Hill Country Bible Church

Not Shaken: Day Thirty

Posted: Mar 01, 2011 by Rick Peralez

Rick Peralez

BIO:

Hi, I’m Rick Peralez and I’m one of the  elders at HCBC UT.  I have been married to my lovely wife, Vicki, for 28 years and have two adult children.  For my day-job, I run an accounting business that focuses on churches and non-profit organizations.  In my spare time I play guitar with The Rocket Brothers Band, drive all over Texas in my Miata, and catch as many movies as I can. 

PASSAGE: 1 Peter 5:4

CENTRAL TRUTH:

There is eternal reward for those who serve Christ faithfully.

DEVOTIONAL:

I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to skim through or just skip passages of Scripture that don’t seem to apply to me.  However, I’ve learned over the years that this can lead to missed opportunities to hear God speak to me.  This passage out of 1 Peter 5 can fall into that category.  After all, this is a passage addressed to elders and not everyone is called to be an elder.  Yet, there is an overarching truth presented in this passage that is applicable to all Christ-followers.  So, let’s listen in on this conversation to elders and see what God might be saying to us.

Peter opens chapter 5 by calling elders to a style of leadership that is very different than the leadership you typically see in the world.  A leadership that is selfless.  This begs the obvious question, “Is it worth it?”

I can’t help but think that Peter’s thoughts went back to a conversation with Jesus as he prepared to pen his response in verse 4.  In Mark 10:23-31 Peter basically poses the “is it worth it” question to Jesus.  And Jesus responds by saying that there will be reward in this life, but even more significantly, eternal reward in the life to come.  

So, in verse 4 Peter reminds elders of two important facts.  First, that Jesus will return.  He doesn’t say, “if the chief Shepherd appears”, he says “when the chief Shepherd appears.” Secondly, he reminds elders that there is an eternal reward awaiting those who serve well.  However, while the reward spoken of here is specific to elders, it echoes the promise of reward to all believers that Jesus speaks  of in Mark 10 and in Matthew 6 when he instructs us to “store up for ourselves treasure in heaven.”

Is it worth it to live a life that is selfless and yielded to Christ?  Absolutely!  It is an investment that will pay everlasting dividends.

QUESTIONS:

1. What impact does the fact that Jesus WILL return have on the way you live your daily life?
   
   
2. How does the offer of eternal reward motivate you in your desire to faithfully serve Christ?
   
   
3. If you do not find the offer of eternal reward motivating, why is that so?
   
   
4. If you do find the offer of eternal reward motivating, what practical steps can you take today to keep this motivation from being pushed aside by the daily grind of life?