Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2021
March 2021
 

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the kind, as supreme: 1 Peter 2:13.

As Christians in society, we are free and must not use our freedom to our advantage but as a means to seek the welfare of others.  The overall intention of Peter is to explain that Christians are to be law-abiding citizens and not troublemakers.  This does not mean we are pacifists, those who are into peace at any cost.  That's not Peter's intention here.  We are to obey the laws of the land in a general sense but seek to change things where we can.  When we cannot obey due to the fact that the government has stepped away from God's purposes, then we must stand in defiance to those wicked laws.

We are to be those who do good to all people, even if we do not agree with them or if they are our enemies.  We are to go out of our way to treat all people with respect and kindness.  What Peter gives us is a general overarching command to be model citizens and to do good to all people.

Adapted From:
https://gccwaverly.net/2019/04/16/sermon-examples-of-honorable-living-1-peter-213-25/

In 1 Peter 3, Peter continues his theme of submission as it relates to wives and husbands.  We are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  In any organization, someone must lead, and in God's order the wife is to follow the leadership of her husband.  This does not mean that the man is always right, nor does it mean that the wife cannot have her own opinion, or that she cannot take initiative.  It certainly does not mean that any abusive or neglectful or even unkind power dynamics are legitimate or acceptable.  What it does mean is that if you are married to a man who does not believe, you can win him to Christ by being a Christ-like example in your adornment and actions.

Husbands too, have a calling.  The Apostle Pal emphasized in Ephesians that husbands are to serve and love and sacrifice themselves for their wives.  But husbands are also to respect their wives.  A husband should not demean or diminish or patronize or take advantage of his wife.  He should respect her, honor her, let her work bring her praise at the city gate (publicly respect her).  And the motivation that Peter adds for this way of treating your wife is that if you do, nothing will hinder your prayers.  If you want to pray well, you must live well, and if you are a husband, that includes being considerate and respectful of your wife.

Adapted From:
https://godcenteredlife.org/devotional/1-peter-31-7-wives-and-husbands/

 Finally, be ye all of one mind, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-12 (KJV 1900)

The process of growing up can be painful.  There are ups and downs along the way and from time to time.  We skin a knee or bloody a nose from falling on our faces.  "Growing up" is the objective of the Christian life as well. (Hebrews 5:12 6-1)  The believers addressed in Hebrews had grown older in the faith but they had not grown up.  Few things are more pathetic than a believer who is unable or unwilling to feed themselves on God's Word.

First Peter 3:8-12 gives us a nine-point profile for Christians maturity.  1) A unity of purpose.  2) A sympathetic nature.  3) A brotherly affection.  4) A tender heart.  5) A life of purity.   6) A forgiving heart.  7) A controlled Tongue  8) A life of purity.  9) A peacemaker.

Why is it important that we seek to cultivate theses nine character traits?  "Because the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears attend to their prayer but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (v. 12).  God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (1Peter 5:5) and we want God's grace, not His opposition.  So how are you doing in these areas?

Adapted From:
https://tcc.org/sermon-archive/page/16/

Peter gives us a road map on how we can live a life that matters in this world, while also living as citizens of another world.  When we live in unity with sympathy and compassion for each other, along with humility and brotherly love, we can make a difference.  This kind of life requires that we bless those who curse us and do evil to us.

In order to love life and see good days, we must commit to take the high road and rise above the evil that is prevalent in this world.  We must be people who live like Jesus and choose to build people up by blessing, rather than cursing them.  We also are called to set ourselves apart unto the Lord and always be ready to give an answer to the reason of the hope we have in Christ.  Thus Peter calls believers to give witness of their faith both in their walk and by their words.  Will you give witness of your faith, both in your walk and by your words for the glory of the Kingdom of God?

Adapted From:
http://eaglechristianchurch.com/