Peter shows us what a Christ centred home and church can achieve even where there is suffering for our faith.
1 Peter 3: Wives and Husbands
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
3 Do not let your adorning be external---the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewellery, or the clothing you wear---
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,
6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honour to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Suffering for Righteousness' Sake
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
1 Peter 4: Stewards of God's Grace
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies---in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Things to think about…
1. Peter like Paul gives instructions about what a godly home looks like. Wives by submitting to their husbands and husbands by loving their wives and living with them with understanding. The qualifier in the statement is so that the prayers offered to the Lord may be answered, 1Pet 3:7. Peter explains that we are co-heirs in the ‘grace of life’. Godly marriages reflect the image of Christ with His bride – the church. A beautiful picture of love and grace.
2. We hear much about prosperity and living blessed lives, but Peter’s advice is the best 1 Pet 3:10,11 “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” There is nothing that needs explaining, simply obey the words and the outcome follows.
3. What suffering are you enduring at the moment? What persecution are you undergoing, or what slander? Look at Peter’s words in 1 Pet 3:8-22. He puts it all in perspective and says “have no fear, nor be troubled”, vs14 but rather rejoice when you “suffer for doing good”, vs 17. Our conduct goes before us. The Lord knows our hearts, He is the judge, let Him get the glory from our words, attitude and actions. I know this is easier said than done at times, but the context of course is as we look to our eternal home where there is perfect peace. This life is very temporary.
4. The words of Peter in 1 Pet 3:18-20 regarding Christ being preached to the “spirits in prison” has caused much ink to be used by commentators. Noah was the preacher of Christ’s righteousness in his day. He preached Christ to his generation. They did not listen and as such are still “spirits in prison” and will remain there until the final judgement. Jesus did not go and preach Himself to those who are presently in hades. Remember he said to the thief on the cross “today you will be with me in paradise”, Luke 23:43. There’s no hades in paradise. Noah, the preacher of Christ’s righteousness, preached salvation from judgement and his generation and didn’t listen. As such they are still in prison. Man is destined to die once then face judgement. There are no second chances after death. Sadly, these people will be part of the second death. Jesus says, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”, Mt 10:28.
5. The ways of the world are self-evident according to Peter “living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry”, 1 Pet 4:3. He says they will give an account, vs 5. He reasons that why Christians are in the world – those who are dead (spiritually) might be given the opportunity to live in the spirit the way God does, vs 6. Therefore the church has a job to do in its witness to each other and the world. The world’s ways are obvious. The church is called to be radically different. Peter says that radical difference is observed by the way we love each other “since love covers a multitude of sins”, vs 8. The point of it all is not necessarily to make us feel good, but it is for God’s glory, vs 11. God then blesses us with His peace.
6. Suffering is a test – no doubt. Peter says don’t be surprised when it comes, as though a strange thing is happening, 1 Pet 4:12. He says, we are blessed when it happens. Peter goes a bit further and says let the one who suffers as a Christian ‘glorify God in that name’, vs 16. This is also easier said than done, but Peter is speaking by the Spirit of God here and therefore available for everyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit.
7. Peter said the words “For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God…”, 1 Pet 4:17 almost 2000 years ago. If it was true then, surely it is truer now if that is possible. Obedience to the gospel for the Christian should be a life calling and desire. What a tragedy it is when there is no discernible difference in the words or actions of those who claim to know Christ with those in secular society.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading for Sunday came from 2 Samuel 19:1-15.
1. King David has been so overwhelmed by the death of his son Absalom that he is overcome by emotion to the point where he does not think or act rationally. Describe the situation and background of what is going on here. Have you ever been in a situation where you are so emotionally tied into a situation where you have not responded in rational manner? Discuss.
2. Joab takes a different tact to that of Nathan when he spoke to David to make him see sense. Describe the differences in Joab’s response to David and why it was effective.
3. Can you remember a time in your life where someone said something that changed the course of events for your life? What were the circumstances?
4. Alexander the Great once said that he was not afraid of an army of lions being led by a sheep, but an army of sheep being led by a lion. As the leader goes so the people follow in whatever context. We are Christ’s sheep and follow Him as the Lion of Judah. Is He leading you daily through the counsel of His word? In what way?
Prayer Points
1. Graham Willey as he preaches next Sunday morning.
2. Clarity of life and freedoms through to the end of the year.
3. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Tim’s testimony on Sunday
2. Creation Ministries International and the talk and discussion from Dr Don Batton.
3. New visitors to the church on Sunday.
4. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. Communion is on this Sunday.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Parents to contact Melinda for details.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
