadfast.

Well, they’re almost synonyms. God Himself is there battling and through the battle so that you are restored, strong, firm and steadfast. So Peter says, “Hope in the Lord.” Because in the midst of my suffering, I have hope in what I am becoming.

ILLUSTRATION

As Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia, he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among them. When he had thus disposed of nearly all the royal resources, his friend General Perdiccas asked Alexander what he had reserved for himself. “Hope,” answered the king. “In that case,” said Perdiccas, “we who share in your labours will also take part in your hopes.” He then refused the estate allotted to him, and several other of the king’s friends did the same.

I do not have time to go over the remaining, I leave it up to you to study.

7. WORSHIP.

1 Peter 5:11

To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

And when you have a worshipping heart, beloved, it keeps you from questioning the difficulties of life, does it not? When you have a worshipping heart you don’t question God, you just worship Him. By the way, the word “dominion,” Kratos, means strength. It’s only used here in the whole New Testament. And it speaks of God’s ability to dominate. He is the dominant one. Nothing is beyond His control, not our suffering and not Satan and his demons and the whole system. Nothing is beyond His control, we worship Him for that.

8. FAITHFULNESS

1 Peter 5:12

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

There’s no reason, by the way, to assume this is any other than Silas, although that was somewhat a common name, but very likely the same Silas who travelled with Paul and is often mentioned in Paul’s epistles.

He was a prophet, according to Acts 15:32.

He was a Roman citizen, according to Acts 16:37.

We know about Silas. Silas may well have been the one who wrote down Peter’s words and the one who perhaps would even bear them to these folks. But Peter calls him a faithful brother, “for so I regard him,” highly respected, faithful.

Peter reminds his readers that now that I have written this small epistle, will you remain faithful to it like Silas was faithful?

And then he adds one final virtue that we can call the attitude of affection.

9. BROTHERLY LOVE.

1 Peter 5:13-14

13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

She who is in Babylon must refer to a church. Female terms for the church are common. One writer says it’s a cryptic name for Rome.

But well could be saying the saints of Rome, the church, chosen together with you also elect, sends you greetings, Christian affection. So does my son Mark, Peter’s spiritual son, not his physical son. Mark, called John Mark, is mentioned in Acts 12:12, he accompanied Paul, and stayed with Paul during the apostle’s time in prison in Rome. Tradition indicates that Peter helped him write the gospel of Mark; that when Mark wrote his gospel, Peter was there to assist him.

But here you have a little collection of affection.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. An outward sign of affection often mentioned in the New Testament. By the way, it was men to men, and women to women in ancient times, a customary part of early church affection.

And he closes, “Peace be to you all who are in Christ.”

CONCLUSION

Spiritual maturity begins with some fundamentals. A believer must grow every day of his/her life. We have discussed nine growth markers in our lives. Submission, humility, trust, self-control, vigilance, hope, worship, faithfulness and brother love. Commit yourself to growing in these areas.

Beloved, let me tell you something and I close with this, there’s no way to produce those in your life through any mystical experience. They come from the truth. As the truth is poured into your life week in and week out, day in, and day out, it begins to change your character and create these kinds of attitudes.

ILLUSTRATION

In the 1800s, a group of women met to study the Bible in Dublin. They were puzzled by the words of Malachi 3:3, “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” One of the ladies promised to call on a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand begged to know the process of refining silver which he fully described to her. “But Sir.” said she, “Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?”

“Oh yes, Madam,” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace. For if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver is sure to be injured.”

At once she saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees it needful to put His children into the furnace, but He is seated by the side of it. His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for His children. Their trials do not come at random.

As the lady was leaving the shop the silversmith called her back and said he had still further to mention that he only knew when the process of purifying was complete by seeing his own image reflected in the silver. When Christ’s image is reflected in us His work of purifying is accomplished.