1 Chronicles 23

23:1-6

At the end of David’s life, after he had already effectively turned the reins of government over to Solomon (v. 1), he undertook the task of organizing and ensuring the perpetuation of a religious and political structure that would best meet the nation’s needs. David took a count of the Levites from 30 years of age (the legal age for their ministry; cf. Num. 4:3) upward. The total of 38,000 was then divided into 24,000 for the work of the temple … 6,000 as officials and judges … 4,000 as gatekeepers, and 4,000 musicians (1 Chron. 23:3-5). Each of these was in turn divided … into groups according to their familial descent from Levi (v. 6).

23:7-11

The list of Gershonites begins with the sons of Gershon, Ladan (“Libni” in 6:17) and Shimei. The names that follow were not immediate descendants but were men in David’s time who sprang from these two branches and became leaders of the various Levitical groups. The Shimei in 23:9 is not the same as the Shimei in verses 7 and 10. The summary statement in verse 9b makes this clear (vv. 8-9 list the descendants of Ladan, not Ladan’s brother). The line of Ladan, then, produced a total of six leaders. Three were traced directly to Ladan (v. and three others were through a Ladanite descendant, Shimei (v. 9).

Shimei, son of Gershon (v. 7), gave rise to four leaders (v. 10), but since the second two (Jeush and Beriah) had small families they combined to make one group (v. 11).

23:12-20

One of Kohath’s descendants (Amram) fathered Aaron and Moses. Aaron, of course, was set apart for priestly service (v. 13) but Moses’ descendants were limited to lesser Levitical duties (v. 14). Through Moses’ two sons Gershom and Eliezer arose leaders such as Shubael (v. 16) and Rehabiah (v. 17).

A second son of Kohath, Izhar, was the source of the line which produced Shelomith (v. 18). A third son, Hebron, sired four Levitical leaders (v. 19). Kohath’s last son, Uzziel, fathered the line of Micah and Isshiah (v. 20).

23:21-32

As for Levi’s third son, Merari, his two sons, Mahli and Mushi, gave rise, respectively, to Eleazar and Kish on the one hand (vv. 21-22) and to Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth on the other (v. 23). The chronicler concluded the lists by reiterating David’s purposes in allocating the Levites’ assignments. Since these purposes presupposed a much larger ecclesiastical burden, David lowered the age of Levitical service to 20 from the previously designated 30 (vv. 24, 27; cf. v. 3). This would permit many more men to function.

The Levites’ principal tasks were to assist the priests (Aaron’s descendants) in the temple precincts (v. 28), to prepare the bread of the Presence and grain offerings (v. 29), and to thank and praise God at the times of burnt offerings (vv. 30-31).

Open It

1. In what ways have you been involved in church work over the years?

2. What’s the difference between being a church volunteer and giving your time to any other charity organization?

Explore It

3.  What major event took place? (23:1)

4.  Whom did David gather together for his instructions? (23:2)

5.  How did David provide for and support worship in Israel? (23:2-6)

6.  What were the main job categories that David designated for certain men? (23:4-6)

7.  What age requirement did David place on those counted among the Levites who could serve in the      temple? (23:24, 27)

8. Why did David redefine the jobs of the Levites? (23:25-26)

9. What were the various duties of the Levites? (23:28-31)

10. When did the Levites serve? (23:31)

11. Who led worship in Israel? (23:32)

Get It

12. What is the value of having certain people whose sole duty is to lead and assist others in worship?

13. What’s wrong with coming to church just for worship and staying out of all the administration and service jobs in the church?

14. In what ways can a person get too involved in church work?

Apply It

15. What job or duty can you do in your church?

16. In what way can you show honor and respect this week to someone who leads in worship at your church?

17. When can you take time this week to express your appreciation to someone in the church who is quietly serving?

2 Peter 1:5–7

Intro:

A. In the 1^st 4 verses of 2 Peter 1;

1. Peter told us that

“The Christian Life Begins with Faith”

B. And as we saw last week, this FAITH is in the –

1. PERSON of JESUS CHRIST, the SON of God

C. This FAITH also produces POWER to

1. Live a life of GODLINESS

D. And this faith is also based on the PROMISES of God’s Word

1. Specifically the promise of God’s INDWELLING —DNA

2. Through HIS INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT

E. And THROUGH our FAITH, we have been made—

“partakers of the divine nature…” we have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (V. 4)

F. Then in Verse 5 –

5 But also for this very reason (because of God’s indwelling Divine nature), giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

“Where there is life, there must be growth”

A. Pretty basic, isn’t that?

B. If we plant VEGETABLE SEEDS;

1. We’re going to get VEGETABLES, right?

B. If we plant FLOWER SEEDS;

1. We’re going to get FLOWERS, right?

C. If we plant HERB SEEDS;

1. What will we get? HERBS, right?

D. Whatever the DNA of the SEED;

1. Is what will DETERMINE what GROWS

E. And this is exactly what Peter is saying here —

“Because God has planted HIS SEED in us, then we are to grow according to His nature.”

F. SALVATION is NOT the END;

1. But rather the BEGINNING

G. So whatever God has CREATED US TO BE;

1. He has CREATED us to be —- FOR HIS GLORY!

H. Ever wonder WHY God would create a FLOWER on the TOP of a mountian?

1. Nobody will ever see it

2. And it SEEMS like such a WASTE…

“Why would GOD create a FLOWER in a location that NOBODY can see and ENJOY?”

I. Because He created FOR HIS GLORY!

1. We get to enjoy HIS CREATION

2. But BY HIM and FOR HIM and THROUGH HIM

3. Were ALL THINGS created

J. Everything that IS;

1. Was CREATED FOR HIS GLORY!

K. Why did GOD CREATE YOU?

…. “FOR HIS GLORY!”…….RIGHT?!

L. When you TRUST JESUS CHRIST as the SON OF GOD;

1. To be your LORD AND SAVIOR

2. At that MOMENT;

a. God put HIS DNA in YOU….

b. To CREATE a SON or DAUGHTER….FOR HIS GLORY!

M. And Peter here says

1. That when GOD PUT HIS DNA in you;

“HIS DNA WAS COMPLETE, you have EVERYTHING that you will EVER NEED to GROW and become CHRIST-LIKE through His COMPLETE DNA!”

N. Once we’re SAVED, this is NOT the END;

1. It’s the BEGINNING of a BEAUTIFUL NEW LIFE in Christ!

O. God has given us all that we have NEED of in Christ Jesus…

BUT WE MUST BE DILIGENT TO USE THE “MEANS OF GRACE” HE HAS PROVIDED

Spiritual Growth is NOT AUTOMATIC

P. If took seed & PUT IT ON THE SHELF, what will happen?

1. Nothing

2. It WONT GROW

3. It won’t GERMINATE

4. It won’t DEVELOP according to its DNA

Q. What if we LEFT that SEED on the SHELF for 50 years?

1. Would it GROW then?

R. No, just because you have a 50 YEAR OLD SEED;

1. Does NOT mean that you have GROWTH

S. If SPIRITUAL GROWTH were AUTOMATIC;

1. Then YEARS of SALVATION, would EQUATE w/ MATURITY

2. Yet we know many people who’ve been saved MANY YEARS

a. Yet in their walks with Christ, they are spiritual INFANTS

…So as God’s children, we must APPLY OURSELVES and be DILIGENT (v. 5a) to use the “means of Grace” He has provided in order that we MATURE. To do this, it requires cooperation with God and the application of SPIRITUAL DILIGENCE and DISCIPLINE. 

Philippians 2:12-13“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

T. In order for us to MATURE SPIRITUALLY;

1. We must daily WALK in God’s GRACE

2. As He WORKS out our SALVATION in us

U. Then in verse 5, Peter begins to list-

1. 7 Characteristics of this ‘GODLY LIFE’

W. Now it’s important that we don’t look at these 7 characteristics as –

1. SEQUENTIAL

X. In other words…

1. These are NOT ‘7 STAGES of DEVELOPMENT’

Y. We don’t work on MASTERING Stage 1;

1. Then move to stage 2 and so on

All of these QUALITIES are ACTUALLY developed TOGETHER

A. Notice here also in V. 5, that after Peter says:

1. “Giving all diligence…”

2. He says:

“Add to your faith”… this means ‘TO SUPPLY GENEROUSLY’

B. In other words —

“We develop one quality as we exercise another quality”

C. Like the branches on a tree;

1. As the TRUNK GROWS; LIMBS, BRANCHES, TWIGS all grow

2. As the TRUNK GROWS stronger

3. It’s able to hold LARGER LIMBS and BRANCHES

a. And it ALL DEVELOPS TOGETHER

D. We mature SPIRITUALLY in the same way:

1. As we FOCUS on ONE area

2. It automatically causes GROWTH in other areas

E. In our SPIRITUAL lives;

1. God is in the process of developing the ‘FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT’

Galatians 5:22-23

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

D. As we grow in one area

1. It causes growth in other areas as well

E. So when PETER SAYS:

“ADD TO YOUR FAITH”…he is saying:

“Generously supply these qualities”

F. We START with FAITH;

1. And to our FAITH we are to GENEROUSLY SUPPLY:

#1. VIRTUE

A. Peter used this same word back in v. 3

1. And it basically means “EXCELLENCE”

To the Greek philosophers, it meant “the fulfillment of a thing.”

B. When anything in nature fulfills its purpose,

1. That is “virtue—moral excellence.”

The land that produces crops is “excellent”(virtuous) because it is fulfilling its purpose.

The tool that works correctly is “excellent” (virtuous) because it is doing what a tool is supposed to do.

D. How do we ADD VIRTUE TO OUR FAITH????

1. By GLORIFYING GOD in how we live!

E. To ‘ADD VIRTUE’ is to FULFILL what we were CREATED to do

1. WORSHIP & GLORIFY GOD!

F. START with FAITH; to faith add VIRTUE, to virtue add:

#2. KNOWLEDGE

A. The word  in the GREEK means “full knowledge”

1. Or better yet: “knowledge that is growing”

B. This type of KNOWLEDGE has to do with

“PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE”   or    “DISCERNMENT”

C. It has to do with our ABILITY to make good decisions;

1. And it has to do with -

“Our ability to handle life successfully”

D. Living the CHRISTIAN LIFE ‘SUCCESSFULLY’

1. And it comes from –

OBEDIENCE to the WILL OF GOD

E. The idea here is LEARNING what the WILL of GOD is for our lives

1. And THEN OBEYING it

F. As we STUDY the WORD of God;

1. We learn what God would have us to DO

2. As we OBEY the Word of God, God continues to REVEAL truth

3. As we CONTINUE to OBEY God’s will, WE GROW & MATURE

G. So to be ‘FULL OF KNOWLEDGE’

1. Or to ADD “KNOWLEDGE” to our “VIRTUE”;

2. What Peter is really saying is that —

As God reveals His will for our lives, we are CONTINUALLY OBEYING Him…

H. To ‘BE ADDING’ knowledge means to CONSTANTLY be obeying

1. Just because I obeyed yesterday;

2. Doesn’t not mean that I’m living obedient today

I. To be ‘ADDING KNOWLEDGE’ is to be CONSTANTLY OBEYING

1. GOD’S WILL as He reveals it to me

We begin in FAITH; add to that: VIRTUE, then KNOWLEDGE; then–

#3. SELF-CONTROL

Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 25:28

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

A. The Apostle Paul talked about ‘SELF-CONTROL’

1. Using SPORTS to ILLUSTRATE this

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

B. Self-control has to do with SELF-DISCIPLINE

1. And it DIRECTLY RELATES to one’s ABILITY to:

“NOT OVER INDULGE in PERSONAL PLEASURES”

C. I just opened a CARTON of ICE-CREAM;

1. And I’m going to EXERCISE — SELF-CONTROL

a. By NOT EATING the entire carton

D. Self-control has a lot to do with the DISCIPLINE of PLEASURES

1. SELF-CONTROL over SELF-INDULGENCES

E. Now the next QUALITY is –

#4. Perseverance  

“PERSEVERANCE” is the ability to endure when circumstances are difficult

A. So this also has to do with SELF-DISCIPLINE;

1. But this has to do with the ability to DISCIPLINE oneself

2. To NOT RUN AWAY from DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

B. Self-control has to do with SELF-DISCIPLINE in PLEASURES;

1. While ‘perseverance’ has to do w/ self-discipline in difficulties

C. Generally, the person who “gives in” to pleasures;

1. Is not disciplined enough to handle pressures either,

a. So this type of person “gives up”

“If we ‘GIVE IN’ to PLEASURE; We will likely ‘GIVE UP’ under PRESSURE.”

D. Unfortunately some Christians never mature because:

1. They are consumed in PERSONAL PLEASURE

2. And they refuse to ENDURE difficult circumstances

E. The next SPIRITUAL QUALITY is

#5. Godliness

A. This simply means “God-likeness”

1. In the original Greek, this word means:

a. “TO WORSHIP WELL”

B. This describes the believer who is

1. Right with GOD and his FELLOW man

C. This is the type of person who:

“Lives ABOVE the PETTY things of life, the PASSIONS and PRESSURES that so often controls the lives of other people.”

D. A ‘godly’ person is one who:

1. SEEKS to do the WILL OF GOD

2. And at the SAME TIME; actively seeks the

a. WELFARE of OTHERS

E. This type of person is NOT SELF-CENTERED

1. He is GOD-CENTERED

The ‘godly’ person makes the kinds of decisions that are right and noble.

This type of person doesn’t take the easy path, simply to avoid pain or trials

The person who possess this quality, does what is RIGHT, because it is RIGHT, and because it is the WILL OF GOD.

#6. Brotherly kindness

A. If we love JESUS CHRIST;

1. Then we must ALSO LOVE the BRETHREN

B. This is a GENUINE LOVE

1. An unfeigned/sincere love of the brethren – 1 Peter 1:22

2. Not just PRETEND that we love one another

1 John 5:1-2

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.

C. And FINALLY, to ‘BROTHERLY KINDNESS’, ADD——-

#7. LOVE

A. This is AGAPE LOVE

1. Perfect LOVE

2. Unconditional LOVE towards GOD and OTHERS

B. This is the kind of UNCONDITIONAL love-

1. That Christ showed on Calvary

a. LOVE for those He DIED for

b. And LOVE for those who CRUCIFIED Him

C. This is the PERFECT LOVE Paul described in 1 Cor. 13

1. It’s the LOVE that the HOLY SPIRIT produces w/in our hearts

a. As we WALK in the SPIRIT

When we have brotherly love, we love because of our likenesses to others; but with agape love, we love in spite of the differences we have.

CONCLUSION:

A. All this come from our FAITH in CHRIST;

In God’s DIVINE POWER, He has given to us ALL THINGS that pertain to LIFE and GODLINESS

B. We have God’s COMPLETE DNA of:

• VIRTUE
• KNOWLEDGE
• SELF-CONTROL
• PERSEVERANCE
• GODLINESS
• BROTHERLY KINDNESS
• LOVE

It is impossible for our fallen human nature to manufacture these seven qualities of Christian character. They must be produced by the Spirit of God.

C. As we ‘ABIDE’ under God’s GRACE;

1. We GIVE ALL DILIGENCE to GROW in these 7 QUALITIES

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, the Apostle Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” A few chapters later in 1 Corinthians 8:13, Paul taught on being careful that we do not stumble a brother with what we might feel are our ‘liberties under grace’.  He said, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” And finally in 1 Corinthians 10:23, Paul said “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”

Have you ever wondered if you as a Christian should do something? Here are three easy questions to ask yourself before you make a decision:

1. Will this glorify God?

2. Will it be a reflection of who Jesus is?

3. Is this something that could stumble another person?

Too many Christians today do not take into consideration their personal testimony or the effects of the decisions they make. Many are more concerned with their ‘liberties under grace’ than seeking to glorify God and live a pure life. As a result, God is not glorified in many decisions, and often Christ is misrepresented and others are stumbled by what we do. If we are sincerely desiring to glorify God and not wanting to stumble others, then we must ask ourselves these questions before we partake of anything questionable.  Only then we can proceed with peace and confidence knowing that whatever the results, God will be glorified and our testimony will not be jeopardized.

A. The “Passion Week” begins on the Friday before Palm Sunday

1. Here are a few of the events that led up to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

• Jesus arrives in Bethany

• Feast at Simon’s house

Jesus rode the foal of a donkey up the Kidron Valley from the Mount of Olives through the gates of Jerusalem during his “Triumphal Entry”

As Jesus enters into Jerusalem, riding on the FOAL of a donkey

• Crowds waving the Palm Branches going ahead of Him, and people following, and they were shouting:

Matthew 21:9

“Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!”

• Sunday afternoon, Jesus returned to Bethany, and spent the entire night in prayer

• Monday morning as He and the disciples returned to Jerusalem; He cursed the fig tree
• Monday He cleansed the Temple for the 2^nd time
• He healed the sick, and Monday afternoon returns to Bethany

• Tuesday morning they leave Bethany again for Jerusalem; see the withered fig tree
• Tuesday Jesus teaches in the Temple, sees the widow give her last 2 mites as an offering
• Tuesday night, Jesus returns to the Mt. of Olives; Judas agrees with the Priests to betray Christ for 30 shekels of Silver – the price of a slave

• Wednesday is the day of preparation for the Passover meal
• Wednesday @ 6pm / sundown, begins “The Feast of Passover” and Jesus eats “The Last Supper” with His disciples and He institutes “The Cup of the New Covenant”
  • (The Lord’s Table)
• Wednesday night Judas heads off to fulfill his plot to betray Christ
• Following Communion with His disciples, Jesus and His disciples leave the upper room, cross the Kidron Valley and head up to the ‘Garden Of Gethsemane’
  • Where they spend time in prayer

• While Jesus was in prayer and the disciples SLEPT; Judas Iscariot shows up in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Roman cohort, and he betrays Christ with a kiss
• That night, Jesus is taken before an illegal meeting of the Sanhedrin

B. The Sanhedrin could not initiate arrests

1. So they hired Judas to lead the Romans to Christ and betray Him

C. And because Rome had –

1. Revoked the Jew’s power of CAPITAL PUNISHMENT;

2. Therefore they had to bring Christ to PILATE

a. In order to have Him put to DEATH

D. This sets the stage now for MARK 15;

1. As we begin in Verse 1 –

Mark 15:1-15
¹ Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council (Sanhedrin); and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. (slide)

A. So the Sanhedrin held an ILLEGAL night TRIAL;

1. Then -EARLY THURSDAY morning they reconvened –

2. Somewhere around the first light (4:30-5:30 am)

a. To QUICKLEY make their conclusion OFFICIAL

B. ROMAN OFFICIALS like PILATE

1. Would meet with clients and members of the public

a. From dawn till about noon;

b. So they must have Jesus ready for Pilate very early

F. PILATE lived in CAESAREA but during the PASSOVER;

1. He stayed in Herod the Great’s old palace in Jerusalem

G. So Pilate begins his COURT ROOM TRIAL & he asked Jesus:

² Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” ³ And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. ⁴ Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” ⁵ But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

“Roman law did not interpret silence as an admission of guilt”

*Just because Christ didn’t respond to His accusers, did not automatically make Him guilty!

* Same in our lives; just because we don’t respond to those who slander and accuse us of wrong doing, doesn’t make us guilty.

⁶ Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion (picture).

A. The ‘Releasing of a prisoner at the feast was a local custom’

1. This was Rome’s way of winning favor w/ the JEWS

B. Unlike Jesus;

1. Barabbas is a violent revolutionary;

2. But, he does not claim to be a king

a. Or boast such a large following

⁸ Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. ⁹ But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. (picture of angry crowd)

A. This is the same crowd that worshipped Christ on Sunday!

 ”Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna
in the highest!”

B. And NOW, 4 days later, they are demanding His death!

1. Their opinion of Christ has been TURNED by the Chief Priests

C. Maybe Jesus wasn’t who they had expected?

1. Why didn’t He deliver them from Roman oppression?

2. “Maybe He’s just an imposter?”

3. “How could we have been so deceived?”
¹² Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the “flagrum” or “flagellum” was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, usually zinc and iron, attached at various intervals. Scourging would quickly remove the skin. According to history the punishment of a slave was particularly dreadful. The leather was knotted with bones, or heavy indented pieces of bronze.

Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name “scorpion.” The criminal was made to stoop which would make deeper lashes from the shoulders to the waist. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) and the rabbis reckoned 168 actions to be punished by scourging before the judges. Nevertheless, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews. Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal “half-dead.” Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. The Centurion in charge would order the “lictors” to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.

A. So brutal was the beating Jesus endured, Isaiah prophesied –

1. Jesus would be more disfigured than any man who ever lived

B. His beard was plucked;

1. His face was swollen

2. The SPIT of His accusers ran down His cheeks

‘TEN THOUSAND ANGELS’

“He could have called 10,000 angels; but He didn’t!”

C. We have heard this account so often;

1. And we know it so well that it loses its punch often times

D. We know Jesus was beaten;

1. We know He was marred more than any man

a. And eventually nailed to a tree

E. But I think it would do us well sometimes to take a LONG WALK in the evening

1. Or get up EARLY in the MORNING to consider what Jesus

Consider – What Jesus WILLININGLY went through with you on His mind and in His heart.

In a few minutes, we are going to take Communion, and I want you to be thinking about this

• YOU were on His mind
• YOU were on His heart when He took
  • Those BLOWS,
  • Felt the PAIN
  • And ENDURED UNSPEAKABLE SUFFERING

It was ALL FOR YOU AND ME!

Question:

“If the crucifixion of Christ provided for our redemption and salvation…then what was the purpose of the scourging?”

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:24, that it is

• “By His strips that we were healed!”

“Thus, while the Crucifixion provides for our redemption – it is the stripes Jesus bore and absorbed that actually release the grace of healing for our bodies physically.”

C. So Pilate had Jesus scourged & then released Him to be crucified…

¹⁶ Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.

A. The ‘Praetorium’ was “Herod The Great’s” enormous palace;

1. Which the Roman governors used when they came to Jerusalem

 ¹⁷ And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, ¹⁸ and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

“Jesus was led out of the city because the scapegoat, the one who bore the sins of the people in the O.T. typology; was always led out of the city.” (Lev. 16:10)

²¹ Then they compelled  a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian (drafted him into service – legal Roman action), the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. ²² And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull (or Calvary). ²³ Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.

A. Pious women of Jerusalem;

1. Normally prepared a solution like this one

2. And offered it to those being executed to dull their pain

B. Jesus chose to endure the full force of the agony of crucifixion

C. Myrrh is said to have had narcotic effects

²⁴ And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

“Because clothing identifies one’s culture perhaps more readily than any other single feature; in being stripped of every article of clothing, pinned to the wooden Cross of Calvary in naked humanity, Jesus shed every identifying mark of any single culture, thereby becoming the Savior for the entire world.”

 ²⁵ Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him (9 am, Thursday morning). ²⁶ And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁷ With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.

A. The term for ‘Robbers’

1. Is the same word Josephus used for ‘Revolutionaries’

B. So these guys were probably colleagues of Barabbas

1. And were originally meant to be executed with him that day
²⁸ So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” ²⁹ And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰ save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” ³¹ Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. ³² Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. ³³ Now when the sixth hour had come (12 noon), there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

A. For 3 hours there was complete and total darkness

1. Why?

B. Think back to Exodus –

1. What happened before the Passover lamb was killed?

C. The ENTIRE land was covered with darkness for 3 days!

1. Symbolizing the darkness that would descend –

a. As the Lamb of God was slain

 “Darkness symbolized God’s judgment”

D. All of our sin was JUDGED

1. There upon the CROSS of CALVARY!

 ³⁴ And at the ninth hour (3 pm, Thursday) Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ³⁵ Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” ³⁶ Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” ³⁷ And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

A. Crucifixion generally killed by asphyxiation

1. One became too weary to keep pulling one’s frame up on the cross beam

a. The diaphragm was increasingly strained

b. And eventually one became unable to breath

B. Death usually took a few days –

1. Much longer than the few hours Jesus suffered
³⁸ Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

A. From top to bottom – meaning it was a work of God

1. Religion attempts to tear the veil from bottom to top

2. Or even to SEW BACK TOGETHER the completed work of Christ

B. We CANNOT ADD to the WORK of CHRIST!

1. It was SETTLED ONCE FOR ALL @ Calvary!
³⁹ So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” ⁴⁰ There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, ⁴¹ who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. ⁴² Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵ So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷ And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

A. These events took place sometime before 6 pm, Thursday;

1. The body of Jesus taken down from the cross, and placed in the tomb

B. And there our Lord’s body lies for 3 days and 3 nights

C. Thursday night began the ‘HIGH SABBATH’

1. Thursday 6 pm – Friday 6pm

2. Weekly Sabbath began Friday 6 pm – Saturday 6 pm

1. This morning we are going to end with communion

2. Worshiping Jesus for what He did for us on Calvary

 Isaiah 53:1-7
¹ Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? ² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
³ He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. ⁴ Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. ⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

Intro:

A. As Peter closes his letter of encouragement;

1. He gives 3 exhortations to the saints

B. Peter concludes this letter by equipping the saints;

1. For the work of the ministry

C. Peter discovered that God’s grace was adequate for him,

1. And he wanted the church to know that –

2. “God’s grace would sustain them as well”

1 Peter 5:1-4 ¹ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

F. The 1^st exhortation of Grace to the Saints is -

I.       Be Faithful (5:1–4)

A. This exhortation is primarily addressed to the pastors

1. But still applies in principle to all believers

The titles:

“Pastor” (shepherd)

“Bishop” (overseer)

“Elder” (mature leader)

—All refer to the same office (Acts 20:17; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:5-7)

B. Peter did not put himself above others;

1. Rather, he called himself a “fellow elder” and he

2. Deliberately included himself among the church leaders that he was exhorting

C. Early on in Peter’s ministry;

1. He worried about his position in the kingdom, but that time was past

D. Peter knew that the pastors would go through greater suffering;

1. (As leaders of the people) so he encouraged them by reminding them that -

“Christ has suffered for them, and He would sustain them; and Glory always follows suffering, if we submit to the Lord.”

E. All throughout Peter’s letter,

1. He interwove the themes of suffering & glory

F. As Peter addressed his fellow Elders;

1. He encouraged them in

A. Their ministry: “Shepherd the flock!”

1. The shepherd’s duties include:

Feeding

Leading

Encouraging

Discipling

Guarding

2. The shepherd is to take oversight and be the leader

“Where would the flock be if the sheep led the shepherd or if every sheep were given his or her own way?” (You’d look like a lot of ministries in America!)

3. Peter also encouraged his fellow Elders in –

B.  Their motive: “Not constraint, but consent.”

1. The shepherd must serve the Lord with a willing heart;

a. Because he loves Christ and the flock

b. Not simply because he has a job to do

2. He must never serve for “shameful gain” (v. 2) whether it be:

Money

Prestige

Power

Promotion

3. He must be eager to work (of a ready mind)

a. Not listless or lazy

4. Peter also encouraged his fellow elders in -

C. Their manner: Leadership does not mean dictatorship

1. Pastors are overseers, not lords!

a. [v.3] “God’s heritage” literally means

i. “the portion assigned to you.”

2. Within every local fellowship

a. There are little flocks under the direction of different elders

3. As much as we’d love to see one local church body

a. The Bible actually teaches that there are many little flocks

i. Under the leadership of different elders

4. We can and do have many different denominations w/in town

a. And there is nothing wrong with that

b. It’s not that we all can’t get along, it’s the way God’s set it up

i. Even as Jesus had 12 disciples w/ 12 personalities

“All evangelical churches can experience spiritual unity without organizational uniformity.”

5. Peter tells us here that Pastors should be examples;

a. Because the best way to get people to follow is to lead

6. The greatest way for a Pastor to gain the respect of those he leads

a. Is not by demanding it, but rather by  -

b. Leading a godly life and sacrificial service

7. Lastly, Peter encouraged his fellow elders in -

D.      Their reward: In the future, not today.

1. In v. 5, Peter says that their glory will be in heaven

a. Don’t look for your glory here on earth, it’s in heaven

2. In the church, the Pastor is not the head of the body;

a. Christ is the Head the body

3. The Pastor is merely the undershepherd to Jesus Christ;

a. Who is the Chief Shepherd

b. And the Pastor is to submit to Christ’ authority

4. As a Pastor, it’s tempting to want to please man;

a. But it is more important to please and glorify Christ than anyone else

1 Peter 5:5-7

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  ⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

A. The 1^st exhortation of Grace to the Saints was

I.       Be Faithful

B. The 2^nd exhortation of Grace is:

II.      Be Humble (5:5–7)

A. In verse 5, Peter is literally speaking to –

1. The young people of the church

2. But we may also apply it to all members as we follow our spiritual leaders

Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

B. As an undershepherd of this ministry;

1. One day I will stand before Christ and give an account for each of you

C. As you submit to the authority that Christ has called me to;

1. You are well pleasing to God, and that will make it a joy for me to give an account for you

To be “clothed with humility” (v. 5) means to be controlled by a humble spirit, to be a servant. God resists arrogant, self-seeking persons but gives grace to the humble (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6).

[v. 6] “Be humbled under the mighty hand of God!”

Allow your sufferings to humble you before God, so that God many exalt you when you are ready. Suffering is to produce submission, which brings glory

The wonderful promise “He cares for you” (NKJV) reminds us of the night in the boat when the disciples asked Jesus, “Do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) Of course, Jesus cares! Satan would have these Christians believe that their “fiery trial” was an evidence of God’s indifference; but Peter reminds them that they may “cast the whole of their care” (v. 7) once and for all upon Christ.

D. Peter continues in verse 8 –

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

E. The exhortation of God’s grace is to –

I.       Be Faithful

II.      Be Humble

III.     Be Watchful (5:8–11)

A. Peter understood from 1^st hand experience about –

1. The prowling’s of Satan!

B. Several times, Jesus warned Peter that –

1. ‘Satan is after you’

2. But Peter failed to heed the warning

C. Too many Christians have “gone to sleep spiritually”

1. Opening the way for Satan to work

Satan is an “adversary” [1 Peter 5:8], which means “one who accuses at court.” The word “devil” means “a slanderer.” Satan accuses us before God (Job 1–2; Zech. 3:1–5; Rev. 12:10), and he uses the lips of unsaved people to accuse us falsely (1 Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:4, 14). Satan comes either as a serpent to deceive (Gen. 3) or as a lion to devour. He is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44).

What can Christians do to defeat Satan?

(1) Be alert!

We must keep our eyes open and not relax our guard

When David relaxed and left the battle, he fell into sin (2 Sam. 11).

When Peter felt self-confident, he went to sleep and fell into Satan’s trap.

(2) Resist!

This word calls to mind an army, standing together to oppose the enemy.

Christians must be united against Satan (Phil. 1:27–30).

If there is a break in the ranks, Satan has an opportunity to attack.

(3) Believe!

We resist him in the faith, that is, trusting in the victory of Christ.

Satan uses lies as his chief weapon, and the believer must counteract Satan’s lies with God’s truth.

Jesus used the sword of the Spirit in the wilderness (Matt. 4).

(4) Remember!

Remember that other Christians are going through the same trials and that you are not alone.

If Satan can get us to feel that we are alone, that God has singled us out, then he will discourage and defeat us.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Peter’s theme has been grace (5:12), so he closes by reminding the saints that their God is the God of all grace!

Our life of Grace:

The Christian goes “from grace to grace” (John 1:16)

The Christian life begins with saving grace (Eph. 2:8–10)

It continues with serving grace (1 Cor. 15:9–10)

Then sanctifying grace (Rom. 5:17; 6:17)

Singing grace (Col. 3:16)

Speaking grace (Col. 4:6)

Strengthening grace (2 Tim. 2:1)

And suffering grace (2 Cor. 12:9). “He gives more grace” (James 4:6)

God provides grace through the disciples of life (v. 10)

God allows us to suffer that He might be able to shed His grace upon us.

When we suffer, we come to the end of ourselves and learn to lean on Him.

Grace is supplied only to those who sense their need for Him.

First we suffer; then, as we suffer, He equips us, confirms us, and puts a foundation under us

The words “make you perfect” (v. 10) are used in Matt. 4:21 and carry the image of mending a net.

The Gk. word means “to equip for service.” Suffering not only helps the believer grow, but it also equips him for future service.

Sometimes the best way God has of “mending our nets” is to put us through suffering.

D. Peter then concludes this letter beginning in V12 -

1 Peter 5:12-14 ¹² By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. ¹³ She who is in Babylon (code name for Rome), elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

CONCLUSION:

1. All because of God’s amazing grace!

2. Because of God’s grace, we can be:

Faithful

Humble

Watchful

Intro:

A. 1 Peter chapters 4 & 5 now deal with God’s grace in our suffering

            1. Too often we attempt to use-           

a. TODAY’S GRACE for TOMORROW’S PROBLEMS

B. But God says “My grace is sufficient for you”            

 1. Frequently we pray;

                        a. “Remove this cup from before me…”

C. But what God is wanting us to EXPERIENCE is

            1. The POWER of HIS GRACE in the midst of our SUFFERINGS

Generally we pray ‘Lord deliver me FROM suffering’, but often what God does is, deliver us THROUGH our sufferings. As God delivers us THROUGH our sufferings, He teaches us to depend upon His GRACE.

D. In chapter 3, Peter has been teaching about:

            1. The EVERY DAY SUFFERINGS every BELIEVER faces;

E. And now in chapter 4, he tells his readers;

            1. That a ‘FIERY TRIAL’ of official persecution –

a. Is about to come upon them

1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

F. Peter now gives us 3 BENEFITS that we as Christians can experience;

            1. When we go through suffering in the will of God

G. The 1^st BENEFIT that Peter lists is

1 Peter 5:1-6

When life is easy, we drift into carelessness and sin; but suffering changes our values and goals. The “fiery trial” is a furnace that purifies the gold and allows God to remove the dross (Ps. 66:8-12).

Psalm 66:8-12 ⁸ Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, ⁹ Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. ¹⁰ For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. ¹¹ You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. ¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

A. At the time, SUFFERING is NOT PLEASANT;

            1. But here is what suffering does for us:

3 Things Suffering Does for us:

#1. It IDENTIFIES us with Christ (v. 1)

A. This is Peter’s version of ROMANS 6

            1. We died with Christ, buried with Him, rose with Him

Christ suffered for us that He might save us from sin. As we suffer for Him—and with Him—we learn to hate sin and love Him more.

A. Peter encourages us to have “the mind of Christ”

1. And to realize that our identification with Christ means –

a. Victory over sin

As we identify with Christ through suffering, we experience victory over the power of sin.

B. One of the consequences of RUNNING from SUFFERING is:

            1. A life of defeat

C. If we spend our lives RUNNING FROM SUFFERING;

            1. We miss out on SUFFERING for and WITH Christ

                        a. Which keeps us from VICTORY OVER SIN

D. So as you are suffering;

            1. REALIZE that you are IDENTIFYING with Christ

            2. And THROUGH your SUFFERING;

                        a. God GRANTING you VITORY over SIN! (powerful!)

E. The 2^ND THING SUFFERING DOES is:

#2.  It REMINDS us that life is short (vv. 2–3)

A. Suffering teaches us to number our days

            1. We are not invincible

            2. And God has granted each of us specific number of days on earth

It’s easy to take life for granted until we have to suffer, and then our values change. How foolish for the Christian to waste “the rest of the time” [v.2] by running with the world and sinning! There is a better way. Rather than live in the will of sinful men, we must live in the will of God.

B. Before we came to Christ,

1. Many of used to PARTICIPATE in the activities of the World -

[v.3] “When we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable practices.”

C. As we suffered from living like this;

            1. We are REMINDED that life is SHORT

D. #3, the 3^rd thing SUFFERING DOES is:

#3.         It points ahead to God’s JUDGMENT (vv. 4–6).

A Christian lives either according to the judgment of men or by the judgment of God.

A. The world thinks it is strange that we no longer join them in sin,

1. And they speak evil of us

B. But their evil-speaking should not upset us, because –

1. God will judge them someday

2. One day they will give account to Him!

Hebrews 9:27…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…

1 Corinthians 11:31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

Paraphrase 1 Peter 4:6

“There are people now dead physically, but alive with God in the spirit, who were judged by the world. But they heard the Gospel before they died and they believed. They suffered and died because of their faith—but they are living with God! It is better to suffer for Christ and go to be with God than to follow the world and be lost.”

C. There is no connection between 4:6 and 3:19–20,

1. And again, the Bible does NOT TEACH:

a. That there is a second chance for the lost after death

It is important that Christians “arm themselves” with the same attitude toward the world, sin, and suffering that Jesus had while on earth. If we face suffering without a spiritual attitude, suffering will embitter us rather than purify us.

D. It’s sad, but many CHRISTIANS have become BITTER;

            1. As a RESULT of their SUFFERINGS

E. They FAILED to “ARM THEMSELVES” for SUFFERING;

            1. And it caused them to become BITTER

F. WE ALL SUFFER;

            1. But only those who ARM THEMSELVES, come out PURIFIED;

            2. RATHER than BITTER

G. The Bible warns us against a BAD ATTITUDE during SUFFERING in –

Hebrews 12:11-17Now no chastening (suffering) seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ¹² Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

• ·         Suffering causes our HANDS to GROW weary in doing good
• ·         Causes our KNEES to become feeble under the STRAIN
• ·         Suffering is a HUGE BATTLE in our THINKING
• ·         And if we’re not careful to have the mind of Christ
• ·         Suffering will cause DISLOCATION, or BITTERNESS

¹⁴ Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

• ·         EVERYONE SUFFERS
• ·         MANY will become DEFILED through a ROOT of BITTERNESS
• ·         Only a FEW will ‘ARM THEMSELVES’ w/ the attitude of Christ
• ·         Towards: the world; sin; suffering

H. So #1-

 I. Suffering Purifies the Saint (4:1–6)

1 Peter 5:7-11

A. Peter repeats the exhortation, “Be sober—serious-minded!”

1. He reminds them that Christ is coming soon

2. And that, in the midst of our suffering,

a. Saints have responsibilities to one another

 One of the responsibilities that believers have towards one another during our times of suffering is to pray for one another. The other responsibility is fervent love. The word “fervent” here means “stretched out.” Christian love never reaches a breaking point! It is bad enough when the world accuses the saints; the saints ought not to accuse one another. Love will help cover the sins of the saints. Love does not cleanse sin, but it does cover sin in that we do not go around talking about other people’s sins.

B. In v. 9 Peter exhorts Christians to open their homes as well as their hearts

1. Christian hospitality is a forgotten blessing in the modern church,

2. And we need to restore it

C. In vv. 10-11, Peter reminds us that -

Christians need to serve the Lord in spite of persecution, ministering their gifts as good stewards of God’s many-sided (manifold) grace. “Manifold” also means “many-colored, variegated.” God’s grace can meet any need or match any “color” that might come to life! God gives us the gifts and the strength to use all things for His glory.

D. Just because we are suffering;

            1. Does not give us an EXCUSE to –

a. STOP MINISTERING to one another

E. If we WAITED for all our SUFFERING to END, until we MINISTERED;

            1. We may NEVER exercise the GIFTS God gave us!

I. Suffering Purifies the Saint (4:1–6)

II. Suffering Unifies the Church (4:7–11)

A. The last 8 verses of chapter 4, Peter talks about trials

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

A. The 1^st thing Peter tells us as believers is that we are to -

#1. Expect trials (v. 12)

A. Trials are NOT STRANGERS to the CHRISTIAN life

            1. Peter says that we are to EXPECT THEM

Trials that are part of the will of God (1 Peter 3:17) are not warnings that we are disobeying Him; they are God’s tools for perfecting His own.

B. God loves you

            1. But His LOVE is a PERFECTING LOVE

            2. Not a PAMPERING LOVE

God’s love is a perfecting love, not a pampering love. If God’s love was a pampering love, we would never experience trials and subsequently we would fail to be perfected. Because God’s love is a perfecting love, He is perfecting us for eternity, through our trials. It is through the ‘fiery trials’ that we are perfected, not in spite of them.

#2.  Rejoice in trials (vv. 13–14).

¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

A. When we are in a TRIAL;

            1. We are suffering for His sake and sharing suffering with Him

Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Philippians 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. ¹² Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The light trials we now suffer, are minuscule compared with the great glory that we will share with Him at His return!

B. Notice again, V. 14 –

¹⁴ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Literal translation of verse 14:

The Spirit of God “rests with refreshing power” upon the suffering believer. (Dan. 3:19-30)

C. When Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego went into the fiery furnace;

1. They had faith that God could deliver them

2. God not only delivered them, He walked with them

#3. Do not be ashamed in trials (vv. 15–16).

¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Roman law required each citizen to pledge his loyalty to the emperor. Once a year, the citizen would put a pinch of incense on the proper altar and say, “Caesar is Lord!” But the Christian confesses that “Jesus Christ is Lord!”  Believers refused to bow before Caesar. Sometimes the Roman official would write the name of Christ on the ground or on a wall and ask the Christian to spit on it. If the Christian refused, he or she would be arrested, tried, and perhaps killed. By bearing the name of Christ (Christian), they were put to shame before their friends. But what a glorious name to bear! It is a name higher than any other.

A. So DO NOT BE ASHAMED of your TRIALS

            1. If you are SUFFERING for FOLLOWING Christ

            2. Don’t be ashamed

#4. Witness in trials (vv. 17–18).

¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

A. If God sends trials to the church now,

1. This is evidence that He will someday judge the lost

B. We have our trials now and our glory later;

1. The lost have their glory now and their suffering later

C. The only heaven the lost sinner will know is on earth today!

            1. God begins His judgment at His house (the church)

If persecution for the name of Christ is but the beginning of trials, then what will happen when it comes time for the lost to be judged? The righteous (believers) are saved “with difficulty” (v. 18); what hope is there for the ungodly?

Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

D. Our suffering now is nothing compared to –

1. The suffering of the lost in eternity

E. Imagine your WORST TRIAL…

            1. That is NOTHING compared to the SUFFERING -

a. The lost will experience throughout eternity

F. My mom & dad had a SAUNA at their farm;

            1. GET SO HOT

            2. Think of the LOST –

            3. I could escape the HEAT at any moment

            4. But the SUFFERING of the LOST is FAR WORSE & ETERNAL

#5. Commit yourself to God (v. 19).

¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

The word for “commit” used here is a banking term; it refers to the act of leaving an amount on deposit for safekeeping. God sends the fiery trial to burn away the dross, and we commit ourselves to Him for safekeeping, knowing that He cannot fail us. We can be sure that God will “pay interest” on our deposit. But note that we commit ourselves in doing good; that is, we commit ourselves to God as we obey His Word. This is a daily and hourly surrender, living to please Him and serving others.

A. As Born Again Christians,

1. We WILL go through FIERY TRIALS before Christ returns

B. I’m not a PESSIMIST, but I want to tell you that:

1. The world situation will not get better

2. Attitudes toward Christians will not improve

The world has always hated the name of Christ and will continue to hate it. If we identify ourselves with the name of Christ, the world will hate us. If we compromise, we may escape persecution, but we will also miss the blessing and glory of sharing Christ’s sufferings.

Conclusion:

John 15:17-21 ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another. ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

1 Peter 3:8-17

 ⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

A. Peter is writing to ‘all of you’- everyone that is BORN AGAIN

‘Be of One mind’

The idea is that of two people traveling the same mental path together

B. God does not expect that all of us a Christians –

1. Will see eye to eye on everything – ‘That would be UNIFORMITY, not UNITY’

C. The best way to describe ‘CHRISTIAN UNITY’

1. Is contained in the well-known expression:

In FUNDAMENTALS – UNITY,

In NON-ESSENTIALS – LIBERTY,

In EVERYTHING ELSE – LOVE.

[v. 8] “Compassion for one another”

A. This literally means “to suffer with”

1. This is especially appropriate for those who are being persecuted

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

[v.8] “Love as brothers”

A. An unknown author writes:

“Providence does not ask us whom we would like to be our brethren-that is settled for us; but we are bidden to love them, irrespective of our natural preferences and tastes. You say, ‘That is impossible!’ But remember that true love does not necessarily originate in the emotions, but in the will; it consists not in feeling but in doing; not in sentiment, but in action; not in soft words, but in noble and unselfish deeds.”

[v. 8] “Be tenderhearted”

A. This means to have a heart of sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others

1. It refuses to TURN COLD; CALLOUS or CYNICAL; In spite of abuse

[v. 8] “Be Courteous”

A. This literally means:

“To have a mind that does not rise far from the ground”;  “To have an attitude of humility”

‘Essentially to be courteous means- humbly thinking of others, putting others first, and saying and doing the gracious thing.”

“Courtesy -  serves others before self, jumps at opportunities to assist, and expresses prompt appreciation for kindnesses received.”

“To be courteous is never coarse, vulgar, or rude.”

⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

[v. 9] “Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling”

 “EVIL FOR EVIL”

‘STOP returning EVIL for EVIL’

“If you ARE DOING IT…STOP DOING IT”

“If you are NOT DOING IT; then DONT START doing it!”

‘EVIL’

“The INHERENT quality of BADNESS; not just BAD WORDS or ACTIONS”

(It’s the SENSE of BEING an EVIL PERSON)

“REVILING FOR REVILING”

“INSULT for INSULT”

‘INSULT’ – “An abusive RAILING AGAINST”

“CURSING” or “Speaking EVIL OF”

(same root word as 2:23 – ‘REVILED’)

1 COR. 4:12 “When we are REVILED, we are to BLESS”

 We are not to revile or EVEN TO ASSOCIATE with those who do!  The bible FORBIDS believers to even ASSOCIATE with people who ‘SPEAK EVIL OF OTHERS’

 ”If you are HANGING OUT with or going over to someone’s house for a MEAL and they are a REVILER; YOU ARE SINNING AGAINST GOD!”

IF you HAVEN’T been doing that; DONT start

If you HAVE BEEN; STOP IT immediately

NOW YOU KNOW; AND NOW YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD-

[v. 9] “But on the contrary blessing”

A. We are to BLESS those who mistreat us

1. And to REPAY INSULT with KINDNESS!

2. The ESV says: “RETALIATE WITH BLESSING!”

B. Peter emphasizes the contrast between:

Our natural tendency as human beings,

We want a TOOTH for TOOTH; EYE for EYE,

but the truth is REVENGE NEVER SATISFIES, never ends

We want BOTH OF THEIR EYES, or their very LIFE!

That’s why Jesus said we should FORGIVE   MATT. 6:12, 14-15 – We forgive for our benefit

a. To get even when we are offended,

b. With the way we should act a believers:

[v. 9] “returning good to those who hurt us”

 Ephesians 4:25

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

 Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Romans 12:14        Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

HOW DO WE, IN PRACTICAL WAY, BLESS?

#1. Love them unconditionally (John 13:34)

#2. Pray for the salvation of the lost; and the SANCTIFICATION of fellow believers (Matt. 5:44)

#3. Express gratitude for them (Rom. 1:8)

#4. Forgive those who treat us with EVIL INTENT and INSULTS (Mark 11:25)

 [v. 9] “knowing that you were called to this”

Now we know, now we are responsible -  we are CALLED TO THIS

[v. 9] “That you may inherit a blessing”

Jesus says “I’ve got this gigantic blessing for you!”

 ”IF YOU WILL BLESS THEM, I’LL BLESS YOU!!!”

That sounds like a great deal to me! I want God to bless me!

God says: “I’ve got this giant blessing for you, but unfortunately it’s gonna come through your detractors. Those who speak against you!”

“you have to bless them, then I will bless you!”

“Only when we return good for evil do we receive the blessing that God wants to give us”

How many of us want god to bless us? Then Bless those who persecute you!

This is a choice of the will, not always an emotion

C. In vv. 10-12;

1. Peter quotes from Psalm 34:12-16a

2. To confirm that God’s blessing rests on:

a. The one who refrains from evil deeds & evil speech

b. & practices righteousness

 I love this because Peter is saying, I’ll BACK THIS UP WITH GODS WORD!

 Every decision we make we must ask ourselves: Where do you find that in the Bible?!

Peter says PSALMS 34:12-16a

 ¹⁰ For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

A. All Christians are to cease and desist from:

1. Speaking those things that might harm or deceive another

‘Speaking deceit’

“ensnaring someone through trickery, falsehood, or guile.”

B. The force of this verse says this:

 “The one who wishes to enjoy life to the hilt, and experience good days, should refrain from speaking evil or deceit. He should not repay insult and lies in kind.”

¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

‘Turn away from Evil’

A. Not only evil SPEECH;

1. But evil DEEDS are FORBIDDEN

“To RETALIATE only INTENSIFIES the CONFLICT”

“Retaliation is stooping to use the world’s weapons”

When we do that, we enter into the physical ARENA and the ENEMY will PULVERIZE US!

B. God has called us as Believers to REPAY EVIL with GOOD

1. And promote PEACE by MEEKLY ENDURING ABUSE

a. Fire cannot be fought with fire

 “The only way to overcome evil is to let it run its course, so that it does not find the resistance it is looking for. Resistance merely creates further evil and adds fuel to the flames. But when evil meets no opposition and encounters no obstacle but only patient endurance, its sting is drawn, and at last it meets an opponent which is more than its match. Of course, this can only happen when the last ounce of resistance is abandoned, and the renunciation of revenge is complete. Then evil cannot find its mark, it can breed no further evil, and is left barren.” – Unknown

[v. 11] “Seek peace and purse it”

A. Christians are not only to DESIRE PEACE;

1. They are to RUN EAGELY toward the GOAL of PEACE

 Romans 12:18

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

B. Instead of returning evil for evil

1. God commands all believers to:

TURN AWAY FROM EVIL SPEECH & DEEDS;  & instead SEEK PEACE

Peace, with that person, or maybe PEACE AWAY FROM THEM!

 Your peace does not depend on how others treat you, but how you respond BACK….

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

 Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

¹² For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

[v. 12] “The EYES and EARS of the LORD”

A. Peter uses the imagery of the eyes and ears to remind us that;

1. God knows everything about believers;

a. Especially their suffering;

MAYBE YOU’VE BEEN REALLY HURT by someone? God sees it and He hears what they are saying / said…

B. And that He listens and responds to their cries for help!

That’s the BLESSING OF GOD! (v. 9)

He SEES how you are being TREATED; and HE HEARS your prayers…

 In contrast to the WICKED…PS 66:18

Hebrews 4:14-16

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 “The EYES and EARS of the LORD are open to the RIGHTEOUS”

…but notice here the 2^nd part…

[v. 12] “The FACE of the LORD is against those who do EVIL”

A. In direct CONTRAST to God’s all-knowing & all-caring love for:

1. His children who serve Him…

 “The LORD is DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED to those who do NOT follow His path of righteousness”

They have made themselves GODS ENEMY…GET OUT OF GODS WAY, AND LET GOD DEAL WITH THEM!

B. This primarily refers to the persecutors of His people

1. When Christ returns, He will punish evildoers

2. And ‘CUT OFF’ the remembrance of them from the earth

C. That is actually what the end of Psalm 34:16 b states

1. Peter left that off, because we are in the age of GRACE

2. But in the time to COME, Christ will CUT OFF those who DO EVIL

D. Those who DO EVIL today may think that they are getting away w/ it;

AND IT MAY EVEN LOOK LIKE THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH IT…

1. But the FACE of the LORD is AGAINST them

 REVELATION 20:11-14—- GOD WILL EVENTUALLY DEAL W/ SIN

PSALM 73:17-28

¹³ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

A. The implied answer is ‘NO ONE’

1. Yet historically there are many Martyrs for Christ

2. So what is Peter saying here?

3. “Follow Jesus and your life will be HARM FREE?”

a. I don’t think so

b Even Peter was CRUCIFIED UPSIDE DOWN in Rome Italy

B. I believe what Peter is talking about here is ETERNAL

1. People may be able to HARM YOUR BODY

2. But nobody can TOUCH your SOUL

 Matthew 10:28

…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

ILLUSTRATION:

During World War II a Christian boy of 12 refused to join a certain movement in Europe. “Don’t you know that we have power to kill you?” they said. “Don’t you know that I have the power to die for Christ!” he replied quietly. He had the conviction that no one was able to harm him.

¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

A. Don’t be afraid of men;

1. Or terrified of their threats

2. How well the martyrs lived out this policy!

Illustration:

“When Polycarp was promised release if he would blaspheme Christ, he said, “86 years I have served Christ and He has never done me wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” When the proconsul threatened to expose him to the wild beasts, he replied, “it is well for me to be speedily released from this life of misery.” Finally the ruler threatened to burn him alive. Polycarp said, “I fear not the fire that burns for a moment: You do not know that which burns forever and ever.”

B. In the last part of verse 14, and in verse 15;

1. Peter quotes from Isaiah 8:12-13

^15a But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,

A. “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” means:

 “To reverence the LORD;  to make Him the SOVEREIGN of our lives”

D. All that we DO and SAY;

1. Should be in His will, for His pleasure, and for His glory

 E. The LORDSHIP of CHRIST;

            1. Should DOMINATE every area of our lives

Our POSSESSIONS

Our OCCUPATIONS

Our MARRIAGE

Our SPARE TIME

NOTHING can be excluded

“When we SANCTIFY the LORD GOD in our hearts; what we are doing is GIVING HIM TOTAL LORDSHIP over EVERY area of our lives”

 ”Either Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, or He’s not your Lord at all”

^15b and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

A. When we are being persecuted because of our faith;

1. Christ will impart a holy boldness to give us a good confession

 ‘Meekness’ is translated “Gentle” “Meekness is not weakness”

 MEEKNESS IS POWER UNDER CONTROL!

B. Scripture indicated that both MOSES & CHRIST were MEEK men;

1. However they were CERTAINLY NOT WEAK MEN!

 ‘FEAR’ – implies “a high degree of reverence or respect”

¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

 ‘A good conscience’

A. The believer must have good conscience

1. If he knows that he is innocent of any crime;

2. he can go through persecution w/ the boldness of a lion

B. If he has a BAD CONSCIENCE;

1. He will be plagued with feelings of GULIT

2. And he will not be able to STAND against the FOE

 “Even if a believer’s life is blameless, the enemies of the gospel will still find fault with us and bring false charges against us! But when the case come to trial, and the charges are found to be empty, the accusers will be SHAMED.”

D. One day, ALL LIES and FALSE ACCUSATIONS will be CLEARED;

1. And we will be EXONERATED of ALL our enemies accusations

E. The BIBLE says that SATAN is the ‘ACCUSER of the brethren’

1. What he says, and who he uses to accuse of EMPTY CHARGES;

a. WILL be one OPENLY EXPOSED

F. At the BEMA or JUDGMENT SEAT;

1. One day, everything will be RECONCILED

G. In the meantime;

1. We are to REPAY EVIL with BLESSING

¹⁷ For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

A. Peter is NOT encouraging believers to –

1. Seek out situations in which they will experience suffering

B. Instead, he is saying that believers should-

1. Make certain that WHEN they suffer;

a. It is the RESULT of having been FAITHFUL to GOD

b. RATHER than because they have done EVIL

C. In the beatitudes, Jesus said:

 Matthew 5:10-12

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1  Peter 3:7

Intro:

*Part 2 of our MARRIAGE SERIES

The Barna Group; March 31, 2008

Most Americans get married at some point in their life

Just one out of five adults (22%) has never been married

Among those who have been married, 1 out of 3 have been divorced at least once

1. We live in an incredibly DIFFICULT time in HISTORY

a. For the CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

b. DIVORCE RATES have never been higher

2. Somebody has observed:

“We have more readily available information about sex and marriage than ever before; yet we have more marital problems and divorces than ever in history of the USA.”

3. Walk into any bookstore in America;

a. And you will see WALLS FILLED with BOOKS on:

i. Dating, Marriage and the SUCCESSFUL Family

4. Yet again;

a. Our nation is FILLED WITH BROKEN MARRIAGES

DIVORCE STATISTICS in AMERICA – 2011

•           Almost 50 percent of the marriages end up in divorces (1 out of 2)

•           First marriages that end up in divorce in an average duration of just less than 8 years

•           60 percent of all divorces are related to individuals aged 25 to 39

•           There were more than 21 million divorces in the year 2000.

•           In the same year, 58 million couples were married and still lived separated

•           The divorce rate of first time marriages is almost 10 percent lesser than the divorce rate for second marriages

•           Over a 40 year period, 67 percent of first marriages terminate in a divorce and 50 percent of these divorces take place within the first 7 years

•           Every year more than 1 million children are affected by divorce

Effects of divorce on children

•           The possibility that teenaged girls from single parent homes would give birth to an out-of-wedlock child or would drop out of high school is two times as high, compared to girls living with both parents

•           The children who are brought up in single parent homes display a lesser possibility to marry and more possibility to divorce

•           50 percent of the children in the country are a witness to the breakup of their parent’s marriage.

•           Almost half of these 50 percent are a witness to the second divorce of a parent (25% of all kids will see their parents’ divorce twice)

•           From 1970 to 1996, the number of children residing with both parents plummeted from 85% to 68%

George Barna, who directed the study, noted that Americans have grown comfortable with divorce as a natural part of life.

“There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage,” the researcher indicated. “Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life.”

5. In 2011, the TOP 3 STATES of HIGHEST DIVORCE levels were:

#1. NEVADA

#2. ARKANSAS

#3. WYOMING

6. We are IN TROUBLE folks!

a. OBVIOUSLY something is WRONG –

i. Even within our Christian marriages!

7. As we look at the UNSAVED, getting DIVORCED;

a. It’s easy to think:

b. “Well, they just need God in their homes”

8. The problem with that is (according to The Barna Group)

a. Christians are leading the DIVORCE RATE

9. NOBODY IS SAFE

“Even MANY CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES are falling apart”

10. Just because the HUSBAND and WIFE may be CHRISTIANS;

a. DOES NOT guarantee that their MARRIAGE will SUCCEED

11. Marriage is something that we have to WORK AT

a. SUCCESS is NOT AUTOMATIC

12. What makes success even more DIFFICULT is when

a. One of the marriage partners are not a Christian

13. The Apostle Peter addressed this DIFFICULT topic of

a. “The CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE”

b. 1 Peter 3:1-7

14. Last week we looked at 3 VIRTUES of:

a. “A GOOD Christian Wife”

I. Living Testimony

II. Inward Spiritual Beauty

III. Submission to Husband

15. Now in verse 7, Peter writes:

[7] You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

A. This morning now, I’m going to give you –

1. 3 REQUIRMENTS in being a ‘GOOD CHRISTIAN HUSBAND’

 I. Live in an Understanding Way 

A. Peter begins by telling us husbands that –

1. GOD REQURIES us to:     “Live with our wives in an understanding way”

B. The word for ‘UNDERSTANDING’ is ‘GNOSIS’

1. Which is translated as ‘KNOWLEDGE”

“If we are to be understanding or considerate to our wife, we must know her.”

C. Getting to know our wives is-

1. One of the greatest challenges of the marriage relationship;

2. (Or of any close interpersonal relationship)

“In order to be able to love deeply, we must know each other profoundly.”

D. If we as men, are to respond LOVINGLY to our WIVES;

1. We MUST KNOW who they are

E. What does it take to get to KNOW our WIVES?

#1. TIME – spending time together; dreaming; sharing

a. (men) MONEY CANNOT COMPENSATE for TIME

Artist: Osmond Marie

Song: I Only Wanted You 1986

I never wanted that mansion on a hill.

I never needed that Cadillac Seville.

I only wanted you

 I never wanted those diamonds on my hand

I was happy with just a wedding band.

I only wanted you

 I just wanted to have your arms around me.

I just needed to feel your love surround me.

And now that we’re apart, it breaks my heart in two.

‘Cuz you never really had a clue I only wanted you.

 Instead of always giving me something else

I wish just once you’d given me yourself.

I only wanted you,

F. I grew up in some very wealthy SUBURBS in MPLS;

1. And so often I recall seeing husbands working long hours

a. Sacrificing time with their WIVES & FAMILIES

G. And then ONE DAY, they FINALLY MAKE their millions;

1. But they’ve LOST their:

a. MARRIAGE

b. Children

H. And they end up WONDERING…

1. ‘What was it all worth?’

I. 20, 30, 40 years earlier, they had pledged their love-

1. To the WOMAN he LOVED

2. And NOW he’d LOST IT all

J. The bank account is loaded

1. But the HOUSE IS EMPTY

K. His wife is with someone else

1. His kids don’t speak to him

2. And he remembers his wedding day;

a. Standing before the preacher:

VOWS

“Dearly beloved, we come together in the presence of God to witness the joining together of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. The Sacred relationship of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned marriage by His presence and first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. The apostle Paul chose marriage to symbolize the union between Christ and His church, and holy Scripture commends marriage to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given to one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but soberly, deliberately, and in reverent fear before God.

“FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.”  Ephesians 5:31

*The ‘DECLARATION OF CONSENT’

- To the Groom and Bride “Will you take so and so” “I will”

*The giving of the bride

*The marriage vows

*Reading of Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;

*Exchange of rings

“Though these rings are small in size, they are very large in significance. Made of precious metal, it reminds us that love is not cheap, nor common. Indeed, love may cost us dearly. Made in a circle, it’s design tells us that love must never come to an end.”

*Prayer for the Bride and Groom

*The pronouncement of marriage:

Matthew 19:4-6

[Jesus said] “from the beginning [GOD] MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5 and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?  “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. …What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

“I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE…YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE”

*Introduction:

“May I introduce to you for the 1st time;

‘Mr. & Mrs. —–’

L. Do you remember your wedding & being in love?

1. All the HOPES and PLANS and DREAMS…

And ALL THE TIME we were so looking forward to spending together…

…are you still MAKING TIME for one another?

…or maybe you were hurt, and began to pull back; and now your MARRIAGE feels so EMOTIONALLY DEAD?

….maybe today you say: “We can’t stand each other;….We can’t even sit next to EACH other”…

…But THERE WAS A DAY…THERE WAS A DAY……maybe not too long ago where you both felt…

“We can’t SIT CLOSE ENOUGH; can’t BE CLOSE ENOUGH; can’t be TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH…”

M. Men there is NO REPLACEMENT for TIME

1. We will never have a successful marriage w/o

a. SPENDING time with her

b. GETTING to KNOW HER

N. Some other areas that are SO KEY in getting to know our wives:

• HUMILITY –“I’m wrong”
•          HONESTY  – trust is the basis of healthy marriage
  • MUTUAL OPENNESS – good & bad
  • PATIENCE  – all growing at different rates
    • SENSITIVITY – can’t walk in others’ shoes
    •          And above all— LOVE – God’s unconditional love

“As husbands, we should be getting to know our wives better and better—day by day as we LOVE them, SHARE with them, ENGAGE in HONEST COMMUNICATION, and become DEEPLY INTIMATE.”

O. God has blessed HOLY MATRIMONY & the MARRIAGE BED:

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

P. So #1, MEN, we are to -

I. Be Understanding                  —(to our wives)

Q. #2. God commands us to give:

II. Give Honor & respect   (to our wives as the weaker vessel)

A. Now that doesn’t mean that they are WEAKER:

1. Mentally

2. Emotionally

3. Or Spiritually

B. The Word ‘VESSEL’ hear has to do with the BODY

1. A woman is TYPICALLY WEAKER in PHYSICAL strength

C. So men, really what God is COMMANDING us to do is to

“Take a STAND FOR OUR WIVES with the strength that God has given us!”

D. If you see someone who would do your WIFE PHYSICAL HARM;

1. As MAN — God REQUIRES that you —

 PUT YOURSELF IN HARMS WAY TO PROTECT YOUR WIVES…AND DAUGHTERS!

BE A MAN! AND STAND UP FOR YOUR WIFE!!!

E. That’s what is means to ‘GIVE THEM HONOR’

1. You are REQUIRED to give them YOUR STRENGHT

a. Where they are WEAK

2. It’s more than just opening the JAR OF PICKLES!!!

Its more than just sitting in there on the couch watching TV while she makes dinner, and walks in to have you help her open the Jar of NACHO CHEESE for your TACO CHIPS as you watch the game!

 To give your wife HONOR is to DEFEND her:

1. Emotionally

2. Spiritually

3. Physically

4. Socially

G. Whatever happened to CHILVARY?!

A GOOD HUSBAND IS ONE WHO DEFENDS HIS WIFE—WHERE SHE LACKS IN STRENGHT, HE GIVES HER HIS STRENGTH!!!

K. The word of ‘HONOR’ here is PRECIOUS

1. Men, our wives –

 “Should be treated as someone very precious, of great value and to be highly esteemed.”

Matthew Henry stated:

“Woman was created from the rib of a man.

She was not made from his head to top him,

Nor out of his feet to be trampled upon.

But out of his side to be equal to him,

Under his arm to be protected,

And near his heart to be loved.”

L. Men and women are EQUAL under GOD’S GRACE in every area

1. (As Christians) We are BOTH CHILDREN OF GOD

2. And JOINT HEIRS with Jesus Christ

Galatians 3:28  (In Christ…)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

M. Well men, what’s the DOWN SIDE of disobeying God here?

1. Not giving UNDERSTANDING

2. Not RESPECTING, CHERISHING and PROTECTING our wives?

N. We would be SINNING AGAINST GOD;

1. And in doing so, we BREAK our –

III. Spiritual Unity —-   (with God/wife)

“So that your prayers will not be hindered”

A. Brothers, if we SIN AGAINST OUR LORD by

1. DISOBEYING His CLEAR instructions on –

2. HOW HE CREATED us to BE MEN…

B. Then…we might as well STOP READING OUR BIBLES and PRAYING;

1. Because God SAYS:

“If you won’t LISTEN TO ME, then I WONT LISTEN TO YOU!”

C. It’s just that simple brothers;

1. If we AS HUSBANDS –

—refuse to SUBMIT to God’s AUTHORITY over us by refusing to

1. Live with our wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker,

2. Refuse to show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life…

THEN OUR PRAYERS WILL BE HINDERED…

Psalm 66:18

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;

D. There is only one thing that hinders prayers…SIN

1. Jesus said that

a. “the SIN of UNFORGIVENESS will also hinder our prayers”

E. Maybe you need to FORGIVE you WIFE? Or HUSBAND?

1. And let the HEALING begin in your MARRIAGE

F. In a NUT SHELL, here’s what I believe Peter is saying:

“Husbands must be loving, open, sensitive and forgiving.”

G. You say:

1. “Well, you don’t know MY WIFE! WHAT A JERK!”

2. “She is impossible to get along with!”

Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

 Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

H. There’s NO CONDITIONS there, are there men?

1. Just ‘LOVE YOUR WIVES’

2. Just like JESUS LOVES YOU!

I. What if God said:

1. “Well you don’t know PETER – he’s such a JERK!”

2. “He’s so HARD TO LOVE”

3. “He’s just IMPOSSIBLE to get along with!”

J. No, God DOESN’T SAY THAT;

“As HIS LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL towards us MEN; so TOO OUR LOVE is to be UNCONDITIONAL towards our WIVES!”

K. As God has COMMANDED US;

1. So too He has EMPOWER US!

A. In your bulletins we have included some homework

a. A list of 7 questions you need to ask each other this week:

1. Are we partners or competitors?

2. Are we helping each other become more spiritual?

3. Are we depending on the externals or the eternals? The artificial or the real?

4. Do we understand each other better?

5. Are we sensitive to each other’s feelings and ideas, or taking each other for granted?

6. Are we seeing God answer our prayers?

7. Are we enriched because of our marriage, or robbing each other of God’s blessing?

B. Take some time this week;

1. And SPEND some TIME together

2. And GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE an HONEST APPRAISAL

C. Nobody can WORK AT IT BUT YOU;

1. It’s your marriage

2. God is for your marriage

3. Let Him restore the years the Locusts have eaten!

Open It
1. How has your ability to handle problems changed as you have grown older?

2. *What person has given valuable guidance to you in your life?

3. When are you most likely to ask for a friend’s help? most unlikely?

Explore It
4. *What did David do about the Philistines’ raid on the Valley of Rephaim? (14:9-10)

5. What prompted David to pray? (14:9-10)

6. What promise did God make to David regarding the Philistines? (14:10)

7. *Why did David attack the Philistines? (14:10-11)

8. *What orders did God give David about his second battle with the Philistines? (14:13-15)

9. What did defeating the Philistines do to David’s reputation? (14:17)

Get It
10. *How important is it to ask God’s help or guidance when we are facing a decision?

11. *What decisions in life require God’s help, and which ones can we handle on our own?

12. In what ways does God give us direction and guidance?

13. What role can active listening play in our prayer life?

14. Why do we often forget to praise God or give Him credit when we are successful?

15. David did not allow his men to keep any idols (false gods); what are some of the idols we should
not allow to be in our possession?

16. What stops us from getting rid of things, loyalties, or habits that we have served as false gods?

17. How has God used different methods in different situations to make His will known to you?

Apply It
18. *When can you take time this week to listen to God’s voice of guidance for a decision you need
to make?

19. For what concern or problem will you pray for wisdom each day this week?

20. What ungodly materials or influences do you want to remove from your life today?

INTRO:

1. The bible tells us that GOD is the SOURCE of ALL that is GOOD!

James 1:17

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

2. If God is the source of our new life in Christ

1. Then we must be living good lives

2. And doing good things

3. In Matt. 5:16, Jesus said

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

4. John Wesley had a wonderful rule concerning being good and doing good

a. It was simply this:

 Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

5. Peter has written about the important subject of:

1. “What Salvation Is All About”

2. and “What Christian Living is all About”

6. He now turns to the important subject of

1. “What Being Good is all About”

7. And he beings with the important subject of –

HOW TO BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN WIFE

1 Peter 3:1-7

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

A. There is an old Jewish proverb that states:

“God could not be everywhere, and so He made mothers.”

B. Of course that is not to deny His omnipresence;

1. But rather to acknowledge that in this present age-

“God has chosen to live in and through the lives of His people”

C. And for so many of us;

1. God has so powerfully expressed Himself

a. Through the lives of our mothers and wives!

b. And other significant women

c. Who have touched us deeply for good and for God

D. This is the important subject to which Peter is writing

1. How can one be a good and godly wife?

E. Peter gives us 3 specific attributes of a good Christian wife

1. Which are appropriate not only for the Christian wife,

2. But for all women who want to please God by their good lives

I. “Living Testimony” (vv. 1-2)

A. In verses 1, 2; Peter describes the quality of conduct or behavior

1. Which is most pleasing to God

B. Back in 1 Peter 1:15, Peter said

 “As He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct”

C. God calls all of us to the life of hoy behavior

1. Such a lifestyle release great influence upon the lives of others

D. Peter contends that this kind of living is much more important than-

1. What we SAY

E. In fact, Peter asks that Christian wives live in such a way;

1. That their husbands who do not obey the Word –

2. May be won by the CONDUCT of their wives

Illustration

Several years ago a young lady came to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the church that she was attending. Prior to her conversion, she and her husband had been involved in a very immoral lifestyle

Shortly after becoming a Christian, she went to her pastor for counsel regarding how she could best influence her husband so that he might come to a new life through Jesus Christ. Her pastor shared with her from 1 Peter 3, and encouraged her to share with her husband what Christ had done in her life. “Tell your husband about the love and forgiveness of Christ, and what a difference He is making in your life.” Then never mention another world about God or Christ or the gospel again until he asks you or until the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak. In the meantime, live for Christ in all that you do. Allow Him to filly you with the Holy Spirit and to give you the fruit of the Spirit of love and joy and peace.” He prayed for her and she went home to live for Christ and to love her husband as only Christ could enable her to do. Some 3 months later, the pastor had the privilege of leading her husband to Christ. At that time the pastor asked him, “what influenced you most for Christ?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he responded. “It has been my wife. Several weeks ago she told me of how she had come to know Christ personally. She said that she hoped that I would also come to Christ, but that she would not bug me. Whenever I had a question or whenever I was ready to know more, she would share with me. She was a changed woman. She did not nag me or preach to me; she only loved me! I know that whatever she has is what I want and need. And I believe that it is Jesus Christ.”

F. That was the message of the Apostle Peter

1. Just ‘LIVE IT OUT’!

G. It worked in that marriage

1. And it has also worked in the lives of countless others

 “It is not a message of compromise or nonchalance; it is a message of holy and godly living. It is a reminder that we seldom talk or argue people into the Kingdom. WE love and prayer and influence them by our holy living. This allows the Holy Spirit to minister through us and to draw people to Christ!”

H. Peter says that this HOLY LIVING must be done with –

1. CHASTE conduct and with FEAR

‘Chaste’ means “Holy” – often translated in N.T. as ‘PURE’

I. As Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:22

1. “Keep yourself PURE concerning sin”

‘FEAR’ is better translated “REVERENCE”

“We should live a HOLY life of PURITY and REVERENCE; so that we might influence those outside the faith by our godly behavior.”

II. “Inward Spiritual Beauty” (vv. 3-4)

A. There is a FORM of BEAUTY which comes from –

1. The OUTWARD adorning of the body, such as:

a. The ARRANGING of the HAIR

b. Wearing of JEWELRY

c. Putting on of FINE APPAREL

B. Peter asks for Christian women to recognize that there is a beauty

1. Which is FAR MORE VITAL and IMPORTANT

 *He does not suggest that it is wrong to dress beautifully or to wear makeup

 **In fact, even the godly woman described in Proverbs 31 has fine clothing of silk and purple

C. Nothing wrong with dressing up, using make up & looking nice;

1. But there is a beauty which is much deeper

2. And of a much higher priority

“It is the beauty of the inner person which Peter describes as the hidden person of the heart.”

*This person should be adorned with the incorruptible ornament or unfading beauty of a GENTLE and QUIET SPIRIT, which is precious in the sight of God.

This is the beauty that never fades

It is SPIRITUAL BEAUTY

It is the kind of beauty described in the old hymn:

 Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonderful passion and purity;

O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,

‘Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me!

III. “Living In Submission” (vv. 5-6)

A. This is never a popular subject

“At the very center of our sinful nature is the deep desire to go our own way, to do our own thing, to be “number one.”

The Only Way that we can come to God is to SUBMIT to Him

But that submission is not based upon rebellion or legalism or “doing it because we have to”

“LOVE is at the root of the Biblical understanding of submission”

B. The Bible tells us that –

‘Jesus SUBMITTED to the FATHER because of His deep LOVE for HIM, and that He submitted to the CROSS because of His deep love for US!’

“To submit is NOT to be INFERIOR”

To the CONTRARY, Paul wrote in –

Philippians 2:5-8

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

C. Jesus said that the ‘GREATEST of ALL, is the SERVANT of ALL’

D. Jesus explained this principle in –

Matthew 20:25-28

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.

26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

E. The CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, is predicated upon these same principles

A WOMAN is not INFERIOR or SUPERIOR to a man in marriage

F. Paul said in Galatians 3:28, that IN CHRIST -

“…there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In CHRIST, there is NO SUPERIORITY!

The MAN is not greater than the woman, and the WOMAN is not greater than the man – because IN CHRIST; there is NEITHER male nor female.

IN CHRIST, our old natures are DEAD; and it’s NOW CHRIST that lives in us. Christ is EQUAL in both male and female.

IN CHRIST there is no longer the battle of the SEXES; we are ALL ONE!

SUBMISSION of the WIFE to the HUSBAND is NOT a matter of INFERIORITY; it is a matter of LOVE!

She does it because she LOVES CHRIST, because she loves her HUSBAND, and because she is OBEYING the Word of the God.

And we must also remember that the husband is also to serve the wife -

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

THEN…there is also the biblical doctrine of MUTUAL SUBMISSION within the BODY OF CHRIST which is an even higher principle…

MUTUAL SUBMISSION is the KEY to CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Ephesians 5:21  …submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Paul declared that we should SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER out of REVERENCE for CHRIST, that is a basic principle of the Christian faith

 “We should live under the lordship of Christ as willing servants and joyfully submit to each other as servants of Christ and of one another.”

“A wife that is doing good, is a wife that is loving God; and loving her husband; and loving her family.”

ILLUSTRATION

I read a story about a couple who had attended a marriage seminar taught by one of the male demagogues determined to show that Scripture teaches that the man is IN CHARGE at home. It was the kind of terrible teaching on submission that turns women into lowly doormats. Well, the husband just loved it! He had never heard anything like that in his life, and he drank it all in. His wife, however, sat there fuming as she listened to hour after hour of this stuff.

When they left the meeting that night, the husband felt drunk with fresh power as he climbed into the car. While driving home, he said rather pompously, “Well, what did you think about that?” His wife didn’t utter a word, so he continued, “I think it was great!”

When they arrived home, she got out and followed him silently into the house. Once inside, he slammed the door and said, “Wait right there-just stand right there.” She stood, tight-lipped, and stared at him. “I’ve been thinking about what the fellow said tonight, and I want you to know that from now on, that’s the way it’s gonna be around here, You got it?” that’s the way things are gonna run in this house!”

And having said that, he didn’t see her for two weeks. After 2 weeks, he could start to see just a little bit – out of one eye!

Conclusion:

The answer to living in SUBMISSION is LOVE

1) “It’s not difficult to submit to a God we love and then to serve Him”

2) “It’s not difficult to submit to a husband we love and then to serve him”

3) “It is not difficult to give ourselves for a wife whom we love as Christ loves us”

TO SERVE IS TO LOVE – AND CHRIST IS OUR MODEL

NEXT WEEK: “HOW TO BE A GOOD HUSBAND”