Missions Paul

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.

Leadership is what we do but being a shepherd is who we are.

“To the elders … be shepherds” (! Peter 5 v 1-2)

Into a context of being interrogated over who he is, where he is from and why he is here, Jesus tells a story.

Was it going to be a story showing the power of who he was? A warrior leading the people into battle over the Roman Empire? No! He tells the story of a shepherd (John 10).

The story is not of a powerful leader but of a caring and loving shepherd.

The Bible is full of a God who loves as a shepherd.

Joseph described God, “God who has been my shepherd all my life” (Genesis 48:15)

Isaiah prophesies, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (40:11)

And of course David says, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1)

So it isn’t strange in the slightest for Jesus to reveal who he is by giving a story regarding a shepherd and the sheep.

Of course there is more than loving and caring. There is the voice that is recognised. There is the leadership ability to lead them out. But the voice and the leadership is set in the context of being a shepherd.

Today I am attending a surprise event for someone who was in one of my churches that I led years ago. I was their leader, the ‘elder’ as Peter calls them, the one responsible for leading through teaching, leading in mission, leading in discipleship. They will have forgotten many details of my leadership except the main one. They will remember my love and care for them. They will remember I was their shepherd.

You never forget your leader who was a shepherd to you.

This coming Sunday I will again have the privilege of holding an induction for a Pastor. I will lead them in charges that she will make to the church. One of which will be this: “I charge you before God to lead your people with the love of a shepherd – remembering at all times that you are only the under shepherd and that God is the Great and Good Shepherd of the flock.”

Peter is nearing the end of his letter and he is giving instructions to the leaders, the young people and then all the members of the Church community.

 ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5 v 2-4)

I know that this Sunday the Pastor and her husband having left a wonderful church will step into a new season for their lives out of response to the call of God. The Pastor is not reluctantly starting in this new church but neither is she coming for any lucrative deal.

Pastors’ shepherd because they want to please God; they don’t do it because they have to, v2.

Pastors’ shepherd because they are passionate about the well-being of people, they desire to feed, protect and guide people into their futures with God; they don’t do it to grab at the salary, the pension and the lucrative expenses (and in most cases this is obvious!), v2.

Pastors’ shepherd because they know and demonstrate what it is to be shepherded; they don’t do it because they want to push people around being their lord and master, v3.

Why not text your Pastor today and thank them for being the shepherd of your life.

Approaching the end of this letter Peter writes to a few individual groups: the Church leaders; the younger generation and then everyone in the Church community. He does from his position as a leader.

“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed” (1 Peter 5 v 1)

1. He knows what it is like. He is a ‘fellow elder’. Yesterday I had the privilege as I always do to sit alongside fellow Pastors and share God’s Word with them. I love this privilege. I have pastored a small church and a large church and as I looked at them yesterday I could relate and they knew it. Sometimes we need someone who has travelled our path to come alongside us, to be a ‘fellow’. That is in every walk of life and position we find ourselves in. Be grateful if you have someone like this for you will grow if you do.
2. He has known failure. He is a witness to the sufferings of Christ. For him this is not a badge of success. He is fully aware of his involvement. From his opposition of the pathway Jesus was taking to the cross; his inability to watch and pray in the garden; his violence of cutting off of the servant’s ear; his denial of Jesus; his decision to go back to his old way of life; all of these things play out in the story of the sufferings of Christ. But his failure didn’t define him. Here he is writing to leaders as a leader.
3. He is looking forward; he has vision of the coming glory of Jesus Christ. He would remember the Transfiguration moment and he longs for more to come. He is confident he will be there in the end time, in the glory of Jesus revealed.

That’s what we all need. Fellows who know what it is like; who show vulnerability because of their stories of failure and who carry a hope and a vision for the future glory.

I have experienced the best of humanity in the worst of scenarios. In places of persecution; with people who face inevitable early death from treatable diseases; so many tragic situations have re-focused the minds so that every moment becomes a gift to either squander or use for God’s glory.

If you knew Jesus Christ would return in 2023 would it matter?

If you believed the end of all things was near: How would you pray? (v7)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Which person that hurt you would you love more? (v8)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would you stop complaining? (v9)

If you believed the end of all things was near: How would you be generous with what you have been given? (v10)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would what comes out of your mouth change? (v11)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Who would you help today? (v11)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would you waste time analysing your life? (v12)

If you believed the end of all things was near: How would you view your suffering? (v13)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would you be less worried about what people think of you? (v14)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would your behaviour change? (v15)

If you believed the end of all things was near: What would success then look like for you? (v16)

If you believed the end of all things was near: Would you be ready to meet God? (v17)

If you believed the end of all things was near: How would you view those who do not know Christ? (v18)

If you believed the end of all things was near: How would this impact your trust of God? (v19)

Depending on the answers it could suggest that there are ‘Christians’ who do not believe the end of all things is near.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. ¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ ¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4 v 7-19)

What you are going through here on earth isn’t everything. It is temporary. Get an eternal perspective. Live with this mind-set. That is what Peter tells the suffering Church.

“The end of all things is near.” (1 Peter 4:7) Live out of that truth:-

1. Get hold of your thinking, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray” v7.
2. Love others practically, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” v8-9. 
3. Serve others, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” v10-11.
4. Glorify God in your life, “… so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen”v11.
5. Don’t be ashamed but rejoice, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” v 12-13.
6. If insulted be blessed, “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” v14.
7. Do good through the suffering, “If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” v16-19.  v15-19.

 (1 Peter 4 v 7-19)

Now go back and apply those 7 keys to your life as you think with an eternal perspective.

You don’t have to make it worse. You don’t have to fall apart. You are still in the hands of God even in a bad day. In fact your bad day can reveal more of Christ in you than any other day.

So how?

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.” (1 Peter 4 v 1-6)

You have dealt with sin. How? Through the suffering you have endured.

Just as Jesus who without sin suffered for our sin fully dealing with its power we have the same attitude and approach to life. This suffering we go through teaches us to make sure the important comes to the surface of our lives and that is we become like Jesus. Peter has compared our suffering with the obedience of Noah who had to build an ark and face slander. When we put our faith in Jesus in baptism (akin to Noah’s flood) we gave ourselves to the same road that Jesus went on through suffering into glory.

You don’t live like those in Noah’s day. How? Through the reaction to your suffering.

We do not react like the world, think selfishly, living for ourselves, but we focus on His will and what He wants for our lives through this suffering, we live for Him. Though Noah isn’t mentioned these verses are continuing from what Peter has already spoken and he then brings a list of vices that Noah’s generation was involved in. As with Noah, as in Peter’s day, here today you may be that one who is receiving further abuse simply because you are not responding like the way of the world does in dealing with the difficulties of life.

You live in such a way that even the ‘dead’ can live. How? There is an accounting to come. God will judge the living and the dead. But because you have chosen to live through the suffering, to proclaim Christ despite the attacks on your life then it is possible that those who were ‘dead’ will also come to life. You can still see the impact of the gospel because of the way you live your life.