Reflecting the Image (by Carla Sunberg)

These two are learning to do good in the world.  Here they were helping to plant the garden.  Scripture: 1Pet. 4:12     Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If it is hard for the righteous to be save...

Scripture: 1Pet. 4:7   The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Observation: The first century church lived as though Jesus would return any day. A fervent prayer life was vital to the development of their faith, which was to be viewed with seriousness and discipline. The community of faith needed to remain united, and therefore Peter began a section on how they were to treat one another. Quoting from...

Scripture: 1Pet. 4:1   Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. Observation: Peter reminds the readers of Jesus’ suffering and that if we are to be Christlike disciples, we, too, will suffer in the flesh. This ...

Scripture: 1Pet. 3: 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, 20 who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. Observation: Writing to a persecuted church living in exile, Peter continues to help the believers confront the reality of their faith. There is no promise that the people of God will not suffer, but rather, a consideration that they wil...

Timofei sharing his testimony.  Scripture: 1Pet. 3:13   Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14 But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16 yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. Observation: Peter continues his instructions to those who are facing persecution. In the midst of people who may desire to do physical and emotional harm to you and to your life, do what is good. Never stop doing the right thing, even if people try to intimidate you into changing your opinio...

Sometimes it's hard to love our siblings and to say good things about one another.  Scripture: 1Pet. 3:8     Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11 let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Observation: Peter brings this discussion on Christian witness to a conclusion by mentioning five actions. They can be arranged in this way: Unity of Spirit   — this is about having the same mind. I...

Grateful for 37 years with this guy.  Scripture: 1Pet. 3:7   Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers. Observation: Peter’s words to husband help us to understand that there was an expectation of a radical change in marriage for those who became believers. It was very risky for a woman to become a Christian, but it was different for a man. Once he made the decision to follow Christ, the entire household would follow his leadership and change their practices. With this came a new way of treating wives which was entirely counter-cultural to Roman society. In the Roman world the wife was treated as property and it was her responsibility to bear and raise children for financial security and for a future. A man was free to satisfy his sexual desires anywhere that he wanted outside of marriage...

Scripture: 1Pet. 3:1   Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing; 4 rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight. 5 It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. 6 Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you. Observation: Peter is writing to the persecuted church living in a very hostile world. Many of the new believers are people from the margins including slaves and women. Some would argue that he spends a g...