We read 1 Peter four and five in our Pastor’s meeting today.
Wayne, Darien, Dan and John Miesel and I meet every Tuesday morning.
We discuss a book (currently it is “The Cross and Christian Ministry” by D.A. Carson) and we pray. The thing we love to do the most is to open up our Bibles, read a portion, discuss it, and then pray it back to our Lord together.
So we read 1 Peter 4 and 5 today.
We made observations and interpretations about these verses…
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
And
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert.
We tried to figure out how these concepts are all related in the context.
We talked about how we ought to be living in the light of these promises and how we ought to be praying and trusting in light of these commands.
In interpreting the passage we talked about the persecution which the original audience of this epistle must have been facing. The persecution they endured was indeed fiery as their lives were threatened. We talked about persecution today, China and a few other things.
Then John began to speak about persecution. If you know John, you know that his humility and desire to honor the Lord shines through him when he speaks. It is not about him, it is about His Savior. John shared some of the experiences he had in the Belgian Congo — rebels, guns, raids, murders and death. He and Jan were preserved for future ministry here on the earth. Many of their coworkers were taken to Heaven, dying for their faith. John talked about trusting the Lord, being unashamed, unafraid and casting all of His cares upon Jesus in the hour of trial.
I share this as one more way that I feel so immensely privileged to serve the Lord here at this church with these men as my friends and co-laborers.