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Thursday, October 31, 2024
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Sunday, October 27, 2024
Encore Presentation: The Revival Series Part 3 The Lost Doctrine in Present-Day Preaching
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tziww-138b39b
Bible Study 1 Peter 4: 1-19
A Commentary of the Book of 1 Peter
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1 Peter 4: 1-19
Text:
Keep Fervent in Your Love
4 Therefore, since Christ has [a]suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has [b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin— 2 so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, [c]having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and [d]abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you, 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For to this the gospel has been [e]proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of [f]prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God— 11 whoever speaks, [g]as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving [h]by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing the Suffering of Christ
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 13 But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted [i]for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [j]troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin [k]with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [l]what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin—”
Some advocate that this verse teaches that suffering will build up your character to reduce sin. I believe the better interpretation is that Peter is speaking of the believer’s identification with Christ in His sufferings. While Christ was always sinless, He did take on sinful flesh. However, He remained sinless. Christ “died to sin” in the sense that after His death and Resurrection He was no longer subject to the power of sin and death. That will be our end as well when we lay down our sinful flesh we will no longer be subject to the power of sin and death.
Verse 2: “so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
A goal of the Christian’s life is the freedom from sin which comes at death and our glorification. As a result, we should live the remainder of this natural life on earth pursuing the holy will of God, which is our sanctification, rather than the ungodly lusts of the sinful flesh.
Verse 3: “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”
This list of sins closely resembles other passages of Scripture, and is strong evidence for the pagan background of most of Peter’s audience. “Sensuality” means unrestrained indulgence of one’s desires, especially for sexual pleasure. “Lusts” refers to evil desires, often relating to sexual immorality. “Carousing” meant excessive feasting, often in honor of a pagan god. The “drinking parties” were gatherings with an excessive use of alcohol.
Verse 4: “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you,”
These first century Christians under severe persecution were pursuing lives of holiness in their everyday walk. The former acquaintances were surprised, offended, and angry because of the Christian’s lack of interest in ungodly sinful pleasures. Today, the church embraces the world, but Peter’s readers were standing for Truth without compromise.
Verse 5: “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
The entire world, the living and the dead, are going to be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ someday. Will He judge believers, too? Yes, but not for salvation, which was eternally secured when they were born again, but He will not look the other way when the believer sins since He is judging the world for sin.
Verse 6: “For to this the gospel has been proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.
This verse continues with the theme of Divine judgment. The “dead” is a reference to people who were saved earlier and have now died by the time Peter wrote this letter. “Judged in the flesh” refers to the reality of physical death even for believers. Christ has won the victory over death and we will experience that in our glorification in heaven. Theen, we will “live in the spirit.”
Verse 7: ‘The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
The Greek word for “end” references not chronological time but rather a goal achieved. Peter calls the Christian to have “sound thinking.” We are to be serious about Kingdom business. About 30 years ago, an event called the Toronto blessing was popular. People laughed, shook uncontrollably, barked like dogs, roared like lions, pretended to be drunk or high on pot and they would pretend to tree the devil like a squirrel. It was madness. I knew people in this movement and they were anything but serious and sober. Christ is coming again and that fact should cause believers to be serious about winning the lost and proclaiming the Gospel message.
Verse 8: “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Peter emphasizes love for each other as they face severe persecution. This is because love keeps no record of wrongs but forgives in response to God’s forgiveness for our sins.
Verse 9: “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
Being “hospitable” means to have a “love of strangers.” Love is intensely practical, not just emotional. In Peter’s day, love included opening one’s home and caring for other needy Christians, that were traveling away from home.
Verse 10: “As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God—”
There are no benchwarmers in the body of Christ. Everyone has received gifts and talents from the Lord and we are to use them to serve one another. It is evidence that we have received saving grace.
Verse 11: “whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.”
Peter is suggesting that there are two types of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts. Whatever our gifting, our service to each other should be to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Glorifying God should be our chief goal in life.
Verse 12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”
Most likely, Peter wrote this letter shortly before or after the burning of Rome. Over the next few verses, he will give his readers the keys to facing persecution. The first key is to expect it. The closer we draw to God, the more Christlike we become, the more the world and its systems will hate us. They hate Christ and if you represent Him, they will hate you as well.
Verse 13: “But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
In this verse, we learn the second key to facing persecution: keep on rejoicing. When the Christian suffers for doing what is right, he has confidence that at the Second Coming of Christ there will be a time of great rejoicing. A Christian who is persecuted for righteousness in this life will have overflowing joy in the future because of his reward for all eternity with Christ.
Verse 14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
When you represent Christ to the world, you can expect to be insulted, canceled, and persecuted. The “blessed” experience is not happiness but assurance that as you suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ His Presence will be with you. That will enable you to continue representing Christ to a Christ rejecting world.
Verse 15: “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;”
Peter draws a distinction between suffering for Christ and suffering because you deserve it because of your wrongdoing. The phrase “troublesome meddler” means someone who intrudes into matters that belong to someone else. As a general rule, a Christian that works for a nonbeliever should do his job unto the Lord, not make trouble, and show the love of Christ to the unsaved.
Verse 16: “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name.”
In the first century, “Christian” was an insulting term given to those followers of Christ. It was anything but a compliment. When one suffers for being a Christian, he can glorify God in the midst of the suffering. This brings great glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 17: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
This “judgment” is not condemnation, but the purging, chastening, and purifying of the church by God. The outcome for Christ rejecters will be disastrous and will end with an eternity in the fires of hell.
Verse 18: “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”
The “difficulty” is not with one’s final salvation which is secure, but that the way through it may be hard with discipline from the Lord. This life is not free of pain and sorrow. In fact, life can be hard when you represent Christ to a world that hates Him. The Godless man and sinner have no hope in the life to come. It will be an eternity of suffering.
Verse 19: “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.”
“Entrust” is a banking term meaning to deposit for safekeeping. We give our lives to the One Who created us. We give back what He gave to us. This is the best advice when facing persecution and suffering for Christ.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The Revival Series Part 2: What is a Revival and Why Aren't We Having One
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-3c9e9-13813f2
Friday, October 25, 2024
The Revival Series Part 1: The Present Condition of the Church
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-b64pc-1377273
Thursday, October 24, 2024
The Second Coming of Christ Part 4: The Certainty of His Coming
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-7dgp7-136cd8a
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 3: The Reality of His Coming
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-9zbk5-13634d4
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 2: The Manner of His Coming
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-c5b5r-13598e8
Monday, October 21, 2024
The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Part 1: Signs
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5adkz-133f50f
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Today's Bible Message: Core Theology Part 1 God is Sovereign
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-vvcp8-1711c5e
Bible Study 1 Peter 3: 1-22
A Commentary of the Book of 1 Peter
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1 Peter 3: 1-22
Text:
Wives and Husbands
3 In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure conduct with fear. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, [a]not fearing any intimidation.
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 [b]Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but [c]giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11
He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12
For the eyes of the [d]Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the [e]Lord is against those who do evil.”
Suffering for Righteousness
13 And who is [f]there to [g]harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [h]are blessed. And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled, 15 but [i]sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make [j]a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear, 16 having a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if [k]God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [l]spirit; 19 in [m]which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the [n]water. 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal [o]of a good conscience to God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,”
“In the same way,” refers to the verses on submission found in 1 Peter chapter 2. Wives are to respect their husbands and husbands are to love their wives. “Without a word” means that the life lived by the wife would show the love of Christ in such an impactful way that the husband would be converted. In Roman culture, the wife was expected to have the same faith as her husband. The wife was to win her husband not by argument but from a love that revealed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 2: “as they observe your pure conduct with fear.”
Purity of life with reverence (i.e. fear) for God is what the unsaved husband should observe. This was not to be a once a week occurrence, but rather a consistent life of holiness lived in front of the person who knew her best.
Verse 3: “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments;”
The principle taught is modesty. This is a warning against preoccupation with outward appearances. The verse does not teach, as some denominations do, that all wearing of jewelry is sin. Peter is giving three examples of excessives to avoid. If the verse was a prohibition against jewelry, it would also be a prohibition of “putting on garments.” That would be silly.
Verse 4: “but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”
This is a call to inward purity of heart. The Christian woman is to be a picture of humility and grace. This type of beauty never fades.
Verse 5: “For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands,”
Sarah was an Old Testament saint that was a picture of humility, grace and submission to her husband Abraham. Notice, the wife is to be subject to her own husband, not someone else's.
Verse 6: “just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, not fearing any intimidation.”
Sarah provides the role model for Christian wives today. She called her husband “lord” not as a god, but rather from a place of extreme reverence, Remember, the wife is called to respect her husband and that is what Sarah did. The latter phrase, “not fearing any intimidation,” refers to a Christian wife married to an unsaved man. The wife was to remain committed to Christ and at the same time show proper respect for her husband.
Verse 7: “You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”
“Weaker” refers to physical strength and implies no moral superiority. The husband is to show his wife honor because she is saved by the same grace that he was. Failure to do so will result in prayers being hindered. Common experience teaches us that if you are angry with someone or at conflict with them, praying becomes very difficult. To clear the obstructions in your prayer life, live at peace with the family of God.
Verse 8: “Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit;”
To be “like-minded” is to “to think the same.” Peter is teaching that all Christians are to be models and pursuers of peace and unity, not disruption and disharmony. Humility is an essential part of thinking the same. The Christian seeks peace not conflict within the body of Christ.
Verse 9: “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
Christians are not to retaliate in response to persecution, but instead are to “bless” their enemies. This would include praying for them. Think of the example our Lord Jesus Christ gave when He was assaulted and spit upon. A model of not returning evil for evil.
Verse 10: “For,
‘The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.’”
Remember that Peter is writing to a group of believers facing extreme persecution including death. He tells them that to see a good life they are to not speak evil nor deceit. It seems strange advice but when you reflect on it, it isn’t. True happiness comes from within and is not contingent on circumstances.
Verse 11: “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it.”
A true believer is not to sit back and act hypocritically.We are to turn away from evil and pursue that which ministers to peace. The positive is to seek to do good and the negative is turn away from all that is not of Christ.
Verse 12: “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Notice the human descriptions Peter uses. God has eyes on the righteous. He has ears to hear their prayers. His face is turned against those who work evil. God has guaranteed to hear the prayers of those who are His elect. He has not guaranteed to hear the prayers of those who are not His own. The only prayer that a sinner can pray is, “Lord, I admit that I am a sinner, I repent, save me.” That is a prayer that God will hear and that God will answer every time.
Verse 13: “And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”
Peter was not stating that no physical harm will come to Christians. The believers were suffering greatly. His point is that no external force can cause a Christian spiritual harm.
Verse 14: “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their fear, and do not be troubled,”
Christians who suffer for the truth are blessed by God, even if their reward is delayed in this life. Suffering for righteousness should bring joy to the Christian. If we take a quiet stand for holiness and righteousness, we should rejoice if we suffer for that.
Verse 15: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear,”
“Being ready” to confess Christ is an important part of living a sanctified life, i.e. set apart, for the Lord Jesus Christ. The word “defense”suggests a response to abusive or derisive inquiries from people persecuting you. Such a response includes an explanation of the main points of Christianity: the Sovereignty of God, the depravity of man, Holy Spirit conviction and blood redemption, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and the second coming of Christ.
Verse 16: “having a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.”
By their righteous response and attitude, Christians show that accusations against them are false.
Verse 17: “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing good rather than for doing wrong.”
This is a statement of submission to the Sovereignty and Providence of God. That submission to His authority acknowledges that unjust suffering is within the providence of God and is for the good of His children and His own glory.
Verse 18: “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, so that He might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”
Peter wanted to encourage his readers in their suffering by again reminding them that even Christ suffered unjustly because it was God’s will. The phrase “once for all” shows the difference between Old Testament sacrifices which were repeated many times and Christ’s sacrifice which was done once and that is sufficient for all eternity. Christ was righteous and we weren’t. The Righteous died for the unrighteous so that unrighteous might be made righteous. While Christ’s body was dead for three days, His Spirit never died. He was “made alive” in His Divinity.
Verse 19: “in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,”
There are at least four interpretations concerning this verse: Christ preached through Noah, Christ announced His victory over death to Noah’s wicked contemporaries, Christ proclaimed His victory to fallen angels, and Christ proclaimed His victory at the time of His ascension. I think the best view is that between Christ’s death and resurrection, His living spirit went to the demon spirits bound in the abyss and proclaimed that, in spite of His death, He had triumphed over death and them. The “spirits in prison” refers to fallen angels (demons), who were permanently bound because of a heinous rebellion against God.
Verse 20: “who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.”
Disobedient fallen angels reside in the abyss. The bound demons have been there since the time of Noah, and who were sent there because willful rebellion and extreme wickedness.. The demons of Noah’s day were running wild through the earth, filling the world with their wicked, vile, anti-God thoughts and actions, including sexual sin, so that even 120 years of Noah’s preaching, while the ark was being built, could not convince any of the human race beyond the 8 people in Noah’s family to believe in God. Thus God bound these demons permanently in the abyss until their final judgment. The phrase “safely through the water,” means that they had been rescued in spite of the water, not because of the water. Here, water, i.e. the flood, was the instrument of God’s judgment, not the means of salvation.
Verse 21: “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal of a good conscience to God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
Baptism is a sign and symbol of God’s grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. The startling statement that baptism “saves you” shows how close is the relationship between the sign and the reality it signifies. Baptism is a sign that you have been born again and is not a part of the born again experience. The “removal of dirt” means that salvation is not a matter of performing external exercises, but symbolic of being converted.
Verse 22: “who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”
“At the right hand of God” means the place of supreme privilege and Sovereignty in the universe.
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