3.10.11 Comm

Sermon Date: March 20, 2011

Sermon Title: Finding The Harmony

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3:7

Small Group Text: I Peter 2

GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE HARMONY IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS Prerequisites for harmony (I Peter 1:22-2:3) Have you ever noticed how some people seem easy to get along with while others seem, shall we say, relationally challenged? What makes the difference? Is it nurture or nature?

Environment or genetics? The debate continues! But most likely it’s a combination of things. We are all products of 1) the quality of nurturing we’ve received, 2) the lifeexperiences we’ve encountered, and 3) our genetic makeup. And here’s a Biblical truth that is as encouraging as it is astounding: We can actually become a different person than we are today. We can develop a more loving and harmonious personality. Granted, it will take a new birth and a new nurturing environment. But in the final analysis, we can be made new!

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:16a-17

It will take a new birth 1 Peter 1:23-25 A new harmonious personality begins with a new genetic make up – spiritually speaking. It becomes natural to love others well (1 Peter 1:22) once we have been “born again” (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2) since, in the rebirth, we inherit the nature and character traits of our heavenly Father.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephes. 4:22-24 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Col. 3:8-10

This spiritual rebirth infuses a new nature into our lives (Romans 8:6; 8:9-11; Galatians 5:22-25).

The very Spirit of Christ resides within us, supernaturally enabling every Christ-follower to obediently love others in ways that promote harmony within the Body of Christ.

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

Galatians 4:6

Peter’s confidence was high that our new nature would transform our lives since our rebirth is spiritual in nature – not physical – and is rooted in the imperishable and enduring Word of God (1 Peter 2:23) – which “will never pass away” (1 Peter 1:25). Harmonious love is part of God’s DNA, if you will; and since we are born of God (John 1:12-13), we also, by virtue of our new nature, live in ways that promote loving harmony toward others.

It will take spiritual nourishment 1 Peter 2:1-3 The little adage, “You are what you eat” encapsulates the idea that to be fit and healthy in mind and body, we need to digest good, nourishing food. Peter applied this principle to our spiritual lives as well.

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We will absolutely be affected by the life-changing power of God’s Word as we learn to, like newborns, crave the basic and elementary truths of God’s word. Of course, eventually we’ll grow to desire deeper things of God – the more solid spiritual nourishment: You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14 (See also 1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

Appetites fluctuate depending upon the extent to which they’re fed. Less feeding, less appetite. More feeding, more appetite. This is why Peter gave the command to “crave pure spiritual milk.” Once we begin to find nourishment from God’s word, our spiritual appetite increases. The more we devour the truths of God’s word, the more we grow to be like Christ. An infant craves milk – instinctively cries out for it from hunger. Similarly, Peter wanted his readers to be just as hungry for the pure, untainted nourishment of God’s Word and in this way grow into spiritual maturity. The word Peter used for “to crave” is the same idea found in the Psalms to denote a heart for God and a yearning for His salvation.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants (craves) for you, O God. Psalm 42:1 I long (crave) for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Psalm 119:174

Peter is underscoring a very strong truth here: For the earnest Christian who desires to grow into the renewed image of God, feeding on God’s Word is not a laborious spiritual discipline. It is an appetite to be fed, that grows into a delight comparable to sitting down to a delicious meal – a table to which one wants to return again and again. For the believer knows that at this table, not only has he/she tasted – and the food is good – but very much also, the longing for spiritual nourishment will be fulfilled. Peter finished this section (2:3) by looking back at Psalm 34:8. "You are bound to do this," he wrote, "if you have tasted the kindness of God." The harmony of sacrificial love is the result 1 Peter 1:22 A life transformed, pure and obedient to God (1 Peter 1:22), is enabled to love those who share the same rebirth – for they are indeed brothers and sister, part of God’s family (Ephesians 1:4-6). Peter described this quality of love as “sincere,” meaning, “without hypocrisy.” Those who have experienced a spiritual rebirth – possessing the nature of Christ – are enabled to love deeply, from the heart. Love is not some mere emotion or sentiment. It is much stronger and impactful. The love of Christ is selfless, sacrificial love (from the Greek, agape! sate, from agape) . It will always cost (hence, sacrificial) and it always moves in the direction of another to lift his/her spirit. It is not based on a feeling but on a commitment. It is not fickle, but constant. It is not conditional, but unreserved – characterized by the purest of motives. This love is powerful and deep, not shallow (Greek, ektenos, “fervent” or “at full stretch” or “in an all-out manner, with an intense strain”). (See also 1 Corinthians 13.)

Pictures of harmony. (I Peter2:4-10) Three graphic depictions call attention to the harmonious unity of a spiritually mature church. These pictures speak to a corporate identity within the body of Christ and hence a shared or communal witness to the love and grace of God. We are living stones 1 Peter 2:4-8 Peter identified those who had experienced spiritual rebirth as “living stones” – becoming conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (the chief corner stone). In a spiritual and mystical sense, Christians comprise a spiritual house or dwelling place for God’s special presence on earth. This imagery is not unique to the Apostle Peter. Paul also characterized the church in a similar way.

In him (Jesus Christ) the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

[22] And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephes.

2:21-22

As no other place on earth, God’s presence is to be known, felt and evidenced in His church. And what is the special, distinguishing characteristic of God’s presence? Love!

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

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We are a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:5-9 Reborn believers are not only “living stones” which form the physical structure of the church, they are also the ministering priests within that structure. The image of God’s people as a “holy priesthood” harkens back to Exodus 19:5-6. Having liberated His people from slavery in Egypt God made a covenant with the nation of Israel. Through Moses, He said, Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.

Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." Exodus 19:5-6

Peter attached the New Testament church to these very words. The Christian church is part of this covenant and calling to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. And here too is an illustration of the unified harmony of purpose and function as Christians offer themselves – their praise and worship and various acts of service – as spiritual sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1). All reborn believers are designated as priests in this regard (1 Peter 2:9; Heb. 4:16; 13:15; Rev. 1:6) and as such, are required to serve God in holiness (1 Peter 1:16, 22).

We are a holy nation 1 Peter 2:9-10 Peter’s third picture of Christian harmony is found in the identity of believers as citizens of the same nation. And once again, Peter underscored a theme also found in Paul’s epistles.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, Ephes. 2:19 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philip.

3:20

Recalling Isaiah 43:20, Peter reminded the church that we are a “chosen people.” For reasons known only to God, for reasons that will bring Him honor and glory, those who have been born again “through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5) are special to their heavenly Father. He has reached into the wave of lost humanity and taken out a people for His own possession – preserving them for Himself.

God’s purpose in this, at least in part, is that we, the people of God, would declare His praises to world. Peter’s word for “praises” can also mean “eminent qualities,” “excellencies,” or “virtues.” When we get it right, we, the Body of Christ, live with selfless, sacrificial love in such harmonious union that our heavenly Father’s qualities are evident in our lives. In this way, we witness to the glory and grace of God, “who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) The Products of harmony. (I Peter 2:11-17) The lost are saved and God is glorified 1 Peter 2:11-17 As citizens of heaven, we can often feel like “aliens and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11) in this world. But Peter advised the church to abstain from sinful desires and live above reproach. As our conduct is characterized by love and harmony within the Body of Christ and toward those outside the church, we counter the false accusations of hostile critics.

And once again, the Apostle Paul weighs in on the matter.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, [6] so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Living with such attractive grace and upright conduct would contradict vicious lies and potentially win some over the gospel – all to the glory of God. Jesus said it best: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Our most effective defense against slanderous criticism is our love within the Body of Christ, lives lived with integrity toward those outside the church, and exemplary respect for those in positions of civil authority. These ways of being are so engaging, so appealing as to quiet their false claims and possibly win some people over to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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