“How To Live As Pilgrim Sufferers” sermon (1 Peter 5:6-7)
“How To Live As Pilgrim Sufferers” is a sermon preached from 1 Peter 5:6-7 by Noah Olguin, pastor of Covenant Baptist Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin – a confessional Reformed Baptist church subscribing to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
Introduction: The Call to Humility and Trust
Our passage today comes from 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV):
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
This passage reminds us of God’s sovereignty, care, and the believer’s call to live humbly and trustfully, even amidst trials.
The Bible: One Unified Story
Often, people read the Bible as a collection of disconnected books by various authors, like an anthology of unrelated writings. This approach misses the richness of Scripture, which has one divine Author and a unified message.
For example, Peter’s letter addresses “elect exiles of the dispersion,” a phrase rich with Old Testament significance. These words are not isolated; they echo God’s covenant relationship with Israel. Understanding these connections enriches our interpretation.
Suffering as Pilgrims in This World
Peter writes to a specific audience—Christians facing suffering. He identifies them as sojourning sufferers, akin to Israel in Egypt. By invoking the Exodus, Peter aligns their experience with Israel’s: strangers in a hostile land, awaiting God’s deliverance.
Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt, Peter assures his readers that God’s mighty hand will protect and ultimately exalt them. This promise calls for patience, trust, and humility.
The Call to Humility
Peter’s exhortation to humble yourselves is rooted in recognizing God’s sovereignty. Trials and afflictions are not random; they are from God’s hand.
Instead of complaining or questioning, humility accepts God’s providence, trusting that He works all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28). This attitude reflects Job’s acknowledgment: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Humility reminds us that everything we experience—even hardship—is ultimately for our refinement, as Hebrews 12 teaches: “The Lord disciplines the one he loves.”
Casting Our Anxieties on God
Trials often bring anxiety, but Peter directs believers to cast all their anxieties on God. This act is not passive; it involves effort, prayer, and trust in God’s promises.
Anxiety stems from attempting to carry burdens we are not meant to bear. Casting our cares on God requires acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him.
Peter assures us of God’s care: “He cares for you.” This care is demonstrated supremely in the Cross, where Christ bore our ultimate burdens. If God cared for us in our greatest need, He will sustain us in every lesser trial.
Exaltation in God’s Time
Peter promises that at the proper time, God will exalt the humble. This exaltation is not necessarily immediate relief in this life but the ultimate glory awaiting believers in eternity. Christ’s own path—from humiliation to exaltation—secures this promise for His people.
Application: Living as Humble Pilgrims
- Humble Yourselves: Accept God’s will, especially in trials, trusting that His timing is perfect.
- Cast Your Anxieties: Turn to Scripture, meditate on God’s promises, and pray for the Spirit’s guidance. Surrender your burdens to God, knowing He is sufficient.
- Trust in God’s Care: Reflect on the Cross as the ultimate evidence of God’s love and faithfulness.
Conclusion: The Road of Humility and Trust
Peter encourages believers to walk the path of humility and trust, even as they suffer. As we journey through this life as pilgrims, we look forward to the day of exaltation when all suffering will cease, and we will dwell in eternal glory with Christ.
Let us pray:
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. Teach us to trust in Your mighty hand, to live humbly, and to cast all our cares upon You. Strengthen us as we await the day of exaltation through Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.”
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