Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 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. Peter brings up another aspect for the church to consider as it faces its trials. As we live out our faith, part of the cause of our suffering is our enemy the devil. Here are the strategies Peter gives for dealing with our common enemy if we seek to live out the Christian life. 1. Be alert and of sober mind. It is important for us to know who the devil is and how he works. Although we don't have to see a devil in every bush, we need to be mindful that he is like a roaring lion looking to devour believers. 2. We do not need to afraid of our enemy as believers. We can resist him and have the power to command him to be gone. And how can we resist him, by standing firm in the faith! The ultimate goal of

1 Peter 5 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. In the same way the shepherds were to model themselves after Jesus, the younger men were told to submit themselves to their elders. Elders according to scholars means not so much the office of elders, but men older in age and Christian experience. To clothe literally meant to tie a knot, as in tying a knot around an apron for waiting on tables. A similar word is used when Jesus washes the disciples feet. Humility is best described in Philippians 2:1-5 as Jesus took the form of a servant and emptied himself. He looked to others' interests as greater than his own. Mark says in chapter 10, "For even the Son of M

To the Elders and the Flock 5 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: 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. The elders were the spiritual overseers in the early church. They played the role of not only teachers, but shepherded the flock. Peter would be well acquainted with this term as he was a shepherd The last words Jesus said to him three times were, "Peter, Feed my sheep". In fact Jesus said, "Peter, do you love me more than these? Then feed my sheep!" Jesus was in essence telling him that in order to be a good shepherd, h

Suffering for Being a Christian 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 Cre

1 Peter 4:7-11 7 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. Peter, like many after him thought the end was near. Near could mean a lot of things, but instead of being caught up with when it is going to happen, Peter focuses on what to do to get ready for it. Rather than running to hills and waiting for Jesus' return, Peter advocates living out their faith in the community. Peter stresses several acti

Living for God 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished 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. Whenever we see a "therefore" in scripture the text usually moves on to an application as a result of the previous teaching. In

1 Peter 3:18-22 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. Peter today talks about the resurrected Jesus preaching to imprisoned spirits. This is a very obtuse verse without precedent in any other place in the bible. It would be nice to think people got a second chance who weren't around in

1 Peter 3:13-15 Who is going harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect Normally verse 15, "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give you the reason for the hope you have", is used as a an evangelistic verse as you share what you believe with others who don't know Christ. While this is an implication of this passage, given the context it is nuanced differently. The context is when others did evil to the early believers and persecuted them for their faith, here is how they should respond. Yesterday he told them they should return evil with good. Today, he says even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. When they are s

1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” As Peter has addressed different groups such as slaves and men and women, he now addresses them as a community of faith. These instructions are to characterize their life together. 1. They are to be like minded. Notice this doesn't mean they think exactly alike on every matter, but they are of one mind in the essential truths of the fa

Wives 1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder

1 Peter 2:13-25 Slaves 18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like she

1 Peter 2:13-17 Respecting People in Authority 13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king. It would have been tempting for the early Christians to say that since they were free in Christ, they didn't have to submit to any earthly authorities. But Peter teaches them to respect those who God has allowed to be the ruling authorities in the land they lived in. And he gives them the following reasons for doing do: 1. It was for the Lord's sake that they submit to human authorities. Ultimately this didn&

1 Peter 2:11-12 Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 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. As the Israelites had been exiled to foreign countries, they were exposed to a pagan society that says, "if it feels good do it!" Being in that culture they were tempted to compromise their newfound faith in Christ. Yet, they still had a sinful nature, with its desires and wants. In fact, Peter says they war against their souls. Notice it says "soul" not just "body". The basic outcome of living according to our sinful nature is that we are turned in on ourselves. God is no longer at the helm, we are. And this effects our soul, as we no longer have the joy and peace God wants for us. So Peter tells them to abstain from their

1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Peter tells the early church that they are a chosen people, set apart as God's precious possession for His special purpose. Note he speaks to them collectively not individually. God sees them as a people, a holy nation. And he has chosen them not for the sake of themselves only, but to declare the praises of him who brought them out of darkness into the light. Oftentimes attempts at holiness become individual pursuits for one's own reputation in the Christian community. But notice holiness is less about us and more about God. Holiness is God setting us apart for His purpose. Our holiness points to God and praises him not us. So we are given t

1 Peter 2:6-8 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. As Peter clarifies the suffering the early Christians are going through, he helps them to understand why some reject Jesu and some obey him. Since the cornerstone is the foundational stone upon which all other stones are laid, when one rejects Jesus it is stumbling block rather than a building block. So someone might ask the question why would anyone reject Jesus as the cornerstone. Here are some possible reasons: 1. Jesus is a stumbling block because people would rather build their own houses with t

The Living Stone 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The language of the Living Stone and being built into a spiritual house has special meaning for Peter. After all, upon Peter's confession of faith Jesus said, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." And the rock was Peter's confession of faith in Jesus the Messiah. When Israel has a physical temple, they met with God offering sacrifices to Him. But when the temple was torn down they lost their identity. Jesus was building a new temple in which He was the cornerstone upon which the church was built. And Peter is saying, as you come to God through the sacrifice of Christ, your very lives are a sacrifice. In fact, as the priest was the one to offer sacrifices, now the bel

1 Peter 2:1-3 2 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As we move to chapter 2, Peter starts with a "therefore". Why is this important? He is saying in light of what I have just said, then this. Peter is saying, since you have been chosen by God before the beginning of the world, here is how you need to grow up. First of all, He tells them what they need to get rid of. When they lived according to the sinful nature, these traits he mentions were the outcome of their way of life. Notice the lying, slander and deceit. By being born again they have the ability to rise above this condition and, live a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Since they are young Christians, this isn't going to happen over night. So he uses the analogy of newborn babies craving milk

1 Peter 1:22-25 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. Peter brings up the power of the Word of God and their obedience to it. Peter says three things about the Word of God. 1. They have been born again through the Word of God. As they heard the Word about Jesus, who was the Word made flesh, they have been given the power to live a new life. As they go through their trials, Peter wants them to remember who they are and where their true identity comes. 2. Even though most living things like flowers and grass wither an

1 Peter 1:17-21 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Peter continues today on the theme of how you live in response to God calling you into His kingdom. As they have now been purchased or redeemed, they have been set free not by gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Jesus. You can't put a price on that. As we are bought back by God, we have been set free from sin, death and the power of the devil. Peter calls them fore

1 Peter 1:13-16 Be Holy 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Peter starts his letter to the believers reminding of the inheritance they have by becoming children of God. Today, he moves to how they should respond in light of the gift of grace they have received. He urges them to be holy as He who has called them is holy. A lot of times we misunderstand the notion of "holiness". We begin with grace, then think holiness is something we achieve in our own. There is an inherent problem in this. It never works. Since we are a new creation in Christ, becoming holy is about living in the grace we have been given. As we understand the gift of grace we