Pastor’s Notes
At the end of Jesus’s teachings on the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15), Jesus teaches on our need to be in constant prayer that we are “delivered from the evil one,” that we not be lead into temptation, and that God would protect us from Satin’s evil schemes. Out of Jesus’s mouth, we see that as Christians we should acknowledge the enemy’s presence in the world and also pray to be shielded from it. That we are called to pray for strength and faith to overcome his attacks in our life.
One of the themes that we have seen in 1 Peter is that Peter writes from words that are not his own. Peter writes often from what he himself has heard from Jesus during his time with Him during His ministry. A prime example of this is Peters words concerning the reality that our road to glory will go through suffering first. Or how we should not be surprised at the testing we encounter as believers. Also, this week’s message of how we should be aware of the enemy of lies. These are all words that Peter heard from Jesus Himself.
Peter is ending his letter on the warning of the enemy because Peter knows that the suffering of believers is the playground for the enemy. This is seen even in Jesus’s life when Jesus struggles in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus is hungry, thirsty, and tired, and at that moment we see the enemy come out to play.
As Peter concludes his letter to brothers and sisters he loves and cares about, he warns them to be “sober, vigilant, and steadfast in the faith” when struggling in this life, because the enemy “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour“. In Peter’s words we see the truth about many predators in life; that predators often hunt those which they believe are weak.
Peter’s words are very much to be taken seriously, but we must see that the warning gives way to the greatest truth and promise in verse 10. Peter acknowledges that the enemy is real and to be in prayer over concerning our protection, but he also points out that the enemy is not the king of the jungle, just a counterfeit lion that prowls on the struggling. Satan is a liar, a deceiver, a predator. Peter leads us not to fear, but he leads us to a steadfast life of prayer that God protects, strengthens, equips, and establishes us to see the enemy for who he is and be prepared for when he attacks through grace that only God provides.
I pray that our study in 1 Peter has been a blessing to you. I know it has been one to me. I pray that you grew from the wisdom and love of the Bible concerning “how to suffer well” and that God’s word through Peter was seen as an ordained message, planned in advance during a very difficult time in our world. I pray that you see that God has been so good to us and our church in giving 1 Peter to us during this time of weakness.
Scripture to go along with the message
Read Matthew 4:1-11 and also Matthew 6:9-15
Highlight in your Bibles
Highlight verses 8-11 in 1 Peter 5
Questions to consider
1.) Throughout our 8 weeks in 1 Peter, what have you learned and grown from in this study? I encourage you to highlight and journal your answer throughout your Bible so that what God has revealed can serve as a reminder later in life.
2.) In this week’s text, how does Peter’s warning serve as a reminder in your life today? Think through different ways you are weak and how the enemy can attack.
3.) What does your prayer life look like concerning God’s provision in your life during these difficult and unique times? Look at the Lord’s prayer and Peter’s words in the this week’s text for example of how we should be praying during times of weakness.
