E-pistle for September 21, 2012
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e-pistle
FreeWay Foundation September 21, 2012
Exhortations to elders
(I Peter 5:1-14)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Peter as a fellow elder (v. 1)
1. He was a witness of the sufferings of Christ.
2. He was a partaker of the glory to be revealed.
II. Meditation: on being a "witness" and a "partaker"
1. The God of all grace has called us, and part of the "calling" is to suffer persecution,
I Peter 2:21.
2. Suffering is not necessarily a result of my own sin, John 9:23.
3. God's grace is sufficient to carry us through suffering, II Corinthians 12:7.
4. The ultimate calling is to enter into His eternal glory; suffering is not forever, but
only for a little while.
III. Revelation: on what elders should do
1. Shepherd (lead, feed, protect) the flock, v. 2.
2. Oversee the church with a servant's heart: willingly and eagerly, v. 2.
3. Be an example of the spirit of servanthood, v. 3.
4. Submit to one another in humility, vv. 5-6.
5. Live in vital faith, casting all doubt and worry upon God, vv. 7, 9.
6. Be sober and self-controlled, v. 8.
7. Be vigilant, watchful, and alert, v. 8.
8. Courageously and confidently resist the devil, vv. 8-9.
9. Suffer with spiritual perception of God's purposes, vv. 9-10.
10.Glorify God in everything, vv. 10-11.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to, comprehend that . . .
According to verse 10, after the "called" have suffered for awhile, God will:
1. Perfect = finish, complete, make excellent. Suffering makes me more like Christ,
Ephesians 4:13. This is the process of spiritual growth.
2. Establish = to make stable or firm, to permanently fix. Suffering brings me to the
bedrock foundation, Job 19:25; Matthew 16:16. This speaks of the permanence
of our foundation, who is God, Himself.
3. Strengthen = to make more powerful or vigorous; to reinforce. Suffering reveals my
weakness, making opportunity for God's strength to be manifested, II Corinthians 12:10;
Philippians 4:13. This focuses on the power of endurance available from God.
4. Settle = to make secure, quiet, or calm. Suffering, when correctly perceived, brings
assurance and peace, Romans 8:289; Philippians 4:7. This magnifies the peace available
through faith and confidence in God.
"To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever, Amen." I Peter 5:11
The voice from the majestic glory
(II Peter 1:1-21)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Peter greeted the believers, pronouncing grace and peace on them, vv. 1-4.
2. Peter detailed the process on spiritual growth in the faith, vv. 5-11.
3. Peter prophesied about his approaching death, vv. 12-15.
4. Peter testified of the voice he heard from the majestic glory, vv. 16-21.
II. Meditation: on God the Father's speaking from heaven
1. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," II Peter 1:17.
2. This incident occurred on the Mount of Transfiguration:
1) "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.
Listen to Him," Matthew 17:5.
2) "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him," Mark 9:7.
3) "This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him," Luke 9:35.
3. The voice of the Father also gave a similar word at Jesus' baptism: "This is My
Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased," Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22.
4. Five basic truths about Jesus Christ are seen in these quotations:
1) He is the Son of God (5 times).
2) The Father loves the Son (3 times).
3) The Father has chosen the Son (1 time).
4) The Father is well pleased with the Son (1 time).
5) The Father commands us to listen (and obey) the Son (3 times).
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. As Jesus in God's unique Son, so also we who believe are born into God's family . . .
making us His children.
2. As Jesus is loved by the Father, so also we are loved by Him.
3. As Jesus was chosen to fulfill His destiny according to the Father's will, so also we
are chosen to accomplish God's purpose for our lives.
4. As Jesus always pleased the Father, so also our service to God is to be "well done" . . .
as a good and faithful servant.
5. As Jesus spoke for the Father ("Listen to Him!"), so also we are to function as His witnesses.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to know that . . .
1. I am God's son or daughter.
2. I am deeply loved by God.
3. I am chosen to serve God.
4. I can please God by obedient, faithful service.
5. I am God's spokesperson to bring His words to others.
According to Peter, however, even this voice of God the Father coming from heaven is surpassed
in validity by the Scriptures, II Peter 1:18-21.
"When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way,
you will command the attention of the world,"
--George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
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