1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to
test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
4:13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also
be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.
4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of
glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you
in due time.
5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
5:8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil
prowls around, looking for someone to devour.
5:9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in
all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
5:10 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.
5:11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
This makes for a nice, neat eight-point sermon (keeping each point short and to the point):
(1) Humble yourselves under God's hand
(2) Cast all your anxiety on God
(3) Discipline yourself because the devil is after you
(4) Resist the devil by remaining faithful
After suffering a little while, you will experience:
(5) restoration
(6) support
(7) strength
(8) being established...at present, I assume this means in God's Kingdom.
When we clear a path for God, Peter seems to be saying, the blessings God wants to give us through Christ come our way.
This comes as very good news to me today. Just some early thoughts.
In Christ,
Mark in OH
One other thing. You might be interested in the song by Lost and Found, "Lions."
You can find the lyrics at this link: http://speedwood.com/about/lyrics/lions.php
Mark in OH
I'm thinking of using this text Sunday to preach to a congregation that has become so polarized that it is literally dividing into two congregations in a few weeks. (In fact, I'm preaching because the current pastor is not being allowed to preach)
We're trusting that God is at work in the midst of the conflict -- and that God will use what is happening for God's own purpose. I can't manage 8 points (like a previous poster) but I think I can talk about working through hard times with 1. Humility (owning one's own role in what has happened. 2. Trust (God's enduring presence) 3.Discipline (resisting the temptations to continue in old patterns of relating and thereby sabatoge the healing) and 4. Community (your brothers and sisters in all the world are connected to your suffering and support your faith -- )
Of course, the note of hope is in 5:10, but I don't think these folks are ready for premature reassurance.
RevEv in Ks
To the Rev in Kansas amid conflict:
I pray and hope that God gives you wisdom this Sunday as you share the gospel. Eugene Peterson, in his translation of scripture called "The Message" - translates verse 12 of chapter 4 "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."
Having been in a congregation amid conflict, there is a certain feeling of God's abandonment that affects the esteem of the congregation; they need to know hope. There is hope in the midst of that conflict, and they should never give in to the conflict as if it is an end in itself. While conflict, on the whole, hurts, it is a "refining" process for the congregation, the conflicted, and the conflictor.
Peter in OHIO
