Sunday 9 May
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1 Peter 4:1-9
To Live in God’s Will Last week, we talked about baptism and whether it can save you. In Romans 6:3, 4 Paul writes, ‘Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life’. Our denomination and many others, frown upon rebaptism – that is being baptised with water on more than one occasion. For us it is effectively saying that our first baptism does not count – and that for us is clearly wrong – of course it matters and therefore does not need to be repeated in any form. But that kind of baptism is a “water” baptism. There is another kind of baptism that also counts and we are all encouraged to be baptised in that way too. It is a Spirit baptism. John 3:5 tells us about this, “Jesus replied, “I assure you no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” In Spirit baptism, when we become Christians, Romans 6:3, 4 says we are “baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death” in order that “we too may live a new life.” In 1 Peter 4:1 we are told that “Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” “Done with sin” and “living a new life” are synonymous. This takes us back to chapter 3:18 and why Jesus bore all of our sin – remember why? - to bring (us) to God” As Jesus died carrying all our sin, we come to understand that our sin is dead through His suffering and sacrifice. So, when we invite Jesus to take our sin and to fill us with the Holy Spirit to guide us and transform our thinking, we become baptised with the Holy Spirit. That equips us to have an attitude like Christ’s and we all know Christ’s attitude was always to live in the Father’s will. This is why last week’s challenge was for us to think about how we respond to temptation. In Romans 6 we are charged “to live a new life”: A life like Christ lived. We don’t manage to do this instantly and perfectly, but we travel, guided by the Holy Spirit, with the attitude that we aim to become more and more Christ-like as our faith and experience matures. This then is how we can live in God’s will. When someone has a near death experience or gets bad news about a serious illness for themselves or a loved one, it brings life and death to the forefront of their minds. v2 tell us how not to live: (living) “earthly lives for evil human desires”. And though we won’t like the suggestion that we have all done this at some point, we most likely all have:
and more of these things that are listed in verses 3 and 4. Has anyone not done some of these things? Has anyone not wrestled with a decision about what they desire and not what is best for them or for others? Living in God’s will help us to have power over making bad decisions. It can save us a lot of grief and pain. It can keep or help make us far more grounded and balanced. It can make us lovely and be more loved by others too. Peter is hoping that the reminder of our past sins will help us to shun making the same mistakes in future. (sometimes we may find it difficult to break a pattern) By verse 4 Peter wants to motivate us from all the present opposition we face against living in God’s will. Many times, people I have worked with have presumed a whole variety of things about what being a Christian means, things which were mostly untrue. Sometimes they set up in opposition to me based on these wrong presumptions. No matter how thick skinned we are, it can still hurt but thankfully suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege too. This then is also about having the right attitude. So, in verse 5 Peter explains that we will all be called to account. For those who are living in God’s will, it will be a relief knowing that Jesus has sorted out all our failings. For those who are not living in God’s will, it will be awful and they choose to retain all their sin. Yet God’s plan in verse 6 is for us to share the Gospel, encourage others to come under the preaching of God’s Holy word each Sunday, precisely so that those on the wrong side of God’s judgment can make a far more informed and better choice. God will be fair, but He sees and knows everything. He offers forgiveness, but it is not His fault if people choose not to hear His offer because they have already decided that they do not want to hear the Christian arguments and promises or think them foolish. In verses 7-11 Peter says that the right conduct needs to be lived out right to the end – no slacking off, no trying to live with one leg in this world and one in heaven. 1. The very first thing Peter presents to us here concerns our prayer life. The American Evangelist Reuben Torrey, wrote, "Prayer can do anything that God can do, as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent." I wonder if we conducted a prayer life survey, how many of us would have a healthy prayer life? I am not trying to embarrass anyone or make anyone feel guilty – I would love to be proved wrong. If our prayer life is not vibrant, we are missing out - It is a most wonderful privilege talking directly to God at any time about anything and hearing His encouragements and plans for us. We only have this opportunity because of what Christ did on the Cross, and HE is our advocate in heaven. It is also good for our minds and keeps us spiritually alert. Maybe some of us need to commit to joining the church prayer meeting to every Sunday at 10. 2. Then secondly “love” is essential – love your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, being a loving person to those you meet and to those far away with your kindness, prayerfulness for them and charitable giving too. People who do the sinful things listed, like to misinterpret this verse. I worked with someone who regularly committed adultery and would argue if two consenting adults love each other and their partners don’t know about it, how can that be wrong? God however, states that this is sinful and deserves judgment – even though He sent His only Son to make a way to pay the price to enable a merciful judgment. So how does love cover a multitude of sins as v8 states? If you love someone, there is no room for hate or deceit or slander or a whole multitude of wrong behaviour towards them – and that includes spouses and faithfulness towards them. With our new attitude we will seek the good of others and always try to avoid harming them in any way. And even above this, we are called to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength”. So, we ought not to cheat on Him either. 3. Lastly today verse 9 practice hospitality – I could jokingly say practice until you are really good at it, but it means do it, and do it regularly. Next week the Rwanda team are hosting Calumn Henderson of Comfort International and we are offered the chance to give charitable and possibly to join with them for lunch too. Earlier I mentioned how a near death experience or a serious illness can make you want to live life while you can – Living in God’s will is all about that. This week’s challenges then as we are called as Christians to live in God’s will is:
Amen
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