10 Ways to Increase your Faith

 After Jesus, Peter, James and John came down from the mountain after the 3 disciples witnessed Jesus' transfiguration they came to a gathering of the other disciples and others, including a demon possessed boy and his father. The father had asked the disciples to cast out the demon but they were unable to. The father then asks Jesus to cast out the demon.

Mark 9:22-24 (ESV) "'And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"

Do you identify with the father?

Definition of faith is confidence... Biblical faith is confidence in God not in ones self. These are some simple doable ways to increase your faith (confidence in God)

1. Pray for faith. 

James 4:2 (ESV) "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask." 

Ask for your faith to increase, but beware God often develops our faith in difficult circumstances.

2. Increase you knowledge (i.e. of God)

Romans 10:17 (ESV) "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

    A. The Bible is God's self revelation. 

    B. The more you know of Him, the easier it is to trust Him.

3. Apply the word apply the teachings

Obey-Experience-Confidence

We are often told not to tempt God, but if instruction with a promise then test Him.

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) "Bring the full tithe into storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

When you obey, the outcome is good and then you trust Him more.

4.Recall past victories

1 Samuel 17:36-37 (ESV) "'Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defiled the armies of the living God.' And David said, 'The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.'" And Saul said to David, 'Go, and the LORD be with you!'"

There is a benefit to journaling. It helps you to see where you have been and how God worked in different situations.

5.Seek His presence

You cannot conjure up His presence (séance). He is sovereign and He chooses. You can position yourself for His presence. Be prepared for when He chooses to reveal Himself to you. (i.e. worship-bible study-quiet time-church attendance)

6.Associate with faithful people

Treat non Christians with respect, but don't hang out with them. Hang out with mature Christians.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

7. Practice "Holy Discontent" 

Matthew 5:3-6 (ESV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

Be content with THINGS you have, not with your spiritual condition! Most are content with their spiritual condition and discontent with the things. Backwards! Americans are the opposite of what the Bible teaches.

8. Pursue Christian virtues 

2 Peter 1:5-8 (ESV) "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,"

God gives us a lot through grace (salvation/forgiveness/reconciliation/inheritance). We must work at developing Christian virtues.

9. Be consistent 

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

How did Paul learn this? By being consistent in his Christian walk. PRACTICE! You are going to have highs and lows in your faith, but being consistent in your walk will cause you to gain faith as you grow.

10. Be patient 

We want to grow all at once, but growth takes time be patient.

Bonus

11. Serve

Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV) "But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them, It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

Matthew 23:11 (ESV) "The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Don't think your faith will grow if you ignore this fundamental principle. You will not grow your Christian faith if you don't serve. We are called to be blessed, but also called to be the blessor.

What about accepting Christ? What about being born again? Isn't that essential to biblical faith? Yes, but it matters not which way you approach this. Accept Christ...then do these things...then you will increase your faith. Or do these things...and they will lead you to Christ and then growing your faith! 

The Woman at the Well Pt 2 John 4:27-42

 Recap... Jesus said they "must go" to/through Samaria. This was part of God's divine plan. The woman comes to the well alone. Jesus starts a conversation about water and ends up talking about worship. He reveals her sin and who he is...Messiah

John 4:27-30 (ESV) "Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, 'What do you seek?' or, 'Why are you talking with her?' So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?' They went out of the town and were coming to him."

The disciples show up just at the right time. They didn't interrupt and just observed the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. We should imitate the disciples...quick to listen and slow to speak. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

1 John 2:16 (ESV) "For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world."

Proverbs 17:28 (ESV) "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent."

The woman went to the town and shared what happened. She shared her "personal testimony" . They probably knew her history, but she is sharing with them that Jesus knew her sins. She poses a question to the people. She invites them to see with her boldness.

I. If you have truly met Jesus you have a testimony

There are no boring testimonies. It is important to share. A love for God compels you to have love for others and want them to know him. 

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV) "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

The woman showed love for the townspeople by sharing her testimony. She is humble and invites them to come and see.

John 4:31-38 (ESV) "Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you do not know about.' So the disciples said to one another, 'Has anyone brought him something to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.'"

II God's Work is Satisfying 

Jesus was using common conversation to teach a lesson...bread. Jesus wasn't concerned with food, because God's work was "satisfying". If you try to God's work on your own you will burn out, but if you do it out of the overflow of God's pouring into you it is exhilarating! You will never regret it. Even if you stumble with your words you will see God working through you.

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Be ready...be prepared to do God's work. Spend time in prayer and in the Word. Other scripture references...Matt. 4/Deut. 8 "Man shall not live on bread alone..." 1 Peter 2 God's word=pure milk

III God's work is worthwhile 

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither mouth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

Working with God towards the eternal. Missionaries in Ecuador in the 50's (Jim Elliot) "He is no fool who gives what he can't keep to gain what..." These men were willing to sacrifice their lives for the spread of the gospel to unreached people. Their wives stayed and eventually reached these people for God. Are we willing to sacrifice things (a little time, money, energy, sweat, pride, embarrassment) for God's work.

IV Where is your mission field? 

"The fields are white for harvest"

- our own families and beyond

-All of us needs a mission field

-your job, your school

Luke 15:10 (ESV) "Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

God loves the work where we seek the lost. The angels rejoice in heaven when a sinner repents. The Prodigal son...

Luke 19:10 (ESV) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

God uses unwilling people to reach the lost...Jonah....Don't be like Jonah and be mad when the lost repent and are saved.

John 4: 39-42 (ESV) "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, 'He told me all that I ever did.' So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'"

Jesus stayed for 2 days with the people in the Samaritan village. What an amazing time they must have had learning from him. They believed because of what he said. They were ready to believe, some because of the woman's testimony and some because of what they heard from him. We must all own our own faith. We must know what and why we believe.

V Jesus is THE Savior of the World  

The Samaritans declared that Jesus was for ALL, not just for the Jews. He was making new people and a new covenant.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV) "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."

Acts 1:8 (ESV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

From Samaria and to the ends of the earth. We should be grateful because someone shared with you. Now we have to do our part.

Challenge: Pray... Lord what can I do? Where is my mission field? Lord send me into the Harvest!

The Woman at the Well Pt 1 John 4:1-26

 In John 3 Nicodemus, who is part of the Sanhedrin, asks Jesus questions and then defends him to the Sanhedrin in John 7. After the crucifixion Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes to wrap Jesus' body.  It shows us that God can change anyone and work through a man like Nicodemus. All are welcome to come to Christ. The lowly woman at the well could also come to Jesus.

John 4:1-3 (ESV) "Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again for Galilee."

Jesus left Judea because of the Pharisees. He knew that it wasn't time for him to be arrested and he still had things to accomplish. He was trying to avoid conflict so he went to Galilee, his home region and of all of the Disciples except 1...Judas Iscariot who was from Kerioth south of Jerusalem.

John 4:4 (ESV) "And he had to pass through Samaria." Samaria was about 35 miles from Jerusalem. Most Jews would not walk through Samaria. There were several routes to Galilee, but Jesus chose to go through Samaria.

History of the Jews and Samaritans... after Solomon's death Israel divided into the 10 northern tribes, Samaria, and the 2 southern tribes, Judah. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians exiled most of the people from the northern tribes. The transplanted people intermarried with the pagan people and adopted their idolatry. They believed in only the pentateuch (the first 5 books of the Bible). They built their own temple at Gerizim and built a "golden calf" as a seat of God. In 108 B.C. the Samaritans backed the Greeks in the Maccabean revolt. The Jews destroyed the Samaritan temple. the Samaritans later spread dead bones in the Temple complex in Jerusalem. Both the Jews and the Samaritans believed that a Messiah was coming.

John 4:5-6 (ESV) "So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour." 

Jesus was tired. The town was near where Josephs bones were buried after the exodus.

John 4:7-14 (ESV) "A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.'  The woman said to him, 'Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.' Jesus said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life,' "

The woman came alone to Jacob's well. She was separated from her peers. Jesus broke with the norms. A man would never talk to a woman that was not his wife. Jesus uses physical things to talk about spiritual things

Our deepest needs are not physical - Our deepest need is to be made right with God.

Jerimiah 2:13 (ESV) "for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Zechariah 14:8 (ESV) "On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter."

Ezekiel 47:9 (ESV) "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes."

Jesus draws from the scriptures to show us who He is... His messiahship and his divinity. He does this with Nicodemus when he asks about being born again. Do we pray like we believe this truth?

John 4:15-18 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.' Jesus said to her, 'Go, call your husband, and come here.' The woman answered him, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.'"

God knows our deepest secrets.

Can you imagine someone telling you your deepest, darkest secret? God knows all of our secrets.

Psalms 139:1-4 (ESV) "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether."

There will be a life review, maybe like a movie.

Matthew 12:36 (ESV) "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every carless word they speak"

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Revelation 20:11-12 (ESV) "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."

Even though he knew everything she had done, he chose to engage with her...and us

And he still sent his Son for us

Romans 5L8 (ESV) "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 4:19-24 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.'"

The woman recognizes that Jesus was special...a prophet. She asks a spiritual question and wants the truth. True worship is not going to happen in a place, but in a people.

God is seeking true worshipers

What is true worship? God aligning his spirit to ours. It is submission to God. The first time worship is mentioned in the bible is when Abraham was taking Isaac to sacrifice him. Spirit, Truth, Head, Heart

God is doing something special right now. We need truth, but also enthusiasm and passion. Theology and also action. 

1 Timothy 4:16 "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and you hearers."

Churches in Revelation, they tolerate lies or they lose their passion/1st love.

John 4:25-26 (ESV) "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he w.ill tell us all things.' Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am he.'"

Jesus clearly reveals who he is to her. He revealed plainly who he was to here, but not to Jewish leadership.

John 10:22-30 (ESV) "At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.'"

Jesus doesn't deny, but also doesn't come right out and say that he is the Messiah.

One other interesting fact is that this conversation took place at a well. All the patriarchs met their wives at a well... Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah. Ephesians 5 paints the picture.

Matthew 9:15 (ESV) "And Jesus said to them, 'Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast.'"

The "Bridegroom" completely united to his people. Jesus is talking with his bride...the church. Jesus is completely united to his people...his bride. Grow in your submission  and worship in spirit and truth.

We need to be both evangelist, reaching the lost and also refreshing to the saints.

How to be a shepherd

 1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV) "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: 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; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.'"

This is Peter's exhortation to the leaders of the church...pastors and elders. We can also find qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

James 3:1 (ESV) "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."

1 Peter 5:1 starts with So....so let's go back and look at the verses before chapter 5. 1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV) "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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgement 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? And 'if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?' Therefore let those who suffer according to  God's will entrusts their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

In these verses we see Peter weaving his Old Testament knowledge in his message to New Testament believers. He probably had Ezekiel on his mind especially chapters 8-9. Ezekiel had visions of Jerusalem and it's idolatry and the corruption of its elders/leaders and how it was leading to God's judgement on them in 586 BC. Peter was weaving his knowledge of suffering and purification.

Leaders matter, where they lead matters, how they lead matters. Jesus looked at the multitudes with compassion, but harshest words for....leaders.

An elder's (Presbooteros) is to shepherd the flock. The word shepherd in Latin is "pastor". Shepherds feed and watch over the flock. Biblical shepherds...Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Moses, David, Jesus, the Shepherds at Jesus' birth, the Shepherd of Psalms 23.

John 21:15-19 (ESV) "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me.'"

Peter is encouraging the leaders to protect the sheep- the believers. Psalms 23 show us that God is our shepherd.

Jobs of the Shepherd 

1. Care for God's people. 

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give and account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

2. How to care for God's people. 

Not under compulsion, but do so willingly. It is a get to, not a got to. What is our attitude in service. 

CS Lewis quote "A perfect man would never act from a sense of duty; he'd always want the right thing more than the wrong one. Duty is only a substitute of love (of God and other people) like a crutch which is a substitute for a leg. Most of us need the crutch at times; but of course it is idiotic to say the crutch when on our own legs (our own loves, tastes, habits, etc) can do the journey on their own."

Do the right thing even when you don't feel like it, but we need to have that love of it.

Not greedily, but eagerly. Peo1ple have been using Christianity to build their kingdoms for a long time. Musicians, writers, politicians and pastors. 

1Timothy 3:3 (ESV) "not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money."

An elder must not be...Charismatic.

2 Timothy 3:2 (ESV) "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy," in vs 5 it tells us to avoid such people.

Titus 1:7 (ESV) "For an overseer, 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," Overseers (elders) must not be greedy for gain. Some pastors are MVPs (Multi Vocational Pastors) and lead churches for free. Serve because you love the LORD and are called.

Not domineering, but examples Some pastors keep themselves separate...disconnected from others. You cannot be too "good" to do any job in the church.

Mark 10:45 (ESV) "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Jesus came to serve...

VS 4

Be connected to the chief Shepherd. 

We should not be motivated by duty, greed or power, but to please the Lord. We want to please the Lord. 

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Spending time in the word and in prayer.

There is a great reward coming for the faithful. 

There is a reward for the persecuted (Matt 5:12, Luke 6:23, 1 Peter)

Crown of Glory...it is a reward from Jesus! How cool is that!

Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Vs. 5

Let's all be legendary in our humility 

We all ought to be known for our humility

James 4:5-6 (ESV) "Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us'? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Proverbs 3:34 (ESV) "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor."

Not only does God give grace to the humble, but opposes the proud.

Let's continue to grow in humility together.

 

1 Peter 4:1-11

 Today we are going to start with a "problem" verse and then go back and look at the rest of the verses.

1 Peter 4: 5-6 (ESV) "but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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."

The they here is the nonbelievers. All will answer to the Lord on the day of judgment...whether alive (at His return) or died (before His return).

vs. 6 - "preached to those who are dead" what does this mean?. There are 4 basic views.

1. Some believe Jesus descended into "hell" and preached (during the 3 days in the grave). But why would He do this if there are no 2nd chances?

2. Some believe that these were the Old Testament saints and all Pre-Resurrection saints held in "Paradise"; Christ went there, preached, and lead them to heaven.

3. Some believe the "dead" means they were spiritually dead (not physical). I don't personally think this fits the context.

4. Some believe these people were the people who heard and trusted God or Christ while living but now were deceased. (both Old Testament and New Testament saints) "those who are now dead."

All people will be judged according to what they DID in the life given to them. Believers (followers) will "live on" in the spiritual realm (with God).

Verse 6 is very confusing, but how do we deal with confusing texts in the Bible? Peter knew what he meant, but that doesn't mean we do. He was taught by Christ himself for 3 years and then the 40 days post resurrection. He had more knowledge than we do. If 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," is true then there is practical meaning here. 

We should....

1 Read, study and ATTEMPT to understand

2. Form and opinion BASED ON SCRIPTURE, not on personal preference.

3. Do not be dogmatic. (if the scripture is obscure then you can't be sure).

4. Move on to things we CAN comprehend and ones that can shape our life for the better. Focus on things that MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

1 Peter 4:1 (ESV) "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,"

I. Arm Yourself  

    A. With an attitude...a perspective....a point of view.

        What attitude? Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV) "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, through he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Christ emptied himself and took on the form as a servant...even unto death. We should be determined to serve God (not self/society/sin/Satan).

1 Peter 4:2 (ESV) "so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God."

II. "ceased from sin"  

No longer sin...no longer server the flesh...the old man, but now serve the Lord

Romans 6:11-14 & 19 (ESV) "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let no sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." vs 19 "I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) "He himself bore 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."

Don't follow the "flesh"...don't follow "heart"....Now follow the Lord!

1 Peter 4:3 (ESV) "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."

III. "all that is behind you"  

Paul tells us to "put off/put on...but this is your decision/your actions. God helps you but wont do it for you.

1 Peter 4:4 (ESV) "With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;"

1. Nonbelievers are surprised that you don't join them in their debauchery. They cannot comprehend your way of thinking.

2. So they "malign you" to ridicule you. Repentance and following Christ begins first in the mind.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good acceptable and perfect."

3. They attempt to persuade you to their lifestyle. (this is not specifically in the text). These people revel in bringing you down...to leave your Christian life behind.

1 Peter 4:5 (ESV) "but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."

IV. "they will give an account"  (all of us will)

Rev. 20:11-13 (ESV) "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done."

Salvation is by grace. Works follow salvation that align with God's will. The change of heart and mind will change one's actions.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (ESV) "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

V. "end is near" ?  

Every generation has thought that the end is coming....but....

Acts 1:7 (ESV) "He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."

2 Peter 3:3-5 (ESV) "knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.' For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,"

BE....

1. Self-controlled...not controlled by society

2. Sober minded....clean mind and rational

3. Earnestly loving (of one another) "love covers sin" Proverbs 10:12 (ESV) "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." Love bears with offenses and moves on. Hatred puts fuel on the fire.

4. Hospitable...friendly....welcoming...neighborly

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

VI. Spiritual Gifts  

1. "As you have received"... 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

2. So use for service not for show. Your gift is to be used for the benefit of others

3. To serve... You are given the gift for the common good and not for self satisfaction. 1 Corinthians 12:7

4. As a good steward...manager of the gifts

5. Of God's grace

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV) "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."

So exercise your spiritual gifts "in order that"

1. People be served (ministered to) 1 Corinthians 12:14 (ESV) "For the body does not consist of one member but of many."

2. God be glorified (revealed as glorious)

3. Christ be lifted up

1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) "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,"

Connecting People to God

Closing Scripture

2 Peter 3:13-18 (ESV) "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. 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. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Odd things, Christ's Example and Suffering Well

 All scripture is good, it is God breathed. It serves a purpose and we can learn. The more we learn the more we understand like the Apostles. John 12:16 (ESV) "His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him." We don't want to skip the hard stuff, so we are going to go back and look at the section we skipped last week. 

1 Peter 3:13-22 (ESV) "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 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, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 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. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having ben subjected to him."

We are going to work backwards through the scriptures.

VS 18-20 "Christ descended and proclaimed..."

What did Martin Luther say about these verses "A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the Testament so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means...I cannot understand and I cannot explain it. And there has been no one who has explained it."

Another commentator wrote... "The exegetical questions basically come down to these:

Where did Christ go?

He preached through Noah in spirit in his day. "Preacher or herald of righteousness". He preached a message of repentance.

When did he go?

He descended to the place of the dead, sheol/hades during the time between death and resurrection. (Thief on the cross and parable of rich man and Lazurus), Apostles Creed "Hell, the dead"

To whom did he speak?

Spirits in prison were unsaved in the day of Noah.

Spirits were fallen angels who rebelled and particularly heinous in days of Noah. (Gen 6)

What did he say?

Proclaimed the gospel in order to offer second chance? No! Hebrew 9:27 (ESV) "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement," You don't have a chance to repent once your life is over. 

Baptism symbolizes Christ's death burial and resurrection

Baptism...a parallel to the flood and Ark. The righteous are saved from judgement

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV) "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

We believe that baptism doesn't actually save you, but it is an example of what has happened in your life. The appeal to God is what saves and the baptism represents that. Jesus' work saves. We don't believe baptism saves because of the thief on the cross and the plethora of Faith alone in scriptures. John 3:16, John 5:24, Romans 3:28, Romans 4:4, Romans 5:1, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2: 8-9.

Genuine faith produces good work. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

John 15:5 (ESV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Believers should be baptized

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you need to be baptized. Baptism is closely tied to salvation and clearly commanded. This whole section is illustrating that Christ suffered, follow his example and Christ's suffering brought about victory. 

Don't fear wicked men

1 Peter 3:13-17 (ESV) "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil."

Who is there to harm you for doing good? Not God. Wicked people crucified Jesus, who died for wicked people. Ironic!  But look what they accomplished. Everything! You too might suffer at the hands of evil men (vs. 14) and if you do you are blessed. Because God chose you, he's refining you, he sees you and will greatly reward you. 

We are not to fear their intimidation. Do not let wicked men knock you off the course Christ has set you on. Do not let them dictate how you live, think, worship and serve. Fear of wicked men and their schemes is not from God.

Joshua 1:9 (ESV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Romans 8:31 (ESV) "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Matthew 10:26-28 (ESV) "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Peter seems to be quoting Isaiah 8:12 (How Judah should prepare for Assyrian invasion.) Fear God more than the Assyrians. We ought to be different as believers. No panic, no despair. Easier said than done. 

vs 15, but instead in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy. Submit to him. Set your hearts to his service. When you do you look different. When given the platform share the truth.

Always be prepared to give a reason for your hope

Our youth are learning (training) how to give a defense of what they believe called apologetics. We should not just say "because the bible tells me so". The bible stands alone through prophecy, historical, accuracies, testimony of apostles. It is good to know things like the argument for the existence of God.

Cosmological argument-uncaused first cause.

Teleological argument-complexity, design, purpose in nature.

Ontological argument

Moral argument-objective morality exists. That requires a transcendent foundation. God. When an Atheist makes moral claim say..."By what standard?"

You don't know everything, but you do have to know something so that you can be able to vocalize why we have the hope that we do. God reveals himself to us. He gives you what you need. Spend time with God, read, pray. 

Matthew 10:19-20 (ESV) "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

When you spend time with God, in his word, in prayer, he has a way of speaking to you and through you.

Be gentle and respectful

You are not going to argue anyone into the kingdom. How we speak and conduct ourselves matters. It is not just the content. The way you present something (with love/graciousness) will make a greater impact.

Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

We have to love those who hate us.

Best witnessing comes with a good conscience

Our practices ought to match our preaching. 

Repent...live pure....peaceable....humble....loving....hospitable

Psalms 34:1-3 "I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boasts in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!"

Fiery Trials, Persecution and the Good Life

 Continuing with 1 Peter we will see Peter transitioning from displaying Christian virtue in government, work and marriage... trust in higher power, submission to God, and to stand out.

To...persecution. Where it comes from, why it comes, how we should respond and what comes from it.

1 Peter 3: 8-17 (ESV) "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 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. For 'Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 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.' Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil."

1 Peter 4:3-4 (ESV) "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. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;"

1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV) "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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgement 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? And 'if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?' Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

This weeks scripture passages go together, we will circle back next week and pick up the skipped verses.

I. Why does persecution come? God brings it...allows it, but it is also brought on by evil people.

    A. God allows persecution to purify us.

         1. He purifies us and then we turn away from our sin.

         2. We find out who is real and who is not. When the going gets tough the true Christians stay strong. Example... the Chinese Pastor said in China because it is not "beneficial" to be a Christian; you are in it for Jesus because there are no benefits for being a Christian.

The "Church" in America needs some purification. Some denominations want pats on the back from both sides for straddling the fence or compromising beliefs. We don't necessarily want it, but we could certainly use some purification.

1 Peter 3:8 things (unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, tender heart and humble mind) tend to happen during purification....but let's work to put those on before persecution happens.

    B. Persecution comes because darkness hates light.

Darkness and light cannot coexist. Light pushes back darkness. Both cannot be present at the same time. One must submit to the other.

Ephesians 5: 7-13 (ESV) "Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but not you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful w

orks of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,"

This is the struggling between light and dark...between good and evil.

II. How should we respond to persecution?

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV) "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"

    A. Rejoice

     1. Why? Because God tells you to. 1 Peter 4:13-16 (ESV) "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you also may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or  as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."

    2. We also see it demonstrated in the lives of the Apostles. Acts 5:40-41 (ESV) "and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." They were beaten by the Sanhedrin for preaching Jesus. We also see this in Acts 16 with Paul and Silas who were in prison, but they were singing and praying.

    B. Why were they rejoicing and why should you rejoice? 

    1. You are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. (Acts 5)

    - shows your standing with God

    - hardest battles for toughest soldiers

    - who is persecuted? 

    - who faces opposition

    -those that are doing something and are effective

    - God chose you for refinement and improvement

III. God's Holy Spirit "rests on you" 

1 Peter 4:14 (ESV) "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

All believers have Spirit, but this is a special blessing. The same language used in relation to Jesus in Isaiah 11;2 (ESV) "And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD." and in Matthew 3:16 (ESV) "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up for the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;" This shows a nearness of God, a special assurance, a blessing .

IV. A great reward is coming 

Matthew 5:10-12 (ESV) " Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." 

How else should we respond to persecution?

1. Persist 

Acts 5:42 (ESV) "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus." Don't quit or give up!

Examples....Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It is discouraging to other Christians when it is your time comes and you don't take a stand. Don't miss out on the blessing! Courage produces courage.

2. Show compassion 

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV) "Do not repay evil for evil ore reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing."

Pagans are going to be pagans, but God can save them. He has made a habit of saving them... you were once one of them. It is easy to have contempt for the lost....don't.

Luke 23: 34 (ESV) "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments."

Matthew 5:44 (ESV) "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"

Stephen's example when he was being stoned. Acts 7:60 (ESV) "And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Saul (Paul) was holding the cloaks of those doing the stoning. You were once a sinner saved by grace.

Show love, be like Jesus!

Ultimately we do it all to serve and please the Lord; that's the good life. To serve the Lord and be close to him....even in trials. Being close to Jesus is the good life.

Peter had a perspective shift

90's Christian song

This is the good life

I've lost everything

I could ever want

And ever dream of

This is the good life

I found everything

I could ever need

Here in Your arms

So.... live like God is watching....

Psalm 34: 4-15 (ESV) "I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry."