Sermon notes from Sunday 4 June 2017
1 Peter 4 verses 12 - 17
This was written by the apostle Peter. One of the things about letters you always know who it is from by the ending of the letter. Peter wrote this slightly differently. The destination to whom this letter was written. These places were there in Peter`s day but are not known to us today. He did that in order to let us know under the direction of the Holy Spirit`s authority. It was also written to us today. A text message can be read in 2 or 3 ways. Misread a meaning even though the same words are used. It is important to know what it really means. Peter is remembered for many things but one main thing stands out in my own mind is when the chips were down and what Christ really needed someone beside him where was Peter? Where was Peter when Christ was going through mock trials, false witnesses being wheeled out - where was Peter? He was following from a distance. A lump of a man who was a fisherman. He knew what it was to suffer for Christ. It was a maid that questioned him. His tongue gave him away. None of us is perfect. We have let God down many times not intentionally but we still do it. A few scholars say this letter was written around AD63/65/66, some 30 years after Christ was crucified. Peter had been on the road speaking of Christ to believers. He had a lot of experience under his belt. The Holy Spirit prompted him to write this letter. Verse 12. You probably have been through a few trials in the family, hospital visits for tests but what is Peter talking about here? Remember he is talking to those who believe in Christ. Verse 13 not just talking about a wee trial of hill health but rather being associated with the Lord Jesus. Don`t think it strange if you are going to have both. John 16 verse 33 "fear not for I have overcome the world." Reiterating something what Christ has already said. When will Christ`s glory be revealed - in the last times when he comes as king and conqueror. We will receive the reward due to us for following him. When we leave this scene of time we will know what it is to be rewarded. In NI our trials are not so very trying in the grand scheme of things. I am sure you are aware of Open Doors, they try to minister to people living in countries that face persecution. If you are a pastor in this country you could face many many years in prison for preaching the gospel. This is a real trial. Verse 14 "if ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye when you are facing opposition." The Bible says "happy are ye". What that means is this. The Bible says you can be happy because you show enough of Christ`s love. People recognise it and will antagonise you for that faith you have. You demonstrate the love of Christ in your every day life. When you face trials because of your faith he will help us because he is near us. He will give us joy and contentment. Verse 15 can be a bit strange. What does Peter mean when he says this? If you suffer for the name of Christ then happy are you. You are suffering for the sake of your Saviour who loved you and gave himself for you. Loved you more than you can every understand. If you suffer for Christ`s sake you will be blessed in the life to come. There are lots of suffering in this world not just because we believe in Christ. When we call people their own worst enemy bring things upon themselves no need to bring on themselves. Peter says "let none of you suffer as a murderer" Don`t been tempted to go and do something. Do not be tempted. Talking here about his own personal experience. One of the things he did in the Garden was when he took a sword and cut off a piece of a man`s ear. That man was called Malchus a servant of the chief priest. Peter was a quick tempered individual. Thought his Saviour would come in as a lion and throw the Romans out of their country, take over like a military coup. Peter was going to throw the first strike. Christ healed the man. Peter knew what it was like to be quick tempered, speaking from a background knew what it was like. When you suffer as a murderer, thief, evil doer or as a busy body in another man`s matters. It is surprising to think that the Bible speaks of busy bodies such as this. The Bible speaks against it. Serious thing when it is put in same sentence as murderers and thieves. We are not to be interfering in other peoples affairs. Verse 16 Peter knew about that and Paul knew about that. Stephen knew about that. Christ knew about that. Something to be taken seriously today. The Bible has told us we will suffer for Christ`s sake. Verse 17 in other words if we as Christians we will come through the fiery trials and we have God to protect us who has our lives mapped out from the time we are born to eternity - how much worse will it be for those who do not believe. The Gospel of God - what is it - the good news of Christ who came to seek and to save that which was lost. Brillant, tremendous news. He came out to seek - how - Isaiah 61 the people of God were called, sought out and sought after. God is trying to reach you and I. Maybe if not a believer more powerfully now than ever before because time is going on.
God wants to save your soul. The verse asks the questions what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? Revelation 21 verse 8 let the word of God speak for itself. The first 2 categories in this verse - "the fearful and unbelieving." There are people in there who are scared to follow Christ, fearful to put trust in God`s hands yet the Holy Spirit gives them power to do. The unbelieving cannot be there. I believe in a designer not some sort of biological accident today. People have lost the realisation they are precious as an individual. You are not a glorified monkey, you are a person whom God breathed into. Adam became a living soul that would never die. Just as in the account of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man opened up his eyes in hell. He begged to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue. He asked for someone to "Go and tell my brothers." It was too late though. Where do you want to be in eternity? Simple question and most would say they would like to be where Christ is. They do not want to be in that place called hell you have just described. Are you willing to be saved? Everyone wants to be saved but very few are willing to be saved. Leave you with a question - are you willing to follow Christ? Willing to take him as Saviour? Are you willing to be saved?
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