"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Proper Conduct As Obedient Children (1:14-21)
In our previous study, we saw from verse 13 that we have the responsibility to fortify the focus of our hope and set it fully upon the grace that we are to receive when Jesus comes again. Another responsibility we have as Christians is to conduct ourselves as "obedient children" - 1 Pe 1:14 “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:”. While the need to be obedient is often misconstrued by some as sounding legalistic, it is stressed in the New Testament nonetheless - He 5:9 “and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;”; 2 Th 1:8 “rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:”
In what way are we to be obedient? There is much the Bible has to say on the subject, but in this lesson we shall focus our attention to 1 Pe 1:14-21, where we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" has both negative and positive connotations (both "thou shalt nots" and "thou shalt"). For example, we learn from verse 14 that as "obedient children" we are not to conform to former lust. My understanding of what Peter is saying is from the word "conform" ("fashion" in the KJV), which means "to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern". The "former lusts" refer to the evil desires and behavior in which we once engaged, and in which the world continues to engage. In essence, then, Peter is saying: "Don't act like you once did, or like those still in the world." "Do not adopt their sinful habits, mannerisms, dress, and speech, which you did before you became Christians."
By applying what Peter is saying we will not seek to act like those who are not Christians. For Christians are not to be "conformists", but true "non-conformists", or "transformists" as Paul writes - Ro 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” "Conformists" simply imitate others, sometimes claiming to do so only outwardly. But "transformists" are those who: Have undergone a true change on the "inside" and who manifest the difference on the "outside"
To behave properly as "obedient children", then, we need to be sure we are not adopting the sinful habits or mannerisms of those in the world. Like accepting the popular fashions of our society which appeal to fleshly desires: Such as, short dresses, tight "designer jeans", and other immodest apparel. Christians, rather than conforming, are to adorn themselves in modest apparel - 1 Ti 2:9-10 “In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.” Like filling our speech with suggestive language or jokes - Ep 4:29 “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.”; 5:3-4 “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.” Or delighting in various forms of entertainment which cater to fleshly desires - Ph 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
But too many Christians DO conform to the world and its lusts.... Therefore it is not surprising to hear many becoming entrapped by the world as is indicated by the rise of marital unfaithfulness and divorce. So Christians need to heed what Peter is saying (as well as what was said by John - 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
In a more "positive" vein, we learn from verses 15-16 that as "obedient children" we are to be holy in our conduct. The word "holy" is closely related to the words "sanctify" and "sanctification". All of which stress the idea of being "set apart". To be "holy", then, means that we are "set apart" or dedicated to God. We are to be "holy" for two reasons. The first reason is that given in our text: "For I (God) am holy." The God who has called us through His gospel is a holy God. He Himself is "set apart" from sin and wickedness. His very nature demands a similar holiness on our part - cf. He 12:14 “Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:” It is also Jesus' desire that we be holy (He died for this very purpose!) - cf. Ep 5:25-27 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
We need to also note that we are to be holy in "all" our conduct. Holiness is not something we put on when convenient, like on Sundays. Instead, our daily life, our entire conduct is to be "set apart" in service to the Lord - Ro 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.” For this to be true, every aspect of our life must be in harmony with God's demand for holiness! This means our work, our speech, our dress, our recreation. ALL should be in harmony with the principles of God's Word. Even the most mundane things, when done in keeping with God's Will, become a part of our holy service to God! Can it be said of our lives, that we are holy in all our conduct? Do we go about our business, our play, with the thought of being "set apart" to the Will of God, so that it is evident in our business or play? I am sure that all of us can improve in this area of our service as "obedient children"!
There is one more point that can be made in reference to our conduct as "obedient children", taken from verses 17-21. We must conduct ourselves in fear. As pilgrims, "fear" has a proper place during our sojourn as we live in this world. Even as Jesus taught His disciples - Mt 10:28 “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” And as Paul wrote the Philippians - Ph 2:12 “So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”
Peter gives us two reasons for such "fear" in our text. First, in view of the judgment by our Father - 1 Pe 1:17 “And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:”. God will not be partial - "without partiality". God will be personal in His judgment - "judges according to each one's work" -- No one will receive special favors, no one will escape His discerning eye! Second, in view of the high cost of redemption - 1 Pe 1:18-21 “knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.”
We were not redeemed from our sins with silver or gold, but only by the precious blood of Christ!
1) Who was without blemish and without spot
2) Who was foreordained to die for our sins before the world began
3) Who came to this earth for our sakes
4) By whom our faith and hope are in God!
Any Christian who does not conduct himself in a manner appreciative of the price paid for his sins, can expect a fate worse than death if he does not repent! - He 10:26-31"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. A man that hath set at nought Moses law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
From verses 14-21, then, we learn that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means that we are not to conform ourselves to former lusts. We are to be holy in all our conduct. We are to conduct ourselves in fear. Paul said much the same thing in writing to the church at Corinth:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Co 7:1) This we cannot do on our own, but by the redeeming grace of God.... We can be forgiven by the precious blood of Christ. We can be strengthened by the power of His Spirit to live the sort of lives pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Have you responded to the grace of God in order to receive such wonderful blessings? - Ac 2:38
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Fortifying The Focus of Our Hope (1:13)
"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Fortifying The Focus Of Our Hope (1:13)
Up to this point in his epistle, Peter has summarized some of the blessings enjoyed by God's "pilgrims"... Their election, sanctification, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus - 1 Pe 1:2. Their rebirth to a living hope - 1 Pe 1:3. Their incorruptible inheritance, reserved in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4. Their being kept by the power of God through faith for the salvation to come - 1 Pe 1:5. Their great joy, which is inexpressible and full of glory - 1 Pe 1:6-9. And, the honor of having been served by a distinguished group of individuals - 1 Pe 1:10-12.
Starting with verse 13, we find a series of exhortations.... These exhortations are based upon the wonderful blessings listed previously (note the connecting word "therefore"). These exhortations are found throughout much of the rest of the epistle. The first exhortation relates to the "hope" that we have as Christians - 1 Pe 1:13 “Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” In which we are charged to "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". Put another way, we are being charged to "fortify the focus of our hope". What this means, and how we are to accomplish it, will be the focus of this lesson.
Let's start by first noticing our duty to fortify the focus of our hope. That is the primary exhortation in this passage. The words "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" is the main point of this verse. The other exhortations which precede it are subsidiary. And will be considered later.
What does it mean to "rest your hope fully"? It means to "set your hope perfectly, unchangeably, without doubt and despondency". As the NASV puts it: "fix your hope completely on the grace...". Therefore Peter is exhorting us to make our hope one that is complete, strong, and not wavering.
The cultivation of a strong hope is therefore a Christian duty. We have a duty to develop and fortify our hope. Just as we need to cultivate patience, self-control, etc., so we need to cultivate our hope! For without a hope that is strong our faith may waver. We are subject to fear, doubt, and depression. Yes, the cultivation (or fortification) of our hope is essential to living joyful and victorious lives as Christians! This is the main point of verse 13, an exhortation to fortify our hope, to make it stronger. Just as we are to grow in faith and love, so we are to grow in hope!
To do this effectively, it is important to give thought to identifying the focus of our hope. As defined in verse 13, our hope is the "grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". In other words, the unmerited favor that we will receive when Jesus comes again!
This is alluded to in the first twelve verses. Our hope is the "inheritance...reserved in heaven for you" - 1 Pe 1:4. The "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" - 1 Pe 1:5. The "praise, honor, and glory" we shall receive "at the revelation of Jesus Christ" - 1 Pe 1:7. The "end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" - 1 Pe 1:9
In view of all these verses, the focus of our hope is to be the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the wonderful grace He will bring! The wonderful praise, honor, and glory we shall receive when He comes! The complete and final salvation of our souls from sin and its effects! The receiving of our wonderful inheritance, the heavenly city, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away! Such is to be the focus of our hope. And as stated previously, the main charge in this passage to "rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" (to fortify the focus of your hope).
How we accomplish this is now considered as we examine what is necessary to fortify the focus of our hope. "gird up the loins of your mind". "gird up" is an oriental expression.... It refers to the act of gathering up around the waist the long, loose robes warn by those in the east. Such "gathering up" was necessary or one's progress in running or some other act of exertion would be impeded. With the use of this metaphor, Peter is saying we must put out of the mind all things that would impede the free action of the mind in connection with developing our hope. We must put out of the mind such things like worry, fear, or obsession with material possessions. In other words, remove anything and everything that is not conducive to having a strong hope in the coming of our Lord. Such as carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life as Jesus said - Lk 21:34-35 “But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.” Such things as these "choke" us and hinder our ability to bear fruit (such as the fruit of a strong hope) - Lk 8:14 “And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
"Be sober". The word "sober" means "to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect". It is that state of mind in which the individual is self-controlled, able to see things without the distortion caused by worry or fear. To fortify the focus of our hope requires a CALM and SERIOUS attention to the task at hand - Lk 21:36 ("Watch therefore, and pray always..."). We cannot cultivate and fortify a strong hope if we are so "weak-minded" that we allow things to divert us away from our true calling!
And what is our calling? To sojourn through this life as pilgrims, but with a hope that is resting fully upon the grace we will receive when Christ comes again! The problem with many Christians today is NOT that they have no hope, but that their hope is weak and shallow. And that is because they are preoccupied with the affairs of this temporary life. To remain faithful to the Lord, we need to heed Peter's exhortation to fortify the focus of our hope by freeing our minds of those things which would hinder us. By being more serious about the kind of lives our Heavenly Father would have us live - Lk 12:35-40 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Our next lesson will elaborate upon how God would have us live; but for now, are we living for God at all...?
Fortifying The Focus Of Our Hope (1:13)
Up to this point in his epistle, Peter has summarized some of the blessings enjoyed by God's "pilgrims"... Their election, sanctification, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus - 1 Pe 1:2. Their rebirth to a living hope - 1 Pe 1:3. Their incorruptible inheritance, reserved in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4. Their being kept by the power of God through faith for the salvation to come - 1 Pe 1:5. Their great joy, which is inexpressible and full of glory - 1 Pe 1:6-9. And, the honor of having been served by a distinguished group of individuals - 1 Pe 1:10-12.
Starting with verse 13, we find a series of exhortations.... These exhortations are based upon the wonderful blessings listed previously (note the connecting word "therefore"). These exhortations are found throughout much of the rest of the epistle. The first exhortation relates to the "hope" that we have as Christians - 1 Pe 1:13 “Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” In which we are charged to "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". Put another way, we are being charged to "fortify the focus of our hope". What this means, and how we are to accomplish it, will be the focus of this lesson.
Let's start by first noticing our duty to fortify the focus of our hope. That is the primary exhortation in this passage. The words "rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" is the main point of this verse. The other exhortations which precede it are subsidiary. And will be considered later.
What does it mean to "rest your hope fully"? It means to "set your hope perfectly, unchangeably, without doubt and despondency". As the NASV puts it: "fix your hope completely on the grace...". Therefore Peter is exhorting us to make our hope one that is complete, strong, and not wavering.
The cultivation of a strong hope is therefore a Christian duty. We have a duty to develop and fortify our hope. Just as we need to cultivate patience, self-control, etc., so we need to cultivate our hope! For without a hope that is strong our faith may waver. We are subject to fear, doubt, and depression. Yes, the cultivation (or fortification) of our hope is essential to living joyful and victorious lives as Christians! This is the main point of verse 13, an exhortation to fortify our hope, to make it stronger. Just as we are to grow in faith and love, so we are to grow in hope!
To do this effectively, it is important to give thought to identifying the focus of our hope. As defined in verse 13, our hope is the "grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ". In other words, the unmerited favor that we will receive when Jesus comes again!
This is alluded to in the first twelve verses. Our hope is the "inheritance...reserved in heaven for you" - 1 Pe 1:4. The "salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" - 1 Pe 1:5. The "praise, honor, and glory" we shall receive "at the revelation of Jesus Christ" - 1 Pe 1:7. The "end of your faith--the salvation of your souls" - 1 Pe 1:9
In view of all these verses, the focus of our hope is to be the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the wonderful grace He will bring! The wonderful praise, honor, and glory we shall receive when He comes! The complete and final salvation of our souls from sin and its effects! The receiving of our wonderful inheritance, the heavenly city, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that does not fade away! Such is to be the focus of our hope. And as stated previously, the main charge in this passage to "rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you" (to fortify the focus of your hope).
How we accomplish this is now considered as we examine what is necessary to fortify the focus of our hope. "gird up the loins of your mind". "gird up" is an oriental expression.... It refers to the act of gathering up around the waist the long, loose robes warn by those in the east. Such "gathering up" was necessary or one's progress in running or some other act of exertion would be impeded. With the use of this metaphor, Peter is saying we must put out of the mind all things that would impede the free action of the mind in connection with developing our hope. We must put out of the mind such things like worry, fear, or obsession with material possessions. In other words, remove anything and everything that is not conducive to having a strong hope in the coming of our Lord. Such as carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life as Jesus said - Lk 21:34-35 “But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: for so shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth.” Such things as these "choke" us and hinder our ability to bear fruit (such as the fruit of a strong hope) - Lk 8:14 “And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
"Be sober". The word "sober" means "to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect". It is that state of mind in which the individual is self-controlled, able to see things without the distortion caused by worry or fear. To fortify the focus of our hope requires a CALM and SERIOUS attention to the task at hand - Lk 21:36 ("Watch therefore, and pray always..."). We cannot cultivate and fortify a strong hope if we are so "weak-minded" that we allow things to divert us away from our true calling!
And what is our calling? To sojourn through this life as pilgrims, but with a hope that is resting fully upon the grace we will receive when Christ comes again! The problem with many Christians today is NOT that they have no hope, but that their hope is weak and shallow. And that is because they are preoccupied with the affairs of this temporary life. To remain faithful to the Lord, we need to heed Peter's exhortation to fortify the focus of our hope by freeing our minds of those things which would hinder us. By being more serious about the kind of lives our Heavenly Father would have us live - Lk 12:35-40 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Our next lesson will elaborate upon how God would have us live; but for now, are we living for God at all...?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Ministering Not to Themselves, But to Us - Cont.
Ministering Not To Themselves, But To Us (1:10-12) - Cont.
In our prior portion of this lesson we left off the statement "And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel, referencing 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”
Let's now consider the implications of this truth. Through His ministry of inspiration and revelation in the lives of the prophets and apostles, we have been served by the Holy Spirit. Because of His work, we have today the completed revelation of God's Word in our hands! This is in addition to the "sanctifying work" of the Holy Spirit to which Peter referred in 1 Pe 1:2 “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” Do we appreciate the service that the Holy Spirit has rendered for us throughout the ages? Is this not an indication of the great value God must place upon His people?
But there is even another group of distinguished individuals who served their lives in our behalf... We have been served by "the Apostles"! This we can glean from verse 12 "...those who preached the gospel to you". This is a likely reference to the apostles of Jesus Christ who were commissioned to preach the gospel, as recorded in Mk 16:15-16“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.” they carried out this "Great Commission", they considered themselves but servants for those to whom they preached. As Paul said, they were but "seed-throwers"and "water-boys"- 1 Co 3:5-7“What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” were serving as servants of Christ - 1 Co 3:21-4:1“Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”; 2 Co 4:5“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Therefore, we have been served by men, such as Peter, James, John, and Paul. Men who gave their lives for our sake, to convince the world that our faith in their testimony is not unfounded, but that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead! - 2 Co 11:24-29 “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?”
When we take the time to think about those who spent their lives ministering to us, we can't help but conclude that Christians hold a very high place in God's scheme of redemption as it has unfolded throughout the ages! But before we conclude this lesson, let me point out another noble group that has served those who are God's "elect". We have been served by "angels". Verse 12 tells us that angels had a keen interest in things prophesied by the prophets and in things proclaimed by the apostles through the gospel.
Why such a keen interest? They too were involved in the process of foretelling and revealing the salvation in Christ! For example, Gabriel's appearances to Daniel - see Dan 8, 9. Gabriel's appearances to Zacharias and Mary - see Lk 1:11-19, 26-38. But like the prophets, angels were also in the dark concerning the details of the coming salvation. And so, the angels were serving not themselves but us! - He 1:13-14 “But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?”
Our Father in heaven must hold His "elect" (the church) in high regard to have them served by such a distinguished company! To be so privileged should motivate us to praise God for His grace and to devote our lives in grateful service to Him and His people. But the grace God bestowed toward us reached its peak when addition to all these (prophets, the Holy Spirit, apostles, angels) He sent His only Son to serve us as well!
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Mt 20:28
Shall we not respond with grateful service through faithful obedience to His Will?
In our prior portion of this lesson we left off the statement "And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel, referencing 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.”
Let's now consider the implications of this truth. Through His ministry of inspiration and revelation in the lives of the prophets and apostles, we have been served by the Holy Spirit. Because of His work, we have today the completed revelation of God's Word in our hands! This is in addition to the "sanctifying work" of the Holy Spirit to which Peter referred in 1 Pe 1:2 “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” Do we appreciate the service that the Holy Spirit has rendered for us throughout the ages? Is this not an indication of the great value God must place upon His people?
But there is even another group of distinguished individuals who served their lives in our behalf... We have been served by "the Apostles"! This we can glean from verse 12 "...those who preached the gospel to you". This is a likely reference to the apostles of Jesus Christ who were commissioned to preach the gospel, as recorded in Mk 16:15-16“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.” they carried out this "Great Commission", they considered themselves but servants for those to whom they preached. As Paul said, they were but "seed-throwers"and "water-boys"- 1 Co 3:5-7“What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” were serving as servants of Christ - 1 Co 3:21-4:1“Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.”; 2 Co 4:5“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Therefore, we have been served by men, such as Peter, James, John, and Paul. Men who gave their lives for our sake, to convince the world that our faith in their testimony is not unfounded, but that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead! - 2 Co 11:24-29 “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?”
When we take the time to think about those who spent their lives ministering to us, we can't help but conclude that Christians hold a very high place in God's scheme of redemption as it has unfolded throughout the ages! But before we conclude this lesson, let me point out another noble group that has served those who are God's "elect". We have been served by "angels". Verse 12 tells us that angels had a keen interest in things prophesied by the prophets and in things proclaimed by the apostles through the gospel.
Why such a keen interest? They too were involved in the process of foretelling and revealing the salvation in Christ! For example, Gabriel's appearances to Daniel - see Dan 8, 9. Gabriel's appearances to Zacharias and Mary - see Lk 1:11-19, 26-38. But like the prophets, angels were also in the dark concerning the details of the coming salvation. And so, the angels were serving not themselves but us! - He 1:13-14 “But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?”
Our Father in heaven must hold His "elect" (the church) in high regard to have them served by such a distinguished company! To be so privileged should motivate us to praise God for His grace and to devote our lives in grateful service to Him and His people. But the grace God bestowed toward us reached its peak when addition to all these (prophets, the Holy Spirit, apostles, angels) He sent His only Son to serve us as well!
"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Mt 20:28
Shall we not respond with grateful service through faithful obedience to His Will?
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Ministering Not to Themselves, But to Us
"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Ministering Not To Themselves, But To Us (1:10-12)
Already in Peter's epistle we have seen several blessings enjoyed by the "elect" of God.... The "elect" are born again to a "living" hope - 1 Pe 1:3. The "elect" having a joy "inexpressible and full of glory" - 1 Pe 1:8.
As one continues in verses 10-12, he finds that Peter expands upon the topic of the "salvation" Christians enjoy as a result of their faith (please read) “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” If one takes the time to contemplate upon what is found in this passage, he should not fail to be impressed with how privileged we are in God's sight. For there we learn that we are the recipients of a gospel that was prophesied and has come to us only through the efforts of a very distinguished company of individuals! And in their efforts, they were ministering not to themselves, but to us who are now Christians!
To illustrate just how privileged we are, let's begin identifying those who have ministered to us... We have been served by 'Prophets", which is the main thought of this passage. When the prophets prophesied, they were often intrigued by what they revealed - 1 Pe 1:10-11 “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” This is because they were inspired or moved by the Holy Spirit, and not by their own will - 2 Pe 1:21 “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, they often expressed perplexity concerning those things they prophesied - for example, Dan 7:28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my countenance was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.”; 8:26-27 “And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come. And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king’s business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.” But as pointed out in our text, it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but us! - Dan 12:8-9 “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.”
Consider the implications of this point. We who are Christians have been served by such people as Moses, Samuel, and David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These men (and many others) spent their lives, and in many cases even gave their lives, in service to you and me! Yes, these great "heroes of faith" suffered much in their service to God and to us who are now in Christ - He 11:36-38 “and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.” Does this not indicate that we must be very special in God's sight? We who have been ministered unto by the prophets of Almighty God, and who endured all these things for our sake?
And yet, there is even more... We have been served by "the Holy Spirit"! This thought is also expressed in our text. For it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to proclaim things to come - 1 Pe 1:11 “searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” It was He who inspired David and Isaiah to foretell the sufferings of Christ - see, Ps 22 and Isa 53. It was He who likewise moved the prophets to proclaim the glories to follow:
1) the resurrection of Jesus - Ps 16: 9-11 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
2) His ascension and coronation - Dan 7:13-14 “I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel - 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” As Jesus promised He would, in His discourse to His apostles - Jn 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” As Paul said He did, in writing to the Ephesians - Ep 3:5 “which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”
We will pause here and consider the implications of this truth when we continue this lesson in a second part.
Ministering Not To Themselves, But To Us (1:10-12)
Already in Peter's epistle we have seen several blessings enjoyed by the "elect" of God.... The "elect" are born again to a "living" hope - 1 Pe 1:3. The "elect" having a joy "inexpressible and full of glory" - 1 Pe 1:8.
As one continues in verses 10-12, he finds that Peter expands upon the topic of the "salvation" Christians enjoy as a result of their faith (please read) “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” If one takes the time to contemplate upon what is found in this passage, he should not fail to be impressed with how privileged we are in God's sight. For there we learn that we are the recipients of a gospel that was prophesied and has come to us only through the efforts of a very distinguished company of individuals! And in their efforts, they were ministering not to themselves, but to us who are now Christians!
To illustrate just how privileged we are, let's begin identifying those who have ministered to us... We have been served by 'Prophets", which is the main thought of this passage. When the prophets prophesied, they were often intrigued by what they revealed - 1 Pe 1:10-11 “Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” This is because they were inspired or moved by the Holy Spirit, and not by their own will - 2 Pe 1:21 “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, they often expressed perplexity concerning those things they prophesied - for example, Dan 7:28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my countenance was changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.”; 8:26-27 “And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come. And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king’s business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.” But as pointed out in our text, it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but us! - Dan 12:8-9 “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.”
Consider the implications of this point. We who are Christians have been served by such people as Moses, Samuel, and David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These men (and many others) spent their lives, and in many cases even gave their lives, in service to you and me! Yes, these great "heroes of faith" suffered much in their service to God and to us who are now in Christ - He 11:36-38 “and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth.” Does this not indicate that we must be very special in God's sight? We who have been ministered unto by the prophets of Almighty God, and who endured all these things for our sake?
And yet, there is even more... We have been served by "the Holy Spirit"! This thought is also expressed in our text. For it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to proclaim things to come - 1 Pe 1:11 “searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.” It was He who inspired David and Isaiah to foretell the sufferings of Christ - see, Ps 22 and Isa 53. It was He who likewise moved the prophets to proclaim the glories to follow:
1) the resurrection of Jesus - Ps 16: 9-11 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; My flesh also shall dwell in safety. For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
2) His ascension and coronation - Dan 7:13-14 “I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel - 1 Pe 1:12 “To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.” As Jesus promised He would, in His discourse to His apostles - Jn 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.” As Paul said He did, in writing to the Ephesians - Ep 3:5 “which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;”
We will pause here and consider the implications of this truth when we continue this lesson in a second part.
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