The Keys to Enduring Suffering
Sermon Notes
Welcome to our final week in 1 Peter! This Sunday, David Leventhal will be taking us through 1 Peter 5, where Peter encourages the church to stand firm through suffering. He highlights the importance of faithful leadership, urging elders to shepherd the flock with humility and care while encouraging the younger members to support their leaders and cultivate humility toward one another.
Peter reminds believers to remain vigilant, recognizing that their enemy, the devil, seeks to devour. Peter also reassures them that their general has not abandoned the troops. The battle we are fighting as believers is temporary because Jesus Christ is coming back to deal once and for all with the evil and sin in this world.
In this series, we're focusing on the main theme of 1 Peter: As God's chosen people, believers are called to endure suffering with hope, following in the footsteps of Christ, trusting that their trials serve to sanctify them and prepare them for the glory to come.
Key Points
Vs. 1-5: The church stands firm in suffering through faithful leadership & humility within the body
Vs. 6-11: The church stands firm in suffering through vigilance & confidence in our full restoration at Christ’s return.
Vs. 12-14: Concluding words & greetings
Discussion Questions
Peter warns about the devil prowling like a roaring lion. How do you stay spiritually alert and resist the enemy in your daily life?
What does it look like to joyfully submit to the elders?
Peter calls believers to cast their anxieties on God. What worries do you need to release to Him, and how can you actively trust in His care in the midst of suffering?