Study: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Sorry for posting this so late!

Last Wednesday evening, we gathered for prayer and study. Our text was from 1 Peter 5 and we made it through the first four verses.

As a bi-vocational pastor, this passage stirs up many thoughts and emotions for me. Our discussion on Wednesday led us through many of these thoughts.

First, there is a beauty found in the sovereignly-gifted church. God has filled the Body with pastors and teachers and gifted each person in order that we can all build one another up towards the fullness of Christ himself (see Ephesians). Peter exhorts the pastors to shepherd the flock out of selflessness and humility. The pastoral ministry is one of love, compassion, and work.

I am thankful for God's grace and power in my life. Prior to my conversion, I was very much introverted, unless there was a self-seeking reason to be otherwise. I didn't have any sense of earnest compassion for others and I would avoid contact if at all possible. I definitely did not desire to have empathy for others in their needs and struggles.

Immediately after my conversion, my whole life changed. The Lord did not simply open my eyes to see my need of redemption, but He opened my eyes to see that others needed the Gospel, that others needed encouragement, and that others needed to be fed from the Word of God. It was a complete change in my life, in my desires and personality.

Eventually, I found that my desires were to shepherd as a pastor. Now, after being in the pastoral ministry for over ten years, this passage from 1 Peter 5 still resonates with passion and power.

I am very grateful to God for all of the men whom have crossed my path by the sovereign plan and purpose of God. For the past eight years, Stan has been my partner in the ministry and has challenged me, encouraged me, and loved me. All of this has been needed. I am grateful for each member at Heritage, showing forth grace and love towards me, a pastor not worthy of this calling, but strengthened by God and by His people.

Last Wednesday we talked a lot about the dangers that are before many churches and pastors in this day and culture. Especially in Baptist churches, the pastoral ministry is very fragile. Often, pastors are only with a church for a few years before leaving. The ministry is often treated in a very corporate fashion, and is sometimes sought for monetary gain and personal pride rather than for an abiding love for the congregation.

But I am thankful for those whom I see serving out of a pure heart, not for sordid gain and not pridefully lording their position over the people. It is truly a labor of love and the reflection of the work of the Great Shepherd.

Study: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Peter's epistle reminds us continually that believers are resident aliens in this world. As such, we should not think it "to be a strange thing" when the residents of this world treat us as our Lord was treated. Resident aliens had no rights, they could not expect fair justice in the land of their sojourn. The were not treated in the same manner as citizens of the land.

Last evening, we had a wonderful time of fellowship around the Word as we discussed these things. This passage reminds us that there are many throughout history and throughout the world even today who undergo fiery trials. As we saw in our text last Sunday, we see here in 1 Peter 4:19 as well that this suffering is by the will of God. Therefore, there is comfort. The strange and sometimes fiery trials are not beyond the scope of God's power, but as the nations rage against the Lord, our God takes note and our vindication is sure. If this world persecutes us, if they judge us and bring persecutions upon us from a small degree to large persecutions, their judgment awaits. As Peter puts it, if judgment has now begun upon the house of God by the unbelieving people of this world, what will their fate be when the Judge condemns them for their disobedience to the Gospel?

Therefore, as believers, we are to conduct ourselves with confidence and know that we ought to glorify God in the midst of whatever suffering this world will bring to us for the name of Christ. As we discussed last night, let us entrust ourselves to our faithful God, with Christ ever-present in our minds as our example, who entrusted Himself to God as He bore our sins to heal us by His wounds.

How sweet and wonderful is the Great Shepherd and Guardian of our souls!

Study: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Last night we met and looked at 1 Peter 4:7-11. It was good to be together again on a Wednesday night...we have missed the last two weeks do to illnesses.

The text led us into a very honest discussion of the seriousness of this life. As the passage says, we are to be sound in judgment and sober minded for the sake of prayer, especially in light of our duty towards one another as fellow resident aliens in this world.

Therefore, we must exercise fervent love for one another. We must view our lives as critically important and use our speech and our deeds to build one another up, knowing that we should reflect the power and the glory of Christ through our conduct towards one another. Hence, the passage ends the exhortation to this godly conduct saying that our lives must glorify Jesus Christ in this manner to show forth the glory of His power and His dominion.

Let love therefore cover our sins. Let us not give up on one another. Let us not turn from one another, feeling betrayed, feeling as if others have failed us. As we discussed last night, such love is beautiful and it ought to be the desire of our heart to seek this godly love which will carry us forth while we are still pilgrims in this land.

This text has led me to consider the blessings in my life through those in the Church that have shown me and my family hospitality; who have served and ministered to us in our times of need and throughout our lives. May God be praised for the power of His Spirit in the Church!