Studiesin

1 Peter Presentation 10

The Structure of the Book1v1-2 Salvation: grounded in the Godhead1v3-5 Salvation: accomplished in their hearts1v6-9 Salvation: confirmed by their suffering1v10-12 Salvation: anticipated through history1v13-21 Salvation: outworked in their lives1v22-2v3 Salvation: and the Word of Truth2v4-12 Living Stones - Chosen People2v13-17 Submission to the State2v18-25 Submission to Superiors3v1-7 Wives and Husbands3v8-17 The Believer and Suffering3v18-22 Christ’s Victory 4v1-6 Responding to Christ’s Victory4v7-11 Living for God4v12-19 Suffering for Christ5v1-11 Elders and Young Men5v12-14 Final Greetings

Living for GodChap 4v7-11

Introduction

Peter has exhorted his readership to disassociate themselves from their former sinful life, now in v7ff he presents the contrasting and positive qualities to be built into their life.

Instead of drunken debauchery we find that sober clear-headedness is to mark the Christian v7. Love not lust fills his heart v8. The Christian home is open for hospitality not orgies v9. And ministry replaces exploitation. v9-11.

Living for GodThere are three ways in which history is viewed:1. First, we are going nowhere, human history is a roundabout. We do not learn from the past. We simply go round in circles. "I am unable to find any meaning in history." H. A. L. FISHER. 2. Secondly, the evolutionary model. History records our progress in science, technology, and political ideology. According to this view there is change for the better but there is no end in sight. 3. Thirdly, the biblical view. History is going somewhere, it is leading somewhere. Indeed, it is being led by God the Lord of history who one day will draw a line in history and brings it to an abrupt halt.

Living for God

It is this third view that Peter reminds us of when he says 'the end of all things is near'. One day Jesus will return and he will do so as both Saviour and as Judge.

The whole of the N.T. emphasises the expectation of the Lord's return. Think too of this emphasis found in many of Jesus’ parables Mk. 13.32ff.See also 1Cor.15.23, 1Thes. 4.15, Heb.9.28, 2Pet. 3.1-10

Living for God

This recognition brings sobriety to the Christian’s use of time. ‘Self controlled’ is literally 'sober' . It is an attitude of mind which is set over against drunken delusion. It calls for watchful waiting and realistic living. The term 'clear minded' describes a practical wisdom and it is often contrasted in Greek with the word 'mania', meaning ‘frenzy’. Knowledge of Christ's return is not to have us running around like headless chickens!

In Lk 12. 35 and 43, Jesus described the faithful servant as 'dressed ready for service' and busy as he waited for the return of his Lord.

Living for God

Both ‘sobriety’ and ‘clear mindedness’ equip us for ‘prayer’. When we live in a world of delusion or run around in ever decreasing frenzied circles - like a dog chasing its tail - we are in no fit state to pray.

Notice that Peter does not think of prayer as an automatic formal ritual or as a means of inducing a state of ecstasy. He sees prayer as sober, direct, thoughtful communication with God.

Thoughtful and earnest prayer will seek God's blessing on those whom we love and serve.

Living for GodThe climax of the passage is an appeal for ‘fervent love’. The word translated ‘fervent’ also means 'constant'. It describes something that is stretching. Hence stretching in terms of its depth and endurance. It sets no limits, no boundaries. Courting couples separated by miles write many letters. One convention some adopt is to draw a little stick man with arms outstretched at the end of the letter, indicating there is no limit to theirlove. This is the picture Peter has in Mind here, a stretched out love [Eph 3.17-19]. It is the reach of God's love that in turn stretches out ours. God is our heavenly physiotherapist who helps and encourages us to stretch and exercise the muscles of love.

Living for God

Love grows as it is tested. A parent's love is constantly tested. It has been said that, 'A toddler steps on your feet and a teenager on your heart.' Maturing children in turn may and indeed should grow in their love for their parents.

As adults they see the discipline which they received, as well as the faults and sins of their parents from a new perspective and their love grows. This also applies to other adult relationships within the church family. Love is something which God intends to be stretched.

Living for GodOne of the ways in which we show our love is in our response to the sins of others. Love covers a multitude of sins cf Prov 10.12. First, love will forgive the sins of others not grudgingly but generously. Do you remember Peter's question in Matt 18.21.. and the answer given in v22...? Love keeps no score of wrongs 1Cor 13.5-7.

Love also covers the sins of others not by pretending they do not exist but by refusing to broadcast them. We do not hang the dirty washing of others on the line for all to see. We should not constantly cast up the sins of others before their face or in the company of others.

Living for God

Love isn't merely being prepared to tolerate others while keeping them at a distance but serving them and in v9 we are encouraged to offer others ungrudging hospitality. In addition, we are to administer the various grace gifts that God has given us for the common good.

Some Christian’s view spiritual gifts as a means of self-fulfilment. They want to discover their gifts in order to establish their own identity. But here and elsewhere in scripture the emphasis is not on self-fulfilment but on serving others and thereby bringing glory to God.

Living for GodGod has given a rich variety of gifts to his church. Peter does not list examples of the gifts of the Spirit here as Paul does in Rom 12.6-8 and 1 Cor.12. 7-11, 28-29, Eph. 3.11. Why? Is the reason perhaps to demonstrate that Gods grace gifts are inexhaustible? Paul's lists are not intended to be exhaustive.

Some Christians have failed to understand this and have thought that if they did not possess one of the listed gifts then they couldn't begin to serve God and his people. Peter names only two broad categories of ministry; speaking and serving. Behind each of these categories the list is gloriously extensive.

Living for GodThe gifts that each Christian receives determines their function in serving the Lord. When Paul speaks 'of the grace given me' [Eph. 3.7] he is speaking as an apostle. This grace gift points to his office and calling. Clearly, some gifts imply some authority in the body of Christ and require public recognition. cf 1 Cor. 14.37-38 Eph 4.7-13.

Gifts are discovered in service and not through introspection. It is in service thatwe discover the gifts that we have and where they fit into church life. From what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 12.31 it seems that we can desire additional gifts but if our desire is motivated by self-fulfilment rather than service we will ask in vain.

Living for GodPeter calls us 'stewards' or 'administrators' of grace. The term describes a servant with administrative responsibility [cf Joseph in Egypt]. The stewards office has two doors, one opens into his master’s presence to whom he is accountable, through the other door he exercises his responsibility in the house of God.

Peter may have the elders and deacons in view since 'speaking the very words of God' have a special reference to the shepherds of God's flock 5.2. cf 2Cor 2.17. Preaching God's Word is not a mechanical task. Human eloquence without the Spirit's blessing is a waste of breath. But by the Spirit, ministers of the Word speak as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Cor.5.20.

Living for God‘Serve in the strength which God provides’v11. A reference to deacons? The word serve and deacon share the same Greek root. But the exhortation is applicable to all Christians whatever our gift and service. We are to engage in God's strength. There is the temptation to think, “I may need the grace of God to preach but surely not to take up the offering or serve refreshments after the church service for that is just a matter of rolling up our sleeves and getting on with it”. No! To do these things cheerfully, patiently and ungrudgingly requires the grace of God and only when it is done in this spirit does it bring glory and praise to God.