Author: Nick Booth

Psalm 62

Who would you be most surprised at self-declaring they’re a Christian? For me Alice Cooper lifted an eyebrow. After struggling with drugs and alcohol for much of his life he said, “Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that’s a tough call. That’s rebellion.’ George Foreman didn’t only invent a worktop grilling machine, he was a world champion heavyweight boxer. He became a Christian after nearly dying in fight in 1977. He quickly became a Christian minister. ‘Mr T’ (Lawrence Tureaud) of The A Team fame following his wrestling career became a Christian. Famous for wearing gold, after Hurricane Katrina (2005) he gave his gold away. He is recorded as saying, ‘When I saw other people lose their lives and lose their land and property … I felt it would be a sin before God for me to continue wearing my gold.’ Francis Collins was an atheist, he invented positional cloning, took part in the discovery of the genes for cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease and neurofibromatosis and directed the Human Genome Research Institute for 15 years. He found himself challenged by a terminally ill woman as to what his faith was. He then sought advice from a Methodist minister about Christianity and was given a copy of C S Lewis’ Mere Christianity. On reading that he came to the conclusion that Christianity was rational and is now a strong advocate for both science and the Christian faith.

In Psalm 62 David says, ‘Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are lighter together than a breath.’ ^{v 9}  When in adult life we are taken short and challenged as to the value of our life, whether poor and at the bottom of the pile, born into wealth and influence or a high achiever it is a shock to realize that our life is, ‘lighter than a breath’.

David himself was the most successful king, despite many failings, in Israel’s history. It was from his succession that Jesus came and Jesus as Messiah was known as the son of David. Despite being anointed by God and victor of many battles extending and securing the nation of Israel he understood the vanity of self-reliance. He twice records the refrain, ‘For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken’. ^{vv 1-2,5-6}

At the point where we are deeply challenged or troubled and action of some kind seems imperative it takes courage to stop in our inner being (soul) and wait for God in silence. It is at that point when we can become deeply aware of our need for the grace of God. To grasp that God and God alone is our salvation is a break through moment to a new life with him. Christianity isn’t trusting in ideas or our own ability to lift ourselves out of life’s problems. The Christian faith is trusting in God expressed in the person of Jesus. Jesus own words were, ‘I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. ^{John 14.6}

David is refreshingly honest in that he acknowledges he can be a little shaken but God is his fortress at those moments. ^v2 Things that can shake us include people who plan against us and behave deviously, saying nice things to our face but inside curse us. ^v4 Many will have experience this in family disputes, friendships gone wrong or employment situations. David also cautions against those who seek to prosper through criminal activity or put their faith in wealth. ^v10

David’s response to such things is listen to and trust in God. He doubles up the importance of listening and trusting God with the words. ‘Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work’. ^v11-12

If you are experiencing a testing time have you taken time alone to wait in silence and listen to God?

Are you trusting in things that in God’s judgement have no weight?

As you find me – Hillsong Worship

1 Peter

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139. 7-10

The gap year and global travel are now must have aspects of life for many. If like me you missed out on a gap year, I’m not sure I had even heard of it, between education and work then in retirement, the second window of freedom, it is eagerly grasped. This notion of broadening one’s horizons and getting to grips with alternative cultures although so much easier now mostly remains in global terms a privileged pastime. Where the poorest have globally travelled it has often been more forced rather than chosen for pleasure. I am thinking of migrants who have travelled to work as domestic servants or labourers leaving family behind and transferring nearly all of their meagre earnings to their family at home. There are also the migrants who risk their lives travelling huge distances at great personal cost on the vague hope of a safer life in a strange often western country.

The world is undeniably much more connected now than at any time in history. Information is passed almost instantaneously on any subject. Access to information is usually not the question, it is reliability of information that is more uncertain. What then can a letter, handwritten and personally delivered to a few scattered house churches in Asia Minor two thousand years ago have to valuably say when compared to the wealth of information now available in our information rich, globally connected world?

Peter’s first letter does have historically and culturally specific aspects. It mentions the Emperor, a temple and specific religious practices no longer undertaken but in all of these there are valid ways of applying them to modern life. The letter takes a very wide view, it scans God’s salvation plan for human history placing us between Christ’s resurrection and his return. It shows how Christ is the culmination of the Old Testament narrative and the hope for the future not only for the Jewish nation but for all nations. It is a letter with a sharp global perspective.

At the heart of the message is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection because it is through the resurrection of Jesus that he has formed a new global people who are to be to the world his race or people and his priesthood. ^{1.3-5, 2.9a} They are to be from all nations and races of equal worth to him. They are to have one mission in life and that is to reveal God in all his glory, mercy and holiness to the world. ^2.9b They are to do this through their life style and communicating God’s word.

This is very good news and will bring its own eternal reward. However, it will be personally costly and followers of Jesus should expect that to be normal. ^4.12 Life now for the global Christian is a pilgrimage, they are aliens in an unbelieving society, journeying to our true home. ‘Wherever believers live around the globe, this fallen world is not our home. As Paul put it, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3.20)’. ¹On this pilgrimage Christ is the example and the substitutionary saviour. Peter speaks of Christ as an example to follow (2.21-23, 4.2, 13-14) as well as a saviour (1.18-19, 2.24, 3.18). The gospels or life stories of Jesus now provide reliable accounts of Jesus character, work and teachings so that Christians are able to understand and follow him.

Peter also wants the global church to have hope even when they suffer for, ‘a little while’ ^5.10 in God’s judgement, justice and glory. As Christians across the world journey together they are to be bound together in a supportive unity. They are to intercede for one another, bear each others’ burdens, advocate for each other and reach out in mercy and kindness. At all times they are to keep in view the glorious inheritance that awaits them.

He’s got the whole world in His hand – Mahalia Jackson (Like you’ve never heard it before)

1 Peter 5.5-11

The presence of pain and suffering at the hands of evil in the world frequently presents difficulties for Christians and a barrier to faith for skeptics. Peter does not address the philosophical issues of why there is suffering when God is good. The whole span of scripture with the rebellion of human kind and God’s salvation plan through Jesus addresses the meta story. Peter’s concern is to prepare the church in Asia Minor for the ‘inevitable reality of unjust suffering’ ¹ and equip them to positively live as disciples with a confident hope in their hearts.

Peter presumes Christians will naturally be grouped into local churches asserting the necessity of them being led by elders who shepherd God’s flock in the same way Jesus, as the Chief Shepherd, taught and led the disciples. ^{v 5.1-4} Then the church as a whole grows, becomes secure in faith and is equipped to declare the excellencies of God. In these circumstances younger believers can be secure in being subject to the elders. ^{v 5.5} Whether Peter meant younger in age or faith does not overly matter as the principle is equally appropriate. God’s intention is that Christians should live together as part of a loving family or community led by Christ-like elders with a clear understanding of their own salvation and hope in Christ. In this way they are to follow Jesus’ instruction to make disciples throughout the world.

The attitude that preserves the bond in the family of God is humility. Peter urges the people to, ‘Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’. ^{v 5.5} He doubles his emphasis on humility with the additional phrase of, ‘all of you’. Humility is expected of everyone in the church it is evidenced by mutual respect and a desire to serve one another. God blesses the humble with the gift of grace. ^{v 5.5} Grace in one sense is a once and forever gift as we first believe. However, we are also in need of continuing grace as we live the life of a disciple. Peter uses the term in his blessing at the beginning of the letter, ‘May grace and peace be multiplied to you’. ^{v 1.2} Grace is the undeserved favour of God and so it takes humility to receive and benefit from it.

Peter presses the point home connecting humility now with being raised up by God to his eternal glory. ^{v 5.10} ‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you …’ ^{v 5.6} Pride is opposed by God as it is a form of idolatry, placing oneself where God should be in our hearts. It replaces trust in God and doubts God’s love for us and hence spoils our relationship with him. Trust in God and humility does not mean we should be naïve which is why Peter is keen that Christians should be sober minded and watchful. ^{v 5.8} Christian life is full of pitfalls and risks, there is constant spiritual opposition. ‘Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour’.

Humility in all these circumstances brings the Christian peace as they cast, ‘all their anxieties on him, because he cares for you’. ^{v 5.7} Does this mean we remain passive and do nothing. Not at all, it means going about our business, facing our issues in the day or night knowing we are also about God’s business, with a trust in his grace. This could be at work in the office, classroom, hospital or field. It could be in the home challenged by children and relatives, financial difficulties or our own mental and physical health. The devil would turn any of our circumstances against us if he could to undermine our faith. Many find that the threat is even more severe in the court, in prison, facing armed forces, fleeing hunger or political oppression. Christians across the world face all of these things and the bible is the word of God for all time and all places. Peter’s word then is, ‘Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world’. ^{v 5.9}

In suffering the Christian has hope. The writer to the Hebrews says, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’. ^{Hebrews 11.1} Paul in Romans writes, ‘Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given to us’. ^Romans 5.5 The hope the Christian has is confidence in the grace of God, ‘Who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you’. ^{v 5.10} In humility we can join with Peter and say, ‘To him be dominion forever and ever. Amen’. ^{v 5.11}

Gracefully broken – Matt Redman

1 – 1 Peter for you, page 163, Juan R. Sanchez

1 Peter 5.1-5 and Mathew 20.20-28

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” _{Mathew 20.25-28}

Is there a difference between Christian leadership and secular leadership? Should we order leadership priorities differently in the Christian context? Here are some questions based on 1 Peter 5 that don’t always get asked.

Have you got a mentor?

Spiritual leaders in the bible are often called elders. Peter as an apostle, a founder of the Jerusalem church saw his role in later life to counsel and guide other elders. ‘I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you …’ ^{1Peter 5.1,2} Peter knew from first hand experience that to have someone to turn to and even step in with a wise word at the right time was essential. When Jesus took him to one side on the beach after the resurrection and three times asked him if Peter loved him and instructed him to feed and care for his sheep it left an indelible mark on him. A mentor is someone who loves enough to be openly honest because they love the Lord, the leader and the sheep. Peter appealed to the elders of Asia Minor on the basis that he also was an elder and knew what it involved but more than that he understood the suffering of Christ as much as the glory. A good Christian mentor is someone who understands suffering. Peter was a man who had a proven life following Jesus and therefore had earned the respect of fellow believers. ‘Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith’. ^{Hebrews 13.7} If a leader does not have a mentor or mentors then they and the church are at greater risk.

Are you in it for the money or the kudos?

Not many admit to either but careful listening to the language used and observation of the behaviour of a leader reveals their underlying motives. When the mother of James and John asked Jesus for her two sons to have the most important places in heaven, Jesus response was to point to his own death as a servant of others as the model for leadership. ^{Mathew 20.20-28} Jesus’ way is to be the way of all Christian leaders. He was willing to serve to his own cost, not profit, he was willing to experience public shame. He never shirked his responsibilities for ‘the flock’. Peter summarises Christian leadership motivation as exercising, ‘oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly …’ ^{v 5.2}

Who do you lead?

Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of God, not their own flock. ^{v 5.2} Peter wants to make clear to elders that a sense of personal possession is not appropriate, as an elder one is a matter of steward not an owner. In that sense an elder is an under shepherd of Christ and so the ministry needs to express Christ’s love and teaching. Peter is reinforcing the importance of local leadership as he instructs elders to, ‘Shepherd the flock of God that is among you’. ^{v 5.2}

Do you drive or lead?

The ancient middle eastern way of shepherding was to lead from the front in contrast of a British shepherd with a sheep dog. Peter was keen for elders to be humble in their approach and not domineering. ^{v 5.3} A few sharp, unguarded words alone can have a long lasting harmful impact. Trust is built and therefore willingness to follow when the leader is seen to follow his or her own teaching. Where leaders selflessly give of themselves in the way Jesus had done the whole church is built up.

What is the reward you will gain?

The Elders are reminded that there will be a reward in heaven. They do have a special place that is not theirs by right but is by the grace of God. On Jesus’ return they will receive a crown of glory ^{v 5.4} These honours are in God the Father’s gift ^{Matthew 20.23} but are associated with participating in the suffering of Christ. Jesus termed this suffering, ‘the cup I am going to drink…’ ^{Matthew 2022}

If I am leader have I asked how my leadership is perceived by others?

If I am led how am I able to support my leaders?

Servant King – Graham Kendrick

1 Peter 4.12-19 and Matthew 5.10-12

Eyal is a church leader in Eritrea. In Eritrea only three Christian denominations (Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran – as well as Sunni Islam) are legally permitted and they are tightly controlled by the government. Eritrea is roughly equally Christian and Muslim.

‘Anybody who is believed to have criticised the government is likely to be severely punished – and following an unapproved Christian denomination is considered anti-government. This means that hundreds of Christians are arrested and imprisoned, including  141 in May 2019 and 30 the following month. Some prisoners are held in shipping containers in scorching temperatures.  Eyal, who has now been released, talks about being severely beaten with rods, kept in chains and treated without any human dignity. “I cannot believe I survived that,” he says. “Really, it was only by the grace of the Lord.” Eyal still sees a bright future for the church in Eritrea. He knows that Eritreans are often choosing suffering when they choose Jesus, but as 1 Peter 5:10 says, “The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

In recent months, the Eritrean government has also shut down church-run schools and  hospitals. This is believed to be in retaliation for bishops making a public call for government reforms.’ Open Doors, Website UK

Peter opens this section with, ‘do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you’. ^{v 4.12} When Peter wrote to the Christians in Asia Minor the level of persecution was not extreme and more closely matched that of the western world now. However, he had experienced imprisonment and beatings, more importantly he had witnessed the sufferings of Jesus and heard him say, ‘And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me’ ^{Mathew 10.38} and ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ ^{Mathew 5.10-12} In just a few years levels of extreme Christian persecution in the Roman Empire became official policy.

Peter was not academically discussing the rights and wrongs of suffering or does the presence of suffering raise the question is there a God. He was addressing the reality and expectation of suffering for the Christian believer. He knew that unless the churches were prepared their capacity to cope and persist, with eternal consequences, was at risk. One of the most important parts of leadership is to prepare for the worst and one of the most negligent aspects of leadership is to presume the good times will always be with us.

Suffering is on a continuum from insults, derision and threats to torture and death. John Lennox, Professor in Mathematics and Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at the University of Oxford, describes being summoned into the study of his senior lecturers whilst an undergraduate and warned that unless he gave up his Christian faith he would not progress in the world of science. Increasingly in the western world barriers are being raised against Christians but it rarely comes to physical suffering. This is far from the case across much of the rest of the world.

Peter seeks to strengthen Christians in the face of persecution in ways that Eyal has grasped. Firstly, in suffering the Spirit of Christ is with them. ‘If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you’. ^{v 4.14} I think it is only when we have been through such experiences that it is possible to fully appreciate how the Spirit strengthens one at those times. But knowing that brothers and sisters are experiencing such persecution should encourage us to actively support them in prayer and other ways. Having spent time with fellow Christians who have suffered from life threatening experiences and subsequent trauma in their flight to this country for asylum the church here also has a role to play in welcoming, loving and actively supporting them as they go through spiritual and mental restoration.       Peter describes suffering for faith in Christ as sharing in Christ’s sufferings .^{v 4.13} Paul says, ‘For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too’. ^{2 Corinthians 1.5} In this way Jesus provides us with an example of how to live. ^{1 Peter 2.21} We should therefore not be ashamed of suffering but instead glorify God. ^{v 4.16} This is an important message for those experiencing post traumatic stress following periods of persecution.

Peter also confirms the apostolic message that those who have suffered for Christ’s sake will receive a reward that far exceeds their suffering. ^{v 1.6,7} James adds his voice in James 1.12 and Paul in 2 Corinthians 4.17.

Peter makes clear though that suffering for wrong doing is very different and should not be considered in the same terms as suffering for Christ. ^{v 44.15}

In all things and especially in suffering we are to entrust our life to God while persisting in doing good. ^{v 4.19}

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Psalm 34 (Live)