I had the great privilege of preaching at the Summit’s Brier Creek Campus this weekend. I love preaching and nowhere do I love doing it more than with the people I’ve grown up with over the past 10 years. All that to say it was fun. We finished out our series in 1 Peter by looking at 5.6-11. What a passage. The End Times, The Devil, Suffering, Anxiety, brotherhood, and a doxology to boot. All in 5 verses. Wow. 2 things stood out to me as I prepped that I thought I’d share. If you are bored and need Full manuscript: 1 Peter 5.6-11 – 12.18.2011.
1. We don’t dwell on the resurrection of jesus enough. I wonder how many of us even refer to the resurrection when we talk about ‘the gospel.’ Peter’s letter is so full of resurrection hope. By that I mean, Peter founds all of his statements about the end times on the fact that Jesus got up out of the grave. Think about it. When Jesus died peter was cowering in the shadows afraid to align himself to Jesus. but after Jesus rose, the guy couldn’t be shut up (Acts 4)! For Peter, Just like Paul, the resurrection of Christ served as a promise of the resurrection that is to come for the rest of creation (1 Cor 15). Why does this matter? because it gives perspective and hope in the middle of present struggle. Suffering, sin, anxiety, are all BRIEF. but glory with Christ is ETERNAL. That perspective is one of great hope for Peter and I hope it is so for you.
2. The Devil is Real. Great Quote from C.S. Lewis in Screwtape Letters. The premise of the book is a demon named screwtape writing to his nephew / rookie demon named wormwood about how to secure the damnation of an ordinary man.In response to wormwood’s question “is it essential to keep the patient ignorant of your own existence?” Screwtape replies:
- “That question has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves… I do not think you will have much difficulty keeping your patient in the dark. The fact that ‘devils’ are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you.”[1]
