Prayer requests

Did you start into your prayer time recently and then hit a snag?

Did you have to pause and think of someone's name? Or why they stopped you (or emailed you, or whatever) and asked that you pray with them?

Oh dear.

We don't have to be "old" to have a memory lapse. We are all hurried and hustled, and sometimes things slip away from us.

That's why I would encourage each of us to maintain a list of folks that have needs and requests. That way when we are praying, we can bear these people up to the Lord and ask for His comfort and blessings for them, or we can add our praise to theirs for answered prayer.

Nothing fancy. Just a list.

I've found that it's encouraging, too, to look back at a list from a while back, and see the ways that God has moved in peoples' lives!

If you have a prayer request today, won't you share with us, so that we may pray with you?

I Peter 4:1-11 Don't waste time -- we don't have much!

This week's focus passage is a lengthy one:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 4:1-11)

Time.
Out of time.
Not enough time.
Wasting time.
Time stood still.
All of these are expressions that have to do with one of our most precious commodities.
I think maybe my grandma studied I Peter a lot, since she often had something to say about not wasting time. (Grin)

How do we spend our time? We each have twenty-four hours in each day....some of us make better use of those hours than others! Some accomplish a lot. Some accomplish little. What makes the difference? I think it is that the accomplish-a-lot crowd does a bang up good job of setting priorities, then setting goals....
So what is really important to us?
Does this sound familiar?

"I'd really love to spend more time working for the Lord."

"I'd love to sing in the choir, but all those practices....."

"I need to spend more time with my kids...."

"I should set aside time for my prayer and Bible studies."

Have we heard peeps say those things?
Oh, wait, have we actually said those things ourselves?

Let's be honest here -- the things that really matter to us, the things that are priorities in our lives -- those are the things that we make time for.  Not that it would be a nice idea if we did. Not that it would be good long term if we did. But that it's important, and we are determined, and we make time for those things.
How did we spend our time this past week? This is a Monday, so think back along last week's timeline. What does that say about what's really important to us?

Ouch!
Are we imitating the world, and "living for the weekend"? Are we wasting time on things that are not important? Things that don't matter much in the light of eternity? Sure, there's nothing wrong with having fun, and relaxation and laughter are good for the soul. But are we living our lives for our own desires, or are we putting in a good bit of time working for the Lord?

In a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon in one of my kids' books, Calvin tells his imaginary friend that "God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I'm so far behind that I will never die."
Sometimes we all feel that way.
But we can change that.....we'll be working our way through some applications of these verses this week!

Application time....

We've covered a lot of ground this week! Some of it has been pretty difficult, and I hope that I have been able to make this passage clearer and more understandable...
Today, I'd like to make some practical applications to our lives. After all, just reading and nodding our heads is not going to make a difference, is it? Kinda like trying to pound in nails without a hammer, as my grandma would say. You don't accomplish much!

I think the first thing we need to think about is whether or not we've truly trusted in Christ as our sin bearer.... in order for us to do that, we need to view ourselves as God does: we are unrighteous, and unable to present ourselves to God. No matter how many nice things we do; no matter how many dollars we give to Christian causes. Our prideful hearts (we're only human, ya know!) will always be whispering to us that we should be able to earn our salvation based upon what WE do. But God's way is to strip us of everything in ourselves - to humble that human pride - so that we are depending on nothing but the blood of our Redeemer.
Have we attended church for years? Doesn't matter.
Have we given of our financial blessings? Doesn't matter.
Get this -- have we brought anyone else to a saving knowledge of Him? Doesn't matter, either, on this question of whether we are righteous, or whether He is our righteousness.
We MUST trust Jesus Christ as our way to salvation. We have no goodness inside ourselves that we can trust in. God's standard is absolute holiness, and the only One Who fits that description is our Savior and Friend, Jesus.   We must make sure that we let go of all our imagined human goodness and quash our pride: Christ, the righteous One, who died and rose again, is our sin bearer and our way to God.

Next, we need to think about if we have testified to our faith in Christ through baptism. Again, let me emphasize, I am not saying that baptism can save anyone. It's an important step of obedience to Christ, though. It's a way of publicly identifying with Him as a believer, and identifying with Him in His death and resurrection.

“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God." (Luke 12:8)

It was important enough that Jesus mentioned it as a part of His "Great Commission," as we call it.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

It doesn't save us, but I don't think we should neglect it, if we have an opportunity to be baptized.

Lastly, we need to think about whether or not we are standing for Christ (alone, if need be) within our own sphere of influence. This is pretty simple -- even if we are the only one, or if we are with a small group of peeps who are following Christ -- we need to make certain that we are standing for Christ. Testifying to His blessings of mercy, grace, and daily fellowship.
The Bible is quite clear when it says that we can expect opposition and hostility if we take a stand for Jesus Christ. And boy, it's even more difficult when the opposition comes from those who say they are believers! When those who say they know our Lord are the ones that oppose us? It's hard!
But our Savior is our example; the other saints we mentioned yesterday are our inspiration. They all faced opposition, and Jesus had to die and rise again in order to be vindicated before the world.
You know what? Many of us live in countries that go by names like "democratic republic" or even "democracy" or "constitutional democracy." Laws in these countries can be initiated or changed by voting....sometimes a simple majority vote, or others with a "super" majority.

God's truth is different. It's never established by majority vote! Even if we are like Noah, building a ship in the middle of a parched land, and no one listens to our testimony.... we know that God listens, and that His cause will ultimately prevail!

Let's make a commitment to be like Noah, and like Daniel, and others....let's stand alone for God if need be.
He will vindicate us!

We can bear witness, too

That pile of stones in the photo is a "witness." Just like we are. We'll get into that in just a minute, so bear with me, OK? (Grin)

Our point today that I want to discuss is that we can bear witness through our suffering for Christ - and that we can count on God to justify, or vindicate us. To stand up for us and prove that He is our protector, and that the faith we show to others is a well-established one....

I think Peter is implying in the last of our focus passage that we can bear witness through baptism and through holy living. This is a new nuance to his message; we've discussed good behavior and thoughtful words before. Now he brings baptism into the picture.
Why?
Many of the believers who would read (or hear someone read) Peter's letter were suffering because they had borne witness to their faith in Christ through baptism. Because of this, it appears that some may have confessed Christ verbally, but were hesitant to be baptized because they had seen what happened to other believers. So, Peter is encouraging, even urging these Christians to make public confession of their faith through baptism.

He uses the flood and the deliverance of Noah and his family as a fairly loose analogy of what is portrayed in baptism -- just as Noah passed through flood waters into salvation from the judgment of God, so believers pass through baptism into salvation from His judgment.
BUT WAIT! you may be saying.....baptism doesn't save us!

You're exactly right, pardner! And Peter clarifies his words by saying it's not the act of baptism that saves, but what baptism signifies - the appeal to God for a good conscience.

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. (I Peter 3:21a)

Now, the word "appeal" that Peter uses (the NIV uses the word pledge) can point to the moment of salvation, when we cry out to God because we realize the sin in our lives that needs cleansing. Or it can mean the pledge that is sometimes included in a baptismal ceremony, when we promise to live in a manner that pleases God.
Either way, though, baptism is a testimony - an unspoken picture of our faith in Christ's death as our Redeemer. Peter is urging his readers to be baptized, even if it means persecution, so that they can bear witness to all of Christ's saving grace.

Now let's switch gears for a moment, and look at another facet of Peter's reference to Noah. We can, as Noah did, bear witness through holy living.
Think about it.....the Bible indicates that it took many years (maybe about 120 years) to build the ark in obedience to God's words. Don't you know that his neighbors far and wide must have watched and ridiculed the old man building a huge ship in the middle of dry ground? Well, by his godly life, Noah preached righteousness to that entire generation.
But was there a long line of peeps waiting, ticket in hand, to board with him? Nope.
Only eight persons climbed on board - Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives. The rest of the world? Gone.
So, Peter's point is clear: his readers were a small minority. They wanted to please God, but they were surrounded by a godless culture. (Hey, does that sound like us today? Yup!)  Peter was reminding them to stand alone for God if they must. To not cave in and conform to the wicked world. And he was reminding them that like Noah, they could bear witness, and they would be delivered while the sinful world would perish.
God vindicated Noah, even though he and his family were vastly outnumbered. God vindicated Christ, even though it looked to everyone like He was defeated on the cross. And even if we were to give our lives as martyrs, the day is coming when we will be vindicated:

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.  (Revelation 6:9)

Let me encourage all of us to search our Bibles for other examples of those who have given testimony to their faith in God, and have been vindicated. There are many!
Abraham.
Moses.
Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Samuel.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. (I Samuel 7:12-13)

What an awesome way to memorialize the help and vindication of our Father God! Anyone who passed by that stone, or sometimes they'd raise a pile of stones, would remember God's help and provision.
Our take-away from these should be that God is sovereign - and Christ's resurrection and ascension confirms to us that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

We don't need to fear what the world can do to us!

He preached where? When?

Ready to dive into this passage? Here it is again to refresh our memories:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (I Peter 3:18-22)

We've noted that Peter is talking about suffering for things that are unjust is one way to bear witness to our Father God. And he says here that Jesus Christ bore witness through His unjust suffering. The difficulties arise when people try to understand to whom Christ was to bear witness, and where, and what Christ proclaimed.
Let's dig in and see what we can find out.
Some people say that this passage means that after Christ died on the cross, He went down into Hades and preached to the people who paid no heed to Noah's warnings so long ago.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. (Genesis 6:5)

This interpretation says that during the interval between His death and His resurrection, He preached to them. Some even say that He gave a second offer of salvation to those who perished in the flood. Some say that He announced judgment to those who perished in the flood, and that He announced salvation to those who had trusted God.  The scholar and preacher of old, Calvin, belongs to this group of people; he espoused this interpretation.
 A second group of people take these verses to mean that Christ preached through Noah to Noah's contemporaries.
A third group thinks that Christ proclaimed His victory on the cross to fallen angels.

See what I mean? My grandma would say this is harder than putting socks on a cat. This is a difficult passage! (Grin)
Now let's try to figure out who Christ bore witness.....and try not to initiate any arguments, is my hope! There are those who contend that the word "spirits" in verse nineteen, means that these were the demons who influenced the terrible wickedness on earth in Noah's day. They believe that the word refers to non-human beings. Now, this could be -- it could be that the demons of that day were put into hell with the humans who perished, to await the final judgment of God.
I differ with that interpretation, since the very next verse refers to human-type peeps:

to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, (I Peter 3:20)

I don't think that this is one of those questions that is all that important in the grand scheme of things.....it could very well be that Christ bore witness of His triumph over Satan to both humans and demons. However, I personally believe that those "fallen angels" are immortal, just as Satan is, and that they won't be confined until this happens:

The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:9)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

To me, these verses say that the demons and Satan will meet the same fate.... so I don't think there were any demons confined there when Christ went into Hades. I believe that these were the people toward whom God was "long-suffering" as He waited to see if they would turn from their wickedness. They didn't, and so they died in the flood while Noah and his family survived in the ark.
What about if it really means that Noah was preaching to his contemporaries? That Christ preached through Noah? This one seems very simple to me: the verse says "He went." I may be too simplistic in my faith, but I believe this means just what it says -- that Christ went to the nether world and preached there.

OK, but what did He say? Did He really give the peeps there a second opportunity? A second chance? I don't think so. Let me explain why I think that way... My commentaries tell me that the verb Peter used meant "to proclaim," or "to announce." Peter uses another verb when he speaks of proclaiming the gospel. Totally different word.
And the idea that anyone will get a second chance at salvation after they die is really foreign to the scriptures.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:22-26)

So, did He announce a second chance to those confined in Hades? I don't think so. I believe that Jesus proclaimed His triumph. He went to proclaim that the faith of Noah was victorious. After the flood, there was no one else but his family (for a while) for Noah to proclaim his faith and his victory to. So he didn't receive his vindication until Christ personally announced it. He announced judgment for some, and salvation for those who had trusted God when they were living.

Next question.....when did Christ bear witness?  Personally, I think (after studying several commentaries) the verses in Ephesians that refer to this (Ephesians 4:8-9) make it pretty clear that He descended into hell before His resurrection and ascension. The words there "lower parts of the earth" also mean "the grave" in the Greek.

So, all of this is Peter's way of explaining that our Savior bore witness through His unjust suffering. He also wants us to know that Christ was vindicated through His resurrection and ascension.
By the way, did we ever look at this three dollar word we keep using? I don't think we did....what does vindication really mean? Well, it's probably easiest to use synonyms -- to vindicate means to confirm, to justify, to substantiate, to prove.
Now let's read that again, and substitute...."he also wants us to know that Christ's claims were substantiated, confirmed, justified, proved by His resurrection and ascension."   As grandma would say, that's clearer now.

Here is why: He was raised from the dead and now is at the right hand of God, with all the spiritual powers subject to Him. Hebrews tells us "we do not yet see all things subjected to Him" (in Hebrews 2:8) but we know that the victory was won. It's just a matter of time before the outcome will be revealed! The angels said:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Yup. I know. We've all had to deal with unbelievers who mock us and say, "Hey, if that is really true, how come He hasn't come back yet?"  But you know what? The answer is the same as the answer was in the days of Noah. There he was, struggling with huge timbers, using tar to seal places, laying out the plans and getting his three sons to help.....and the unbelievers mocked and scoffed at him. The flood was delayed for many years, because of the patience of God. He doesn't wish for any to perish.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:8-9)

Just like the flood was delayed (but it happened), so will the second coming of our Savior be delayed for a time by the patience and mercy of God. But He won't wait forever!
It could happen today!
Tomorrow we'll make some practical applications of what we've learned from this passage....

Verses that inspire us

I don't know about you, but for me, Easter is an inspiring time. Putting all the questions and quibbles aside about whether or not we have the date or season "right," it's wonderful to concentrate on the significance of the celebration.

I'd like to keep that feeling going by concentrating today on some verses that talk about the "main thing." The most important thing....

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (I Thessalonians 4:14)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried,that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (I Corinthians 15:3-4)

I love how Paul puts it -- the thing of "first importance." The thing that should set our faces to smiling, put a lift in our walk, and make us eager to share the good news with anyone who will listen!

These verses meant a lot to me lately -- do you have some you can share?

Possibly the most difficult passage.....

......in the New Testament!
Seriously!
Are ya ready?

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (I Peter 3:18-22)

Wow! This is a mine field!
It seems to me that Peter is trying to explain the point that he made in the previous verses....that we can trust God to vindicate us as we witness in a hostile world. He uses Christ as his main example, showing that His unjust suffering resulted in a witness seen by many, and that He was vindicated through His resurrection and His ascension to the right hand of God.
Peter also gives his readers an "example within an example," because he also mentions Noah, who was vindicated by God. So, his readers should be encouraged, knowing that God will vindicate them.

OK. No worries there.
Easy peasy, right? I mean, we can think of other examples, too, of peeps who were bold and who suffered, and who were vindicated.
Why did he make it so convoluted? (Grin)
And by the way, we are not the only ones who have to read and re-read this. Most commentators will acknowledge that these are some of the most difficult verses in the New Testament to interpret. Martin Luther, way back in the 1500's, wrote that this is perhaps the most obscure passage in the New Testament. I read many commentaries that were honest and said that the meaning of each word in a couple of these verses varies wildly -- and one that said each of the words in verse nineteen has been differently understood at different times! (Grin)

Anybody besides me kinda want to skip past?
Nooooooo, not really!
There may be differences of opinion on the details, but the overall point is clear.....since Jesus was vindicated, we, too, can bear witness through suffering and trust God to vindicate us.

We're going to stick to the core principles here, and make a quick side trip into the difficult portions. I don't want to get caught up in arguments, just stick with the things that are important.
Sound good?

Let's dive in!
The very first word of verse 18 is "for," kinda like saying "because." Peter is explaining what came before; namely that we might suffer for doing what is right.  He's pointing us to Christ as our chief example, but then he goes beyond the example to Christ's death as a substitute for us.
I think the overall meaning here is this: Peter is urging us to imitate Christ, but then he wants us to see there is a point at which the imitation stops, and we bow before our Lord, Who is glorified over all other beings.

Christ suffered as "the just for the unjust." Or, to put it another way, the righteous One suffered for the unrighteous. Only Christ is righteous.....how many of us, in the midst of suffering or persecution or humiliation, think to ourselves, "I don't deserve this!"  We are kinda like that guy in the temple that looked over at the less wealthy, less well-dressed man who was abjectly humble, and regretful for his sins. The first guy looked down his nose and said "Wow, I'm so glad I'm not like him!" (Yeah, I know, that IS a paraphrase of the verses. You can check out the real story in the eighteenth chapter of Luke!)
Seriously, though, aren't we being like that Pharisee, when we look around us and think, hey, I'm a good person! I mean, look at me! I don't do drugs or cheat on my spouse. I'm honest (most of the time) and I'm law-abiding (except when I think there's no highway patrols around), and I don't kill or steal...... why should I suffer when terrible sinners get away with murder and have a great life and prosper?
Oy vey.
I'm here to tell ya -- we are comparing ourselves with the wrong standard. If we compare ourselves with the absolute righteousness of Jesus Christ, we would realize that the only thing we deserve is hell. Sorry, but that's the facts, ma'am, as Sergeant Friday would say.  Each of us has broken the rules over and over, even as believers. We put other gods before our Father, and we allow things to become idols in our lives. We take His name in vain, and don't keep His day holy. We certainly don't love the Lord our God with all our heart, and love our neighbors after that..... If we think we are not in this basket, we need to read the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus showed everyone what the true standard of godly living was.

We have noted before that God, in His perfect justice, can't just shrug off our sins. He took our sins and put them on Jesus, to bear the penalty that we deserve. Why? In verse 18, Peter says it was to "bring us to God." That word in the Greek carries with it the meaning of an admission to an audience with a mighty king. THE mighty King.  Back then, and now, too, I guess, you didn't just stroll into the presence of a potentate or monarch and say, "Howdy!" 
You had to have someone to introduce you properly. Because the righteous One, Jesus, bore our sins, He can bring us into the presence of the Great King.

Here's another awesome fact: Christ's death for sins was "once for all." His death was sufficient to pay for all the sins we have committed and those we will commit. Paul makes this point repeatedly in the letter to the Hebrews, when he contrasts the repeated sacrifices of animals (the old covenant) with the once for all sacrifice of Jesus, in the new covenant.

The point is this (and this brings tears to my eyes, and may to yours, as well) if we have put our trust in Christ, then our sins are on Him. We've been reconciled to God once, and for all. God wants all of us to come to the understanding that His acceptance of us is not based on our performance -- it's His grace..... Christ died for our sins.
One of my favorite hymns, and one that I sang for a relative's funeral, is "It is Well." Here are some lines from that song:

My sin, Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin, not in part, but the whole.
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul!

Amen!
We'll get further into the weeds, tomorrow..... (Grin)