Christianity

Living Without Fear

Living Without Fear

Sean Vickers

Living Without Fear

1 Peter 3:13-22

When a commitment is made to teach through the Bible verse by verse, there are going to be times when the teacher arrives at a passage that is difficult and defies simple explanation. 1 Peter 3:13-22 is one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament to interpret and teach. We may not be able to solve every problem presented by this passage, but we can find a source of hope in difficult times, which is Peter’s theme for this letter.

Peter starts this passage with a question, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” (1 Peter 3:13) This verse immediately follows the direct quote of Psalm 34:12-16. If a person seeks to love life and see good days as Psalm 34 describes, who will harm them? It is unlike that an individual who lives a righteous life will be persecuted for doing good. Peter encourages the reader that if suffering does result from a righteous life, they will be blessed. Peter was there when Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

With the possibility of suffering for doing good, Peter calls the reader to not fear or be frightened. Two forms of protection are given to defeat fear. The first is to “set apart Christ as Lord,” in your heart. In the Bible, the heart represents the spiritual center of man. When the center of one’s life is rightly focused on God, he is able to defeat fear and live victoriously for Christ. Christ is Lord of our lives. He is in control, and by his grace He will not allow us to face any situation that He will not provide us the strength we need to find hope.

The second solution for fear is preparation to defend the hope we have as believers in Christ. (1 Peter 15) In order to defend the hope we have, it is necessary to understand the depth of Christ’s love for us and what that means to us on a personal and practical level. When a believer is firmly grounded in the Word of God, has experienced the grace of God through Christ, and can explain this hope to those who would ask, they are well on the way to defeating fear and being confident believers who can find hope in every situation. Peter encourages the reader to give this reason with gentleness and respect, and with a clear conscience.

Jesus is the supreme example of suffering for doing good that brings God glory and salvation to man. Peter writes, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 This is the good news about Jesus in one verse. It is by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection from the dead that we can have eternal life.

As Peter is describing the death and resurrection of Christ, he describes an event where Jesus “preaches to spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” These verses about this preaching event are difficult and should not take the focus off the hope a believer can have in Christ. It is helpful to answer three questions about this event: 1) To whom was Jesus preaching? 2) When did this event take place? and 3) What was the content of the message?

First, the passage describes the recipient of the message as “spirits.” This is a term reserved to spiritual being like angels or demons. This term would not be used to describe the spirit of man. Peter uses the word “spirits” to describe angels or demons and “souls” to describe man. This message was preached to spiritual beings in prison; fallen angels who were connected to the sin in Noah’s day.

Secondly, when did this event take place? There are two main ideas about the timing of this message to fallen angels. This proclamation took place either during the three days between His death and resurrection or during His ascension. Whichever time it was has the same effect. Jesus made a proclamation to the fallen angels after His death on the cross.

Finally, what was the content of Jesus’ message? Peter does not tell us the content of Jesus message to these imprisoned spirits. We do know that it was not a message of redemption, since angels cannot be saved (Hebrews 2:16). Since this message is linked to the resurrection, we know it was a message of victory over Satan. One can imagine the resurrected Lord strongly proclaiming His victory to these imprisoned spirits in a loud victorious battle cry.

To summarize this difficult passage: After Christ died on the cross and was resurrected, He made a victorious proclamation to fallen angels. (Jude 6)

In the remainder of this passage, Peter uses the symbol of baptism to bring hope to the reader by reminding them of their salvation. Baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the same way, the flood pictures death, burial, and resurrection. The waters buried the earth and lifted the ark to safety. The ark is a symbol of the salvation that God provided for Noah and his family. They were saved from the flood by placing their faith in God as He provided a way of salvation from the rising waters. Sinners, in the same way, are saved by faith in God as they trust Christ, God’s provision for the penalty of sin.

It is important to emphasize that baptism does not save anyone. It is a faith relationship with Jesus, that baptism represents, that saves. The symbol should not be confused or substituted for what it symbolizes.

Clear Application for Today

  • Teaching verse by verse through the Word of God is both challenging and rewarding.
  • As we live for God, we should not look for suffering, but when it comes, we should trust God with the details of our lives.
  • In our hearts, we should set apart Christ as Lord.
  • We should be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.
  • We should marvel at what Christ did for us on the cross.
  • Baptism is an important symbol of our salvation relationship with Christ.
  • Jesus is at the right hand of the Father with all of creation in submission to Him. We are His prize possessions!

 

Living at Home

Living at Home

Sean Vickers

Living at Home

1 Peter 3:1-12

God has instituted a precious relationship between a husband and his wife that is under attack in our culture. Attempts to redefine marriage and the practice of cohabitation before marriage are examples of this attack. This attack can be overcome by turning to the Word of God for truth. The marriage relationship is the focus of 1 Peter 3:1-9.

Peter continues his theme of submission to authority that he started in 1 Peter 2:12. He has stated that believers should be submissive to governmental leaders and employers using Christ as our supreme example. Now he focuses his attention on those closest to us, our mates. Married couples have a choice to make: Live life conforming to the trends and patterns of this world or honor God and follow His pattern for marriage.

Peter starts by addressing wives and encourages them to be submissive to their husbands. In our society, this idea is becoming more and more foreign to our way of thinking. A wife demonstrates her faith in God by submitting to their husbands. She also is a mighty instrument of ministry to her family when she lives a life of “purity and reverence.” Peter indicates that the husband who is lost can be won to Christ by the godly life of his wife. There is great power in living a righteous, Christ-centered life.

In this passage of scripture, Peter also identifies the source of a woman’s beauty. He contrasts a woman who seeks beauty in outward adornments, braided hair, gold jewelry, and fine clothes with a woman who seeks “inner” beauty that comes from a gentle and quiet spirit. A woman of “inner” beauty is of great worth to God. Peter does not condemn paying attention to dress and fashion, but does communicate that is not ultimately the source of true beauty that God honors.

In verse 8, Peter challenges husbands to be considerate to their wives, respect them, and provide protection for them as the weaker partner. This again is counter cultural and foreign to our current way of thinking. God has instituted an order to the marriage relationship. Men are to be the spiritual head of the household and provide for and protect their wives. Husbands and wives are equally important to God with different roles within the family. Peter indicates that both husbands and wives are heirs of the gracious gift of life that Jesus offers.

A man’s relationship with God is influenced by the quality of his relationship with his wife. Peter says, ” . . . . so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7) This passage shows that a man’s prayers are hindered if his relationship with wife is unhealthy, which shows the importance of our marriage relationship. Read Ephesians 5:22-33 for more scripture on the theme of submission in the marital relationship.

Finally in 1 Peter 3:8-9, Peter addresses all believers to:

  • live in harmony with one another,
  • be sympathetic,
  • love as brothers
  • be compassionate and humble,
  • not repay evil with evil, and
  • not return insult with insult, but with blessing

This type of life leads to blessings.

Peter finishes this thought by quoting Psalm 34: 12-16 that focuses on the way we can “love life and see good days.”

Living Under Stress

Living Under Stress

Sean Vickers

1 Peter 2:18-25

Are you stressed? Do you feel pressure? Everyone feels the pressures of life that causes stress. What we do with these pressures determines our health and the extent that we honor Christ with our lives. There are both good and bad stresses.

Good stress occurs when we exercise or challenge ourselves mentally or emotionally. Rising to the occasion to make a difference in someone else’s life brings stress. Take for instance the paramedic who arrives on the scene of an accident to administer CPR just in time to save a life, the soldier who puts himself in harm’s way to protect the freedom we enjoy, or the counselor who says just the right thing, at just the right time, that helps someone deal with life’s pressure. I am thankful for those who intentionally put themselves under pressure for others. This is the good side of stress. What are other examples of good stress?

Most of the time when we mention stress we are describing negative stress and its effects. Bad stress occurs when the pressures of this life lead to a helplessness and depression. Job related pressure, financial stress, and relational stress are all examples of negative stress we all experience. Since we all deal with the stresses of this life, good stress or bad stress, we must develop strategies to cope with stress that both honor Christ and lead to a healthy life. Every stressful situation we encounter is an opportunity to place our faith in God.

In 1 Peter 2: 18-20, Peter describes two situations a believer can get into that cause pressure: Stress in the workplace and stress in walking in the steps of Christ. This passage occurs as Peter is writing about the need for submission in the believer’s life.

Stress in the Workplace 1 Peter 2:18-20

Peter is writing in a day where slavery was common. His instruction is focused on slaves responding to their masters. Since we live in a society where slavery is illegal, we can apply the principles found in this passage to employees responding to their bosses. Peter instructs the reader to “Submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” The principle of submission, although not popular, is the key ingredient to the employee / employer relationship. This submission is to take place with employers who are good and those who are difficult. It is easy to submit to an employer when we agree with them. Submission is tested when we don’t agree with the boss or feel their course of action is unfair. In this passage, Peter calls the believers in Christ to submit to and honor their employer.

In our working situations and in life, living a life that honors God and doing good will cause stress and suffering. When you think about it, if we are living as aliens and strangers in this world as 1 Peter 2:11 describes, it makes sense that there will be stress because of the uniqueness of our lives. The second stressor that Peter mentions in this passage is the stress that we encounter when we walk as Jesus walked.

1 Peter 2:21-25 shows that Jesus is our Example and that we must follow in His Steps. Peter paints three pictures of Jesus Christ that will help us understand how we should respond to stress and suffering.

He is our Example  1 Peter 2:21-23

Jesus suffered for us when He died on the cross for our sins. How he handled the lies, false accusations and shame of the cross set us a supreme example of how we should endure the suffering of this life. 1 Peter 2:23 says, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” This is the key! When stress and suffering comes, we have an opportunity to trust God with the circumstances. We will find that He is faithful. It is during these times that our faith will grow beyond the place it can during peaceful times. Jesus endured the cross because it was the will of God and because of His great love for us. God’s will and our love for Him will motivate us too.

He is our Substitute  1 Peter 2:24

Jesus’ death on the cross provided a way that we can be saved. We can die to the old way of life and live lives of righteousness. His wounds healed us! If you have a relationship with God, never forget that Jesus has the power to heal our wounds.

He is our Shepherd and Overseer of our soul  1 Peter 2:25

Peter concludes this passage by comparing us to sheep. Sheep are defenseless, hopeless, and completely dependent on the shepherd for their well being. John 10:1-14 and Psalm 23 are great examples of our need for a Shepherd. He is the Shepherd of our souls who will never fail.

What stress or struggle in your life do you need to give to Jesus?

Remember our Savior, who is our ultimate Example.

Living as Strangers

Living as Strangers

Sean Vickers

I Peter 2:11-12

A person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior becomes a resident of Heaven and becomes an alien of this world. As aliens, there are challenges that come with living “in” this world and aligning our action as someone not “of” this world. In 1 Peter 2 through the end of the letter, Peter describes how we can thrive in this world as we look forward to our place in Heaven.

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter strongly encourages the reader, who is an alien in this world, to abstain from “sinful desires that war against your souls.” There is an active battle raging for the minds and souls of men. Peter has already shown the security of the believer in 1 Peter 1:5. Even in the life of a believer, there is a battle between the way we should live and the sinful desires within us. As we abstain from these sinful desires, we will have a powerful witness with those we come into contact with.

Our lives, when lived for God, become a witness and an opportunity to glorify God. Peter writes, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 1:12 Wow! The way we live our life matters. Peter is writing about a life that is above reproach, meaning that if someone tried to find something to accuse you of, they would be unable to find anything. This type of clean living has a direct effect on our witness. We validate or invalidate our witness with the actions of our lives. The good deeds of our lives become evident to those around us that lead to praise and glory for God. This is a demonstration of who we are in Christ, a new creation with new desires.

People are watching you. They want to know if your lifestyle matches what you say you believe. They want proof that there is a difference in the life of a believer when compared to the life of a “pagan.” Could it be that we are reluctant to speak for Christ because our lives contradict what we know to be true?

Clear Application for Today

  1. Realize that there will be a struggle as you live as an alien in a hostile world.
  2. Declare war on the sinful desires that rage in your life. 2 Corinthians 10:5
  3. Confess sin, receive God’s forgiveness, and pray for God’s strength to live the “good life” Peter is writing about.
  4. Look for opportunities to share the good news about Jesus with those whom you come in contact with.
Judges 6-7 Gideon The Reluctant Warrior

Judges 6-7 Gideon The Reluctant Warrior

Sean Vickers

Judges 6 – 7  Gideon – The Reluctant Warrior

In Judges 6, the people of God are once again turning their backs on God. To chasten His people, God hands them over to the Midianites. The chastening of God is evidence of His love for His people. The Midianites pillaged the land and destroyed their crops. This causes the Israelites to cry out to God for help. God raised up another Judge to deliver His people from the Midianites. His name was Gideon.

No one would have picked Gideon as a leader. He would not even have picked himself. His decisions were uncertain, and his faith was shaky. However, despite Gideon’s shortcomings, God used Gideon to bring glory to Himself and victory to the people of Israel. Gideon is a great encouragement to anyone who struggles with accepting themselves and believing that God wants to use them in a significant way.

After “fleecing God”, Gideon assembles an army to attack the Midianites. God leads him through a process of reducing His army down from 32,000 men to 300 men. God was making sure He got the glory for the victory. Gideon defeated the Midianite army and once again restored Israel.

Be Encouraged with this Clear Application

  • God listens to the cries of His people.
  • God uses ordinary, even reluctant, people to do His work.
  • Victory is not found in skill or number, but in the power of God.
  • Strategy and focus are important.
  • God is not done with us even though we fail.
Total Offering

Total Offering

Sean Vickers

In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus is observing people at the synagogue contributing to the offering box. Jesus, being the Master Teacher, uses this as a teachable moment for His disciples. He says,

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, by she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 43-44

Challenging Observation from this Passage

  1. God cares how much we give.
  2. Jesus want to teach His disciples and us how to manage our money.
  3. The amount of the gift is not as important as the attitude of our hearts when we give.
  4. Jesus wants us to trust Him with everything in our lives.
  5. We exercise our faith when we give our all to Jesus and His work.

Father, help me today to give you all I have for all You are.

 

Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

Sean Vickers

Top Ten Ideas about Hospital Visitation

During 15 years of full time ministry I have had the opportunity to minister to many church members and friends while they were admitted to the hospital. Below are some ideas about making hospital visits:

10. Don’t miss the opportunity to minister to your friends and family when they are in the hospital. Those in the hospital and their families appreciate your visit.

09.  Always check in at the information desk. Check the room number and get directions to the room.

08.  Once you get to the room, check with a nurse to make sure a visit is o.k.

07.  Use hand sanitizer and check the door for any instructions about those that enter. You may need to wear a mask and gloves. You always wanted to look like a doctor!

06.  If the door is shut. Knock before entering and go in slowly.

05.  When you enter introduce yourself unless everyone already knows you.

04.  Ask questions without going into too much detail. You may find out more than you want to know. Never give medical advice unless you are a doctor.

03.  Keep the visit brief. Let how well you know the person determine how long you stay. If you are visiting a family member you will stay hours. If you are visiting someone you just met you will stay 5 minutes max.

02.  Always have prayer for person you are visiting. Pray for the doctors and nurses that attend to your friend. Shorter heart-felt prayers are better than longer KJV prayers.

01.  Thank Jesus for the opportunity to represent Him to your friend in their time of need.