Crumbs 52

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 52

Leadership

Scripture 1 Peter 5: 1-4 NIV 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.

Crumbs Peter is suited to give this advice on leadership in three ways; (verse1)

1. He is doing the job himself. Often leaders are best helped by fellow leaders.

2. The sufferings of Christ have made a vivid impact on Him. He was a witness.

3. He has hope. He is looking forward to glory.

He deals with two practical issues.

1.Motive It may be inferred from this text that even at this early date the church had a recognised and paid ministry. Pay must not be the driving force behind Christian leadership. It should be driven by a passion for God’s will leading to a passion for the task. (verse 2)

2. Method. Rather than throwing one’s weight around and finding methods of compulsion the Christian should live the sort of life he he desires his followers to live. Let the life win the soul. (verse3)

The nature of heavenly rewards is hard to understand but the scriptures are clear about their durability. (verse 4)

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. What qualities should we look for in our church leaders ? 2. What changes should be made to 21^st cent models of church leadership to conform more closely to the New Testament pattern ? 3. How should an awareness of our accountability affect our behaviour ?

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Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 51

Suffering for Christ

Scripture 1 Peter 4: 12-19 NIV 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?” Prov 11:31

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Crumbs This passage deals with suffering because we own the name of Christ. We don’t expect such stuff in the U.K. but Peter tells us not to be surprised if we do. He gives us three reasons why we should rejoice 1 Sharing His pain now means intense joy when we see Him soon. 2.It’s a test of faith. 1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Gold is purified and shown to be genuine by fire. Such is the trial of the church.

3.Being insulted for Christ shows the reality of our faith. In the Gospels it surprises me that the emphasis is on the abuse thrown at Christ , not His physical pain, although that is there too. Here we are told not to be ashamed but to make sure we suffer for the right reasons. Witness through good behaviour must continue whatever persecution is thrown at us.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. How does this passage help us cope in 21^st century ? 2. What effect should this suffering on the Church ? 3. What can be deduced about suffering in general from this passage?

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a Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 50

Living in the light of the End

Scripture 1 Peter 4: 7-11 NIV 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.

Crumbs Throughout the Prophets, Our Lord’s teaching and the Apostles’ too there runs the idea that we should be living as though the end was near. Here it is in verse 7. The Peter gives three things we should do about it.

1. Pray. (verse7) Prayer is the means through which we conduct our spiritual lives. Peter implies that we should clear the clutter of our thoughts and purge our hearts of unhelpful attitudes so we might pray.

2. Love. (verse 8-9) The pivot of all this is love. To Peter it is paramount. God is love and it is at this point we are asked to be God like. The clearest definition I find for love is Christ on the cross. It was a sacrificial act for the best interests of another. Love is not love if it does not express itself it acts of love. Here it is the opening of one’s home without complaint. The letter of James expands on this point.

3. Use your Gift (Verses 10-11) Each of us has a gift and gifts come in two sorts; speaking and service. Speaking is based on the Word of God and where better to find it than in Scripture? Serving is a challenge but where God challenges God provides. Both forms of gift are for the praise of God. This is the big idea behind so much of Peter’s teaching It is appropriate that this section finishes with a statement of praise directed to the Lord Jesus.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. What do we need to be praying about? 2. How can we show our love to others ? 3. What gift has God given you and how should you use it ?

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Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 49

Following Jesus

Scripture 1 Peter 4: 1-6 NIV 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done 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.

Crumbs Peter points to three essential tactics for his challenged readers.

1. Adopt Christ’s attitude (verse1) To find Christ’s attitude we need to search the New Testament. He was loving, focused and humble. I do know not understand the mystery of suffering but one small part seems that it restrains sin. Christ’s suffering was for our sin. In Hebrews 12 we learn that our suffering is a discipline to help us become more like our heavenly Father.

2. Avoid the world’s palliatives (verses 2-4) It seems to me that the enjoyment by letting go of restraint is a sad parody of the true joy the our Lord offers. The temptation is to ease the burden of living by letting alcohol or other chemicals take us to take the strain and go where responsibility is forgotten. Other folk idolise a wide range of things and activities All this is both sinful and sad.

3.Awareness of accountability ( verses5-6) Outside the Christian revelation there is a wide awareness that our species is accountable. One of God's gifts to us is time. He will ask us how we spent it. I do not understand Peter’s reference to preaching to the dead but the life of faith is living with unanswered questions. Christ’s death is our forgiveness. Thank God.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. What are the aspects of Christ’s attitude we should adopt ? 2. Why shouldn’t we indulge in the pleasures of the flesh ? 3. How should an awareness of our accountability affect our behaviour ?