"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. 4. That your joy may be full."
We turn in this text to a call for what I am calling, "real fellowship." The Greek word that is translated "fellowship" is "koinonos." This word has the meaning of partnership. In other words, fellowship is not just a "get together;" rather it is a partnership with each other and with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirt. (The text did not include Holy Spirit, but from other places in the New Testament where we see the Holy Spirit at work, He is certainly included in our partnership.) First, John wrote that "that you ,may have fellowship with us." This means that this partnership that we have with each other and with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, means that the Lord wants us to meet together, sing, pray, preach, and, certainly worship God. It doesn't mean just to "go to church." It means to really praise and worship God, study His word, and sing praises to HIm, and find spiritual fulfillment in our fellowship with each other and with God. Second, I want to give an example of the importance of this fellowship from Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works: 25. Not forsaking assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting (encouraging) one another; and so much as you see the day approaching." Our worship together gets us ready to face the workaday world. We really need to understand the importance of encouraging one another, and not fussing with each other. (Just saying ) Third, I need to add that we are not just partners when we are together at the church house. We are partners at all times and this is really, really important to remember. I saw the reality of this fellowship years ago when my Daddy went to heaven. I had been at an Evangelism Conference, when I received word that Daddy had died. When I got home and walked into the living room, the room was filled with Christians from the Smithville Baptist Church. They had gathered to exhort, or encourage us, in our bereavement. (I'm almost tearing up thinking about it.) I felt that partnership as much as I would have felt in a church worship service. That is real fellowship! The personal testimony, and the call to fellowship, were intended to give the readers the joy promised by Jesus in John 5:11: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that your joy may be full." If you are a Christian, you are part of a fellowship with your fellow Christians and with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank God for it! Bro. Joe
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"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled the Word of life. 2. (For the life was manifested (revealed), and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us."
This text gives a vlrtual personal testimony about Jesus. This is not to say that our testimonies are not real; rather the fact that John was an eyewitness to Christ's ministry gives relevance to our testimonies about Jesus. I want to share with you what I mean. First, John wrote: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard." John and the other disciples actually heard Jesus speak. We are not told everything that occurred between Jesus and His disciples. I think that they spent a lot of time in conversation with Jesus. (Think of having an intimate confab with Jesus.) John heard Jesus speak, and probably had many things about Jesus explained to him. It makes sense that as much time as they spent with Jesus over his earthly ministry, His disciples had many conversations with Him. Second, John wrote: "which we have seen with our eyes." This does not mean that John only saw Jesus, but that he saw many things that Jesus did. He saw Jesus walk on water. He, no doubt saw Jesus turn water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. (John 2:2: "And Both Jesus was called and His disciples, to the marriage.") He saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. He saw Jesus die on the cross, and, at the cross, Jesus turned his mother over to the care of John. (John 19:26-27) He saw Jesus after His resurrection, and saw Him ascend to heaven. Do you see what I mean by a real testimony? Third, John wrote: "For the life was manifested (revealed) and we have seen it and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us." We have the witness of all of Jesus' disciple, except Judas, that Jesus is real, alive, and is at the right Hand of the Father. He has spent His Holy Spirit to enable us in our witness. Therefore, we have a real testimony based on eyewitness accounts. Just Pause here and thank the living Savior for all that He has done for us, and for His disciples who gave witness to the account. Bro. Joe m "Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus."
Frankly, I have never thought of writing, or preaching, on this text. When I read it today, it spoke to me. I want to share with you what I found. First, Peter wrote that they should "greet one another." How we greet people is important; it is certainly true that How we greet people in our churches is important. If a family comes to your church and no one gives them a friendly greeting, they will find another church. It is important how we greet each other as members of a church. Let me put it this way: A growing church is a church where people feel accepted and wanted. A happy church is one where people greet each other in a loving and friendly way. We should all strive to be good "greeters." Second, Peter wrote that they should "greet one another with a kiss of charity." (Charity is often used in the KJV as love.) We are to greet one another with love. Love is the glue that binds us in real Christian fellowship. The "kiss of charity" is how people greeted one another in ancient times. (It is still a custom in some societies.) Today, we are more likely to greet each other with a "handshake, or hug, of charity." I have noticed that people respond positively when they feel that they are truly welcome and loved. We need to take care that we greet each other with love, and that when people visit our churches, they will feel that they are truly welcome and truly loved. Take note in how you greet people in the name of Christ. Third, Peter wrote that he wanted them to have peace. This is another important word, and almost always goes with love. Jewish people often greet each other with "shalom." This is the Hebrew word for peace. The Greek word that is translated peace in this text is "eiraynay." (It is the Greek equivalent of "shalom.") It means to be at peace. Peace and love always go together. When people love each other they are at peace with each other, even when they disagree. I call it "disagreeing like a Christian." When we are at peace within ourselves, we will normally be at peace with other people. Don't you agree that Peter's advice here is advice that we need to follow? (Let it begin with me...….This is my prayer. Let it also be your prayer.) Bro. Joe "To Him (God) be glory, and dominion forever and ever. Amen"
This verse is the conclusion of the matter that we have discussed in the matter of Who and what God is. He is God Who should be given glory. This is an important matter. When the king of a country comes into the presence of people it is a big deal. We certainly owe the God Who created us glory and worship. The Bible begins, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Now that is a big deal. Everything that we see around us ultimately owes its existence to God. When God started there was nothing. When He had finished creating the world, including the whole universe, He was God of all glory, and He remains the God of all glory. Since all of this is true we owe Him glory. I always remember that the beginning hymn in my home church was "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below..." I grew up hearing that, and it made an impression on me as a youngster. He is the God Who has "dominion." This means that He is in charge of everything on the earth and in the whole universe. There is no place, no place on earth or in the whole universe in which He is not in charge. One of our astronauts saw the hand of God in the universe. One of the Russian space travelers said that he saw no evidence of God in his trip in space. How did he think it all came into existence. Oh, I know, the "Big Bang." There is a glorious story of creation for the ages. It all started from a cosmic explosion and everything began to revolve around something and began to evolve. Where there is a creation, there is a creator. The Bible gives us a good answer: "In the beginning God...created the heaven and the earth...." We have to give Him glory and dominion "forever and forever." This means that we are to give Him glory for all eternity. The Book of Revelation gives a picture of what is going on in heaven. The angels and the "elders" are standing around His throne giving Him glory forever and forever. We certainly owe Him glory from where we stand on the earth, and when by faith in Jesus Christ we stand in His presence we will give Him glory. We need to be practicing now, and we should mean it when we sing: "Praise God from Whom blessings flow." Bro.Joe "But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you, 11. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever."
Peter refers to God as "the God of all grace." Grace is defined as God's unlimited mercy. Without God's grace the world would have been destroyed a long time ago. Thank God for the grace that He has shown ,us through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by God's grace through Jesus Christ alone that we can be saved for all eternity. Peter wrote to the recipients of his letter "that after you have suffered for awhile, make you perfect, (e)stablish, strengthen, settle you." I want to explain what this means. The word "perfect" seems to establish an impossible goal, but the Greek word that is translated "perfect" means to be complete. We are made complete in Christ. We can never be perfect in that we have to be sinless, but that we are made complete in Christ.That's why John told us in 1John 1:8-9: "If we say we have no sin, we deceilve ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrigteousness." The word "stablish," or "establish" means to be anchored in our faith in Christ. This is illustrated for us on Psalm 40:1-2: "I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclned unto me, and heard my cry. 2. He brought me up out of a horrible pit out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established by goings." The rock on which we are established is Jesus Christ. He is "The Rock of Ages" about which we sing; "Rock of ages, cleft for me,let me hide myself in thee." The word "strengthen" means that we need more than our human strength to save us. We find our strength by faith in Christ, and in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Human strength alone could never save us from our sins. When we are faced with temptation, we need to lean on the strength of Christ, and our faith in Him, in order to overcome the devil. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us into this strength. The world "settle" means that we cannot settle on our own strength. In order to be settled in our faith, we need to be settled in our faith in Christ. There is no way on this earth that we can stand against Satan without being settled in Christ. This means that we are assured that Jesus has saved us, and that He has given us the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and settle us. Settled in Christ does not mean that we sit down, but that we are actilvely, and prayerfully, dependent on Him. 1Peter 5:10-11 reminds us that the Christian life is not a "do it yourself" project. It reminds that we need faith in Christ to be complete, established, strengthened and settled. And, and in the final analysis none of it can be accomplished outside of our faith in Jesus Christ. That is why we can finally joyfully proclaim: "To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour. 9. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world."
In some circles, one cannot be sophisticated if he, or she, believes in the devil. Of course the devil is cheering this sort of sophistication, for it makes his job easy. He wants us to believe that he either does not exist, or that he is a cute little red thing with a pitchfork. Given the direction of the world, it seems that it is working. But Peter wants to call us away from this illusion. Here is what Peter tells us about the devil: He reveals to us that the devil is real and that he is at work in this world carrying out his devilish work. First, he tells us that we should be sober, or self controlled. We need to keep our eyes and minds open and that we should be serious about the devil's temptations. Second, he tells us to be vigilant, or alert. The devil is always up to tricks. He calls us away from the humility that Peter admonished us about, and just "do our own thing." We need to keep our guard up. The desire to "be cool" is one of the devil's main tricks. We should be sober and vigilant in our battle against the devil because he is like "a roaring lion, walking about seeking whom he may devour." The devil is not shown here as a cute little red fellow with a pitchfork, but that he is described as a roaring lion. You know what a lion does: He wanders about the wilderness seeking some helpless animal to devour. The devil wants us to be like those helpless animals. The devil hates us - period. He wants our lives to be controlled by him in order for him to welcome us to hell. That is not sophisticated by the world's measure, but it is the truth. Peter tells us how we can overcome this "roaring lion." We must "resist him steadfast in the faith." We are not defenseless in our bouts with the devil. We have our faith in Christ that can keep us from being devoured by the devil. Defeating the devil is not a "self-help project." First, Jesus defeated the devil in his temptations in the wilderness, and every day in his life on this earth. Second, Jesus went to the cross and died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Third, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us the power that we need to live for Him and not for Satan. Jesus is the answer for our winning over the devil. Fourth, Jesus will forgive us when we fail in our bout with Satan, and will cleanse us. 1John 1:9 tells us that: "If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness." You are not helpless in your bout with the devil. Be sure of this, the devil is at work in your life and wants to devour you for his own devilish purposes. He wants to destroy your life and your eternity. Bro. Joe "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 7. Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you."
The text tells us to "humble ourselves." Based on the example of Christ, we should be humble people. Notice that humility is not spelled "defeated." Based on the above text, and in many other places in the Bible, it could be spelled "winner." WE WIN WHEN WE HUMBLE OURSELVES. Which leads me to: Are you humbling yourself? Are you humbling yourself in your relationships at home, at work. at church, or even at Walmart et al? The good news is that we are to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God." This means that our confidence is not in ourselves but in God. Since we have that sort of support, we can certainly humble ourselves. Our confidence, our pride is in "the mighty hand of God." When I think of this, my mind also takes me to a great promise given to Israel by Moses as they were about to enter Canaan: "The eternal God is your refuge; and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say; Destroy them." (Deuteronomy 33:27) We do not need to be afraid of our opposition in the world. The "everlasting arms" of God will give us the victory, but in Christ, we will not destroy them, but we will win them to Him. Look at the result of humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God: "That He might exalt you in due time." We can seek the exaltation of the world, or the exaltation of God. I think that you will agree that there is no doubt about the correct answer. In verse 7, Peter shows us how we can win when we humble ourselves; "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (Are you praising God yet?) Selah Bro. Joe s"Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 13. But rejoice insomuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad with exceeding joy. 14. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God, rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified."
It is not strange that we are tested in this life. God's people have always been tested. Christ, Himself, was tested. Our author, Peter was tested, in fact he died for his faith in Christ. The great apostle Paul was tested and also gave his life for the faith. In fact, most of the apostles were tested and gave their lives to, and for, Christ. Could the trial that you are withstanding today kill you? (Believe me, I asked myself the same question!) When we allow our tests in life call us away from serving Christ, we are letting people down. We are letting Christ down. We are letting the churches where we are members down. We are letting the world down, because the world needs for us to stand strong in order to be a witness to them. We are also letting ourselves down. Years ago, I talked to a preacher who had quit the Christian ministry. I don't remember the problem that caused him to quit, but I do remember that the problem was trivial. I must admit that the trials that I have had are trivial compared to Christ and His apostles. (That is a sobering thought and worth our consideration.) Let's not let our problems and trials cause us to quit. We need to read Ephesians 6:13 and obey it: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand, AND HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND." God, help us to read and heed this! Selah Bro. Joe . "As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen"
I knew that when I was discharged from the Navy in 1960 that I was to be a preacher. I could not have satisfied God's call on my life by teaching a Sunday School class, being a deacon in a local church, or by singing in the choir. God, as shocking as this was to my friends, had called me to preach the gospel. Though, frankly, my life did not show it, I had been dealing with this call from the time of was twelve-years-old. The Christian ministry was to be my stewardship. Every Christian has a "stewardship" from God. You also have a "stewardship" from God if you are a Christian. Whatever our stewardship is, we are not to take it lightly, but we are to be go about it seriously. You might ask, "Is my teaching in the children's department in Sunday School a stewardship?" For the sake of the children that you will teach, I hope you view it as a stewardship from God. There is not a Christian service that is not serious, and according to our text, we should carry out that stewardship in a serious manner, because it is a gift from God to help us carry out His eternal purpose. If you teach Sunday School in a church so far out in the country that it is almost off the map, it is a stewardship from God and should be taken seriously. What is your stewardship? If you are a Christian you have a stewardship from God. If you do not know that your stewardship is, then you need to discover it, and use it seriously as a call from God. If you really want to know what God wants you to do in His service, go to Him prayer and I will assure you that He will let you know. We should not ask "What can I do?' We should ask "What am I supposed to do?" Then get at it. Bro. Joe Bro. Joe “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
The text written above is one sentence from the Lord’s Prayer, and it is probably the most difficult. In it we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. Jesus added fuel to the fire in verses 14-15: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” This puts a premium on forgiving others. I have entitled this article “Revisiting Forgiveness,” because I have written about it, or referred to it a lot on CouchPotatoRedux. I looked up the word “forgive” in The Revell Bible Dictionary and found it to be helpful in helping us understand why forgiveness is so important. This article will be based on the three parts of this definition. The first part of the definition was: “To pardon or absolve of wrongdoing.” When God forgives us for our sins, He absolves us of them. In other words, we are free of them. Our sins have been cast as “far as the east is from the west.” We do not have to feel guilty about them anymore, because God has absolved them. This is something like what our forgiveness is to do for others and ourselves. When we forgive someone, we are saying that what they did to us, said to us or about us, has been absolved. When we say that we have forgiven everyone who needs our forgiveness, we need to think way back in our lives. Have we forgiven everyone who has hurt us in some way or another? I don’t mean to nitpick, but we really need to forgive it all. This would include parents, teachers, bullies from school days, etc. etc. Have you absolved people of the wrongs they have done to you? The second part of the definition was: “to cancel a debt.” I don’t mean to be redundant, here but when we cancel a debt it means that the debt is no longer outstanding. We sometimes feel that people who have hurt us in some way or other are indebted to us to apologize, and until they do, we are unwilling to forgive them. It is true that when we ask God to forgive our sins, we need to repent and confess in order to receive the forgiveness. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but you are not God. Jesus, who is God, prayed as He went to the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” I’ve got news for you: “them” means you and me. Jesus forgave us because He died for our sins on the cross as well as for those who crucified Him. It is real Christian faith that will help us to cancel the debts of others even though they do not apologize. I personally know that this is not easy, but it needs to be done if you are to have the peace that Paul describes as “passing all understanding.” The third part of the definition was: “to give up resentment.” This might be the most difficult of all. Think back on your life: what resentments do you still hold? Hey, I’m not just preaching to you in this matter. It takes a lot of prayer for me to get over resentments in my life. But you might be thinking that since I’m a preacher I shouldn’t have a problem with this. We preachers can have ego problems like everyone else. People give us ample opportunity to hold resentments against them. But this is not just true in the lives of preachers, it is true in everyone’s life. There are people who will go out of their way to offend us, or hurt us in one way or another. The Holy Spirit knew this about people when He inspired: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” If Jesus doesn’t resent us because of the sins for which He has forgiven us, then our excuses for resentment are very thin, or downright invisible. The business of forgiveness is not an easy business, but it is very important. We will be happy Christians and churches when we forgive each other. Bro. Joe |
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