1 PETER SERMONS – Mircheal Jones

First Peter was written by the Apostle Peter around 64-68 AD. It was written primarily to the Jewish Christians scattered (Dispersed) throughout Asia Minor. Paul was released from prison in the spring of 64AD and journeyed to Spain. The major persecutions of Nero had just begun as a result of the burning of Rome in the fall of 64AD; so Peter felt impressed to write to people Paul would normally have written to and encourage them during this time of great testing (Showing the closeness between Paul and Peter’s thinking).

The Constant and supreme purpose of the Christian life is to glorify God in all things- as subjects, as employees, as wives, as husbands; as well as in our social contacts, in our suffering, and in our fellowship with other believers. All of these areas are covered in First Peter. None, however; allows opportunities for showing a lost world our Faith and Faithfulness like our Constant Christianity during Suffering, so this is Peter’s Theme.

[The 8 “Hebrew Christian” letters deal with 2 Basic testings for every Christian- Suffering and False Doctrine. Hebrews, James, and 1Peter deal with Help for Suffering Saints. I1Peter, I, II, III John, and Jude deal with False Doctrine in the Church.

Hebrews shows people that Faith is the necessary “Root” during Suffering. James points to the need of the “Fruit” of works during Suffering. 1Peter shows that Hope is the “Sap” that carries us through the Sufferings].

1Peter shows us that Suffering has a Purpose (1:6-7; 2:19-20; 3:14; 4:14); is to be expected (4:12); is not to be dreaded (3:14); is to be borne patiently (2:23; 3:9); is to be Rejoiced in (4:13); and is in the Lord’s Will (4:19-). This is shown by the example of Christ (1:11, 2:21, 4:1-2, 5:1). But if suffering is to be “Enjoyed” instead of Endured we must see it’s Good and it’s Goal as well as its Groanings.

Peter begins his letter by showing a correlation between Salvation and Suffering in order for his readers to see that Salvation is worth some Suffering. Peter knows that the only thing that can keep Suffering from Defeating us is a Steadfast HOPE in God. So he gives us a three-fold look at the Hope that is ours as Christians and as such shows us a Salvation worth suffering for.

I) A LIVING HOPE 1:1-4

A) Because of our Redemption. We were:

1. Chosen by the Father- Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. God knew from the beginning who would accept His wonderful Salvation and He chose those to be the Body and Bride of Christ. His knowledge does not cause men to accept or deny Him; it is simply part of His Omniscience (all Knowledge). Isn’t it wonderful, however, to know that God Planned for us even before He Pardoned us. When Satan says God doesn’t care about us when we’re in the midst of Suffering we rest in the fact that God loved us enough to choose us for His own.

2. Set apart by the Spirit- Sanctification simply means to be set apart especially for God (The reason a Church is a Church instead of a “beer hall” is that it is set apart for God). We are set apart because we become the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 6:19). What a comfort in Suffering to know that God is not only looking out for us but He also sent the Holy Spirit to dwells in us to strengthen and guide us.

3. Cleansed by the Son- He lived the Perfect life and then paid the Penalty for our sins with his shed blood. Do you think God cared that much for us before our salvation and then would abandon us after we are saved???

B) Because of Christ’s Resurrection. You can’t head us off if you cut off our head!! Christ has defeated death and now we are no longer servants to “Fear” (Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage).

II) A LASTING HOPE–

A) Because of the Permanence of our Inheritance This Inheritance is

Incorruptible- Flawless

Undefiled- Faultless

Unfadable- Fadeless

Reserved in Heaven

B) Because of the Power of God. Based on the Power of God (As though surrounded by a military guard to maintain security). Not Eternal Security but Eternal Assurance! We can leave God but He will never leave us. What a Marvelous Fact! Our Inheritance is secure and our God is strong; isn’t that worth suffering for???

III) A TESTED HOPE– (A Faith that cannot be Tested cannot be trusted!) There are numerous things that test our Hope: ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations

A) The “Freedom” we think the Wicked enjoy.

B) The Finances the Wealthy accumulate now.

C) The “Wrongs” that life sends our way.

1. The Goal of this Testing. This Saving Faith is put through the Trial of Suffering that it might be found unto Praise and Honor and Glory when Jesus Appears. The three things that every Christian desires to do for God are done in righteous suffering- We give him Praise, Honor, and Glory!

2. The Good of this Testing This Saving Faith gives us unspeakable Joy and complete glory and will one day be brought to a wonderful conclusion. Just as Chastening shows that we are true Sons of God (Heb 12:8), so Suffering shows us God’s desire to mature us. As such it should give us unspeakable joy (by knowing that God wants us to grow to the place that He can give us greater freedom- With rights come Responsibilities. As Responsibilities are handled we get more rights).

God told His chosen people, “I have tried thee in the Furnace of Affliction” but look what else He said- Is 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest though the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Psalm 66:10-12 For thou, o God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

God’s aim in Suffering is that the believer’s faith may be proved genuine; that this genuine faith may result in “praise, honor, and glory” to Christ at His second coming; and that the believer may see the real value of his faith [“More precious than gold”] in order that he might grow in Love for Christ and have “exuberant Joy” in this faith. Then no matter what Suffering comes our way we know it’s worth it for the great Salvation we have.

IPeter 01:3-5 A FUTURE THAT FADES NOT

I BELIEVE IN the Power of God (A Revival that may eventually produce Millions for Ministry). The Plan of God (Path of life), the Promises of God (God said it, I believe it), and the Preparation of God. The last one is what we want to talk about today.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Pet 1:3-5)

Here are several ways God Prepares us for a Future that Fades Not:

1> I was Purchased by God: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). God paid the greatest price in the universe to Purchase ME!

2> I am God’s Possession– Ps 4:3 “The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself“. I rejoice that I’m not simply one of the herd of humanity that struggles and dies on planet earth. I am the personal possession of the God of the universe; bought and paid for by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

3> I am Prized by God– Zech 2:8 “He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.” Not only do I belong to God but God actually thinks I’m something special!! Since God bought me He had the right to make me a slave; instead, He made me a Son! And promised me an inheritance in Heaven!

4> I am Protected by God– I Pet 2:9 “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;”. The word Peculiar here means “Encircled” or “Surrounded” and shows how God allows only those temptations and trials to come my way that are for my good and His glory. The storms of Satan may lash the world but I’m safe in the “Ark” and rejoice in His care.

5> I have a future PRESERVED by God: This inheritance is guarded by the power of God and Peter says it will never perish, spoil, or fade away- Glory! (Not a Mirage but a Living Hope)

NOTE- We must distinguish between the Reward of Inheritance and the Rewards that we will receive for specific accomplishments. The Reward of Inheritance is ALL of GRACE and is ours as a result of Salvation. The Rewards for accomplishments, on the other hand, are the results of the kind of life we live. They will probably be given out at the Judgment Seat of Christ- For we shall all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God Rom 14:10 12

Peter says this inheritance is

1. Incorruptible– Not subject to Decay so will never perish. A Million years from now Heaven will still be Heaven!

2. Undefiled– Pure so will never spoil or be blemished. Death and Disease are forgotten words there!

3. Does not Fade away– Not a Mirage but an Eternal Home!

4. Preserved (Kept) by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Guaranteed by GOD!

God love you. It is not His will that ANY PERISH. God’s love is not simply to keep you out of hell. It is also to give you an abundant life here and an inheritance that will never fade away. Isn’t that what you want??

God Prepares us for our Future by Preserving us in our Present:

1. Place in a place of safety [incorruptible] – God calls us His “Peculiar” people. The word means “surrounded” and shows that God encircles His people. No temptation or trial can come our way without God making a way of escape or providing strength to overcome. We are put in the hand of God and No man or things can pluck us out (Although I must remind you that YOU can walk out). WE’RE SAFE IN THE SAVIOR.

2. Put under heat and pressure to destroy germs (Canning vegetables) [undefiled] – God preserves us by allowing the trials of life to strengthen us. Who does not find more time to pray when sickness or trouble comes our way?? God helps us become winners by overcoming being losers!

3. Seal away from the elements (Paint or Varnish) [that fadeth not away] – The Lord preserves us by calling us to be separate from the World. His command is to Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world. God wants us to love where we are going more than where we are!

I know it’s going to take stepping away from your old way of life and coming to God. I know that’s a scary step. Remember that I’m not asking you to depend on your own strength or ability; I’m asking you to trust God’s power to Save you and Preserve you.

God can save you today. God wants to save you today. God can keep what you commit to Him. Come to Christ today and be born again. It will cleanse you from your sins and give you an inheritance that fades not away.

IPeter 01:3-5 A POWERFUL, PURE, PERMANENT INHERITANCE

Last week we rejoiced in the Resurrection as a symbol of God’s Big “Paid in Full” for our sins. Peter tells us in today’s scripture that beyond the Resurrection is the Reward of Inheritance. This inheritance is guarded by the power of God and Peter says it will never perish, spoil, or fade away- Glory! (Not a Mirage but a Living Hope)

These Rewards for Accomplishments are generally called CROWNS. There are 5 crowns the Believer may receive:

1. The Incorruptible Crown (Deals with Dedication) I Cor 9:25 Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things, They do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

2. The Crown of Righteousness (Having to do with our Love and Purity See I Jn 3:2 3) II Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

3. The Crown of Life (Having to do with our Steadfastness)- James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

4. The Crown of Glory (For faithful Pastors) I Pet 5:2-4 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over Gods’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5. The Crown of Rejoicing (Soul Winner’s Crown) I Thess 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Some of the things we may be judged for are:

a. How much we live our lives in accordance with God’s Plan

b. How we treat other believers

c. How we use our talents

d. How we suffered for Jesus

e. How effectively we control our old nature

f. How many soul we witness to

g. How we react to temptations

h. How much we read and live the Word of God

i. How faithful we are to Church

The Average Christian thinks very little about the importance and place of rewards until he comes to face death; or begins to study about Salvation. As FWB, we believe in the possibility of Apostasy. That causes us to watch in our own life and warn those who wander into the World. Of more concern to me, however, is the tragic tears of many Christians who will stand before God with empty hands, saved so as by fire (If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire 1 Corinthians 3:15). How tragic to stand before our beloved Savior and have nothing to cast at His feet in Praise and Adoration.

We all begin to become uneasy when we talk about failures in our life and lose of rewards. There is an important place for this kind of examination, repentance, and re-dedication. But our goal today is to show that God is able to Preserve and Keep us and to rejoice in that fact.

Peter says that our inheritance will never perish, spoil, or fade away. What does he mean and how does God do that?

Look at what the Psalmist says “O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” (Psalms 31:23-24).

God’s preservation works much the same way we preserve something.

1. Place in a place of safety- God calls us His “Peculiar” people. The word means “surrounded” and shows that God encircles His people. No temptation or trial can come our way without God making a way of escape or providing strength to overcome. We are put in the hand of God and No man or things can pluck us out (Although I must remind you that YOU can walk out). WE’RE SAFE IN THE SAVIOR.

2. Put under heat and pressure to destroy germs (Canning vegetables)- God preserves us by allowing the trials of life to strengthen us. Who does not find more time to pray when sickness or trouble comes our way?? Troubles draw us closer to God; just like the threat of an Indian invasion used to cause men to rush to the fort for protection.

3. Seal away from the elements (Paint or Varnish)- The Lord preserves us by calling us to be separate from the World. His command is to Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world. That’s not because He hates for us to have a good time; It is because He knows the consequences of contamination.

IPeter 01:13-16 WALKING AS A SAINT THROUGH SUFFERING

“Wherefore”- In view of the fact that even though you are undergoing many kinds of trials, yet your heavenly inheritance awaits you. (Wuest).

Remember the Ant could not stay in the water but swam to refuge on the rock.

I. GATHER UP YOUR MIND– (1 Pet 1:13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

A) Be Sober- Be calm and collected in spirit, be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.

B) Be Hopeful- Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. End here is not the stopping point but completely and describes the kind of Hope we should have. “Set your hope perfectly, unchangeable, without doubt and despondency” (Wuest).

II. SHAPE UP YOUR DESIRES– (1 Pet 1:14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: Don’t fashion yourself after the habits, mannerisms, dress, speech, expressions, and behavior of the world out of which God has saved you.

III. CLEAN UP YOUR LIFE– (1 Pet 1:15-16) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; {16} Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Let your inward holiness find and outward expression in your life.

IV. CONSIDER YOUR CONDUCT– (1 Pet 1:17-25)

1) God judges our works- Don’t Slack up or Stop- And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

A> Our Access to God- Call on Him (Prayer) as Father

B> The impartiality of God- Without respect of persons

C> Our Reverence to God- Pass your life in worry about how you work for God (Rewards not Salvation).

2) Your Redemption is costly- Don’t Waste it- {18} Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: {20} Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, {21} Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. The Fire causes a Clay pot to crack but Gold will melt to shape of the container and become purified.

3) You are loved- don’t fail to love others- {22} Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

4) You are being changed by the word- don’t let the world fool you into following its plan. {23} Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. {24} For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: {25} But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

IPeter 01:22-25 KNOW THEY ARE CHRISTIANS BY THEIR LOVE

Love among Christians is not an option, it is a Biblical Necessity- (1 John 3:14-15) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. {15} Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. This was something that Peter was Painfully aware of- His “feet had been put to the fire” by the Lord on the subject (John 21:15-19). Twice Jesus asked Peter if he loved him with an “Agape” Love (the Sacrificial Love that comes from God) and twice Peter had told Jesus that he loved him but it was only with a “Philadelphia” Love- Brotherly Love. Finally, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him with a Philadelphia Love and when Peter replied “Yes”, Jesus told him to understand that even this Philadelphia Love would require him to sacrifice for the sheep.

These two uses of the word “Love” are found in verse 22- Peter talks first about the “Unfeigned Love (Phileo) of the Brethren” and then exhorts us to raise that love to “Agape” love from a pure heart. He is literally telling us that we need to stop simply liking fellow Christians and ask God to produce a sacrificial love in our heart for them that will alter the way we look at each other; and the way the world looks at the Church!

Peter knew that some people in the Church were tempted to go back to their old friends in the world and fellowship with them. But he knew that when you “warm at the devil’s fire with the devil’s crowd” you will end up denying the Lord instead of developing into the person God wants you to be.

Another problem was the different classes of people that were swept into the net of the Church. Suddenly, Master and Slave, Rich and Poor, Educated and Illiterate were sitting on the same pew and calling each other “Brother”. If Christianity was to make the transition from the Meeting to the Marketplace then Christians had to have more that a toleration love for each other. Something divine must take place in their hearts–and that is what Peter is talking about in this Scripture.

I. SACRIFICIAL LOVE INSTEAD OF SELFISH LOVE WAS REQUIRED– This love comes from a purified soul that obeys the truth of God’s plan through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. We are to love fellow Christians because they are precious to God. This love causes one to be long suffering toward him, to treat him kindly, and to rejoice in the welfare of another instead of envy their good fortune. This love is not jealous, does not think only of itself, is not lifted up with pride, does not behave unbecomingly, does not retain anger, does not impute evil to another’s actions, does not rejoice in iniquity in a brother’s life, but bears up against all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things (I Cor 13:). This love cares for people instead of using people to your own advantage.

The Christians to whom Peter were writing already had a fondness and an affection for one another. This was proper in itself, but it could degenerate into an attachment for another which was very selfish. Peter wanted this fondness to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into such a love that would make Church a heavenly fellowship, glorifying the Lord Jesus, and producing a great blessing to the Church; and to the Community.

II. SINCERE LOVE FROM A PURE HEART WAS NEEDED. Their love was to be “unfeigned”- in the Greek this is the word for Hypocrite with a “not” placed before it. In other words, Peter was telling the people to have a love for one another that was not just a show. This kind of love could only come from a heart purified by the Word of God and the Work of the Holy Spirit. We show this kind of love to others when we treat them the same way God treats us. God forgives us, so we forgive others. God is kind to us, so we are kind to others.

III. STRIVING (Fervent) LOVE IS EXPECTED. “Fervent” is an athletic term– Love is something we must work at, just as an Olympic contestant has to work at his particular skill. Christian Love is not a feeling, it is a matter of the Will. We must determine to allow the Holy Spirit to produce this love in our hearts because IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE THE TRUTH AND HATE THE BRETHREN.

How are you working as showing God’s love to fellow Christians??

IPeter 02:1- PETER’S PICTURES OF THE BELIEVER IN CHAPTER TWO

Are you Troubled in your spirit, Tried in your mind, or Tempted in your body. Do you want some Positive News in a Warped, Weird, Wicked Society? Good News for you! Peter shares with us the “9 BLESSINGS OF BEING A BELIEVER” in Chapter Two and shows us that Christianity is not a one dimensional Life or Experience; it changes WHO we ARE as well as WHERE as we are GOING.

BABES FEEDING ON THE MILK OF THE WORD– (As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2). God’s Compete Care and Provision for Growth
STONES IN GOD’S TEMPLE– (Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5). Shaped for God’s Plan

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9).

A CHOSEN GENERATION– Desired by God
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD– A Majestic Magnificence Ministry
A HOLY NATION– Part of God’s work in a Corrupt, Morally destitute Society
A PECULIAR PEOPLE– Surrounded by God’s Care and protection

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:10-12).

7. PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD– Mercy is given by Grace Bought (Valued)
8. STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH– Anticipating a Great Future, Abstaining from Fleshly lust because we are more than conquerors thru Christ who lives in us!

SHEEP CARED FOR BY THE SHEPHERD– Led and Loved (For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1 Peter 2:25). Green Pastures, Still Waters, Shepherd willing to die to protect you.

IPeter 02:1-2 DEVELOP AS A CHRISTIAN WORKER

Here are 10 Guidelines that will help you become the best Christian you can be:

1. Study the Bible-(2 Tim 2:15) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. Learn to Pray– (Luke 18:1) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Do it. Don’t just learn about it.

3. Cull your Companions– (Prov 27:17) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Don’t date a person with a different destiny- every date is a possible mate

4. Be Faithful to the Church-(Heb 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Where they teach the Book, the Birth, and the Blessed Hope. Keep your heart warm by staying close to the Fire of Christian Fellowship

5. Develop your mind– What you think, you are (Prov 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Watch what you watch! and read, and think on.

6. Begin to do now what you plan to do later in life. “Faith without works is dead”– The average Christian “Plans” to do something for the Lord “Someday”. My motto for many years has been “I will do WHAT I can, WHERE I am, with WHAT I HAVE”.

7. Stay as far from sin as possible/Stay as close to God as you can. Don’t spend your life asking “What can I get by with?”; instead, ask yourself, “What can I do to get closer to God”.

8. Learn how to give– Give your Self, your Service, & your Substance

9. Set Goals for your life– It is generally people that determine to read a certain number of Bible Chapters a day, to pray a certain amount, to witness to someone every week; that accomplish something for the Lord. The average Christian’s greatest weakness is that they simply want to go to Heaven instead of Serve the Lord.

10. Discipline yourself- Do what you don’t want to do! Jesus continually culled his followers by demanding they chose between the easy course and the Cross. If you are to accomplish anything for the Lord it will be because you live for Him in the Valleys as well as on the Mountain Top

The Greatest Good anyone can do is to serve the Lord. The greatest Goal any person can have is serve the Lord. The Greatest “Greatness” anyone can have is to serve the Lord (He that would be greatest of all shall be servant of all).

IS THIS CONSECRATION??

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Real service is what I desire;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord-

But don’t ask me to sing in the Choir.

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,

I like to see things come to pass:

But don’t ask me to teach girls and boys, dear Lord-

I’d rather just stay in my class.

I’ll do what you want me to do, dear Lord,

I yearn for the kingdom to thrive;

I’ll give you my nickels and dimes, dear Lord–

But please don’t ask me to tithe.

I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

I’ll say what you want me to say;

But I’m busy just now with myself, dear Lord–

I’ll help YOU some other day.

IPeter 02:1 3 GROWING

One of the first “rules” I learned was that “When you stop growing you die”. Growth is a necessary part of life (and it keeps it from being boring besides!!!). As Christians we especially want to keep growing in our relationship with God and his Will for our lives. Here are a few things that may show us HOW TO KEEP GROWING:

The First thing to realize is the METHOD of Growth. This means we must understand the 2 Basic methods of Growth- Horizontally and Vertically

GOD —->MAN If you only grow toward God then you cannot serve Him on earth. If you only grow toward Man then you cannot really help God or Man.

After we learn the Method of Growth we must learn and practice the MEANS of Growth:

G – Go to God in Prayer Daily [This brings peace with God and Power with man]

R – Read God’s Word Daily [This teaches about God and about Life]

O – Obey God, Moment by moment [This will keep you in proper relationship with God and man]

W – Witness for Christ with your life and words [God commands it and compassion requires it

I – Intercede for others [God likes it and others need it]

N – Name your weakness and learn from God’s word to develops as a Christian and as a Person.

G – Glory in God’s dealing with you [God and man enjoy hearing of His dealings with you]

Are you Growing for God? Stagnating in Stillness? or Backsliding into Unbelief???

GROWING IN GRACE

I. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS GROWTH IN GRACE [But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

A) Growth Defined- I do not mean that he can grow in safety, acceptance with God, or security. I do not mean that he can ever be more justified, more pardoned, more forgiven, more at peace with God; than he is the first moment that he believes.

I do mean an Increase in the strength, vigor, and power of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a Believer’s heart.

I mean that a man’s sense of sin is deeper, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, his love more extensive, his spiritual-mindedness more marked. He can feel and manifest the power of godliness more in his life. II Thess 1:3 Your Faith Groweth exceedingly. / Col 1:10 Increasing in the knowledge of God

I Thess 3:12 The Lord make you to increase in love

B) Growth Desired: Growing for God makes you

a. Spiritually Healthy

b. Physically Happy

c. Useful to others

d. Pleasing to God- Herein is my Father glorified, the ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples John 15:1,8

II. MARKS OF GROWTH

A. Increasing Humility- The riper he is for glory, the more, like corn, he hangs down his head. Moses did not Know that his face shone. Almost every man of God came to the place in his life where he would say (Job) “I am Vile”, (Abraham) “I am dust and ashes”, (David) “I am a worm”, (Isaiah) “I am a man of unclean lips”, (Peter) “I am a sinful man, O Lord”, (Paul) “I am the chief of sinners”. The Brighter the light the more we see the dirt.

B. Increasing Christlikeness- Service, Submitted to God’s Will-He must come to the place where he is working for GOD and not for GLORY; where the greatest GOAL in his life is to do the will of God; regardless of the consequences or results.

C. Increasing Holiness in life- Sin is less attractive and godliness is more and more your whole desire.

D. Increasing desire to share Christ with others. This desire will increase even though he learns that most men will not heed his message. He will not CARE less but he will learn to EXPECT less. He will learn to work on, whatever the results, and count the fact that he is working for God as his reward.

III. METHOD OF GROWTH

1. MY PART:

A. Private Methods- Prayer, Bible Reading, Devotion, Meditation, etc.

B. Public Methods- Church,

C. Consistent Character- We must aim to have a Christianity which, like the sap of a tree, runs through every twig and leaf of our character, and sanctifies all.

D. Carefulness in the Company we keep- Ps 1:1 If you play with the hogs you’ll get muddy. A man who says he loves Christians and yet wants to spend all his time with the World is lying to me and to himself.

2. GOD’S PART: God does not save us to struggle on on our own, He delivers us and then seek to conform us to the image of Christ. When we are saved we become the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit begins to change us into the image of Christ as we yield ourselves to His control.

This does not mean we become “Jelly-fish” that simply float with the tide, or Robots that have no control over what happens to us. The Holy Spirit develops His Fruit (Which is simply Christlike Character) in the person while maintain their personality. He does not say “Bingo” and suddenly I’m full of love; He develops love for God as I worship and adore God and He develops love for man as I work for the good of others. James says that the trying of my Faith develops Patience

You cannot grow if you have not started. You must be born again.

IPeter 02:1-3 HOW TO BE HUNGRY

(1 Pet 2:1-3) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, {2} As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: {3} If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

(1 Pet 2:1-3)[NIV] Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. {2} Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, {3} now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The “Wherefore” refers back to 1:23-25 and talks about being born again by the Word of God. Now Peter is telling us to maintain a hunger for that word in order to Grow the way God intends.

“Lay Aside” in the Greek are not a command but a once for all action. Until you have a break with sin, you cannot expect to have a hunger for the word of God. The reason is that you fill you heart with the husks of the world. This not only destroys your appetite but it perverts your taste.

Guile= “To catch with bait”. We are not to be crafty, sly, underhanded people; but above-board, open sincere, accomplishing our purposes by fair means. Sincere is “Guile” with a negative in front to make it “Not-Guile!”

Hypocrisies= “To put on a face”. To play a part of something that we are not. Our face should shine with the beauty of the Lord Jesus. A mask of deception hides Him.

Evil speaking= “To Speak Down” about another, to Slander.

As just-born babes, we should have an intense hunger for the Word of God.

Grow is to be nourished up / Gracious= Better, Excellent

(Wuest) Therefore, now that you have laid aside once for all every kind of wickedness and every kind of trickery, also hypocrisies, and envies, and all kinds of slanders, as just born infants, long for with an intense yearning the spiritual unadulterated milk, in order that by it you might be nourished up and thus make progress in your salvation, in view of the fact that you tasted for yourselves and have found that the Lord is excellent.

Sin in the life destroys one’s appetite for the Word of God. When sin is put away, the normal thing is an intense hunger for the Word. The result is that we feed our souls upon it and thus make progress in our salvation.

1 Pet 2:1: Evil-speaking is a sign of malice and guile in the heart; and hinders our profiting by the word of God. A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavors for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian’s desires after the word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is very merciful to us miserable sinners; and he has a fulness of grace. But even the best of God’s servants, in this life, have only a taste of the consolations of God.

1) Abandon Sin that gives you a false sense of satisfaction

2) Desire the Word of God- Seek to know it in your head, stow it in your heart, and show it in your life.

3) Deliberately chose to give up some things in order to spend time in the Word of God. Have a consistent time in the word EVERY Day.

4) Choose to go deeper: Change to more doctrine oriented books. Single sermon type books.

IPeter 02:1-10 A SINCERE SALVATION

Peter had been talking about a “Salvation worth Suffering For”. Now he wants his readers to make sure that the Salvation they have is the “Real Thing”. He gives them Gospel Guidelines to use in evaluating what they have; and in so doing gives us a way to check up on our own relationship with the Lord.

In the Greek culture of Peter’s day most of the utensils were made of clay. In his day, as today, some of the merchants were not completely honest. Whenever they received a clay pot that had a small crack in it rather than throw it away they would melt some wax over the crack, paint the pot, and sell it as a whole pot. Everything would be fine until heat or pressure caused the pot to burst!!

A smart shopper who knew about this practice would buy his clay pots during the daylight and hold the pot up to the sun where the light would expose any waxed over cracks (Just like the light of God exposes the falsehood in people’s lives!). Merchants finally began to tag their pots as “Sine Cere” (Without Wax) so the customers would know their quality. That word “Sincere” then came to mean something that could be depended on without any hidden faults; and it’s an excellent way to describe the Salvation Christ purchased for us.

Peter gives us 5 qualities that show what a person has, and what they are like, when they have this Sincere Salvation:

I. SAVED– 1:23 By Faith in Christ’s Sacrifice produced in your heart by hearing the word of God (See Rom 10:9). Note that the Word is called the Incorruptible SEED- A) It will not produce Bad Fruit.

B) It will Produce Some Fruit (Jn 15:1-5) if allowed to produce roots and kept weeded (Mark 4:16-20). The Christian Life is not a Philosophy you try to learn but a Life you live!!

II. SEPARATED– 2:1 (A Restaurant may have great food but if the tables and floors are filthy then you don’t care to eat there!). Peter lists 5 categories of sins that cover a wide territory but are basically sins that involve relationships to other people. This is very appropriate since suffering normally comes from another person and it is in this area that Peter is determined we show our Salvation well.

1. All Malice= Ill Will

2. All Guile= Deceit “To catch by bait”

3. Hypocrisies= insincere acts by an “actor’

4. envies= jealous thoughts, grudges

5. all evil speaking= slander

Sincere Salvation does not “wax over” the faults in a person’s life. It remolds and remakes the person until they are a vessel sanctified and meet for the master’s use (II Tim 2:21).

III. SUSTAINED BY THE WORD. 2:2-3 Nourishment.

A) Value the Word Job 23:12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Christians should desire (Crave) the pure Word of God in order to sustain their Christian life; yet the average Christian does not read one chapter in the Bible a day–If we nourished our physical bodies like we do our spiritual bodies we would never have a weight problem.

B) Vary your diet- Pray thru the Bible, Read some Old and some New, read the same chapter every day for a month to let it “soak” in…

Remember, when you come to a time of Suffering, the Word that you have “stored away” will be what carries you through.

IV. LIVING STONES– 2:4-8

A) To Bruise the Lost= A Stone of Stumbling (Faith) and a Rock of Offense (Cross). Isn’t it strange that men will walk on burning coals, throw their children to crocodiles, give money to churches, and sacrifice almost anything to be saved- EXCEPT THEIR PRIDE. They just aren’t willing to come God’s way; and there is no other way!! As Living Stones Christians aggravate the Lost by “Getting in their way” as they march on to Hell, and Irritate them with our constant concern (as a pebble in a shoe does).

B) To Build the Church= as the Temple of God. Don’t “Steal God’s Stones” to build a house for the Devil!!! by using your time and talent for the Self or Satan instead of the Saviour.

V. SURROUNDED– 2:9-10

A) A Chosen Generation- A select, elected people

B) A Royal Priesthood- Able to approach God as Kings and Priests

C) A Peculiar People- Peculiar here means “Surrounded” and shows how God controls our situation and protects us from attack.

Are you Sincere in your Salvation?? or have you covered over your faults and hope no one will notice?? You may get by for a while but when the Heat of Temptation or the Pressure of Trials come your way you’ll “Fall to pieces”. Make that definite step of commitment to Christ today.

IPeter 02:9- EXAMPLES

Having established that our Salvation is worth Suffering for; and then having shown what constitutes that Salvation, Peter now shows one of the great reasons for such Suffering. It’s sometimes difficult for the person going thru the Suffering to realize but Suffering in the life of a Christian has two main purposes: (1) To Mature the Christian into the person God wants them to be and (2) To be an Example to the Lost of the Sustaining power of the Lord (Which allows us to demonstrate our Love for God as shown by our trust and confidence. This is something God has desired to show Satan and his followers since the beginning– and something Christians must never lost sight of!).

So Peter, in verse 9, says that God has chosen us for His Royal, Holy, Peculiar People in order that we might show forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We once were without COUNTRY or COMPASSION but now God has given us both; and then left us to proclaim HIS Praises and invite others to serve Him. We do so by being an Example in our:

1. CHASTITY– Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul: We win the War with SELF. [The world believes strongly in the saying “He who cannot control himself cannot guide me”].

2. CONVERSATION– Having your Conversation (Manner of life) honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Our LIVES defeat their LIPS. We accept their PERSECUTION knowing that one day God will turn it into PRAISE. When I was serving aboard ship during the Viet Nam war, many “arrows” came my way; but, when the “VC” were dropping mortars on us, many of these same men asked me to pray for them.

3. CIVIL DUTIES–

I. Submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake;

A) God has established Government to avoid chaos and show man the need of leadership.

B) The Primary Purpose of Law is to punish the evil and Praise the good (Even though some individual laws may fail to do this, the Law as a system does perform this function- without “Law” we would have no safety, no direction, no progress,…).

C) Christ did not come to break the Law but to fulfil its requirements (Matt 5:17). Christians should not promote breaking the Law unless that Law is a direct violation of God’s Higher Law (Daniel’s Prayer). It is by this means that with well doing we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

II. Serve:

A) God-

With your Attitude- Not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness.

With your Actions- Toward men in general (Honor), Toward the Church (Love), Toward God (Fear), Toward Rulers (Honor).

B) Your “Masters”- Not only the good and gentle but also the forward (Surly, unfair).

What sort of Example do you give to those around you?????

IPeter 02:19-25 FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

One of the greatest and most popular of the books of Christian Literature is “In His Steps” by Charles Sheldon. In this book a Pastor challenges his people to live their lives according to the standards of Jesus by always asking “What would Jesus Do?”. The differences in People’s attitudes and Actions are profound and there is a great lesson for every Christian to learn but this is not the meaning that Peter is referring to in today’s scripture (Although most Christians and Pastors use it that way most of the time). Peter is referring to following Christ’s example in SUFFERING; and that is something that most Christians don’t want any part of (Even though Paul prayed for just such a privilege- Phil 3:10).

It is easy enough for Peter to tell us the Value and Virtue of Suffering for Righteousness Sake but what about the actual living??? Is this some fancy theory hatched in an “ivory tower” somewhere or is it something that really works in the real world?? Peter gives us an Exhortation and then an Example today.

At first most Christians will look at me in dismay and say, “I don’t need, or want to hear about, more suffering. I have enough of that as it is!” And it’s true that most of our lives have enough hardships and heartaches right now; my point today, however, is that many of these Problems are of our own making instead of because of our relationship with Christ. This is a major weakness of today’s Christianity; It is built on SUCCESS instead of SUFFERING! (Most Christians are much more interested in being ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD rather than being EXAMPLES TO THE WORLD). This attitude leads to Compromise and Complain instead of Committed Lives. So let’s look at some Reasons for Suffering, see what our Reaction to Suffering should be, and then Review the example and encouragement of Christ.

I. The Reason for Suffering as a Christian– 2 Reason are given by Peter for Suffering as A Christian (This is not NATURAL Suffering such as a headache or sickness; or suffering for doing WRONG- “What glory is it when you be buffeted for your faults”?; but Suffering that comes as a direct result of the world’s anger over your relationship with the Lord):

1. Your Conscience- “For conscience toward God”. You believe some things are wrong or right so much until you suffer to oppose or support them. (Far too many people today seem to have a “Seared Conscience” (I Tim 4:2) and think anything goes

2. Christ’s Example- “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example”. (Example here is a word used to describe tracing letters written by a school teacher in order to learn to do it correctly). The type of Suffering referred to: endure grief, suffering wrongfully

Suffering for Righteousness Sake is a natural result of the Christian coming in contact with an unbelieving world. This is because the Christian irritates by his natural character of being:

1. SALT- Matt 5:13 (We “rub” in the wound of sin). Salt adds flavor and the world only wants flavor added by the “onions of Egypt”.

2. LIGHT- Matt 5:14. See John 3:19-20 and this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. We expose their sin and sinfulness.

3. PURE- Pour some fresh cement and let someone come by! That’s why vandals spray paint walls, and newspapermen love to find some “Dirt” to put on someone. Purity and Cleanliness just seem to irritate anyone who does not have a pure heart.

II. The Reaction to Suffering as a Christian–

A) Praise- “This is Thankworthy” (“This is Acceptable” in vs 20 is the same word). Like the Disciples, We rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer for HIS sake (Acts 5:41). Persecution may Hurt the Christian but it also HELPS him to have the heart of God.

B) Patience- The way Christ Suffered: patiently. We follow His example as He Committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Committed here means to “Hand over, to deliver something to someone to keep, take care of, manage. Jesus handed over the reviling and the revilers to God to take care of.

a. God is able to VIEW them correctly (Not just our point of view)

b. God is who VENGEANCE belongs to- He will care for it in HIS time and in HIS way.

This is not the Normal Attitude or Actions in regards to Suffering. In order to do this it takes a higher Principle and Power at work in our lives- the Christlike Attitude produced by the indwelling Spirit. That means we must be sure of our own Salvation and dedicated enough to Stand with God.

Then our LIVES as well as our LIPS will bear witness to the change wrought in our hearts by coming to Christ; and we can emulate the Example of Christ:

Did no sin (Holy Living)

No guile was found in his mouth (Not Double tongued)

When he was reviled, reviled not again (Didn’t Strike back)

When he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously (Depended on God’s Vengeance)

Bare our sins in his own body on the tree. By whose stripes ye were healed. (Cared for others enough to die for them)

Do you Love Christ enough to Suffer for Him?? If not, you don’t REALLY LOVE HIM.

IPeter 03:1-7 SUBMITTING SOUL-WINNERS

“Likewise” refers Peter’s readers back to the admonition given to servants, and shown by the example of Christ, in 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. Peter goes from Submission in the secular world because of the example of Christ to a reason for submission in the Marital Relationship, the winning of the mate to Christ.

Wives are told to willingly subordinate themselves to their husbands- Listen to the Amplified Bible version: In like manner you married women, be submissive to your own husbands–subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them. While “Wifely Submission” is a Biblical Principle (Eph 5:22-24 wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the lord…as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing); This is about a Specific Case-a Saved wife living with an unsaved husband, and for a Specific Reason- To win the husband by godly living (Conversation in the Greek is “manner of life”) instead of Gospel Presentation.

“Obey not the word” means that the person has had the Gospel presented to them and continually refused to hear or heed it. The situation has become such that the wife is now “nagging” her husband and turning him away from the Gospel instead of toward it. Peter is showing how to win this husband with your life instead of your lips; and in doing so shows us some attributes that all soul winners need.

[NOTE- Wives, this is not only a way to change his Hard-heart but also a way to change those Habits he has that irritate you so badly. And they’ll work a lot better than arguing him into slamming the front door or you slamming the bedroom door].

SUBMITTING TO BE A SOUL-WINNER MEANS YOU CHANGE YOUR:

1. ATTITUDE- They behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear- Pure living combined with respect. What all men wish all women knew is that men must have respect; God instilled that in them when he gave man the leadership position following man’s fall into sin. So if a woman wants to win her husband she must show him the change in her life with her pure living; and in her heart with her respectful attitude [The same two things that makes the world “sit up and take notice” when we witness to them. High pressure salesmanship may make a person make a “decision” but honest humble concern will draw them to Christ to be Born Again]. It is not respect to tell a man how sorry he is because he does not meet your expectations; or godly living to want to look like or live like the world. Which brings us to the next change.

2. ADORNMENT- Man is the only animal that does not produce his clothing from the inside (Fur, feathers, fins). He lost that ability when he sinned (The first thing man realized when he ate the forbidden fruit was that he was naked; and the first thing he did was begin a “fig-leaf sewing factory”- Gen 3:7). Since that time man (and woman) have used clothing not only as a covering for their bodies but also as a way to “hide their faults” by drawing attention to WHAT they are wearing instead of WHO they are. [Interesting side note here- God’s Garment is light and I’m convinced that we will not wear “clothing” in Heaven; Jesus left His at the Cross and Tomb. This Garment of light will come from within (as shown by Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration). This is where Peter tells us to let our beauty shine from even today- “the hidden man of the heart”].

3. AUTHORITY-

A) The Showing of Authority- Amp Bible: It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham (followed his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by) calling him lord- master, leader, authority. Sarah showed her submission to her husband’s authority by her:

1. Walk (obeyed) and

2. Talk (call him “Master”).

This puts the responsibility on the man as he understands that he is expected to lead. At first he will test the wife to see if she is real (Just like the world does most Christians before they believe their testimony!). Then he will gradually realize how great a responsibility he has, and his need of help in handling that responsibility, and bring his wife more and more into the responsibility “chain”. Thus the wife gains by yielding what she could never get by fussing and fighting. [In the same way, you cannot Drive people to an alter to be saved but you can Draw them to Christ with your loving humble attitude].

B) The Security of Authority-This will result in peace as you follow God’s Command =Amp bible- let nothing terrify you- not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you. Where a Man needs Respect a woman needs security. It’s difficult for her to yield to the authority and leadership of the man if he is not leading in such a way as to give her this security. Peter is here telling her to trust in the Lord as she calls her husband “lord”. [This is the point the sinner must be brought to also, they want to be saved but they are afraid they can’t meet God and man’s expectations after they are saved and they don’t want to fail. They must be shown that Christ Paid the Price for sins and they rest in HIS FINISHED WORK].

4. ANOTHER VIEW- THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSIBILITY- (Peter has jumped from a non-christian to a Christian Husband in order to show this submissive wife what can and should happen). Husband are ordered to:

A) Dwell with their wives according to knowledge. To gain this Knowledge a Husband must take the time and effort to learn what his wife wants and needs. He must learn not to talk AT his wife but WITH her. Communication and Companionship make a happy couple!

B) Giving honor unto the wife as the weaker vessel yet realizing you are heirs together of the grace of life (Equal in God’s sight! There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28). The husband must remember that the wife is weaker Physically and emotionally (more easily deceived (I Tim 2:12-14) because she has a “soft heart” (which also is her greatest asset as a mother)). This means he can’t treat her like “one of the boys” or another man. He must PRIZE and PROTECT her.

C) Keep attitude problems from hindering your mutual Prayer life (as one preacher put it, “problems at home make problems in the pulpit!”). It’s hard to pray together when you aren’t speaking! A Christian Couple can work thru their problems because they have an unbiased “Mediator” (the Holy Spirit and the Word of God) to give them guidance.

Peter has shown us how a wife can try to convert her unsaved Husband and then shown the wonderful results that will come from that husband being saved. At the same time he has shown Christians that they can’t Force someone to be saved but Genuine Love and Concern will do what force can’t. Are you willing to take up your cross in order to lead someone to Christ??

IPeter 03:8-12 4 KINDS OF LOVE WE MUST EXEMPLIFY:

1) Love for Christian Brethren– vs 8 (1 John 4:20-21) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? {21} And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

2) Love for our Enemies– (1 Pet 3:9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Human hate returns evil for good, human nature returns kindness for kindness and evil for evil, Spirit filled Christians return good for evil and show the world Christ (See 2:21-23). The world wants to bring you down to their level but you should show them good as one who is already in God’s will to inherit a Blessing!

3) Love for Life– (1 Pet 3:10-11) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: {11} Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. We can Endure Life as a great burden, we can Escape from life by yielding control of ourselves to some outside force (Drugs, drink, pleasures, TV…), or we can Enjoy life because we know God is in control and we belong to Him. When we love life we will control our tongue, avoid the evil that would trap and destroy us, and actively pursue peace. (Because we Love life we Pursue Peace; Not just repair the problems of war. You pursue peace when you – Build Relationships, Anticipate problems and deal with them beforehand, Nip problems in the bud, and avoid situations and circumstances that would cause conflict. This does not mean compromising with evil- (Rom 12:18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

4) Love for the Lord– (1 Pet 3:12) For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. Righteous living is not the way we earn our way to Heaven, it is the way we work our way into the heart of God! It pleases God when we do right and hurts God when we do wrong so our love for God; not our fear of men’s condemnation causes us to do right- Be ye Holy for I am Holy, saith the Lord.

IPeter 03:8 CHARACTER IN THE MIDST OF CONFLICT

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF BELIEVERS:(1 Pet 3:8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1) HARMONY– “Be ye all of one Mind” = Pursue the same goals. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means cooperation in the midst of diversity.

2) SYMPATHY– “Having compassion one of another”= Responsive to one another’s needs, feeling for and with someone. We need to Cultivate Compassion- Plant the seed of kindness, water the needs of others with our prayers and tears, and still love people when they reap what they have sown.

3) FAMILY LOVE- “Love as brethren” = Seeing one another as family. Willing to Care for, Correct, and Forgive as you would a member of your own family.

4) SENSITIVE SPIRIT– “Be pitiful” = Being affectionately sensitive, have a tenderness of heart toward others.

5) HUMILITY– “Be Courteous” = Willing to encourage one another and rejoice in each other’s successes. The word for courteous here means “be humble”; which is the basic of all true courtesy- Willing to serve by opening a door, willing to exalt others by saying “sir” and “mam”, willing to be last so that others may be first. What an impact this can, and will, have on a self absorbed world!

IPeter 03:8-9 HOW TO INHERIT A BLESSING

1PE 3:8-9 finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

“Finally” here is not ending the letter but giving a final exhortation to the Servants and Wives that Peter has been asking to submit to Suffering to show Salvation. 6 exhortations are given:

1. Live in Harmony- all of one mind: one great goal. Learn to think together

2. Live in Sympathy- able to feel pain and joy of someone else. Learn to feel together

3. Have Brotherly Love- as Christians who are concerned. Learn to care for one another

4. Be Kind-hearted- Pitiful. Desiring to help those in need. Learn to share together

5. Be Courteous- Humble in Spirit. Learn to accept one another

6. Don’t return evil for evil or insult for insult/ give a blessing instead [Praying for their welfare, happiness and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. Learn to forgive and forget.

Matt 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

This is done so that God can bless us as heirs with welfare, happiness, and protection. He has called us for this purpose and He has the Blessing waiting on those who obey His commands.

IPeter 03:10 GOOD DAYS

(1 Pet 3:10) For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Peter quotes this from Psalm 34:12-15 so it would be good for us to read the entire Psalm and see what God means when He talks about “Good Days”. NOTE the caption- David, after pretending to be insane in order to escape from King Achish (1 Sam 21:10-15).

Good days are not necessarily days free from problems:

Fear-vs 4

Troubles- vs 6

Broken heart- 18

Afflictions- 19

A good day for the believer who “loves life” is not one in which he is pampered and sheltered, but one in which he experiences God’s help and blessings in the midst of life’s problems.

A “Good Day” is a day in which the believer:

1) Magnifies the Lord 1-3

2) Experiences answers to prayers 4-7

3) Tastes the goodness of God- 8

4) Senses the nearness of God- 18

5) Experiences Deliverance from Fear- via 4- Prayer / 7- Angel / 9- Respect and honor toward God.

[Note vs 11- Children should be taught to fear the right things and not to fear the fear from Satan- (2 Tim 1:7} For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.]

God promises great blessings to His people, but many of these blessings require our active participation. He will free us from fear (4), deliver us from trouble (6), guard us (7), show us kindness (8), supply our needs (9), listen to us talk to Him (15), and redeem us (22).

We must do our part:

1> Appropriate His blessings when we seek Him (4)

2> Cry out to Him (6, 17)

3> Trust Him (8)1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

How can we Excel as Christians and as a Church??

A) Practice our Gifts:

B) Pray:

C) Perform our Beliefs:

Some verses to consider about “Excel”:

Gen 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

1 Chr 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel (Adding Musical Instruments helped them “Excel”)

Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Isa 10:10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria: (False “exaltation” based on pleasing society)

IPeter 03:13-22 CONSCIENTIOUS SUFFERING

Having told us how to Love Life and see Good days, Peter now is led to look at the “Other side of the coin” and show us our attitude and actions if we are called upon to suffer as Christians. This is the heart of the book, and the heart of Peter’s message. Peter knew that Persecution and Problems were going to be a part of the Christian Experience and he wanted them to make Christians BETTER instead of BITTER so he gave 5 Guidelines If you suffer for Righteousness’ sake:

1. Remain Confident of God’s Care– Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? We know God hears our Prayers and strengthens us in life’s difficulties so we live in Faith instead of Fear. The Storm is a time of Observation instead of Consternation when you’re living in the Rock!

2. Remain Calm in your own soul– He then tells us that if we do suffer for righteousness’ sake we are to be HAPPY, UNAFRAID, and UNDISTURBED (Amp. Bible: Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, or be disturbed by their opposition). “You don’t stop your car for a barking dog!”; and when you realize the source of the storm (Satan) you rejoice knowing you’re disturbing him and helping God!

3. Reserve the Center of your heart for Christ– Who fears the howling of the wolves when you’re safe at home with the Master? Use this time of being “shut in” to rebuild and rekindle your relation-ship with Christ. Troubles will drive you to, or separate your from, God; That choice is yours!

4. Use the Trouble as a time of Testimony– and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Your Answer and your Attitude will determine if God gets the Glory during this trouble. I believe the testimony and attitude of Stephen at his death was one of the key moments in early church history– because it burned in Paul’s soul so that the light on the Damascus Road could finally open his eyes.

5. Live so your Accusers will be Ashamed instead of you– Remember you’re suffering for Righteousness’ sake, not riotous living!! When you do wrong and suffer that’s PUNISHMENT; When you do right and Suffer that makes you PARTAKERS with Christ.

Peter then goes on to show that, not only was there Glory that followed Christ’s death, but there also was a Goal that was accomplished during His death- preaching to the spirits in prison [Just as in your case God is conforming you into the image of Christ while at the same time showing your Christlike attitude and actions to an unbelieving world– see 4:1-5].

I don’t Know that I can sum this up any better than Peter did in 4:12- 19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

The Keystone to doing this is to Have a Good Conscience. One’s conscience may be considered good when void of offense toward God and man (Acts 24:16; I TIm 1:5), or it may be considered evil when it is defiled (I Tim 4:2; Tit 1:15; Heb 10:22). Keeping a good conscience involves:

A) Conscience Consideration- “To Know with” Bears witness to right or wrong Rom 2:15

B) Good Conscience: I Tim 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck:

C) Seared Conscience Awareness: I Tim 4:1-2 Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter time some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

D) Defiled Conscience Danger: Tit 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. A Conscience that is:

1> Void of offense Acts 24:1 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

2> Lives Right is Society: Rom 13:5 Submit to Rulers for Conscience’s sake and willing to suffer for doing right (1Pet 2:19 This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward god endure grief, suffering wrongfully)

E) Weak Conscience Mindfulness: I Cor 8:7,12 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this our eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But when ye sin so against the brethern, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

F) Testimony of Conscience Witnessing: II Cor 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of god, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youward.

G) Purged Conscience Conversion: Heb 9:14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to god, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

REASONS FOR GOOD CONSCIENCE 13-15:

1. Personal integrity- 13

2. A proper attitude toward suffering righteously 14a

3. Facing persecution fearlessly 14b

4. Giving God the proper place in your life 15a for Christ must be reverenced as LORD before the conscience can be void of offense toward God

5. Maintaining a proper witness before men 15b

RESULTS OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE 16-17

1. A good conscience will put persecutors to shame 16a

2. It will prompt good behavior 16b

3. it will give the persecuted believer conviction of the value of suffering righteously 17

IPeter 03:10-11 FOUR TRUTHS FOR A GOOD LIFE

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it (1 Peter 3:10-11).

1) Rest in your Redeemer: (Mat 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2) Harmonize with God for Happiness: (Isa 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

3) Trust in God’s Plan for your life: (Psa 37:23-24) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. {24} Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

4) Depend on God for Strength: (Phil 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

IPeter 03:10-12 HOW TO LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the lord is against them that do evil 1Peter 3:10-12.

I. THE TWO ACCOMPLISHMENTS DESIRED:

1. Love Life- at Peace with Self.

2. See Good Days- at Peace with Circumstances (Remember that Peter is writing to Slaves and Wives with difficult circumstances)

II. THE THREE ADMONITIONS REQUIRED:

1. Refrain Lips—

A) From evil

a. Toward God: 3rd command- Exodus 20:7 thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain; for the lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

b. About Man: Leviticus 19:16 thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people:

B) Speak no Guile (Treachery, deceit): Say what you mean and mean what you say. Hypocrisy always comes back to “haunt” you.

2. Resist Evil— (Resist means to turn away from; to shun; to avoid)

A) Avoid its Place- Ps 1:1 blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. When you “lay down with the dogs you’ll pick up some fleas”!!

B) Avoid its Practice- The “harmless” becomes a Habit. The “Temptation” leads to Desire; the Desire to the Deed; and the Deed to Death! (James 1:14-15). Peter says you are to “Do Good” so that your goals become good instead of evil. When you come to the continuous crossroads of choice you must develop a character that chooses the right instead of the wrong.

3. Pursue Peace—

A) Search for Peace- Look for ways to have Peace (Harmony)

a. In Self: Freedom from fear, agitating passions, and moral conflicts.

b. In Society: Able to live with your Fellow man

c. With Sovereign: In God’s Will doing God’s Work

B) Seek Peace Eagerly- Don’t just desire to be “Harmonious” but actively try to find ways to accomplish this goal [Which means you can’t go around with a “chip on your shoulder”!].

III. THE TWO PROMISES REVEALED:

1. PRAYERS: The Lord’s EYES see us (and not a hair of our head falls without His knowledge- Matt 10:30 See also II Chron 16:9) and His EARS are Open unto our Prayers (As a mother listens for her child)

2. PUNISHMENT: The face of the Lord is turned away from those who practice evil so He does not considerately see or hear them. What an awful place to be, where your Prayers and Problems are ignored by God!

DO YOU WANT TO LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS OR LIVE WITH GOD’S FACE TURNED AGAINST YOU??

IPeter 04:1- CEASING FROM SIN

Peter uses a phrase in each of his two books that has tremendous implications- “cease from sin”. It is important because the first case tells about HOW to Cease from Sin while the Second case tells of someone who CANNOT Cease from Sin. Those are the two principles that many people stumble into Hell over! I want us to determine what the Scripture means by these verses and then see how they can affect our life.

The verse that describes circumstances that would cause a man to “Cease from Sin” is 1 Pet 4:1- Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

The next time it’s used it describes one of the most horrible situations imaginable; someone who “Cannot Cease from Sin“!- (2 Pet 2:14) Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

As Christians, we know that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20) and to say we have Faith in Christ without a changed life is wrong. We know that sin should no longer control our character or conduct- Whosoever is born of God doth not (continually) commit sin; (1 John 3:9). Yet Christians still find that sin doth so easily beset us (Heb 12:1) and Christianity is a fight instead of a folic. We long to be someone who has the Victory over sin but feel, instead, like those who “cannot cease from sin”.

Today’s verses show us that:

A. Suffering in the Flesh is the road to Ceasing from Sin

B. Giving in to the Flesh is the road to continuing in Sin. This does not mean we need to Punish ourselves or those around us in order to be right. It simply means Yielding to the desires of the flesh instead of yielding to the directions of the Savior will develop a pattern in our life that will affect everything we do.

Instead of being willing to make the sacrifices necessary to grow as a Christian we want only to pamper and pet self; until comfort and ease become our god. Unwilling to allow Christ to control our life we soon lose control ourselves.

This leads to manifestations of Bitterness or Anger toward everyone we meet. We won’t yield control to Christ because we want to be in Control but we find there are many things we can’t control:

We can not control our:

1> Problems- accidents, disasters, happen because “Time and chance happen to all men”.

2> Personality- No amount of self effort will change the fact that you are a “morning person”, or an “optimist”, etc.

Going outside of our SELF to the SAVIOR is the only hope we have. And the only way to accomplish that is to become new Creatures. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I. THE OLD THINGS THAT PASSED AWAY. God always begins by “cleaning up the New ground”; removing the hindrances so His help can work. Remember That!! Far too many people seek to stack righteousness on top of rottenness and find themselves with a faulty foundation!

You must have a:

A) DESIRE TO LEAVE THE OLD– As long as you are content living in sin then you’ll never change. We call this CONVICTION

B) DEFINITE DECISION to turn from Sin to God. This is not a vague “someday I hope to do better” thing; it’s a conscious decision that God can and will help you and you’re willing to follow His direction.

We call this REPENTANCE.

When you experience Conviction that produces Repentance 3 things change in your life:

1) Sin’s Bondage– You used to serve your master the Devil but now you have changed “Bosses”. Satan may still issue some orders sometimes (and you may still find yourself obeying them!) but his power over you has been broken and you now can learn to live in liberty.

2) Sin’s Burdens– The bondage of sin stacks many burdens on your back: No Peace of mind, inability to maintain relationships, destruction of your body, and wasted time and energy.

3) Sin’s Punishment– You were under God’s Wrath with Hell only a Heartbeat away but now you are a Citizen of Heaven with a mansion prepared and waiting for you!! If that doesn’t change a man’s outlook then I don’t know what will!!

II. THE THINGS THAT BECOME NEW. But when you accept Christ as Savior you don’t just give up something; you BECOME something new- a New Creature (Creation); with a new desire and a new destination. We call this being BORN AGAIN.

A) The Source of the Transformation- “All Things” are of God. It is not a New Leaf but a New Life; not your Ability but God’s Spirit. It is not like a diet where your will power determines the alterations but like a doctor prescribing medicine; your part is to accept the help and the medicine does the work. A “Born Again” Person is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9) and his body becomes the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Cor 6:19-20). The Spirit Baptizes the person into the Body of Christ where they are given a function to perform (a spiritual gift to enable them to do their part in the Body of Christ- I Cor 12:-). As they yield themselves to Him, they can also be Filled with the Spirit in order to faithfully fulfill their place in their family and Society (Eph 5:18-6:9)

B) The Serenity of the Transformation- Reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. We were enemies of God but a “peace treaty” was signed at Calvary and we now have Peace WITH God as well as the Peace OF God. We still must fight Satan but we do so with the armor of God about us and the knowledge that the outcome is already determined!!

C) The Service of the Transformation- given us the ministry of reconciliation= sharing the Gospel of Christ with a lost world. Our Mission is: Well Defined- Show people that serving Christ is:

Satisfying- Eternal Value

Rewarding- Pleases God and Man

So there you have it. God is able to Take away the old things that were defeating us and bringing about death and replace them with a new birth that gives us POWER to change, PEACE in the Change, and a PLACE of service that is glorious and Good. Isn’t it sad that some people are rejecting His offer and remaining in sin. How awful Hell will be to remember what you could have had and instead suffer pain and punishment in outer darkness while you see the Saints of God enjoying Eternity with Him.

ARE YOU SAVED????

IPeter 04:1‑2 HOW TO LIVE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE

1 Pet 4:1‑2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. “Ceased from sin”, how great that sounds to the committed Christian! “No longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but doing the will of God”. This is the kind of Victorious Christian life that every Christian should desire and determine to obtain.

Sadly, Many Christians live a life of “quite desperation” as they are daily defeated by the world, the flesh, and the devil. May God help us to understand how we can have the mind of Christ so we can cease from sin and live our lives in the will of God.

One of the best scripture passages to help us learn how to live a Victorious Christian Life is-

Eph 4:22‑24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Three Great Principles for Victorious Christian Living are given in these verses:

1) Kill the Canaanites- “Put off concerning the former way of life the old man” When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land they were told to “Kill the Canaanites”; every man, woman, and child was to be slain. That is the way it must be in our Christian life- Show no mercy to sin. Destroy it in any form it comes at you- in manly strength, in womanly lust, or in childlike desire. (Jesus called this “Denying yourself and taking up your cross daily).

This does not mean you become a “monk” in a secluded world. Learn to live in the world but do not allow the world to live in you! The boat is supposed to be in the water but the water is dangerous when it gets in the boat.

2) Change your Habits- “”be renewed in the spirit of your mind”. Control your tongue, change your friends, altar your patterns, tame your thoughts.

Escape from the “box” Satan has built around you- People drink alcohol in order to escape the pressures of life or in order to enjoy the pleasures of life. When pressures or desires come you must learn to let God show you how to find rest and enjoyment in a living relationship with Him.

3) Celebrate Christianity- “Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Find your part in the work of the Lord and produce fruit for God. Remove the Briars and rocks. Plant a crop. Guard against surprise attacks. Determine to live the Abundant Christian life; one in which you find more joy in God than you do in serving evil- The prodigal son thought the “good” life was money, partying, and friends but he woke up in a hog pen to find life was a lot better at the Father’s house.

Enjoy the good things of God and live a victorious Christian life but remember how serious sin real is–Eccl 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

IPeter 04:7-11 PERMANENT PRACTICES

No matter the “Time” we are in; it is always important to BE Right and LIVE Right.

1. Sober- Sound Minded, Serious. 1PE 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. The world is laughing its way into the Tribulation but Christians should be aware of the seriousness of the hour. Don’t go around “gloom” but don’t get caught up in the Entertainment worship of the world.

2. Watchful Prayer– “Stand guard” over your life and your loved one with a ministry of Prayer. Don’t sleep (like the Disciples in the Garden) or stop just when you’re needed the most.

3. Fervent Charity– 1PE 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Intense Love that seeks to build up the brethren instead of kick down the fallen.

4. Practice Hospitality, Cordially 1PE 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.- For thereby some have entertained Angels unaware. Especially important in Peter’s day when Christians were traveling but even today friendship and concern are very important.

5. Be Faithful in your job: 1PE 4:10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

A) As Good Stewards (Mangers)- Each a different part of the whole we realize we must work together

B) As Confident Speakers- Speaking the Oracles of God, not the opinions of the world.

C) As Committed Servant- Ministering with the ability which God gives

IPeter 04:10 A GOOD STEWARD

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).

We are to be Good Stewards of:

1. Our Testimony

2. Our Time

3. Our Talents

4. Our Treasure

5. Our Truth

IPeter 04:12 Why is Life So Hard??

Suffering is a NORMAL PART OF CHRISTIAN LIVING- Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (1 Pet 4:12). Salvation does not exempt us from Suffering. In fact, Christ called us to deny our selves and take up our cross as we followed Him. As trials and tribulations come our way, however, Satan tries to make us believe God no longer loves us.

Let’s look at 7 reasons we have troubles in life. They should help us see troubles as Stepping Stones along the way instead of stumbling blocks.

1> PUNISHMENT FOR SIN– Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh. Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD (Ezek 21:12-13).

2> PRODUCE PURITY OF LIFE– That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Pet 1:7).

3> PRODUCE PATIENCE IN LIFE– And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (Rom 5:3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:3)

4> HELP US AVOID PRIDE OVER GOD’S WORK IN OUR LIFE– And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure (2 Cor 12:7).

5> TEACH DEPENDENCE ON GOD– And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Cor 12:9).

6> TEACH TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN– Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Heb 5:8) It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psa 119:71)

7> MAKE US AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIANITY– How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality (2 Cor 8:2).

IPeter 04:12WHY LIFE HAPPENS

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (1 Peter 4:12).

One of the most difficult things for some people to deal with is “Why is Life happening to me the way it is happening to me?” Sometimes life does not seem to make sense.

Some circumstances happen in life regardless of a person’s:

A) Intellect– The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity (Eccl 2:14-15).

B) Ability– I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Eccl 9:11).

C) Religious Condition– There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. (Eccl 8:14). That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).

Some Circumstances happen in our live:

Because Sin is in our life: Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day (Jer 44:23).

Because Satan is our Enemy: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8).

To Show God at work in the world: Events in the life of Israel “happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor 10:11).

To give us a platform to Share the Gospel: The Events in Paul’s Life- But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; (Phil 1:12)

To Shape us into the person God desires us to be: The Sculptor hammers at the stone- not to harm it, but to make it into a thing of beauty. This may involve:

Suffering: Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Heb 5:8). It was persecution that drove the early church from the “safety” of the “nest” at Jerusalem to spread the Gospel around the world (Acts 8:1). It is the file, and not the feather, that sharpens the axe!!

Sickness: It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statues (Ps 119:71).

The Good News for Christians is that God combines the things that “Happen” in our life and uses them for our good and His Glory: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). We may not always know the “Why” but we can rest in peace in the midst of life’s storms sheltered in the arms of a loving God.

IPeter 04:17 18 WHERE WILL IT END?

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:17 18).

Peter has 2 observations about Christians and 2 questions for sinners in these verses.

I. CHRISTIAN CONCERNS:

A) “The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God”. This is not the “judgment seat of Christ”- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Cor 5:10 ) where we will be judged for our gossip- But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36) and our failure to use the resources God has given us- Parable of the talent. This judgment is the purifying fire of persecution that will soon come upon the church- If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? (Jeremiah 12:5)

B) “If the Righteous scarcely be saved”. This is a specific reference to the upcoming siege of Jerusalem. Titus, for some unexplained reason, pulls away the armies surrounding Jerusalem for a short time. During this time the Christian in the city escape but the rest of the city remained. When Titus returns the city is destroyed and over one million of its inhabitants are killed and the remainder are sold into horrible slavery. Is that a preview of the soon coming rapture of the Church where the Christians will escape and the unsaved will be left to endure death and destruction under the Antichrist?

It is also a reference to the lukewarm, lazy state of Christianity that will occur at the end of the church age (Rev 3). Many people today have “faith” in Christ but it is little more than the “demon faith” James refers to- Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19 20).

Saving Faith is comprised of 3 elements: Respect for God, Belief (Trust) in God’s Plan of Salvation (The shed blood of Christ for the remission of our sins), and obedience to God.

II. 2 QUESTIONS FOR SINNERS:

A) “What will be end be of those who obey not the gospel of God?”. If a sinner continues on the path he is now following where will it eventually end?

B) “Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”. When the sinner has come to the end of his life what will happen to him then? Before whom will he appear? The answer is obvious, he will appear before the God he has rejected and there give account for his life and actions.

If you continue on the road you are traveling, where will it end? God allows u-turns.

IPeter 04:17-18 SCARCELY SAVED

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23).

Remember the Thief on the Cross had to make a “last minute decision”.

IPeter 05:1-4 PETER’S PASTOR PRINCIPLES

There are many jokes and comments about how a Pastor knows he’s called to preach (I knew I was called to preach because I woke up with a craving for fried chicken and wanted to go fishing!) and about the amount of work he does (No wonder preachers get so tired, working 3 whole hours a week!!). But being called to be a Pastor is one of the greatest honors and responsibilities a person can attain.

Because every Pastor is a Person as well as a Pastor his personality should blend with that of the people of his church (That’s why some Pastor’s “fit” at one church but not at another). Therefore every Pastor will need traits and talents for his particular situation; but there are some general Characteristics that every Pastor must have and these are what Peter talks about.

1PE 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of god which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

A PASTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES MEANS HE MUST:

1. Fellowship in Christ’s suffering & Glory. He must have something:

A) To Show (a witness)- Paul gave his testimony 3 times in the book of Acts. When a Pastor has been at a church for a short time his members should know HIS testimony almost as well as theirs! A Pastor’s Message should be about his Master!

B) To Share (a partaker). The messages of a good Pastor are simply the overflowing of his relationship with Christ. He too was a sinner; and he too faces the trials and temptations of life. His messages are experienced before they are exhorted.

2. Feed the Flock among you- The Pastor is both Shepherd and Sheep!

A) As Shepherd- he is responsible to see that the Sheep Grow, are Guided to green pastures, and are Guarded against the world’s wolves.

B) As a Sheep- he mingles with and understands the needs of the other sheep. (See Heb 2:16-18 for Christ’s example of this.) A Pastor must live with the people to know their problems and live with God in order to solve them.

3. Fulfill leadership responsibilities:

A) Motivated to lead -Not because it’s what people expect but because it’s what God requires. A sign post tells you what’s ahead; a leader shows you how to get there.

B) Money is not his goal- He ministers not for Profit but as a Prophet. He must accept the fact that he will seldom be paid what he’s worth but he must never be just worth what he is paid!

C) Manages by example, not just orders- He does not try to “lord over” his people, he tries to lift up his people. He is not building his kingdom but the kingdom of God.

D) Must labor by Faith- Sometimes one plants, one waters, and another reaps the fruit (I Cor 3:6). You must labor realizing your reward will come when you meet the Lord. Success in the ministry is simply to Preach, and Pray, and Plug away! If you’re where God wants you to be, doing what God wants you to do, God will take care of results; and Rewards!! (See II Corinth 6:3-10 for a practical example of such a Pastor)

I’d rather be a Preacher than President!! For a President only leads a nation while a Pastor points men to a forgiving Savior and a future

IPeter 05:5-11 CHRISTIAN CROSSES

We have been looking at Peter’s Encouragement and Exhortation to some people who were “Suffering for the Savior”. Now in these final thoughts from Peter I want us to see how this translates into the actual living; far too many people today know what to do, they just don’t do it!!

There are 3 major Enemies that every Christian (and indeed, every person) must face (1) Pride, (2) Prosperity, and (3) Passions. It was Pride that caused the downfall of Satan (Is 14:12-15), It is Prosperity that robs the Christian’s Fruit (Mark 4:19), and It is Passions that defeated David (II Sam 11:-) and divides people (James 4:1-2). Today we’re going to see that these same enemies must be faced and overcome; AND THEY ARE THE SOURCES OF MUCH OF THE SUFFERING in Christian Living today. Most Christian think suffering is an “angry mob with stones” and fail to realize that the Cross is every day denial of self and submitting to God’s will– Matt 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

What are these DAILY CROSSES CHRISTIANS MUST BEAR??

1. Serving Others- 1PE 5:5-6 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: “You must take a low place before God before you can take a high place before men.”

How it grates on the Pride of man to be used (and sometimes abused) by others. Yet this is the place, and glorious privilege, of a Christian (See Luke 6:27-38). And it’s a cross that must be taken up every day as the world cries out to us, “Look out for #1” while we seek to manifest “The One” and only hope, Jesus.

You can’t snatch people from the fire without getting burned every now and then; you can’t assist the needy without being taken advantage of by the crafty every so often; you can’t Help without sometimes getting Hurt; and you can’t exalt Self and Savior at the same time.

Are you looking for a Cross of Exaltation, or Service?? God stands against the Proud but honors the humble.

2. Sickness and Scarcity- 1PE 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Listen to this verse in the Amp. Bible- Casting the whole of your care–all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all- on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.

Sometimes the Christian’s Cross is a “thorn in the Flesh” that pricks us every day but produces Glory for God (II Cor 12:7-10); Sometimes it’s the lost of “rights and rewards” in order to maintain Testimony or service (II Cor 11:8-12). And the “Pain and the Payments” are constant companions that Satan continually asks us to run away from by lying, laziness (don’t do anything and use your pain as an excuse), or worry (doubt God’s Love or ability and try to do it all on your own).

Are you looking for a Cross of Health and Wealth, or do you seek to follow the example of Christ, II Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

3. Satan- 1PE 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Not only must we deal with our Pride and our Circumstances but we also must contend with the enemy of God and Good, Satan. He looks for an opportunity to attack us and we must constantly be on guard and be clothed with the armor of righteousness (Eph 6:10-17). Many times we grow tired of the fight and long for the land of Peace and Rest but we must maintain vigilance until the final Victory. Peter says that involves two things:

A) Sober Watchfulness- Continual alert. Can’t “goof off” on guard duty or pretend it’s only play.

B) Steadfast Resistance- Stand, and having done all stand.

But there’s more than a Cross in these Verses there’s

The Crown after the Cross– 1PE 5:10-11 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

There are 5 “Points” to this Crown:

A) Salvation- Called to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. Our Salvation makes any suffering worth while. Especially when we realize that this suffering makes us:

B) Serviceable- the word “Perfect” here does not mean “Mature” as it normally does in the Greek; it means to “Fit or join together” so as to be of use, as a hole in a net is joined together to make it useful. It is the Holy Spirit’s work of “gifting” us for our part in the Body of Christ and then enabling us to occupy that place.

C) Stability- Circumstances change, God doesn’t

D) Strength- He never gives us a cross without the strength to carry it.

E) Steadfastness- Dig deeper and get to the Rock- See Luke 6:46-49 where two men built “the same house on the same place” but one dug to the Rock and the other didn’t. We have the ability to stand life’s storms.

The Reason for all this- That God may receive Glory and reign with His people forever. And that’s our Goal!! Are you a CASUAL Christian or a COMMITTED Christian?? Do you Wear a Cross or Have you Taken your Cross???

IPeter 05:12-14 PETER’S POSTSCRIPT

By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1PETER 5:12-14

Peter closes his letter by showing 3 final foundation needed in the life of every Christian, but especially in the life of someone who is undergoing suffering for the cause of Christ.

1. A Friend–

A) Faithful- You Can Depend on him. He will do you good and not evil all the days of his life.

B) “Brother”- There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

C) Helper- Someone to help you. Two are better than one for they have a good reward for their labor.

2. A Faith–

A) To Tell- Exhorting= to counsel, to urge and stimulate. Talk about it. We are Witnesses to the wonder of Salvation

B) To Testify- Example= See what it has done in and for me. New Creature in Christ.

C) True- Dependable and steadfast. Other people can’t convince you to change because you know what you have.

3. The Fellowship of the Church–

A) Its Place- elected together with you- All Part of God’s Plan

B) Its People- A unit made up of individuals such as Mark (The Backslidden, reclaimed one; like Peter!! So they had something in common).

C) Its Passion-

Show Affection- Greet one another with a kiss of Charity.

Shun Anger- Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus.

Do you have a Christian Brother that shares your burdens and Blessings?? Do you lean on the “Friend that sticks closer than a Brother??

Is your Faith in your “Faith” or in the Faithful One?? Do you regularly testify about God’s saving Grace??

Are you looking for a place to serve you; or a place where you can serve in a Fellowship of Believers??