Author: missionspaul

“Take a breath will you!” Ever said that to anyone? Your friend was so excited they just kept talking and talking, words tumbled out of their mouths. In the Greek these next verses demonstrate Peter doing just that. We have put them into sentences however Peter said them in only one sentence such is his passion for what he is saying.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” (2 Peter 1 v 3-7)

I include the whole of what Peter said to show you his passion! We will unpack them over the next few days.

His divine power has given us everything we need …

When everything was barren, life-less and dark the greatest creative, explosive, divinely empowered act took place! (Genesis 1:1-2).

When things had been put on hold, when life was not moving how it should have done and the people were not who they should have been the instruction was that things would not change by human effort and attempts at purity but by a move of divine power (Zechariah 4:6).

When the disciples were wondering what to do next as they faced impossible odds of launching anything of a next chapter to a story they didn’t at that time fully understand, a sound came suddenly, like a violent wind filling the whole house where they were sat. Tongues of fire separated and came on them individually as divine power moved over their lives (Acts 2:1-4).

Luke 1: 34-35  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Divine power. Power from on high. The Holy Spirit is the answer.

How will I accomplish what is before me? The Holy Spirit, divine power.

How are my loved ones going to find Christ? The Holy Spirit, divine power.

How will the permanent turn into temporary? The Holy Spirit, divine power.

When divine power overshadows you, miracles happen. His divine power gives us everything we need …

The opening of 2 Peter finishes that sentence off and is a help to those who God has blessed or promoted in some way or has a level of authority today.

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1 v 1-2)

If God has elevated you or brought success into your life ….

• Never forget your story of grace. “Simon Peter” was his original name and a nickname given by Jesus for the reason of moving him into his destiny. He was born Simon and that man needed Jesus to transform his life. Never forget your roots especially if where you are today is a whole lot better than where you came from. Never forget when you had nothing and when you were nothing before Jesus changed everything for you.
• Never over inflate your credential. “…a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” reveals that he was fully aware of his previous proud impetuosity. He had learned humility and he taught this trait in his first letter commanding us to clothe ourselves with humility because God opposes the proud. He is an apostle, a man of authority, having witnessed the resurrection, but he is Christ’s servant who knows the importance of washing feet.
• Never view the Christian faith through inequality. “To those who … have received a faith as precious as ours” is a reminder that all believers share the same faith. There are no followers of Jesus who are non-Christians. Peter had first-hand experience with the family of Cornelius (Acts 10) of God giving the same saving faith to non-Jews as the Jewish followers of Jesus.
• Never dethrone Jesus in your life. “…through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ” is a tremendous verse to use the next time the JW is at your door! We bear the hallmarks of Jesus in our lives; His teachings; His story and the truth that He is God. There is no room for idols.
• Never stop knowing God more. “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” is a call to pursue Him so that we can be like Him so that these 2 most protective of gifts, grace and peace, keep us from falling away.

And so finally we end the first letter of Peter. We do so in how he started and his message throughout. We are aliens and strangers in this world, but we have each other, encourage and strengthen one another as we journey through the struggle.

“She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” (1 Peter 5 v 13-14)

1. You have the Church. Belonging to Christ, He died for her and He has empowered her. She sits in Babylon. Rome. An uncomfortable place to be. It’s tough. But they are your family.
2. You have your Calling. You are chosen. For a purpose. He has you.
3. You have your Influence. Mark. Peter’s spiritual son. His gospel was greatly influenced by Peter. Look around. You are an influencer of the next generation. You can be.
4. You have Love. Minister out of this. Let love be your first response. Reach out with love.
5. You have Peace. It is found in your walk with Jesus. It is there to receive.

We are coming to the end of this first letter that Peter has written to Christians who are suffering for their faith. He has given them encouragement and directions for how to live in this oppressive world as a follower of Jesus. Even to the end we find nuggets of truth that help us.

“With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.” (1 Peter 5 v 12)

Some translations have Silas or Silvanus and it is probably the same chap who appears in Paul’s letters. Here is the important lesson:

When you are struggling as these early Christians were then remember these 3 things:

1. Never struggle alone, find a helper, a friend, Peter had Silas, who do you have?
2. Know what God has said to you by His Spirit and through His Word, what is that? Write it down.
3. Stand on the truth of that word/promise. Do not waver. Stay strong. Speak it out. Hold fast. Don’t give up.

That’s how the ending of the doxology of Peter can be paraphrased (Message).

“To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5 v 11)

What power is coming against you?

Maybe you feel the weight of its pressure is too heavy to bear?

Remember, He is mighty to save (Zephaniah 3:17)

So let us align ourselves in prayer with who He is. He has dominion. He is Sovereign and it will never change.

There are times we need to remind ourselves with who God is before we begin to pray.

We should align our perspective with God’s perspective.

God is more than the sum total of the things that we or others are conscious about. He is a beyond and behind God. He is above and absolute God. He is the owner and omnipotent God. He is master and mighty God. He is ruler and righteous God. He is creator and controller God. And the Sovereign Lord is in control of you and the situation you are in. He will get the last word.

It may not feel like it is done in the right way but God will in a little while make everything right.

It may feel like you have lost your position but God will in a little while stand you on your feet.

It may feel like you are weak but God will in a little while bring new strength to you.

It may feel like everything is collapsing upon you but God in a little while will create a new foundation for you.

Hang in there. The suffering is a short season. It is a little while.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5 v10)

Peter has mentioned this before, ‘a little while’. It was right at the beginning of his letter, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”  (! Peter 1 v 6)

I wrote the following from that verse, over 6 weeks ago now, “I woke this morning thinking of P who has gone through a barrage of criticism that has been unkind and unjust. It seems like it has come from many only because their voices are loud but as always it comes from only a few. I pray that this morning he and his wife hold on. I pray they realise this is momentary. It’s just for a little while….”

Six weeks on now ‘P’ has survived the onslaught and the tide is turning for him and I am thankful to God for this. It was but for ‘a little while’.

This life may throw rocks at you and no matter how much you pray they just may not stop.

You may just have to keep going when all you want to do is give up.

Even if the world puts you on a cross it doesn’t mean you are the one who is defeated.

It’s just for a little while.

This is the heart of the Christian message. This is your message.

Fulani militants have been attacking Christian villages in Mangu, central Nigeria. The latest wave of attacks on some 30 villages began on May 16 and killed at least 125. Similar attacks over the same period claimed another 43 lives.

Children were killed and injured during the attack on Mangu. Among them 8-month-old baby, Precious Mani. Precious was shot twice but survived. Her parents and five siblings were among the dead in the attack on Nbun Ward in May. A mother whose oldest child was killed in the attack said: ‘We started hearing gunshots in the night at around midnight. My grandmother and the girl who stays with me were killed, along with my first born. My 5-year-old has been seriously wounded, too. He’s in great pain.’ She identified the attackers as militant Fulani herders. ‘They are our neighbours,’ she said. ‘Our house is just besides theirs. They called my son by name.’

It makes no sense. To kill one’s neighbours that you know by name. But such is the world that our Christian family live in. What can we do? We pray and we can give to great organisations like https://releaseinternational.org/release-campaigns/rose/ where the above story is taken from.

But there is also another thing we can do:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5 v 8-9)

Today I know many friends who wake to a spiritual battle. In fact yesterday I spoke with two of them in different situations and said the same thing, ‘this is a spiritual battle.’ Therefore, we fight differently. We “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world.” (Message)

If you wake to a spiritual battle today then do so with solidarity with your family in Mangu, Nigeria. Their experience can inspire you to also persevere as they do. If they can stand firm so can you. You can do this.

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” -Saint Augustine

The culture of Peter’s day used this particular word ‘humble’ disparagingly and often towards a slave. That attitude of the world threatens the Church even today. Being humble is obviously a trait we all believe in but it doesn’t get a huge mention and we never talk about it as something to aspire to. In fact if you were to say I am humble well that just proves you are not. But why is this so? I think we need more people in all spheres of society, in the Church and outside of it, who will stand up and say one of the hallmarks of their life, the axis of their worldview is that they are lowly in their thinking of themselves and they recognise the value of others above their own value. They are humble.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5 v 5-7)

How to be humble:

1. Look like the lowest. The meaning of ‘to clothe yourself’ was to put on an apron and look like a slave.
2. A willingness to be the last and the least in the room. Hold back your title, your experience, what you know, don’t rush in.
3. Let others get the praise that you deserve.
4. Know that God’s favour doesn’t come because of your achievement but your character.
5. Stop trying to fix or complain about things that are causing you to worry.
6. Be heavy handed with your anxiety and throw yourself on God’s responsibility.
7. Let God care for you and what happens to you.

Yesterday I preached in an amazing church where I was introduced as ‘Dan’s dad’. I shook hands with many people, “You know who this is don’t you?! This is Dan’s dad!” I was so thankful to God that my son who had preached in this church many times before was being helpful to introducing who I was! I was thankful for the circle of life. “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy…” At the end of the service the church gathered around a 15 year old girl who was going for hospital treatment. The members didn’t just pray, they really interceded and brought words of encouragement. The girl was so important to them, she was valued and she was clearly their investment. I then went back to the Pastor’s house for lunch and sat round the table with 5 of their 6 children of various ages up to 21yrs and marvelled at how this couple had modelled not only a loving marriage but had inspired their children to walk with Jesus also. We talked about a young lady I had met in the church that morning who has a desire to help the Pastor in reaching children and young people. The young lady seemed really young yet was driving her own car and no doubt was a very responsible adult! I was feeling old! Yet I was happy! It was how it is always meant to be. This is God’s circle of life for the church. It is His desire that our sons and daughters prophesy.

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.” (1 Peter 5 v 5)

Peter moves on from instruction to the elders of the church to the younger generation. Having written how to live under authority, to the slaves with masters, living in marriage and within community, he turns his attention to the younger ones. They too need to learn how to live.

In the same way. Likewise. In like manner. The baton is passed. Copy. Do the same.

Just 50% of children growing up in Christian homes will keep their faith as adults.

• Care for the Family

“If our children are going to walk away from Christ, we need to raise them in such a way that to walk away from Jesus is to walk away from a life of faith, risk and adventure and to choose a life that is boring mundane and ordinary.” Erwin McManus (Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church, Los Angeles)

As we near the end of our race have we passed on the baton?

I know many opposite stories to the one I have just told of the Pastor’s family. I know of the tears and the pain of loving parents who have seen their children walk away from the Church. Some churches don’t have a younger generation to pass the baton to. The promise in the prophecy from Joel and which Peter used at Pentecost is comforting. “Your sons and daughters will be carriers of the Word of God in their generation.” I am quite sure when he was instructing the younger generation to submit just as much as everyone else in the Church community he had this prophecy in mind also. This is the outpouring of the Spirit that we need.

I love reading books on leadership. I love attending conferences on leadership. I love being with leaders. I’ve done this all my life. Ever since as a 10 year old I pinned to the wall of my Dad’s garage, ’10 rules for being in Paul’s gang’ I have tried to become a better leader. However, I have found the major difference between leadership and being a shepherd is ego and I discover that by looking at Jesus.

“To the elders … be shepherds of God’s flock … And when the Chief Shepherd appears” (1 Peter 5 v 4)

It is hard to find an under-shepherd with an ego. You really need to stop being a shepherd to say the following: “I deserve this. I need this. I’m justified to have this. I need a fantasy moment because my world is too tough. Today is about me. It is my way or the high way. I will get people to do this whether they like me or not.” And the reason for that is because of Jesus who is the Chief Shepherd of our lives. The Chief Shepherd did not put himself first and even when the temptation to do so came he fought it with the Word of God (in the desert) and Prayer (Gethsemane).

Today you worship a Shepherd who Leads you, not a Leader who Shepherds you. The difference is huge. It is possible to have ego that is non-destructive for we all need to have self-worth and we must not have leaders beating themselves up living lives of unhealthy well-being. But Peter tells us when the Leader of the Church returns he will come as the Chief Shepherd, so elders/leaders … be shepherds … be like Him.