Moving Forward in Christian Community
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality
1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV)
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: 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; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.”
Sermon Outline
Humility changes us and how we relate to the world, making the church a community that moves forward in the world in a radically different way.
1. Trying to Go Up
v5 “God opposes the proud”
v2 “not under compulsion, but willingly… not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering… but being examples”
v5 “likewise… be subject to the elders”
2. Beginning at the Bottom
v1 “as… a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory…”
3. Moving Forward
v5 “clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility… but gives grace to the humble”
v4 “when the chief Shepherd appears”
v1 “I exhort the elders… as a fellow elder”
v4 “you will receive the unfading crown of glory”
Prayer of Confession
God of peace, who brought from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep: lead us, for we are a wandering and confused people. With proud hearts we have gone our own way. In efforts to lift ourselves high, we have failed to rest in Christ. We have put others down, and have not looked up. Even our humility is corrupted. Forgive us our many sins. We thank you for Jesus, who came down to us. We thank you for the promise of glory, that in following him he will lead us forward to an unfading inheritance. Lead us forward, in Jesus name. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Is pride the most basic sin? What do you think is equal to pride/alongside pride, or perhaps worse than pride?
How do you recognize pride at work in you? What are the signs, effects, or evidence?
How is pride hindering your relationship with others? Your experience of life? Your walk with God?
How does the descent of Jesus, who humbles himself for us, help meet our most basic need? How can the suffering of Jesus on our behalf penetrate our pride and help us out of it?
How does the exaltation of Christ and the promise of sharing his glory help us without feeding our pride? What cautions must we exercise?
What does true humility look like?
What aspects of church community life poke your pride? What difficulties do you experience because of pride?
Why do churches need leaders/elders? Is it better to follow Jesus on your own?
What are signs of problematic church leadership?
Why are people resistant to following church leaders? What are some problems where pride is at work?
What can churches do to make sure Christ is the head and leader of the church? How does he remain the one who guides the church forward?