After a long exhausting day, the Holy Spirit graciously gave me the idea to spend my hour listening to a sermon while soaking in the bathtub! I told Nathan my idea and he said "Well that must be from the Holy Spirit because I was thinking you should do the exact same thing." Love it.
So I chose to listen to a sermon based on 1 Peter 1 to re-hash what I've been reading and to help me understand some verses a little better. The sermon definitely helped.
The pastor, Beau, first talked at great lengths about American culture. (The church is in Texas). He talked about how all along since Genesis 3 every nation has been immoral but a shift has been happening in the States lately. (Note this was from 2013). Beau talked about how although people have always been evil, now people are fighting for those evils to be law. Gay-marriage. Trans-gender issues. Etc. Where does freedom fit into all of this? Why is it that trans-gender children are allowed to use a bathroom that they want even if it makes other people feel uncomfortable? Why does one person get special privilege over others? Why are religious establishments being reprimanded for not performing gay-marriages? Why does the gay couple's rights trump Christian's? If we're not careful, we'll lose our voice.
Now, our persecution as North American Christians is not to be beaten or killed for our faith - well rarely. Our persecution is people making fun of us for what we believe or thinking we're crazy. Our persecution is getting in trouble with the law for not following what they desire like gay-marriages.
Beau mentions that we're not that much different from the people Peter was writing to in his letter. These people at this point in history were not being persecuted physically. They, like us, are thought of as crazy by their neighbours. The non-Christians had their cultural ways. They worshipped their gods. Why would anybody want to follow Jesus?
So instead of just telling the Christians in his letter how to act around those persecuting them, he encourages them with who God is and what he has done. He starts his letter off by praising God for what he's done. He reminds the Christians that they have new life and have an inheritance that nobody can take away. So what if people make fun of you? So what if people think you're crazy! You have JESUS! You have new life! NOTHING can ever take that away. NOBODY can take that away.
Peter mentions people may go through tough times. This may include persecution or everyday life trials. But our faith is stronger than gold and God will protect us Peter reminds them.
So the sermon ends in verse 13 with Peter's encouragement:
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
We're strangers in this world. Peter starts his letter by reminding the Christians they are elect exiles. They don't belong. We don't belong. But we're still to be in the world AND to be loving and gentle while here. Yes we absolutely need to stand up for what we believe in and be ready to give an account even if people will disagree with our beliefs. But when we share those beliefs, we are to be kind, gentle, respectful and loving. That is what we are called to do.
So remember dear Christians, YOU are a stranger in this world. God paid the ultimate price for you. So when you go about your day, stand up for Jesus and live as Jesus did. Bold but loving.
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