Part 3 - Overview of 1 Peter - Practice

This is last part of an overview of 1 Peter. It is based on notes created to aid preachers doing a sermon series. This is Part 3 of 3 (you can read part 1 here and part 2 here)

Section 3: Freed in order to serve

• 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

“A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” Martin Luther



After a long detailed emphasis on the fact that because of our positive future secured by Christ we have a strong command to see and do life differently to the rest of the world - Peter now brings the Church back into relationship with the world. It is only after we prioritise God's perspective over the world's that we can start to engage with the world healthily.

So we subject ourselves to every human institution, but specifically for "the Lord's sake"(2:13). And this pattern continues. we obey earthly authorities out of obedience to God. "servants of God" (16b), "fear God" (17), "[be] mindful of God" (19). We suffer for doing good because that is why we have been "called".

And, "likewise" (3:1) Our God-perspective on the world will re-prioritise our married relationships too. Interesting that the Theology of Church should spill into intimate relationship of husband & wife. But that is where our modern and limited concept of the word 'Church' hinders us from seeing that God's desire for us to be set apart involves every aspect of our lives. Regardless of whether you see this passage promoting male headship or not, you need to see it  as God commanding that Christian marriages are to look distinctively different to non-Christian marriages.

Section 4: Freed to stand out and suffer

• 1 Peter 4:1-5:11

Christ suffered in the flesh, and so as we follow him we should expect the same. We will be distinct from those around us (3-6) we will face trials (make sure it's for the right reasons)(12-18) our church (and it's leaders) should be a help to us as we suffer (5:1-5)

1 Peter is a constant reminder to use God's values as our compass rather than the world. And it is something we need to hear frequently. Our church communities need to resist the alluring temptation of what seems to be very rational, reasonable and logical worldly approaches. The increasingly popular argument that excuses most behaviour these days is "it just felt natural" or "I had to be true to myself". A Welsh Minister recently had this to say about Frank Sinatra's famous song:

"Frank Sinatra was an idiot: 'I did it my way' means you did it the wrong way." 

Sinatra's attitude does not align well with Peter's teaching. We no longer live for our own personal 'human passions' but for the will of God.(4:2) This reveals there to be something inherently tainted with human passions. We cannot trust them, and we most certainly cannot always justify ourselves with them or revel in them.

Now this does not mean we shrink back into embittered isolation. Peter is constant in his demand that we should be radically distinctive because of our generous love as much as our rejection of earthly standards. It is not an easy line to walk: to love generously in the face of society's ridicule. Or to trust unswervingly in the glorious future of the Church, even though it currently looks like it's on it's way out. To hold to a certain standard even though it seem like the whole world is telling you you're being irrational and unintelligent.

And so living in the way Peter suggests produces inevitable burdens and worries and physical problems. And it is through honestly dealing with these, with God's perspective in mind, that Peter is optimistic that the Church will persevere (5:10-11). In a final summary he gives this advice to the Church:

• be humble (5:6)
• give your burdens to Christ (5:7)
• be wise & watchful (5:8)
• be unmoved in your faith (through knowing you're not alone) (5:9)