1 Peter 3-5

1 Peter 3-4 – Submission

1 Peter 3:1-7

Here we go again more scripture on submitting so it must be important to God.  “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,” – (1 Peter 3:1).  In chapter 2 slaves are to submit to their masters and we are to submit to authorities.  In the same way, wives are to submit to husbands according to the example of Jesus.   Submission does not mean to put a husband in place of Christ.  It doesn’t mean to give up independent thinking, to give up efforts to influence her husband, or to give in to every demand of her husband.  It’s not based on less intelligence or competence.  It is not meant for wives to be fearful and timid.  It definitely doesn’t mean wives are not equal in Christ.  Instead what it does mean is to have a quality of gentleness affirming the leadership of her husband, being obedient like Sarah and acknowledging authority.  Wives should submit without nagging.  Marriage is very important to God and submission is a command of God.  God’s established the order of the family.   God’s hierarchy is God, Christ, man, and woman.  Wives don’t submit because your husband deserves it, but because our Lord Jesus Christ deserves it.  It’s not that you love your husband that much, but because you love Jesus more.

Peter warns that beauty should not come from our outward adornment, but it’s the inner beauty that counts.  We should have a gentle quiet spirit, which produces kind words and gentle actions and look to past examples like Sarah who obeyed Abraham.  Outward beauty focuses attention to ourselves.  Inward beauty focuses on Jesus.

Also husbands should be considerate and have respect for their wives.  It’s hard to submit when there is no respect.  Women are usually the weaker sex so husbands need to love and protect them. Peter warns husbands not to misuse their strength.  Husbands should understand her spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.  If husbands mistreat their wives, they cannot expect God to hear and answer their prayers.

Principle:

Christ-like submission in marriage reveals the heart of God to our husband and family.

What do you need God to show you to submit to your husband?

What are you nagging your husband about?

Who will you pray for?  When you pray for someone, you love them more and more.

Who is your role model?  Is it the girls on the magazine cover?

Does your refection in the mirror matter most or your refection in Christ?

What will you change to be obedient to the Lord?

1 Peter 3:8-12

Peter describes several desirable characteristics for Christians when dealing with each other.  Christians are to live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble and not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing. – (1 Peter 3:8-9).  We should talk out problems calmly, make every effort to carry each other’s troubles and burdens, recognize others’ sorrows, be sensitive to the feelings of others and desire only the good for others.  We as Christians have benefits for our Christlike behavior.  We inherit a blessing, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, His ears hear our prayers, and He is on our side and is against those who do evil.

1 Peter 3:13-17 reminds us as Christians how to suffer for righteousness sake.  We are not to be afraid of whatever persecutors may do or say, because He is set apart in our hearts and is ruler and has all authority.  We are always to be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks for the reason for our hope.  We are to do this in gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.

Is your life generating anyone’s curiosity?

Can you describe the faithfulness of God even when you are suffering?  Our response to suffering opens doors to be a witness for God.

1 Peter 3:18-20 – “… he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago…”  There are various interpretations of the spirits this verse. 1) spirits in prison between His death and resurrection, Christ offered salvation to those in Hades who missed it on earth (see Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Co. 5:10);  2) or at that time, He preached to angels that sinned;  3) or before the flood, Christ’s Spirit through Noah preached to people then living (Noah was a preacher of righteousness, 2 Peter 2:5);  4) or spirits were in prison of sin before the flood;  5) or spirits were in prison when Peter wrote.  I think these spirits in prison are fallen angels held in prison waiting for judgment – see Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4-5, 9.  He went there to proclaim His victory over sin and to declare His finished work, not to share the gospel.

1 Peter 4

We are to live for God.  We are not to live with earthly desires like pagans who live in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  Pagans are those who don’t follow God.  They will be judged because they refused salvation.  Jesus carried the sins of the world, but they chose to carry their own and will be judged for it.  He wants people to know Him so much that He was willing to die for all and He wants everyone to be saved. 

We are to live responsibly until Christ’s return.  We are to be clear minded and self-controlled so that we can pray.  We are to love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  To cover sin is to forgive them.  “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” – (Ps. 32:1).  We are to offer hospitality without grumbling and use whatever gifts we have to serve others.  “Do everything without complaining and arguing” – (Phil. 2:14).  When we speak, we are to speak as if they were the very words of God.  When serving, we should do it with the strength God provides so God will be praised and glorified. – (1 Peter 4:7-11).

How do you show love toward others?

How is it possible to obey all these commands?  It is possible by the power of the Lord.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering….” – (1 Peter 4:12).  We as followers of Christ will suffer, but there are advantages of our suffering.  We will be overjoyed for our suffering when Jesus returns.  If we are insulted because of the name of Christ, we are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us. – (1 Peter 4:13-19).

Principle:

Believers’ suffering in obedience to God’s will are blessed by entrusting themselves to God.

What is keeping you from being completely faithful?

Are you alert and notice needs of others around you?

Your suffering may have redemptive value for someone else.  Knowing that, how will you respond?  We lead by suffering and we serve by suffering.  Sincere submission requires humility.  Suffering produces patience.  Suffering is a way that God blesses us.  He uses suffering for our benefit by purify us through it.

How are you suffering right now?  God knows your pain.  He cares for you.  You are not alone.  He will bring you strength to get through it.

1 Peter 5 – Leadership

Pastoral leadership was important then as it is now.  Elders are teachers and leaders of the church and are examples and instructors of faith.  They are not to be proud and think they are the boss, but are there to serve others.  They are to be shepherds like the Chief Shepherd, Jesus.  Christians, especially new Christians need their encouragement and support.  They will be rewarded with a crown glory that will never fade away. – (1 Peter 5:4). 

If you are a leader in your church, what is your attitude? 

Are you honoring your Saviors’ example?

Are you serving in humility?

Peter gives instructions to everyone.  First it was to authorities.  Then it was to wives and husbands, and elders.  Now he talks to younger people.  They should show humility and have a submissive spirit to older Christians.  They should treat them with respect for their knowledge, maturity, and experiences.  No matter who we are Christ-like behavior requires we learn to submit.

We are to give all our worries to God.  “Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – (Peter 5:7).  A proud person does not cast his anxiety on anyone.  They think they can do it alone.  We are to be humble in the sight of the Lord.  We must trust that God will take care of us in every situation.  We are to be self-controlled and alert, resist the devil, and stand firm in the faith.  Satan is just waiting for Christians to become lazy.  He is out to deceive and destroy.  He is the enemy and opposes Christians.  He wants us to fail.  Christians must fight the devil and not give in.  We must trust God and be strong.  Peter wants us to know that the attacks of the devil will not last, but the Glory of Christ will never end.

Peter started his letter with a greeting of peace saying, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” – (1 Peter 1:2).  Now he closes with a greeting of peace.  “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” – (1 Peter 5:14).  Because of Christ, they can know God’s gift of peace in their lives even in difficult times.

Principle:

God’s grace makes us strong and steadfast when we humbly submit to Him.

What worry do you need to submit to God?  Stand on the promises of God.  He promises to restore you when you suffer.

Join me here next week when we will return to the book of Acts.  We will study Acts 13- 14.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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1 Peter 1-2

1 Peter 1:1-12 – Living Hope

Peter wrote this letter to Christians throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia to encourage them, because they were being persecuted for their faith.  Peter’s name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter in John 1:42.  The name Peter means rock or stone.

We have every intention to do what is right.  Then sometimes life just takes over and we say “Oh, whatever”.  Have you ever felt that way?  Peter knew what it was like to mess up and he failed Jesus miserably.  He thought he had faith until he was tested.  He denied Jesus 3 times.  God knew his heart and completely changed him.  The Christians to whom he was writing were messing up and said, “Oh, whatever” and “Why should I be different?  We as Christians should be different, because we were chosen.  There is always a redemptive purpose in every mistake we make.  We don’t know what today will bring, but we know to whom we belong.

Peter describes Christians as God’s elect, strangers in the world and having been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God through the sanctifying work of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood. – (1 Peter 1-2).  Elect means chosen to be given new life.  Verse 2 shows us the Blessed Trinity – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Peter praised God and all He has done through our Lord Jesus Christ. – (1 Peter 1:3).  Lord means He has complete authority.  Jesus is His human name and means God who saves.  Christ means Messiah meaning the one whom God has anointed.  Peter reminds the suffering Christians why they should praise God.  “In his mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you.” – (1 Peter 1:3-4).  Suffering should be expected.  It’s God’s way of purifying and validating our faith. 

Principle:

The living hope of Jesus Christ can transform our response to life.

Where is your focus when you are suffering?

How much do events of today impact your hope?

How is your faith in Jesus Christ resulted in glorious joy?

How confident are you that your salvation is secure?

1 Peter 1:13-2:3 – Living Holy

What is God’s purpose for His children?  He wants us to be holy, because He is holy.  He wants us to be self-controlled and to prepare our minds for action.  He wants us to set our hope fully on grace given to us.  He wants us to be obedient and not conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance. – (1 Peter 1:13-16).  Holy means to be good, pure, set apart, spiritually whole or sound.  Holy means to belong to God alone.  The Holy Spirit makes us holy.  Does that sound like you?  This doesn’t mean Christians will never sin, but with God’s help we must try to avoid it in our lives.

Peter refers to Jesus as the Lamb without blemish or defect.  – (1 Peter 1:19).  In the Old Testament God commanded a sin offering for the peoples’ sins.  They were to sacrifice a lamb without blemish or defect to atone for their sins, but this sacrifice was only temporary.  They had to keep doing it over and over because they kept sinning.  Jesus was perfect with no sin.  He was our sacrificial lamb who died on the cross once and for all for all the sins of mankind.   If we believe this and trust and obey Him, we are a new person in Christ.  We are born-again, which means we died in our sins and our old ways of life.  We are born-again in the Spirit through Jesus.  We are now living as a new person made possible through the saving blood of Jesus.

Principle:

As believers live a life of holiness others will encounter God’s pure sincere love and goodness.

How are you prepared for a life of goodness?

How are you under indoctrination of the world?

How will you describe the way you love people?  Is it conditional or like Jesus?

1 Peter 2:4-25 – Living Example

Peter says we are like living stones.  What does that mean?  Jesus is the cornerstone or the foundation like that in a building.  The cornerstone is the first stone put into place.  He is also the capstone, which is the last stone put into place.  He is the beginning and the end.  God builds a house with people.  We are being built into a spiritual house (the church) to be a holy priesthood.  We are living stones and are to be like Jesus. – (1 Peter 2:4-6).

Jesus is the stone that makes man stumble or reject Him, because they disobey the message He brings.  People continue to stumble over Christ today by refusing to believe the Bible.  They think it is not relevant.  They don’t believe what Jesus says.  They think He is not the only way to the Father.  They think He was a good man and teacher, but not the Christ.  They think they know the truth and refuse to find out for themselves who He really is.  He does not desire people to stumble.  We do that ourselves.  We are not chosen because we are perfect, or from a certain family, or have wealth.  We are chosen because He loves us.

As Christians we have privileges.  We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God and we have received God’s mercy.  We are aliens and strangers in the world, but we can still live without conforming to the world’s standards.  We can abstain from sinful desires, live good lives so others will see our good deeds and glorify God when He returns.  The Holy Spirit lives in us.  We are children of God and should live differently from the world. – (1 Peter 2:9-12).  People look at Christians and see how we behave.  Be careful people are watching you.

All authority comes from God. – (Romans 13:1-2).  We are to submit for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men.  We complain about the government and others in authority just like they did then.  We should remember God put them in their positions and we are to respect them and leave their judgments to God. – (1 Peter 2:13-25).  How are we able to do that?  We can do this by being conscious of God and knowing we are doing what He commands.  Then this is commendable before God. – (1 Peter 2:18-21). 

Jesus was our example of how to suffer unjustly.  When He was arrested and beaten, He did not retaliate or make threats or even complain.  He entrusted Himself to God who judges justly. – (1 Peter 2:23).  We are to persevere in unjust suffering as Christ did.

Principle:

Believers are called to live as examples of the attitude, character and commitment of Christ by entrusting ourselves to God.

Do you complain about your government leaders?

How do non-believers describe you?

What attitude or character of Christ do others see in you?

What is keeping from entrusting yourself to God?

Do you have faith and courage to do that in everything in your life?

As believers we are chosen for hope and empowered for holiness so others will have a glimpse of the Savior.

Join me here next week for our next study of 1 Peter 3-5.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 12

Peter Miraculous Escape

Herod began arresting some of the Christians intending on persecuting them.  He killed James, the brother of John.  Peter was arrested and put in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for Peter.  The night before his trial and while he was sleeping an angel came and his chains fell off and the gates where opened and with the help of the angel Peter escaped.  Peter sleeping demonstrates the power of prayer, peace and trust in the Lord. 

The church prayed earnestly to God.  Many times our prayers are weak and matter of fact or even habit.  We don’t really come into the presence of our great and holy God.  They prayed trusting God for the outcome.

Why are we so surprised when God answers our prayers?

Prayer is usually for petition, but it’s much more.  When praying, you should include the A. C. T. S.

A – Adoration of God

C – Confession of sin

T – Thanksgiving

S – Supplification

Does it make a difference, if we pray?  The Scriptures say we should pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17) and to pray for your enemies. (Matt. 5:44)

How are you earnestly praying for your church?

Are you praying for other believers?

Prayer is a vehicle for God to change us.  When we get away in a quiet place to be with God in prayer, it changes our thought and desires.

There are great lessons on prayer in chapter 12:

1.       Prayer works – the church constantly prayed for Peter when he was in prison.  God sent his angels and miracles happened.  His chains fell off and he was freed.

2.      We need to remember this example and have faith that God will answer our prayers.

3.      God answers prayer.

Principles:  God acts with power to bring change through people’s prayers.

James was martyred and Peter was rescued.  We don’t know God’s reasons for this, because only He knows the reasons He does things.  Being a believer doesn’t mean God will always deliver us from trials.  He doesn’t love us less when He allows tragedy into our lives.  He loved both James and Peter, but allowed James to die.

Herod’s Death

Herod went to Caesarea, because the people of Tyre and Sidon had been quarreling with him over their food supply.  He put on his finest clothes and addressed the people.  They shouted praises to Herod calling him a god, which was typical in those days to look on leaders as gods.  Herod loved the power and all the praises.  He didn’t give glory to God, but took it for himself.  So the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died.  But the Word of God continued to increase and spread.

Today we look up to political leaders, movie stars, and rock stars.  Some hang on to their every word and if we don’t watch out, they will influence us in ways of the world.  They are a type of god to us.  They even think of themselves as gods.  God wants us to give Him the glory and glorify Him alone. 

He gives judgment when judgment is needed.  He has the final say, because He is in charge.  If we seek glory for ourselves, the Lord will surely humble us.  Be aware of the temptation of pride and taking credit for ourselves when it’s God who deserves the praise.

Principle:  To seek glory for ourselves is to commit eternal suicide.

Join me here next week for our next study of the Acts of the Apostles.  We will take a detour from the book of Acts and study 1 Peter 1-2.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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