Humbly Exalted! 1 Peter 5:5-11

The Third Sunday After Trinity                                 20-June-2021

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Sermon Theme: “Humbly Exalted!” by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert

I.N.R.I. “Dad, I wish you were dead!” “I don’t want anything to do with you and your rules!” “I know better!” “Give me my inheritance, I can manage it better than you!” “I don’t even want to be around this family any longer - I’m leaving so I can live my own life!” Hallmark wouldn’t use any of these phrases for Father’s Day cards. They are the words that Jesus puts into the mouth of the younger son of the merciful Father in the parable which is at the heart of Luke’s Gospel.

  Do these words have a ring of familiarity to you? One writer put it this way, ““When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” If we are honest, many of us as teenagers were so full of ourselves and puffed up with pride that we rebelled against parental authority. Especially our father, if we were blessed to have him still in our home.

  Solomon, the wisest man in ancient days, gives us this counsel: Pro 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; (9) For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. Fathers, if you want to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord take the time to read, meditate, chew on, and digest the book of Proverbs. Then teach God’s Wisdom written therein to your children in daily family devotions, as you say bed time prayers with them, sing hymns with them, and learn to pray the Psalms together. Teach your children the ABC’s. Parents you are the prime educators of your children - don’t hand your responsibility over to the state. Teach them the ABC’s of Christianity - The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer - don’t wait for them to learn these truths until they begin confirmation. The devil will be attacking them with the Lie from infancy - they need to hear, repeat, recite, and be freed by the Truth that is found in Jesus Word alone - the Truth that will set them free.

  The merciful Father has two arrogant sons full of pride. The younger wishes his Dad were dead so he can live it up. Every time we lust for what hasn’t been entrusted to us. Every time we jump to harshly judge and gossip about the sins of others. Every time we finagle a way to use the system for our own benefit so we can get a little more mammon. Every time we pervert the gift of sex meant only for marriage to serve our selfish desires. Every time we justify our hatred of another human. Every time we complain about those in authority. Every time we stay home because we are tired of hearing the “blah, blah, blah” of the sermon and liturgy. Every time we spend our days in worry and despair without prayer. Every day that we push the God aside - and fear, love, and trust in our own power, plans, and wisdom to get things done. We are saying to our heavenly Father - “I know better!” “Give me what is mine! I’m leaving Your Home to really live!” Sadly our proud living only brings death. Twice wise King Solomon teaches, “Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

    Fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters learn to be: Humbly Exalted!

  The apostle Peter knew about pride and humility. At the Last Passover he proudly boasted that he would never deny Jesus. The others might, but not Peter - he would die for the Lord. Proud, self assured Peter would crumble before a servant girl in the high priest’s courtyard. He denied and cursed himself if he ever knew of this Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus had warned proud Peter, “Luk 22:31-32... "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. (32) But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

  We walk in danger all the way. Satan is our adversary. He is a fallen angel who in pride sought to displace his Creator. He led a third of the created angels in a proud rebellion against heaven. He lost and was cast down to the earth. Satan than immediately sought to destroy the crown of God’s creation - mankind, marriage, and the family. He took our first parents captive by the LIE - God’s Word doesn’t mean what it says - and God really isn’t your loving Father who loving cares for, provides for, protects you.

    Satan still effectively uses the LIE to tear apart marriages, families, homes, churches, and nations. God the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Truth - uses the pen of humble Peter to instruct pastors in their duty to humbly shepherd Christ’s flock entrusted to their care. Then he instructs members of the congregation. (1 Peter 5:5) Elders is the term Peter uses for the pastoral office.   The vice of pride is most hurtful to Christianity. Satan has effectively destroyed congregations by fueling pride. He even sought to tear the apostles apart by seeing who among them would be the greatest. Within our Father’s House - Christ’s Church we are to submit to one another. Trust one another. Trust that our baptized brothers and sisters in Christ are clothed with Christ’s humility. We are all sinners, redeemed by God’s grace and clothed with Jesus’ perfect life. We pray together, “Father, break my sinful proud arrogant will and let Your good and gracious will be done!’ “Let your Word be taught among us in its truth and purity - strengthen us to live holy lives of faith towards our loving heavenly Father and love towards one another! Give us Your Holy Spirit so that by your grace in Christ we believe Your Holy Word and live as beloved children of your Home, your Kingdom, Christ’s Church here in time and hear after in eternity!”

True Fatherhood flows from God the Father. He has created us. He has given us all our varied talents and abilities. He richly and daily provides you with all that you need for your body and life. He protects you through the ministry of His Holy angels and through the blessing of lawful authority upholding the rule of natural law. (Vs.6) One of the greatest gifts a father can give his children is himself and his time. God the Father gave us of Himself - His only begotten Son - Christ Jesus gave up eternity to become our blood Brother, enter our time, and shoulder our sin to the cross. In humility Jesus trusted the Father’s will and for the sake of us sinners was forsaken by His Father - that we might be called the children of God. He has breathed us alive by His Holy Spirit. Therefore, humble yourself - trust God’s mighty nail scarred hand which protects, leads, and feeds you day by day. (Vs.7) “Dad, are we there yet?” Children often times worry on family vacations, rather than relaxing and trusting their father to get them safely to their destination. Don’t be childish, be child like - thrown all your worries on your heavenly Father - He cares for you! Jesus prays with you, ‘Our Father’ - Tender words of endearment - in Christ Jesus you are found, forgiven, restored - the Father embraces you with forgiveness, kisses you alive with His Holy Spirit, and clothes you with Christ’s perfect robe of righteousness, placing the ring of son ship upon your finger, and inviting you to feast in His house. He fills you in Christ’s flesh and blood with forgiveness, life, and salvation!   Daily pray - no any time a worry floods in upon you - cast it upon your loving Heavenly Father in prayer. He loves you and never closes His ear to your prayer - even if it is only groaning - He hears!

  The world has a different father than you do Christian! (Vs.8) The devil has been a murderer and liar from the beginning. He never speaks the truth only lies for he is the father of lies. The devil is your adversary - he targets the children of God. He seeks to make your ears tired of hearing God’s Word, coming into God’s House, to be served by Christ. Satan seeks to puff you up in pride so that he can enslave you in sin. He roars that God doesn’t care - life isn’t fair - sin is freedom - and forgiveness is slavery. Satan is the author of double speak from the beginning - calling good evil and evil good. He calls spiritual and moral drunkenness - being woke. Satan is a roaring lion who accuses you that you are too great a sinner to be loved or sought out by your heavenly Father. He accuses you day and night stirring up your conscience to tear you from your Father’s Home. He seeks to devour you!

Stand against his lies with the Father’s Truth Christ’s Word and doctrine. (Vs.9) Fathers teach your children to pray the Lord’s Prayer and confess the Truth - the Apostles’ Creed as they begin and end each day. Teach them to lay hold of their baptismal birthright - tracing the sign of the holy cross upon their forehead and heart as they speak the name of the only true and saving God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. St. John heard echoes of Peter’s teaching in heaven: Rev 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” You belong to the brotherhood of Christ’s family. We are preserved under the cross and suffering by God the Holy Spirit through Christ’s Word, flesh, and blood.

  Learn from humble Peter. (Vs10) Proud Peter denied Jesus three times and went away in tearful despair. Three days later word was brought to him - Jesus who was crucified for his sins was risen. Peter ran with John and beheld the empty tomb. Then that evening as they locked the doors in fear of death - Christ Jesus stood among them speaking peace. Peace found in His holy living wounds. Peace breathed out by the Holy Spirit through forgiving words of absolution - bringing life to sinful Peter. Peter would learn time and again of God the Father’s patient forgiving seeking out of us sinners. We daily sin much and He daily calls us back to His side to be washed Christ’s blood and strengthened by His Holy Spirit in the Word of Truth. Our God pardons our iniquity - He settles us - brings us peace in Christ’s flesh and blood. Now He invites you to His feast - given and shed for you - your past sins are forgiven - He declares you new again - His beloved son in Christ Jesus.

    (Vs.11) Humble yourself - to Him be all the glory. Christ Jesus rules and orders all of history for the sake of calling you Home. The Holy Spirit calls you by this good news to bring you Home again to your True Father - here in time and here after in eternity. Amen.