VIP Ministry Network

Catch Fire Day 49                            Be Examples to the Flock                                        1 Peter 4-5

1 Peter 4 and 5 are full of practical advices but I would sum up them in one sentence:  “Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.” It is easy for us pastors to preach and teach but hard to be examples.

The Bible says, “Live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). It can mean avoiding sins of flesh (1 Peter 4:3-7). It can mean, however, also “loving constantly for one another” (1 Peter 4:8-11). Both ways of being examples include enduring sufferings with complete trust in God’s faithfulness while continuing to do good (1 Peter 4:12-19).

The fruits would be humbleness (1 Peter 5:6) and freedom from anxiety (1 Peter 5:7).

Humble yourself, then people will despise you! Humble yourself anyway.

Love enemies, then they will destroy you! Love them anyway.

If we can do this with complete trust in God’s faithfulness, we can keep our fire burning and spread the sparks everywhere we go!