1 Peter

ELECTED BY GOD

1 Peter 1:1-2

New Hope Christian Church, 8/21/22

We’re facing the most important election of all time, not the one in November but rather the one that will determine our eternal destiny. Political decisions are important since they do play an important role in our lives as well as the state of our nation and communities, but our destiny for eternity should be a greater focus. After all, one hundred years from now we will not care about the things of this world. To a degree, our eternal destiny depends upon God: God chooses whether to save as well as whom to save, but in His grace and mercy He has offered us a choice regarding salvation. Let us consider the following four steps in God’s election, whom He chooses to spend eternity with Him.

God’s Foreknowledge 

Peter writes that the elect (that is, the saved) “have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God” (1:2). Foreknowledge is and has always been a difficult concept to grasp.  From our standpoint, it seems that foreknowledge should be the last step in election. Logically it occurs as a result of God’s plan to send His Son to save us sinners along with our responses to that plan. These responses  result in either our salvation or our suffering God’s wrath. Our difficulty in understanding the connection between foreknowledge and salvation arises from this common query: if God knows future events before they happen, do we have any choice in where we will spend eternity?

To overcome this difficulty we need to understand the difference between foreknowledge and predestination. Think of it in the following analogy. (Like all analogies, this one may help even though it may not be perfect.) When you see a video of a friend engaged in some activity—maybe a ballgame—you know how it’s going to end. Your viewing of that video does not affect its outcome, no matter how many times you watch it. Actions were the results of decisions made by the persons who were filmed. In a sense, before you watch it the second time (or even the first time if you had personally viewed the events as they were being filmed), you know how it’s going to end. That is foreknowledge. God knows our decisions and actions before we make/do them, but He did not make those decisions or cause us to do those actions. In a way, He saw them before they happened just as we watch the video of our friend and know how events are going to happen before they appear on the screen.

Predestination, on the other hand, involves the decisions God makes as a result of His knowledge of our decisions and actions, even though we have not yet actually done them. Not all things are predestined, but some are. God, in giving us free will, does not predestine us to sin or to have faith. Rather, as a result of His foreknowledge that we will sin and subsequently that we will or will not accept His offer of salvation, He then predestines us to salvation or condemnation. The apostle Paul wrote of such predestination of those who will believe in Jesus and fulfill the conditions of salvation. By His foreknowledge God already knows (even before they are born) how each person will decide. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30). He “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. . . . In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:5,11-12). Notice that the things for which we were predestined do not include faith or obedience to the gospel. It was because we put our hope in Christ, believing in Him and obeying the gospel (see discussion below), that God elected (chose) us for the blessings of salvation.

The Spirit’s Sanctification

After God, through His foreknowledge, chose us, He set in motion His plan to actually save us. This step Peter calls sanctification. The word sanctification, also translated as holiness, basically refers to setting apart someone or some thing from evil or for God. The Bible refers to three types of sanctification: being set apart (1) for some ministry or service to God, (2) from sin and the sinful ways of the world, and (3) for salvation (not necessarily in this order).

Regarding salvation, the Holy Spirit has sanctified groups and continues to sanctify individuals. God has treated human beings as two groups: (1) the people of Israel (Jews) and (2) the nations of the world (Gentiles). At Mount Sinai, Israel was set apart to God as His special people: “‘Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy [sanctified] nation’” (Exodus 19:5-6). However, that changed with the crucifixion, resurrection, and glorification of Christ, specifically on the following Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Since that time, God offers to all people the privilege of being chosen for salvation, to be among His elect. The apostle Peter was called upon to defend his preaching the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18):

“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Paul wrote that the Gentiles had “become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16). Ephesians 2:11-13,18 refers to this union of Jews and Gentiles:

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. . . . For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

That Jews and Gentiles are now “sanctified by the Holy Spirit,” does not mean that individual persons are automatically saved by their inclusion in the two groups (now one group). Individuals are given the opportunity for salvation, through the word (the gospel). 2 Thessalonians 2:13 refers to God’s action plus our response: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” God chose the method of salvation, but it is up to us to believe and act upon it.

For Obedience to Jesus Christ

God also chose the means by which we accept His offer of salvation. Believers (see 2 Thessalonians 2:13 in previous paragraph) have purified themselves “by obeying the truth” (1 Peter 1:22). He has chosen to require certain conditions, summed up in the phrase “obeying the gospel.” Peter defended his preaching of the gospel, testifying, “‘We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him’” (Acts 5:32). After the first internal dispute in the early church was resolved in unity, Luke records, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). Paul wrote, “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). When Jesus returns to earth, He “will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Jesus had charged the apostles for their ministry, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).

This obedience to the gospel is not the same thing as doing good works. Obedience to the gospel includes obeying the command to believe on the Lord Jesus (Acts 16:31), to repent of one’s sins (Acts 2:38), to confess our faith in Jesus as Lord and in the Resurrection (Romans 10:9-10), and to be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). All of these are actions by us, but none is what the Bible calls “good works.” 

Of course, God has chosen us to do good works, those done for the benefit of others, not to be saved but as a result of our salvation: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Sprinkling by His Blood

God foreknew who would obey the gospel, having been given the opportunity through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He then applied the blood of Christ in forgiving them. His application of the blood happens simultaneously with our obedience in baptism. Note the simultaneous effects as described in Hebrews 10:22: We can “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” as a result of “having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Obviously the “sprinkling of our hearts” is with the blood of Christ, as prefigured symbolically in the sacrifices in the Old Testament. What is meant by the washing of our bodies with “pure water”? Ephesians 5:26 says that Christ cleansed the church “by the washing with water through the word.” Paul wrote to Titus (3:5), “He saved us through the washing of rebirth [literally, regeneration] and renewal by the Holy Spirit . . . .” Peter equated baptism in water with baptism into the name of Christ: “‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?’ . . . So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:47-48).

Baptism in water, in the name of Christ, is therefore associated with the point in time in which we are saved, that is, covered by the blood of Christ. Romans 6:3-4 explains why this is: “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Conclusion

God wants you to be saved, and he sent his Son to make it possible. It’s up to you whether you accept his terms. “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:40-41). Have you answered yes to the final invitation in the Bible? “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

(NIV, 1984, Used by Permission)

THE NEW BIRTH

1 Peter 1:3-5,23-25

New Hope Christian Church, 8/28/22

What is the essence of the Christian life? Carl Ketcherside said that Christianity is not turning over a new leaf but rather turning up with a new life! The New Testament uses several figures of speech to refer to the new life of a Christian: adoption into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5), resurrection from death (Romans 6:4-5), and also a new birth (John 3:3,7; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3,23). We really misunderstand what it means to be a Christian when we think that it just means a change in behavior (and maybe being a church member) so that we can go to Heaven.

Eternal life is in fact a relationship with God: “‘Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’” (John 17:3). The new birth, being born again, speaks of this divine relationship, a relationship that is relevant not just for eternity but also for the here and now. 1 Peter 1 characterizes the new birth with three assurances.

Born into a Living Hope, 1:3-4

The first assurance of the new birth is that we have been born into a living hope. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . . .” This hope, which will come to fruition upon the return of Christ (Titus 2:13), is the promise of our resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:6). We already have “the firstfruits of the Spirit,” but in our current physical state, we “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).

In his listing of spiritual blessings, the apostle Paul included the Christian hope: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). The glory of this new body is described in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” Indeed, “we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). Nevertheless, “what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Peter assured his readers that this inheritance cannot dwindle or fade away, “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you . . . .” It is a living hope, made possible and assured through the resurrection of Jesus.

This hope has relevance to our present life—it is not just something to wait for. “Dear friends, now we are children of God. . . . Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). The future hope helps us stay anchored to Christ in everyday life. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). Therefore, we must constantly remind ourselves through the word of God and through the encouragement that comes from our brothers and sisters in the faith. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first” (Hebrews 3:12-14).

Born from the Divine DNA (Seed), 1:23-25

Unlike the mortal nature we receive from our earthly parents, the new birth is spiritual, coming through our faith in and obedience to the word of God, the gospel of Christ. “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth” (James 1:18). “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. . . . And this is the word that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:23,25).

This word of God is living—not just alive but continuing to give life through the indwelling presence of Christ’s Holy Spirit. Paul wrote of those who desire the ways of the Spirit (Romans 8:9-14):

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

We are all mortal, but those who have the Holy Spirit (those who belong to Christ) are spiritually alive even after physical death. Furthermore, while in these mortal bodies, we are empowered by the Spirit to overcome sin.

This word of God is also enduring: “For, ‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever’” (1 Peter 1:24-25). This word does not just last forever itself; it also continues to give us endurance in the face of hardship and in spite of our failures. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Just as our bodies need continual feeding and digesting of nutritious food, so also our spirits need a healthy spiritual diet, that is, continuing to feed on and digest the word of God. After the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus taught about the spiritual bread: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). The marginal reading in the NIV capitalizes the second “spirit” also. We can better understand what Jesus meant when we understand a common idiom in the New Testament where forms of “to be” (often “is) really mean “result in,” “lead to,” or “produce.” Reading this verse with this understanding gives us the meaning, “My words lead to reception of the Holy Spirit, who gives you life.”

James (1:21-22) connects the word with salvation: He urges us to “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” But he also warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that God “has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Our lives are transformed by the figurative infusion of God’s DNA. (God does not literally have DNA, and we do not literally share in the divine nature.)

Shielded by God’s Power, 1:5

This new birth, this new relationship with God, provides us protection from sin, Satan, and death. Through faith we are “shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5). His protection gives us the ability to endure whatever life in this world throws at us. Jesus simultaneously warned and assured His followers: “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33). “‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’” (John 14:27).

Paul offered himself as an example for us: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13). In response to one particular concern that Paul had, Jesus assured him, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Therefore, Paul wrote, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

This power does not come automatically, however. We must make use of the resources God gives us: (Ephesians 6:10-18):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Conclusion

The new birth is not optional (if we want to go to Heaven) and not just for special people (like preachers and elders). Jesus was very clear (John 3:3,5): “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. . . . I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.’” When we are baptized in water and the Spirit, we experience this new birth, which is a reboot of life, giving us a relationship with God through the presence of the Holy Spirit. The born-again person will live differently because of this relationship, not just through an effort to live by the rules. Have you been born again? Does your life reflect that new life?

FILLED WITH JOY

1 Pet 1:6-9

New Hope Christian Church, 9/4/22

Have you done much star-gazing? Some things, like the major constellations and the brightest stars, are easy to spot. But when we look for some lesser star or faint comet, the best way to see it is to look slightly away from it. The same thing is sometimes true about our life goals. According to the Declaration of Independence, one of our unalienable rights is the pursuit of happiness, and we all want to be happy. Ironically, the pursuit of happiness usually results in less happiness!

The trials and troubles of life stand in the way of our happiness. Since we want to be happy, we resent these trials and troubles. We try to avoid them, to overcome them, and we pray for God to remove them. Regardless of all these efforts, experience and Scripture teach us that it is futile to search for happiness through the elimination of troubles. Instead, Christian experience and Scripture teach us that we should pursue joy, not happiness. Happiness comes from our enjoyment of temporary circumstances; and therefore the happiness is temporary. Joy can be present at all times, sometimes noticeably, and other times beneath the surface (waiting to be realized).

1 Peter 1:6-9 (along with other scriptures) invites us to consider three perspectives that can enable us to rejoice greatly in spite of the trials we face in this life, consequently increasing the frequency and the quality of happy times.

Yes, Trials Are Real

“In this [through faith being ‘shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time,’ 1:5] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1:6).

1 Peter was probably written around AD 65. The year before, a great fire broke out in the city of Rome, destroying a major part of the poorer sections of town. Rumors spread that the emperor Nero was responsible—there were reports of sightings of Roman soldiers helping to spread the conflagration—seeking to remove impediments to his urban renewal plan. In order to quell the rumors, Nero blamed the Christians. After all, they had been predicting the return of Christ and the fiery destruction of the world. As a result, a great but geographically limited persecution broke out, primarily in the region nearest Rome. Among the most horrific aspects of this persecution were the reports that Nero had Christians covered with pitch, hung on posts, and set afire to light his garden while he rode around in his chariot.

This persecution was not empire-wide, but there were occasions here and there in scattered parts of the empire where the enemies of the church took advantage of the attitude in Rome in order to carry out their own persecutions. 1 Peter was written to churches in the Roman province called Asia, now Turkey. It seems that many of them were undergoing these localized persecutions.

Sometimes believers are under the impression that becoming a Christian should insulate them from the trials of the world. When they continue to suffer old troubles or encounter new ones, they start to wonder: what did I do to deserve this or why doesn’t God answer my prayers for relief? The apostle Peter responds to such questioning by assuring them that, for the follower of Christ, trials and rejoicing can exist simultaneously in the life of the believer. This truth did not originate with Peter. Scripture teaches it frequently.

Christians should expect and be prepared for the troubles that will come in their lives. For example, Jesus told His disciples, preparing them for His crucifixion the next day as well as for their ministry, “In this world you will have trouble’” (John 16:33).

Often, troubles come because we are living for Jesus. The apostles knew this fact of life through experience as well as Scripture. “Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13). “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). If you are not now being persecuted, (1) you have been, (2) you will be, or (3) you are not living the way you should!

For the Christian, trials are real!

Trials Are a Blessing, Really!

“These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1:7).

None of us enjoys trials and tribulations; but they do open up for us blessings that we could not otherwise have. Peter mentions four of these blessings. By remaining faithful to Jesus and His work in spite of trials, (1) our faith is shown to be genuine. Furthermore, when Jesus returns, He will reward our faithfulness with (2) praise, (3) glory, and (4) honor. What a blessing it will be to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Furthermore, we can only speculate about the nature of rewards that are only hinted at or symbolized in scripture.

The apostle Paul wrote of several blessings that come as a result of our faithfulness in times of trial (2 Corinthians 4:15-17):

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Faithfulness in times of trouble results in (1) more people being reached by the gospel, (2) thanksgiving by those who come to Christ, to the glory of God, and (3) our not losing heart since our troubles somehow achieve for us a glory that far outweighs the trials.

How do our troubles help to reach people for Christ?

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God . . . made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (2 Corinthians 4:4-12)

Through deceptive philosophies and other lies, Satan has blinded many people so that they do not accept the truth of God. (See also Romans 1:21-23.) However, through our faithfulness to that word, even in the face of all kinds of trials, their attention is drawn to our message, that we can be faithful only because of the life of Jesus at work in us. Of course, they can understand that it is His power only if we are living as He wants us to and if we explain to them that our ability to overcome comes only from Him.

Turning Trials into Joy

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1:8-9).

Trials are real, to be expected in our lives; and they can result in blessings. These two perspectives enable us to turn our trials into joy. This joy, of course, is not always evident in our lives. How do we draw on the underlying joy that comes from our faith and our faithfulness? First, though we have not seen Him, we love Him. Through our knowledge of the life of Christ, learned through our study of the Gospels, we see One who loved us and continues to love us. His character evokes our love for Him. Our love for Him grows as we get to know Him more: through the Gospels, the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, the teachings of the apostles, and the book of Revelation.

Second, though we do not see Him now, we “believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for [we] are receiving the goal of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls.” Our faith deepens as we delve more into scripture, as we study the rationale for faith, and as we live for Him.

A third way to turn our trials into joy is through the realization we are in the company of the prophets: “‘Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets’” (Luke 6:22-23). 

Trials also turn to joy whenever we remember the salvation yet to come (1 Corinthians 15:51-57):

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” . . . The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has arranged for us to remember this salvation by expecting us to remember Jesus as we partake of the Lord’s Supper each week. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Conclusion

Happiness comes only temporarily (except in eternity) and is quite elusive. Indeed, the more we search for it (like looking for the dim star), the more it will elude us. If we constantly search for happiness, we will be disappointed; but the more we do what produces joy, happiness will arise more frequently. Joy produces happiness. What produces joy? Living for Jesus in faith, hope, love, and service. What are you doing for Him?

SERVED BY THE PROPHETS

1 Peter 1:10-12

New Hope Christian Church, 9/11/22

Would you like for God to speak directly to you? Many of those in ancient times who had this privilege were known as prophets. With this great privilege came great responsibility, and at times also great trouble! We do not appreciate the Old Testament prophets enough, as is evidenced by the fact that we study their messages so little. This neglect of the prophets is pitiful since we have the two-fold privilege of having been served by the prophets and of joining them in their primary mission. In fact, our primary text (1 Peter 1:10-12) for this study presents three reasons we should honor the prophets more, especially by studying and learning from their prophecies.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, [11] trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. [12] It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

The importance of such a study is underlined by Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees in relation to their hypocritical veneration of the prophets (Matthew 23:29-32):

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!”

Let us then examine the privileges we have in studying the Old Testament prophets. Here are three reasons we should do so.

The Prophets’ Power

The first reason we should study the prophets lies in their power, that is, the reason that they were able to foresee the future. Peter tells us that the Spirit of Christ in them predicted the “sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1:11). In 2 Peter 1:20-21, he was more descriptive of this power: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” He does not explain how these revelations were communicated to the minds of the prophets except in his use of a Greek word translated, “carried along.” The Greek word takes on vivid meaning when we see its use in Acts 27:15,17 where Luke describes a ship being driven by a storm, preventing the sailors from being able to control it. Similarly, sometimes God audibly and directly spoke to the prophets, without them needing to form their own opinions about the current or future times and events. We call such messages revelations and the methods by which they received them, inspiration. Whatever the method at any given time (spoken word, dreams, visions, general thoughts, or enhanced memory), the result of inspiration was a message, spoken or written, so that it was the same as if God had literally breathed out the words: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

We must never imagine that the Spirit of God speaks to us in the same way. We are not “inspired.”  We do, however, benefit from the inspired word of God as we study that word, thus being taught and motivated through the word. Therefore, our understanding is not guaranteed to be a true understanding; but the word of the prophets was guaranteed to be the word of God.

When necessary, the prophets also had power to work miracles to confirm their message. This power was obvious in Moses and Aaron, in Elijah and Elisha, in Isaiah, in Daniel, and in other Old Testament prophets as well. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently called on listeners to believe in Him “on the evidence of the miracles” (John 14:11). The apostles, claiming to speak for Christ, were enabled by the Spirit to work many miracles. The entire gospel message was grounded in the confirmation of miracles: “This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will” (Hebrews 2:3-4).

The prophets spoke in Spirit-given words that we can understand just as through the words of the apostles of Christ (1 Peter 1:12). The apostle Paul spoke of the apostles’ work in 1 Corinthians 2:8-10,12-13:

we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began . . . , as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. . . . We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Nevertheless, we must study and sometimes seek help from other students of the word, to come to the correct understanding of a given passage. Therefore, the better we understand the apostles’ writings, the better we can understand what God has in mind for us.

We must, then, get to know the message of the prophets and the apostles if we desire to understand the mind of God.

The Prophets’ Purpose

The second reason we should study the prophets comes from their purpose. The prophet Amos (3:7-8) wrote about their purpose: it was to reveal to us what God desires us to know. “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Sovereign Lord has spoken—who can but prophesy?” Peter wrote that the prophets predicted things that they themselves often did not understand—even the angels longed to understand what the prophets were predicting. “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you” (1:12).

The prophets often brought the word of God to and about the people among whom they lived, but much also was meant for generations not yet born, and especially for us in the Messianic (Christian) age. Why then would we ignore their messages?

The Prophets’ Proclamation

The content of those messages was meant for us. They spoke of “the grace that was to come to” us, that is, to followers of the Messiah. This grace would be superior to the Law because the Law, having accomplished what it was intended for, was insufficient for saving sinners from the guilt of, the power of, and the penalty for sin. Thus, the prophets’ proclamation for us included two basic themes: “the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1:11). When reading through the prophets, we can find meaning for us by looking for those passages that particularly speak of those themes.

Of course, we must go beyond the prophetic word and also study the New Testament apostles and prophets (books of Matthew through Revelation), for the New Testament helps us to understand better what the prophets were saying. There is an old saying, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Peter wrote that the prophets spoke of the things now told to us by the apostles and prophets of Christ.

We must be wary of just listening to and admiring the prophets (and indeed our own preachers as well), applying the parts of their teaching that are appropriate in this age. We do not want to follow the example of many of Ezekiel’s listeners (Ezekiel 33:30-33):

“As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Conclusion

Our mission is similar to that of the prophets: we are to proclaim God’s purpose through the power of the Spirit.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-8)

In order to do so, we must study the word, apply it to our own lives, and then share it with others.

OBEDIENT CHILDREN

1 Peter 1:13-22

New Hope Christian Church, 9/18/22

Blue Bloods is the name of a television show about a family whose adult members are all in law enforcement in New York. In spite of their commitments to the law and to their church, their priority is summed up in two words, “family first.” This fictional family expresses the priority of many real families, as is expressed in the old saying, “Blood is thicker than water,” meaning that biological family comes before church family. Christians, however, belong to the church, God’s family; and Jesus had something to say about His followers’ priorities: “‘Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it’” (Matthew 10:37-39).

“Family first” is an appropriate statement of priority as long as the family is God’s family. Of course, our natural family, biological and/or adopted, should have a very high place on our priority list. The Bible is clear regarding our family relationships—see, for example, Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 1 Timothy 5:4—summarized in 1 Timothy 5:8, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” But this connection is still only for life in this world and must take second place to our commitment to Christ and the gospel. “‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life’” (Mark 10:29-30). “‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?’” (Mark 8:35-36).

The family of God includes every saved person. We need to learn to look at our eternal family as truly family. Of all the symbols used in Scripture to illustrate the nature of the church, the one that seems to be at the top of the list is that of family. In this study we will examine three imperatives (commands) for promoting our identity as members of God’s family.

Prepare Your Minds for Action

In his first letter, the apostle Peter wrote, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action” (1:13). This command literally refers to an ancient practice in which men would take off their belts (sashes) in order to run them between their legs and strap them up to the waist, thus turning their tunics (skirt-like garments) into a form something like shorts, more suitable for work or combat. Peter symbolically appropriated this practice into a mental one: literally, “gird up the loins of your mind,” and symbolically, “prepare your minds for action.” Thus the modern translations present an accurate portrayal of Peter’s meaning.

This expression emphasizes the importance of mental discipline, which dispels both ignorance and avoidance of one’s responsibility. We must be intelligently engaged in the culture of our civilization and also in a biblical worldview of that culture. Incorrect understanding of either one leads us to a warped sense of reality. Being unconcerned about either one leads us to moving through life with just a survival mode, just cruising along until death, without accomplishing anything worthwhile. This mental discipline calls for a determination of purpose, choice of life-goals, and study of appropriate material.

Peter’s second step in preparing our minds for action is that we “be self-controlled” (1:13). The Greek for this word literally meant to be sober. Thus, in this context, it means to be clear-headed, rational, or in control of one’s thought processes. Exercising self-control calls for doing what is right regardless of how you feel; but it also calls for making decisions that do not result in rash, impulsive, or overly emotional actions. Therefore, we should avoid, as much as possible, situations which overly excite negative attitudes such as lust or hate. In addition, we should avoid mind-altering drugs or alcohol. In 4:7, Peter expands on the reason for this attitude, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”

Peter’s third step in this series establishes the goal of the first two: “set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1:13). This aspiration will give us incentive and strength to make it through the tough times.

Protect the Family Name

Peter’s second imperative could be summarized, “Protect the family name.” Good parents, when their children go outside the home, often urge them to behave in a way that reflects well on the family. Peter offers similar advice to Christians: remember that your belong to God’s family. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1:14). He later returns to this theme: "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry" (1 Peter 4:1-3). In short, do not conform to the evil desires and activities of the surrounding culture.

Actions begin with attitude. The mental discipline discussed above arises from renewing of the mind, resulting in new attitudes, as Paul had written to the believers in Rome: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). This renewal comes from immersing ourselves in the word of God, reading it, studying it, and applying it to our lives.

Peter then lays out the most basic reason for changing our attitudes and thus our actions: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1:15-16). Christians belong to a family, whose Father is God Himself. Just as our Father is holy, so we should be holy. To be holy is not just to be “good,” but to be different, different from the world, set apart from the sinful ways of sinful humanity. “Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear” (1:17). When people move to an area different from the one they left, they are often considered to be outsiders—maybe they differ in customs and even accent. Christians are strangers in this world, not because we came from another place but rather because we have been adopted into a new family with God as our Father, Jesus as our Brother, and the Holy Spirit as our Helper. We were bought, redeemed, from a sinful, bound-for-Hell culture. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1:18-19),

The basis of behavior for this Family of God is faith and hope. Having faith means that we trust God’s word—what He says to us is the truth—that He has the power to do anything He wants, that He loves (cares for) us and only wants what is best for us, and that He has the wisdom to know what we really need and the best way to fulfill those needs. We believe these things because we believe in Jesus: “He was chosen [literally, foreknown] before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God” (1:20-21).

What does all this have to do with protecting the Family Name? Our family reputation depends on our behavior. People of the world form opinions about the Father through the actions of His children. Writing to the believers in Rome (Romans 2:17-24), Paul asked those who claimed to know God’s law and who claimed to be teachers of that law, “You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” (2:23-24). Why do many people not become Christians? Some have not heard the gospel; but there are two reasons why many hear but do not believe: (1) the many divisions among Christians, and even more so, (2) so many Christians who do not practice what they preach.

Love Your Brothers and Sisters

The third imperative grows out of the second. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1:22). Jesus taught us to love. “‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’” (John 13:34-35). God has His own criteria by which He recognizes us as His own, but He has given the world a different standard by which to recognize us as His: do we love one another as Jesus loved us? We must go beyond agreeing that we should love one another or saying that we do love one another. Is our love real? The apostle John provides the following test: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).

How is your love for fellow believers? Is it, “Out of sight, out of mind”? When they are absent from the fellowship or quit attending church, what do you do about it?

Conclusion

Obedient children live by the moral values taught by our Father.

The Father is watching. Our brothers and sisters are watching. The world is watching.

PRIVILEGED PEOPLE

1 Peter 2:1-10

New Hope Christian Church, 9/25/22

What a privilege ancient Israel had, as the chosen people of God! Having been rescued from slavery in Egypt, they were led to the foot of Mount Sinai, where they were to be given the Ten Commandments..

Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:3-6)

As disciples of Jesus, we need to realize how privileged we are. Now that we have been reborn and are a part of the family of God, we have a new life. This new life exhibits itself in the following three ways.

New Relationship

This new life begins in a new relationship. This relationship with God is a result of trusting Christ in all things. We take Him at His word, regardless of what He tells us. How does He speak to us? Through Scripture, inspired by His Spirit. (See “Served by the Prophets,” 9/11/22.) Unlike those who rejected Christ, we trust in Him: "For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “'he stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,' and, 'A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.' They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for" (1 Peter 2:6-8). What had been said about Israel at Mount Sinai (above) is now said about us: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (2:9). Peter also applies Hosea’s words regarding the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon (see Hosea 1:10; 2:1,23) to Gentiles as well: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (See also Romans 9:25-26.)

This new relationship brings with it a new purpose for living: “that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (2:9). Anyone who thinks that being a Christian is just a portion of one’s life—that person is mistaken. Before Christ, we were just living for ourselves or some other this-world purpose. Now, in Christ, everything we do must be related somehow—not always easily discerned—to our single purpose for existing in the here and now, namely, to glorify God by fulfilling our new mission. Jesus described it this way, in relation to His own purpose, “‘I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do’” (John 17:4).

Have you ever looked this way at your life?

New Relish

What do you really enjoy doing or experiencing? If it’s more than liking or even loving, we can use the word relish! Perhaps you have been encouraged to do something that you didn’t think you would like, but having done so, you wanted to do over and over again! We could call that relishing. To many people, the Christian way is considered boring or even restrictive. However, for those who really come to know the Lord, it becomes a life to be relished, especially compared to their former existence.

Peter begins his description of this life by comparing what is to come with what has been. “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (2:1) for now “you have tasted that the Lord is good” (2:3). 

As with most new experiences, initial taste in any food, relationship, or experience tends to fade away unless it is somehow renewed. That’s why Peter urges us, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (2:2). We need to crave additional spiritual experiences, but not just those that are repetitions of the initial ones. The “milk” we are to crave must be pure, that is, neither soured nor mixed with the ways and habits of our former life. If we ignore this advice to seek and crave new experiences with the Lord, then we will cease to grow. And when we cease to grow, eventually we begin to die.

But what if we’ve been Christians for some time, even a long time? Just as an infant needs eventually to feed on more than milk, so we need to move beyond the milk of the word, the simpler, easier factors in Christian living. Hebrews warns the readers of this need: "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (5:11-14). Failure to move on from the simpler elements of Christianity will result in falling prey to the traps of the devil.

Although we need to grow beyond milk, at times we need to remind ourselves of the fundamentals. Paul wrote to the disciples in Rome: “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again” (Romans 15:14-15). From the verses following, it seems that he wanted them to remember why they became Christians in the first place so that they would not forget to continue being involved in the spread of the gospel so that others might be saved.

New Responsibilities

Craving pure, spiritual milk, and then moving on to deeper truths of the word (without neglecting to be reminded of the milk from time to time), leads us to discovering and accepting new responsibilities. It’s no longer enough just to pray and attend church. Peter adapts two elements of the Old Covenant order to symbolize the nature of the responsibilities we have in this new life: the Temple and the priesthood. He writes, “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (2:4-5).

The house of God, the Temple, is no longer a building of wood, stone, iron, and gold, but of spiritual building-blocks, that is, flesh and blood disciples of Jesus. They are being built together into a single unit (Ephesians 2:19-22). What is the function of the Temple of God? The functions of the Temple were described in 2 Chronicles in relation to the one built by King Solomon (bold emphasis added):

▸ “But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?” (2:6)

▸ “I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever” (6:2). “But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (6:18)

▸ “May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.” (6:20-21)

▸ [God responded,] “I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (7:16)

The Temple is essentially a place where sacrifices are offered to God

Sacrifices are to be offered by priests. Who are the priests? Unlike the Old Covenant order, in which only a select group of men were allowed to be priests, the New Covenant order assigns the role of priesthood to all disciples (followers) of Jesus. Peter calls us a holy and royal priesthood (2:5,9). Therefore, we are all priests, offering sacrifices to God.

What is the nature of these sacrifices? We use the word sacrifice in common usage to refer to something that one gives up in order to benefit other people or some worthwhile cause. The Biblical use of the term, however, refers to anything offered to God. Under the New Covenant these sacrifices are “spiritual,” but that does not necessarily mean that they do not involve physical items; rather they have a spiritual purpose.

These sacrifices do not earn us favor with God, rather they are expressions of gratitude for what God has given or will give us by His grace. They are not acceptable because of our goodness but because they are given or performed in the name of Christ. The only way we  can be accepted into God’s presence is by having our sins covered by the blood of Christ: "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water"(Hebrews 10:19-22).

What, then, are the kinds of sacrifices we offer to God? Scripture tells us about some of them.

▸ Prayer. “Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8). “The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God” (8:4).

▸ Praise. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

▸ Helping people in need. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).

▸ Supporting preachers of the gospel. “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

▸ Converts to Christ. God’s grace to Paul enabled him “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16).

▸ Bodies dedicated to Christ. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual  act of worship” (Romans 12:1).

Conclusion

You are special! God has a purpose for you. What a marvelous privilege to have such a place! You may ask, what should I do? We should individually use our own special talents and abilities—the Bible calls these gifts of grace (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)—but all can

show mercy to others,

encourage others (with church attendance, thanking people, sending cards),

provide for one’s family (each one carrying out own responsibilities),

prepare your heart for listening to the word,

contribute to church and missions, and

pray.

Addendum: Compare the work of Old Covenant priests with that of the New Covenant:

THE WORK OF A PRIEST

1 Chronicles 23:13

to consecrate the most holy things

to offer sacrifices before the Lord

to minister before him

to pronounce blessings in his name forever

2 Chronicles 15:3—to teach (the Law of the true God)

Isaiah 61:6—to be ministers (servants) of our God

Jeremiah 18:18—to teach the Law

Malachi 2:5-7

to revere and stand in awe of God's name

to have true instruction and nothing false in his mouth

to walk in peace and uprightness

to turn many from sin

to preserve knowledge

to be source of instruction

to be a messenger of the Lord of hosts

Romans 15:16

to be a minister of Christ Jesus

to proclaim the gospel of God

to offer new disciples to God

Exodus 30:7—to burn incense (that is, offer prayers, Revelation 5:8; 8:4)

Exodus 30:18-20—to wash hands and feet before offering sacrifices (see Hebrews 10:22 for New Covenant application)

Leviticus 24:2-3— to keep the lamps burning continually (Matthew 5:14)

Leviticus 24:8-9—Regularly set out and eat the Bread of the Presence (John 6:50 and/or 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

LIVING IN A PAGAN WORLD, I

1 Peter 2:11-3:7

New Hope Christian Church, 11/6/22

Do you pay attention to the signs of the times? As David was uniting his kingdom, it was said of the tribe of Issachar that they “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). In contrast, Jesus admonished the people of His time, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3). Do we know how to interpret the signs of the times? We need to view our times through spiritual eyes.

Those who have studied the Roman Empire in the first century tell us that our times are probably more like the first century than the times of any generation since then. What were those times like? Education, technology and culture abounded. So did vice and hopelessness. Religion was everywhere, but not really believed in, with people just going through the traditional motions. In describing the “last days”  (2 Timothy 3:1-5) the apostle Paul wrote: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."

Although we tend to think of the last days as those immediately preceding the Second Coming, Paul’s final instruction—“Have nothing to do with them”—implies that Timothy, like us, was already in the last days. Paul’s words about those days certainly apply to our own generation, as well as to many generations prior to ours.(From the New Testament perspective, the last days were already present at the beginning of the church, Acts 2:16-17; and from the Old Testament perspective, they began with the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC!)

As we live in an increasingly pagan culture, Christ calls for His disciples to pay attention to our spiritual health. The apostle Peter urged his readers, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:11-12). (The term pagan originally referred to civilians, people not part of Rome’s military. Christians adopted the term to refer to unbelievers, that is, people not in the service of Christ.) Peter then addressed three situations in the lives of believers.

In Society

The first situation he addressed was the society in general. Later he would refer to the way that the “pagans” in general thought about the Christians: “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you” (4:3-4). In 2:13-17 he emphasized specifically the believers’ submission to the authority of the state: "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."

At the time of Peter’s writing this letter there was a geographically limited but severe persecution of the Christians in certain parts of the empire. Rome was not particularly known for persecuting religions (although religions had to have official recognition, and Christianity was still considered a sect of Judaism). However, whenever there was a desire to persecute them, it was convenient if they could be accused of some crime. Therefore, Peter urged his readers not to give the state a reason—hence, obey the law.

The Bible is clear that Christians ought to obey the laws of man. We should not join the practice of many who choose which laws to obey. Even if the law is considered unfair or trivial, or if we’re not likely to get caught, we are still obligated under the law of God to keep man’s laws. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1). “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience” (13:4-5).

There is one exception: We are not to obey man’s law when it requires us to disobey God’s law. Since the governing authority is “God’s servant,” then obviously that authority has no right to contravene God’s law. When commanded by the Jewish authorities not to preach about Jesus, “Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’” (Acts 5:29). He and John had previously challenged them, “‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (4:19-20).

In his first letter Peter charged the believers: “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17). We often do not respect those whose behavior is less than respectable, but we are expected to show respect regardless. As ridiculous as that seems, notice that the king whom Peter required his readers to honor was the Emperor Nero, who was responsible for great vice and even the current persecution of Christians!

At Work

The second situation that Peter spoke about was in the workplace. Admittedly, he was speaking specifically to slaves; but if these instructions were applicable to them, then they certainly also apply to anyone who is working for someone else. "Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God" (1 Peter 2:18-20).

Workers (slaves) are not only to be submissive to their employers (masters) but to do so “with all respect.” Peter recognizes that the workplace may be unfair, but he also insists that the Christian worker be “conscious of God.” To be conscious of God implies (1) that we realize that God expects us to be submissive to those in charge and will commend us when we are, and (2) that we are not suffering for doing wrong. Furthermore, (3) to “this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps”; for Christ “committed no sin” and yet “bore our sins in his body on the tree.” Finally, (4) “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (2:21-25).

Paul wrote, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:9-10). Here we see the ultimate purpose for such behavior at work: to demonstrate to the employer that Christianity is something to be admired and respected.

At Home

The third situation that Peter mentions is in the home, particularly regarding husbands and wives. While Christians were discouraged from marrying unbelievers (e.g., 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; 1 Corinthians 7:39), often a woman would become a Christian apart from her husband. Peter’s instruction to wives (3:1-6) dealt with this particular situation. "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Wives are to live in a way that will make their faith in Christ as well as themselves attractive. Proverbs 31:28-31 confirms this view of godly women: "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

This submission—the Scripture apparently draws some distinction between submission and obedience—is for the stability of the marriage as well as the Christian influence on the husband. Paul also writes about the Christian wife’s submission, in fairly strong terms: “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (5:22-24).

A proper understanding of the wife’s submission to her husband requires us to understand the concept of submission as something other than mere obedience. The apostles, as we have seen in these passages from Peter and Paul, spoke of submission in seemingly absolute terms in four areas: God, state, work, and home. In other scriptures we can also see a fifth area, submission in church, not only to one another (Ephesians 5:21) but also to church leaders (elders and evangelists, Hebrews 13:17, Titus 2:15). As seen above, submission to God is primary. But what happens when the authorities collide? Here, it might be helpful to think in terms of realms of authority. God has total authority in everything. What He says, goes! God speaks through His word, so the Bible, rightly interpreted and applied, has absolute authority. The state has authority in matters of state. Elders (and evangelist) have authority in matters of the church. The husband has authority in matters of the home, with husband and wife in matters of the family (children). Employers have authority in the workplace. Each one of us has personal authority (over body and spirit). 

How does this help understand submission? Regardless of what anyone else thinks, including ourselves, God has ultimate authority. But the employer does not have authority to make decisions for the church. Nor the state for church, although the state does have some authority in the workplace since commerce is authorized by the state. We can approach each combination of realms the same way. And so this helps us to understand the wife’s submission to her husband. For example, he has no authority over her spiritual or physical life. She is not to submit in anything that may deal with one of the other realms. He has no right to harm her or to prevent her from attending church. He has no right to include her in any criminal activity. He does not even have the right to force her to submit to him! That is her responsibility, not his. 

That brings us to the husband’s responsibility. (She as well is not to force him to carry out his proper responsibility.) When the husband is exercising his proper responsibility, a Christian woman will find it easier to be submissive to him. Peter is very concise regarding the husband’s responsibility, but it is packed full of meaning. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). He is not to be an absolute ruler but is to consider what is best for her. He is to give consideration to her opinions and often even be submissive to her. The wife in Proverbs 31 is obviously in charge of the household. She is not his personal slave or toy. Angry tirades as well as physical abuse are both sinful and outside of his authority.

Paul adds some context to the proper behavior of a husband regarding his wife: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her .... In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25-28).

Peter adds “so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (3:7). Does he mean that God will not hear the prayers of the husband who is not properly treating his wife? Perhaps. God says (Malachi 2:13-16):

You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

Or, perhaps his prayers are hindered because his attitude toward his wife keeps him from praying as he ought to.

Home life also includes instructions regarding parents and children. Although Peter does not mention it, Paul does in Ephesians 6:1-4 (also Colossians 3:20-21). Children are not only to be submissive to their parents—Paul uses a stronger term: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’” (6:1-3).

Fathers are given a double responsibility (6:4), one negative and one positive. Fathers (assuming that they are disciples) are given the primary responsibility for bringing the children up “in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Why fathers? Probably because a father’s influence, especially on boys, is more likely to continue into adulthood. The negative responsibility is similar to the instruction to be considerate of his wife. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children,” that is, provoke them to anger or resentment. A Christian father will be firm but not abusive. He will discipline but only in a genuine context of love.

The home is the basic unit of society. As homes go, so goes the community and the nation. When the home follows Biblical principles in all relationships, then the family is better prepared to live in a society that is largely controlled by other principles. You don’t want your children to become pagans? Then train them to be disciples of Christ.

Conclusion

As we live in an increasingly pagan culture, Christ calls for His disciples to pay attention to their souls’ health in all situations: in society in general, at work, and at home. Remember that the purpose of all this is not just to be obedient to God, but also to produce a positive effect on the “pagans.”

LIVING IN A PAGAN WORLD, II

1 Peter 3:8-4:6

New Hope Christian Church, 11/13/22

The prophet Daniel and his three friends knew what it meant to live among pagans. They were among the thousands who were carried into Babylonian captivity in 605 B.C. Due to their exceptional talents, they were drafted into the service of King Nebuchadnezzar. Although they were initially trained to take their places among the “magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers,” their talents soon resulted in their promotion to high administrative government posts. Along with their increased contact with these posts came increased conflicts between their faith and the paganism of others within the government. These conflicts led them to face charges that threatened their lives. See Daniel, chapters 3 and 6, for more of the story.

God’s people have always been at odds with human culture. Although America has long been considered to be a Christian nation (sometimes more, sometimes less), our culture, in the name of pluralism, multiculturalism, and now, wokeism, is becoming increasingly hostile to authentic Christianity. In order to survive spiritually in this environment, disciples of Jesus must consciously live for God rather than just stumbling through life. The first letter of the apostle Peter addresses this conflict between Christ and culture, offering direction on how to live in a pagan world. Our previous study examined certain situations of life in which we find ourselves among a pagan culture. (Remember: the word “pagan” in the New Testament adapts a word that meant “civilians” in the Roman culture, applying it to people who have not signed up for the Christian cause.) In this follow-up, we will examine three aspects of living among the pagans.

Living in Harmony with Others, 1 Peter 3:8-12

First, Peter emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with others. He begins with attitudes that may be summarized as putting other people first. More specifically, “be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (3:8). In addition, in contrast with the normal human reactions to hurtful actions against us, we are not to “repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” (3:9). Why should we respond by blessing those who would do us harm? Because “to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing”! We should be more concerned about God’s attitude toward us than that of people.

The person who “would love life and see good days” must “keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech” (3:10). Furthermore, he “must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it” (3:11). Regarding this last criterion, the apostle Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). In other words, we may not always find ourselves at peace with others, but if not, it must be their fault, not ours. If we have been the cause of conflict, we must repent and apologize. If we have been offended, we must forgive, leaving the justice of it all to God.

Following these instructions will keep us in harmony with God. “‘For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil’” (1 Peter 3:12).

Living with Opposition, 3:13-22

Normally, it would make sense that others will not harm those who are eager to do good (3:13). Nevertheless, sometimes conflict is inescapable, for we are living in a fallen world. So when we suffer opposition, what should we do in addition to the instructions in the previous section? Peter’s answer is, be prepared. First, do not be surprised when conflict arises with people in this pagan culture. (By the way, even Christians are still in the process of shaking off the old, sinful ways; so other Christians sometimes oppose us, and sometimes we, regrettably, are the cause of opposition!)

Then, when conflict arises, don’t be frightened. Why not? Because you belong to the Lord. Even when you suffer for doing good, you are blessed (3:14). As Paul wrote, nothing “in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). Therefore, set apart Christ as your Lord, always being “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (3:15). Whether they ask or not, for your own sake be sure about the reason for your hope. If you do not feel adequately prepared in this area, there are many books that can help you understand why we are certain about our hope in Christ. (Christianity 101: An Introduction to New Testament Christianity has several chapters on this point.)

Peter also emphasizes that we must have the right attitude when defending our faith to others. We must “do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (3:15-16). Because the world does not understand why we believe or why we behave differently from them (see 4:4), they often attempt to portray us as odd or hypocritical. For that reason, we must constantly monitor our own behavior, “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against [our] good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (3:16). When we do slip up, we must quickly correct any incorrect behavior and apologize for our lapse. When false charges are made, or when small infractions are magnified, we can outlive them and show that we are doing our best to be true to our faith.

Peter recognizes that sometimes we will suffer for doing good (3:17). Christ, the ultimate righteous One, died to bring us to God (3:18). He accomplished His purpose on earth. When we join Him in whatever suffering we might have to endure, then we are on the winning side.

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (3:18-22)

(If the NIV translation is correct in calling baptism “the pledge of a good conscience,” then Peter is referring to baptism as God’s promise to us of a good conscience.)

No matter what opposition we encounter in this pagan world, Christians can rest assured that God will bring us to glory. As Daniel’s friends said when threatened with a fiery death, “‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up’” (Daniel 3:16-18).

Living for God, 4:1-6

The third aspect of living in a pagan world is to remember that we live for God. Christ died for our sins, and in Him we die to sin (4:1). “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:10-11). Accordingly, the Christian is to treat sin as though he were actually dead, for dead people no longer sin. “As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry” (1 Peter 4:2-3).

The pagan world will ridicule you because they don’t understand. “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you” (4:4). But when you are tempted to join them in their sinful behavior, remember that “they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (4:5). “For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit” (4:6). God wants all to be saved (see 2 Peter 3:9), but not all will be saved. 

Conclusion

We still die physically, but we live in Christ. And because of Christ, we will be resurrected into eternal life. We must therefore go on living for God and for what is right in spite of any suffering that this world might bring us. What the world thinks is not important; the only thing that matters is what Christ expects of us.

THE END IS NEAR

1 Peter 4:7-19

New Hope Christian Church, 1/1/23

How bad can things get? In 1842, 1914, and 1967, as well as many other times, individuals and groups have predicted the imminent coming of Christ. So far, they have all been wrong. Every generation, so it is often claimed, has thought it was the last. In the late 1960's many people opined that things couldn’t get much worse; and again in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. They were all wrong: it did get worse. Around the middle of the first century A.D., the apostle Peter wrote, “The end of all things is near” (1 Peter 4:7). Since the end did not come then, we can infer that he meant something like the end is near in the sense that we are only “one heartbeat away from eternity.” It is “at the door,” although it has taken and may still take a long time to “come in.” (Compare James 5:9, “The Judge is standing at the door!”)

Because the end is near, we should take that into account in the way we order our lives. Please consider the following three ways in which the proximity of the end should affect us.

Don’t Lose Touch with Reality

The Bible describes the real world differently than human philosophies do. God’s revelation of reality includes the supernatural realm (God, angels, Satan, eternity) and the existence of absolutes. The fact that eventually this world and this life will come to an end, with the Judgment followed by the eternal states of Heaven and Hell, makes it necessary that we not lose touch with the true reality. Peter’s first admonition regarding the end urges us, “Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (5:7). Fantasies, dream-worlds, focus on possessions and the things that are only temporary in this life, as well as mind-numbing games and drugs, distract us from staying in touch with God through prayer. Entertainment, hobbies, and recreation are important for our mental and emotional health, but they must not be allowed to crowd out the more important things necessary for our spiritual development.

Reality also teaches us that grudges and other forms of failure to forgive keep us from loving the people who should mean the most to us (brothers and sisters in Christ as well as our natural families). Peter urges us, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (5:8). It is normal for human beings to overlook the faults of people whom they like or love more than those whom they do not. However, since God’s reality tells us that all people are valued by Him, we should love all, not just those we like. Jesus said, “‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous’” (Matthew 5:44-45).

Furthermore, a critical spirit keeps us from welcoming one another like we should. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 5:9). This welcoming means more than saying welcome  to people coming to church. It means to accept others into our orbit (life-situation) for the benefit of the growth of the kingdom of Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16). This acceptance of fellow believers results in their encouragement and opportunities to grow together spiritually. The acceptance of strangers or acquaintances offers them the opportunity to see Christ in us and thus find salvation.

In short, excess concern with the “now” rather than awareness of the end causes us to think that the “now” is all that there is (or that is really important). The result is that death (or the Second Coming) will catch us by surprise, not to our liking!

Don’t Get Swallowed up by Self

Losing touch with reality also leads us to become swallowed up by self. Knowing that the end is coming should motivate us to participate in the church’s mission to take the gospel of salvation to others. This mission cannot be effective so long as we expect God to do all the work, whether directly by the Holy Spirit or through hiring preachers and missionaries, while the rest of us just pray (and maybe give). The Scriptures teach us that every believer in Christ has a part in the work. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 5:10). We should use our gifts to serve others. These gifts are the abilities or talents that each of us has received by the grace of God.

The church of the first century, due to the presence of the apostles, had two types of gifts, the miraculous sign-gifts (Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:4,7-11) and the ministry-enabling gifts (Romans 8:6-8)—“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (6:6). We still have the ministry-enabling gifts. All came from Christ: “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). “Grace” in this context is not referring to the grace of salvation but rather the ministries that have been given to us through the power of God. See Romans 12:3 (“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you”) and Ephesians 3:7-8 (“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.... Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”).

Peter writes that we are to administer this grace faithfully (5:10); that is, we should use our gifts in the power of God, whether our gift is in speaking or in serving, in word or deed. We are not to rely on our own power but rather the power of God. “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever” (5:11) On our own, we will ultimately fail. When we trust in God’s power as we exercise our gifts, then He will get the glory, rather than us. After all, only when it is obvious that we could do what we do only in the power of God, that will point others to Jesus rather than to ourselves; and only He can save.

Jesus warns us: “‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’” (Matthew 16:24-26).

Don’t Be Surprised by Suffering

Finally, as we remember that the end is near, Peter warns us that we should not be surprised by suffering. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (5:12). We should not be surprised for even Christ suffered, and we have signed on to suffer with Him (5:13) so that we “may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

If you are insulted “because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (5:14). However, we must make certain that our suffering is not because of something we have done to deserve it. “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (5:15-16).

We all deserve some suffering, that is, some hardship (see Hebrews 12:4-11). Suffering is a form of judgment (whether or not directly tied to present actions); and judgment begins with us. He disciplines us through the hardships of life (although He rarely, if ever, brings them upon us Himself). 

It is better to be judged now than later: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” (5:17-18). So if we find ourselves suffering for doing good, “those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (5:19).

Conclusion

The end may be nearer than we realize. Whether it is short or long-time coming, let’s not lose touch with reality, nor retreat into self-centered behavior, nor be surprised when we suffer. Continue to do good!

SERVING TOGETHER: LEADERS

1 Peter 5:1-4

New Hope Christian Church, January 8 & 15, 2023

Why do some churches grow in numbers while others plateau, stagnate, or wither away? The church growth movement beginning in the 1980's started asking and answering that question by applying scientific analysis to the study of this subject. Many factors affect church growth, some within the control of the congregation and its leadership, and some not. In some cases, churches grow without really trying. In others, they fail to grow or even decline in membership in spite of intense effort. For those who grow, sometimes even under adverse conditions, the #1 determining factor of whether a church will grow is, will the members and leaders of the congregation serve together with the intention of growing, no matter what it takes? This factor itself will not necessarily and inevitably foster an increase in making and keeping disciples, but it has been shown to be indispensable for churches that desire to fulfill their part in the Great Commission.

We need to understand the connection between our intentions as a congregation and the importance of our individual commitments to the work. We begin with a look at church leadership. The apostle Peter addressed the church leadership in his first letter: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed” (5:1). Here we learn that Peter was not only an apostle but also an elder. The proper leaders of the churches in the New Testament were the elders. Other leaders, especially in congregations that have not yet developed scripturally qualified and willing elders, would do well to, and in fact must, do their best to emulate the apostles’ instructions regarding church leadership.

Faithful ministry by the church begins with its leadership. This study examines five factors involved in the work of church leaders.

Elders’ Authority

Leaders of all kinds require a certain amount and kind of authority. When it comes to the church, Jesus Christ, as the head of the church, has the ultimate authority; and this authority must be recognized by all, leaders and members alike. Having been raised from the dead and seated at God’s right hand, Christ has been elevated “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:20-23). Thus He prefaced the Great Commission with this claim, “‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matthew 28:18). That claim led to the commissioning of the church to make disciples of all nations (28:19-20) and to gather them together into local congregations. All disciples together constitute that which Jesus called “my church” (Matthew 16:18).

One may rightly ask, if Jesus is at the right hand of God, how is His authority exercised in daily life here on earth? Jesus did not leave that question to speculation. His will and design for the church has been made known through the apostles, first to Peter (Matthew 16:18-19) and then to all the apostles (18:18-20). Therefore, we find the first church devoted first of all to the apostles’ teaching (Ac 2:42). The apostle John affirmed the importance of listening to the Spirit-inspired apostles: “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood” (1 John Jn 4:6). (The other apostles had all died by the time he wrote these words but thoughtful consideration will conclude that John was referring to all the apostles when he said “we.”)

Since the apostles could not be everywhere, and since they would eventually all leave this world, they made provision for leaders in each congregation to pass down the apostles’ teaching to each succeeding generation. The apostle Paul described this process: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). The number of elders in each congregation was always plural, that is, at least two. (This arrangement was probably to keep from giving too much authority and responsibility to only one man.) For example, after establishing churches on their first missionary journey, “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” (Acts 14:23). Years later, Paul reminded the evangelist Titus, “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you” (Titus 1:5).

The elders of the church have been delegated a limited authority in matters related to the faith and work of the church. This authority is implied by the responsibility of the members toward them: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority” (Hebrews 13:17). This authority is necessitated by the nature of their work, work which is described in three scriptural functions: elders, shepherds, and overseers. (Older, ecclesiastical terms for these are, respectively, presbyters, pastors, and bishops.) Peter refers to all three of these functions in 5:1-2, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder ... Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers ....” (See also Paul’s references in Acts 20:17,28, NIV, NKJ, CSB, NRS.)

What if there are not at least two scripturally qualified (see 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) and willing men to be appointed as elders? It seems reasonable that, until such men are available, then the work and the authority necessary to do that work would be placed in the hands of wise and spiritual men who are designated and accepted as leaders. Of course, this should be only a temporary measure.

Elders’ Work

The second factor involved in the work of church leaders is their work. “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2). As mentioned above, the work of elders is described in three terms. The term elders, which literally means those who are older, was a carry-over from the Jewish style of leadership. The older members of the family, city, clan, tribe, and nation were the rulers (until the king replaced them in the nation). “Elder” implied wisdom that comes (or should come) from age and experience. 

The term shepherds, of course, came from the practice of taking care of sheep, although the term in the Old Testament sometimes referred to the owner of the sheep rather than the person who actually tended the flock. The work of a shepherd involved three types of activity. First, he was to provide food (grass and water); he was to watch over them to prevent them from straying; and he was to protect them from predators. All three activities are involved in the work of church elders. Paul addressed the elders of the church in Ephesus:

“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.... I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:25-32)

He had fed them with the word of God; he urged them to keep watch over the flock; and he warned them against those who would try to lead the flock astray.

As overseers, elders are to manage the work of the church, in conjunction with the work of other types of church leaders. Christ “gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors [shepherds] and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-13). They are “entrusted with God’s work” (Titus 1:7). They are to “direct the affairs of the church”  especially by “preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). The word for “direct the affairs of the church” is translated “manage” in 1 Timothy 3:5 in relation to one’s family. Such direction would include not only teaching but also planning projects and activities that would lead to spiritual growth of the members and evangelism of the lost.

Hebrews 13:17 refers to the importance of this work in overseeing the congregation: “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” The nature of the work—that it is not for their own benefit but rather for those under their care—is implied in the reason given to the members’ submission to them: “Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” (13:17). The Lord will hold the elders accountable for their faithfulness to overseeing the spiritual condition of the “flock that is under [their] care” (1 Peter 5:2). In other words, the elders must do what they can to feed the people with the word, to provide encouragement and any needed correction (see 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8,11-12), and to protect them against false teaching. In regard to the last point, the elder “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).

Elders’ Motivation

The third factor in the work of church leaders is their motivation: “not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve” (1 Peter 5:2). Paul wrote, “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). Peter affirms that the motivation must include willingness, and indeed eagerness. God always wants people who are willing to serve.

Poor motivations to serve would include coercion, a desire for power or influence (see next point), or merely to fill a vacancy in the eldership. Peter specifically mentions that serving should not be for the sake of money. Why would anyone think of becoming an elder out of greed? In some cases, elders may forgo other means of financial support in order to spend a large amount of time in the work of the church. As God provides, the church is to provide financial support to missionaries (Philippians 4:15-18), evangelists (1 Corinthians 9:4-14), believers in need (2 Corinthians 8-9), and elders as well: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). No one, however, should seek a position of leadership in the church just because of the money. (This does not preclude individuals or companies providing services for the congregation for monetary compensation.)

Elders’ Style

The fourth factor in the work of church leaders is their motivation: “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). The church has only one legitimate Lord, and that is Jesus. The apostle John wrote of one leader (probably an elder) who did not understand this point: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church” (3 John 9-10). Diotrephes apparently saw himself as the chief ruler in his congregation. He had rejected the authority of the apostles, even speaking evil of them. In addition, he had refused to help some traveling evangelists and put out of the church those who disagreed with him. In short, he saw himself as the lord—the very definition of lording it over others.

The style of a Biblical elder is that of a servant-leader, not a dictator. (In 1 Timothy 3:5 taking care of God’s church is compared with managing one’s family.) He leads by following the authority of Scripture and setting the example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). His life, teaching, and service are worthy of imitation.  Being someone with his own shortcomings, he also presents a worthy example of someone who knows the proper way to handle mistakes and personal faults. He is growing in maturity and helping others to do the same.

In short, his style is that of someone who patterns himself, not after worldly leaders but rather after the Supreme Leader: “‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’” (Matthew 20:25-28).

Elders’ Reward

We must not ignore the fifth fact in the work of church leaders, and indeed of all servants of Christ: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). Their work itself will be a joy when properly exercised (Hebrews 13:17), but more than that, after all is done, there will be a crown of glory. We do not know much about this crown, but it will certainly be related to the words of the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:21). What more could anyone want!

Conclusion

We need to pray for the Lord to raise up qualified and willing men to be elders. In the meantime, we need to expect our temporary leaders to emulate Biblical elders in life and leadership.

(The next study will deal with the members’ responsibility to the leaders.)

SERVING TOGETHER: MEMBERS

1 Peter 5:5-7

New Hope Christian Church, 1/22/23

What’s the difference between disagreements and contention? Sharing our disagreements with one another can lead to learning something new, without disrupting personal relationships. On the other hand, contention often just leads to entrenched positions, making it difficult to accept new truth or accomplish anything for the Lord. 

We need to learn how to hold different opinions without disrupting the peace. Disagreements become contention when we forget who’s in charge (Jesus, the Head of the church). Here are three attitudes necessary for getting along in spite of our disagreements.

Submission to Leadership

In 1 Peter 5:1-4, the apostle Peter addresses the elders of the congregation. (And we have taken those instructions to apply for the most part to other types of leaders as well, especially when the congregation does not have at least two men who are willing and qualified to be elders.) There he described their authority, work, motive, style, and rewards. Next, he turns to those who are younger: “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older” (5:5). Since not all older men would be ordained elders, and since the congregation would include many who were not literally young men, it seems reasonable to assume that Peter is instructing the young men as representative of all members, regardless of age or sex.

Serving together requires wise and able leadership along with the cooperation of all. (After all, what would be the point of leadership without followers?) Hebrews 13:17—for more on this verse see the previous sermon—instructs the members of a congregation to obey the leaders and submit to them. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). He did not use the words obey or submit, but they are certainly implied in this scripture. The brothers (and sisters, of course) were to respect their leaders: “hold them in the highest regard in love, because of their work” and “live in peace with each other.” The leaders’ work included being over them in the Lord and admonishing them (pointing out their shortcomings).

All members, even elders as individuals, are to be submissive to the eldership. The elders are expected to be leaders (see previous sermon on their work). Everyone, then, is expected to be a follower. However, there are exceptions to being submissive. Submission to leadership does not mean:

* that you have to agree that a specific decision is the best one—we can support decisions, with our time, effort, and money, that we think are not the best;

* that you should not try to change the decision—but efforts to do so must be done in a time and way that are both in accord with established procedures and not contrary to God’s word;

* that the elders have the right to tell you what you must believe or do except when they are merely teaching what the scripture expressly and specifically says—in that case, it is not the elders’ authority but the authority of God’s word.

Humility

The second attitude necessary for getting along when we have disagreements is humility: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5). What does it mean to be humble? Simply, to put the other person first, as Paul wrote, “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). He went on to say, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (2:2-4). (“Better” in this verse does not necessarily mean morally or spiritually better but rather “above” or “more important.”)

Humility is important not only for our relationships with one another or as a reflection of our relationship with God. Rather, it is a practical matter to be humble, for none of us has all the answers or even the facts. Too often we find ourselves certain about our knowledge only to discover later that we were wrong. (Happy Days fans may remember that even Fonzie once had to admit he was wr-wr-wrong!)  Even when we are right about the facts, we may not completely understand them. Time and time again, Jesus told the apostles in plain and clear language that He was going to suffer and die, but they did not understand that He meant what He said. For example:

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

In this case, it seems that Peter understood what Jesus said but his understanding of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah did not allow for Jesus, whom he acknowledged as the Messiah (16:16), to be put to death. The prevailing Jewish understanding of the Messianic scriptures was limited by their human experiences. The same can be said about us all in many situations.

I just may not know all the facts, so I need to be humble in my certainty that I know what is best for the church.

By the way, the elders/leaders also need to be humble. Their decisions may not turn out to be the right ones. In that case, when it becomes obvious that they were wrong, they need to acknowledge the mistake and work with the congregation to change course.

Trust in God’s Plan

The third attitude necessary for getting along when we have disagreements is to trust in God’s plan, that is, His design for the church as a congregation under the guidance of spiritual leaders, subject to the authority of the Bible. God’s emphasis on submission sometimes does not seem to make sense. (Why male leadership in church? Why should wives submit to their husbands? Why should Christians obey the laws of the land when those laws don’t seem fair or reasonable?)

Trust in God’s plan first requires that we study carefully the scriptures to make certain that we understand what scripture requires in each scenario. (In our study we must guard against misreading scripture according to our own personal or cultural prejudices.)

In submitting to the church leadership even when you think they are mistaken, you then are giving God an opportunity to show that you were right. For example, Paul recognized that some of his instructions might not be understood properly by some of his readers: “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained” (Philippians 3:15-16).

On the other hand, time just may demonstrate that you were not right. Such was the case once with the apostle Paul. Compare the following passages:

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. [See Acts 13:1-5,13.] They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Years later, Paul realized that Barnabas had been right to take Mark, for he wrote to Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul was, in effect, admitting that he had misjudged Mark’s commitment.

Sometimes, when we find ourselves in the minority regarding a congregational decision, we must allow for the less-than-best decision to carry, for division (or even walking away) is never preferable to submission. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). We need each other in order for the church to be most effective in fulfilling its mission.

Finally, don’t worry about it when your opinion does not carry. You can count on God because He cares for you. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). When we submit first to God, we can count on Him to bless us and to be with us as we do our best to serve Him together.

Conclusion

Church leaders must constantly seek the will of God and the wisest decisions. Often this requires study and time.

When we disagree with decisions made (assuming they are matters of opinion and not a direct violation of scripture), we must do our best to make them work. And, if time shows that the decisions made were mistaken, we must pitch in with one another to pick up the pieces, correct our mistakes as much as we can, and move forward in peace and harmony.

SERVING TOGETHER: OUR REAL OPPOSITION

1 Peter 5:8-14

New Hope Christian Church, 1/29/31

When it comes to ideas regarding the operation of any group, especially the church, we often fall into the us vs. them trap. Our knowledge of Scripture, our personal opinions, and our experiences all play a part in our thinking. In order for the group to function efficiently we need to respect both the right to think for ourselves, sharing our ideas with each other, and the importance of cooperating with one another. After all, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight” (James 4:1-2). Sometimes “what you want” is having things your way; and when we insist on getting things our way, regardless of what others may think, then we often end up in a quarrel with those who disagree. And quarrels lead to thinking of those who disagree as enemies.

However, our real enemy is not the person or persons with whom we disagree. The real enemy of the church and us individually is Satan. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Revelation 12:12 speaks of Satan as a dragon that has lost its place in heaven: “Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” In more literal terms, Paul wrote, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Brothers and sisters may be mistaken and even willful, but they are flesh and blood, and the real enemy of the church is Satan. 1 Peter 5:8-14 tells us of three essentials in the church’s battle with Satan.

Be Aware of Satan’s Weapons

Verse 8 describes the first of these essentials: we must be aware of Satan’s weapons. The weapon Peter mentions is persecution. Lions were symbolic in scripture of persecuting powers. (Of course, in Daniel’s case, the lions were literal.) See, for example, Psalm 22:13 in a poetic depiction of the onlookers at the crucifixion of Christ: “Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.” Another example, regarding those bringing the apostle Paul to trial in Rome, “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:17-18). See also Psalm 57:4.

Revelation 12:13-17 in apocalyptic (symbolic) language refers to persecution in the early days of the church and the continuing persecution afterward:

When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

The dragon is identified as Satan, and the male child is almost certainly Jesus. The woman probably represents spiritual “Israel” (God’s chosen people), in Old Testament days being the Israelites who were faithful to God and His covenant and in New Testament days being the church. The “rest of her offspring” are the succeeding generations of Jesus’ followers. Satan seeks to destroy the church through persecution, either killing disciples or driving them away from the faith.

A second weapon of Satan arises out of the first: the fear of death. Jesus came to free us from that fear. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15). A great many types of sinful lifestyles are a result of hating the thought that we are all going to die—we have to cram as much “living” into our time. Satan, of course, does much to influence our ideas regarding the definition of “living.”

Of course, another weapon is temptation, perhaps the one that we most often think of when we consider the work of the devil.

Paul mentions our failure to forgive others as a weapon of Satan: “If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Jesus  taught us, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Other weapons include discouragement, dissension, distraction, and sin. Greatest of all these weapons, and indeed the foundation of all of them is deceit: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Jesus said that the devil “was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

Peter warns us to be “self-controlled and alert” (5:8), for the devil is out to get us!

Resist Satan’s Efforts

The second essential for the church’s battle with Satan is to resist his efforts. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (5:9). It’s not enough to be aware of him; we must actively resist him. James gives some suggestions on resisting the devil:

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:4-10)

We need not fear the devil or run from him but to resist him. How do we do that? Paul wrote (Ephesians 6:10-11,14-18):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Being strong in the Lord requires the armor He has provided for us: a determination to stand firm, the truth of the gospel and other scripture, the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ and results in righteous living, preparation with the gospel to share with us, faith and trust in Christ, the salvation that comes from a personal relationship with Christ, and prayers of all kinds. In addition, we need to “be alert and always keep on praying for others around the world who are undergoing the same struggles” (1 Peter 5:9). (It would be advisable for us not to read quickly through this list but rather to consider each item seriously.)

Participate in God’s Victory over Satan

The third essential for the church’s battle with Satan is to participate, by faith, in God’s victory. Satan cannot win in a fight with God. “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (5:10-11).

God’s victory has always been available to those who have taken His side. For example, the prophet Elisha (9th century BC) taught this lesson to his servant when they were being hunted by the king of Aram and it seemed like they were severely outnumbered. "When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh, my lord, what shall we do?' the servant asked. 'Don’t be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, ' Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:15-17). (The movie about an Olympian champion, “Chariots of Fire,” was based on this scripture.)

Jesus promised that His church would never be defeated by the forces of death—remember that one of Satan’s weapons is the fear of death: “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). The picture here is not one of the church being under attack but the reverse: Hades (the realm of death) will be assailed by the church and will not be able to withstand the attack. The power of the church is not in the people but in the foundational truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

We share in God’s victory because the One who is in us “is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Remember that Satan’s primary power is his deceit (John 8:44), and so “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31-32).

Conclusion

Peter concludes this section as well as this entire letter, “I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.... Peace to all of you who are in Christ” (5:12,14). The grace of God is always accompanied with His power. Trust in that power and you will overcome our true enemy.