How to prepare for the end | Revelation 6:1-8

How to Prepare for the End | Revelation 6:1-8

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: How to prepare for the end

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

• Seven Seals by Matt Chandler, 2021 sermon

Last week: “How to Live in this world of suffering”
This week: “How to prepare for the end”

I. Intro

My dad died in 2014. He was in his 80s and died because of dementia. He forgot how to swallow. Watching him die like that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But because he knew the disease would eventually take him, he prepared himself financially, mentally, physically, relationally and spiritually. And when his brain forgot how to swallow, he started to die. But he knew that the best was yet to come. I realize that talking about God like this can get me canceled. When people don’t like what you’re saying, they want to just cancel instead of discuss and debate the issues. As a result, it’s getting riskier and riskier to speak truth—especially from the Bible. Yet Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney does so in the middle of the pandemic on a world-wide simulcast where he said the following:

“The best is not behind us. The best is yet to come, especially for those who know Jesus. I would not be able to do a positive summit and try to speak some hope and positivity if I did not say that because that is what I know. I know true peace and happiness comes from knowing Jesus. Jesus is the hope of the world. Always has been, always will be. The hope of the world is not a vaccine. It is not a politician. It is not some stimulus package. It is not any of those things. The hope of the world comes from knowing Jesus. That is what I believe and that is why I know that the best is yet to come.” -Dabo Swinney

https://www.powerofpositivesummit.com/

Where does the courage to say that and risk all he’s accomplished come from? Sheep among wolves, Luke 10:3Power of the resurrection, Phil 3:10How to prepare for what end? The end of my life or the end of the world? Yes, both. Because the answer is the same for both.

But he was ready. We talked about it often. He wasn’t wanting to leave this place but he was at peace about it whenever it happened. He’d trusted Christ at an early age.He’d led his family to follow Christ.He’d walked with Christ the best way he knew how.He’d had the important conversations while he was still thinking well. Hospice was called in when it was time.He was prepared for the end. Are you prepared for the end yet?

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it. And ordering our lives accordingly.

Let’s dive into the 5th and 6th seals. The 7th seal is the 7 Trumpets (judgments) we’ll learn about in the weeks to come.

II. The 5th Seal—Martyrs (6:9-11)

A. What’s a martyr? Martyr = witness. So a Christian martyr is someone willing to be a witness even if it kills them in the process.

B. Why were these people martyred? Because they were faithful to the word of God (Proclaim Jesus), and Because they were faithful to the testimony (Embody Jesus).Does your life do these 2 things?

C. They want vengeance, justice and vindication. After all, they died for loving God and loving people like Jesus did/does.

D. Vengeance is God’s job—not ours.

E. God’s character—holy and true.F. God’s method—sovereign and always on time.lG. Future martyrs? Church of Smyrna and us.

III. 6th Seal—The End. (6:12-17)

A. Common throughout scripture to be cosmic, cataclysmic destruction. Could be literal.Could be symbolic. No less real either way. Goal is to lead people to repent and believe. People would rather die than...

B. ...Face God and the wrath of the Lamb.

C. The great leveling begins. God’s justice and mercy are for all no matter your station or status in life.

D. What about you? What are you putting your hope in for your deliverance in the end? Politicians? World leaders? Scientists? Wealthy people? The Military?

Application
How do we prepare for the end?

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it. And ordering our lives accordingly.

Share story of Nigerian funeral

Decide if my faith is worth living for. If it’s worth living for, then it’s worth dying for. Saturate your mind and heart with scripture daily. Memorize it as if you might have to live without a printed copy one day. Pray like you might be martyred one day. Proclaim Jesus daily. Embody Jesus daily.

Bottom line: We must prepare for the end of life and the end of the world the same way: as if living and dying for Christ was worth it.We do this daily as we Proclaim & Embody Jesus.

Let’s pray.

Other notes:

How to Love

Four bullets hit Pope John Paul II – two of them lodging in his lower intestine, the others hitting his left hand and right arm. This assassination attempt on the Pope in May 1981 left him severely wounded and with considerable blood loss – his health was never the same again. In July 1981, the perpetrator, Ali Ağca, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Pope John Paul II asked people to pray ‘for my brother Ağca, whom I have sincerely forgiven’.

Two years later, he was to take the hand of Ali Ağca, then in prison, and quietly tell him that he had forgiven him for what he had done (even though his would-be killer had not asked for forgiveness). He developed a friendship over the years, meeting Ağca’s mother in 1987 and his brother a decade later. In June 2000 Ağca was pardoned by the Italian President at the Pope’s request. In February 2005 Ağca sent a letter to the Pope wishing him well. When the Pope died on 2 April 2005, Ağca’s brother, Adrian, gave an interview saying that Ağca and his entire family were grieving and that the Pope had been a great friend to them.

Pope John Paul II’s response of love and mercy is exemplary. God’s love and mercy is even more extraordinary because ‘At the cross of Jesus, pardon is complete. Love and justice mingle, truth and mercymeet.’

How to Make the Most of Your Life

‘People often ask me what Mother Teresa was like,’ writes Shane Claiborne in his book The Irresistible Revolution. ‘Sometimes it’s like they wonder if she glowed in the dark or had a halo. She was short, wrinkled, and precious, maybe even a little ornery, like a beautiful, wise old granny. But there is one thing I will never forget – her feet. Her feet were deformed.

Each morning I would stare at them. I wondered if she had contracted leprosy. One day a Sister explained, “Her feet are deformed because we get just enough donated shoes for everyone, and Mother does not want anyone to get stuck with the worst pair, so she digs through and finds them. And years of doing that have deformed her feet.” Years of loving her neighbour as herself deformed her feet.’

When people are asked about the person whose life they most admire, so often the answer is ‘Mother Teresa’. She made the most of her life. It is a paradox, because her life was a life of self-denial, taking up her cross and following Jesus.

Bible in One Year 2021 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 56 • Devotional

Being a Great Commission Church | Revelation 3:7-13

Being a Great Commission Church | Revelation 3:7-13

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title:  “Being a Great Commission Church”

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Main commentary help: 

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• The Seven Churches by Mike Breen

• Breaking the Code by Bruce Metzger

This week’s title: “Being a Great Commission Church”

Our series is “The best is yet to come” as we walk through the prophetic apocalypse that is the Revelation of the Risen Christ, a circular letter to the early church—and to us today. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened, comforted and encouraged through this word today.

Tension: We must evaluate our church and ourselves to see if we’re being faithful to the Savior, the gospel, and the great commission for God rewards those who are.

Though we may be modestly influential culturally, the church that is faithful to the Savior, the gospel, and the great commission will be rewarded by God.

1. A great commission church sees Jesus as awesome. (3:7)

   1. He is the holy one.

   2. He is the true one.

   3. He is the sovereign one. (Unstoppable)

2. A Great Commission church is faithful to the gospel. (3:8-9)

3. A great commission church lives by the promises of God. (3:10-13)

First Love | Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7

First Love | Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7

Darien Gabriel

Series: Revelation: The Best is Yet to Come

Title: “First Love”

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7; 2 Tim 1:7 NIV

Main commentary help:

• Exalting Jesus in Revelation by Daniel Akin

• Revelation by Jim Hamilton

• Bible Knowledge Commentary

• Be The Church by Seth McBee

• Break the Code by Bruce Metzger

Last week’s title: “Motivated by the Risen Jesus...”

This week’s title: “First Love”

Our series is “The best is yet to come” as we walk through the prophetic apocalypse that is the Revelation of the Risen Christ, a circular letter to the early church—and us today. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened, comforted and encouraged through this word today.

Now some of you may be thinking right now...things can’t get much worse. Better is good, best, well, I’m listening.

Tension:

What is it that happens to people between...

• Their wedding day and the day they sign divorce papers?

• The day their child is born and the day they see their child as a disappointment and brat?

• The day a loved one is diagnosed with awful condition and the day that loved one, whom we cherish, becomes a burden?

What happens is a loss of first love.

Need:

Maybe this is how some of us feel right now about our faith in the risen Christ. We’re just going through the motions and doing our duty. This is not victorious living!

This week’s main idea: “Rev 2:1-7 teaches us that the great commandment matters to God. Jesus identified our greatest obligation was wholehearted love for God, which declares to us that God is not pleased by dutiful obedience that does not flow from genuine love. Here, Jesus mercifully reveals his glory to the church in Ephesus to summon forth from them the first love that he requires.” (Hamilton, p. 63)

My Bottom line: Remember how far you have fallen! Repent and return doing the things you did at first. (Remember, Repent, and Return)

Story: “First love”

First time I saw my wife. (Share story)

Overview/Preview:

• Revelation probably written to be read aloud in one sitting in the context of a church gathering. We will do this by the end of the series somewhere, somehow. (See promise of 1:3)

• From the risen Jesus Christ to the 7 churches in Asia Minor.

The church at Ephesus:

• Paul wrote letter to them 43 years earlier (AD 53)

• While there (several years) oversaw discipleship of entire region (Acts 19)

• Was most prominent church in the region at the time

• Temple to Artemis (Diana) goddess of love and other stuff; 7th wonder of the ancient world

• Silversmiths rioted when Paul came

• Nothing there since 14th century

Context: (by chapter)

1: Vision of Risen Christ

2-3: Letters to 7 churches from risen Christ

4-5: Vision of throne room of the risen Christ

6-16: Judgment of Risen Christ

17-22: Fall of Babylon and arrival of New Jerusalem

Structure: It’s a chiasm (# corresponds to 7 churches in order)

1 Ephesus - forsaken first love, Jesus

2 Smyrna - no rebukes

3 Pergamum - Several rebukes

4 Thyatira - Several severe rebukes

5 Sardis - Several more severe rebukes

6 Philadelphia - no rebukes

7 Laodicea - Lukewarm love, Jesus

• Bad news is that only 2 of 7 churches are not rebuked even though they are still in the apostolic age.

• Yet, there’s good news in that there is hope for every church because the risen Jesus tells them how to recover. Remember, repent and return.

  • Jesus is still among his church!

  • Jesus loves to reprove and discipline his church.

Outline:

2:1 The Authority of the Risen Christ

2:2-6 The Address to the church at Ephesus

2:7 The Call to hear and heed the promises

2:1

• John writes to the angel of that specific church

• Angel = messenger

• Writing down the words of the risen Christ

• We should read these letters to the churches in light of the glory of the risen Christ

• How would the demeanor of your worship service change if the governor came in and joined you for worship?

• Jesus describes himself using words from 1:12-16. He does this for each church he addresses.

  • Him who holds the 7 stars (angels) - Jesus is in control of his messengers

  • Him who walks among the 7 lamp stands (churches) - Jesus is present and at work

• The early church met in houses; so even though Jesus writes to “the Church” he’s writing to the network of churches that make up the church of Ephesus. (Kind of like if Jesus wrote a letter to the group at Grace, he’d be writing to all the different groups of people who gather under the banner of Grace Christian Fellowship)

2:2-6

• Risen Jesus had a lot to commend them for:

  • pure doctrine

  • Hard working

  • Persevering

  • Condemnation of wicked people

  • Not grown weary of doing good and working hard

  • Opposed practices of the Nicolaitans (probably encouraged idolatry and sexual immorality)

  • We can summarize these into 2 categories: Deeds (hands) and Theology (head):

    • Hands - hard working, persevering, not growing weary of doing good

    • Head - pure doctrine, opposing false teaching, church discipline of wicked people

    • What they are missing is Heart - Love for the risen Christ

• Risen Jesus had one rebuke:

  • You have forsaken/abandoned (not just lost) the love you had at first.

  • At first = when your eyes and ears were opened to the truth that sets you free.

• Remember (consider) how far you have fallen from that love you had at first

  • Not necessarily at the beginning of your walk with Christ; maybe at a significant spiritual marker

  • I remember having lots of tears at the altar during a service at summer camp—when I was the youth pastor! Then later wondering where that passion to surrender all went

  • Our faith ebbs and flows—where are you today?

  • Perhaps you’ve never experienced a moving, life-changing encounter with the living God. Try this:

    • Think about your sin before a holy, holy, holy God.

    • How do you propose to cleanse yourself from your sins? Good works are like mensural rags in God’s eyes when performed to be cleansed.

    • How to propose to satisfy God’s righteous wrath for your sins?

    • There is only one mediator—Jesus

    • He died to pay the penalty for sin.

    • If you trust him, God will forgive your sin and adopt you.

  • This line of thought—

    • from God’s holiness

    • To our sin

    • To God’s justice against sin

    • To the provision of God made for our salvation in Christ and the mercy he shows to those who trust him

    • —this thinking on the gospel is what will fire anew our first love.

  • Just as thinking on your need for Jesus will fan the flames of your love for him, so also thinking on God’s mercy in giving you a spouse you don’t deserve will refresh your zeal for your spouse...

• Repent turning from duty to delight; from self to others first; to living to please Jesus over pleasing yourself

  • The great commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength

  • And others as yourself

• Return and do the things you did at first

  • When your mind is consumed with devotion for the one you love, you do what pleases them

  • Evidently, this devotion waned in the church of Ephesus

• Warning and Reward

  • If you don’t repent, I’ll unchurch you

  • If you do, see v. 7

2:7

• Whoever has ears quickened by the power of the Holy Spirit listen up and follow

• Reward for those who overcome -

  • Right to eat from the tree of life

  • Be with risen Christ in paradise

Applications:

Remember how far you have fallen! Repent and return doing the things you did at first. How?

1. Remember (consider) how far you’ve fallen, (Admit that you’ve dropped the ball here)

2. Repent of sin, and (Confess and turn from your sin...)

3. Return to Christ by doing the things you did at first. (Turn...to (or back to) the risen Jesus Christ and savior and Lord). How?

   1. Be zealous for the gospel—fall in love with Jesus and his good news again!

   2. Be diligent about sound doctrine—be in the word!

   3. Be faithful in living out the gospel—be like the risen Christ!

Conclusion:

When we remember how far we’ve fallen, and humble ourselves, we repent of our sin and return to the risen Christ and the things we did at first. This is the way;-)...and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through the Son...the risen Christ Jesus.

“Believer or unbeliever, one sure way to grow in your love for God is to think on the gospel—

1. God’s holiness and justice against sin,

2. the peril of your condition,

3. the provision made in Christ, and

4. your need to trust in Jesus.” (Hamilton, p. 70)

Will you remember, repent and return to him today?

Let’s pray.

Other:

Hamilton’s notes on all 7 churches:

Verse: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but of...

“Power, love and self-control/sound mind” 2 Tim 1:7

Analogy: Head, heart, hands

Consider combining the two...

Head - Sound mind/self-control

Hands - Power

Heart - Love

If Jesus wrote a letter to GCF, what would it say?

Probably a summary of what he charged all 7 churches to do:

For the sake of Christ,

1. Be zealous for the gospel,

2. Reject false teachings, and

3. Live in a manner consistent with the gospel.

Greatest need of the early church (and today’s church) according to Hamilton:

“to be faithful to Jesus, to hold fast to the gospel, and to live lives that are pleasing to him.”

Good News: “God has given us everything that we need to know to be right with God through Jesus and live in a way that pleases him.” -Hamilton

Main Point (Hamilton): “For the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to be zealous for the gospel, reject false teaching, and live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel.” (LGLP, xDM)

Generally, for all the churches...for the glory of God, Jesus charges the churches to...

1. Be zealous for the gospel, (pursue steadfast faithfulness to gospel—which 2 & 6 were commended for)

2. Reject false teaching, and (be diligent about sound doctrine)

3. Live in a manner that corresponds to the gospel. (Live in pure devotion to Jesus, avoiding idolatry and immorality that grows from false teaching (and unbelief))

4. Practice church discipline, when necessary.

5. Be faithful unto death (cf. 2:10)

Story: Pastor Greg Wills (Hamilton, p. 61)

Notes from Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC) on Rev 2:1-7:

Verse 1: DESTINATION

• Paul had visited Ephesus about 43 years earlier in AD 53.

• Paul was there for several years and preached/disciples so effectively “that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in th province of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10).

• Silversmiths started a riot because their business of making shrines of Artemis was threatened.

• Ephesus—long history; most prominent church in region.

• Uninhabited since 14th century. (Immediate area)

• Mostly 2nd+ generation Christians

• Note how Paul draws from the description of the risen Christ in ch. 1 to re-describe himself to the 7 churches:

  • ““To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.”

  • ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Verse 2-3: COMMENDATION

• Commended for their faithful service for 40 years! Specifically,

  • hard work

  • perseverance

  • condemnation of wicked people

  • identification of false apostles (false teachers in each of first 4 churches)

  • enduring hardships

  • not growing weary in serving God

Verse 4: REBUKE

• Despite many commendations, soundly rebuked for forsaking the love they had at first.

• Word order is emphatic: Literally, “Your first love (agape) you have left.”

• Agape - deep love God has for people (cf. Eph 1:15-16 (35 years earlier))

Therefore,

• Pure doctrine (HEAD)

• High level of service (HANDS)

• Devotion to Christ (HEART) ——LACKING!! HENCE REBUKE

• Risen Christ wants all three!!

Verse 5-6: EXHORTATIONS

1. “Remember the height from which you have fallen!”

2. “Repent”—Our love for risen Jesus should be greater than...

   • Spouse

   • Kids

   • Parents

   • Best friends

   • Boy/girl friend

   • Self

   • Idol

   • Hero

   • Cause, manifesto, dream

   • god

3. (Return) and “Do the things you did at first.”

Verse 7: WARNING & PROMISE

WARNING: “If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Lampstand = light or presence of Christ in the church = church will die)

PROMISE: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is the paradise of God.”

• When you eat this fruit, you live abundant life forever.

• Tree that was in the garden of Eden is now in the New Jerusalem.

Illustration: (Cf. With Isaiah’s reaction in Isaiah 6:1-8) Isaiah went from “Woe is me” to “Here I am” in a very short time. How long would it take for you to surrender all to Jesus and let him send you wherever to do whatever? How long would it take for you to give Jesus a blank check? Not long if you see him as he is today.

Believe It Or Not, Jesus Is Coming | Luke 1:5-38

Believe It Or Not, Jesus Is Coming | Luke 1:5-38

Darien Gabriel

Believe it or not, Jesus is coming

Series: As We Wait (for His Second Coming) #Advent

Scripture: Luke 1:5-38

Bottom line: whether you believe God’s word or not, Jesus is coming...again.

A dog and the point

“If you try to point out something to a dog, the dog will often look at your finger instead of at the object you’re trying to point out. This is frustrating, but it illustrates a natural mistake we all make from time to time. It’s the mistake many people make when reading the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel: focusing on the manger—the Christmas crib. The most famous animal feeding-trough in all history. To concentrate on the manger and to forget why it was mentioned in the first place is like the dog looking at the finger rather than the object.

The point Luke is making is clear. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world. (Caesar) Augustus never heard of Jesus of Nazareth. But within a century or so his successors in Rome had not only heard of him; they were taking steps to obliterate his followers. Just over three centuries later, a Roman emperor became a Christian.

Luke’s narrative reminds us not to stop at the manger but to see the explosive truth it’s pointing to.”

-NT Wright, Luke: 26 studies for individuals and groups, p. 23

Advent wreaths

I grew up with advent wreaths...

Advent = Coming

1st advent = 1st coming of Jesus (as a baby/Christmas/incarnation)

2nd advent = 2nd coming of Jesus (as a warrior-king/consummation of his earthly reign)

Luke 1:5-38

Compare and contrast 2 faith responses to God’s word (truth).

Applications

Whether you believe God’s word or not, it will come to pass.

Even when you fail to believe, God’s mercy is there for you. He disciplines his children when they fail to trust him. But he brings them back into fellowship as well. Just ask Zechariah.

You can please God when you take him at his word. Just ask Mary. (Cf. Heb 11:3)

Make sure you don’t miss the point for the pointer. The point is that God wants to walk in fellowship with you. He sent Jesus to restore our fellowship with him. That’s why he came the first time. The second time he’s coming to finish what he started. Are you ready?

Cross-reference

I want to be “confident and unashamed” at Jesus’ return. 1 John 2:28

Illustration

We're all waiting for something, but the Christian hope is the difference between waiting impatiently and waiting expectantly. Waiting for time to heal wounds is an exercise in futility. We sit impatient while growing both more agitated and more numb. But waiting expectantly means we hope in the healing that God promises, while expecting the world we live in to continue in its brokenness. In the hope of Advent, we’re not surprised by the darkness, but we’re not consumed by it either.

This is not a fine and theological distinction that has no bearing on life today. In fact, I would suggest this is the only way to make sense of your life today. Hoping in Jesus’ return is the only way to look at the brokenness of reality and maintain hope despite it all. And this takes practice. Just like our waiting impatiently is a learned practice reinforced through daily habits of expecting news and notifications and clicks to make us feel better, so waiting expectantly is a learned practice reinforced through communal spiritual disciplines of reading, praying and carefully directed longing.

-Justin Early, email

Be Prepared To Answer | 1 Peter 3:15-16

Be Prepared To Answer | 1 Peter 3:15-16

Darien Gabriel

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16
Title: Be Prepared to Answer

Bottom line: Doing good means always being prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you why you have hope and to do so w/ gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience. That includes your enemies and your persecutors.

Be prepared & ready to share with anyone why you have hope.

Open with motto of the Boy Scouts: Be prepared. I tried and gave up after 2 months.

Prepared for tests?

I walked into physics class one year after spring break fresh and rested from no studying. But I wasn’t ready or prepared for the test they handed out unexpectedly (to me) that day. I promptly left to withdraw from the class.

I was ready but not necessarily prepared for my first SAT test. We didn’t study for them back in my day. So taking the test was really a way to answer the question, “Am I ready for college?”

Where is God?

Elie Wiesel was born into a Jewish family in Romania. He was only a teenager when he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and taken first to Auschwitz, and then to Buchenwald. In his book, Night, he gives a terrifying and intimate account of the increasing horrors he endured – the death of his parents and eight-year-old sister, and the loss of his innocence by barbaric hands.

In the foreword to the book, François Mauriac writes of his encounter with Elie Wiesel: ‘On that most horrible day, even among all those other bad days, when the child witnessed the hanging (yes!) of another child who, he tells us, had the face of a sad angel, he heard someone behind him groan: “For God’s sake, where is God?” And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where He is? This is where – hanging here from this gallows.”’

...His words point to the most profound answer to the question, ‘Where is God?’ God is in Christ. He was on the cross bearing our sins in his body. Now the crucified is among his people. Not only has he suffered for you, but he now suffers with you. (Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 327 • Devotional)

Peter exhorts the early church to be prepared to give an answer for the hope they carried in Christ. He knew, however, that he was writing to a suffering people. The time was one of persecution and opposition. From family, friends, religious institutions, philosophical discussions, employers and, of course, the government.

He wants them to do good (like Titus) but he accounts for their suffering.

We just finished Paul’s letter to Titus where we emphasized the principle that good deeds/works flow from good doctrine taught and lived in a community united in Christ.

Here we see Peter also talking about “doing good.” More specifically, he talks about suffering for doing good.

Thanksgiving is a time when family, food, politics and religion collide for a few hours resulting in a wide range of reactions. Maybe you experienced that this year. 2020 is the year of disruption and as a result we’re all not at our best. Things have been amplified and accelerated—good and bad things. As a result, our cultural norms have changed quickly.

Ex. We now have a cancel culture where people are much quicker to write someone off for something they said even long ago with no second chance.

Ex. We are much more polarized than in the past.

Ex. So much has been politicized too. Your views on race, immigration, borders, guns, marijuana, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and police move people to make assumptions about you and put you into stereo-typed groups so that they can label you for or against them. Tribes are becoming our new identities.

As a result, people are quicker to condemn, criticize and cancel you. We are often guilty by perceived association whether it’s true or not.

But the biggest one we’re going to be dealing with in the months ahead is where you are religiously.

Like it or not, if you are a Christian who is committed to the Bible in that you believe it and live it and share it, you will be stereo-typed and labeled horrible things. Things that aren’t even true about you. And gradually, as it becomes more socially acceptable, you will be persecuted.

What can you do this about this? I have a few suggestions:

1. Decide who you really are? Where do you really stand? What’s your story? How does it fit in God’s epic story?

2. Prepare yourself and your family for the coming storm; for persecution. We’ve been saying for years it’s coming. COVID accelerated everything. It’s here. Prepare for suffering.

3. Decide how you are going to respond to this personally?

   1. Will you push back? Demand to be understood? For you will be misunderstood. Jesus was and he never once defended himself.

   2. Or will you lean in? Bless instead of curse. Return good to your tormentors? Will you reinforce their stereotypes or will you show them a better story?

4. Do you have hope? What or who is it in? Why? Know the answers to these questions.

The Apostle Peter spoke to early Christians about this very thing in 1 Peter 3:8-22. It is there I believe God led me to this week to share before we head into the Christmas season of sermons. It seems extremely fitting and timely.

Many of us are experiencing a crisis of faith. Do we really believe this Bible is really a word from God? If so, then let’s prepare together. If not, then it will be extremely hard for you to move forward with other believers. This is why people are leaving churches in droves. This is why churches are closing all over America.

Caution for new persecution

“In the first two chapters Peter referred to “all kinds of trials” (1:6), accusations of “doing wrong” (2:12), “the ignorant talk of foolish men” (2:15), and “the pain of unjust suffering” (2:19). All these persecutions seem to have resulted from the natural reactions of a pagan society against Christians who faithfully obeyed Jesus Christ.

Peter then warned that a time of more severe persecution and suffering was close at hand. He cautioned Christians to keep clear consciences when facing injustice, to endure the inevitable suffering with Christlike courage.” (BKC)

I. Overcoming Injustice in the coming days

1 Peter 3:8–12 (BKC): “Peter used both Christ and Noah to illustrate the principle that in times of rising persecution the right response to injustice results in blessing.“

“Finally” introduces a new section.

“Peter now addressed all his readers (all of you) and gave practical principles for living peacefully in a hostile pagan culture. First Peter 3:8–9 is Peter’s exposition of Psalm 34:12–16, which he then quoted (1 Peter 3:10–12). Peter constructed his thoughts around the three exhortations in the psalm.”

A. A Compassionate Conduct - 1 Peter 3:8-12 - 3 practical exhortations from Peter from David:

1. Keep from speaking evil. This includes what you say to someone AND what you type/write to someone via text, email or social media. (10)

2. Turn from evil and do good. (11a) “Turn the other cheek” -Jesus (Matt 5:39)

3. Seek and pursue peace with God and man. (11b) Respond to insult with blessing. Start with what you say then with what you (or refrain from).

B. A Clear Conscience - 1 Peter 3:13-22

“Persecution occurred, however, in spite of believers’ desires to live peacefully and their eagerness to do good. Peter encouraged his readers with the fact that the right response to undeserved suffering results in blessing. He presented the principle in verses 13–17 and provided examples in verses 18–22.”

1. Who is going to hurt you? (13-14) Blessed here means “highly favored”, not feel delighted.

   1. Fear God over men. Isaiah 8:12 (ESV): “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread” (14)

2. Overcoming fear requires us exalting Christ as Lord (15)

   1. Reason = apologia or defense for why you believe what you believe about Christ Jesus.

   2. 1 Peter 3:15 (BKC): As a result Christians should always be prepared (hetoimoi, “ready”; cf. 1:5) to give … the reason (apologian, the “defense” which a defendant makes before a judge; cf. Acts 22:1; 25:16) for their hope in Christ. Such an oral defense should be consistent with one’s “set-apart” conduct.

   3. There’s the posture of prepared.

   4. There’s the work of prepared.

   5. There’s the willingness of prepared.

3. Give your reason in a way that honors Christ. How you do this matters. (16)

   1. Perhaps Peter is recalling how he did not do this when confronted 3 times after Jesus’ arrest. (Mark 14:66-72)

   2. Yet it may be God’s will for you to suffer for doing good. (17)

4. Illustrations on the above principles (18-22)

   1. Jesus is our supreme example. He suffered greatly for doing nothing but good. (Healing, miracles, preaching, serving, and the cross) Great summary: “1 Peter 3:18 (BKC): In verses 18–22 Peter illustrated the principles given in verses 13–17. Once again Christ provided the perfect example. He suffered for doing what was right (2:14). His sinless life provoked the unjust hostilities of evil men. However, He did not fear men but trusted Himself to God. Christ clearly stated His purpose and committed Himself to a course of action. He died in mankind’s place, keeping His conscience clear (cf. 2:23). As a result He received tremendous blessing and reward in His own resurrection and exultation.” (18) Maybe the greatest summary of the gospel in one verse in the Bible.

      1. Christ (anointed one) suffered once for sins (fully sufficient sacrifice for all sin)

      2. the righteous for the unrighteous (our substitute)

      3. to bring you to God (to reconcile us to God)

      4. Put to death in the body (cross)

      5. Made alive in the Spirit

   2. Through whom he preached to the spirits in prison (19-20)

      1. Noah kept hammering and preaching to encourage others to repent and believe despite incredible oppositions and hostility. So must we.

      2. Noah feared God over men.

      3. Noah’s reward was salvation for he and his family.

   3. Water (21)

      1. Baptism represents a complete break from the past.

      2. 1 Peter 3:21 (BKC): He exhorted them to have the courage to commit themselves to a course of action by taking a public stand for Christ through baptism. The act of public baptism would “save” them from the temptation to sacrifice their good consciences in order to avoid persecution. For a first-century Christian, baptism meant he was following through on his commitment to Christ, regardless of the consequences.

      3. Baptism doesn’t save you from sin but from a bad conscience.

Notes

WW notes

Preparing for the Best (3:8-17)

Peter is preparing believers for the fiery trials of persecution that were coming. But preparing for the best, not the worst. Hope-filled words!

III. God’s grace in suffering

A. Cultivate Christian Love (8-12)

B. Practice the Lordship of Christ (13-15)

C. Maintain a good conscience (16-17)

Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 327 • Devotional

Where is God?

Elie Wiesel was born into a Jewish family in Romania. He was only a teenager when he and his family were rounded up by the Nazis and taken first to Auschwitz, and then to Buchenwald. In his book, Night, he gives a terrifying and intimate account of the increasing horrors he endured – the death of his parents and eight-year-old sister, and the loss of his innocence by barbaric hands.

In the foreword to the book, François Mauriac writes of his encounter with Elie Wiesel: ‘On that most horrible day, even among all those other bad days, when the child witnessed the hanging (yes!) of another child who, he tells us, had the face of a sad angel, he heard someone behind him groan: “For God’s sake, where is God?” And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where He is? This is where – hanging here from this gallows.”’

François Mauriac goes on, ‘And I, who believe that God is love, what answer was there to give my young interlocutor... What did I say to him? Did I speak to him of that other Jew, this crucified brother who perhaps resembled him and whose cross conquered the world?

‘Did I explain to him that what had been a stumbling block for his faith had become a cornerstone for mine? And that the connection between the cross and human suffering remains, in my view, the key to the unfathomable mystery in which the faith of his childhood was lost... That is what I should have said to the Jewish child. But all I could do was embrace him and weep.’

His words point to the most profound answer to the question, ‘Where is God?’ God is in Christ. He was on the cross bearing our sins in his body. Now the crucified is among his people. Not only has he suffered for you, but he now suffers with you.

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle (and later the temple) was the place where people went to meet with God. This was God’s home as we see in our Old Testament passage for today (Ezekiel 43:5).

The message of our New Testament passage though is that the glory and presence of God is to be found supremely in Jesus. It is at the very moment that Jesus is rejected and crucified that God’s presence among people is finally and fully realised. From that point on there is no need for a physical temple. The only church building the New Testament speaks about is a building made of people (Ephesians 2:20–22), founded and built upon Jesus, the chief cornerstone. The holy temple in the New Testament is one made of ‘living stones’ (1 Peter 2:5) – in other words, people like you and me. This is God’s new home.