MPC
7th June 2020.June 7 - 1 Peter 4:1-11 - "Reasons to Love"
MPC
7th June 2020.
Phil Campbell
What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.
Those are famous words. Spoken at a difficult time by a great man.
Words from a speech rated as the seventeenth most significant in American History.
Words spoken at a time when race riots were spreading through the cities of America. When anger was running hot; due to the death of a black man. At the hands of a white man. News of that death - and video footage - were going viral. And the crowds were on the streets.
The year was 1968. The speaker was Robert Kennedy. And the man who died... Martin Luther King.
Robert Kennedy was calling for love to prevail. In place of vengeance.
He said we've got a choice to make. "You can be filled with bitterness, and with hatred, and a desire for revenge." We can be more and more polarized -- "filled with hatred toward one another."
Or we can choose another path. Of understanding. Compassion. And love.
Now of course, the question is, 52 years later, which path has been chosen?
Kennedy said in his speech, "Let's dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world."
But with all the dedication we can muster, it seems like the dream of taming the savageness of man, the dream of a gentle life... it's still just a dream. Where do you even start? With a goal like that?
Where, in the face of suffering and injustice, could love and forgiveness like that could come from? When you're faced with such injustice?
You might even find that a struggle in your own life.
Taming the unforgiveness. When you've been done so much wrong. Taming the bitterness. When you've experienced abuse or hurt. As a kid. Or from a partner. Finding the capacity to let go of a hurt. That's formed into a kind of a scar tissue on your personality. Because it's just not fair. Finding the capacity to love again. When it's easier to dwell on an animal rage.
Again, pretty much the way the world works is to get even.
To keep on ramping it up and amping it up. Until something explodes.
Now look, as we've seen in 1 Peter, that's nothing new.
And as Peter writes to these first century Christians, he knows: They're facing all kinds of unfairness. Including persecution for their faith.
And the question is, where in the face of that kind of suffering and injustice and persecution could that sort of love and forbearance and self control come from?
Because it's true isn't it, when it comes to human nature, there is... a savageness that lies within.
A natural inclination to just follow our desires.
To do what we feel like.
To do what comes naturally.
Whether in violence.
Or anger.
Or retribution.
Or greed.
Or sexual lust to just take what we want.
Peter, in the letter we've been reading, gives two motivations. For being different in the face of a hostile world. Two keys. That should motivate change.
Here's number 1. Take a look at it in the first two verses of our reading. The motivation to be like Jesus. It's in verse 1. And it's meant to drive everything we do. In the face of injustice. Here's what's going to drive it. Follow with me.
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.
This peculiarly Christian idea that our suffering - links us with Christ's suffering. And that we can fortify ourselves by taking on the same attitude he had. Of not complaining. Not fighting back.
But willingly suffering unjustly. For the benefit of others. That having received that benefit. We pay it forward. Right for wrong. Instead of paying back... wrong for wrong.
Using the suffering of our bodies at points like that as a reminder that we're done with sin. And that human desires aren't going to master us. Not the desire for comfort. Not the desire for payback. Not the desire for revenge. Because. We're arming ourselves with the attitude of Jesus.
And not. The savageness that lies within.
Peter paints us a picture of that kind of animal living in verses 3 and 4. What it's like living in a world chasing after pleasure and full of abuse.
He says, You've done enough lusting. You've done enough of the wild drinking and sex parties. You've spent enough time in the past doing what gentiles choose to do. You've spent enough time chasing idols.
It's time. Because of Jesus. To be different. Follow verses 3 and 4.
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.
Now teenagers, you can maybe pick by looking at me that it's been a while since I was at school. But it wasn't that different. I mean, I guess if you're at a high school with any kind of drug problem, the drugs might be slightly different. Drinking culture, not so different.
Just remember, you don't have to do it. But the pressure. The pressure now. The pressure when I was at school. The pressure to conform. So much of it came exactly like that. what do you mean you're not going to join in. As if it offends them that you're smart enough to say no. Offends them. That because of Jesus. You'd say no.
Which is exactly the same, I'd have to say; no matter what age you are. The pressure to conform with the attitudes and ambitions of the people around us. And not stand out. It's no easier when you're older, is it?
Look, Peter gives another super smart reason to say no to that stuff. And it's motive number 2.
And that is, ultimately one day Jesus will judge. Both the living and the dead. nobody. Gets to skip it.
Now here are some valid reasons for missing your trial date in a Queensland Court.
Medical grounds, such as sickness or an appointment that can't be moved, are usually accepted by the court.
Compassionate grounds or personal bereavement, are often accepted for adjourning your court date.
Administrative grounds. Like your trial notice didn't arrive in sufficient time. Might be acceptable.
If you're dead. No doubt at all. You'll be excused.
But not in this court.
There's one court that's ready to judge the living and the dead. And the one we'll give account to is the same lord of justice who suffered unjustly. And that should slow us down. That's the point being made in verse 5. Take a look.
5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
If you want to live like that. If you want to live the untamed life of a party animal. Weigh up where it's going to lead. One day, you'll be giving account to the one who judges the living and dead. And that's Jesus.
The only problem being that verse 5 which is obvious and easy to understand leads us directly into verse 6, which isn't.
And is I think directly related to the verses that Doug so very wisely skipped over last week. Because there are so many possible explanations that it's hard to land on a good one.
And besides which, even when you do land on a theory, even then it's kind of complex and hard to explain.
The problem is though this week that everything else is so obvious that I've got no real excuse for ducking the hard bit. So there's plenty of time; so take a look at verse 6. Which as I said, is picking up on the weird scene from last week. Chapter 3 verse 19; about resurrected Jesus going and preaching to imprisoned spirits.
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.
Which you can see is kind of similar to 3:19. Which is the verse that last week we skipped.
19 After being made alive, Jesuswent 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.
Now here's the thing. Here's where it gets complex. Because Peter at this point is quoting a story from an old book called 1 Enoch. Which was kind of like the Harry Potter of the ancient world. And wasn't actually written by Enoch the grandson of Noah at all. Although it pretends to be.
Now just for you, I spent most of Tuesday reading 1 Enoch all the way through. You can find it online. And it's a fun but slightly weird book that's full of all the bits you ever wanted to know that the Old Testament didn't tell you; so someone made up. Not inspired. But speculation.
Like where did the serpent come from. In the Garden of Eden? Well, he's a fallen angel. You might have thought the bible says that. It actually never does.
Where did evil spirits come from? According to Enoch, from the offspring of the women who were seduced by the gods in that weird little passage back in Genesis 9. The Spirits not locked in the pit were sentenced to wander the earth making trouble. Or getting people to bow down to their idols.
Kind of like, any loose ends in the Old Testament, 1 Enoch gives you all the back story you ever wanted. All made up. Or maybe picking up on old legends.
Especially the ripping yarn of these 20 metre giants in the time of Noah who roam the land as the offspring of gods and women. And how they're the ones who taught us metallurgy and how to propagate trees and taught women how to wear make-up on their eyelids; and totally messed up the world every way they could.
And then their spirits are locked up; imprisoned in three underground pits covered with sharp rocks. And the spirits of everyone who mocked God's holy ones. Is thrown in as well.
And they cry out for mercy. And God. In this story. Sends righteous Enoch. To proclaim to them, no. That their judgement is exactly what they deserve.
And then finally Enoch calls the son of man; comes to judge them. And they're extinguished in flames. End of story.
Now that's a story that was put together about 200 BC; with Israel under pagan rule. And it's still selling like hot cakes 200 years later. It's a classic. And everyone knows it.
Not reading it as scripture. Because it was always treated in a whole different category. Just a story. Like Harry Potter. A story where evil opposition gets destroyed.
And yet the tricky thing to get our heads around is that Peter. It seems. And the book of Jude, for sure. Are quoting from it. With these weird little comments like the section Doug very wisely passed over last week.
3:19 After being made alive, jesus 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.
Picking up on 1 Enoch 10; but with a twist. Saying it's not Enoch who proclaims judgement on the spirit world. It's resurrected Jesus. It's not Enoch who preaches judgement on the disobedient. It's Jesus. And Enoch's son of man who judges the living and the dead. Well, here's the thing. That. For sure. Is Jesus.
Which is kind of complex. Because it might sound like Peter's endorsing this 1 Enoch story as if it's actually scripture.
Or on the other hand. And this is how I prefer to take it. It's like me saying, just like Harry Potter stood his ground against Voldemort, so Jesus has defeated evil. Which doesn't necessarily mean I believe in Harry Potter. Although maybe I do. But I certainly. Believe that of Jesus.
See, here's Peter's point. He's made it already back in chapter 3. Jesus having gone into heaven; resurrected and at the right hand of God. It's to him. Angels. And authorities. And every evil spirit. Are made subject. It's to him. That every knee shall bow.
So in your life and behaviour. How about you be subject to him as well?
The one who died for sin.
Will ultimately judge sin.
Mockers. Will be mocked.
And justice will prevail.
And so live accordingly. Suffer injustice willingly. Because you're waiting for his justice. Stop living like you used to live. Because you quake at his judgement.
Because as Peter says in verse 7, "The end of all things is near." Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Which brings us back to the words of Robert Kennedy back in 1968. And the dream that somehow, our animal instincts could be subdued. To love one another.
Which is Peter's dream as well. With those two big motives in mind. The example of Jesus. And the judgement of Jesus.
He says with all that in mind, above all. Love. Read his words and take them in.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
A love. That forgives. That blots out. The wrongs you've been done. Trouble is I fear America's not going to find that love because they're looking in all the wrong places.
But I wonder about us. When you've been wronged? How long do you harbour it?
It's hard, I know. But look at Jesus, who covered over your sins. And then maybe it's not quite so hard.
Hurtful words, hurtful deeds. Times you've been undervalued and overlooked. Love. Covers over a multitude of sins. If you're going to be a loving person. That's what it means. That's what it takes.
Plus those other practicalities that flow out in verses 9 to 11. Serving God. By serving others. Serving God just by using the gifts he's given you and the words he's given you and the strength he's given you. For the good of other people. And so God will be praised, verse 11, through Jesus Christ. Who gets all the glory and power. Now and forever. Amen.
Easy, eh? Well, it's not. And it's especially not in a time like COVID.
A time when hospitality just hasn't been an option. When we haven't even been able to see people. Let alone love people. Which means it's taken creativity. For someone like Sandy Schatzer to do ring and run cookie drops for the members of her growth group.
But what about now? The next phase? Because I reckon for lots of us introvert types. Or us sleepy pyjama types. Church has been so much easier these last couple of months. No need to drive anywhere. No need to see anyone. No need to serve. No need to hand out books and smile and put on the urn and make coffees and clean carpets and... all those ways we serve one another. Let's just do Zoom church until Jesus comes. And better still, don't even say hi to anyone. Or stay for the chat time. just consume.
So tempting, isn't it? And yet Peter says, look at Jesus. And don't just consume. But love. Don't just use your gifts for you. Use them for everyone else. Don't just use your energy for you. It's the strength god provides, and he's providing it so you can serve. Which is a radical perspective, isn't it?
As we regather. Over these coming months. There are going to be all kinds of opportunities to use that energy in new ways. There are going to be all kinds of opportunities to make yourself uncomfortable. For the sake of serving others. That God's got ready for you. That are just right for the gifts and the time and the energy he's so generously given you.
It's kind of exciting. And kind of challenging. But that's Christian living, isn't it? As by looking to Jesus and through the work of the Spirit our selfish savage natures are bit by bit put to death. At the foot of the cross.