Understanding the text
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means that He and He alone is Lord. The Father has given Him all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). As Abraham Kuyper famously said, “...there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” This supremacy, which Christ has over all creation, enables Christians to obediently submit to authorities and structures, knowing that all authority is ultimately given by, and therefore consequently under, the sovereign rule of Jesus.
Therefore, Christians can joyfully submit not only to one another but also authorities and structures, as unto the Lord. This frees Christians up to embrace their role as Christ mimicking servants. Just as Christ suffered injustice at the hands of the ruling authorities for our wellbeing, so we too can suffer injustice knowing that our suffering is not in vain.
Additional scripture
1. Romans 13:1
2. Ephesians 5:21
3. Philippians 2:4-11
Applying the text
1. How does the sovereignty of Christ over all things free us from the fear of submitting to authorities?
2. In what sense have you benefited from Jesus’ submission to injustice? How might your suffering also bring life to others?
3. How does this text challenge you to grow as a disciple? What steps do you need to take to grow in obedience to this text?
1 Peter 2:13-25
Holy Submission
October 6, 2019 • Pastor Jon Needham
1 Peter 5:12-14
November 24, 2019 • Pastor Jon Needham
Understanding the text The world is full of false and empty gospels that offer vain hope and strength. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ is able to save, sustain, and transform us because it is the truth. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are objective historical events, and therefore have genuine power. As Christians, we must be on guard against false hopes and false gospels. As a church family, we are to “stand firm” in the truth of Jesus. Even Peter, an Apostle and eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus, needed other people in his life. Without the support and friendship of people such as Sylvanus and Mark, he could not have accomplished the work that God had given him. Consequently, standing in the truth of the gospel is a community project that requires us to live in brotherly love with one another. As we live in this truth, we increasingly experience the peace of Christ. Additional scripture 1. Ephesians 6:10-20 2. John 14:6 3. 1 John 4:1-6 Applying the text 1. What are some of the false hopes or gospels you are tempted to believe? 2. How has Peter demonstrated his own neediness in 1 Peter? 3. Take a moment to list the people in your life that you depend on. Pray for them, giving thanks for their presence, and ask for God’s protection and provision in their lives.
1 Peter 5:1-11
November 17, 2019 • Pastor Jon Needham
Understanding the text Peter has exhorted us to obey Christ and resist sin. We are to endure suffering while witnessing to the world of the saving power of God. This isn’t a solo project. Rather it’s a team effort and requires that we exercise humility towards one another. Elders are to oversee the Church of Christ. They are to serve the body through teaching, preaching, prayer, and practical care. In this, the elders serve under Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, seeking to glorify God, not for personal gain. Additionally, the Church is to act in humility towards one another. We are to leverage our strengths and gifts for the sake of one another, pursuing each other’s joy and flourishing. We can humble ourselves knowing that it is God who defends and protects us. In this, we are able to lay aside our anxiety and resist the sin that fear, uncertainty, and the desire to be in control so often leads to. Additional scripture 1. Hebrews 13:17 2. Acts 20:17-35 3. Romans 12:3-8 Applying the text 1. How does the gospel transform the way we think about leadership and authority in the Church? 2. How does the gospel transform the way we think about submission to one another? 3. How can anxiety and fear lead to sinful and destructive behavior (Genesis 3:6)?
1 Peter 4:12-19
November 10, 2019 • Brian Bailey
Understanding the text Christ promised His Church that suffering, opposition, and difficulty in the world would be the normal experience, not the exception. However, not all suffering is the same. Peter makes an important distinction between two fundamentally different causes of suffering. The first is the kind of suffering that comes from wrongdoing. We are warned against this kind of suffering. The second kind of suffering is the suffering that comes from being obedient to Christ. When we experience this kind of suffering, we are to rejoice. When we suffer for obedience, we are reminded that Jesus’ crucifixion preceded His resurrection. Likewise, when we suffer for doing good, we need to remember that ultimately our suffering will lead to resurrection. Additionally, suffering for Christ’s sake deepens our assurance because it confirms that Christ is indeed in us by His Spirit. This deepens our confidence in God and we are able to trust and obey Him in the midst of suffering. Additional scripture 1. John 15:18-19 2. James 5:7-11 3. Philippians 3:8-11 Applying the text 1. When was a time that you suffered for doing good or for obeying God? 2. How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give us power and hope in the midst of suffering? 3. In what sense does suffering for the sake of Christ give us assurance of our union with Christ?