A Life of Alertness
1 Peter 5:8-11
Who Is the Devil?
· Many people picture the devil as red, with horns and a pitchfork.
· Many people believe the devil is not real. They believe he is only a symbol of evil.
· The Greek word for “devil” (diabolos) means “adversary” or “opponent.”
· Originally, Satan was an angel of God, but through his own pride, he became corrupt.
· He is God’s enemy and constantly tries to hinder His work. But he is limited by God’s power and can do only what he is permitted to do (Job 1:6-2:8).
· Two extremes: (1) seeing Satan’s presence in every struggle of life (like flat tires, long red lights, and bad prices at the grocery store) or (2) thinking he has no effect on our lives.
Satan Is Like Two Animals
1. He is like a snake
This description emphasizes the craftiness of Satan. He wants to deceive us.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Genesis 3:1).
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray” (Revelation 12:9; cf. 20:2).
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
2. He is like a lion
This description emphasizes the power of Satan. He wants to destroy us.
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (v. 8; cf. 2 Timothy 4:16-18).
a. The roaring of the lion pictures the suffering of believers.
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (v. 9).
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
b. The devouring of the lion pictures ultimate destruction.
To “devour” means more that merely scratching, mauling, or wounding. It means chewing and swallowing. Satan is prowling around like a lion trying to destroy the faith of those who claim to be Christ’s followers. “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:7).
THE BIG IDEA: Satan wants to destroy your faith through suffering, but stand firm in your faith because God is more powerful than Satan and will keep your soul safe.
Who Causes Suffering . . . Satan or God?
Suffering comes from both Satan and God (but for entirely different reasons):
1. Satan’s purpose for suffering is destructive pain.
2. God’s purpose for suffering is constructive purification.
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be fore those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:16-17).
Examples:
· Job (Job 1:12, 21; 2:7, 10)
· Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7)
Can Christians Be "Devoured"?
If there was no danger, why would Peter write (to professing Christians), “Be self-controlled [sober, clear-minded] and alert” (v. 8)?
The Greek word of “alert” in military contexts refers to a solider on watch. Alertness is the opposite of mental and spiritual lethargy.
Earlier in chapter 5, Peter describes Christians as a flock of sheep and pastors (elders) as shepherds. (Christ is the “Chief Shepherd.”) When a lion is on the prowl, neither the shepherd nor the sheep sleep, but both are alert and watchful.
1. We are kept safe by God’s power through faith.
“Who through faith are shielded [protected, guarded, kept safe] by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5).
Promises of eternal security:
· “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
· “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8).
· “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
· “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:30).
The worst Satan can do is take our lives; he cannot take our souls.
2. Intense suffering reveals whether or not real faith is present.
Do you have real faith? When you come face to face with the roaring lion of suffering, will you stand firm or run away?
3. If faith is missing in our lives, God’s power will also be absent.
It is foolish and presumptuous to say, “I am eternally secure without a life of faith.”
Final Encouragement to "Stand Firm in the Faith"
1. The suffering of this life is temporary, while the glory of heaven is eternal.
“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” (v. 10).
2. If God has “called you to his eternal glory,” you will get there.
3. God is stronger than Satan and will keep your soul safe.
“To him be the power [dominion] for ever and ever. Amen” (v. 11). “Dominion” means superior strength. God can and will keep our souls safe.
4. Resistance to the devil’s attacks will be successful.
While it is wrong to ignore the devil’s existence, it is also wrong to cower before him in fear (v. 9). “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
November 26, 2007
Life.101 (Part 9)
Summary of the Triumphal Proclamation View (1 Peter 3:19-20)
[The spirits in prison] are the “sons of God” of Genesis 6:2, or perhaps their offspring. The term “sons of God” refers to spiritual beings from the divine council. The New Testament refers to them as angels who “abandoned their own home” (Jude 6) or who “sinned” (2 Pet 2:4). Here, then, we have truly rebellious, disobedient spirits. Furthermore, there is a long tradition, both in the New Testament and in other Jewish writings, that these fallen angels were kept in a prison (see 1 Enoch 10:16; 21 for a discussion of the punishment of these “Watchers,” as he calls them). This, then, appears to be the most likely identification of these “spirits in prison.” Not only are we talking about beings usually referred to as “spirits,” but we are also talking about beings who were known to Jews as being in a “prison.”
Was Jesus proclaiming the gospel to these “spirits”? Was he giving them a “second chance”? The term for “preach” is normally used in the New Testament for preaching the gospel, but it can also mean to “announce” or “proclaim” (Lk 12:3; Rom 2:21; Rev 5:2). Therefore it does not necessarily mean to proclaim the gospel. Are there other passages in Jewish or Christian literature in which something is proclaimed or preached to these spirits? Again we turn back to 1 Enoch (which was known to the early church, for it is cited in Jude) and discover that Enoch proclaims these spirits their doom.
Does such an interpretation fit this passage? The passage ends on a note of triumph with the submission of all “angels, authorities and powers” to the exalted Jesus. While the New Testament does not speak anywhere of preaching the gospel to spirits, it does speak of the victory of Christ over the spiritual world (for example, 2 Cor 2:14; Eph 6:11-12; Col 2:15; Rev 12:7-11). Thus a reference in this passage to the proclamation of that victory fits right in with the tone of both the passage and the New Testament in general.
We can now summarize what the passage is saying. The Christians in Asia Minor were facing persecution and possible martyrdom. Peter calls them to look at the example of Jesus. He was, from the human point of view, killed. Yet, in fact, he rose, not simply to renewed natural life, but to transformed life in the spiritual world, and in that world he proclaimed his victory to the fallen angels who were disobedient in Noah’s day. This may have been during his ascension, for while this text does not tell us where this prison was, some Jews located it in the “second heaven” and thus on the way between earth and the heaven where God dwells. Whatever the case, in the end of this section in 1 Peter Christ is in heaven with all spiritual beings subject to him.—Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 715-716
Life.101 (Part 8)
1 Peter 3:13-22
The One we follow:
1. He is the One who suffered unjustly (v. 18a)
Peter says that the reason Christ suffered was “to bring [us] to God.” Jesus died in order that He might reach across the gulf between God and humanity and, taking our hands, lead across the territory of the enemy into the presence of the Father.
2. He is the One who rose from the grave (v. 18b)
3. He is the One who ascended into heaven (v. 22a)
4. He is the One who is at God’s right hand (v. 22b)
5. He is the One who is above all (v. 22c)
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (vv. 13-14a). The words “suffer” and “blessed” don’t seem to go together. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
Jesus suffered unjustly but later vindicated (through His resurrection, ascension, and reign). The crucifixion was not the final word. So too believers who suffer unjustly—who are ridiculed, mistreated, or even killed—will one day be vindicated in the presence of God. The world’s opinion is never the final word. We follow in Christ’s footsteps through death to victory.
“‘Do not fear what they fear [or, do not fear their threats]; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (vv. 14b-15a). In other words, don’t fear man; obey Christ. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after than can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell” (Luke 12:4-5).
In verses 14-15, Peter quotes Isaiah 8:12-13: “Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy.” In verse 15, Peter says, “Set apart Christ as Lord.” This reveals that Peter believes Jesus is “the Lord almighty.”
Verse 17 says that sometimes God wills that we suffer (“if it is God’s will”). It’s not the God wants us to suffer, but that He wants us to do what is right, even if and when it results in suffering.
What do verses 19-20 mean? Where did Christ go? Who were the “spirits in prison”? What did He say to them? We need to see these verses in light of the context: the overall theme of victory and vindication. Three main views:
1. The preexistent Christ view
a. “Spirits” = the contemporaries of Noah who needed to hear the word of God
b. “Prison” = a metaphor for sin and ignorance OR a literal description of their location now
c. “He went” = Jesus spoke to that generation through Noah
d. “Preached” = a genuine presentation of the gospel of salvation to the contemporaries of Noah
2. The descent-into-hell view
The Apostle’s Creed: “[Jesus Christ] suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”
a. “Spirits” = the fall angels of Genesis 6:1-4 OR the spirits of those who died prior to the Flood
b. “Prison” = the underworld
c. “He went” = a descent into the underworld (during the time between Christ’s death and resurrection)
d. “Preached” = a proclamation of victory over the spirit world OR a genuine offer of salvation to those who never had an opportunity to hear the gospel
Wouldn’t it have been a bit premature for Christ to make His proclamation of victory before the resurrection?
3. The triumphal proclamation view (my preferred view)
a. “Spirits” = the fallen angels of Genesis 6:1-4 (the “Watchers” of 1 Enoch)
“When we look at the use of the term spirit in the New Testament, we notice that it is almost never used of dead people. When it is used of dead people, it is always qualified in some way to make it clear that it is people who are being written about (for example, Heb 12:23). Normally dead human beings are referred to as ‘souls.’ Since there is nothing in this passage to make it clear that it is human beings who are being written about, it is unlikely that these are dead people.”—Hard Sayings of the Bible, p. 715
b. “Prison” = the place of binding or restraint (see 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6)
c. “He went” = the ascension of Jesus
The Greek word for “went” does not mean “descend.” It simply means “to go.”
Jesus was “put to death” (the crucifixion); He was “made alive” (the resurrection), and He “went” (the ascension).
d. “Preached” = His proclamation of victory
In the NT the Greek word for “preached” normally refers to the proclamation of the gospel, but it does on a few occasions retain its secular meaning of “proclaim” or “announce” (Luke 12:3; Romans 2:21; Revelation 5:2). Also, while Peter clearly refers to the proclamation of the gospel four times, he never uses this word to do so (1:12, 25; 4:6, 17). (The Bible never speaks of evangelism to spirits, and I don’t believe the Bible teaches a second chance for salvation after death.)
Noah is a picture of present-day believers:
1. Noah and his family were a minority surrounded by unbelievers; so are we.
2. Noah lived righteously in the midst of a wicked world (Genesis 6:9, 22; 7:5; 2 Peter 2:5); we are expected to do the same (vv. 13-14, 16-17).
3. Noah witnessed boldly to those around him by believing God and building the ark; we are expected to be prepared to witness (“give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” v. 15b). I’m sure Noah was asked many times why he was building a boat. (Genesis 2:5 reveals that it didn’t rain in the beginning. There probably was no rain until the Flood.) If people see that you are filled with hope—even in the midst of difficulty—you also will have opportunities to witness. Notice that we should respond “with gentleness and respect” (v. 15c). If offense is to be taken, it should be over the content of the gospel, not because the message was offered in an offensive way.
4. Noah realized that judgment was coming upon the world; we also realize that judgment is coming, perhaps soon (1 Peter 4:5, 7; Luke 17:26-27).
5. At the time of Noah, God waited patiently for repentance from unbelievers before He brought judgment; God is doing the same in our time (2 Peter 3:3-9).
6. Noah was saved from the flood; we are ensured ultimate salvation because of Christ’s resurrection and triumph (vv. 18, 21-22).
Does baptism save (“baptism that now saves you also”)?
a. The water does not save (“not the removal of dirt from the body”).
b. There was no such thing as an “unbaptized believer” in Peter’s day. This approach to baptism allows Peter to say things about baptism that we would not want to say.
c. We are not saved through the water of baptism but through the “pledge” of faith (“but the pledge [or, response] of a good conscience toward God”). During baptism, a person is asked a question, such as, “Do you commit yourself to follow Christ?” Answering, “Yes,” is a “pledge.” Peter says that our answer must be given from “a good conscience toward God.” A half-hearted or partial commitment does not save.
d. Our faith is not in baptism but in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection (“It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”).
November 24, 2007
What Christmas Is All About
A Charlie Brown Christmas is my all-time favorite Christmas special, and this is my favorite part. "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
November 22, 2007
Life.101 (Part 7)
A Life of Submission (Part 3)
1 Peter 3:1-7
The theme of 1 Peter is living godly lives in the midst of difficult circumstances with the goal of making a positive impact on unbelievers. Peter writes in 2:12, “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.”
Peter writes that the key to living this kind of live is being submissive (living under the order)—in society (2:13-18), in the workplace (2:18-25), and in marriage (3:1-7). The concept of submission is extremely unpopular. Why does talk of submission rub us the wrong way? At the very center of our sinful nature is the deep desire to go our own way, to do our own thing, to be “number one.”
Peter’s purpose for his instructions for husbands and wives is evangelistic.
THE BIG IDEA: Believers are to give Christ a good name by the way they live as husbands and wives.
Three marriage truths:
· Men and women are equal but different.
“There is neither…male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Those who believe that the NT is demeaning to women need to realize that nothing has done more to raise the status of women than Christianity. Think about the nations in which women enjoy the most rights (Canada, U.S.A., Australia, etc.). These are the nations that have been influenced the most by Christianity. By the way, it’s significant that Peter writes directly to women in this letter (highly unusual in that day).
Being equal does not mean being exactly the same. God has created men and women differently and has given them different roles in marriage.
Gary Smalley: “I would venture to say that most marital difficulties center around one fact—men and women are TOTALLY different. The differences (emotional, mental, and physical) are so extreme that without a concentrated effort to understand them, it is nearly impossible to have a happy marriage (If I Only Knew, p. 17).
· God intends there to be mutual submission in a marriage.
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).
· The priority of a marriage should be love, not submission.
Scott McKnight: “It is my firm conviction that we have placed the wrong emphasis on the word’ ‘submission’; we have also been preoccupied with ‘what we can do’ and ‘what our right are,’ whereas the biblical injunction is that the wife ought to give her life to her husband, ‘to serve and cherish him,’ and the husband ought to lay down his life for his wife. Thus, when the Christian wife is seeking to love her husband with her whole being and the husband is seeking to love his wife with his whole being, the issue of submission never emerges.”
1. A wife is to submit to the leadership of her husband.
“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands…” (v. 1a).
Important: A wife’s submission is directed only to her husband, not to all men (“be submissive to your husbands”).
Clarification: The order of our society is much different than the order of first century society. In the past, the husband was the provider and protector, and the wife was the helper and supporter. Today, many wives earn more money than their husbands. So submission today looks different than submission in that day. (Of course, we shouldn’t compromise the guidelines God has given for marriage.) For example, verse 6 says that Sarah called Abraham “master.” I don’t think Marsha would appreciate me telling her to call me “master”! And it wouldn’t be a good witness to unbelievers.
Why are six verses addressed to wives and only one to husbands? Peter doesn’t think that women need more instruction than men. Remember the context. The theme is godly living in the midst of difficult circumstances. In Peter’s day, the lives of women were much more difficult the lives of men—especially Christian women who were married to unbelievers (which was the case for many of Peter’s readers). In Greco-Roman society it was expected that the wife would have no friends of her own and would worship the gods of her husband.
· The very fact that a woman would adopt any religion other than her husband’s violated the Greco-Roman ideal of an orderly home.
· The husband and society would perceive the wife’s worship of Jesus Christ as rebellion. If the wife persisted in her new religion to the extent that others outside the household learned of it, the husband would also feel embarrassment and suffer criticism for not properly managing his household. This could seriously damage his social standing, even to the point of disqualifying him for certain honors and offices.
· The wife’s attendance at Christian worship would provide the opportunity for her to have fellowship with other Christians who possibly were not her husband’s friends.
Peter is addressing women who are married to unbelievers. What should a woman do to “win over” her husband?
a. Win him over by your lifestyle, not your words.
“…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” (vv. 1-2).
Peter is saying, “If your husband rejects “the Word,” you must commit yourself to winning him without “a word” (of your own).” This nonverbal approach was especially appropriate in Peter’s day since husbands were often significantly older than their wives (the Roman ideal was a man of thirty marrying a woman of fifteen), as well as better educated, this nonverbal approach to evangelism was appropriate. (This does not mean that a Christian wife should never speak to her husband about the gospel.)
Peter is discouraging wives from continually nagging their husbands about their spiritual condition. Nagging usually drives people further away. You can’t nag a man into the kingdom of God.
Submission is not:
· Agreeeing with every crazy thing your husband says. Peter is writing to wives who do not agree with their husbands about Christ.
· Leaving your brain at the wedding altar. Peter is writing to wives that had thought for themselves: They had accepted the gospel even though their husbands had rejected it.
· Avoiding to change your husband. The whole point of this passage is to tell wives how to change their husbands minds about the gospel.
· Putting the will of your husband before the will of Christ.
· Acting out of fear.
b. Win him over by your inner beauty.
“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” (vv. 3-4).
Peter is not saying that a woman shouldn’t braid her hair or wear gold jewelry. He certainly isn’t prohibiting women from wearing clothes! The NIV says “the wearing of…fine clothes, but “fine” has been added by the translators. The KJV says “putting on of apparel.” Peter is talking about the values: Women should value internal virtue above external appearance.
This doesn’t mean that should disregard their physical appearance. The Bible often speaks positively about a woman’s beauty. For example, Sarah (who is mentioned in verse 6 as a good example for Christian women) is described in Genesis 12:14 as “a very beautiful woman.” But the best kind of beauty is inner beauty. Not only will a husband find inner beauty attractive, but so will God. Peters says inner beauty “is of great worth in God’s sight.”
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Peter describes inner beauty as “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” The original Greek words for “gentle” and “quiet” mean selfless and peaceable. (So it doesn’t mean that a woman can never speak!) This kind of beauty is “unfading.” It doesn’t need plastic surgery. William Barclay describes it as “a beauty that the years cannot wither.”
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
Physical beauty is overrated. Actress Halle Berry, one of People magazines 50 most beautiful people, once said, “Let me tell you something—being thought of as ‘a beautiful woman’ has spared me nothing in life. No heartache, no trouble. Love has been difficult. Beauty is essentially meaningless and it is always transitory.”
Sarah, a Super Model
Women often try to be like models they see in magazines. (By the way, those models don’t look half as beautiful in real life.) Peter gives Christian women a model to emulate: Sarah.
“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear” (vv. 5-6).
Peter is not saying that women should call their husbands “master”! It was a common expression in that day. Today it would be similar to saying “my dear husband.” It’s interesting that the book of Genesis records Abraham obeying Sarah three times (16:2, 6; 21:12). God even told Abraham on one of those occasions, “Listen to whatever Sarah tells you” (21:12). Cleary, Sarah was not Abraham’s slave!
The only time in the OT that Sarah calls Abraham “master” is found in Genesis 18:12. “Then the Lord said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.’ Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?’” (Genesis 18:10-12).
How did Sarah practice submission on that occasion? Well, at first she doubted the promise of God. But eventually she did believe. When Abraham told her they should keep trying to having a baby, she agreed (even though it was physically impossible for her to have a son at her age).
2. A husband is to submit to the needs of his wife.
a. Be loving, caring, sensitive, and understanding.
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives” (v. 7a).
Men strut around thinking that what a woman wants is a strong man or a successful man who drives fancy cars and wears flashy suits. What a woman really wants is a husband who understands her and loves her. A wife responds to a husband who showers all of his attention on her all the time, not just when he wants something.
b. Don’t physically intimidate or abuse your wife.
“And treat them with respect as the weaker partner” (v. 7b).
The popular thinking in Peter’s day was that women were mentally and morally weaker than men. But the weakness that Paul is talking about is physical weakness. Generally, a husband is physically stronger than his wife. She is in a vulnerable position (especially back in the first century when women weren’t protected by the law like they are today). A husband is to respect his wife and not force her to do anything. I can’t think of much that would do more harm to the reputation of Christianity than that. (By the way, I don’t believe that this passage is saying that a woman should stay in a marriage in which physical abuse is taking place.)
c. Treat your wife as an equal.
“Treat them with respect…as heirs of the gracious gift of life” (v. 7c).
Woman was created from the rib of a man.
She was not made from his head to top him,
Nor out of his feet to be trampled upon.
But out of his side to be equal to him,
Under his arm to be protected,
And near his heart to be loved.
WHY? “So that nothing will hinder your prayers” (v. 7d).
Sin hinders our prayers (cf. 3:10-12; 4:7). Jesus taught, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgiven men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Peter may be referring to the OT teaching that God is the protector of the weak (see Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 68:5; 146:9; Jeremiah 49:11; Malachi 3:5). God will not hear the prayers of one who is taking advantage of the vulnerability of his wife.
Wayne Grudem: “So concerned is God that Christian husbands live in an understanding and loving way with their wives, that He ‘interrupts’ His relationship with them when they are not doing so. No Christian husband should presume to think that any spiritual good will be accomplished by his life without an effective ministry of prayer. And no husband may expect an effective prayer life unless he lives with his wife ‘in an understanding way, bestowing honor’ on her.”
What is God saying to all of us in this passage? The key lies in a phrase repeated in verses 1 and 7—“in the same way.” What Peter says to wives in verse 1, he says to husbands in verse 7. The phrase “in the same way” pushes us back to the closing verses of chapter 2 where Paul calls all believers to follow the steps of Jesus. We all find ourselves in difficult circumstances we cannot easily change. How will we respond? With anger, complaining, bitterness, despair? No one was ever more mistreated than Jesus. Yet He did not attack those who mocked Him, nor did He curse at those who cursed at Him. Instead, He “entrusted himself to whim who judges justly” (2:23). That’s the equivalent of “holy women of the past who put their hope in God” (3:5).
Submission isn’t about you or your spouse. Submission is about you and God. To say that Jesus “entrusted” Himself to God and to say that holy women of old “hoped” in God means the same thing as saying they submitted themselves to God. Even while dying, Jesus had a gentle and quiet spirit. He hoped in God. And through His submission to His Heavenly Father, He became our Savior (adapted from a sermon by Ray Pritchard).
Here is what God is saying to us today:
· Wives, be like Jesus.
· Husbands, be like Jesus.
· Christians, be like Jesus.
November 21, 2007
Life.101 (Part 6)
A Life of Submission (Part 2)
1 Peter 2:18-20
“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect [for God], not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For [the reason for submitting] 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” (vv. 18-20).
Slavery was the foundation of the Roman economy (like minimum wage jobs are today). Some have estimated that slaves made up one-third of the population of urban areas. In this passage, Peter tells slaves to submit to their masters, whether they are treated kindly or unfairly. Does this mean that the New Testament condones slavery? NO!
· The slavery of the first century was “less evil” than the slavery of America:
(1) Race was not a factor.
(2) Education was encouraged (some slaves were better educated than their masters).
(3) Slaves could own property.
(4) Manual labor was not the only task of slaves (some were doctors, teachers, accountants, etc.);
(5) While most slaves were born that way (because their mothers were slaves), many voluntarily chose slavery over the vagabond existence of finding odd jobs.
(6) The majority of slaves could anticipate freedom by the age of 30.
Still, the New Testament does not speak well of slavery as it does of human government (2:13-17) and marriage (3:1-7)—institutions established by God for the good of society.
· The first century church didn’t have the political influence to change the laws of the land. The Roman government was not a democracy.
· The church’s mission is not to change society as a whole, but to share the message of Christ, which is able to change the hearts of individuals.
· While the New Testament does not call for the abolishment of slavery, it does teach the equality of all believers, whether slave or free.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
“Perhaps the reason [Onesimus] was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord” (Philemon 15-16).
· The New Testament raises the status of slaves:
(1) By addressing the mistreatment of slaves. Aristotle had earlier argued that injustice could never be done to a slave, for the slave was mere property (Nic. Eth. 5:10.8).
(2) By describing Jesus as a slave. He took “the very nature of a servant [or slave]” (Philippians 2:7). He is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 (quoted in v. 22). Jesus actually suffered a death reserved for slaves under Roman law. Like many slaves, Jesus suffered though He was innocent of any wrongdoing.
What does this passage say to us today?
THE BIG IDEA: We are to react to mistreatment the way Jesus did.
The point of this passage is not if we suffer but how we act when we suffer. “To this [suffering for doing good, v. 20] you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (v. 21). The term for “example” is not simply that of a good example that one is exhorted to copy, but the pattern letters that a school child must carefully trace if he or she will ever learn to write.
How did Jesus react to mistreatment?
1. He refused to retaliate.
“When they hurled insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (v. 23a).
“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer” (Mark 14:60-61).
“[The Sanhedrin] all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’” (Mark 14:64b-65).
“The [Roman] soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him” (Mark 15:16-19).
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him” (Mark 15:29-32).
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’” (Luke 23:34).
We can apply this passage to mistreatment in the workplace: We should be known less for our assertiveness and more for our work ethic, kindness, fairness, loyalty, and honesty.
2. He trusted that God would right all wrongs.
“Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (v. 23b).
God has created a just universe. Not one wrong will go unpunished:
· Either we will be punished for our sins, or
· We accept the death of Christ as the punishment for our sins. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Why did Jesus endure mistreatment? Because the cross was God’s way of dealing with our sin problem. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (vv. 24-25).
Why should we endure mistreatment? Because there is no more effective way of drawing people to Christ.
November 15, 2007
Life.101 (Part 5)
A Life of Submission (Part 1)
1 Peter 2:11-17
Our Identity: We are people who do not belong to this world.
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world…” (v. 11a). We are in the world but not of the world. “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
Our Lifestyle: We are to live lives that are above reproach.
· Remember: Our actions are determined by our desires.
“…to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul” (v. 11b).
There is a war being waged within us: the Spirit versus the flesh (see Romans 7:14-25).
· Remember: Unbelievers are watching.
“Live such good lives among the pagans…” (v. 12a).
· Remember: The greatest tool for evangelism is living God's way.
“…that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (v. 12b).
Accusations made against Christians in Peter’s day: (1) Disloyalty to that state (because Christians refused to offer incense on the altars to the emperor); (2) Atheism (because Christians didn’t worship a visible god, i.e., an idol); (3) Cannibalism (because people misunderstood the meaning of “eating and drinking” the elements representing Christ’s body and blood).
The Greek word translated "see" refers to a careful watching, over a period of time. Peter wanted his readers to live such good lives that they would silence their critics. (There are still critics of Christianity today.)
What is “the day of visitation” (KJV)? God visits people for two reasons: (1) judgment (Isaiah 10:3) or (2) blessing (Jeremiah 27:22). “The day of visitation” may refer to the day of Christ’s return (on that day everyone will praise God; Philippians 2:10-11) or the day of conversion.
THE BIG IDEA: Our lifestyle, including our attitude and actions toward the government, will either glorify or shame the name of Christ.
How should we act as citizens of Canada?
1. We should submit ourselves to the authority of our government.
“Submit yourselves…” (v. 13a).
a. We should recognize and accept that human government is established by God (Romans 13:1-4).
(1) To protect its citizens.
(2) To punish wrongdoers.
(3) To promote the welfare of society.
b. We should pay our taxes to our government (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7).
c. We should pray for our government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
2. We should submit for the Lord's sake.
“…for the Lord’s sake…” (v. 13b).
3. We should submit no matter how bad our government is.
“…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” (vv. 13c-14).
When Peter wrote these words (probably early 60s), Nero was the Roman emperor, who was the first emperor to persecute Christians. The persecution began after the great fire of Rome, a rumor circulated that Nero had ordered the fire. So Nero blamed the fire on the Christians. He ordered Christians to be thrown to dogs, while others were crucified or burned. Both Peter and Paul died during this period. Christians are expected to be good citizens even in extreme situations.
4. We should submit except when commanded to sin.
“Then [the Sanhedrin] called [Peter and John] in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20). If we must make a choice between obeying the government or God, we must always choose to obey God (see Exodus 1:17; Daniel 3:13-18; Hebrews 11:23).
What about when a government permits evil (example: abortion). In such a situation, we should voice our concerns and beliefs and try to change the laws of the land (but in a peaceful and respectful way).
5. We should submit to be a witness to unbelievers.
“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men” (v. 15).
6. We should submit as servants of God.
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God” (v. 16).
Martin Luther: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” We are not servants of the government; we are servants of God. And He has told us to submit to our government.
“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (v. 17).
November 14, 2007
Remember Me
[This sermon was preached on Remembrance Day and was inspired by a chapter in Herbert Lockyer's book The Man Who Died for Me.]
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
1. THE REQUEST: “Do this”
a. It is the command of a Lord
The Lord’s Supper is not optional or unimportant. It should be observed regularly and in a meaningful way.
b. It is the request of a Friend
It’s as if Jesus said, “When I am gone, do not forget Me. As you eat the break and drink the wine, remember Me and all that I suffered for your sake.”
Today, poppies are worn as a symbol of remembrance, a reminder of the blood-red flower that still grows of the former battlefields of France and Belgium. During the terrible bloodshed of the second battle of Ypres in the spring of 1915, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, wrote of these flowers which lived on among the graves of dead soldiers:
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
As Christians, we also have symbols of remembrance: the bread and cup of the Lord’s Supper. Why do we need Remembrance Day and the Lord’s Supper? Because we are forgetful people. We need to be reminded to remember.
2. THE REMEMBRANCE: “In remembrance of me”
There is a tendency to think more of the Feast than the Friend, more of the Supper than the Savior, more of the emblems than Emmanuel. We must, however, strive to make more of “the Lord of the Feast,” rather than “the feast of the Lord.”
a. He is the lowly Nazarene
The bread and wine tell us that Jesus, though divine, possessed a human body and human blood, just like ours.
b. He is the crucified Savior
When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said, “This is my body given for you” (Luke 22:19). And, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (v. 20). The broken bread symbolizes the bruised and pierced body of Jesus. The outpoured wine symbolizes His shed blood.
c. He is the victorious Redeemer
Luke writes in Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week we can together to break bread.” It’s interesting to note that Jesus didn’t specify any particular day on which the Lord’s Supper should be observed. Why did they break bread on the first day of the week? John writes, “On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:19-20). The Lord’s Supper was celebrated on the first day of the week (Sunday) to remind us that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again.
d. He is the ascended Lord
Today, the symbols of our Lord’s body and blood are with us because He is not physically present. But that doesn’t mean He is not with us right now. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He declared, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is now in heaven, but He promised to always be with us—especially when we are gathered around the Lord’s Table. At this very moment, Jesus is here!
e. He is the interceding Advocate
John writes, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense [we have an advocate with the Father, KJV]—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). The writer of Hebrews adds, “He is able to salve completely [or forever] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). As we remember Jesus down here before the Lord’s Table, He remembers us up there before the Father’s throne.
f. He is the coming King
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Lord’s Supper points in two directions: (1) backward to the cross (“the Lord’s death) and (2) forward to His return (“until he comes”). The Lord’s Supper covers the journey of the Savior from His cross to His crown, from the tree to the throne.
When we remember on this day the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers, we are challenged to live with the same kind of selfless devotion. In a similar and much greater way, the death of Christ also shows us how we should live.
As you remember the sacrifice Christ made for you, what sacrifice is He telling you to make for Him?
Lest We Forget
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict, and peace. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.
As Christians, we also remember Jesus Christ who sacrificed His life for our salvation. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
November 01, 2007
Explanation of 1 Peter 2:8 - "...what they were destined for"
First Peter 2:8 says that unbelivers "stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.” Do unbelievers have no choice but to reject the gospel? Below is a summary of Wayne Grudem's answer to this question in his commentary on 1 Peter:
This text leaves open the possibility of repentance and saving faith in Christ for the unbelievers it talks about. The three key verbs are all in the present tense and may be rather literally rendered, “But for those who are presently not believing…who are presently stumbling because they are presently disobeying the word, unto which also they were destined.” This does not of course imply that they will come to saving faith, but it does stop short of saying that their eternal condemnation is already ordained. It rather affirms that their present rebellion and disobedience has been ordained by God, and does not indicate whether it will continue throughout life or not. Indeed it could not indicate this, for Peter explicitly affirms the hope that many of these same unbelievers will come to faith (2:12; 3:1, 15; 2 Peter 3:9).
It does not seem possible to escape the conclusion that what the text does affirm (the “destining” of present disobedience of unbelievers) implies also that all disobedience which tragically does persist to the end of life (and thus into eternity) has been “destined” by God.
We may object that this does not seem to us morally right for God, even though it seems to be the inescapable meaning of the text before us. To this objection the only answer that Scripture gives is not to answer all our questions regarding “how” or “why,” but only to indicate that ultimately even the condemnation of unbelievers will result in greater glory to God, in the praise of His justice, and power, and mercy to those to whom He shows mercy (Romans 9:14-25). Thus God can ordain something that is in itself displeasing to Him because He knows that finally it will accomplish a greater good (the death of Christ is the ultimate example of this). When we cannot fully understand how this can be, it is for us simply to be silent before our Creator and wait for fuller understanding in eternity (Romans 9:19-20; Job 38:1-42:6).
We must note that while Scripture is willing to affirm God’s ultimate “destining” of wrongful actions, the blame for these actions is always given to the moral creatures (men and angels) who willingly choose to do wrong; the blame is never given to God (cf. Job 1:22). If we ask how God can “destine” that something happen through the willful choice of His creatures, yet Himself remain free from blame (and not be the “author” of sin in the sense of actually doing wrong Himself), then we approach Paul’s questions in Romans 9:19, “Why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?” Yet here Scripture gives us no answer except to say, “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20).
Therefore, if our understanding of the text ever leads us to begin to blame God rather than ourselves for evil (something Scripture never does), then we may be sure that our understanding of the text is contrary to its original intent.
Election of some to eternal life and the passing over of others is never viewed in the same way in Scripture. Election to salvation is viewed as a cause for rejoicing and praise to God, who is worthy of praise and receives all the credit for our salvation (1 Peter 1:1-3; Ephesians 1:3-6). God is viewed as actively choosing us for salvation, and doing so with delight. But the passing over of those who are not chosen, and justly leaving them in their rebellion) is viewed as something which brings God sorrow, not delight (Ezekiel 33:11; Romans 9:1-2), and in which the blame is always put on the men or angels who rebel, not on God.--Wayne Grudem, 1 Peter, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, pp. 108-110
Life.101 (Part 4)
A Life of Blessing
1 Peter 2:4-10
The Big Idea: When life is difficult, think about the amazing blessings that are yours because of Christ and thank Him.
1. There is nothing more important than our response to Jesus.
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him” (v. 4). The “living Stone” = Jesus Christ. (Seven NT passages identify the stone as Jesus: Matthew 21:42-44; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18; Acts 4:11-12; Romans 9:32-33; Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:4-10). Peter quotes three Old Testament “stone” prophecies and applies them to Christ:
· “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Isaiah 28:16; quoted in v. 6).
· “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone” (Psalm 118:22; quoted in v. 7).
· “And he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (Isaiah 8:14a; quoted in v. 8).
Jesus is described as the “cornerstone.” In ancient times, a cornerstone was the first stone set in the construction of a building. It was extremely important since all the other stones were set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire building. (Today, a cornerstone is a ceremonial stone set in a prominent location on the outside of a building, with an inscription indicating the construction date, etc.) God wants us to make Jesus the foundation of our lives.
a. We can accept Christ and enjoy the blessings of God.
“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” (vv. 6-7a).
b. We can reject Christ and miss out on the blessings of God.
"But to those who do not believe, ‘The 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” (vv. 7b-8). To believers, Jesus is the cornerstone; but to the world, He is a stumbling stone.
c. The blessings of God can be received only through faith in Jesus.
“He [Jesus] is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12).
2. Jesus was rejected by the world, but believers are accepted by God.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit’” (Matthew 42-43; cf. Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17-18).
“What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the ‘stumbling stone.’ As it is written: ‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame’” (Romans 9:30-33).
God has bestowed on the church (both Jews and Gentiles) almost all of the blessings promised to Israel in the Old Testament:
(These privileges given to the church do not imply that the church is Israel or that it replaces Israel. Romans 11:13-16, 23-24 guards against such an idea. Romans 9-11 affirms God’s continuing concern for ethnic Israel and predicts for the Jewish people a great future time of blessing.)
a. God's dwelling place is no longer the Jerusalem temple, but the church.
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house” (v. 5a).
b. The priesthood no longer belongs to the descendents of Aaron, but the church.
“To be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (v. 5b).
(1) We have direct access to God.
In Old Testament times, once a year one man (the high priest) would enter the “Holy of Holies” (the inner sanctuary of the temple). Today, every believer can enter the presence of God at any time. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
(2) We can offer acceptable sacrifices God.
We do not offer physical sacrifices of incense and animals as in the Old Testament, but spiritual sacrifices. (Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice ended the need for animal sacrifices.) “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). Basically, anything we do in service to God is a sacrifice.
c. The chosen people are no longer the descendents of Abraham, but the church.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you have not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (vv. 9-10).
“Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). We are Abraham’s spiritual descendents who possess the same kind of faith he did.
Our purpose: Bring glory to God. Make known what God has done.
When life is difficult, think about the amazing blessings that are yours because of Christ and thank Him. The blessing that is emphasized in 1 Peter 1 is hope. Do you have the blessing of hope in your life?
