1 Peter 1:7-12 “That the
genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that
perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,
and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you
love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice
with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your
faith—the salvation of your souls. Of this salvation the
prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that
would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the
Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand
the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was
revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the
things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the
gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels
desire to look into.”
This past Sunday, the
Ministry Lead for our association of churches, Dr. Willie Nolte was the guest
preacher and continues our virtual church service via video through the book of
1 Peter. Dr. Nolte explains that the
church is more than a building. In a more essential way, the church is much
more than just the members of a church. It is global in God is doing global
things in His church. And those things are amazing in the world.
This passage (above) is
about something that Believers have which is not a secret. It is obvious and
life-giving. This letter was written in a context of hardship as the first
century church was persecuted, scattered and battered. In today’s viral
pandemic, we are also scattered in isolation and feel battered in losses,
social distancing and uncertainty, so this message is for us also. There is
something that Christians know and show in times of trouble and hardship that
stands out and is very distinct. Throughout history, it has been clearly
documented that during periods of difficulty and suffering, God does amazing
things in His church and through His church.
It is well chronicled that
how Christians treat each other, how Christians treat other people, how they
love, how they share, and how they respond in times of trials, God uses that this
to expand His church. In previous pandemics, it was the Christians that cared
for the discarded ill out of mercy and at great risk to themselves, because
that is what followers of Jesus Christ do. It is distinct, noticeable and God
uses it in wonderful ways.
In this passage of
Scripture, the Apostle is really pointing out one amazing and indisputable
reality in the lives of Believers. It is a statement of fact, not opinion.
Fact, not hope or desire. It is something that Believers have and Peter tells
us why Believers have it. It is something that the Prophets of God talked about
as it was revealed to them through the Spirit. God, on purpose, was acting
throughout history for this end. It was something they looked forward to,
though they understood that they didn’t have a clear or complete picture. It
was exactly what happened in the life of Jesus, the Christ – the
sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. The second thing
that the Apostle states is that the
gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven is so profound and
fantastic that event the angels look intently to see what God has brought about
in the lives of Believers and they possess.
In Christ, Brian
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