Sermon: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Posted by Church on March 15, 2010
Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“Love Life and See Good Days”
1 Peter 3:8-12
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Honor Through the Marriage
Posted by Pastor on March 8, 2010
Bible text: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Sermon audio here.
Discussion of this text is usually dominated by the instruction for wives to submit to their husbands. While that is certainly something to be evaluated, 1 Peter 3 is not primarily a marriage manual or treatise on gender roles. This passage is part of a larger group of illustrations Peter uses to help his readers understand what living like an Elect Exile looks like. Missing the main cultural point of the passage will lead us to apply the text in all kinds of goofy ways.
The key is the word “Likewise” in verse 1 and in verse 7. The word refers back to a concept Peter has already discussed and sets the wives/husbands instructions firmly in that context. The most recent illustration was addressed to slaves at the end of chapter 2. There, the main thought was for slaves to “be submissive to their masters with all respect.” (The word translated “respect” is literally “fear”, but most translators understand the usage of “fear” conveying the sense of “respect” to be the best translation option here.) Since “be submissive” is repeated in the instruction to wives, it is not likely to be the clause to which the “likewise” refers. Therefore, it calls up the context of living with all respect in your given cultural context, in a way that glorifies Christ and demonstrates that the gospel is the path to the most honorable life. This “with all respect” governs both the instructions to wives and to husbands.
Sermon: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Posted by Church on March 7, 2010
Pastor Brian LeStourgeon
“Honor Through the Marriage”
1 Peter 3:1-7
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Honor and Good
Posted by Pastor on March 1, 2010
Bible Text: 1 Peter 2:11-25
After further identifying the true identity of the Elect Exiles as living stones in the honorable house of God, Peter enters a long series of passages describing how we should live in the world without being of the world.
One key to understanding these passages is to recognize that Peter is not simply saying, “Hey, I’m an apostle – so shut up and do what I tell you.” Rather, the apostle addresses his readers as beloved brothers, telling them, “Hey, remember who (and what) you really are – don’t act like someone you’re not.”
If it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck...
Think about a duck. No one has to tell a duck to quack, or waddle, or swim. This is what a duck does because this is what a duck is. Have you ever heard the saying, “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck then it must be a duck!” Peter is saying, “This is how an Elect Exile walks. This is how an Elect Exile quacks. This is what an Elect Exile looks like.”
Who Are You?
Posted by Pastor on February 16, 2010
Bible Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10
The exiles to whom Peter writes were likely asking themselves questions about their own significance and place in the world. Cut off from their former lives and legacy, they were in danger of being absorbed into their new surrounding cultures. In this section of the letter, Peter reminds them who they really are – to give them hope.
Read Isaiah 28:16. This is part of a passage of judgment on the ancient rulers of Israel. Instead of practicing justice and righteousness, they were concerned for their own profits and made agreements with foreign powers (of which God did not approve). God is telling the leaders that he is finally carrying out the judgment upon them for violating the Covenant Law, and he is laying a new foundation – a new cornerstone.
The cornerstone was the most important stone in an ancient building. Its sides determined how close to square the rest of the building would be. Its height determined how large the other stones could be.
Isaiah is saying that God is implementing a new organizing principle for the new (restored) work of God. The people of the time probably thought that God was talking about laying the foundation for a new Temple, but Peter says that the stone is not a rock, but a living person. God’s new organizing principle for his work in the world is a person, Jesus Christ.
Peter goes on to say that the Elect Exiles are also living, being brought to Jesus to be organized into a new thing, a new work of God. Far from being forgotten by God in their exile, believers in Jesus are being actively shaped by God – perfectly accurate according to his own plans.
Which leads Peter to answer the question, “Who are you?” in verses 9-10.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
This is the language of Exodus 19, where God addresses his chosen people prior to giving them the Law. Now Peter says that, according to the cornerstone (the new organizing principle of God’s work) it is the ones who believe in Jesus who have the honor of being “God’s Chosen People”. Like ancient Israel was called out of Egypt into a promised land to be a witness to the nations, now believers have been called out of slavery to sin and sent into all the nations to make the truth of God known.
All Christians are exiles, but Scripture reminds us that we are Elect Exiles, born again with a purpose, as part of the people and household of God. Whatever you are facing in life today – whatever the world is throwing at you in an attempt to bring you shame – remember who God says you really are, commit yourself to your true purpose, and hold your head high with honor. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ bless you today.
Our Father’s Children
Posted by Pastor on February 8, 2010
Bible Text: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3
Peter gives us five commands in yesterday’s passage:
- Set your hope fully on the grace
- Be holy in all your conduct
- Conduct yourselves with fear
- Love one another
- Long for the pure spiritual milk
You’ll have to read the passage for yourself to see what he means by each of these, but the main thing that seems to tie them all together is the view of the Father-Son relationship of the ancient world.
For most of human history, across societies, it was expected that a son would do what his father did. Professions ran in family lines. A wise son, or a good son, would be one who learned from and obeyed his father.
Peter encourages us to act like our Father in Heaven, who has chosen us to be His Elect Exiles, and guards us for the salvation that has been secured by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. This inspires us to be wise children who learn from God and act according to his character, rather than our own passions.
Whenever we face challenges, trials, or difficult decisions, we can gain a lot of confidence and direction by remembering to ask ourselves, “Am I my Father’s Son?” or “Am I my Father’s daughter?” Peter says the answer is “By the mercy of God, Yes!” So be of good courage, if indeed you love Jesus and believe in him. God has given us everything we need to make decisions that glorify His name.
