11/30/2024 – Prologue – Thoughts about Peter: a Fisherman, an Apostle, and a repentant sinner. We find many adjectives to describe Peter and they are based on one’s personal opinion of Peter; or a desire to shore-up a self-aggrandizing leadership role in their denomination. We must look at Peter in several significant subplots and from that we are able to construct a picture of him. Others create a picture of Peter that is not congruent with ours. This should not cause a negative interaction: it is very difficult to have adequate source materials that fully agree on critical aspects of Peter’s life. Parties often try to argue from a position of weakness. Thus, use the time to search for a unifying element, such as: Peter in his own writings; the writings of gospel writers; and scholarly non-scriptural writers, be they theologians or historians. Let us make three very limited observations about Peter which should forever gloriously cement him in a favorable light. There is no question that Peter was the leader of the Apostles and was Jesus’ principal helper; Jesus selected Peter with James and John to form His inner circle(three favorites); and with the arrest of Jesus and the events of the next three days, His small group of followers were frightened, disheartened, dispirited and avoided being identified as having any association with the Crucified. It was Peter who formed them into a Christian community. It is humbling to recognize that without Peter, no Christian Church might exist - ever.
[1 Peter 5:8-14] – Standing Firm by God’s Power – Imagine someone in your family is inflicted by a deadly disease, no one knows why. There is a huge sense of helplessness. What can we do? Then the environmental factors and efficacious means of treating the disease are discovered. When we understand, the threat is lessened. Now consider the persecution of Christians that arises in non-Christian cultures. (While preparing this message one of our readers sent a note stating: the US Government is collecting the names of Americans who purchase Bibles.) If persecution consists of ordinary, nondescript, non-Christians who sneer, criticize, ostracize, and use occasional violence - it is one thing. It is another when the authorities, regardless of level, become participants. It is easy for Christians to demonize their visible, human opponents and regard them as the source of the problem. We would be mistaken. Return to our opening imagery: If the infectious and lethal disease was malaria, after isolating the mosquito; we ignored the insect at our peril. It is perilous if we ignore the real culprit in persecutions. Peter uses ‘roaring lion’, to describe the enemy. He claims the ‘roaring lion’ is seeking someone to swallow-up. Peter wants us to know the speed - a single gulp, no struggle, and thus consumed. It is the reality of Christian life. Too many Christians downplay the idea of spiritual warfare. There is a true confrontation with a true devil. C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, a series of letters from a senior devil to a junior devil on tempting people. Folks often dismiss the idea of the devil because their image is a smallish fellow with horns and hooves, dressed in a red suit. It is hard to imagine that person; we tend to eliminate the idea of a devil: man is basically good. Some are enamored of this caricature and use that persona in their lives. They think it cute and counter-cultural. They project that all they do is somewhat devilish.
The important thing about recognizing the existence and power of the devil and learning to see him behind not only temptations to sin, but also in persecution and suffering: this allows us to see what Peter is advocating. Two hundred fifty years ago the American Rev-olution began a series of revolutions as Western nations began the turn toward democracy. Often this included a dismissal of God, or a public religion, from the civic stage. The challenge is if one gets rid of God one also gets rid of the devil. Then our political party clothes itself in the robes of God and our enemies take on the role of the devil. The result – disaster! All of [1 Peter] offers a contrary choice in responding to attacks by suggesting we behave with a firm, gentle faith, treating non-Christians with humility and patience in all circumstances. The actual human opponents, even the fiercest, are not the real enemy! There is a real enemy and we must be resolute in holding the line. We must be courteous and civil, acting with respect and gentleness. This will garner respect from outsiders who may not understand our motivation. The devil will try to totally consume us with perse-cutions and other attacks. If that does not work the devil will tempt us to live in ways that are destructive of our faith and humanity. [1:14; 2:11] That may last awhile and be unpleasant, but Peter reminds us that the trial by fire is there for the same reason that we use fire with gold and silver. The purpose is to consume our imperfections and cause us to shine brightly. The shining is God setting things to right. This is how we are ‘established’, ‘strengthened’, and set upon a ‘firm foundation’. As Christians, we may wobble, insecure in our faith, thus we must cling to the new foundation with delight – because we are promised that all power belongs to God. [v. 11] Be aware we get onto a path that may be ‘quick’. As in other Letters we are uncertain to whom [1 Peter] is addressed, we are not certain who was to carry the Letter – Silvanus. [v. 12] We are not certain of the reference to Babylon. [v. 13] This was a code word for Rome [Rev.]. Mark, in all probability, is John Mark. [Acts; Col.; Phil; 2 Tim.] The key point in the final verses lies in [v. 12b]: ‘… this grace, in which you stand, is the true grace of God.’ Peter had all the churches in ancient Turkey in mind. Some of these groups (believers) were concerned that the increasing persecutions was an indication that they were on the wrong path. They had taken a false path, their allegiance to Jesus as Messiah was mistaken. If they were on the right path, troubles would not occur. Peter’s assurance: based on scripture, God’s purpose and Jesus Himself as only Peter knew Him: meant to hold onto His death and resurrection. One day He will reveal all. He is the Messiah. This is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. It is all we need in tough times – His peace, peace from God, peace to you in the Messiah.
(Summation) [1 Peter 4:12-19] - From God’s perspective, the holiest, most loving person is stillsomeone who needs to be rescued, and is still so weighted down with sin that with-out grace and mercy shown through Jesus, that rescue would not happen. Reading that, do not panic, but fill yourself with gratitude. The people who persecute the church will meet their own judgement in due time; and God’s people in the meantime are called to faith and patience. To start - we should, ‘entrust our whole lives’ to God – by doing what is good. This does not mean simply keeping a set of rules or just not getting into trouble. ‘Doing good’ is a stronger motivator than that – it means bringing fresh goodness, fresh love, fresh kindness, fresh wisdom into the community, the family, and to all the folks we meet on the street. When we do this, we are not saying WOW look at me, am I not good? We are saying, “God, I trust you, this is what you have called me to do. This is what I am doing with the life you have given me. Even if I suffer, I will be a person committed to your glory. The oft overlooked aspect of Christian life is the belief that God is faithful and upon that we can rely – absolutely. With that assurance we can get on about lives and our task of bringing His light and love into the world. AMEN
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