When the last song was sung, a member of the Praise Team offered words of encouragement from the song and then prayed. The words of a chorus we used to sing in our family devotions came to mind and I wanted to share them. I wanted to testify. But the brethren began to take the projector down and set the pulpit on the podium. Then the pastor was upfront and leading us in prayer. Awkward. And I confess, I don’t really know the rules for testifying in this fellowship. I mean, spontaneous testifying.
More and more I am realizing how strongly I believe such testifying is an important part of church life.
I know how discouraging it can be for the pastor, when he asks for testimonies, and there are none offered. But this is a two-edged sword. When testifying is not a regular part of church life, people are not prepared to testify. I believe we need to develop a culture where testifying is encouraged, welcomed, and sought. One in which it’s not a big deal, an odd occurrence, an unusual thing; in which it’s not awkward, but normal.
I know this can interrupt the flow of the well planned service. But maybe, just maybe, the Holy Spirit has something for the body that wasn’t planned by the leaders. It could happen, y’know!
Let me hasten to add, this is not meant as an attack on the pastor or church! No, no, no! It is true, this is what I believe, but this is more like an “if you ask me” thing. Truth is, I have attended several churches the past few years and none of them seemed to have testifying as part of their body life. I confess further, that the churches I pastored and attended in which testifying was part of the body life all had Sunday night services. While testifying was welcome on Sunday morning, it was much more frequent in the evening service. I know it can be part of a morning service: when I had the opportunity to lead the worship (and preach) earlier this summer, we had a time of testifying. It began with a specific invitation, “Is there anyone here who would like to confess their faith in Christ? Who would like to stand and confess, ‘I believe Jesus is the Son of God’?” It was a blessed time and led to other testimonies and prayer requests. Wonderful!
I believe this is a vital part of a healthy church life. It tells us God is at work among us. And isn’t that awesome?
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
The right cross I never saw coming
After church this past Sunday, a group of us were talking and the pastor mentioned seeing a man we all knew. He related a little of the conversation he had with him. I know this man better than the others, so they asked me about his spiritual life. I said, “He grew up in church, went to church school, he knows the Bible pretty good, and if you asked if he believes in Jesus, that he is the Son of God who died and rose again, he would answer, Yes.” Then someone asked, “But is he living for the Lord?”
When I was a teenager, I used to box. I’ve been knocked down twice. Once, I was boxing a guy who weighed over 200 lbs. I was maybe 130. He knocked me into the bushes, but that was only because he got his weight behind a punch and pushed me down. Didn’t hurt. One time I was boxing a friend named Roy. Nobody around. He hit me with a right hand. I didn’t go down, but man was I in a daze! Good thing he was inexperienced, otherwise he would have pounced on me….
The point is, that’s how I felt when that question was asked. I don’t think anyone else noticed it, but boy was I dazed! I had several thoughts racing through my head all at once. Is he living for the Lord?
- how do I determine this?
- this isn’t a biblical phrase, what would I use instead?
- would someone say of me, Jeff is living for the Lord?
- I think I know what they mean, but what do we mean by this phrase?
Since that afternoon, I’ve searched for the phrase ‘living for the Lord’ in the Bible. Not there. What do we mean by this phrase? What is the criteria for determining this? But perhaps the better question is, How would Jesus have asked this? And another, How would the apostles have asked this?
Many times and in many places the apostles, in their exhortations, distinguish between real and bogus faith. For example, 1 John 2
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
So, how do we inquire about someone’s faith? Is he following the Lord? Is he walking in the Spirit? Is he walking in the way of the Lord? Is he keeping the commandments of the Lord?
I confess, I’m still a little dazed. First, by the question on Sunday and now, by my own questions!
When I was a teenager, I used to box. I’ve been knocked down twice. Once, I was boxing a guy who weighed over 200 lbs. I was maybe 130. He knocked me into the bushes, but that was only because he got his weight behind a punch and pushed me down. Didn’t hurt. One time I was boxing a friend named Roy. Nobody around. He hit me with a right hand. I didn’t go down, but man was I in a daze! Good thing he was inexperienced, otherwise he would have pounced on me….
The point is, that’s how I felt when that question was asked. I don’t think anyone else noticed it, but boy was I dazed! I had several thoughts racing through my head all at once. Is he living for the Lord?
- how do I determine this?
- this isn’t a biblical phrase, what would I use instead?
- would someone say of me, Jeff is living for the Lord?
- I think I know what they mean, but what do we mean by this phrase?
Since that afternoon, I’ve searched for the phrase ‘living for the Lord’ in the Bible. Not there. What do we mean by this phrase? What is the criteria for determining this? But perhaps the better question is, How would Jesus have asked this? And another, How would the apostles have asked this?
Many times and in many places the apostles, in their exhortations, distinguish between real and bogus faith. For example, 1 John 2
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
So, how do we inquire about someone’s faith? Is he following the Lord? Is he walking in the Spirit? Is he walking in the way of the Lord? Is he keeping the commandments of the Lord?
I confess, I’m still a little dazed. First, by the question on Sunday and now, by my own questions!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Now I know how Naaman felt
Last night I felt terrible. I know this sounds a little odd (but then, what about me doesn’t sound odd?), but I felt my body was telling me I was having issues with my blood pressure. So I asked an EMS friend to check my blood pressure. It was high. High enough to be concerned, so I determined to see somebody about it. And that’s just what I did today, I went to Piedmont East.
I don’t go to the doctor very often, well, hardly ever, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. There were no other patients yet we had quite a long wait. A long wait. Finally, he came in. He asked a couple of questions, looked in my eye, ear, and checked my pulse. Then prescribed some pills and we were out.
When we got home I told Mary, “Now I know how Naaman felt.”
You say, What??
Yeah, Naaman the leper. Here is his story from 2 Kings 5:9-11
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman expected a show. A big production. Something other than, Go and wash in Jordan seven times. I understand that better now. I don’t know what I expected but something more than, “Take this pill once a day.”
I’ve got more sympathy for Naaman now. But you know what, God was rather patient with Naaman. The promise was still there for him, Go and wash in Jordan seven times. . . and thou shalt be clean. He did and he was made clean. Since I felt like Naaman, I got the prescription filled.
This photo has absolutely nothing to do with my story, it's just the last thing I see when I leave each night for work. Always fills my heart with joy.
I don’t go to the doctor very often, well, hardly ever, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. There were no other patients yet we had quite a long wait. A long wait. Finally, he came in. He asked a couple of questions, looked in my eye, ear, and checked my pulse. Then prescribed some pills and we were out.
When we got home I told Mary, “Now I know how Naaman felt.”
You say, What??
Yeah, Naaman the leper. Here is his story from 2 Kings 5:9-11
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
Naaman expected a show. A big production. Something other than, Go and wash in Jordan seven times. I understand that better now. I don’t know what I expected but something more than, “Take this pill once a day.”
I’ve got more sympathy for Naaman now. But you know what, God was rather patient with Naaman. The promise was still there for him, Go and wash in Jordan seven times. . . and thou shalt be clean. He did and he was made clean. Since I felt like Naaman, I got the prescription filled.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Wednesday night at the Roo and a full moon too
Wednesday night began on a strange note. I had several interesting encounters, too many for Facebook posts, so here we go:
A man came in to cash in a lottery ticket. He won $10. He bought three tickets worth $5. He left with three tickets and five dollars cash. He came back a little later and said, “You forgot to give me one of my tickets.”
“No sir. I gave you the tickets along with a $5 bill.” To assuage his irritation, I looked around the counter, went down to the floor and outside with him, looking for the missing ticket.
We didn’t find it and as we parted he mumbled, “You should’ve put them in my hand.”
Ha! Actually, I did!
Two women came in later for a few items, including two hot dogs. Just before they came in I had counted the hot dogs and taquitos on the grill. After they paid and left I went back to the grill to throw the remaining hot dogs away. Lo, they had stolen a hot dog! I’m pretty sure one of them also lifted a USB wall charger. I realized this was going to be an interesting night . . .
The store was empty when a woman came in and asked if she could borrow the phone. My standard response begins, “Is this a local call?”
She said, “I have to call the emergency number.”
“You mean 911?”
“Yes.”
That’s a local call so I gave her the phone. When she finished her call and thanked me I asked her, “Is everything going to be alright?”
Her reply shocked me, “I just found out my boyfriend of three months is a registered sex offender. So I left right away and all my stuff is still there: my birth certificate and other important things.”
“Wow! Are they going to get them back?”
“Yes, the county police are meeting me there right away.”
I have seen and heard of lot of things, but this was a first.
About an hour later a man came in for some beer. He works at a local pizza place. He formerly had a huge beard and had shaved it off. While were talking about this a groups of guys came in and were in line behind him. After he paid for his two 40 oz Miller High Life beers I asked, “You want a bag with that?”
“I need one, right?”
I explained that I have spoken with the Rock Hill Police and they say he didn’t need one, “Just don’t open one in the car.”
The man behind him, “Man, ya gotta have a bag. The police will come down on you if you don’t.”
I again explain what the police have told me. “No, they will. They caught me once with a can on the seat, unopened, and gave me a DUI.”
I replied, “Man, you can’t get a DUI with an unopened can.”
“I did. Got a DUI for an unopened can.”
I told him, “I don’t want to argue with you about this” and put the beers in a bag.
He retorted, “I don’t mind arguing with you about this. I just got back from Vietnam, I’ll argue with anybody. I did three tours over there and just got back.”
He’s like 25. I laughed and said, “I’ll argue with you about that. Vietnam is my era!”
He said, “I meant Afghanistan. Same thing.”
Yeah, Afghanistan looks just like Vietnam.
And last night was a full moon!
A man came in to cash in a lottery ticket. He won $10. He bought three tickets worth $5. He left with three tickets and five dollars cash. He came back a little later and said, “You forgot to give me one of my tickets.”
“No sir. I gave you the tickets along with a $5 bill.” To assuage his irritation, I looked around the counter, went down to the floor and outside with him, looking for the missing ticket.
We didn’t find it and as we parted he mumbled, “You should’ve put them in my hand.”
Ha! Actually, I did!
Two women came in later for a few items, including two hot dogs. Just before they came in I had counted the hot dogs and taquitos on the grill. After they paid and left I went back to the grill to throw the remaining hot dogs away. Lo, they had stolen a hot dog! I’m pretty sure one of them also lifted a USB wall charger. I realized this was going to be an interesting night . . .
The store was empty when a woman came in and asked if she could borrow the phone. My standard response begins, “Is this a local call?”
She said, “I have to call the emergency number.”
“You mean 911?”
“Yes.”
That’s a local call so I gave her the phone. When she finished her call and thanked me I asked her, “Is everything going to be alright?”
Her reply shocked me, “I just found out my boyfriend of three months is a registered sex offender. So I left right away and all my stuff is still there: my birth certificate and other important things.”
“Wow! Are they going to get them back?”
“Yes, the county police are meeting me there right away.”
I have seen and heard of lot of things, but this was a first.
About an hour later a man came in for some beer. He works at a local pizza place. He formerly had a huge beard and had shaved it off. While were talking about this a groups of guys came in and were in line behind him. After he paid for his two 40 oz Miller High Life beers I asked, “You want a bag with that?”
“I need one, right?”
I explained that I have spoken with the Rock Hill Police and they say he didn’t need one, “Just don’t open one in the car.”
The man behind him, “Man, ya gotta have a bag. The police will come down on you if you don’t.”
I again explain what the police have told me. “No, they will. They caught me once with a can on the seat, unopened, and gave me a DUI.”
I replied, “Man, you can’t get a DUI with an unopened can.”
“I did. Got a DUI for an unopened can.”
I told him, “I don’t want to argue with you about this” and put the beers in a bag.
He retorted, “I don’t mind arguing with you about this. I just got back from Vietnam, I’ll argue with anybody. I did three tours over there and just got back.”
He’s like 25. I laughed and said, “I’ll argue with you about that. Vietnam is my era!”
He said, “I meant Afghanistan. Same thing.”
Yeah, Afghanistan looks just like Vietnam.
And last night was a full moon!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Like a kid in a candy store
I went to Utah last weekend to see my mother an' them (as we used to say in Hawai’i). I had a great time visiting with my family. I also took a couple of sightseeing trips.
SATURDAY
Saturday morning I announced, “Whatever else happens today, I wanna go to Mo Bettah for lunch.” Bruce likes that place as well so we planned a trip.
I also thought it would be cool to see Antelope Island, he agreed, so off we went.
To get there, we went north to Layton and accessed the island via the causeway.
Once on the island, we drove to Frary Peak and then back. Frary Peak is 6,596 ft. We would’ve hiked around but we were pressed for time (it was also raining a good bit and we weren’t dressed for it).
I confess, I am not cool. As we were driving around taking in the sights, I was bouncing around in the car, oooh-ing and ahh-ing like a kid in a candy store. “Look at that” Over there” Down there”
Keeping our eye on the clock we headed back and stopped here for lumch
Same thing. I think it is so neat to be able to get a "plate lunch Hawaiian style" in the middle of Utah! I suspect going places with me can be embarrassing sometimes for grown ups.
SUNDAY
Bruce and Tracey said they wanted to check out Big Cottonwood Canyon. We got ready and set out on our adventure.
We traveled the red road, Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Highway, going from left to right. The whole thing. And oh the scenery along the way!! This is a beautiful place. Once again, I was bouncing around in the car, oooh-ing and ahh-ing like a kid in a candy store. “Look at that” Over there” Down there”.
I am not cool and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Tracey and I are a lot alike, we both hear every trail calling us, “Come, take a hike down me.”
At one point I said, “There has to be a better word than awesome for all this.” Then it hit me. There is. And I told them, “I have it, supercalifragilisticexpealidocious.” They weren’t impressed.
Every time we stopped I ran off this way and that. A little down this trail and them another.
Yep, that’s me, just like a kid in a candy store!
SATURDAY
Saturday morning I announced, “Whatever else happens today, I wanna go to Mo Bettah for lunch.” Bruce likes that place as well so we planned a trip.
I also thought it would be cool to see Antelope Island, he agreed, so off we went.
To get there, we went north to Layton and accessed the island via the causeway.
Once on the island, we drove to Frary Peak and then back. Frary Peak is 6,596 ft. We would’ve hiked around but we were pressed for time (it was also raining a good bit and we weren’t dressed for it).
I confess, I am not cool. As we were driving around taking in the sights, I was bouncing around in the car, oooh-ing and ahh-ing like a kid in a candy store. “Look at that” Over there” Down there”
Keeping our eye on the clock we headed back and stopped here for lumch
Same thing. I think it is so neat to be able to get a "plate lunch Hawaiian style" in the middle of Utah! I suspect going places with me can be embarrassing sometimes for grown ups.
SUNDAY
Bruce and Tracey said they wanted to check out Big Cottonwood Canyon. We got ready and set out on our adventure.
We traveled the red road, Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Highway, going from left to right. The whole thing. And oh the scenery along the way!! This is a beautiful place. Once again, I was bouncing around in the car, oooh-ing and ahh-ing like a kid in a candy store. “Look at that” Over there” Down there”.
I am not cool and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Tracey and I are a lot alike, we both hear every trail calling us, “Come, take a hike down me.”
At one point I said, “There has to be a better word than awesome for all this.” Then it hit me. There is. And I told them, “I have it, supercalifragilisticexpealidocious.” They weren’t impressed.
Every time we stopped I ran off this way and that. A little down this trail and them another.
Yep, that’s me, just like a kid in a candy store!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Meditations on 1 Peter part 3
Each year, part of my vacation is devoted to spiritual renewal. This year I read 1 Peter. I noticed three themes running through the epistle that Peter presents as foundational to our faith: The Cross, The Resurrection, and The Second Coming. I’ve already written on the cross and the resurrection, so this leads naturally to
The Second Coming
Peter mentions the second coming in every chapter except 3.
1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
The appearing of Jesus Christ. This is not a mere doctrine to be believed. We are eagerly waiting for the appearing of Jesus Christ because when he appears salvation will be revealed, and we will receive the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow – the glory that should follow refers to Christ, when he will appear in glory and power. And we are included in this glory, we will share it with him. This is salvation.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ – Amen! We have not received it all now. There is grace yet to come, the grace of the salvation of our souls. So his exhortation: gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The day of visitation is the day of judgment. We are to live our lives in the light of the coming of Christ and the judgment to come: Live in such a way that, even though they give you a hard time now because of your faith in Christ, in that great day they will have to admit your life was above reproach.
4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. The coming judgment is a regular them of the apostles.
4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
The end of all things is at hand, is near. I admit, it is so easy to get caught up with the now. Going to work, days off, vacation, planning for next year, college for your children, retirement…we can easily lose ourselves in the cares of this life. But the Gospel tells us not only the end of all things is coming, it is at hand! We need to be sober and watch unto prayer.
4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
The Christian life is a totally supernatural life: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings – this is not natural. The natural reaction is to grumble, complain, even whine. But the apostle says, Rejoice. What helps us maintain this attitude is, when his glory shall be revealed. Amen. Jesus is coming and things will change.
That . . . ye may be glad also with exceeding joy – we have joy now, unspeakable and full of glory; if we can rejoice now in trials, tribulations, as well as sufferings, imagine the joy of his presence, His glory, His approbation of our living and suffering for Him with joy and longsuffering and patience through the trials and afflictions of this life!
5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Peter says two things about the coming of Christ
When the chief Shepherd shall appear – the second coming is personal and visible. Unbelievers have mocked and reviled for centuries, "Where is their God?" The day is coming when Jesus shall appear and every eye shall see him.
The glory that shall be revealed – the brightness of His glory; but also the glory of His kingdom. “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”
and two things about what we can expect at this coming
we are partaker of the glory that shall be revealed - And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ
ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away – this is addressed to the elders who exercise their oversight properly.
What a hope we have! In fact, Peter begins his epistle by calling it a lively hope. Messiah has come. He was suffered for us, he rose again and ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. And He is coming again. This same Jesus, born of a virgin, who taught and performed miracles, who was crucified, who rose again, this same Jesus will again appear and bring glory and salvation.
The Second Coming
Peter mentions the second coming in every chapter except 3.
1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
The appearing of Jesus Christ. This is not a mere doctrine to be believed. We are eagerly waiting for the appearing of Jesus Christ because when he appears salvation will be revealed, and we will receive the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow – the glory that should follow refers to Christ, when he will appear in glory and power. And we are included in this glory, we will share it with him. This is salvation.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ – Amen! We have not received it all now. There is grace yet to come, the grace of the salvation of our souls. So his exhortation: gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The day of visitation is the day of judgment. We are to live our lives in the light of the coming of Christ and the judgment to come: Live in such a way that, even though they give you a hard time now because of your faith in Christ, in that great day they will have to admit your life was above reproach.
4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. The coming judgment is a regular them of the apostles.
4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
The end of all things is at hand, is near. I admit, it is so easy to get caught up with the now. Going to work, days off, vacation, planning for next year, college for your children, retirement…we can easily lose ourselves in the cares of this life. But the Gospel tells us not only the end of all things is coming, it is at hand! We need to be sober and watch unto prayer.
4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
The Christian life is a totally supernatural life: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings – this is not natural. The natural reaction is to grumble, complain, even whine. But the apostle says, Rejoice. What helps us maintain this attitude is, when his glory shall be revealed. Amen. Jesus is coming and things will change.
That . . . ye may be glad also with exceeding joy – we have joy now, unspeakable and full of glory; if we can rejoice now in trials, tribulations, as well as sufferings, imagine the joy of his presence, His glory, His approbation of our living and suffering for Him with joy and longsuffering and patience through the trials and afflictions of this life!
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon His face,
The one who saved me by His grace
5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Peter says two things about the coming of Christ
When the chief Shepherd shall appear – the second coming is personal and visible. Unbelievers have mocked and reviled for centuries, "Where is their God?" The day is coming when Jesus shall appear and every eye shall see him.
The glory that shall be revealed – the brightness of His glory; but also the glory of His kingdom. “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”
and two things about what we can expect at this coming
we are partaker of the glory that shall be revealed - And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ
ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away – this is addressed to the elders who exercise their oversight properly.
What a hope we have! In fact, Peter begins his epistle by calling it a lively hope. Messiah has come. He was suffered for us, he rose again and ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. And He is coming again. This same Jesus, born of a virgin, who taught and performed miracles, who was crucified, who rose again, this same Jesus will again appear and bring glory and salvation.
“Don’t you dare quit. You. Keep. Holding on!”
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Meditations on 1 Peter part 2
Each year, part of my vacation is devoted to spiritual renewal. This year I read 1 Peter. I noticed three themes running through the epistle that Peter presents as foundational to our faith: The Cross, The Resurrection, and The Second Coming. My first post was on the sufferings of Christ. This one is on
The Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection and the second coming are linked because the second coming and the glory associated with it are dependent on the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection - the resurrection is the power behind our salvation, here called begotten again. Christ’s death is effectual only because he rose from the dead. Death is the great enemy we face, the ultimate foe. We have focused almost exclusively on sin. but sin is not the end:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
No, sin leads to something worse. Death. Salvation is life. Death passed upon all men. Jesus died and rose again. He defeated death. We now have a lively hope.
Now, I know that lively hope is really “living hope.” But I like the idea of a lively hope. Lively is defined as “full of life and energy; active and outgoing.” Is that not a great description of our hope? It is full of life and energy and it activates us! And the synonyms for lively: energetic, active, animated, dynamic, full of life, vivacious, enthusiastic, vibrant, buoyant, exuberant, effervescent, cheerful. Truly our hope is a lively hope!
So, what exactly is our hope? Life. Resurrection from the dead and eternal life. Death was at work in us. We are threatened with death all around, at every turn. But Jesus rose from the dead and promises us the same life. This hope enlivens us, energizes us. It does not matter what happens to me, I will rise from the dead and live forever! Life. Life. Life. All through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
v 20 Christ was foreordained, that is, before creation it was the Father’s plan to send His Son. This is a great mystery.
He was manifest in these last times for you – He came for us, to restore us to God. O what love!
v 21 that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory - The resurrection of Christ is the greatest demonstration of God’s power in the history of the world. This is the central proclamation of the gospel. Through Christ we believe in God because God raised him from the dead. This man was killed. He died and was buried. But God raised him up from the dead. Death had reigned over mankind since Adam and Eve, but by raising His Christ from the dead, God defeated death. By believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ, the Son of God who was raised from the dead, we believe in God.
And gave him glory – crucified, raised, exalted. Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
that your faith and hope might be in God – This is not philosophy, or moral renovation, or good works, or even my faith. No, my faith is in God, who by His great power raised Christ from the dead. My hope is in God, who by raising Christ from the dead has promised me eternal life. Praise the Lord!
3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit – He was made alive by the Spirit. I confess, this and the next couple of verses are difficult. Paul has something similar to this in 1 Corinthians 15:45, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
3:21 The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
He says baptism now saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is power in baptism, grace received in baptism, however you choose to explain it, but not of itself. Honestly, it’s not even faith that gives baptism effectiveness. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the very least, baptism is identifying with Christ, a declaration that we believe in Jesus. But there is no power, no grace if Jesus has not been raised from the dead. Once again, as important as faith and baptism are, they do nothing if Jesus was not raised. It’s not me, it’s Jesus. BUT, by believing in Jesus and being baptized in his name I do receive grace from God because Jesus has been raised from the dead. Hallelujah!
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
This sounds like Peter’s preaching in Acts, “Jesus was crucified, but God raised him from the dead; he ascended to heaven and has been exalted at the right hand of God.” Amen! I confess, this is exciting: Jesus is alive! Jesus is Lord! And as we shall see, Jesus is coming again!
The Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection and the second coming are linked because the second coming and the glory associated with it are dependent on the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection - the resurrection is the power behind our salvation, here called begotten again. Christ’s death is effectual only because he rose from the dead. Death is the great enemy we face, the ultimate foe. We have focused almost exclusively on sin. but sin is not the end:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
No, sin leads to something worse. Death. Salvation is life. Death passed upon all men. Jesus died and rose again. He defeated death. We now have a lively hope.
Now, I know that lively hope is really “living hope.” But I like the idea of a lively hope. Lively is defined as “full of life and energy; active and outgoing.” Is that not a great description of our hope? It is full of life and energy and it activates us! And the synonyms for lively: energetic, active, animated, dynamic, full of life, vivacious, enthusiastic, vibrant, buoyant, exuberant, effervescent, cheerful. Truly our hope is a lively hope!
So, what exactly is our hope? Life. Resurrection from the dead and eternal life. Death was at work in us. We are threatened with death all around, at every turn. But Jesus rose from the dead and promises us the same life. This hope enlivens us, energizes us. It does not matter what happens to me, I will rise from the dead and live forever! Life. Life. Life. All through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
v 20 Christ was foreordained, that is, before creation it was the Father’s plan to send His Son. This is a great mystery.
He was manifest in these last times for you – He came for us, to restore us to God. O what love!
v 21 that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory - The resurrection of Christ is the greatest demonstration of God’s power in the history of the world. This is the central proclamation of the gospel. Through Christ we believe in God because God raised him from the dead. This man was killed. He died and was buried. But God raised him up from the dead. Death had reigned over mankind since Adam and Eve, but by raising His Christ from the dead, God defeated death. By believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ, the Son of God who was raised from the dead, we believe in God.
And gave him glory – crucified, raised, exalted. Jesus is both Lord and Christ.
that your faith and hope might be in God – This is not philosophy, or moral renovation, or good works, or even my faith. No, my faith is in God, who by His great power raised Christ from the dead. My hope is in God, who by raising Christ from the dead has promised me eternal life. Praise the Lord!
3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit – He was made alive by the Spirit. I confess, this and the next couple of verses are difficult. Paul has something similar to this in 1 Corinthians 15:45, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
3:21 The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
He says baptism now saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is power in baptism, grace received in baptism, however you choose to explain it, but not of itself. Honestly, it’s not even faith that gives baptism effectiveness. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the very least, baptism is identifying with Christ, a declaration that we believe in Jesus. But there is no power, no grace if Jesus has not been raised from the dead. Once again, as important as faith and baptism are, they do nothing if Jesus was not raised. It’s not me, it’s Jesus. BUT, by believing in Jesus and being baptized in his name I do receive grace from God because Jesus has been raised from the dead. Hallelujah!
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
This sounds like Peter’s preaching in Acts, “Jesus was crucified, but God raised him from the dead; he ascended to heaven and has been exalted at the right hand of God.” Amen! I confess, this is exciting: Jesus is alive! Jesus is Lord! And as we shall see, Jesus is coming again!
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