[You can read the passage here]
Christians should not be taken by surprised when they have to suffer for the sake of their faith (v 12). Instead they can look at the benefits they can obtain.
Verse 13 tells us that we should rejoice when faced with suffering as it is in fact an opportunity privilege to be able to 'participate in the sufferings of Christ'. This was something that Peter himself went thru (see Acts 5 v 40 -41) - the disciples counted it their privilege to be considered worthy to go thru wat their Lord went thru!
Do we just bear and grin with it - or do we also rejoice?
Peter also reminded us that the suffering is only temporal. In the same verse he points us to the fact that Jesus will return and reveal his glory - we will then be with him forever!
So what shud be our attitude and response when we encounter suffering? Verse 19 reminds us to commit our situation to our faithful Creator and to continue to do good.
When we commit our situation to our Lord, we are basically trusting in him, knowing that he is in control no matter what happens. He is the "faithful Creator" and therefore we can count on him to take care of us and work only for our good (Rom 8 v 28, Jere 29 v 11).
At the same time, we should not use our sufferings as an excuse to no do anything. We are after all created to do good works (Eph 2 v 10).
So in times of suffering, let us rejoice and look towards the day when Christ will return, let us continue to trust in him and persevere in doing good.
I shared the example of a missionary family, when they were in Africa, the daughter drowned. But they committed themselves to the Lord, trusting in him and continue to do good. Today, they are still serving God faithfully.
We then moved on to chapter 5v 1 - 4. Altho this portion is addressed to the 'elders' among them, the verses are just as relevant to all of us today - we are after all, leaders in some way, to some Christians and/or to our younger frens and family members.
Peter reminded us that leaders are not to have the wrong motives - to be leaders for personal gain or to be leaders reluctantly (v2). Instead, we are to lead by example (v3).
Finally, we turned the tables around and considered how we are to relate to our leaders - verse 5a. The Bible is clear - we are to submit to our leaders. After all, God placed them as our leaders. They have experienced more than we have. We should therefore listen to them and not be disunited. If we are of the view that the elders should be doing something, we should then pray to God that the Holy Spirit will indeed lead them to do it if it is in God's will.
1 Peter 4 v 7 - 11 (9th July 2010)
[You can read the passage here]
In the midst of persecution and suffering, Peter exhorts the believers to continue praying and to love each other deeply.
Praying helps us to maintain our relationship with our God. We are to be clear minded and self controlled so that we can pray (v 7).
Being clear minded is to see God in the center of everything and that God is in control. We are to pray intelligently with purpose and understanding. In times of adversity, we may have feelings of anger, hatred, vengefulness. Such negative emotions are a hindrance to our prayers and must be controlled.
We are also to love one another. Verse 8 mentions that love covers a multitude of sins. When love is practiced as per 1 Cor 13:4-7, we will indeed commit less sin. Love also helps us to forgive and to overlook the sins committed against us. Peter focused on hospitality and service to one another as ways to express our love.
Hospitality extends to those whom we don’t know. In Peter’s time, Christians open up their homes to shelter other Christians who lost their homes through persecution. Today, we can provide hospitality to Christians who are away from their homes, or to those who may lose their homes through natural disaster. And we are to do so without grumbling (v 9)
We are to use our gifts to serve others. Especially in times of persecution, serving others helps to encourage them and in turn builds up the church. The source of our gift is from God, and we are to serve with the strength that God provides.
Our possessions and gifts kept to ourselves, bless no one but ourselves. What is shared and given away bless others.
(Prepared by Jit Boon)
In the midst of persecution and suffering, Peter exhorts the believers to continue praying and to love each other deeply.
Praying helps us to maintain our relationship with our God. We are to be clear minded and self controlled so that we can pray (v 7).
Being clear minded is to see God in the center of everything and that God is in control. We are to pray intelligently with purpose and understanding. In times of adversity, we may have feelings of anger, hatred, vengefulness. Such negative emotions are a hindrance to our prayers and must be controlled.
We are also to love one another. Verse 8 mentions that love covers a multitude of sins. When love is practiced as per 1 Cor 13:4-7, we will indeed commit less sin. Love also helps us to forgive and to overlook the sins committed against us. Peter focused on hospitality and service to one another as ways to express our love.
Hospitality extends to those whom we don’t know. In Peter’s time, Christians open up their homes to shelter other Christians who lost their homes through persecution. Today, we can provide hospitality to Christians who are away from their homes, or to those who may lose their homes through natural disaster. And we are to do so without grumbling (v 9)
We are to use our gifts to serve others. Especially in times of persecution, serving others helps to encourage them and in turn builds up the church. The source of our gift is from God, and we are to serve with the strength that God provides.
Our possessions and gifts kept to ourselves, bless no one but ourselves. What is shared and given away bless others.
(Prepared by Jit Boon)
1 Peter 4 v 1 - 6 (2nd July 2010)
[You can read the passage here]
Having looked at the example set for us by Christ thru his sufferings (see previous chapter), we are now specifically encouraged to follow such an example. After all, the gospel was preached to all of us for us to live for the will of God (v6).
Living in God's will - how can we know God's will? By looking into God's word and having a close relationship with him, no short cuts.
And what does living in his will entail? It will entail the following:-
1. To have the attitude of Christ (v1) - to be willing to submit our selves to the will of the Father even if it costs us our all (cf Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane)
2. To not live for evil human desires (v2)
3. But instead to live for the will of God (v2) - following his plan in every area of our lives.
Peter goes on to remind us not to live any more following pagan practices. Such practices are as listed in v 3, which can be simply summed us as sex, alcohol (physical stimulants) and idolatry.
In our sharing, we could conclude that Christians today are not free from such practices and we are to be careful lest we fall. We are to be accountable for each other too and support each other in our group.
Finally in verse 4 and 5, we can agree that non-Christians will see us strange as we live our lives for God - and some will even abuse us. But we are all to stand before God at the end of the day - to receive judgement or for us Christians, to see how faithful we have been.
Having looked at the example set for us by Christ thru his sufferings (see previous chapter), we are now specifically encouraged to follow such an example. After all, the gospel was preached to all of us for us to live for the will of God (v6).
Living in God's will - how can we know God's will? By looking into God's word and having a close relationship with him, no short cuts.
And what does living in his will entail? It will entail the following:-
1. To have the attitude of Christ (v1) - to be willing to submit our selves to the will of the Father even if it costs us our all (cf Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane)
2. To not live for evil human desires (v2)
3. But instead to live for the will of God (v2) - following his plan in every area of our lives.
Peter goes on to remind us not to live any more following pagan practices. Such practices are as listed in v 3, which can be simply summed us as sex, alcohol (physical stimulants) and idolatry.
In our sharing, we could conclude that Christians today are not free from such practices and we are to be careful lest we fall. We are to be accountable for each other too and support each other in our group.
Finally in verse 4 and 5, we can agree that non-Christians will see us strange as we live our lives for God - and some will even abuse us. But we are all to stand before God at the end of the day - to receive judgement or for us Christians, to see how faithful we have been.
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