Pastorals
1 Peter 5 - Standing Firm
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Standing Firm audio
We come today to the last in our series on 1 Peter. So let’s start by thinking about what the major themes have been? The overriding theme has been the sure and certain hope of eternal life; important because that will help them to persevere in the face of a world that’s opposed to God, opposed to the gospel. So Peter finishes his letter where he began, with this reminder: "And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Pet 5:10 NRSV)
Another recurring theme throughout the letter has been the need for self-discipline, the need to be self-controlled and alert because that’s the only way we’ll be able to resist the devil’s attacks. He repeats those warnings in what we’ll come to in a moment.
Finally, there’s been the theme of how to live faithful lives to demonstrate the change that Christ makes in us; and that’s how Peter finishes his letter, focusing on our life together as a church. So in our passage today he points out what makes a good elder, a good leader, that is, and what makes a good congregational member. Then he finishes with a further reminder to persevere in our life with God.
1 Peter 3:8-17 - Lives that Proclaim Christ
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Lives that Proclaim Christ - audio
Reading through this first letter of Peter it’d be easy to wonder whether the situation he’s writing to has any relevance to us today in our nice safe suburban setting.
Think about how he describes his hearers at the start of the letter: “Exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”. In other words these are largely Jewish converts who’ve been forced to escape persecution in Jerusalem and move to Asia Minor, plus some local converts of course. So they’re mostly refugees and as both Jews and as Christian converts they continue to suffer under persecution. You’ll remember the account that Luke gives of the many places where Paul was hounded by Jews trying to stop him preaching the gospel. Well, that’s what these Christians are experiencing.
So he writes to remind them of the gospel that they’ve heard and believed; particularly of the sur hope of eternal life and of Jesus’ promised return; and to encourage them to persevere in their faith.
So in chapter 1 we saw a few weeks ago he urges them to prepare their minds for action; to discipline themselves and to set all their hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring when he’s revealed. He says “15As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
2 Peter 2 - Be Warned
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- Written by: George Hemmings
Be Warned audio (6MB)
If it’s not every night, then at least once a week there’s an exclusive report like this on A Current Affair. And another two or three on Today Tonight! They’re such regular features that the segments often look the same. They follow the same tried and true formula. Today’s passage would fit right in! Though it’s not dodgy builders or shonky salesmen it’s exposing but false teachers! Chapter 2 warns us that there will be those who seek to lead us astray as we strive to lead virtuous lives, growing our faith on God’s word. In graphic detail worthy of ACA, 2 Peter exposes these false teachers. It reveals the truth behind their lies, points out the error in their ways and warns us of the fate that awaits them and those who follow them. Be alert, but not alarmed, in this St. Thomas’ exclusive report.
2 Peter 1:16-21 Be Assured
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Be Assured audio (4MB)
Di & I have been catching up on the series, Utopia, that we missed on the ABC while we were away. It’s a satire, set in the imaginary Nation Building Authority. In one of the episodes someone hires a management guru, Marvin Hudfield, to run a training course. He rattles off catch phrase after catch phrase, which in the end don’t add up to much and the upper management team aren’t very impressed. But of course everyone gets a nice certificate when the course is over.
That may be that sort of thing that Peter has in mind as he begins to talk about the validity of his own message, though more in religious terms than management training.
He wants to assure his readers that they can trust what they’ve been told.
As is true in most periods of history, there would have been many examples of people in Peter’s day who offered a solution to our human desire for religious significance. But he says he and the other apostles are not like that: “16We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.”
2 Peter 1:1-15 Be Resolved
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- Written by: George Hemmings
Be Resolved audio (4MB)
I wonder what was the most precious gift you received this Christmas? Of all the gifts I was given, I think this is the one that I value the most. It mightn’t look like much, but it’s a key part of the best wedding present, possibly the most precious gift I’ve ever been given. I guess I should say we, but the truth is I use it a lot more than Sarah!
