Growth

Interrupt the sin cycle.

/ Craig / Leave a comment

Scripture:  2 Peter 1:3-4

3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Observations:

A relationship with Jesus Christ makes the following available to us even though we live in a world that would corrupt us through sinful desires.

God’s power:  So now we have what we need for life and godliness.

God’s promises: So now we are “partakers” in His divine nature.

Application:

Those who enjoy sport remember reading and watching Lance Armstrong ride to glory over and over.  This week we waited for Lance Armstrong’s confession at the Chapel of Oprah so we could hear him come clean about doping in order to win.  Now in the wake of his ill-gotten glory and years of aggressive lying, the stories of ruined lives are coming into focus.

Sin wreaks lives.  The corruption of the world is always seeking to wreak us through the pathways of our sinful desires.

These verses (2 Peter 1:3-4) reveal a new reality available for us through our knowledge of Jesus.  These verses remind me that sin in my life and even the sinful desires are not a fault of the Gospel.  The Gospel has not failed me.  Rather when I become aware of gross and ugly sin in my life, I know that I must lean into my walk with Jesus.  I need His power for this new life and I need His promises that shout “I am loved by God.”  These promises interrupt the sin cycle and usher me into His grace for life.

Prayer:

Oh, Heavenly Father, have mercy on us.  May Jesus’ power and promises be evident in our lives.  Thank you for rescuing us from utter destruction through Him.  Now may your Word lead us into your path for life and may your Spirit empower us to love well.  AMEN.

Self-Righteousness always exceeds our grasp of grace.

/ Craig / Leave a comment

Scripture:  2 Peter 1:1-2

1Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Observations:

Peter builds up those receiving his letter by addressing them as equals in the faith:  they have “obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

He blesses them in his greeting, praying that grace and peace would be theirs through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Application:

Peter did not treat those who came to faith after him as “seconds” in the faith.  Rather, those who came to faith in Christ after the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus have obtained it the same way:  through the grace and peace of God abundantly poured out on them.  This faith comes not by any righteousness of their own but only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  So becoming an insider in the Kingdom of God comes not by being good, or by race, or by gender, or by status, or by education, or by proximity to the time and sites of Jesus’ ministry.  Rather this faith and “position” comes by God’s grace.  This righteousness in Christ demands equality.

There is level ground at the foot of the cross.  All come to Jesus by grace.  All are elevated into His kingdom through the righteousness of Jesus, not by their own “goodness. “ You can be sure, that self-righteousness always exceeds our grasp of grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I pray again with Peter.  Would you please multiply grace and peace in my life and in the life of your church through the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord.  AMEN.

Like a cookie in the mouth of the devil.

/ Craig / Leave a comment

Scripture:  1 Peter 5:8-11

8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observations:

Because the devil is on the prowl seeking to devour someone… be clear-headed and watchful.  The devil is our adversary.

Resist the devil, remaining firm in our faith; others throughout the world in the family of Jesus are suffering too.

After our suffering, the God of all grace, who has called us to share in the same glory as the crucified and resurrected Jesus will “restore, confirm, strengthen and establish” us.

Application:

Peter continues in his theme of faithful perseverance in the Gospel faith even in the face of difficult, trials, and suffering.  This time he recognizes that the devil, our adversary, seeks to make the most of these troubles.  The devil sneaks around like a lion in order to devour his prey.  There’s nothing like trouble, suffering and darkness, to kick up the temptation to quit believing God… and the devil seeks to make the most of the opportunity.

Peter gives a command and a commendation:

  1. The Word of God calls us to resist by remaining firm in our faith.  Faith here is the revelation of the Gospel and God’s love for us in Christ Jesus.  Faith here is also the active choice to continue believing and trusting God through our sufferings.
  2. Remember that we are not alone in our sufferings.  Together with all those who suffer for their faithful obedience to Jesus we will experience God’s salvation.  He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us.

So here’s the thing, when the pressure comes, when I’m worried about what others think of Jesus and His people and His ways (and of me), then I should be wise to the temptations that come to challenge my faith so it crumbles like a cookie in the mouth of the devil.  No.  Stand firm.  Your resistance to the devil by exercising faith in Jesus taps into Jesus’ victory and glory.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, may you have dominion always.  You know how weak I am.  Yet, I am asking for grace to boldly persist in trusting Jesus today.  Protect us from the evil one and strengthen your church today by your Spirit that we might persist in faith, love and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.  AMEN.

I’m so humble…

/ Craig / Leave a comment

Scripture:  1 Peter 5:6-7

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Observations:

“Humble yourselves” is a choice.

As a follower of Jesus humility is a choice made with a prevailing view of life and all the pressures we face that says God is above all and that His timing is right.  See vs. 6

Choosing humility doesn’t mean we ignore reality, rather the cues that create anxiety become cues for faith — for us to trust Him, “To cast our anxieties on him” because He cares for us!

Application:

I’m so humble, except when I’m not getting my way.  Ha!  Peter’s audience was a group under increasing pressure because of their faith in God and identification with Jesus.  They were having to wait for relief.  When I am under pressure does it cue up faith? Do I somehow believe God has forgotten me?  or Do I revert to a twisted view of God that is not consistent with the Gospel?   Anxiety can paralyze us from doing what we must do.  And anxiety can create compulsive and frantic behaviours.  Being busy or going into hiding may not be actions of faith.  But they could be.

The first action of Gospel inspired faith in Jesus when the pressures of life come screaming at us is to pray: to audibly cast our anxieties on Him, in a declaration of His faithful care.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the grace to trust that you care for me.  When the pressures of life scream at me, let me learn the new habit of humility: to prayerfully trust you with my issues and to declare your care for me.  I trust that you will direct me and those with me to keep in step with what your Spirit is doing here and now for the glory of your Son and His Kingdom.  AMEN.

Leading in His Church

/ Craig / Leave a comment

Scripture:  1 Peter 5:1-4

1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Observations:

Peter speaks to the “elders” as an elder, as a witness to the sufferings of Jesus Christ, and as a participant in the glory that is going to be revealed.

Shepherd the flock of God

exercising oversight willingly;

not under compulsion.

not for shameful gain, but eagerly.

not domineering, but as an example.

When Jesus the chief Shepherd appears, you will be rewarded. 

Application:

I have had the joy of serving in leadership in Jesus’ church for the past 27 years.  As under-shepherds to Jesus, leaders of His church must be able to check their motives.  Leading out of neediness produces toxic leadership.  The church is not meant to bear the weight of my soul.  So I must keep going to Jesus with my heart and life and let him heal me.  His Spirit sources willing labour, circumspect contentment, and humble submission.  Persistent service for the advancement of His people requires the long-view and the willingness to let leading be about Jesus and not about me.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the grace to call Jesus, Lord, and for the grace to serve to your church.  Strengthen the men and women who are serving your church today here in Vancouver.  May your church be shaped by the Gospel of Jesus that they may pour their lives out for His glory.  AMEN.