Coeburn Presbyterian Church Sermons - Pastor James Ensley

Introduction: Well, I feel the weight of this passage for myself…preach to yourself first…Peter has given his instructions and as is common letters end with a word to the Leaders before final greetings…

Read: 1 Peter 5:1–5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; [3] not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. [5] Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Prayer of Illumination

· Intro: Jesus and disciples “who will be the greatest”

o After Presidential primary – Who is going to be the VP?

o Alexander the Great’s successor? Some have attempted to mitigate with “Co-Ceasers” with a Sr. and Jr.

· The principle of Jesus and the bible is that Jesus is King. Christ is the Head of his Church (Eph. & Col). And that he fulfills the fact that there is a singular king in Israel, he is the Son of David. The only who is sitting on any throne.

· The bible calls leaders to be humble, joyful examples to the flock who, as a “plurality, a group” exercise authority.

o This means the leadership of God’s church is by more than one Elder, he is chosen from among you, and even Peter and apostle humbly calls himself a fellow elder because he knows this is the normal abiding direction the Church government is headed. As the age of apostles closes, he humbly acts in the ordinary way towards them even as he holds an extraordinary office.

o A group having Elders is in many ways a very ordinary thing if you survey the OT; they existed in Israel, they sat in the city gate, they did many things that any town leader would do. And in the synagogues, spiritual leadership involved elders. So a council of mature and godly men giving leadership to the church has continuity in the OT and NT.

#1 The Message of Elders (v.1)

#2 How Elders Lead the Church (“Mechanics of Elders” if you want the alliteration) v. 1-4

#3 Humble Leading and Following v. 5

#1 The Message of Elders

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed

· Being an Elder means continuing to bear witness to Christ by teaching the Bible and by teaching the Gospel.

· Elders are to pass on the Apostolic Message of Peter and the other apostles. The message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; that Christ will return again.

· Elders teach and disciple God’s people; gathering the Church around the word of God which equips the church to be mature, godly, and prepared for the return of Christ.

· This is what Paul is saying in Ephesians 4 he gave pastors and he gave the shepherds and teachers. To shepherd the people is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

· The job of the elders in shepherding is to ensure that we might know Christ, that we might mature in faith in Christ, and so be equipped to minister to one another, and the gospel will be supported and go forth…Jesus expresses this to Peter as “feed my Sheep” in John 21. Word, Prayer, and Sacraments are the tools of feeding Christ gives.

· So Elders are guardians of the good deposit. Being a pillar and buttress of the truth. Teaching the whole counsel of God.

· Peter the Apostle calls himself a WITNESS. He does not create teaching, he does not invent religion; he WITNESSES to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the word made flesh, and he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the Scriptures might be complete witnesses to the full and final revelation of the Father and the final revelation of God’s plan of salvation.

· And so the apostolic witness does not go to a single pope, or a magisterium.

· No, it is written in the scriptures for the public to see and for many elders to proclaim to people publicly in their own languages.

· So #1 That’s the message of an Elder

#2 How Elders Lead God’s Church

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed Verse 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight

Lets unpack the nuts and bolts of the bibles teaching on the office of Elder.

Note Peter, humbly calls himself a fellow elder. Certainly he is an Apostle, but he is preparing the way for once apostls cease (Eph. 2:20) for Elders to lead God’s people. Elders who are simply chosen among their brethren because they meet the character qualifications of scripture which are found in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1.

Peter’s humble appeal to elders plural as a humbe fellow elder reminds us FIRSTLY that, the Church has only one Head, the Lord Jesus: Colossians 1:18 (ESV) – “And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

o Not a pope, not the archbishop of canterbury.

o AND NOT, if you zoom in to the local church, I am not, nor is any famous pastor the singular “Head” or little Pope of an Individual Church.

o It is clear throughout the new testament, The pattern is, appoint elders, plural in all the churches. You could look in (Acts 14, 20, Phil. 1:1 but a good place is Titus 1:5-9 because it teaches us two things that Jesus calls Churches to have a plurality of Elders & That Elders and Bishops are identical in the Bible…Titus 1:5…This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—[6] if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. [7] For an overseer [aka bishop], as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, [8] but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. [9] He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

o A Church being put into good order has elders in it and they ought to be men of good character, faithful to their wives etcetera.

o The Word Elder is “presbyteros” so elders are often called Presbyters, its where we get the word Presbyterian from Presbyterians are multi-Elder lead churches who we see in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem council elders gathered from multiple churches to have form a regional council to decide controversial matters that affect multiple churches.

o Both presbyterians and Baptists point out that Paul speaks of an Elder as being an Overseer, which is the word Episkopos or “Bishop” as the same person.

· Therefore, scripturally, a Bishop is not over a group of pastors, he is not a man who rules a whole region like a King of Pastors. No, a bishop is simply an Elder (St. Jerome Agreed)

§ …And Paul in Timothy basically says there are some Elder who Rule and Teach, and some Elders who labor primarily in preaching and Teaching who we call pastors and minister who are. BUT I do not get any more votes than Kirby or BL.

· Recall, the context of 1 Peter 5, Peter is giving instructions for sojourners, for pilgrims.

o If you grew up in a town and you are just a native to an area you probably hardly think about who your leaders are; they just are who they have been.

o But notice all the TV dramas like LOST where you are in a survival situation. All the TV dramas focus on WHO IS THE LEADER. What should they be doing. How should we structure our leadership? So it makes sense that Peter, who has been talking of suffering and has just mentioned the need for the Household of God to live Holy lives to ask the question what of our LEADERS.

o In this situation, we pray for Jesus the great and Chief Shepherd to appoint and gift Under-shepherds.

· But you notice that in TV dramas there are many ways leaders happen? Often it is through seizing Power. Imagine if all of a sudden The state, THE Governor was appointing your Mayor, Sherriff, and School board.

o Well as Americans you would say – that is not REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. You want the right to select, your leaders!

· So in keeping with 1 Peter, Presbyterians have always said verse one: elders are from among you. Elders throughout the bible have always been selected from the people.

o In Acts 1, in order to replace Judas among the apostles it is the PEOPLE who “put forward” and nominate men from among them.

o Part of the protestant reformation was the right to raise up and appoint elders from among the congregation and for the congregation itself to select their Teaching Elder (pastor).

o You can see how the US as a– representative government mirrors scripture here.

o So we see the right of the people to select AND REMOVE pastors is sacred See BCO Chapter 23 and your rights there.

What does Peter Call the Elders to? V.2

· Elders are to shepherd by pointing to Christ, his sufferings and glory, they are to faithfully teach the whole word of God, to give godly wisdom and counsel and to say difficult truths when needed.

· But Elders are not just like a prophet saying difficult truths…

· They are shepherd-overseers. (or pastor-bishops).

o Very briefly elders ought to know their people, care for, and love their people not because anyone made them, but joyfully, eagerly.

o Not because of the money (a constant problem in every century).

o Not because of status and ego

o Not out of self-righteousness or a need to boss people around and micro-manage their days.

· But because of love for souls, to be involved from birth, life, marriage, ups and downs, strong faith, weak faith, seasons of growth in godliness, seasons of rejoicing and weeping, and seasons where sin seems undefeatable, and it looks like darkness will win.

o Praise God for men like Kirby and BL who have known and loved you for many years. Who have sat with you through those many seasons.

o Praise God for BLs zeal and example to “tolle lege” take up and read and wonder at the whole counsel of God applied to all of life.

o Praise God for Kirby’s steady kindness and wisdom.

o At our session meetings, I have been delighted to hear him pray. And I know he prays for you. That is an example.

· And Christ the Chief Shepherd I know has an unfading crown of glory for many men like this.

o One of my delights is as I have moved around the country, is seeing almost these “copy and paste” men who serve as elders. Not because they aren’t unique individuals but because they all have the Same Holy Spirit, have been gifted and equipped by Christ and have followed the same Jesus for so many years of their life.

o God blesses with not every elder being the same, but it’s the same Christ.

o And this happens all over the world.

o Not just for elders but for all believers, you have brothers and sisters around the world, and you can tell they have all been taught by the same Christ, the same word, and the same Spirit in their hearts and minds.

o Praise God, he has given us faithful Men to lead the Church.

· Now…..The Church is a hospital for sinners…AND we know as we survey the american church landscape that there are men who have become…domineering, arrogant,and false wolves. It grieves me. Men who believe they are infallible. Or they are unable to stumble and fall, and there is an arrogance there.

o Brothers and sisters, if you have followed a celebrity pastor and they fell, or even closer…then yes you know, pastors are merely men, flesh and blood.

o So remember, Jesus is your ultimate King, he will not fail you, he does not grow tire of strengthening and sustaining you, he is gentle and lowly, and also the king who defends you.

o Do not trust in princes…do not trust in an ultimate sense in pastors…

o Pray for faithful Elders for Christ’s church…but your Faith, your hope, your love is in Christ.

§ In Heaven, you will be before his throne and it will be beautiful and I know many very frail but faithful elders will have much to apologize for

§ and there will be many wolves Judged as false men, false shepherds. Justice will happen to the unbelieving wolf, and a reconciling forgiveness will happen between elders and failed flock at times.

§ Please remember your Faith is in Christ. He loves you. He will never, fail you.

#3 Humble leading and Following: Be Subject to the Elders, giving Mutual Humility Towards one another

Verse 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV)

Third point…You saw it coming. Young people…I hope you have men and women in your life who have said…Being a teenager doesn’t mean you get to stop listening, honoring, and obeying your parents for five years….Parent and Child in the family is the first authority relationships in life.

Your relationship to the Government like a police-officer is the third relationship it is a civil and physical authority…It is much less one of love, like your parents, right?

But between Family and Government, there is the Church Family. And God has given you Elders in the faith a relationship of loving authority. If you are a church member, we have actually exchanged vows.

Elders vow to believe the scriptures, accept the Westminster standards, the way the church is governed, and Do you accept the office of ruling elder (or deacon, or minister) in this church, and promise faithfully to perform all the duties thereof, and to endeavor by the grace of God to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your life, and to set a worthy example before the Church of which God has made you an officer? Do you promise subjection to your brethren in the Lord? Do you promise to strive for the purity, peace, unity and edification of the Church?

Church members answer this vow, Do you, the members of this church, acknowledge and receive this brother as a ruling elder (or deacon), and do you promise to yield him all that honor, encouragement, and obedience in the Lord to which his office, according to the Word of God and the Constitution of this Church, entitles him?

Therefore Verse 5 calls us to this

What might this look like?

A) We Submit ourselves to the purity and peace of the church through the leadership of the Church

Humility sees there are so many areas of Church life that are wisdom calls and humility goes a long way, and by God’s grace there is real shepherding, oversight, example, and looking to Christ by the Word and Spirit for guidance.

B) This might be humbly seeking spiritual input with the elders, discussing way you are seeking to grow in the Lord

C) This may mean mutual humility to talk through an area of your life to see if it is just a matter of wisdom, foolishness, or even sin. Elders should never go on preference crusades, but if something has the authority of “thus sayeth the Lord behind it” then Matthew 18 applies. Humbly going to someone as a shepherd and reclaiming that sheep.

D) Allowing Humble input continues into adulthood. I was a College Campus ministry intern, and I think RUFs bible studies and preaching were pretty amazing…College students wowed by Reformational theology and the connection of the OT and NT are ready to hop ship, and I usually told them to go back to their home church and ask them, “Why do we believe what we believe?” Give first and second chance to the tradition you were raised in that you received from your elders…then…come back and we can talk. Our ultimate allegiance is to what we believe the word of God says, but humble love of our elders means asking, “Why did my parents raise me this way?” “why did my elders, both spiritual elders and grandparents teach and guide me this way?”

Again with humility, we test these things not by the world’s judgement but by the Word

Finally, notice in verse 5 it is humility to “one another” – the humility actually goes both ways. Humble leading and Humble following. And an awareness that any prideful stopping of the ears to counsel or any prideful and arrogant dishing out of counsel. God opposes.

So how should you respond?

Prayer…

1) Pray for your elders, pray for me, BL, and Kirby, pray for all the officers the deacons as well they have to make decisions to be followed as well, and there are many mercy ministry decisions at times that take wisdom and humility. So pray for your church officers.

2) Pray for God to raise of new pastors, elders, and deacons both here and around the nation. Many pastors are retiring pulpits need to be filled.

3) Pray for me, I am young, just turned 33 today. But I need strength, wisdom, courage, and the Holy Spirit to ensure both humility and love and boldness to be my Guide and that I would point you to Christ, your faithful chief shepherd.

4) Pray for yourself to be able to discern what is scriptural counsel and is good and wise and receive it from your leaders. And the wisdom to discern if there is error, or this is the difficult one it’s the level of OPINION…maybe wise opinion.

5) So if the elders have a split vote. That’s the decision and it becomes my decision as well. Pride says how dare we do X instead of Y. How dare we meet at x time instead of y time. And you can slowly raise the level of importance there…

a. Which slowly raises our response from, humble acceptance, to maybe a conversation about why a decision was made, to I want to formally ask the session to change that decision, to you have rights and appeal authority to presbytery to say it wasn’t just opinion the leaders are in sin. And you in fact have the right to appeal presbytery to the national court…and then well you just have your conscience before the Lord either way that decision went.

b. Mutual Humility and Love covers a multitude of sins…Christ give us grace to know when we are standing on Unity and when we are standing on Truth and Loving Appeal to remedy a problem. There are courts of appeal in Presbyterianism praise God. But even the best systems need love and humility in application.

Alright…All that being said. Praise the Lord, that he is our high priest and shepherd, He is our savior who like a shepherd leads us, he does not fail us, praise God he gives the gift of leaders who are all different in gifts but have the same Holy Spirit, and praise God that from the entire context of first Peter we have a living hope, a certain heavenly inheritance, in the words of the hymn write We are Bound for the Promised Land.

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,And cast a wishful eyeTo Canaan’s fair and happy land,Where my possessions lie.We are bound for the promised land,

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

Introduction: Peter has just finished encouraging us to love and serve one another with the gifts that God has Given us in Christ Jesus. Gifts that Christ suffered and died to purchase in order to pour out on us by the Holy Spirit. Peter now for the third time discusses suffering trials. He has previously said trials will strengthen our faith, trials unite us to be like Christ as those filled with the Spirit to suffer for doing good and not evil. This is glorious because we suffer strengthened and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And once more he reminds us that our suffering indeed judgement starting with the House of God vindicates the Spirit of Christ in Us and reminds us

Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19

[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. (ESV)

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back

#2 Suffering as a Christian

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First

#4 Entrust Your Soul to your Faithful Creator

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back v. 12-15 (Running Commentary and Reinforcement).

[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.

A) v.12 is an escalation Dan Doriani points out that Peter goes from saying “who will harm if we do good” to “if we should suffer, let us still do right” to Don’t be surprised trials are coming!” Once more because we follow Christ and Jesus himself says, John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

B) Jesus has overcome the world, and we can rejoice even in suffering because we have the same Spirit of Glory as He did on Christ in his earthly sufferings. We have this because he gives him to us poured out on his people.

So pulling 1 Peter together righteous suffering causes us to share in what Jesus suffered, to be strengthened in faith, to silence evil, to give an answer for the hope in us, and to be blessed because we are honoring the name of Christ, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

#2 Suffering as a Christian (look in v. 16).

[16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

A) Peter highlights our Identity as A Christian – The term Christian or “Christianus” follower of Christ, it is likely an insult a slur, just like the word puritan, fundamentalist, and bible-thumper is used. And Christians said fine, we do follow Jesus. Just like with these other words certainly there are negatives intended and the ancient world accused Christians of drunken love feasts, of atheism, of being bad citizens, but they flipped it around, Dan Doriani says call me “puritan” Yes, I do aim for purity and integrity” call me bible-thumper, “Yes, I do read and honor God’s word.” - Let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in that name,

Do not let the Insult immediately push you to shame and compromise with Truth and convictions. From a position of being unashamed you may clarify Strawmen and misrepresentations, but do not let reviling immediately drive you to discussing faith and commitments from the unbelievers terms. There is a time for persuasion and discussing terms and such but do not let satan through shame and suffering and persecution and name calling move the entire battlefield from the battlefield of truth to the battlefield of compromise. By your commitment to following Christ Glorify God in the name of Jesus. Be Not Ashamed.

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First (look in v. 17-18).

[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?”

A) This is called an argument from the lesser to the greatly, Peter says if we, the Church, still pass through the judgement of a just judge. How MUCH more will unrepentant sinners be judged. If we stand in heaven on judgement day and it is only being In Christ Jesus that saves us what about the person standing before the throne lost in their trespasses and sins giving account and payment for their wrongs with Jesus as savior and friend.

B) God’s Judgement begins with us. Not in the sense of God comes home to the Christian household angry at all the ways we are awful. (Though Jesus in Rev. 2-4 knows how to give a compliment, critique, and warning annual review to those Churches).

C) God Justly judges the state of the Church, those in Christ Jesus, beloved by him, and called to accountable living according to truth and integrity.

i. “For though God is the judge of the whole world, yet he would have his providence to be especially acknowledged in the government of his own Church.” (Calvin, 138).

ii. Scripture frequently wrestles with the seeming prosperity of the wicked and God’s good, ordered discipline of his own children. It shows we are indeed not orphans but sons and daughters.

iii. We saw a baptism earlier, indeed our baptisms are reminders that we are in Covenant with the Lord God. This means access to the Word of God to discipleship and being connected to the people of God.

iv. It can then be said that grace is the most beautiful in the Church of Christ. With forgiveness there is reconciliation and as we read last week love covers a multitude of sins and Further Repentance brings reconciliation in the Household of God.

v. Think of it this way. God watches closely over his covenant people because they have been brought into the House of God.

vi. Just as if one of my kids is cursing I am quicker to correct it than a stranger on the street, since they are NOT under my fatherly care accountability is much less.

vii. …unless you steal or murder, then to an extent no one holds you relationally accountable for sins of the heart, speech, coveting, or idolatry, you may love money, be promiscuous, and feel there is no accountability for your actions…But in the Church of Christ. We strive for the peace, unity, and whole-hearted integrity of the church, for the sake of the honor and majesty of Christ. The goal is the honor of Christ and the loving restoration and healing integrity for the one who stumbles with abundant grace and forgiveness.

viii. The removal of guilt and shame, healing from sin, forgiveness, and relational reconciliation as sacrificial love covers sin

ix. Peter asks in our passage “What will be the outcome” In the end of this life.

1. We will stand in Judgement. Justified in the blood of Christ, The unbeliever will stand in judgement before the throne of God and he will say depart from me.

2. To the believer he will say well done good and faithful servant enter into your rest.

Oh the beautiful wonders of salvation that we sinners can be forgiven in Christ Jesus and made sons and daughters of God because we have thrown ourselves at the mercy of God and our lives are now lived for him.

D) But What will be the fate of those who do not turn to Jesus our suffering savior, the lamb that was slain, and the King who is risen?

B2) There is salvation only in Christ. If you are not trusting in Jesus what will become of you without God? You see reality as God has told you it is apart from Jesus you are “ungodly” and knowing in your heart of hearts that you are desperately wicked and Justice will not let you dwell with a Holy God in a Holy House. ….The Christian in Christ with all his promises still falls on his or her face amazed that God would save him and make him a son. Because he know that the Christian and the unbeliever are both unequally deserving one has simply fled to hide themselves in Christ Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing.

What shall we then do? Look in v. 19…

#4 Entrust your Souls to your faithful Creator while doing Good.

[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)

A) You are a created being. You were made body and soul meant to be united together, your soul will last forever. In the last day when Christ returns we will be given resurrected and glorifed bodies that will last forever.

B) There are a couple truths you need to believe deeply here.

B1) God is the wise creator of the universe, and his creation was very good. We were made in his image with dignity and unique value, with dominion over the creatures. Adam and Eve were made to guard and keep the garden, and marriage was given as a gift to increase and multiply and fill the earth. These are good things and gifts from our creator…in addition to the gifts of community, friendship, and fellowship with our God. God’s universe is a very wonderfully physical and spiritual place. Because We have a soul that will last forever. So do you believe creation is good, we were made with a purpose, and that we were made to have fellowship with God? YES

Second truth, we live in a fallen world, you will struggle with death, addictions, suffering, broken relationships, and the temptation to distort how God calls you to live.

Third truth, God is faithful to all his promises. If you entrust yourself to Christ Jesus, you will get the down payment on the restoration of everything Good in Creation, but look forward to every even more glorious and wonderful of the NEW Creation of the New Heavens and New Earth. And so you entrust your very soul, your eternal soul that will last forever to God. And now you both have the ability to love God and love your neighbor imperfectly but truly, you have comfort in suffering in light of the ig picture so you entrust your soul to a faithful creator while doing good. Keep Calm and Carry On. Glorify and Enjoy God. Seek godly community in brothers and sisters. Seek the good gifts of creation. Yes, suffer in this life, face death, but God is faithful, as we sing not my first time quoting this but it’s a beautiful 1 Peter hymn:

3 The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

4 “When through fiery trials your pathway will lie, My grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply. The flames will not hurt you; I only design Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

5 “Throughout all their lifetime My people will prove My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hairs will their temples adorn, Like lambs they will still in My bosom be borne.”

Good is a faithful creator. Entrust your soul, your life, your all to him, Do good, for he IS Good. Remember v. 14, Jesus has suffered on the cross for sinners, he has forgiven your sins, if you are trusting in Christ by Faith. He has given the glorious Holy Spirit to empower you, and as a heavenly Father he has prepared your life’s Journey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

Introduction: Illustration There is a whole movie genre about the world ending and everyone panicking and changing their behavior. Is this what Peter wants from us when he says, the end of all things is at hand? (So-called prophets, sell your home).

No, it’s about clear-minded, persevering love. Follow the Standard Operating Playbook until Christ returns.

Read: 1 Peter 4:7–11

[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. (ESV)

Outline:

#1: The inhale before the final exhale

#2 A Mind-Focusing worldview, helps us answer in four areas: “How should we then live?” Four traits of a rightly focused life. He will address our mind, love, hospitality, and service.

First, our mind in prayer.

Second, our hearts in loving forgiveness.

Third, our community life-giving hospitality done sacrificially without grumbling.

And fourth, our serving based on the kind of person God made, designed, gifted, and strengthens you to be in word and deed.

#3 All these things are for the glory of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to our Triune God.

#1 The final inhale before the final exhale, v. 7 The end of all things is at hand.

[Talk about all the things God was doing from Genesis, Abraham, Moses, Exile, Return, 400 years of silence, and then… Christmas, Ministry, Cross, Resurrection, now it is finished, the church, and the gospel going to the ends of the earth is the final inhale before the great and final exhale. That is to say,

There are no more significant redemptive historical events before the return of Christ. Of the same nature of going from the Old Covenant to the new covenant.

It is simple, but all-encompassing.

The word end does not just mean termination, like it’s the “end of the movie”; think of it as the final stage in fulfilling a purpose and goal.

It means you are at the final item on the list, which aims to achieve the goals and purpose for the day.

If we were to create an oversimplified chart: First Coming ———- Second Coming.

· Sorry the Bible’s end times chart in the big picture, is a boring chart. (Yes a few more details can be added, such as the trumpet, judgment, the great white throne, and other features, but it all leads to one grand finale.)

Therefore, the gospel being preached, people being gathered into the church, and wise governance—where we seek to live by principles and courageous lives is the mode of living we stay in. So many times people based on a hyper-pessimistic or hyper-optimistic view of the end times, will say that while the New Testament encourages us to focus on the Word, prayer, sacrament, loving our neighbor, building families, and spreading the gospel until Christ returns, they now have fancy charts dictating how we should live the way I the preacher say you should.

This world is neither a sinking ship nor a carnival cruise. It is a large, well-equipped passenger-cargo ship, that is well-rounded and equipped with people as passenger, and cargo, and defenses in place.

So we simply live in the new covenant with the whole word of God to direct us how to glorify and enjoy him. And this is done in the community of the church which is the kingdom of God in earth which Christ reigns over from heaven.

Peter is not saying, that Jesus must be returning in the next 30yrs. For the Lord a day is a thousand years (Which peter says in 2 Peter 3:8).

Think of the difference when we say, the final purpose of the world is at hand – imagine, For us if there is just one more piece of the puzzle you have been working on that is happening immediately. I’m finishing that puzzle now.

For the Lord a day is a thousand years. we know is he is gathering his elect from the four corners of the world in every generation and we do not know when he says that is it. We do not know when The time of patience will be past and Christ returns on the white horse triumphant and conquering. We do not know.

2 Peter 3:7–11 [7] But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [8] But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11] Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (ESV)

God is patient, the gospel will go forth, Peter says, Keep Calm and Carry On

But calmly Carry on alertly in lives of holiness and godliness…Because the end is of “all things”

the purpose and reasons for all things is wrapped up in what Jesus does in his first and second coming.

The first and second coming of Christ is not just an idea, He came in his first coming in time, space, and history. It was real history. Not just a story we tell for therapy, for therapeutic effect. What Jesus did by the Holy Spirit changes your very heart soul and mind and truly affects your relationship to your creator and to others around you.

With this context, thinking back in 1 Peter 4:7 we should then ask how should Christians live in light of all the hope we have in Christ, in light of knowing he will return, and in light of knowing we will suffer for Christ and yet victory is already won spiritually.

#2 How should we then live?

Peter gives four traits for the Christian community to be different from the world.

He will address our Mind. love. Hospitality. And Service.

Look in verse 7b-10, 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:

So our mind in prayer

Our hearts in loving forgiveness

Our community life giving hospitality done sacrificially without grumbling

And our serving based on the kind of person God made and designed you to be. And here he has word based ministry and service based ministry.

First, Our mind in prayer – PRAYER

V. 4:7 echoes 1 Peter 1:13 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. (ESV)

be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Remember husbands were told to dwell with their wives with understanding for the sake of their prayers…so too we are to live in light of the end purpose of all things…partially judgement and the return of Christ to strengthen our prayers.

If we live in a world with a Creator. With a truly cosmic and universal fall into sin and misery. And we live in a world where Christ is the only hope for lost sinners and he is returning to gather his bride the church and to judge those who have not named Jesus as savior and king….

Maybe our Prayers will be a little different right? There might be some clarity and grand-ness to the scope of our prayers.

We will see our prayers as thankful for the rescue and redemption, the cleansing and salvation of our eternal souls.

Not just “Lord help my knee not hurt and my football time to win.”

Now one of those two things is a legitimate prayer…But if the big-ness of your prayers is the smallness of your sports team winning and your knee hurting….Will we be self-controlled and sober-mindedly focused on our Prayers? Probably not.

Dan Doriani helpfully says, to be clear-minded is to “see things as they truly are…[and so pray not a generic prayer but] the prayer that calls upon and submits to God in the light of reality seen from God’s perspective.”

How do we know God’s perspective…Scripture saturated prayer. Scripture filled prayer. Prayer that covers “all things” Big Picture prayers.

Where do we learn a big picture prayer? The Lord’s prayer is our guide…not just a memorized mantra…But the categories. God is a Holy Heavenly Father. His Will from Heaven is done here on Earth. Kingdoms…nations…temptations….deliverances…glory forever….Not “hey big fella in the sky”

Read the Word. Pray the Word. And your prayers will be truthful to the mind of God about you and the world. So when you pray leave your bibles open and turn it back to the Lord in grand ways…

We are weak here so we may need to pray for the strength to pray.

Second trait, Verse 8

[8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

We have been forgiven in Christ Jesus, so our hearts now in community peter says, “cover a multitude of sins” This isn’t the first time he’s said something like this…

1:22-23 By your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from apure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through theliving and abiding word of God

2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

3:9 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. (ESV)

Remember we said, and multiple commentators call it something like “community-destroying sins.” We are exiles to the world, we know where we have been placed as living stones in the church so we strive to earnestly love and forgive each other and not by our response, our nursing of hurts destroy unity, relationships, and create heated retaliation, or cold withdrawal inside the body.

And what love does if it is earnest, is Jobes argues, “extinguishes sin and its effects within the community by not retaliating in kind, realizing…the claim of 4:1 that Christians must be through with sin.” (Jobes, 277).

Peter applies what this love can look like with Hospitality. Literally how we LOVE, strangers. Philo-Xenia. But in verse 9 its Love- to One Another. Christian hospitality to other Christians

So Third Trait, Christians are called to community life giving hospitality done sacrificially without grumbling

Verse 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling

[Stay off Notes]

Hospitality, you can hear the word “hospital” there, and you can remember a day with no hospitals, very few hotels, and only a few inns, and a great reliance on homes…But that isn’t primarily what Peter is getting at here.

House churches…

My background with international students

Opportunity for Christian Conversation, what is God doing in your life, how did you meet, how did you come to know the Lord, what is difficult, what is good, what is frustrating, and let me answer these things with the gospel and wisdom that is specifically godly wisdom

Contrast with the grumbling men and women “oh you should divorce him/her”

Oh you shouldn’t have to do that much caregiving, or put up with this at work….

“Biting and devouring” robbing joy, creating resentment and grumbling…

Christian Conversation vs. Worldly Conversation.

Now I said grumbling that is in the conversations…

What is grumbling in the hospitality itself?

Cost

Time

Who (Unity of Fellowship vs. Exclusive)

Its hard, its fatiguing

Letting go of southern hospitality

Using simple fellowship together and Christian conversation to encourage each other.

Fourth, And our serving based on the kind of person God made and designed you to be. And here he has word based ministry and service based ministry.

Look in verse 10-11, 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—

Not each has received a gift. You are gifted by God. The gift is for service. The gift is to be stewarded. And there are various kinds of gifts given by grace not earned or deserved not to be boasted about.

Charisma, gk – is a gift from God

How he made us, how he plans to use us in the body, what are the different ways God has made us? (dispositions)

God gives us gifts and Peter distinguishes speaking and serving gifts

Speaking – preaching, teaching, counseling (The officers for this gift are Elders, teaching and ruling) though there are lay ministry teaching occasions as well.

He recognizes that the word read and preaches is speaking the oracles of God. The Second Helvetic Confession (an early protestant confession says), “The preaching of the word of God is the word of God” (As much is said in Heb. 13:7 “remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.”

In so far as the sermon is biblically faithful it is in some sense God’s word to his people. TO paraphrase WLC 154-157.

We have the benefits of Christ given to us in all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer.

The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.

The Catechism then states that The Word of God is to be preached by those sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office…

The people of God are then blessed by the word of God being stewarded by some called and appointed to that office

And so God’s people are when as they hear the word they examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

This means that the sermon should not just be the opinions of the pastor, unanchored from the scriptures or just always finding its way back to whatever the pastor wants it to be about. There are bible studies that are like this no matter what you are studying – some members of that bible study will make it about their pet eschatology, or view of how discipleship should happen, or some such.

The main idea must flow from the bible and have the word of God interpret the word of God and studies to see in what way it should be applied to us today.

Next, Paul in 1 Cor. Greatly cautions viewing speaking and serving gifts as in competition with each other. Gold medal Christians are missionaries, silver medal are pastors, and bronze is for serving gifts, No, We are all members of one body, and we need all the parts the hands, the mouth, the eyes, the ears.

Missionaries and famous evangelists won’t be closer to the throne of Jesus in heaven then the grandmother who prayed for her grand-children and showed hospitality by hosting Sunday Supper for family and friends…

We need the gracious gift of people who spot when people are hurting and in need.

One persons gifts of service can spot and reclaim someone wandering from the Lord and be the greatest comfort to them. More than a thousand one-liners that I think are really good and biblical.

Jobs friends had the gift of gab….it did not help.

We all must simply say Am I being faithful to what God has called me to?

We need both. Both do the work God designed it to in the body of Christ, so we do not boast in either, but give thanks the The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Service of the saints.

We need people who speak wise words, who speak earnest words, some who speak the truth boldly in love, we need people who speak comforting words.

We need people who serve in various ways, officers wise this is the deacons, but service is every member in different ways. We all serve in the body. With mercy, with our prayers, singing, and present.

We have people who are very physically capable people, people who drive people to church, who visit and have a ministry of presence.

I think we get the idea….thank you for your various gifts and graces. Pray and ask God multiply the fruit of your calling.

How can we be fruitful in our giftings? v. 11 It is all by the strength that God supplies

This both reminds us first, of the need for prayer – asking the Lord for strength, entrusting God in our varies ministry.

We are stewards of a gift graciously given…Will not God supply us the strength to fulfill?

Recall Moses and Joshua, the Leaders of Israel. There is a frequent phrase that the Spirit of the Lord was upon them and it strengthened them to fulfill the calling God had for them.

So when you are tired, say “Lord, I feel I can barely parent, teach, show hospitality, love this person, whatever your calling is and you feel the burden of it and you know what it is – tell the Lord your weakness, ask him for the strength, and steward it faithfully.

Now, a caveat, there is a things call Sabbath or Rest. There are times where we say No.

We with three small kids attempt, note the word attempt: attempt for quite time, the rest and reset during the day. Quite time. But adults need It as well.

So if you serve in various areas in the church, work, and home, it is a legitimate question to ask am I relying on the strength of the Lord to serve with my gifts, or have I fallen into an American business and simply have my exhaustion as a badge of honor, should I say no to an area of service and in order to reclaim a time of rest, prayer, refreshment…..Now I may forget the very words of my sermon and push a volunteer area…But I can be told No. God provides you strength, but he also provides you rest and the word No.

For college students work hard all week, do your homework, do your part time work, be active in church life, and I would encourage you to Sabbath rest on the Lord’s Day. So even as you use the various gifts God gives you take the gift of rest and feeding on the word. Of setting time aside in prayer.

Our ability to Pray, show hospitality, and to labor in word and service, can actually be guarded by our Rest.

And this goes back to the beginning. The End of all things is at Hand, but we do not know the hour of Christ’s return.

So I want you to remember this Jesus is already seated on the throne. He is resurrected, your salvation is secure and accomplished.

You live by grace in the gospel and forgiven, redeemed, and a son and daughter of the King.

You know the end of the story.

So the ship of history is not sinking – so you can rest, you can rest secure in Christ, and take time to pray, eat, love, and serve our of God’s power not American busyness.

But also it is not a carnival cruise, you should not be the American who has no church commitments, and no prayer, no fellowship, no hospitality, no use of word gifts or service gifts because Recreations and making money crowd out being gathered with the body of Christ which is the context where prayer, hospitality, and service happens. Particularly the blessing of the Lord’s day.

So prayerfully, ask the Lord and wise people. How would God have me live in life of the end purpose of all things being verse 11 in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

This isn’t cookie cutter. Because Guess what. Everyone is Different. Everyone is different. Everyone is in different life stages and Callings.

But the goal is the same for everyone.

That God may be glorified through Jesus Christ

And this is shown when cutting through all the factors.

We love one another. And we love one another because we love the King who has glory, dominion, forever and ever.

Prayer

Benediction

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

Introduction: Good morning, we’ll be back in 1 Peter next week

Today we’ll be in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 1

Context: 3 Sundays of training….then gone.

In this Letter, Paul continues to press home to the Thessalonians what living as a Believer looks like. What the life of the Christian community looks like. A community gathered around a Great salvation is necessarily a changed people. And Paul sees that change and he is exhorting for it to continue and abound: He says things like, “Let there be brotherly love among you”, “work diligently and faithfully so that you might be generous”, and in our previous passage and today's passage Paul reassures us that: for those who die before Christ’s return, there is a firm hope that All of us whether dead or alive at Jesus’ second coming will be fully with the Lord. We do not need to fear His Coming. We do not need to fear Judgement if we are in Christ Jesus. And once we do not fear judgment in Christ – then you are free indeed in this life and the next.

Paul is arguing in today’s passage that there is a difference between the Light and sobriety of Christian hope and the darkness and drunken stupor brought about by sin.

READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 Whilepeople are saying, “There is peace and security, ”then sudden destruction will come upon them as laborpains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, forthat day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of thenight or of the darkness.

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleepat night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,having [already] put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For Godhas not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us sothat whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another andbuild one another up, just as you are doing.

Brothers and Sisters Paul has Three Reminders for the Thessalonians and for Us this Evening:

Reminder #1: The Believer’s Awareness vv. 1-5

Reminder #2 The Believer’s Assurance vv. 6 – 9a

Reminder #3 The Believer’s Salvation vv. 9b-11

Reminder Number 1: The Believer is fully Aware because he walks in the Light. The believer is fully aware because she walks in the Light.

Paul contrast this with the Uncertainty of Darkness: Unbelievers Speculate about or deny the seriousness of “the Day of the Lord” because they are in darkness and indeed cannot escape judgment. Believers watch faithfully with a posture of expectancy and need not fear judgment.

A) First be fully aware that in v. 1-5 Paul teaches us that it is unprofitable to speculate about times and seasons.

a. Why? Because the timing of Jesus’ return is Unknown. Instead of speculation about the end times we take a posture of preparedness living daily as a member of his Kingdom, ready for him to return as judge on that last day or for us to join him in heaven if we pass away.

Look again in your bible verses one 1-5 and you’ll see 3 images that all speak to this.

B) Paul says they already know the meaning of these three images

a. He says, Some sit in darkness saying saying “peace” “security” when sudden destruction is the reality!

b. These people get the time wrong by outright denying that the Day of The Lord is coming in Judgment.

c. Next Image the thief: The thief, sneaks in and robs at night while people sleep. Thieves do not publish hit list calendars ahead of time like a trash pickup date.

i. Our Lord Jesus, Paul, and the Apostle Peter all use this image.

ii. The Apostle Peter says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar…and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”

d. Next image: labor pains, Labor Pains indicate It is Sudden and Inevitable

1. There will be no 2 minute warning at the return of the Lord

2. It is like the flu shot where you look away you know its coming but the nurse does not say when.

3. It is like the pop-quiz, the tax audit, It is a surprise of when but not that it will come.

4. And the stakes are devastatingly high – not peace and security – The Day of the Lord is like a house all to easily broken into. Our sin does not hide behind a locked door and the Day of the Lord will NOT pass you by because you have hidden, denied, and locked away sin. The brightness of Day Incarnate as God-Man is coming as Judge with a gaze that pierces hearts.

5. We cannot hide or paper over sins as if there is no Day of the Lord for Judgement on unbelief, Nor can we live indulgent lives,

6. Jesus says his coming will be “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” – Noah built his Ark in plain view of a world doomed to the Flood. Christ and the gospel is preached in plain view of a world that Christ intends to purify, removing the dross by fire, and renewing life in his Light.

ii. Paul says, this by way of reminder and Encouragement: There are many benefits to being a believer but We DO NOT know the Day,

iii. What we DO know the assurance that we are Not destined for Wrath but to obtain salvation.

iv. …The Unbeliever blinds themselves to the certainty and the nature of Jesus returns.

C) What should a clear view that we do not know the day but we do know of the nature of the return do in the life of the Church: A constant state of preparation is created. That is a Constant State of Readiness to use the military term.

a. – John Calvin says it aptly, “Christ planned that the day of his coming should be hidden from us, so that, being in suspense, we might remain on watch.”

i. All of Christ’s parables of the stewards and servants have us assume a posture of expectant readiness.

D) Paul presses his point home in verses 4-5: Don’t speculate about times instead take stock of the fundamental moral and ethical posture you should take as children of the Day. Christ gives the blessing of Light breaking into a people previously trapped in Darkness.”

E) Darkness is ignorance and blindness. Ignorance of God as judge, of Sin as sinful, of the grace and beauty of Christ in the gospel. Ignorance of Faith, Hope, and Love of the Christian life lived in the LIGHT.

a. Hear this clearly, if you would admit to yourself that you are blinded in heart, mind, and soul by Darkness, Know this: You cannot know the day, that is inevitably coming when you must give account for the lostness and rebellion of your immortal soul, which is forever perishing apart from Jesus. You must act today while it is still today to leave behind darkness for light. For our lives are but numbered days. Our lives are brief.

1. All three metaphors speak to the inevitability and inescapability of the sudden and proper Judgement of Christ on all people everywhere God in his word promises through the Apostle Paul “they will not escape”

b. But you…You who are in Christ Jesus…Indwelt by the Holy Spirit…Beloved of the Father are not in darkness…The Prophet Isaiah proclaims in Is. 60:

[2] For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;

but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

[3] And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

[4] Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you;

[5] Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult,

F) We are Children of the Day through no light and goodness inherent in us but because Jesus has “furnished us with light”

G) We don’t need the DATE of Jesus’ return we just need the expectancy of the shining Glory of his return and the shining Glory of his present reign in the Kingdom of His Church, and that in contrast with the relative darkness of the world around us in ANY and EVERY Generation not just a predicted time and date.

i. Paul next goes into details reminding the Thessalonians about this Ethical Posture and Character given to God’s people and the basis for their assured salvation.

Reminder #2: The Believer’s Assurance, look with me in verses: 6-9a: Believers are called to Alertness & Assurance about Salvation From Wrath towards increasing Faith, Hope, and Love.

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleepat night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, …

· Paul’s Contrast is between a sober Alertness and a drunken slumber

§ – Alertness – Is a call to being on guard as a military sentry is watchful and vigilant.

§ Alertness can only be maintained if you have– Self-control from Excess.

§ Christians have standing orders from our commanding officer and captain of our faith that prevent us from dabbling with and embracing what Paul styles “the night”

· Paul speaks to spiritual realities with spiritual reasons behind them but in such a way that he does not ignore that spiritual darkness is seen and linked to our physical behaviors often done in darkness as secrecy.

· No says Paul, We must Stand with alertness and intentionality says the Apostle Paul at the Command of the Holy Spirit in him who also lives in us, moderate our consumption of the world, its love, and its priorities so that we do not inebriate ourselves against the light of day. [ 2x]

§ So we ask, does this allow me or prevent me from standing Ready and dressed for warfare in the breastplate of faith and love and the Helmet of the hope of Salvation?

§ Think of it this way, a sober-minded person with Hope in Christ is not “double-minded” and does not have the double-mindedness or two-faced personality of a person who is one waywhile sober, and another way while drunk.

· The Christian is not double-minded but strives to live by the power of the Holy Spirit a consistent life in light of the grace and mercy of the salvation they have in Christ.

· And so verses 8 calls us to be Sober-minded armored with Faith and Love and the Hope of salvation. This is Paul’s famous Triad of Virtue. Faith. Hope. Love.

· We need to know what these three words mean. Briefly.

o Faith – knowing and embrace of the truth of who Jesus is with a relational trust in What Christ has done. Jesus being the object of your faith causes you daily to entrust every area of our lives to him.

o Love – You see that you have been loved and shown grace and mercy and therefore you treat others with the same love you received from God our Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your and our hearts. You seek others highest good, ultimately based on knowing who their creator is, their inherent dignity, and how he designed us to live.

o Hope – Hope is that future certainty that entrusts yourself to a salvation a destiny that is firmly fixed in Heaven just as Jesus is seated in heaven! And that destiny informs and fills your present reality.

o These great virtues make us men and women of integrity rather than men and women atomistically living multiple lives such that we are occasionally “spiritual” but are really in darkness with physical excess, and spiritual neglect.

o What are the stakes? The stakes are high…We need an assurance.

· Verse 9 gives us just such an Assurance. A Promise of safety from Wrath

o We are Not Appointed to Wrath

o Appointed: Who makes the appointment? It is a Divine appointment and choice. Paul assures us - God has not, in his divine initiative, appointed the people of God to wrath.

· Wrath…we need to talk about God’s Wrath for a minute.

o ONLY a great conviction and certainty of the rightness and justice of God’s wrath can produce a great gratitude and awe for God’s grace.

Leon Morris writes, “One of the things that gave salvation so full a meaning for New Testament Christians was that they were sure of the wrath of God and had a deep gratitude to Christ for saving them from it. In modern times some take Christianity lightly because they have emptied the wrath of its content. To banish the wrath of God from the scene is to rob life of a good deal of its serious purpose.”

§ Deuteronomy 9:7 - Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD… You provoked the LORD to wrath, and the LORD was so angry with you that he was ready to destroy you.

§ Well yes, that’s the OT. (**Own the spiritual needs and heart of Israel as your own do not look down on them as lesser or more petty than you…)

§ “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; [and we might feel well of course that’s his job] whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36.

§ Webster dictionary - 1828 - because don’t trust anything on the internet when a word can be changed at the push of a button. Webster: Wrath: strong anger & indignation. Wrath: The just punishment of an offense or crime..

· The wrath of God is JUST because human Sin goes against a God of infinite Dignity. Infinite Majesty. And wrath is the punishment for the offense, the crime of sin against a Holy God.

· And the Thessalonians knew that they needed Saving, rescue from wrath, because they knew they were sinners.

· They knew their hearts, their thoughts, their people and culture, the entire human race as one which sins against each other and against God himself, against his Majesty & Dignity.

· All of us when we slow down know our own hearts have deeply shameful thoughts. We need rescuing. But surely someone good enough, holy enough, would be too appalled at us to love sinners.

o Wrath is not the end of the story of the Thessalonians nor for us: Salvation! Salvation is our last word!

§ Properly seeing what wrath is makes salvation all the more dear.

§ Think of how small a thing being saved could mean to how amazing being saved might be, depending on the context: “Saved….from taking a test due to snow.” “saved….from a conversation with a person you didn’t want to talk to” “Saved….from being mauled by a bear” “saved….your entire eternal soul and body from death and judgment.” Now that is salvation! Salvation from Wrath!

o Praise God, He has not Appointed you to Wrath but to gain salvation through Christ Jesus.

o So that we may be Children of the Day not in darkness

Reminder Number 3: The Believer’s Salvation in Jesus (verses 9b-11):

Paul tells us clearly what our only hope of salvation from the just wrath of God is. He says, This is how our need is supplied, this is how our plight is remedied.

Verse 9b: God has not destined us for wrath…but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourageone another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

What did Christ do in order for you to be saved from the wrath you justly deserved?

A) “He died”

a. Hear this word from the Lord: “The sting of death is sin” - 1 Corinthians 15:56

i. Jesus was sinless he need never have known death.

ii. Jesus was the God-man he never deserved the sting of sin felt in his death. But in him “the wrath of God was satisfied.”

iii. We are sinners! and our sin caused the sting of death to be felt by him? Why did Jesus die? It was for sin and for sinners like each one of us.

b. Hear this word from the Lord 6 While we were still weak, at the right time Christdied for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—thoughperhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his lovefor us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, wehave now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from thewrath of God. - Romans 5:6-9:

B) Jesus died “for us” . I love this wonderful little preposition translated “for” and this phrase “for us” and in the context of the death of Jesus on the cross it makes all the difference in the world.

a. Jesus didn’t just die as a righteous moral example, Jesus didn’t just die to create a generic storehouse of grace for potential withdrawals.

b. No, Jesus died for the sake of his sheep, Some wordier translations could be: [He Died] on behalf of us, in the place of us, as a substitute in our place, in our stead, and in its theological context even “representing us.” The Apostle Paul is clear: Adam sinned and in Adam as our representative we died and sinned in him.

c. Jesus lived a righteous life and when he died he died as our representative in our place.

d. This brings great assurance, we know, we are assured that if we are in Christ we are not chosen for wrath because that rightly deserved wrath fell on him in our place and we have his righteousness as our representative, we are reconciled as Sons and Daughters of the Day. And this assurance allows Paul to say “so whether”

C) “So whether we are awake or asleep we might live in him” objective assurance no matter our state he is faithful.

a. Jesus’ Death is the bedrock foundation and assurance that allows Paul to promise that whether we have died to be with him or are alive waiting for him we have eternal life.

D) The only proper response is to be armed with the assurance as a means of: Encouragement and Building-up: Just As you are doing.

E) The temptation can be to look at the darkness – what we shouldn’t be doing. But what shall we be found doing when the Lord comes?

F) The answer for the Thessalonians and I am pleased to find is true of here and so many other churches is to be encouraging and building each other up in the hope of Christ, in knowing and trusting our faith, and love for each other.

verse 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing

a.

b. Paul is expressing what John Bunyan calls “Christian Conversation in Pilgrim’s Progress. (Tired. House Beautiful. Refreshed by the Saints).

i. Remind each other of what you know you are saved from

ii. Remind each other of the source of your salvation

iii. Remind each other of the posture and expectancy you should have be alert do not stick it in cruise control.

Have table fellowship where you encourage each other to wear the armor of faith, hope, and love, and to take our Sentry post, await our Lord’s coming, and train the next generation and the next generation until the Lord returns with trumpets and Glory.

Amen & Amen. Come Lord Jesus Come Quickly.

Prayer

Benediction: Receive this Good word from the Lord: Now may the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God our Father, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, go in Peace.

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Intro | Recap

1 Peter 4:1-6 Crossing the Pain Threshold: Having the Mind of Christ and Living for God

[1] Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm [equip with weapons] 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.

#1 Suffering Produces Clear Thinking About Sin: Crossing the Pain Threshold with Christ, v. 1-3

#2 Suffering Produces Clear Reactions to NOT Sinning; Crossing the Pain Threshold Causes Pain in Sinners, v. 4-5.

#3 When and to Who and Why is the Gospel is Preached?

#1 Suffering Produces Clear Thinking About Sin: Crossing the Pain Threshold with Christ, v. 1-3

Ill: Breaking with Sin and the Mafia.

First, just negotiating with the mafia: “Yeah, I’m done; I’m going respectable.”

It doesn’t work. He gets pulled back in.

Being blackmailed; once the guy publishes it for himself, he is free from it. It holds no more power. Why would he go back to it?

Now he has told the world, “I was a gangster; these are the names of my accomplices; it was wrong. I have crossed the threshold; there is no going back.”

The former gang may harass him, be angry, not want to be named for what they are. Sin hates being named as sin. But they cannot recruit you back in. The gangster is dead; only death awaits turning back to the old way of life, “the way of your ancestors,” Peter says earlier. You’ve left the family business and now are exiled.

This story captures imperfectly what Peter is arguing here. Look again in verses 1-3: Christ suffered righteously for us. He was a substitute for our sin; he purchased us out of the family business, and now we must arm ourselves with the same way of thinking.

Leaving the world of Mafia and gangs behind, what is this “same way of thinking” for us?

Peter 3:17 – It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. That is the mindset.

What does it mean to cease from sin? The Greek word is where we get our word “paused.” Hit the pause button and walk away. But it is even more active. Strong’s Gk says to restrain: “no longer stirred by sin's incitements and seductions.” Why does “crossing the pain threshold” help us cease from sin – but now for the will of God?

Answer: “Genuine suffering will always be accompanied by a holy lifestyle” – Beale.

Once we have suffered like Christ for righteousness' sake, we are dead to sin and alive to God. We have exchanged our fallen “default” setting for a new singular operating

That principle asks, "what glorifies God?” and "what contributes to my fellowship, joy, and communion with my Creator and Savior, as I know it from His Word to me? [pause]

What is pleasing to God? Am I willing to suffer by rejecting my own sinful desires and rejecting the social sins/social passions, or community-acceptable KJV language “lusts” of my heart and my community's heart – to remove ourselves from sinning for those for whom it is beneficial to see me sinning “like them”? Peter will say if we do not sin like them, we will SURPRISE them. When we cease from sin, it’s a problem. Why? Because it ruins the “everyone is doing it” rationalization of sin.

For Peter’s context, the Christians are the killjoys. Jobes helpfully says, “The pleasures from which Christians typically abstain were the popular forms of Roman entertainment: the theater with its risqué performances, the chariot races, and the gladiatorial fights with their blood and gore. The alcohol-fueled festivals of Roman culture were typically focused on devotion to a god or goddess, making them idolatrous to Jewish or Christian beliefs. Christian lifestyle also condemned the ‘pleasures’ of an indulgent temper, sex outside marriage, drinking, slander, lying, covetousness, and theft…”

Christians who love God’s good creation are positive about all the good gifts of God in food, marriage, and alcohol in moderation, yet they are often seen as the killjoys…in every culture and era. Because sin never has enough. Sin always wants more. Sin always wants to transgress the bounds of God’s good design for our bodies, minds, feelings, attitudes, and relationships.

And when Christians say, No. I have crucified the flesh; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me, a powerful contrast is created between light and darkness. The darkness, the flesh, does not like the Light and the Spirit, even if it is filled with Christian joy and happiness. Christian pleasure in God’s good creation.

Because now the world can’t say, "Everyone gossips, everyone lives this way in college, everyone watches this TV show or follows these people on Instagram…" And Peter says, if you are already suffering for Christ, you are a spiritual exile; hit the pause button, step back, and cease from autopiloting what is acceptable for you. And we can easily say, ok I will change some of my behaviors.

But God doesn't just want our behaviors, he wants our hearts, he wants our loves, our attitudes, our beliefs reshaped by the mind of Christ. So that we love what he loves. So that What the Bible calls sinful, we call sinful. And we don't substitute talking about these things with the jargon and "its ok" type of language our culture uses to talk about cultural sin patterns.

And this will become culturally unacceptable and we may be maligned for it. Because we have crossed the pain threshold on cultural beliefs

Not affirming what the world affirms as good and moral, not condemning what the world condemns. Wrong speak and wrong thought. This could be in modern university settings, this could be places where jobs are at stake, or even a group of friends have taken an unbiblical stance on a moral area you can be subjected to a sort of "communist struggle session" and saying "Jesus is the Lord of my actions, my mind, and my words. Caesar is not Lord."

This society's pet sin and desire is still wrong, and I am not on the wrong side of history. Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will gather under the banner of Scripture?

o Perhaps as you follow Christ, you can be a witness to friends and family.

o Perhaps as you follow Christ, you will become a stranger to friends and family and suffer loss for the sake of Christ.

o But remember, human judgments do not have the last word.

Social consensus does not have the last word.

The flesh having the last word is dead and in the past, according to Peter.

Look in verse 3. Peter lists the same things we’ve been listing… But he characterizes it as over. That time, that stage of your life is the past.

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.

Verse 3: This time is PAST; living in this way – that is dead and buried with Christ. It has been crucified if you are in Christ.

This is sarcasm… you had more than enough time to sin in your former life, don’t you think?

What are the traits of this list? Living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

Peter calls these things a “flood of debauchery” or KJV “excess of riot.”

Sin just overflows our hearts because it has a well from our sinful hearts. So it just pours out.

And it’s an abandonment, dissolute, profligate, prodigality of a life the world lives in.

God, by the Holy Spirit, cuts off the power of sin, the shut-off valve, and he does this—mixing metaphors—he cauterizes the wound of sin with the power of righteous suffering. And what does this do?

HOW DO YOU VIEW YOURSELF NOW?

Certainly not sinless.

But forgiven, a new creation.

What are the “pain thresholds” of suffering unjust, undeserved reactions from the world that you need to embrace as a follower of Jesus?

Now we know sin is not simply a water pipe valve that we shut off.

Peter offers one motivation for being done with sin:

suffering. Viewing ourselves now as exiles to our former way of life. Pronouncing that that was the old man, naming those sins, and having crossed that pain threshold, being willing to bear shame and suffering from our former friends. That is certainly powerful.

That is a work of the grace of the Holy Spirit if you desire to repent of sin and walk in new obedience to Jesus.

That is a work of grace because you are entrusting yourselves to Jesus by faith to have (1 Peter 2:24) borne 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. (ESV)

Having been once for all justified by faith in Christ, we now begin the lifelong journey of sanctification—the bearing of fruit that flows out of our salvation. Justification is an accomplished fact; sanctification is the Spirit’s ongoing work in us. And along this road, the Lord provides us with many motives and helps to encourage us to imitate Christ and to pursue holiness of life. Scripture is not silent on this, but gives us countless helps for walking in holiness.

First, we remember who we are in Christ: we are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The old has gone; the new has come. Our identity is no longer in Adam but in Christ, and so our lives must reflect that new reality.

Second, we remember that as new creations we desire fellowship with God. God Himself is holy and good, and He hates sin. Because we love Him, we learn to love what He loves and to hate what He hates—including our own sin. Holiness, then, is not merely a duty but a delight, for it draws us nearer to God and away from what destroys us.

Third, the Word of God teaches us to know the law rightly. It names sin for what it is. It shows us how sin harms, how it corrupts, and how it robs us of joy and peace. At the same time, it sets before us the goodness of God’s design: that living in the way He created us to live is for our flourishing. Sometimes the law warns us with fear—fear of God’s judgment, fear of earthly consequences that flow from sin. But at the same time, it encourages us by showing the beauty of holiness, the joy of obedience, and the blessing of walking in step with the Spirit.

Finally, God gives us examples to follow. We imitate Christ, our perfect pattern, and we also imitate other believers who walk faithfully before us. Much of the Christian life is “caught” rather than only “taught.” By watching the faith, humility, and obedience of others, we are stirred up to live likewise.

As the hymnist says, “May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day, by His love and pow’r controlling all I do and say.”

So the Christian life of sanctification is not left to us alone. God, in His kindness, supplies us with many helps: remembering who we are in Christ, desiring fellowship with the holy God, knowing the law and its wisdom, and imitating Christ and His people. In all these things, He is making us more and more into the likeness of His Son, until the day when we are GLORIFIED, perfectly holy in His presence in heaven.

Such a vision is beautiful…but the aroma of life to some is the stench of death to others. And Peter warns us of the response we may receive.

#2 Suffering Produces Clear Reactions to NOT Sinning; Us Crossing the Pain Threshold Causes Pain in Sinners

V. 4–5 With respect to this, they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (ESV)

And having suffered with Christ, we cross the pain threshold and accept that we may be maligned; we may be accused of being the bad guys because we ruin the “everyone is doing it” line that the sinful heart needs spoken in assurance to it in its sin. The emptiness of sin is revealed.

Peter says, “They will Malign you”

What happens if you start to hold an opinion that all the polls say—well, 80% of Americans approve of watching this, doing that, and living this way? Maybe even people think it's dangerous to not embrace what they embrace. Parents are suspect. Churches are suspect.

They are surprised, but it is the surprise of someone having the light suddenly flipped on and the response: Turn out the light. Light hurts. Come back to the dark where it is comfortable.

You are maligned, spoken of poorly. But it is okay, Peter says. Crossing the pain threshold does not mean having a sad, melodramatic persecution complex.

Christians ought to be as joyful as our happiest Easter hymns and our happiest Christmas hymns. 1 Peter itself has much warmth throughout it; we may be exiles marching to the celestial city, but we have a warm campfire all along the way. Consider these phrases throughout 1 Peter:

We are 1:3–5 …born again to a living hope… an inheritance imperishable…In Christ, we have been …born again to a living hope… an inheritance imperishable (1:3–5). Though we do not see Him, we …rejoice with joy inexpressible and filled with glory… (1:8–9). What the prophets searched for and …angels long to look… into, we now possess (1:10–12). We are …a chosen race, a royal priesthood… called out of darkness into marvelous light… (2:9–10). Once straying, we have …returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls… (2:25). Even in trials, we know we …inherit a blessing… for His ears are open to their prayer (3:9–12). Therefore, we …rejoice insofar as we share Christ’s sufferings… for the Spirit of glory rests upon us (4:13–14). In every anxiety, we …cast all our cares on Him… for He cares for us (5:7). And after a little while, the …God of all grace… will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us (5:10).

That is what we have in Christ Jesus. If you rest your life, your heart, your future in Him as Savior today.

But once again, Peter is a realist.

Those who are not in Christ Jesus by grace through faith, v. 5. They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

What does Peter mean, Giving an Account?

Peter is arming his readers to suffer human judgment, even judgment by all the important people.

You could feel this from Universities, from the TV shows you and your friends watch, even the judges; the laws may be changed to outlaw and thus judge “malign” the Christian ethic..

This is the context of verse 6. The maligning judgement of those who are still trapped in darkness. And have yet to give an account for their actions. So verse 6, We ask.

#3 When and to Who and Why is the Gospel is Preached?

Verse 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.

On first reading of verse 6, Some might be tempted to think of the dead as somehow lingering in a spiritual limbo, honored with offerings and celebrations like in the Mexican syncretism of Aztec and Catholic spirituality of Día de Las Muertos, the Day of the Dead. But Peter is saying something very different.

We talk this way – If I was honoring veterans, and I said, “These Veterans stormed the beaches of Normandy” or

For this is why the Championship was won even by those who are retired…

They were not retired when they won the championship, but Tom Brady is retired now.

Past action: the gospel was preached to them while they were alive.

Present description: they are now “the dead.”

The gospel was preached even to those who were alive when it was preached to them but are now dead—not to leave them in a shadowy existence,

But so that, though they were judged in the flesh as all people are (that is, living people giving judgy opinions against those who believed and lived according to the gospel), they now are free from human judgments and are alive in the Spirit the way God does (1 Pet. 4:6). As with chapter 3, I will say this is the Capital S Spirit of God, alive in Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Their life is no longer measured by human standards, by earthly judgment or ritualized remembrance, but by the power and rule of God. The dead are alive in Christ, fully embraced by His Spirit, not by human tradition or sentiment.

In the early church, there was great concern when the first few Christians died after having believed the gospel but before Christ had returned. Paul had to reassure the Thessalonians this way:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where Paul says that even if we die before Christ returns, we are not lost or forgotten. Those who have “fallen asleep” in Christ will rise first at His coming, and all believers—living or dead—will be united with Him forever. Take comfort; death does not separate us from Christ, and hope in His resurrection assures us that life in His presence is eternal.

So Christians might be judged by other people here on earth…. But when they die, God gets the last ruling. And God says, you will, by the Spirit of God, live no matter what you suffer when you are “maligned” and “judged” and called the bad guys for living a righteous life as those who have been born again by the Spirit of the living God.

Not because we were better and more deserving, but Christ suffered to save lost sinners who could not save themselves.

So also, we must be willing to suffer rather than sin. Be willing to suffer abuse for not sinning from unbelievers. Then compare God’s judgment of sin to human shallow judgment for not sinning.

So what about us? What would Peter have us do in response to these verses?

Let us close by thinking of action in response to what Peter is telling us.

Recall Zacchaeus, who encounters Jesus in the Gospels in Luke 19. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, wealthy from exploiting others. But when he encountered Jesus, something broke inside the old life of greed and self. His resolve to follow Christ was sealed not by mere words, but by sacrifice:“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus immediately recognized the genuineness of that costly repentance: “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9).

Now for us, when we read the Bible, pause and meditate on those very points where you find pain and discomfort with the word, and ask the Lord to help you have the mind of Christ, the attitude of Christ, and suffer the loss of the old man, self, and way of thinking, and put on the mind of Christ until that loss becomes, as Paul says again, until you can count it as rubbish. “We arm ourselves with a willingness to suffer” (Doriani) in order to live for the will of God.

Why? Because Jesus has gone before us; He left heaven, was born, suffered all the miseries of this life, death itself, and the pains of hell, to redeem us, to rise again, and give us life in the Holy Spirit, and the joy of being in a living community.

Christ’s humiliation and resurrection, offered to us in the Gospel, is also our salvation. He took our place, bore our curse, and entered our grave, so that we might share His righteousness, His blessing, and His eternal life. If the Son of God humbled Himself so low for us, then we may rest assured that nothing in us—no sin too deep, no sorrow too heavy, no shame too great—can separate us from His redeeming love. And as we behold His humility, the Gospel calls us to walk in the same pattern:“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Pray

Benediction.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

This message was preached on the Acts 10 due to this being a 5th Sunday, CPC topically does chapter by chapter through the confession grounded in a scripture text. So we will return to 1 Peter 4. Next week.

A brief word on expositional preaching and note the headings of WCF 23. We ordinarily preach systematically through books of Scripture so God sets the agenda, not us. This guards against hobbyhorses, unfolds the whole counsel of God, keeps Christ central, and matures the church by steady, in context, Spirit-applied truth. Occasional topical sermons ensure we address necessary doctrines and issues regularly.

Since this is not a Sunday school lesson I will not address word by word WCF 23. I am sending an audio lecture out that does this by Dr. Ligon Duncan.

Read Acts 10:1-2, 22

A Few things #1 Meet Cornelius (v.1-2, 22).#2 The Goodness of God’s Common Grace – Good Government is a Blessing (WCF 23 Overview).#3. The Limits of Common Grace — Cornelius Still Needs the Gospel (v. 30-33).#4. The Gospel Proclaimed — Christ as Lord and Judge (Acts 10:34–43)#5. The Spirit Falls — True Salvation in Christ (Acts 10:44–48)Lets meet our civil magistrate (our government guy), Cornelius the God-Fearer

Cornelius is an example of what WCF 23:1 affirms: that God establishes rulers and civil order to “maintain piety, justice, and peace”(further citing Rom. 13:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:13–14).

Cornelius as a Roman centurion is

Like a Ships Cpt. A County Sherriff with 80 deputies. Or think of places like Okinawa post-war where military and policing were closely overlapped.

So Cornelius is a key government official, a civil magistrate.

He is like another centurion who in Matthew 8:9–10 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [10] When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. (ESV)

Cornelius is described as “a devout man who feared God… gave alms generously… prayed continually to God”(Acts 10:1–2).

He is “well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation” (v. 22).

So he is fairly easy to like. But for Christians, we should note

…we honor even the government we do not like. See David and Saul. David honored Saul as king despite Sauls wickedness [NOTE: Spear throwing…twice] and so it repeats throughout the bible.

Pharaoh — honored by Joseph. Pharaoh himself was a pagan ruler, yet Joseph honored him as the one through whom God provided to save many lives.

Nebuchadnezzar — served by Daniel which is cited by the WCF Daniel 2:37 (ESV): “You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory…

Later, Daniel continues to serve under successors (Dan. 6), while remaining faithful to God.

He served through different presidential administrations we could say…And in one term old Chad was crazy for 7yrs of it.

But I am interested in Cornelius because I think we can most deeply identify with him here in Western Virginia, where we have many god-fearing spiritual people who are not followers of Christ. But maybe deists like Thomas Jefferson, they like the idea of Jesus generally, we want a little bible, and as we see just because a man donates money to religion, prays, and is loved by his community Acts 10 quite clearly shows they still need Jesus …A full turning from sin to Jesus. That is to say,

A person can be deeply moral, socially beneficial, and even reverent toward God – And yet, it is only a skin-deep morality, not measuring up when it comes to the transcendent, Holy God. They can still be outside of Christ.

Jesus is still, the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through him.

#2. The Goodness of God’s Common Grace: Good Government is a blessing (WCF 23.1–2)

WCF 23.1: God ordains magistrates to be “under God, for His glory and the public good” — punishing evil and encouraging good (Rom. 13:1–4).

Cornelius embodies this: he is a just man, serving the empire, protecting order. His generosity and justice are real blessings to the community.

This is what Paul affirms in Athens: “He made from one man every nation… having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God” (Acts 17:26–27).

Application: We should honor rulers and thank God for the order and justice they provide, even when imperfect.

GI Williamson summarizes 7 points from WCF 23.1,2,4 that should help us understand what honoring rulers means. paragraphs 1,2, and 4.

God has ordained civil government on earth, (1 Peter 2:13-17; Rom. 13:1-7)

Not just the governments we like, our party being in power. For example from our passage today we may say we like Cornelius, yay a good guy…But Paul and Peter write these things when Nero is Caeser…Jesus says render unto Caesar when Tiberius was Caeser. Not exactly a Christian leader.

SO “God has ordained civil government on earth” even when the Ruler is a pagan.

“God has ordained civil government on earth” and Christians have submitted to emperors, kings, senators, democracies etc….But regardless of the form the government takes (and some are better than others).

Now we may pray for better governments. And we may in an American context vote for better governments. Presbyterians were essential in forming the constitutional system that allows for such representative elected officials in our country. Remember an American constitutional republic and Presbyterianism are two sides of the same coin.

So we must pray1) For officials who show wisdom in regard to good and evil,2) People who will vote for such people, and3) Know this can only come through a spiritual revival and special work of the Holy Spirit in both redemption and a resurgence of common grace wisdom to all.

George Washington said, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

(2) The purpose of it is God’s glory and our good, (right promote the good and restrain evil all of which is defined ultimately by God as the Good, the true, and the beautiful and we can know much of this by the light of nature as Ps. 19 & Rom. 1 teaches us…) Cornelius was a GOOD Centurion. And he didn’t have the Holy Spirit and he seems to only have some partial OT influence from being a friend of the Synagogue. V. 22 “well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation” (3) God has given to civil officers the power of the sword, - The Church holds the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven / The State restrains evil with lawful police or military power in Just wars as a last resort. Cornelius is in “The Italian Cohort – he is a Soldier-Sheriff-Captain. He was generous and kind to the people.

This is similar to another Centurion who in Luke 7:3ff comes to Jesus asking for healing for his servant and he is vouched for by the Jewish Elders. “they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, [5] for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

Not a Christian yet, but he is better respected than the dishonest tax-collectors, than it even sounds like King Herod or other officials.

So there are multiple places where an unbelieving, but by God’s common grace “good” man. Blesses people with his rule in the community.

Application – Do we not have that today, certainly, we have Christian officials we love (We can have Christian officials who are not particularly wise or helpful as well), but while we can suffer under wicked or foolish governors and officials. We often are blessed that God has established government and we are praying for a wise yet unbelieving man. And that official is meant to wield the sword to restrain violence, chaos, and wrongdoing. Perhaps even immoral vices, as they carefully consider local regulations.

God ordained, 2) for his glory and our good 3) for the sword.

(4) Christians may lawfully hold civil office and exercise the power of the sword upon just and necessary occasions, (John the Baptist told soldiers to no longer be corrupt when they converted. He didn’t tell them to cease being soldiers).

(5) that Christians are required by God to honor this ordinance and to pray for and be subject to those who lawfully use the office of civil government,

(6) that this duty is not exempted because of difference in religion, [So we honor and obey unbelieving even pagan rulers if they are bit utterly tyrranical]

(7) that the pope of Rome does not have any right to civil power. – [The Church should not try to wield civil power).

Ok that’s the thousand-foot view of 23.1,2, and 4.

Back to Cornelius.

[1] At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. [3] About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” [4] And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. [5] And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” [7] When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, [8] and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

[9] The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. [10] And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance [11] and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. [12] In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” [14] But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” [15] And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” [16] This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

God is no respector of persons. The Church and gospel goes to all tribes, and times and nations, and we see here the ceremonial law is repealed, and there is a simpleness to the church that allows it to go to every tribe, tongue, and nation. As the bible is translated, and people worship Jesus around the world. And this chapter shows this expanding and Peter is amazed at it. And he is going to a man he previously may have liked, respected, but would never have eaten with, would never had said oh I need to tell him about Jesus.

Look in V. 17-28.

[17] Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate [18] and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. [19] And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. [20] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” [21] And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” [22] And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” [23] So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. [24] And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. [28] And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, [ Insert explain 24-28: Cornelius knows there is something Peter has to say that he and all his family needs…God is showing Peter that he intends the gospel for Everyone. And we are culminating what the entire Old Testament has been leading to: The messiah is going to bring the nations into the family of God.]

V. 28b...but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

Here is where we move from thinking about how great a Centurion this man is. He, like all of us, need a greater thing than merely good governance. That is a blessing, but there is a greater and a higher blessing we need than to have a good political situation…

#3. The Limits of Common Grace — Cornelius Still Needs the Gospel. (Acts 10:30–33).

[30] And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. …v..32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ [33] So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Despite all his virtues, Cornelius receives a message from God: “Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter”(10:5).

His prayers and alms “ascended as a memorial before God” (10:4), but they were not enough to save him.

WCF 23 does not teach salvation through moral order or government, but insists magistrates serve only a temporary and limited earthly role; salvation belongs to Christ alone. Why do we need more than this?

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Cornelius’ story proves the need for gospel proclamation, even to the most upright citizen.

He is a good Centurion.

He seems to pray to god generally every day.

But he doesn’t have Jesus.

He may be trusting in his prayers. He may be trusting in how good a Centurion he is. He may be trusting in the fact his family likes him. His neighbors like him.

He may have a religious bumper sticker. WWJD.

He may listen to family-friendly music on the radio, and can say my grandmother went to church.

But there they are gathered with Peter Who standing there a little embarrassed and hesitant to say it…

Aren’t we embarrassed to say to our good almost-Christian neighbors…that they are dead in their trespasses in sins and they need to take their sins to Jesus in sorrow for the wrong and the hurt and the offense to the Just and living God of the universe.

If you searched Cornelius’ heart there is still plenty of violation of God’s good and just standards to condemn him as in some way harming humans made in God’s image and himself having lived as his own autonomous little God

Jonathan Edwards - “The smallest sin has infinite demerit, because it is against an infinite God… Nothing short of the righteousness of Christ can answer its guilt.”— Miscellanies, no. 339

John Owen “There is no death of sin without the death of Christ… There is no pardon of sin without the blood of Christ.”

There are only two ways that God’s justice can be satisfied with respect to your sin. Either you satisfy it or Christ satisfies it. You can satisfy it by being banished from God’s presence forever. Or you can accept the satisfaction that Jesus Christ has made.” - R.C. Sproul

Right now Cornelius has not yet looked outside of himself to satisfy God.

So #3. The Limits of Common Grace — Cornelius Still Needs the Gospel

[#4] Look in v. 34 We need point #4. The Gospel Proclaimed — Christ as Lord and Judge (Acts 10:34–43)

Peter takes a deep breath and looks into the eyes of all these wonderful neighbors and says, v. 34

“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), [37] you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, [40] but God, But God, raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses [the apostles. Who to a man either died or were exiled for this truth],[those apostles] who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. [43] To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The state bears the sword (Rom. 13:4), but only Christ saves sinners. The state restrains evil; Christ redeems souls.

#5. The Spirit Falls — True Salvation in Christ (Acts 10:44–48)

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (44-48).

[44] While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word [belief comes from hearing the Apostolic Message. Which we now have with the death of the apostles in the finished word the bible].

v.45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. [46] For they were hearing them speaking in tongues [languages] and extolling God. Then Peter declared, [47] “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.[To remain to disciple them and teach them the more completely about Christ and salvation in him.]

As Peter preaches, the Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household. All true believers are brought into the family of God by being born again and made alive by Holy Spirit who in the new covenant fills his people and produces in them the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not just for the Super Christians. And we see Pentecost in Jerusalem and Here as UNIQUE events the bible told us to expect.

Now ordinarily all believers receive the Spirit when they are first brought into the family of God.

God continues to save by the Word of the Gospel Preached and the Spirit changes hearts, uniting us to Christ.

They are baptized into Christ, showing that Faith in Jesus — not morality or civic good — is the true door to God’s kingdom.

Faith not in faith. But in Christ Jesus’ death on the cross for YOU.

They Respond in Faith.

They Publicly profess this faith. And are joyfully and fully brought into the church and visibly signed and sealed as members of the covenant of grace by Baptism

Peter goes back and reports on them being added to the church.

Once again we are not to delay responding to the Gospel, for the day of salvation is always Today…if you say maybe, or tomorrow, it may be never. For you do not know the day or hour of your death.

Our neighbors may be “good” citizens, admired and upright – Even the best government leaders— but without Christ, they remain lost. We must hold together respect for their civic good and boldness in evangelism.

Pray: Thank you lord for the good gifts of government and not just chaos and anarchy. But Lord we know they cannot save. Lord I pray that each of us would embrace or be renewed in our trust in the gospel to save. Like Cornelius Lord we need Christ to cover our sins, and to be filled by your Spirit. Bless us as we love our neighbors and give us opportunities to speak of Christ to them. In Jesus Name Amen.

Benediction

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Peter has been teaching us to rest in our Living Hope Jesus Christ seated in heaven. That we have been born again and are secure in the life we have in Christ Jesus. In Chapter 3 he has been saying that We may suffer for righteousness’ sake “it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will than for doing evil.” Se we are called to live as a family of God, brothers and sisters. Christ will be the Lord of our lives, the Lord our loves, and the anchor of the big picture living Hope that we are both body and soul, and that though we might suffer trials on earth for following Christ he will bring us all the way home.

Today we will see that the suffering of Jesus on the cross takes away our sin. And the humility of Jesus gave way as our resurrected Lord to glory. And a glorious proclamation that Jesus is our Lord and our God. The Holy Spirit will be held up as the one who empowers the proclamation of Jesus’ life and victory as well as the proclamation that instead of Judgement our lives can be hidden in Christ. If we are brought to God by the Holy Spirit and united to Christ we will be made alive by the Spirit no less than Jesus is.

Read 1 Peter 3:18-22 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. (ESV)

Again Pastor Doriani reminds us, The passage is a cousin of 1 Peter 2:18-25. Both present Jesus as the supreme example of the innocent man who endures mistreatment. In 1 Peter 2, Jesus suffers injustice and entrusts himself to God. In 1 Peter 3, Jesus suffers for doing good and experiences God's vindication. In each passage, Jesus both illustrates and empowers righteous action. Yet whereas 1 Peter 2 accents Jesus' sacrifice, 1Peter 3 calls attention to his resurrection, exaltation, and power over all (3:21-22), (Doriani, 147).

#1 Clear: Jesus’ Suffering and Vindication (v.18, 22)

#2 Unclear Passages and What to do with them: 3 Views of our passage (19-21)

#3 Its Going to be Ok: Jesus Saves Sinners. Jesus Wins. (18, 21, 22).

#1 Clear: Jesus’ suffering and vindication

[18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God

[[22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God [he has obeyed], with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (ESV)

‘Jesus suffered – to save us from our sins, reconcile us to God (bring us to God). He was put to death but did not stay dead because God the Father resurrected him as he promised to and Jesus had predicted. And he has finished his work. He has sat down. Ceased from work. Sitting down means its done. (Such as a father when the recliner is sat in…except for earthly father’s sometimes its not actually done.). But for the regal king of the universe when he sits. Its done.

[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 [S]pirit,

#2 Peter is going to give an Example – and there is a lot of interpretations of it. So we move to #2 Unclear passages and what to do with them: 3 Views of our passage

We can be greatly disturbed if we don’t understand every word. Everything the bible says, but a few considerations.

The bible has great clarity as we just saw with who Jesus is, what he accomplished. If you look at the core statements of belief the apostles creed, and great protestant confessions we agree on huge and primary beliefs.

And often even beyond that important are precious distinctive insights of protestant and reformational theology that may be agreed on…

But even then we may agree on a scriptural truth and yet differ on which exact passages teach that truth.

Often God blesses us with a truth clearly stated in 2 or three scriptures.

So so when you come come to a confusing passage you can rely on the clear as guardrails on the unclear. Think of bowling with the guardrails up. We have the clear passages of scripture on the one side. We have our confessional creeds and standards on the others side. And 1 Peter do is a 7 10 split. Its ok, bowl you may miss both pins, get one, but you will be guarded from ending up in the gutters of heresies.

So for this passage you have at least 2 perfectly acceptable interpretations. Each of which agrees with other clear areas of Scripture.

But there is one interpretation that includes teaching on purgatory and second chances after death. Which takes roman catholic tradition and uses an unclear passage as a passage to not get the teaching but as the mold to press a human tradition pressed unnaturally into a scripture passage.

This is saying, We have a belief, even a false belief and we’ll find a scripture verse we can make say that.

No. Let clear scripture be the guide for unclear scriptures.

WCF 1.9 The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not many, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”

Its ok to not know for certain what an individual passage means. But it does a single meaning. Many applications and was given for our good.

Even Peter says of Paul’s letters, 2 Peter 3:16 - There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

Ha. Really Peter.

The unstable use this passage to teach. Purgatory/Second Chance after death. And Baptism as what saves us. Both are false from clear places in scripture and this passage itself.

Dan Doriani encourages us “If we read the passage in context and hold to the essentials of the faith we will at least avoid major error.” – Doriani, 147.

Three options #1 Christ descended to Hades to preach to the dead (suggesting a second chance). #2 Christ through the Holy Spirit, proclaimed in Noah’s day to the disobedient and the Lord preserved his people through a type of “baptism” in the Ark. #3 Christ resurrection was proclaimed triumphantly to fallen angels/demons/spirits in prison.

View #1 Christ descended to Hades to preach to the dead (traditional patristic reading, but problematic in Reformed theology if taken as a postmortem offer of repentance).

The passage does not say Jesus descended. – It mentions proclaiming in the days of Noah, it mentions his ascension to Heaven. So to whomever Jesus spoke it was either in time Proclamation of Judgement and need for Repentance in the Days of Noah. OR A Proclamation of his victory from Heaven.

The word for prison phulake – is not Hades, Gehenna so not hell or purgatory meaning.

Its orthodox if this is just a proclamation of victory by Jesus.

This isn’t a second chance, this isn’t purgatory. Luke 16, indicates a finality to the death of the reach man “a great chasm has been fixed. No second chances. He will be judged on the last day as Heb. 9:27 says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (No mention of probation, paying of sins by saints…two things here).

Unbelievers do not get second chances. Believers do not have remaining sin to pay for or righteousness to gain why? The full final work of Christ. Double imputation. I have no more to pay because Jesus paid it fully on the cross. I have no lack in righteousness because Rom. 3:22-24 Romans 3:22–24 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (ESV)

Purgatory is an invention of those who believe our works save us it just might take a few thousand years for us to do it. No. It is Done. It is accomplished by Jesus.

Heb. 10:14 “By a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”

Rom. 8:1 there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The question is are you in Christ Jesus?

So Jesus is not preaching second chances, he is not in purgatory, he is not preaching

2 Cor. 6:2 NOW, is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

View #2 Christ, through the Spirit, proclaimed in Noah’s day to the disobedient (the most common Reformed interpretation, following Augustine and Calvin).

This view observes that the end of v. 18 and beginning of v. 19 that the word spirit can be capital S or lowercase s

So either made Alive in. his human spirit or alive by the Power of the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit.

Either works with Greek grammer. And you should have a footnote.

This would change the words

This means v. 19 can be translated as “In Which” he went or By Whom – In which would mean Jesus’ resurrected body.

The word Spirit as the capital Holy Spirit is the NKJV translation. And also the KJV capitalizes Spirit).

So Grammar allows for either interpretation?

SO what are we to do? Use Context.

Such as 1 Peter 1:10–11 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. (ESV)

So already Peter has said in Old Testament times “the Spirit of Christ … the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets,” and Peter says in, 2 Pet. 2:5 that Noah was a “herald of righteousness.”

Futher, Hebrews 11:7 says, [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

So humans lost in sin need a herald like Noah to call them to repentance. Which Jesus truly did by the Holy Spirit. But in this suffering, proclamation only Noah’s family was saved.

So we can see Peter telling us, you suffer for righteousness sake, set Jesus apart in your heart and proclaim Jesus to the world like Noah did. Don’t worry God will save you.

Why is Peter doing any of this? He wants us to see the riches of grace and our great deliverance by God through the sufferings and resurrection of Jesus. And he wants us to see how it connects.

To paraphrase Christ died, but was raised by the Holy Spirit. (We’ve been talking about witnesses to Christ as a righteous sufferer this reminds me that By that same Holy Spirit, Christ preached through Noah to the disobedient of his generation.

Noah’s family, a tiny persecuted minority like you exiles, were saved through water while the ungodly perished.

Baptism corresponds to this as a sign: it is not outward washing, but a Spirit-wrought appeal to God for a good conscience, uniting us to Christ’s resurrection.

The emphasis is of this view is on covenantal continuity between the suffering and perseverance of the Old testament people, Jesus, and us, Why? Christ has always been proclaiming his Word by the Spirit, and baptism is a sign of the work of God to save us through Christ Jesus. There are rescues by arks, there are rescues by Christ and baptism is that sign.

What about us: Just as Noah’s small family endured in faith and was vindicated, so too the church under persecution can endure, knowing baptism testifies that they belong to Christ and will be brought safely through final judgment.

All these things are true. And we don’t need These verses to know this….BUT maybe the S in Spirit should be lowercase and maybe it is not by whom but by which.

And Peter is saying…

View #3 Christ’s resurrection was proclaimed triumphantly after his resurrection to fallen angels/demonic spirits.

Christ suffered and died in his human flesh, but was made alive in his spirit, his resurrection.

In that risen state he proclaims victory to the “spirits in prison” and many believe this means hostile angelic powers).

Spirits plural usually does not refer to humans which would be souls such as in Revelation which mentions the human souls under the alter.

Imprisoned does not mean Jesus has to travel anywhere rather than make the proclamation to the bound and imprisoned fallen angels.

Matt. 12:28-29 – if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you…or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry of his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?

Jesus has proclaimed his victory. Satan is bound in some manner that he was not before the cross of Christ.

We know from Jesus’ conversation with the thief on the cross that he ascended to Paradise for this proclamation (Luke 24:34, 46).

And the Holy Spirit is part of the resurrection power and proclamation of victory.

So then why the Noah Analogy?

Just as Noah and his family were saved through water when judgment fell, so believers are saved through baptism into Christ’s resurrection life and victory.

Baptism “now saves you..Not water on the skin but… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (v. 21).

This reminds us less of the work of the Holy Spirit but of Baptism pointing to our union with the risen Christ.

And with this view we can say isn’t a theme of Peter’s already been in chapter one about our living hope in the resurrected Jesus?

So how does this apply to you? In this reading.

Suffering Christians can be assured that the Christ who triumphed over all hostile powers will likewise bring them safely through judgment into resurrection life. Baptism is God’s seal of that promise.

Peter says in 1 Peter, There are some things in paul’s writings that are hard to understand…But we conform ourselves to the whole teaching of scripture. And it is beautiful that even if we are unsure that we know that Jesus wins. And in fact that either of these second two views have teachings that are clearly scriptural.

For my Part I think Peter means that Jesus was resurrected by the Power of the Holy Spirit. And by this same Holy Spirit he preached in the days of Noah and those who ignored this preaching are imprisoned in judgement after having died in the flood…

Look in v. 1 One caution, a final twisting of scripture that can happen is taking this little phrase “baptism which now saves you” and stopping reading….If you are confused in your bible often the answer is keep reading. And then re-read carefully.

1 Peter 3 v. 21. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you,… not as a removal of dirt from the body [not the ceremony] but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, [right faith in Christ] 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. (ESV)

The flood was an old covenant example of being saved by God’s sheer grace. And Noah as a representative head included his whole household in this this picture. Remember Heb. 11:7 , in reverent fear [Noah] constructed an ark for the saving of his household

So you have a large scale examples like the Flood and Ark, Exodus and Israel through the red see. You also have covenant signs like Circumcision. And Baptism.

Baptism is a water example …But the water and sign, which might symbolize cleansing by the removal of dirt doesn’t save you. According to vs. 21 if we keep reading what actually saves you?

What does save you is an appeal to God

What is a good conscience? The one who has repented of sin and looked to Jesus for salvation.

God has accepted the death of Jesus and sealed it with his approval by the resurrection

V. 22 is saying that Jesus has gone before us making the way as our living hope seated in heaven. He becomes the fore-runner, the prototype, the one who is able to “sit down” showing it is “Finished” it is down.

Now all spiritual authority is Christ’s. Satan has been defeated. The Kingdom of God has been purchased, and we are being brought into it.

If like Noah, we entrust our salvation by faith to Jesus, we will be brought through the flood of judgement.

Therefore, baptism is placing us under the sign of judgment trusting God to bring us through the judgement safely by his sheer mercy because we are united to Jesus by faith and are a part of his covenant people.

We see this sign of needing to individually trust in God being applied to the covenant community in

As we said to Noah and his household.

To Israel as a community in Exodus with the Red Sea Crossing (1 Cor. 10:1-2 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”).

Circumcision is a sign of this as well (Abraham believed God and received the sign of the covenant, and it was placed on the covenant community as a sign) But Isaac, Jacob, and all the children needed to exercise individual faith. and this sign becomes baptism in the New Testament. Which Col. 2:11-12 teaches.

So does Baptism save? No. It is a sign of salvation, not the washing of water but faith in Christ.

Because #3 Jesus Saves Sinners. Jesus Won.

[18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,

Verse [22] Jesus has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God [he has obeyed], with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (ESV)

Jesus Saves Sinners by his work on the cross, by the work of the Holy Spirit in Proclamation and Application of Jesus’ work. The Reality of the sign of baptism not just the symbol.

What is the reality? Regneration being, re-alived-again. Before the work of the Holy Spirit you were dead in your sins. Sin spiritually kills the human heart and our fellowship with God. To be united to Christ we needed to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We needed to be born again.

If you have not repented of all the wrongs, the sin, the shames if your life then today, You need a cleansed heart and forgiveness of sin you need the finished work of Christ and him seated in heaven.

Titus 3:4–7 [4] But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (ESV)

You must appeal to a loving heavenly Father of perfect Justice against sin by appealing to the finished work of Christ.

Then resting in Christ by faith We can be certain it is finished.

In the coming weeks Peter will continue in Chapter 4 by saying, saved sons and daughter of God, let’s get to copying how Jesus lived his humble life on earth before the glory of Heaven, the glory of sitting in victory.

God will raise and vindicate us. It will be by the power of the Holy Spirit. And we will bear the signs of a covenant community, brothers and sisters in Christ. Baptized. Eating the Lord’s Supper together.

Peter likes to circles back again to how these truths of our salvation and the work of the Spirit transform how we suffer and interact with the world. He is shuffling a deck of cards (gospel left hand), (transformed lives by the HS, right hand). The best way to live a joyful life of transforming grace.Prayer |Benediction

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Peter moves from talking about people in very particular circumstances, servants, husbands, wives, authorities, back to talking about all believers generally. Peter is teaching us how people saved by Christ ought to resemble Christ. This affects both how we treat people within the Church and the way we answer questions about our Faith to the world.

1 Peter 3:8-17 [8] Finally, all of you, have unity of mind [spirit], sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart [compassionate], 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.”

1. Family Traits: resembling Christ (v. 8-12)

2. The Heart that cannot be Harmed: Shielded by a Holy Hope (v.13-17).

How do you know someone is part of a family?

Family Traits, may be physical traits, habits, attitudes, or accents. Some traits we are born with, any parents frequently answer oh they were born loving music, or quiet, or whatever personality givens the Lord shaped them to have. But other like what genre you listen to are often inherited from a parent. SO certainly we all are a combination of how God created us, and yes are fallenness, given sin struggles, we are family patterns, and habits, but at the end of the day usually there are traits that set us apart as a member of a family, or as is sometimes the case, a member of a region of the country…A particular sub-culture.

vv. 8-12 Says there are Family Traits for those who belong to the Kingdom of God. The Family of Christ, to the Church. Let’s unpack positively what those are and negatively what those are NOT in vv. 8-12. Together these traits will be key to fulfill our call to a life of blessing others.

Look in v. 8. 5 Traits that form A United and Humble Mind that has + Sympathy, love, tenderness, and humility (v.8)

A united humble mind -is lowering ourselves off our high pedestal. Philippians says this is a willingness to consider others before yourself. This is the mind of Christ that unites us in the Holy Spirit. And 1 Cor. 2:16 promises that We HAVE the mind of Christ.

We are humble because Christ was humble. We love because God first loved us, we offer sympathy and tenderness because that is our God and that is Christ’s response to both sufferers, sinners, and his disciples.

We have A sympathetic tenderness. We care when brothers and sisters suffer. We feel for and are responsive to others sufferings..

Now, this is not simply empathy that is willing to abandon all conviction, and be easily manipulated by the squeaky wheel. This isn’t consensus community where we only do something if everyone feels good about it. Christians can and must act with conviction, flowing from the authoritative and sufficient word of God.

And given how opposed Christian morals are to society, occasionally our stance must cause discomfort. In others. We must be willing to cross “the pain threshold of societal shame, the being unashamed of the gospel, unashamed of christ, and unashamed of the bibles teaching.

All communities have guidelines for what sympathy is beneficial and what sympathy is nursing harmful sin patterns.

So sympathy towards suffering. Sympathy towards the suffering caused by sin, but not sympathy that shelters sin. we do not harbor sin in our sympathy.

In general, there is a willingness to as Peter David’s says, “to care deeply about fellow-Christians so that the suffering of one becomes the suffering of the other. Christians are emotionally involved with each other.”

Even if emotions shouldn’t be the deciding driver. Sympathy is in the context of unity of mind and love. But not just any love this actually isn’t agape love. It is Philadelphia love. Not the city. But as its named the city of brotherly love aspirationally. With brotherly love, we can say “seeks the others highest good ultimately.”But there is true and warm-affection

I use the word affection sometimes to say like a warm emotion, but more permanent and less fleeting.

affection is a permanent bent of the mind, formed by the presence of an object. a settled good will, love or zealous attachment; as, the affection of a parent for his child. – Webster 1828

Dan Doriani helpfully says of this love that. Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; and 1 Peter 3:8 all bless and command brotherly, affectionate love. The apostles blessed tender affection between friends and family members. When Christians say that agapè is the highest form of love because it is Godlike and dispassionate, they probably mean that love for enemies is noble and amazing, which it is. And agapè is often the term for God's love for unattractive sinners. But God wants, even expects, us to feel affection for each other. And we can show affection in a warm embrace and in acts of kindness. In short, love is not essentially dispassionate. (Doriani, 1 Peter, 127)

Look in v. 9 again. – Restrains: evil4evil; revenge reviling (v.9a)

Christians are not in the revenge business. (Distress of the amount of “anti-heroes” now instead of arch-type aspirational heroes. The Christian must ask in humility am I seeking revenge and my own pride or am I humbly defending a principle, person, or place? Am I repaying evil for evil? Or Am I defending good from evil? Ask the Lord for the wisdom and humility to discern.

Similarly? When are you speaking up for yourself? Vs. When are you flattering others, and when have you started, reviling that is abusing, and insulting?

The hint is probably from v. 8 – revilers are not feeling sympathy or empathy for other person, they are not speaking eye to eye to a brother or sister from a humble heart. No, they are winning. They are in verbal combat and in the words of Davy Crockett it will be “no holds barred”

Every blow repaid in kind. Every angle to hurt considered. This manner of response is off-limits for the Christian. If you want to “get even” as a Christian you only have one route reminds Pastor Ed Clowney “This is how Christians 'get even'. They pay back evil with good, insults with blessing. This, of course, was the teaching of Jesus, as well as his example (2:23). But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven' (Matt. 5:44-45). Christians are free from vindictiveness because they trust God's justice; but they are free for blessing because they know God's goodness. (Clowney, 1 Peter, 111).

We may defend. We may even answer evil we will see. But we seek a bigger picture than any individual spat. We seek to bless the other person and bring them to conviction of sin and to a relationship with Christ Jesus. And so we may win the fight but lose the soul if it becomes about us and not others.

You teachers have probably experienced A moment where your anger drove your response and discipline, not the wisely thought-through class policy, but a reviling (insulting) student gets you reviling (insulting) in return.

As with other cases, the answer is not simply “don’t do this” It is instead the expulsive power of a greater affection. A higher goal in our minds. We need that higher goal of turning a natural moment to berate into a moment to bless…Now this may very well be receiving repercussions and justice and discipline of some kind as a blessing but not reviling… (Lord help me here).

Look in verse 9 again, More than not reviling…on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

In the Kingdom of God we seek to speak blessings to each other. Peter Davids “[blessing’ is a concrete way of forgiving offending persons and doing good to them, just as God does.” (Davids, 1 Peter).

“the words of the fool wound. The words of the wise bring healing.” (Prov. Par.)

We have BEEN blessed by God in Christ Jesus. SO we ought to BLESS others with what we have received.

Jesus tells us in Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those whohateyou, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Illustration cited by Karen Jobes: Soldier chucking his shoes at the guy in the barracks reading his bible – polishes the guys shoes and sets them out in the morning. He was reviled. He blessed in return. (Jobes, 1 Peter, Brazos Press).

Just because the internet and internet comments exists doesn’t mean Jesus stuttered when he gave this command. Just because the other political party is literally Mao or Hitler doesn’t mean Jesus stuttered in Luke 6.

We have been saved by christ Jesus and brought into his kingdom his family so bearing the traits of Jesus we bless others with the overflow of the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. Those are outside of the kingdom and lost but that doesn’t mean the light can’t shine from the city on a hill.

Peter ECHOES Jesus’ teaching and also illustrates it with Psalm 34:12-16 on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. [Then Peter cites Psalm 34 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.”

Verses 10 Asks the questions? What is life and good days? – Answer, The eternal life we have secure in Christ. Which we have now as believers.

It is verse 12, Knowing – God watches over us in our pursuit of “the paths of righteousness”

Knowing – God listens to the prayers of those who are “righteous” (v.12b)

Righteous how? Ultimately – righteous in Christ Jesus. Filled with the Spirit. A New creation that is being sanctified to live according to who we were born again to be.

Transition. Peter gives an additional reminder that God watches over us. And that ultimately evil will be punished to a conclusion in vv.13-17. That our Hearts are safe in Christ Jesus

#2 The Heart that cannot be Harmed, Shielded by a Holy Hope (13-17, we’ll start with 13-15).

[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 honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

What is Ultimate perspective of “harm” found in verse 13? I believe it is the perspective of H.C. 1.

That I am not my own, 1 but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, 2 to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. 3 He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, 4 and has set me free from all the power of the devil. 5 He also preserves me in such a way 6 that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; 7 indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. (H.C. Question 1).

Suffering in this life is not the ultimate “harm.” What good does it do a man to gain the world but lose his soul? We take a longer perspective.

Therefore, (v. 14) Do not be “troubled” (v. 14). When you do suffer. And we have talked about how we are following Christ. We desire to suffer for good and not for evil. So all the Family traits, the ways to bless others do not garuntee good treatment. So we we do suffer…

How do we suffer, when people harm us on earth despite our humble lives? We imitate Christ. We set Christ apart in our heart.

One response to suffering. One Response to those who ask our hope verse 15 “Honor you Christ in your heart as Your Holy Lord.” That is as Peter Davids says, “when abuse from non-Chrisian masters, husbands, and neighbors happens you are blessed. And you then respond with the hope in you.”

Peter Cites Isa. 8:13 which is about the LORD God. And says, set Jesus as your Lord apartin your heart. That is to say, Peter in this writing quite clearly believes that Jesus is his Creator God. And so gives the building block of Jesus as the divine second person of the trinity. So once again. Our hope is that Jesus is our God. And that he took on flesh a true human nature, died for us, dealt with sin and death, and is alive ruling and reigning as our Messiah and our God who saved us from our sins. That is the Hope that is within us filling our heart, our mind, our loves, controlling what we believe, how we speak, how we live. Because he is our Life itself!

Be ready to give a reason (apologia) for the hope that is within you.

Be ready to offer Christ as Savior and Lord to others. The gospel as good news. The biblical worldview as your life view that has Jesus at the center of it. Jesus explaining God, yourself, salvation, the bible, the world, and history to you and everyone. Jesus as the Lord of your ethics, your job, your family, your worship, your time, your schedule, your habits, and in and through it all.

“the hope that is within you” is simply your faith in Christ. The Gospel. What you believe as the good deposit from the apostles and found in the whole of the bible.

Do it in gentleness and love (not arrogantly, seeking intellectual scalps or with a smug spiritual and moral superiority.)

Arrogant, cage-stage, young mans sins…or a “how dare no ever have told me these things before” reaction in college when you finally get your Christian intellectual ducks in a row.

You need not be intellectually arrogant while being gentle and providing thorough answers. You need not be harsh while standing firm and unyielding to the truth

Gentleness and love is what Christ asks of our conversations with unbelievers.

(Surviving Religions 101 by Michael Kruger is you want an apologetic book.). Or Why Should I believe Christianity are excellent introductions…

Look in vv. 16-17 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior 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. (ESV)

Even if they slander and revile, if they reject your answer for your HOPE, your conviction that this world is more than matter, more than vague spirituality, that you know the broad brushstrokes of history and what God has revealed in his word. Even if all these hopes are rejected…

Peter reminds us that Nothing in your actions should dishonor Christ or Bring shame on Christ’s name.

He has just been talking to powerless servants, wives with unbelieving husbands, those who are having spiritual conversations with those in authority. Or perhaps just in the marketplace, as dinner, with a neighbor.

In all these relationships we as a community ought to support one another to do everything froma humble and loving mind. So that both as individuals and as a body any suffering we have is for Christ not for evil or arrogance from us.

Let us not suffer for Arrogance. Evil. Harshness. Nor let us not suffer Ignorance of our hope, Unthoughtful hope.

A Christ that isn’t Lord. Scripture that isn’t Holy. Worship that doesn’t express a deeper transcendent hope and purpose. A Conscience that has been corrupted by the morals of the world so that the salt loses its saltiness. The light loses its brightness and no one would view us as being a distinct hopeful people with a zeal for capital go Good. That shows their is a hope that those who have united mind in Christ Jesus distinctly have.

All these things are gifts and fruits of the Spirit purchased by Christ and given to us. He ascended in order to pour out the spirit.

(v. 16) your good behavior in Christ

This is Gospel fruit not legalism. Therefore, good behavior that flows from spiritual strength in Christ. Therefore, the right and wrong is determined by the Law of Christ.

With the result that others will be ashamed if they do revile us because we have not reviled, we have answered kindly, and we have blessed and not cursed. And then we know our suffering is the providential decision of our Lord. Not our own sin bring ruin on our heads. This can only come by being united to Christ and bearing the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.: It is Spiritual fruit not fleshly effort.

Galatians 5:22–25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (ESV)

If we live by the Spirit let us be strengthened as the Body of Christ as a fruitful outpost of the Kingdom of God.

· Pray for Divine Appointments.

· Pray for Conversations with Neighbors.

And until those conversations happen let us be strengthened. And return to all of you, have unity of mind [spirit], sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart [compassionate], and a humble mind, and bless one another.

Pray

Benediction

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

First, Broad Credit to Pastor Kevin Deyoung. I have taught on these verses previously and I want to credit everything good to him and acknowledge. Everyone ought to read his articles and books on this topic. Specifically chapter 5 of Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction which is an exposition of Ephesians 5.

Second, Since it is a singular verse that gives two really broad principles dwell with understanding, show honor, given three principles about your wife. We will pull in broader principles from numerous other bible passage on husbands.

Third, if you are not married. We can say, in different areas of your life you have leadership, care, and act as a Brother and Father spiritually. So through the years I have had several godly men and elders who were not husbands and fathers to individual families, but they were husbands and fathers to their Church, the broader church, their place of work, and their community. The Apostle Paul himself seems to fit this category. While Peter appears to have a wife and family. This may be why Peter’s instructions are so brief and practical and Paul reflects to the theological root a little more than Peter.

Lastly, Sisters, please see the relevance of thinking about slightly less than 50% of the population. And being able to reason wisely on what a godly man or husband Is.

Read: 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor 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. (ESV)

Four Questions today.

#1 Why Just One Verse?

#2 What is dwelling with Understanding?

#3 How is Honor shown?

#4 How to love like Jesus loves the Church?

Why Just one verse? Peter spends 6 verses on the occasion when only the wife is a believer because she was socially vulnerable. Now, because the husband’s position was less socially vulnerable if only he was a believer. Peter is Briefer but this one verse is still necessary because Peter wants the Leader, the head of the home to use his authority wisely and to be a blessing as a believer. So that the watching world could see how the Christian husband leads his home with Faith & Love both when his wife believes and when she does not believe.

Kevin DeYoung notes that in Ephesians 5 The Commands are at the specific points of fallenness. That is also our context of 1 Peter 3.

So just as Peter sees how a good thing internal and external beauty can become twisted. And instead must be cultivated with godliness.

Now Peter shows how a good thing – strength and leadership can become a bad thing, unthoughtful, inattentive, lack of leadership, and instead smug spiritual superiority and uncaring of your wife’s spiritual growth and good.

So to correct our fallen distortions of Masculinity Peter, Paul, and Jesus command Husbands to several duties.

Husbands are to live with their wives with love & honor. They are to lead, understand, provide, and protect their wives.

This positive vision, if embraced, will be the good blessing that expels the curse of the fall.

Two Principles of how this leadership and headship is entered into before we unpack this one verse.

First, Remember, Marriage is VOLUNTARY, it is a good creational ordinance, it can even be said to be the statistical norm and vision for the majority of people and good. But at the end of the day – As Jesus says, there is no marriage in heaven (Matt. 22:23–33; parallels in Mark 12:25). And Further, some are for a season, or for life called to singleness.

For those who have voluntarily taken marriage vows to: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my faithful promise...And the wife takes the same vow but with the addition to obey…reflecting that The husband is the head of the wife. “as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands” (Eph. 5:24)

Because of these two realities—the headship of the husband in the created order and the analogy of Christ and the church—the wife should freely submit to her husband.

I say that to point out that

The man is never told to submit the wife unto himself. Instead, the woman is told to submit herself unto her husband. It is a submission freely given, never forcibly taken.

1) It is freely entered into in Marriage vows. And so should Always discussed in pre-marital counseling.

#2 What is dwelling with Understanding?

Peter says Live with your wives with understanding

This is Intentional presence, “doing life together”

We neither want work obsessed never present husbands, nor do we want husbands so consumed with home they are unable to fulfill Work, Church, and community callings as well.

Family, Church, Work, and Community are apsects…But our wives and families should not be sacrificed to a single other calling that has become an obsession.

Further the command is to live - with your wives – You took vows to this one individual woman. So like a horse with blinders on fulfill this.

But it is not live with your wives…by hiding away, never talking, helping, having family meetings, going over the budget together, or planning your future, priorities, family policies, or asking how she is doing. No. It is with UNDERSTANDING. Or another translation “Consideration” or “Study her until you understand her.”

The old trope of “confusing women,” “men can’t understand women,” can be hurtful

Yes, while holding the truth that Men and women often process relationships, problems, and priorities differently

This should never be an excuse to lazily not understand your wife or women in general.

You both speak English. So study her by observation, Ask good questions, stop to listen, think about what blesses, benefits, harms you can remove, and simply have the conversation with her and other wise people until you have earned you PhD in your specific wife.

A Second Component of Understanding means you must be growing in wisdom, knowledge of both the world – so understanding in how to care for and lead the physical household AND

second, spiritual wisdom how to lead and care for souls entrusted to you. What is spiritually healthy and sound doctrine. When to say, hey, I know that sounds good spiritually on the surface, but look here in the word, look at the gospel, Christ, sound doctrine.

Kevin Deyoung says, Leading “in an understanding way” means taking responsibility to know your wife’s needs, spiritual condition, and context, and making decisions with her good in view. …Even as she seeks to follow as a Helpmate with your good in view.

If you do so your prayers together your following Christ together will not be hindered but instead flourish.

Right look at the end of verse 7, “That your prayers may not be hindered.”

The call to “show honor” demands leadership that elevates rather than diminishes, good leaders both continue to grow themselves. to mature themselves. And as they grow and mature as leaders, they will cause those under their care to grow as well within their calling. This parallels Ephesians 5:23–24’s “headship with Christlike love.”

So #2 dwelling with Understanding?

Question #3 How is Honor shown?

By honoring the weaker vessel.

Not exactly the end of year trophy you want “most improved” “best defender” “weaker vessel”

This phrase, this Idiom or expression, weaker vessel: Quite simply the phrase contrasts the fine china, a beautiful vase vs. the 5 gallon bucket.

Both are beautifully co-heirs of grace. In Christ by faith. Equal in dignity.

But you wouldn’t use the 5 gallon bucket to bring beauty, warmth, and the finishing touch to a home.

Nor would you use the finer-vessel that vase to cart the water in in order to water the Ox as a farmer.

One is for tea, or to serve medicine out of. The other is for hauling water or for when a pipe bursts.

This doesn’t declare inherent weakness or a one size-fits all kind of strength in men and women but it does as we said last week create an eager posture to ask how does the good design of both internal and external beauty that can be strong complement the good design of internal and external strength.

It is a real difference.

It is a natural and scientific difference that is measurable.

And when we ignore nature, when we watch 20 marvel movies where black widow weighs 120lbs and takes out 220lb Russian body builders we have left reality for a fantasy.

But neither to we forget just how tough a pair a Farming Husband and Wife. Relative. Real Difference.

And on the flip side, we kid ourselves if we ever think our good differences, strength and weaknesses ever mean we are not co-heirs in Christ Jesus with souls that will last forever.

Two people who have equal value and dignity before their creator.

You may go back and listen to what Peter had for godly wives precious in God’s sight last week’s sermon.

For the next 15 Minutes are so let us drill down into wisdom for just how to lead and live with understanding.

Or Asking #4 How are Husbands to love like Jesus loves the Church?

If we are Following and Helping…What do you want? A Good leader.

Followership imply? Leadership right? Maybe even worthwhile leadership we hope. Following Means…Responding to his initiative.

If the verb for wives is support, respect, and follow. Then what comes to your mind from Ephesians 5, Matthew 19, Genesis 1-2, the various good husbands throughout scripture?

The verbs for the husbands are: [1] lead, [2] sacrifice, and [3] care for them as Christ does for the church.

This means men should be taking spiritual initiative to lead their home to

Eat Dinner together, Go to Church each Sunday, worship (pray, sing, read) together. Set the priorities of family goals for the good of your church, community, and family itself.

This means men should lead with an understanding of how their leadership impacts their wives. (Talk, Pray, Talk, Pray through decisions. But the final call must be shouldered by the husband.

In Ruth chapter 1. Elimelech moves his family from Bethlehem to Moab. He prioritized physical comfort over spiritual faithfulness. His sons married pagan wives, and he and all his sons died. The Lord worked through a poor decision to bring Ruth back, there is redemption, there is grace. But as you read Ruth 1, it is striking that it is considered poor leadership by Elimelech. In modern terms he moved for a better paying Job, but there were no good churches or community in the area. So a bigger house but spiritually poor house. Until Naomi leads her 1 daughter in law to the Lord God and we have redemption.

SO #1 Lead: Taking the initiative over passivity.

Husbands should always be thinking what the next right and godly thing the family should be engaged in and the spiritual goals for the family. Then the wife should heartily be helping to make it a vital reality.

Think of the sadness of Peter in verses 1-6 of the wife with an unbelieving Husband. The unbelieving husband does not lead his family to church, he does not open the family bible, sing a song, pray with his wife and for his children.

But in Verse 7. He studies his wife, he sees the spiritual needs as He takes the initiative to have his prayers and spiritual leadership unhindered.

If a family is not regular in Worship on the Lord’s Day, and leading the Spiritual conversations of the home, the burden of responsibility falls on one person. (Now I didn’t say, all the factors involved fall on one person just the burden of leadership).

Eph. 5:25-27 “Love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish”

If husbands take this seriously they will cherish their wife’s growth in godliness & holiness. As well as their children.

Caveat: Growing up, our bible time in the morning was pretty regular. 9AM every day. For some, I know car rides are the redeemed time. For some the breakfast table. For others it is immediately after dinner time – 3-5 nights a week…

My dad, hugely faithful man. did NOT make family worship each evening. My family, its fits and starts with 3 littles.

Joel Beeke has some advice here on how to do this. And I’ll be first in line to say, I am not as consistent as I desire to be BUT there are times and Seasons. God is gracious. We are but dust. And what an opportunity to open up the whole counsel of God with our Kids. Beeke’s Family Worship bible has excellent questions for each chapter of the bible.

Alright, but what if you say, I am in high school, a retired empty nester, or not married: Personal government and responsibility before family government and responsibility.

If this is not your stage of life bring these considerations ovto your personal bible time and fellowship where you study the word with other believers.

A Man should be a blessing and building up the relationships around him while singleand while young. Find a place to be a leader in/and practice being a follower of other godly men!

Sacrifice: Jesus died for the church. We practice Self-sacrificial leadership

At base: doing things while tired but would rather not, but it’s the right thing to do.

Come into rooms loving the people in the room by coming in sacrificially smiling and joyful even when tired.

A worthy aspiration for Husbands is to with joyful strength bring warmth and safety in the family room in the evenings.

Sacrifice is tangibly: being present at home, magnanimous (overlooking offenses), patient, honey-do-lists, co-laboring around the house.

Dwelling with understanding means there is a flexible dance with care and chored.

sometimes work does mean there are seasons of working long-hours and sacrificing at work for family

sometimes there are health concerns. Or seasons with infants or kids with special needs

DeYoung: “You may need to forfeit climbing the corporate ladder in order to be a decent husband. You may be called upon to give up your hopes and dreams in order to take care of your wife after she falls ill or is injured.” (71)

Chrysostom: “Yea, even if it shall be needful for thee to give thy life for her, yea, and to be cut into pieces ten thousand times, yea, and to endure and undergo any suffering whatever,—refuse it not. Though thou shouldest undergo all this, yet wilt thou not, no not even then, have done anything like Christ.”4 [Lead, Sacrifice, and Care]

Care: Cherish her as your own body (Eph. 5:28).

She is your other half, your own flesh and bone. You don’t abuse your body; you build up, protect, and nourish it. Likewise, cherish and care for your wife. “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them” (Col. 3:19).

Implications for abusive husbands? John Calvin, “the man who does not love his wife, is a monster” – Calvin

Honorable Men Provide: Food, clothing, security (emotional, spiritual, and physical)

“there are worse things than men feeling deep within themselves that women are to be protected, not exploited, defended, not demeaned, and treated with special honor instead of nothing special whatsoever. “ (72)

There is a dreadful dismissal of this in our day, seen in videos of men in anger justifying hitting a woman.

There is a brokenness to the social contract men and women used to have.

DeYoung quotes Mary Eberstadt saying, “the sexual revolution—with its laissez-faire [lax] attitude toward sex and its insistence that men and women are the same when it comes to sex—has left women vulnerable and frustrated. “The furious, swaggering, foul-mouthed rhetoric of feminism promises women what many can’t find elsewhere: protection.”Women, more than ever, need to know that men will treat them by a different set of rules and will seek the well-being of women above their own.” (72)

“In the book A Return to Modesty, Jewish author Wendy Shalit comments on the quaint etiquette rules from the past—rules like “a man always opens a door for a woman,” or “a man carries packages or suitcases for a woman,” or “a man rises when a woman comes into the room,” or “if a woman drops her glove in the street, you’d certainly pick it up,” or you never “race a woman, young or old, for a vacant seat.” Shalit acknowledges that “one can certainly criticize these rules as sexist, and many have.” But she continues, “The simple fact is that a man who observed all of the above rules was a man who treated a woman with respect, a man who was incapable of being boorish.” Women were not to be treated like men; they were to be treated differently, like women. Consequently, “in the old view, if you weren’t considerate to women, you weren’t really a man.” (73)

This isn’t to defend for all cultures and all times this exact list. But the principle of list certainly.

To this point Kevin DeYoung says, “If men in general ought to treat women with special care and kindness, how much more so for our own wives.”

D. L. Moody once remarked, ‘If I wanted to find out whether a man was a Christian, I wouldn’t ask his minister. I would go and ask his wife. . . . If a man doesn’t treat his wife right, I don’t want to hear him talk about Christianity.’” (73)

Closing argument by Deyoung: Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church. If there is no distinction in how we related to each, no ordering, no self-sacrificing headship, no joyful submission, we are left with Christ and Christ or the church and the church.

God is trying to show something in our marriages. If we disallow sexual differentiation, we are not allowing to shine forth the very heart of marriage itself. Yes, God created marriage for companionship and for [intimate union] and for children, but most of all, he created marriage to reveal this profound mystery of Christ and the church. This is a high calling. His plan is for a watching world to look at husband and wife and see such gentle, joyful submission and such self-denying, loving leadership that it gets a picture of the beauty that is the relationship between Christ and his church. Nothing less than God’s full glory is at stake.

Let us never view the bible’s commands for marriage, men, and women in both the church and family as a few random and arbitrary rules or isolated verses but as a consistent biblical model for blessing.

May our marriages, families, and church be both formed by the Holy Spirit and also witnesses to the work of the Holy Spirit and an accurate reflection of Christ Jesus. And may we resist the foolishness of a world in this area.

Prayer

Benediction

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com

Recap: Suffering Christ, living as exiles in various difficult circumstances.

Read 1 Peter 3:1–6: 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 jewelry, 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.

Prayer of Illumination

#1 God’s good design and calling for biblical marriage

#2 God’s good design and care when a believing Wife has an unbelieving husband

#1 God’s good design and calling for biblical marriage (v. 1).

v. 1 likewise, wives[JE1] , be subject to your own husbands …

This is the type of verse where on the phrase “Be subject” we could read a 300-page academic book twist it into a pretzel and say that it says the opposite of what it says.

Though it does turn out ὑποτάσσω translated as be subject, arrange yourself under the leadership of another…means just that.

I do not want to “nuance” the command away (while recognize there is nuance, wisdom, and sinful abuse of any good thing)…Let us lean into the principle. Because it takes place in the context of the entire bible. It is not a sudden and strange statement of Peter. We do not want to do away with the blessing of God’s good design for men, women, and Christian marriages.

Peter and Paul are unique in their extensive understanding of moral agency, the need to address women intelligently, as sisters in Christ, making decisions for themselves about how to live godly lives. SO the fact of 6 verses for wives here and 1 verse for Husbands is not an insult but rather Peter saying hey, I see you (cicero, plato, Aristotle 0 verses to wives, and its more complicated for the wives than the men here. So sorry men you get only 1 verse from Peter not 6 hope you don’t feel excluded.

Two points before we unpack the big picture:

First, notice Peter says to follow the leadership of, Your own husbands, Paul is not saying women should be subject to every man in society. Rather follow the leadership of your husband.

Second, this is Ideally a marriage of two believers, a wife following the leadership of her Christian Husband, but, Peter will unpack for us that very real fact that sometimes, your husband who may be an unbeliever - who is not very happy you are no longer following his gods or lack of religion but Jesus. And he gets embarrassed in front of his guy friends that his wife goes to church, and he gets upset…

But First What is God’s good design for biblical marriage. For husbands who do love the Lord. Paul expands on this scenario of a believing husband in Ephesians 5:22-33.

Ephesians 5:22–33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Exact same command but with some added clarification for the better scenario…There is the reminder that the obedience is not absolute, it is to the Lord. The husband cannot command sin. The unbelieving husband certainly could not command sin just as we saw with any authority relationship in 1 Peter 2.

Verse 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. [28] In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. [29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body. [31] “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” [32] This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [33] However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)

So we can ground the principles of Marriage in Christ and the Church. A godly husband loves and leads his wife like Christ does the church. He causes her to flourish holy and Whole. Nourished. Cherished.

1 Peter & Ephesians household teaching does not come out of nowhere, both Jesus and Paul cite God’s good creation of Marriage and they recognize Sin really messes up our relationships. So, what was the good design and how does sin harm it?

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (ESV)

God forms Eve from Adam’s Side,

“Women were created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, near to his heart to be loved by him.” – Matthew Henry

…Co-dignified image bearers. Just as verse 7 says, they are heirs with you of the grace of life…Jesus in Matthew 19 affirms this dignity of God’s good design for marriage in creation against attempts to cheapen it by his contemporary culture by lamenting men easily and quickly divorcing their wives by citing Creational Standards for marriage. Creation. Nature. As Yet unfallen. What God calls “very good.”

Our Lord Jesus upholds this creational norm. In Matthew 19:4–6 [4] He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, [5] and said, (Citing Gen. 2). ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? [6] So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (ESV)

One man, one woman, in a lifelong union.

Jesus’ words combined with Paul’s consistent teaching expresses God’s abiding plan for marriage and family in creation while thinking about it in a fallen world.

This is a sinful and a fallen world. Jesus had to push back on selfish easy divorces by men ridding themselves of their wives. Paul and Peter both here and in Ephesians must press husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church and to dwell with their wives with understanding.

Jesus, Paul, Peter, and the whole narrative of the bible say God’s design for Marriage is when Men leadhouseholds well, and women follow and support their husbands and families well.

This is not a one-size-fits-all cookie cutter look. But it is a consistent Principle. And a consistent principle will be recognizable across cultures and decades yet not identical.

Further, the whole bible shows the damage that happens when fallen men and women throw off and disorder God’s design for marriage and family. We see it in the lives of men and women throughout the bible. (Such as everytime polygamy or unfaithfulness to the marriage, or lack of leadership blows up in Abraham’s, David’s, Judahs, Solomon face…And we similarly see disorder in our present culture it just takes different forms. (Bullseye – you can miss in any direction but the principle the goal is still the same). Sin is missing the mark the standard.

But Perhaps worse of all is a husband and a wife twisting a scriptural principle to sin against each other in the marriage.

Biblical Principles, Wisdom, and Close community are guards here. To address hypocrisy.

(HW: Re-read all those 5th commandment questions on sins and responsibilities of leaders and following but as marriage advice).

So when we come to Peter and Paul they are not saying new things. They are restating truths they wisely see in God’s good creation and they wisely give warnings for abuses they see in society due to the fall. Because the abuse of a good thing doesn’t make it a bad thing And certainly, the less than two-century-old feminist solution doesn’t solve the abuses. It breaks God’s design for marriage, family, the church, and the posture of society.

The Feminist solution flattens out the roles of men and women and ignores physical differences. It is no solution at all but just rebellion against creation and nature. (2nd-4th wave).

We already saw that leadership responsibility is for husbands…and wives are to live with their husbands as a helpmeet (an honored term used of God as a helper of Israel), The bible celebrates the life giving, beauty, relational care, and cultivation women give a home and marriage.

It’s a beautiful journey when two believers walk shoulder to shoulder towards a common horizon of loving God and loving people and doing it in a clear eyed well-ordered way. This is wonderful in society as well.

Pastor Kevin Deyoung in his book Men and Women in the Church gives a good summary of the broad teaching of the bible on the complementarity of us made in God’s image, male and female with implications that are drawn from texts all through the bible but especially echoes of 1 Peter 3 here. As he Often does he has an ABCDE acronym, that he takes in the EBADC order.

[Please read Kevin Deyoung’s Article and his entire book on this topic. This Review https://heidelblog.net/2022/08/review-kevin-deyoungs-men-and-women-in-the-church/ and This article is the basis of the quotes and insights that follow: https://clearlyreformed.org/how-are-men-and-women-different/]

As men and women we prayerfully ask God how to

First, Having an Eager Posture – to god’s good design, “At its best, biblical manhood and womanhood is about nothing less than the joyful appropriation of all that God meant for us to be in the garden, divinely fitted for working and helping, for protecting and flourishing, for leaving and cleaving, for filling the earth and subduing it. That’s what God saw at the close of the sixth day, and behold, it was very good.”

Second, “Glorify God in your Body. We are “embodied” not brains in vats, we are embodied as male and female. (so beware the way the internet dis-embodies your experience). We need to go touch grass to remember to glorify God in our body).

Third, an eager posture to Confidently embody embracing the Appearance of being a man or woman but in a humble way. This may look different in different times and cultures but it’s not just an arbitrary societal construct.

Fourth, Embracing a god-given demeanor. Scripture generally describes mothers as “gentle, affectionate, sacrificial” and fathers as “full of exhortation, encouragement, and leadership”

Fifth, Character. Scripture suggests that “The crowning characteristic of a woman is true beauty and thecrowning characteristic of the man is true strength.” A beautiful woman is “respectful, pure, and gentle.” Astrong man shows honor, understanding, and caring leadership (MWC 127; 1 Peter 3:1–7).

And it is here that Kevin Deyoung cites – 1 Peter 3:1-7. Showing that the bible recognizes the particularly female or male temptations to sin: men abusing their strength and women abusing their beauty….Or anyone manipulating women to only find their value in beauty or anyone manipulating men to abuse their strength.

Instead, Peter would say (v.2-6) you are beautiful but nurture inward beauty. And (v.7) Men, you are strong but is your strength caring for your wife or harming her?

A True home needs to be structurally strong and made beautiful. It needs soundness and to be filled with warmth.

One interesting element is that as our society rejects God’s good design is more and more commonly we see what normally male sin patterns in women and normally female sin patterns in men are increasingly common.

For a whole lot of this it can be useful to think of a bell-curve – the two over-arching distributions. And the bible easily recognizes that while still eagerly being male and female of course as humans we have overlap. And men and women may have an abundance of traits that even push past each other as men and women. And modern society would attempt to do its best to push these two bell curves to overlap identically. This is a project that will always fail….And some societies like the 1950s may panic and try to entirely pull the two bell curves apart…[1]

Society does best when it calms down a bit. Sees God’s good creation. Sees common humanity and equal dignity with real natural differences and callings as well, and we simply ask God, how can I honor you as a man or a woman, how can I honor God as a husband and wife?

If you are wrestling through with this I would say, to talk to a wise, godly man or woman who loves God’s word to help you in this. I know Anna would love to talk about it. I am available, the books in the back are available.

#2 God’s good design and care when a believing Wife has an unbelieving husband

If some do not obey the word: v. 1-2 again, 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.

SO remember Peter’s scenario in the 1st century Roman Galatia or Cappadocia, where a husband is still a pagan who is not very happy you are no longer following his gods but Jesus. And he gets embarrassed in front of his guy friends that his wife goes to church and he gets upset….) This happens all the time today. Countless women who going to church or bringing the kids to church is a battle each week while the Husband stays home to watch TV or Fish…The Church ought to comfort and support such sisters in Christ.

But How would Peter have this wife win her husband to Christ? Especially in a society where he and all his friends and influential people are embarrassed she has become religious.

How should she win him? By showing that Following Jesus has made her a more loving, more respectful and supportive and caring wife towards him, the kids, and his friends than before.

Peter’s hope is that he May be won… (GAINED). Gain has a certain sweetness to it over “won.” – What a blessing if he could be gained as a husband who loves the Lord Jesus as well, who delights to have the kids know Christ…Who by the Holy Spirit will embody v. 7 where he dwells with understanding and love towards his wife. Spiritually co-heirs with Christ, praying with and for each other.

Application: This is very different from what our culture says. Our Culture says, if you and your husband are not living your best life now. And he doesn’t get something you care about. Well, honey, you ditch him, write about it in a blog and Instagram, and once your lawyer is done with him, go to Greece and pretend you are in a movie and live your best musical life without the bum.

What is precious in God’s sight for his daughters in Christ is very different from Instagram, American Girl-Boss self-fulfillment culture Which says, “he’s not perfect? Get rid of him!”

Advertisers, movies, and current culture readily say, if your marriage is flawed then he ought to be immediately moved on from as unvaluable, and to upgrade to some other pursuit of self-fulfillment quest, some girl-bossing journey.

[You can ask Anna some more of her thoughts on this later, it’s a regularly occurring conversation, because she regularly encounters it.]

Peter would say, He is your husband, you have covenanted together, how much more beautiful and precious in the sight of God is a respectful and pure conduct that wins, this unspiritual, spiritually disinterested husband, to take another look at Christ Jesus. To possibly come alongside following the Lord, to grow spiritually, and, Lord willing, to begin to take his lead in loving and leading his family to follow God, love the Church, and operate healthily under his physical and spiritual leadership.

Now: Caveat, the bible knows it’s a fallen world, physical abuse deserves a phone call to the police and church assistance through it.

Peter’s advice to stay and win the husband is for the person whose husband spiritually is not where he ought to be. But the love and respect of his wife who has her life hidden in Christ can be a wordless witness to him who so far has refused to her the word of the gospel.

To do this will take true Spiritual Maturity which means v. 3-6 Which explains what this should not and should look like,

It should not look like external adorning, braiding of hair , and clothes/jewelry.

STORY: I sent this text to Anna (but I wasn’t asking her to stop being pretty).

Peter is warning against a DISORDERED AND Idolatrous concern for flaunting wealth, beauty, and status.

Excessively conforming yourself to Instagram and influencer beauty standards and believing this is what makes you a beautiful person is not what Christian women have concerned themselves with.

It should rather be clothing yourself in – Your Inward, hidden person, which imperishable (As Peter says our Inheritance in Heaven Is), a gentle and quiet spirit

The easiest way to explain this inward beauty is just citing the opposite from Proverbs.

Proverbs 27 says, A wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain…A continualdripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; 16 to restrain her is to restrainthe wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.

How different from what Peter says is very precious in God’s sight.

A Daughter of the king, stewarding inward gentleness and quiet spirit rather than externalism

So a godly woman sets aside attempts that are skin-deep and manipulative.

instead living in a way that is precious in God’s sight AND may GAIN their husbands to Christ

Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious thanjewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. (BTW the rest of Prov. show a wonderful portrait of the industrious wife that is both not feminist and not 1950s).

Verse 5, These Christian Women follow the example of “Holy Women who hoped in God” – How?

Sarah, Hoped in God while following Abraham

Sarah, demonstrates this when Abraham, not once but twice was a cowardly and poor leader (Egypt…Fear of Pharoah…just tell them you’re my sister). But the Lord preserved her from getting to the point where she had to Honor God and throw Abraham under the bus.

And later through all the ups and downs of a less than ideal marriage when she laughs at the Angels announcement in Gen. 18 that she would have a child she still calls Abraham, “my lord.”

The word here is “Lord, or Master” it is Culturally appropriate form of that respect. We say sir and ma’am now in the south. The principle is abiding, be respectful.

Even in older books like Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Bennett, calls her husband Mr. Bennett, which we would view as cold and distant. But for them was public and formal. First names were used sparingly, but were much more affectionate when they were used.

This frame of mind is the posture that would insist on – Not gossiping/complaining of a husbands’ faults all around town.

Godly women attempt to be aware of whether they are complaining of their husbands to other ladies, diminishing him in their sight. And most certainly do not complain of the husband to other men, especially as a means of building emotional, proto-romantic attachment.

The respect and love is still there when two sinners say “I Do.” And lo and behold we sin “but love covers a multitude of sins” (which you can then honestly talk about).

What does the phrase “if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” mean?

I think it is the fear of a new believer having an unbelieving husband.

Of Exile, Of being different from society. OF no longer being equally spiritually yolked with their husband

The wife in 1 Peter 3, She is a chosen exile as a Christian without even her covenant life partner to support her…

This probably supported Sarah in those times where she and Abraham were threatened by Egypt because of her beauty and Abraham arguably could’ve done better. But the Lord God cared for them. But how much worse if Abraham hadn’t even been a believer.

So Peter is saying, be brave and steward what is precious in God’s sight, do not fear God says, I will be with you I have called you by name you are mine.

For this wife, May the church model the love of God the Father, and the love of Christ the husband of the Church

And in a fallen world may Christ be our comfort

Christ our final hope, and

Christ’s church ready to support and defend sisters in difficult circumstances. But in Truth. Anchored in Creation and the truth. No clever substitutes.

You have a heavenly father who loves you and watches over you.

You have Christ your groom, who died for his church. And if we are in Christ we are brothers and sisters in Christ. May an eager Posture to God’s good design allow our church families to model the love of Christ and commend God’s good design.

Prayer

Benediction

[1] Note its our “memory” of the 1950s, much can be said about how we only remember the caricature of the 50s. We view it through Ads and the popular media's memory of it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamesensley.substack.com