We begin this week with a focus on how we should set our goals for the year and the final end focal point of life through Peter’s letters – 1st and 2nd Peter.
1 Peter 1: Greeting
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Born Again to a Living Hope
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith---more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire---may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,
11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.
12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Called to Be Holy
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
24 for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 2: A Living Stone and a Holy People
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation---
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
7 So the honour is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"
8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Submission to Authority
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,
14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
17 Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Things to think about…
1. Peter begins his letter by speaking to the ‘elect exiles in the dispersion’ 1Pet 1:1. This is similar to James who writes to the dispersion. We know that the Apostle Paul was primarily an Apostle to the Gentiles. Even though Peter went and ministered to the Gentiles in Israel, he was primarily a minister to the Jews. Here it seems he is writing to the elect Jews who were dispersed since Pentecost, but also the persecution that arose after the martyrdom of Stephen. Remember Paul had to rebuke Peter for withdrawing with Barnabas to only eat with the Jews after men had come from James in Jerusalem. We all have different callings and ministries, and the Lord may burden us with ministering to one people group over another. The most important thing is that our heart honours Christ in the calling.
2. The blessed and living hope that Peter speaks about has its foundation firmly established in the resurrection of Christ, 1Pet1:3. Peter says that our joy, hope and grace that the prophets previously spoke about was searched for by the prophets. Peter says in vs 12 that even the angels looked into what the prophets meant. We have received the incredible privilege of knowing exactly what the prophets spoke about. Jesus Christ being revealed as the salvation of sinners by suffering as the Saviour confirmed by his death, burial and resurrection. There is no better news than this.
3. If there is one line the contemporary church needs to understand it is Peter’s words in 1Pet 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace…” Our minds need to be filled with truth, where we hold every truth as precious and every other thought captive as we meditate on the grace we have received in Christ. Pray that as the Lord’s people we are continually focussing on ‘renewing the mind’, Rom 12:1,2 and not conformed to passions of former ignorance 1Pet1:14.
4. Peter quotes from the law that ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’, 1Pet 1:16. This is possible due to the “living and abiding word of God”, vs 23 because “the word of the Lord remains forever”, vs 25. We only know how to discern the right and true way from something when compared and contrasted with something that is perfect. As David writes in Ps 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect”.
5. Peter says as ‘living stones’ we are also chosen, royal, holy and a people of possession that have been called out of darkness and into His marvellous light, 1Pet 2:9. He therefore commends the Christian Jews that they be honourable as they walk among the Gentiles, vs12. In the same way we must walk as holy and blameless – living stones, among our fellow Australians who desperately need to see a right example of Jesus rather than what is often portrayed in the media or false faith.
6. Peter like the Apostle Paul is speaking in the time of Nero and he says that we must be “subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good”, 1Pet 2:13, 14. Paul exhorts us to do the same thing in Rom 8:1-13. Nero was a cruel despot, but Peter’s advice is that we “Live as people who are free”, vs 16. Jesus of course came to set us free from the burden of sin and death. As such, whatever the institution or authority is over us at the time, Peter goes on to say “Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.” vs 17.
7. Peter gives context to Is 53:5 “By his wounds you have been healed”, 1Pet 2:24. Physical healing is marvellous, but Peter is saying the spiritual healing and freedom from sin and death is the ultimate blessing of the gospel.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Leaders meetings this week. Year planning services.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor.
3. Remain engaged and connected into the church.
4. Our One for Israel ministry.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Wonderful start to the new year. Thankyou Doug and Graham for preaching.
2. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
3. New folk becoming members of CBC
4. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Special meeting confirming Youth and Young Adults role engagement/employment tasks – 22nd Jan after the morning service.
2. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
3. Remember to check your duty rosters.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for January...
Q. 4. How can you glorify God? A. By loving Him and doing what He commands.
