Considering Committment 1 Peter 4:1-6

Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 24

Theme- Considering Commitment.

Verses 1 Peter 4:1 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

Considering Commitment.
Christianity Today reported that Banto Masih, A Pakistani Christian was accused by a Muslim acquaintance of "insulting the Prophet Muhammad." His accuser tried to stab him at the court hearing; If convicted Masih will be sentenced to hang to death, as required by Islamic law. If the Shari'a Act was being enforced Christians could not publish anything about their faith. They could not hold annual Christian conventions either because they are evangelistic. And it's considered an attack against Islam to ask people to become Christians.

Christians all around the world are now being revealed to have to decide whether following Jesus Christ is worth the suffering and reject by the political forces, family, and friends. Following Jesus is not a matter of discussing various belief systems. It is a commitment to the person of Jesus as Lord that may require persecution, torture and death.

People who have been touched by the Spirit of Jesus have a unique place in the midst of suffering. Since the first century when all the disciples had to give their lives on the line for their commitment to Jesus followers demonstrated hope in despair, victory even in persecution or death because Jesus has given us hope.

As we focused on the resurrection last week we were reminded of the victory won for us by Jesus Christ. The main message of Peter was let those who harm you be ashamed for they do so because of your good actions, not for any evil reason. Then as an illustration of one suffering for good rather than for evil he points to Jesus who died for our sins. He was righteous we are the unrighteous ones, and he did so in order to bring us to God. He died, and was buried, and rose again.

This is also symbolized in baptism. When we so identify ourselves with Jesus that we are willing to die to old self and live a new life we symbolize that by water baptism. Faith in Jesus saves us just like faith in the work of God by having Noah build an ark saved them. Now Jesus is interceded for us at the right hand of God and all powers are in submission to him.

Augustine was faced with his sinful life and was weeping in remorse. “I was weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when I heard the voice of children from a neighboring house chanting, "take up and read; take up and read." I could not remember ever having heard the like, so checking the torrent of my tears, I arose, interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book and read the first chapter I should find. Eagerly then I returned to the place where I had laid the volume of the apostle. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: "Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not is strife and envy; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." No further would I read, nor did I need to. For instantly at the end of this sentence, it seemed as if a light of serenity infused into my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away. (Augustine)

The commitment to follow Jesus brought Augustine a sense of release from sin and burden from guilt. The path which he would take would be used by God to influence people in remarkable ways for centuries that follow.

The question of suffering causes Christians to evaluate their lives as to what they really believe, and if following Jesus is worth it.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 25

Verses. 1 Peter 4: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

Suffering can Cause us to look to Christ
When I am going through tough times I certainly do more thinking about my life and what might be wrong with it. I usually don’t give a lot of thought of life choices when things are going well. Why is that? We want pain of all sorts to go away and if there is anything we can do, especially in a spiritual commitment, we want to know it. Interestingly, suffering causes us to review our priorities:

I think Peter is reviewing a thought he had given before. Jesus was the suffering servant and prepares His people to do the same. There is a variety of types of suffering which can include physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and social. The world is fallen. But the suffering implied in this context is when the desire to live for Jesus Christ runs in conflict with the world, and specifically the problems we face with decisions to live by a different value. When we say no to sin and fitting in with those around us it can mean a job loss, or family problems, or lawsuits, or hatred, or ostracism.

It seems Peter is referring us back to the point of 1 Pet 2:20-25 “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

The attitude of Jesus that becomes the armament for us in suffering is to do what is right. Jesus did what was right and it resulted in our salvation. Faith is knowing we are on the winning team and this world is a light and momentary affliction. In following the attitude of Jesus in our spiritual attack is knowing in His time God will bring about good. But from a worlds point of view it may not seem like it.

I do not like it when Christians are not allowed to worship in freedom. Many in the world, like in the US, have that privilege. It really is not hard to be a Christian. Not like it is in most of the world. I am thankful that we do not meet in secret, or worry about families killing us when we turn to Jesus. I am grateful I can write openly devotions, or preach (so far) on the radio Biblical convictions. Certainly, when sin is addressed some people do not like it. But I also am aware that pressure from within can influence me in more ways than I care to admit.

One lady from our church recently remembered how lonely it was during her high school days when she did not have friends because she refused to do some of the things her classmates were doing. She remembered the hurts when others teased her and made fun of her. Her personal commitment to Christ means she was going to live for His glory and not for her pleasures. She said she sees how her children are experiencing the same loneliness and social rejection because others do not share the same faith and lifestyle. That is why Christian fellowship is so important.

The hard thing for most of our youth is the temptation to want Jesus and friends also by going along with whatever crowd they happen to be around. It is easy to cheat, lie, smoke, drink, curse, do drugs, or have sex when everyone around them seems to be doing it. Then they can go to church and youth group and talk about Jesus. But down deep, if they are saved, the Holy Spirit gnaws at their conscience and they know they are living a lie. There is little joy in knowing the Lord.

But many adults have also fallen into the worldview of materialism, or political commitment, or social relationships that can results in compromise with seeking to live for God’s glory. Drunkenness and drugs as well as shady business deals can influence people to seek the good life when again there is something missing in their soul relationship with the Lord. Sin does get in the way.

For the godly person who seeks to live a life on integrity, honestly, purity, and victory others too often feel uncomfortable around them and just as soon leave them alone.

One church attendee shared how doing a good job at work caused other workers around him to ridicule him for trying to get it well with the management at their expense, making them look bad. They thought management would expect more out of them if this man produce more work in the same amount of time. He would get promotions they felt they deserved because some of them had worked their longer. To fit in he was pressured to do less than his best. It was like the crabs wanting to pull him down when he was succeeding. That work ethic came from his Christian commitment to honor the Lord and do right. What was he to do?

Have the same attitude as Jesus. Arm yourselves knowing that if you live for the Lord you will experience various degrees of rejection, loneliness, persecution, but do right anyways as this is pleasing unto the Lord.

We do not live in judgment or superiority to others, but humility to let Christ be seen in us in love and in faithfulness first to Him. What would Jesus do if He were in your situation?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 26

Verses 1 Peter 4: 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Suffering Can Cause us to seek God’s Will
We do some self evaluation when we are hurting. Peter’s point was to be encouraged by looking to Jesus and His suffering which came as a result of his commitment to the will of the Father. He suffered and died out of love.

Some parents will go through great deal of suffering and inconvenience out of love for their children. It gives purpose for their pain. Love for freedom or for the country motivates soldiers to sacrifice themselves in harms way in war.

There are many Christian volunteers who suffering hardship while serving the Lord in difficult situations and circumstances. Missionaries and pastors have suffered so lost people can know Jesus Christ to be their Savior. By our witness are we willing to suffer if it becomes a testimony to others of truth of God?

I have often visited with people who were suffering who wanted to understand the will of God in their situation.

Peter is addressing Christians and is calling them to a life of holiness. He is calling them to follow Jesus by repudiating sin. It is a call to distinguish between human desires and sinful desires.
Peter calls us to arm ourselves with that same attitude that Jesus had by submitting ourselves to God's will. To arm yourself pictures a warrior putting on armor for protection and weapons for offense. When we are in God's will we do have spiritual protection against the temptations of the evil one. According to Ephesians 6 our offensive weapons become prayer and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Having the Holy Spirit dwell in our lives opens us up to a greater will for which we live. But it seems when suffering comes we have to ask if we really are in His will and doing what He wants or have we missed something.

Jesus purpose is also stated in John 4:34 "My desire is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work." When someone is suffering for any reasons, his priorities change. When one man was diagnosed with terminal cancer he said new cars and new suits are no longer important, but God, family, and church are. One person going through the pains of divorce said, “All the things I thought were so important and I worked so hard to obtain really are nothing compared to my family, but it's too late now.”

Suffering many times brings people to their knees before God. Words of commitment are often spoken in foxholes in the midst of attack and unfortunately forgotten when all is safe again. That is true in others circumstances of tragedies and difficulties. I hear little of prayer mentioned on the news these days, but when 9/11 attack occurred there was hardly a news station and political leader that didn’t speak of prayer.

When Christians face suffering for their faith they evaluate their real desires and material possession and ask, “is it really worth it?” There are many Christians who have become spiritual giants through painful crises in their lives and said such things like, "This experience drove me to my knees. I vowed that when I got out of the hospital, I'd be all out for God from now on.
What is God’s will for my life? It is more in the letting Him work where you are than what you do. When you are yielded in your will to follow Him, don’t worry about where or when He leads. Obey today what you know you should be doing.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 27

Verses- 1 Pet 4: 3-4 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do-- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

Suffering can cause us to Leave Sin
With re-evaluation of life many will be confronting with sin while experiencing suffering. Sometimes suffering is a result of sin or misdeeds. But if we suffer as a Christian it can also be a purifying experience. I am not saying, like some superstitious people, that we will hurt ourselves to pay for sin, but rather like Peter said in Chapter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Suffering purifies us and causes us to reflect on how we are living and what changes might be made. The list here depicts the former life. Former friends do not understand. They might get angry that we don't join them in sin or party with them any longer. For many getting a high, getting drunk, having sex, partying are the greatest pleasures. They don’t understand the joy of Jesus in a proper relationship lasts in the long run.

Jesus preached in Matthew 24:36 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding in the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. "

I believe the message in Noah's day is the same in Peter's day and is the same today. I believe Peter uses the people of Noah's day who lived in debauchery as the ones who symbolize those who continue in their selfish, ego pleasing, God ignoring lives. Pleasure is for the now and eating and drinking and making marry is more important than the warning to repent of sins. They had no idea how they would be judged of God.

This is now the message of Christ to you. If you continue to live in selfish, pleasure seeking, God ignoring lives, refuse to repent of your sin and seek forgiveness from Christ who died for your sin, then there will be judgment for the living and the dead.

Susannah Wesley mother of John and Charles Wesley summed it up once in this striking way, "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or removes your relish for Spiritual things that is sin to you."

Lloyd Steffen wrote in the Christian Century how when King Frederick II 18th century king of Prussia, was visiting a prison in Berlin, the inmates tried to prove to him how they had been unjustly imprisoned, All except one. That one sat quietly in the corner, while all the rest protested their innocence. Seeing him sitter there oblivious to the commotion, the king asked him what he was there for. "Armed Robbery, your honor." The king asked, "Were you guilty?" "Yes, Sire" he answered. "I entirely deserve my punishment."

The king then gave an order To the guard; "Release this guilty man. I don't want him corrupting all these innocent people"

The people to whom Peter was writing could all say, yes, that was my life. I am guilty of being earth bound. Now I repent of that and will follow Jesus wherever he leads. Repentance is our key of being released from the lusts of this flesh and finding the joy of Jesus.

When he is talking about ceasing from sin, Peter is not saying there is sinless perfection. In an article called Discipline of the Darkroom, B.C. Lovelace compares the Christian experience to photography. He says that in taking a snapshot, an image is made on the exposed negative the instant the shutter opens. Before the picture can be seen however, the film must go through the developing process. So too at the moment of conversion the light of the Savior floods the heart of the new believer and Christ's own likeness is indelibly impressed on his spirit. Then this miracle of grace also must be followed by a process of development. The Savior's image becomes visible as we are changed into His likeness. This involved the darkroom experience of adversity. In addition to trials, the Lord's correcting hand may also have a sanctifying effect on the Christian, Difficult as your darkroom experience may be, you should thank the Lord for you are being developed.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 28

Verses-1 Pet 4: 5,6 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Suffering Can cause us to consider Eternity.
This is a most interesting passage. There is an accounting in the judgment and Jesus judges the living and the dead. Each one must stand before God. That is why the gospel is preached. It is preached to those who are spiritually dead to Jesus Christ so they might accept the Lord and turn to salvation even though the bodies die, their spirits might live. Or specifically that men who persecute the Christian be it in Soviet Union, or Pakistan, or Cuba, can only harm the body, the worse things anyone can do is persecute the body, but the spirit is God's and that is how we live.

Living for Jesus Christ is not easy. When we live for Christ, really live righteous and godly lives, the unbelievers of the world reject us. They want little to do with pure righteousness and pure godliness. A godly life convicts them and demands that they live like God or else face His judgment.

There is a day coming when God Himself, by the Lord Jesus Christ, will judge both the living and the dead. There is a judgment for the Lord's people so that our works might be appraised. We are given rewards according to our works or suffer loss accord to our works (1 Cor 3 and 2 Cor 5) There is the great white throne judgment when all who have died in unbelief, who have rejected or put off trusting in Christ to save them and coming to him by commitment of their lives and receiving God's Holy Spirit into their lives. All will be judged and all whose names are not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, or hell. Rev. 20:11-15 is clear about that. This is what is referred as the judgment of the dead.

Jesus said He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed out of death into life.(John 5:24) The message of repentance was true of Noah's day it is true today. It is a message that for a time people will suffer ridicule and rejection for following God. That was true for Noah, that was true for Jesus and that was true for Peter's readers the first century Christian? Is that true for you and me? When take heart God provides a way of escape. That was the Ark that is Jesus. This message is victorious.

Our time to respond to Jesus is now. It seems to me that the gospel is preached that enlivens men to God and deadens men to the things of the flesh. The reverse is true to be alive to the fleshly things is to be dead to Christ. That which brings life from death is the response and acceptance of the preaching of the good news.


Pastor Dale

The Work of Christ 1 Peter 3:18-22

Sermon Nuggets Week of Aug 17 1 Pet 3:18-22

Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 17

Theme -The Work of Christ

Verses I Pt. 3:18-22

This passage talks about baptism and I would like a reminder of the teachings from Scriptures. Every time someone is baptized they symbolize the work of Jesus Christ and their faith in what He has done for his or her life.

Next Sunday we will be witnessing two baptisms during our morning service. I wish there were more. I don’t think many people today realize this is a commandment by our Savior.

According to Romans 6 it ties readily into identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. I am a Baptist by conviction. Among the other distinctives we follow the teaching of a believer’s baptism. I remember having to do a study during my Sunday School days in 5th and 6th grade class to look up baptism in the New Testament and check off if faith or belief comes first or baptism comes first. I got a prize for my Bible study. But more importantly it was very clear that never was water baptism mentioned in the Bible without faith and belief being the condition of baptism. It is to be practiced by a believer in Jesus not done to a baby or a child.

When many people within the Christian faith baptize babies they do so believing that baptism and salvation is so closely tied together that if someone wasn’t baptized they were not saved. I was attending a Church of Christ denomination at the time where salvation was preached but it was not complete until one followed the Lord in baptism by immersion. The verses quoted included Acts 2:37b-38 “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

My church taught that if someone accepted Jesus in the morning service they better get baptized that same day unless they die or the Lord comes and they are not fully saved.
The passage that convinced me otherwise was 1 Cor 1:14-18 when Paul stated, “I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.)

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ‘
Indeed if baptism was a requirement for salvation Paul would have not made such a radical statement. It was based on acceptance of the message, the preaching of the gospel on the cross and why Jesus died.

If baptism was a pre-requisite for salvation Paul would have sought to baptize every one he could but Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel.

The facts are there- we are not saved by water baptism; only believers should be baptized. But it is commanded by Jesus. It is the public witness that we trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He wants all followers to be baptized. The word means immerse.

I talked with a man and his wife about joining Stanchfield. He confessed his salvation by faith in Jesus but since baptism is clearly not part of salvation he didn’t see any reason why he should. I turned to the passages that commanded it. Would that not be a good enough reason? If my child loved me he would obey me. That was Jesus point. Why call Him Lord, Lord and not do the things He tells us?

Out of obedience we submit ourselves to Him in following the commitment by water baptism. The more we ignore his commands the more we create what we are willing to do and not do our of our conveniences or wisdom rather than submit to his will and let him do with that as He wishes.

I was baptized at the age of 9 in a Baptist church. The Lord convicted me that I did so for the wrong child hood reasons and I indeed never trusted Christ for forgiveness of my sins. When the Holy Spirit spoke to me of my need I trusted him to save me. It wasn’t until I was in Seminary that I was “re-baptized” in a Baptist Church as I realize my baptism was not a believers baptism. It is a doctrine that I think has been pushed in the background of importance in our day.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 18

Verse 1 Peter 3: 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

The Christian message is about a Death

Peter points to the work of Jesus beginning with His death. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. There is body and there is spirit. The way the Bible explains death humanly is when man's spirit leaves body. The resurrection has no meaning apart from death. Jesus died once for all.

The Salvation story begins with the physical death of Jesus, as the Son of God. There are many modes of capital punishment, sawing people in half, being thrown to lions. According to some commentaries some people were also drowned, suffocated, and beaten to death, or put to the sword. But crucifixion was considered the worst.

We are reminded that Jesus was falsely charged. The arrest, the trials, the mockery, the scourging with whips, the humiliation, was all part of the suffering of our Lord prior to the cross. The carrying of the cross with a raw and ripped bleeding back, the nailing of his hands and feet to the cross, were part of His bearing with our sin. It was not only the suffering in his body, but the point that hatred, lies, hypocrisy, man made religion, abuse, rejection, mockery are all part of the human heart against God.

During a crucifixion the victim was offered a drug to deaden the pain, but Jesus refused that. Left to heat, bleeding, fever, headache, thirst, anxiety, but when all was accomplished and his work on earth was finished, he gave up the ghost as according to Scripture.

Peter previously pointed people who were suffering to think of Jesus suffering. He suffered in order to bring us to God. This death is to introduce us to the king. Jesus continually brings us to God. In the name of Jesus we have fellowship with Almighty God. He died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust. He paid our penalty and removes our sin.

But the baptism story is not only about the death of Jesus, but about our own death too. Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” 6:23 tells us that price for our sin is death. Death is a physical and spiritual curse that affects each and every person. We are all spiritually dead to God. Our sin has to be removed for us to be alive to God.

There is another term for sin which translated means missing the mark. There are lots of good deeds, and many religions activities, and noble actions, but regardless how happy we feel about it or what others think it all misses the mark of God’s righteousness. It is sin.

Jesus paid the price for our offense and character. He is innocent, but he died for me because I am not innocent.

Did you notice that, once for all? Christ is not and cannot be crucified again according to the Bible. That's also why the temple veil was torn in two and the priests need not offer sacrifices any longer for the perfect sacrifice was paid. We completed the job and there is no more suffering that can be added by other people to complete salvation's requirements.

When A.J. Gordon was a pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the church carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered. He discovered that the boy had trapped them out in the field and was going to play with them and feed them to his cat. Gordon offered to buy them,

"Mister, you don't want them" he told him. "They're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well."

"I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, its a deal, but you're making a mistake."

Gordon walked around the back of the church property opened the door and let the birds soar into the air. The next Sunday he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ coming to seek and save the lost-paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not song birds, but when I released them, they winged their way heavenward and it seemed to me they were singing, "Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed."

You and I have been held prisons, we have been dead but Christ death purchased our pardon and set us free.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 19

Verses- 1 Peter 3:19-21 He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.

The Christian message is about a Burial.

Proclamation is not evangelism, it is heralding an announcement.

Often the phrases I am using for this week’s devotional become foundational for the faith. Paul affirms this bedrock truth by stating

1 Cor 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” He preaches the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Why is make the point that He was buried? That seems to be an important part of the dogma. What happened from the time Jesus died until he rose again? Scholars give us different answers.

These verses are quoted and interpreted differently, so there is no firm agreement as to what exactly Peter means. One interpretation is that the Spirit of Christ was with Noah preaching repentance to the people before the flood came. They rejected the gracious message of God even then. Now they are doomed to destruction.

Another interpretation indicating by the Apostle’s Creed that when Jesus died His Spirit went to the place where dead souls are kept and preached to those who didn't have a chance to hear Noah's message before destruction came and now they could know the truth. Such preaching gave them a chance to respond to faith in Jesus.

There is also the interpretation that the word, Spirit, doesn't refer to the human dead. It is used for angels. So that when Jesus was in the Spirit He went to the fallen angels and proclaimed victory. He proclaimed defeat over Satan. Fallen angels or demons were the recipient of Christ message and Jesus proclaimed their eternal doom. They lost the war. It is now too late.

Now which do I think is right? I favor the thought that He preached to those who died and brought the faithful with Him to glory. But one thing is sure- Jesus was not resting. He was proclaiming victory.

There is a spiritual consciousness after death. The souls of the saved and the unsaved have some awareness after death. When we are buried, we do not lose consciousness, but rather expand our consciousness in new dimensions. Whomever Jesus was preaching to He was busy while His followers were grieving.

For His followers Jesus burial was an event of sadness. It was the time to prepare His body for the tomb and grieve His physical death. It seemed as if all their dreams and hopes were also buried. There was the sense of disappointment and loss. But something was going on with those who had already departed. The world of the unseen were being introduced to the living Lord before His bodily resurrection.

He pictures for us salvation by the type of Noah and the Ark. Judgment came. The water was the means of destroying the earth. It was buried in water. God graciously provided an Ark to save some of his creation and 8 people who were saved. Before the “burial” of the earth, people refused to accept the message of repentance and faith. Peter takes this picture and applies it to the New Testament preaching. The message of repentance and faith in Christ is preached and still many do not respond. As Noah was saved through water by the safety of the Ark, so the baptized are passed through the water or made safe through Jesus Christ. Water didn't save them, the ark did. Water doesn't cleanse us spiritually, it is the clear conscious. How do we get the clear conscious? We are having all our guilt taken away. There is only one way that happens and that is by Jesus. We trust in His works, not ours, and commitment ourselves to him.

Burial means the old is dead. Sin is destroyed for the one in faith. Our old nature is put to rest. The sin put upon Christ is also buried. But there is the wonderful news of the resurrection.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thur Aug 20

Verses- 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

Christian message is about the Resurrection.

We talked about the phrase “made alive by the Spirit” when we acknowledged death was from a bodily perspective but Jesus was conscious and working among the spirits-either those who died before and/or angels and demons.

But there is another victorious truth. By the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus also bodily arose from the grave. Death could not even hold his body. Our Savior died, but He rose again. On the first day of the week as it began to dawn, as the sun was gleaming through the olive trees and lit up the garden of Joseph of Arimathea the early arrivals to the tomb found it was empty. They found the grave clothes left there. They wondered what could have happened.

The first to see Jesus, according to John 20, was Mary Magdalene. She saw Him in the garden with a new white robe of righteousness. He left the grave clothes for us. The angels touched the stone which covered the tomb. It was removed. Jesus came forth from its vault. Do you know that as just a sign for the soldiers and for the women and disciples? None of that was needed in the new resurrected body. In fact when he met the disciples later in that night he did need a door to be opened, or an opening to let him in or out. I believe that open grave was for our benefit. It was necessary to give witness and glory to the watching world that the grave was opened in this glorious resurrection.

Jesus stayed around on the earth for 40 more days, a time sufficient for the confirmation of his identity and teaching. People saw and talked with Him as proof He really did rise from the grave. I don’t know for sure, but the Scripture passages only included sightings by believers in Jesus. Were those the only ones?

We remember when Thomas doubted Jesus alive He invited Thomas to put his finger in the print of the nails and hand into the side. 500 people at one time according to Paul's account in Corinthians were eye witnesses of His appearances. His appearance was not a vision held by one or two but before a great company of people in various stages of acceptance of the resurrection.

During those days He brought comfort to his disciples. He wiped away their tears. They were no longer sorrowful.

But as we think of the resurrection of Christ we cannot minimize the hope that is ours of our personal resurrection. When will that take place? At the glorious return of Jesus Christ.

That is why we have hope. “We serve a risen savior who is in the world today!” “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own.”

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 21

Verses -1 Pet 3:22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Christian Message is about the Ascension

The ascension of Jesus is part of the Christian story. Jesus’ physical body is no longer on earth as described more clearly in the first chapter of Acts. But His physical and resurrected body ascended up into the clouds and out of sight with the promise of returning again in the same manner.

The ascension message is that He is at “God’s right hand”. The picture is one of authority and intercession. In the role of the high priest Jesus represents us before the Father in heaven. The Son is before the Father interceding on our behalf. His prayers are ever within the holy place. He is now in heaven as our representative.

All spiritual powers are in submission to him. All angels and demons are in submission to Him. At the present time not all creation is acting according to the will of Jesus, but some day at the Father’s timing it will do so.

Jesus did not go to heaven until it was settled and confirmed by the believers that He was alive again. He had the power over death itself. During this time He also prepared them for His departure. He made them see that it was to their advantage that He goes away because then the Holy Spirit would come and commune with them and they would be filled with His peace.

They were children now of a different world. They were strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. They heard Him speak to them and they were commissioned to proclaim the truth.

Verse 22 points to the glorification of Christ. He is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God. They could not embrace his feet or listen to his stories. But neither is Peter at home on earth anymore. Just as he longed to be with Jesus also in Heaven, so he is now.

The right hand of God is a place of honor. This expression of course, is a figure to point to the shadow of human authority and honor before a sovereign king. It helps us better grasp the heavenly truths of respect love, power and honor to Jesus in the Heavenly is giving. He has conquered and is presently ruling. Jesus is the victor! He is in control. He is preparing a place for us and will come again to receive his bride. As He loves us, the Father loves Him and receives us as His own through the work and will of the Son, who delights in serving the Father. It is a beautiful picture causes us to trust in not only what Jesus did, but what He is presently doing.

As William Barclay writes, "Here is the great belief that there is no created being in heaven or earth outside the empire and the power of Christ. Christ the sufferer has become Christ the victor, and Christ the crucified has become Christ the crowned?"

In the passages of this week Peter pointed to Jesus as our example for being a sufferer, but at the end the proclamation is victory. That's the story! There is victory even in your suffering. It was the will of a loving God that His Son suffers. It was God's will that He be buried, and praise God it was the plan even from the Old Testament that He be raised to life again. All that happened was according to God's great design. The Death, Burial and Resurrection are the heart of the Christian message. The ascension reminds us it is already done, but not quite yet realized until He returns.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Pastor Dale

A Real Witness 1 Peter 3:13-17

Sermon Nuggets Week of August 10, 2009

Sermon Nugget Mon Aug 10

Theme- A REAL WITNESS

Verses: 1 Pet 3:13-17

A Real Witness
There are two reasons for suffering. First, because we are part of humanity. All of us experience difficulties as part of our fallen world, all people in all faiths and all over the world.

Then there is suffering that is for being a Christian. This may come in various forms and sources. It may be from Satan that seeks to discourage or discredit our testimony for Christ. It may come to us from God to discipline us, teach us, strengthen us, or cause us to be witnesses.

Before I had the privilege of teaching in Russia on a short term missions trip, I read an article entitled, "Praying with the KGB" by Philip Yancey. He addressed the religious changes going on in Russia. 19 evangelical leaders were invited to Moscow to advise the government on rebuilding moral values of Christianity. Yancey accompanied them. They were invited to the headquarters of the KGB who oversaw the vast network of prisons. Some people estimate the KGB were responsible for up to 70 million deaths not to mention many tortures against all political enemies of Communism.

The Vice President of the KGB stood to speak, among other things he said, "Political questions cannot be decided until there is sincere repentance, a return to faith by the people. That is the cross I must bear. In the study of scientific atheism, there was the idea that religion divides people. Now we see the opposite: love for God can only unite. Somehow we must learn to put together the missionary role- absolutely critical for us now- and also learn from Marx that man can't appreciate life if he is hungry. "

Alex was one of the visitors. He had been born in the Soviet Union. He had escaped during Stalin's reign of terror and immigrated to the US 46 years earlier. He had been broadcasting Russian Christian programs by shortwave radio for a number of years. It was illegal to listen to Alex Leonovich. The Soviet government tried to jam the reception. He knew personally many Christian who had been tortured and persecuted for their faith. Now for him to be received by the high officials of the KGB was incomprehensible. They were saying that repentance was needed before rebuilding was possible.

Alex epitomized the old guard of warriors who have prayed, sometimes believing and sometimes not, for more than 50 years that change might come to the nation. He said, "General, many members of my family suffered because of this organization. I myself had to leave the land that I loved. My uncle, who was very dear to me, went to a labor camp in Siberia and never returned. General, you say that you repent. Christ taught us how to respond. On behalf of my family, on behalf of my uncle, who died in the gulag, I forgive you." He reached over to the vice chairman and gave him a great Russian bear hug.

The General whispered, "only two times in my life have I cried. Once when my mother died and the other is tonight."

Many Christian Soviets still questioned if this was only a cover-up by the officials. But meeting after meeting astounded them. The editor in chief of Pravda the communistic publication said, "Morality is the worst crises, worse than the economic and political problems. Christian values may be the only thing to keep our country from falling apart."

Mikhail Gorbachev himself addressed the group, "Let me to honest with you-I am an atheist. Even so I have profound respect for your beliefs. This time, more than ever before, we need support from our partners and I value solidarity with religions. But I must say for a long time I have drawn comfort from the Bible. Ignoring religious experience has meant great losses for society and I must acknowledge that Christians are doing much better than our political leaders on the important questions facing us. We welcome your help, especially when it is accompanied by deeds."

Two years later I was able to go to Southern Russia and teach pastors for the first time. I met a Communist director of a region who detested Baptists and didn’t like my being at an orphanage. I was invited into a school to speak on America and we were allowed to pass out Bibles. It seems the mood of openness is changing as Putin is returning to some more oppressive restrictions when it comes to faith matters. But what type of witness does a commitment to Jesus Christ leave for those watching us? What does the Lordship of Jesus Christ mean for us? What does it mean of the people of USSR? How important is a little religion in one's life? How important is complete and total dedication to Christ because He is God and there is none like Him.

The Lordship of Jesus affects all areas of life.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 11

Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Jesus Makes a Difference in our Affections
I will address verse 15 again but when Peter addresses the subject of making a difference in our witness the focal point of it all is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Our commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ certainly is a matter of obedience and faithfulness and commitment but above all is affection. Love God with all your heart. Love Him with your strength. Love Him with your mind.

Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”(KJV) Our desires, our attention, our attraction is all on the one we love. We love because God first loved us. How does that love show in our lives? Is Jesus our secret love or do people know it?

When I see someone the young infatuated with their boyfriend or girlfriend he/she makes it known. Even if it is a secret love it usually shows by the way they look at another. They will think about this person, take notice about their actions and voice and friendships. When that relationship moves from secret to open in their feelings, it is more visible from an outward appearance. Sometimes they will advertise on t-shirts with pictures, or lockets around their neck, or friendship rings. If they are young, you can bet they have Facebook pictures full of the love of their life, and cell phone photos as their background picture than includes images of the other. Text messages abound back and forth.

When someone talks all the time of their girl or guy, I frankly get a bit turned off thinking they don’t really understand the depth of love that comes from commitment through had times, making tough decisions about finances, helping one another in sickness and it raising kids, and through the struggles of ego and pride and in-laws and priorities that are life changing.

The love-affection of mid years shows itself differently than up front advertisement. And to see the love of an older couple also has a richness where such partnership has earned a respect that when you see one, you have seen the other since their lives are so intertwined, not in infatuation, but a deeper identity that comes with time of walking, talking and living in closeness together.

Peter learned a lot when he was walking and talking and living together with Jesus. He learned about how his passions needed to channeled into ways filled by the Holy Spirit instead of his fleshly zeal. He needed to sit a listen a lot more and speaking a lot less until he knew Him of whom he spoke.

He needed to know that even when he blow it the love of Jesus toward him sustained him, forgave him, and because the very reason of his living. The priorities of Jesus changed his outlook toward family, vocation, and faith. Peter’s growing love for Jesus came from understanding the depth of Jesus love for Peter. Now the Lordship issue was more important than life itself. Jesus was more than a devotional time in the morning, or temple time at mid-day. His life was to be lived through Peter and Peter wanted it that way.

Perhaps the most significant conversation is found in John 21 when Jesus asked three times if Peter loves him. “You know that I do,” Peter replies. He is almost frustrated with Jesus who keeps facing him with the heart issue more than the call to action. The Greek words used included an affection of friendship, but also a commitment that was self giving. Why is it men have a harder time saying "I love you." What is it about intimacy that make some people reserved? Maybe when one gives their heart to another they are no longer as much in control. They have given themselves away and that threatens control. That is exactly the point of Lordship. It is saying that I am off the throne of deciding what I want to do with Jesus and now He is in control of my affections and has desires of what He wants to do through me. For Peter it was to tend his sheep and catch men for the Kingdom.

Love is more than advertising on a t-shirt, or web page. When someone really loves another, people notice it. It would be impossible to hide Peter’s affection toward Jesus, even if he said no words. So he writes to these sheep of Jesus, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.”

The beauty of the stain glassed windows of cathedrals are best seen when the light shines from within. It is the inner light that reflects the glory of Christ in your talking, walking, living and loving our Lord.

Pastor Dale


Sermon Nugget Weds Aug 12

Verses- 1 Peter 3:13-14 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

Jesus makes a Difference in our Actions.
When we have made the Lord the focus of our affection it changes how we live, which becomes a witness to others. Similar to the advice that Peter gives to slaves, the readers are told to do good. For in doing what is right and good, people will give you respect more often than not. However even if they do not like you Jesus said you will be blessed if you suffer for doing what is right and good. It is better to be blessed at the hand of God than it is to be blessed at the hand of men. It is better to be harmed at the hand of men than to be harmed under the discipline of the Lord. Let Jesus be Lord over all your life and your actions.

I think of people at Stanchfield that have been very kind and loving people, but who have been the recipients of criticism and unjust accusations. Certainly they were hurt since it was not their intention to harm anyone’s feelings. They felt misunderstood and tried to correct it. They prayed for their critics.

As I look back with many years now, I can tell you one thing- I wish the Spirit of God would speak to anyone here who is holding grudges. I know their critics who refused to release their anger did not seek to forgive or make amends. They are no longer in the church; they have become spiritually weak. They are, I believe, under the earthly judgment of God and if they do not repent of their sin and also give up their bitterness and make things right they will pay a greater spiritual consequence. Those who did what was right even when falsely accused continued to grow and honor the Lord in their lives.

The Lordship of Jesus Christ affects our Actions. Do good regardless of what people do to you.

In Philip Yancey’s article he talked about being at a meeting in Russia when an ex-convict named Basil unexpectedly showed up. Basil had been listening to reports of their visits all over the Soviet national radio network. For years he had tuned in secretly to short-wave programs listening to gospel messages. Now these men were meeting with President Gorbachev, the Supreme Soviet, KGB, and Kremlin. He couldn't believe it so he got on a night train and rode 14 hours to see if it was really true.

Basil had broad, hulking shoulders and rugged weather beaten features of a farmer. Two front teeth on top row were missing and when he smiled, gold fillings gleamed from the back of his mouth. He asked for 5 minutes to address the Christian visitors.

1962 He was publishing gospel tracts and had been witnessing and giving them away. The KGB arrested him and sent him to a labor camp. He was perplexed. Why would God punish him for serving Him? Then one morning he saw God had given him a new opportunity. Every morning before sun-up prisoners from the labor camp had to assemble in a open space for roll call. Camp commanders insisted on strict punctuality from them but not from the guards. As a result 1,000s of prisoners stood outdoors for several minutes each morning with nothing to do. Basil decided to start a church.

He preached daily to a captive audience. He had from 2 to 5 minutes before guards arrived and it may have taken him 2 weeks to deliver a sermon. He had to shout to be heard by several 1,000 prisoners outdoor so his voice developed into the largest and loudest Yancey ever heard.

“Many Prisoners came to faith in Jesus Christ.” He said, "There were many years when I had no encouragement" now he was weeping openly, and voice cracked, "The words of from this radio minister I carried in my heart and encouraged me when my hands were tied behind my back."

Yancey wrote, "Suddenly, I burned with shame. Here we were 10 evangelical professional who made a good living from our faith, sitting in a luxurious hotel. What did we know about the kind of bedrock faith needed in this nation, of people who had endured such suffering? What gave us the right to represent the Basils of USSR before the Supreme Soviet and the KGB?"

There were people who when Jesus said come and follow me, gave up their jobs, their families and their freedom and went to the worse prisons of USSR because they knew Jesus was Lord of their lives. They witnessed there, they preached there, they prayed there. They longed to see a Bible. They passed secret messages. They gave away their food and took care of some of the sick. Basil's prayers, work and witness were being realized. He lived out the Lordship of Jesus in action.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs 1 Peter 3:15

Verse- 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Jesus Makes a Difference in our Answers.
From this verse we already discussed the priority of affection and love for the Lord. Now I want to center on the importance of our answers we give for our hope.

The word is apologia, literally meaning a defense of our faith. We “apologize” when seeking forgiveness, but that is an added meaning of the word. Peter says give reasons for your hope. Hope comes by trusting in Christ. When Christians are under trial and persecution our attention is pointed in the future. Christians going under persecution look forward to Christ’s return and fulfillment of His promises.

When Christians were arrested fellow prisoners took notice for the believers had a hope others did not have. They were asked how they can be joyful, have peace, and be optimistic knowing they will suffer or die. They had an opportunity to point to a world beyond the immediate. They had hope.

Peter tells his readers to plan, be prepared, be aware that you will be asked about your faith. Have an answer ready for everyone. If you let the light of Christ shine there will be times God will open up doors of conversation. Pray for opportunities to arise that may occur. Our faith is not just a belief in practices and customs of ancient religion 1,000s of years ago. It is a vital and living reality and relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive today. Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe?

Some people look upon religion as a crutch. Some feel they are self-sufficient and able to stand on their own feet. Many think it is all right for weak women and children but they don't need it. What do you tell such people?

Phillip Yancey expected the Soviet news reporters to be full of critical attacks against their faith. Instead the types of questions they were asked were "What is forgiveness?” “How can you know God?" I trust you would be able to give an answer to someone if they asked how to become a Christian.

He recounts only one visit when professors at a University verbally attacked the Christian visitors to Russia in 1992. They charged that with recent openness to capitalism they had not seen any improvement. One professor noted capitalism flourished where teenagers were employed by the Russian mafia exploiting foreign tourists, the only people with hard cash. The soft-porno magazines sprang up and TV programs from the West were shocking the people. Their daughters were talking about becoming hookers. Their sons were scheming for profits on the black market. Where was the new ethics in this new freedom?

Another one of the Marxist professors stood in anger and said things like "We need not have God to have morality. Why pretend there is a God?” It didn't matter to him if he was the last one in all of Moscow to believe in Marxist philosophy. He shouted, "Marxism had not failed. Yes, Stalin made mistakes. Yes even our beloved Lenin made mistakes. Perhaps even Marx made some mistakes, but go back to the young Marx and there you will find the purity of the socialist vision. There you will find a morality based on Man with the capital M. That is what we need. As for Christianity, we have tried that in Russia for 1,000 years. It has failed.” He continued his defend of atheism and Marxism for 15-20 minutes.

There was great tension in the room. One of the Christian visitors, Kent Hill, rose and spoke in a soft measured tone. He had a Ph.D in Russian studies. He responded, “Freedom of religion includes the freedom for those who do not believe in God." The professors nodded in approval. He told them the issues raised are important. They are of ultimate meaning for humanity and for the universe. But one night's discussion would hardly do justice to these issues. He offered to return to the academy with some Christian friends and set up a means to answer these important matters. Then he shared his personal story.

Kent told of the times of doubts in his life He began reading Dostoevsky’s great novel, The Brothers Karamazov. He was attracted to the character, Ivan the agnostic who had many good arguments against God. They were powerful especially concerning the problem of evil. Kent added, “But to my surprise I was eventually won over by the love shown by Ivan's brother, Alyosha. Ivan had fine argument but he had no love. He could reason his way to a morality, but he could not create the love necessary to fulfill it. I came to believe in Christ because I found in him a source for that love."

The meeting was transformed. Kent Hill had done far more than any professors’ arguments. He begun with a respect for their beliefs and was courtesy and compassionate. He then tried to let them see Jesus in Him.

A witness just shares what they know or what they have experienced. We grow in our understanding by being consistent learners of the Scriptures. We grow in our relationship to other believers and develop conversations with those who do not know Christ. Most people are not antagonistic to faith issues. They are ignorant of them. If presented in a personal and loving way, God uses your story more than you can imagine.

The Lordship of Jesus is seen in answers that are guided by His Spirit, spoken in love. Think about how you can give a hope for your faith.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 14

Verses- 1 Peter 3:16,17 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Jesus makes a Difference in our Attitudes.
Although not a Christian, Ghandi learned the tactic of non-violence from the New Testament. Martin Luther King was inspired also from passages like this one to stand strong but in respectful and gentle ways without violence. I think Peter is realizing the fight against evil is not something man can win. It is only by the power of the Lord that the Kingdom of God advances, and his tactic is to have is people show love, even to enemies. Sharing our faith and hope is to be done with gentleness and respect even to those who seek to do us evil, for they will be guilty of their actions based on our good responses. God will avenge and reward.

We must keep a good conscience. Live according to the moral teachings of the Bible. It is possible for your conscience to be deadened to the Spirit of God when evil, lying, cheating, covering things up do not affect us anymore. Commitment to holy living and yielded spirit are weapons God uses in us.

I see many preachers who are arrogant or belligerent people. Some Christians carry a superior attitude toward others that is resented. God uses the humble. Humility comes not by doing or saying nothing, but being aware all we have comes from God. Any illumination or insight in truth is by the enlightenment of God’s Spirit. It amazes me that God would take his glorious truths and use clay pots like us to be vessels of His service. Such a witness has an attitude of winsomeness and love and reverence.

If a believer is faithfully serving Christ he will be criticized. If everybody speaks well of him perhaps something is wrong. But as a Christian you can gain from criticism by revealing weaknesses that need addressing, and if the charge is untrue, it can help one grow and bring glory to Christ. This attitude of turning it over to Christ, showing love and being kind even in the midst of persecution is what toppled communism with all of its tyranny and abuses.

A Christian witness must be prepared rational, gentle and maintain respect and all with a clear conscience. Those who speak maliciously against good behavior in Christ will be ashamed of their slander.

When Philip Yancey arrived back in the United States from his initial trip to Russia in 1992, most of the media reported symptoms of a fatally flawed economic system. Interestingly Yancey said that not one mentioned what every Soviet leader insisted that the grave crisis is not economic or political, but rather moral and spiritual. Alexander Solzehnitsyn said it 10 years ago "Men have forgotten God. Marx predicted Religion will disappear and its quaint belief will be made obsolete by a New Socialist Man.”

The Lordship of Jesus Christ impacts your affection, your actions, your answers, and your attitude. When Jesus is first in our lives He is able to do work through us in ways we cannot imagine.

Pastor Dale

Righteousness- A Better Way 1 Peter 3:8-12

Sermon Nuggets Mon Aug 3

Theme – Righteousness-A Better Way

Verses- 1 Pet 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (NIV)

Righteousness -A Better Way
After discussing marriage Peter continues on the important theme of unity and Harmony, not only in the home but among one another as believers in the Lord. This serves as a witness to the neighborhood and community around us. We as Christians live in a world that is filled with disharmony, selfishness, greed, pride, insults, lies, and attacks against others.

But there is a better way to live. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit changing our nature from self to righteousness and godliness.

Since the world is in conflict with the righteousness of Christ we will experience the temptations to do things like the world, as well as the pressures to follow our natural inclinations instead of the promptings that come from the Spirit of truth. Prepare yourselves by trusting Christ for Peter knows there will be more difficulties that you will be facing. Prepare yourself by getting into the Word, by praying, by being holy and living a God pleasing life.

Now if God's desire is harmony and unity what will Satan and his evil forces seek to do? They will seek to disrupt, cause divorce, cause church splits, cause disharmony, cause in fighting and cause hatred to develop. Does that happen among Christians? All the time! There is just above every imaginable reason to get angry and offended.

Judi came home from choir practice one Wednesday a few years ago and told me two people are arguing. I thought, “oh no.”

Then she said, "I heard them yelling at each other." I thought, “No, No please. Where are they?” I asked her.

She said, "In front of the bar I could hear them all they way from here.” Relief came over me. It's o.k. to have adverse publicity in front of a bar, I was afraid she was talking about two choir members going at it in the parking lot.

Have you ever heard it said that you can find more love and acceptance in bars than in many churches? Don't believe it! Watch the police reports and find out how many times they are called to bars for fighting and how many times they are called to churches for fighting. Yet people are quick to pick up on churches that are in conflict. Why? Because we claim to be followers of one who said that he wants us to live together in unity and harmony and we didn't live up to what our leaders want us to live.

In the next 5 days (this will spill over into Saturday) Peter lists for us important reminders that follow the path of righteousness. Vs 12 is the summary of his challenge, which is taken from Psalm 34- The prayers that are answered are by righteousness people. The New Testament fulfillment comes by trusting in Jesus for our salvation and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be attentive today how often unity with God and others will be challenged by things that are done and said. Center your peace on the Lord.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Aug 4

Verse- 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Harmony & Humility
Harmony and Humility become the bookends of this verse. Since the theme of Peter is getting along in marriage, at work, with those in authority over us in government, it is also our goal in a church and among brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Harmony is best illustrated when people sing different parts in a duet, trio, quartet, or choir. The idea of harmony in music is complementary notes that sound good together. There is a blending together of voices, or instruments to give a pleasing sound.

Harmony in relationships among Christians is recognizing the same goal and going in the same direction which is to seek to glorify Jesus. Cooperation for the same purpose is what allows us a common mind.

What is the thing we should be single minded about at Stanchfield? It is to be God's people in our community that together we can carry out the mission-to glorify God outreach, discipleship, and worship. We do that in submitting ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus and the obedience to his spirit. How we do that certainly can rise differences of opinions. At that point it isn’t that we agree but are not disagreeable to our main goal. Harmony comes by working at it and sorting out God’s will together.

But one thing we can be sure of, it is the will of God that we work together according to His truth. What gets in the way? Pride, differing opinions, selfishness, envy, various theologies? That is where humility comes in. It is not that we aren't unique or different, but we are giving up our ideas, rights and privileges to the Lord and to one another.

Harmony has to do with oneness of attitude. Harmony is created when the various parts of an organization are properly related to the other in pursuit of common goals. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit.” In the gospel of John Jesus prayed for His people that they might all be one; even as He and His Father are one. Over and over again Paul exhorts men to his unity and oneness. He prays for it. The church is not honoring or obeying the Lord if there are serious divisions in it.

We saw that Peter tells his readers they should be willing to suffer wrong if needs be in order that Christ's kingdom might be continued.

Humility means to be humble in spirit. As sinners we come humbly before our Lord in confession and repentance. We recognize it is not our own works of righteousness, wisdom or understanding whereby we are saved, but fall on the mercy of a righteous God to forgive us of our sins. It is He who lifts us up and makes us His children by the cleansing that comes from faith in the crucifixion of Jesus for our sins.

Many struggle with low self-esteem. Many feel they do not match up with others in gifts or talents and us that feeling of inferiority to be inactive in church. But the focus of our attention with both pride and low self esteem is still us. ME. Humility is an attitude that we get when we get an awareness of our Creator and our relationship to Him. That's humility. If we are doing what God has gifted us to do, even if it is in a leadership role, humility allows us to still do our best as a servant to the Lord and one another.

When I went to a Gaither concert recently there were gifted singers. At times each one was highlighted for their talent. The purpose of the concert was to worship the Lord with their various gifts. As some sang together balance came when each did his or her part. They did not shine out, but played supporting parts. Some never sang lead. Even the sound board person was added as part of humor to show the importance of his part that he played in making the sound as it should be. The first time I ever saw the sound person recognized during a concert, but how important each one is to the whole.

The Christian is humble because he is aware of his dependence on God and because he constantly remembers that of himself he can do nothing. It comes, also from the fact that the Christian has new standard of comparison. It may well be true that when he compares himself with his neighbor, he is as good as any man. But the Christians standard of comparison is Christ and when he compares himself with the sinless perfection of incarnate love divine, he has every reason to be humble.

The disciples were full of divisiveness and selfishness and ambition and rivalry. That's the effect that being a special disciple and an apostle can do. Each was a specially chosen one. They were glowing in their call and began to wonder which ones were the special of special. Jesus gave them a lesson the least one of you is the greatest. Such a one is most like a child, dependent, and desirous of trusting me for everything. The greatest is one willing to be a slave. Such a one is in a better position to achieve harmony together.

Ambition is at the heart of many leaders. The temptation is to use people to achieve one's own personal agenda. Jesus example shows we do not have to be successful from man’s view, only yielded to God.

Today note area when pride or low self esteem crop up in our mind. Let the feels of discontent help you evaluate your part in working together with others in harmony. Recall the reasons if they are of the Lord or not. Seek the righteousness laid down for us by our Lord.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Aug 5

Verse- 1 Pet 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Sympathy, Brotherly Love, Compassion
Righteousness is not just a position we have, clean before God, but a demonstration of Christ-likeness in the world around us.

These characteristics mentioned are not possible without relationships. We need other people to be affected by your sympathy, love, and compassion.

Sympathy means to feel with another. It is entering into their feeling world in joy and in sorrow. We send sympathy greetings when we hear of someone’s loss. Why? We are seeking to let someone know we care. We feel saddened with them in their sadness. We might join with others in celebration at a wedding or graduation. We want to help them in encouragement with their experience of joy. The closer we get to someone as a friend the deeper the feelings. Love does that.

When I serve as a chaplain I may not know the person I am visiting. I can sympathize in their loss only as I recall the pain of anyone losing a loved one. But each responds in different ways to loss. As a pastor, meeting in the home of folks I am close with, I understand better the dynamic of the relationships and life history and how it affects the family to see that person suffer or die. I sympathize in a much deeper level. Keep things surface and you will have little trouble getting along. Conversations that are limited to "Hi How are you"? allows little room for disagreement.

Wm. Barkey says "Sympathy and selfishness cannot co-exist. So long as the self is the most important thing in the world, there can be no such thing as sympathy. Sympathy depends on the willingness to forget self, to step outside self, and to identify oneself with the pains and sorrows of others. It is only when we die to self that we can live to others. Sympathy comes to the heart when Christ reigns within the heart.”

To be sympathetic with one another means that we must try to understand the world of others before we judge, or be critical. When one is going through difficult times, or problems do not be quick to condemn or criticize, but rather love them and sympathize.

We cannot feel with another very well without Brotherly Love. Let’s face it. Our relationships do not enter into a deep love for everyone, but certainly a human fondness and affection to those we know is a deeper level than just chit-chat. Remember the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples. It is the command to love one another. “If a man says ‘I love God’ and hates his brother he is a liar."

I was talking to a pastor who experienced problems in his church because of the introduction of praise choruses in worship. People are not sympathizing and showing compassion to one another. They were gathering into groups to argue with one another according to their styles and tastes of songs. Some were threatening to leave a church because the leader used a guitar and not a piano. I have to wonder if they love the church and the brothers in it, or a form. We have problems if we let such issues get in the way of seeking to understand one another with whom we differ. People that love one another, and have the other’s interest and spiritual growth in mind seek harmony and humility.

I was so glad to hear some of our own older members say to me when we had some praise choruses, “Pastor I don't personally like it but if it does help some people to worship I'll support it.” Amen. That's maturity. That is of the Spirit. It is not of the Spirit to say if you don't do it my way that there is something wrong with you.

Compassion moves the attention to those who need encouragement and demonstration of love. Giving to the needy, helping the orphan, providing food to the hungry, giving a cup of cold water to those in need, visiting the sick, and helping those who need help are practical ways to show compassion. When someone loses a home, or job, or has an emergency compassion seeks to join with them in their need. That's what Jesus did.

As we prepare later this month for the great Stanchfield Give away, or hosting to those who are homeless as they live in the church for week, we can help with giving items away, or providing a meal. But we can also forget these acts are centered on lives in various stage of need. Too may people tell me they leave some churches feeling as if they are looked down upon and dirty. “Those people” is a term often used to separate us from them. Being compassionate is not just the activities we do, but the sharing of acceptance, especially among the brothers and sisters in the love that are one in the Spirit. If we treat others as family members, that is the image Peter presents as living righteously.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Aug 6

Verses 1 Pet 3:9-10
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. (NIV)

Restraint
What is your response when someone insults you? What is your response when someone does something against you that is wrong? The natural instinct is to strike back. Retaliation is so easy and justified if we think we have been wrong. Yet Jesus taught non restraint from our feelings to give insult and speak negatively against another. Peter teaches not to return insult for insult which is contrary to feelings, but isn't that the essence of Christian conduct acting contrary to our old and fallen nature?

I read in one of the Daily Bread devotionals of a man who was a Christian and bought a farm, his neighbor said you have bought yourself a lawsuit. "What do you mean?" "Well, it's this way. Your fence is 10 feet too far over on my side and I'm taking the matter to court to prove it." "Oh, don't do that," said the new neighbor, "if the fence is in the wrong place, we'll move it to where you claim it should be."

The unbeliever was completely disarmed. "Do you really mean that?" "Well, of course I do. The Lord tells me to live peaceably with all men and I intend to follow His orders." The gruff man smiled and said "I'm sorry. Let’s just leave the fence where it is."

Do you ever think when you find a quarrel some individual to be willing to suffer loss for the sake of Christ if necessary? A loving attitude will bring God's approval.

Special attention is given to the place of the tongue. It is impossible to tame according to the book of James. He says, it is "a restless evil full of deadly poison.”

Jesus taught that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks Mat 12:34. The tongue gives expression of the inner man. to control the tongue one needs to have God change the inside. Deceitful speech is the means of lying. There are many ways to lie. The whole intend of deceitful speech is to confuse people into believing something that is not true. However one construes that.

Matt 12:36,37 "I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. "

My father used to enjoy writing poetry. He wrote one entitled Destroying Tongues

The wagging tongue is sharper far than any surgeons' knife,
Cutting deep in human hearts and killing precious life.
The gossip and the scandal that it tells of noble folk
Has wrecked fine lives of splendid worth, and many a home has broke.

"I saw so and so go out with someone else's wife."
And "Did you hear that poor dear tried hard to end her life?
Faster than the telegraph, or fire spreads the news,
That some poor soul, on tongues did roll, a martyr of wrong views.

The ringing of the telephone brings quick and hurried thrills.
As small and narrow neighbors all the rotten gossip spills.
"Say did you know that Mrs. B. Has to the gutter sunk."
"And that pious Richard V. came home gain dead drunk?"

Why not stop this monster that is smashing peoples lives.
By holding tongues and helping those who for life's comeback strives.
Then proud you'll feel and happy be to know you did your part,
To bring back peace and joy again and happy make some heart.
by Harold Cope

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Aug 7

Verses- 1 Pet 3:9,11-12 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."


Blessing and Peace
Not only does the Christian refuse to retaliate but he also takes this positive step of repaying insult with blessing. To call down God's blessing even upon his enemies is a true spiritually led individual. I haven't reached that point yet in my own life. There are times God reminds me how much He blesses me when I don’t deserve it. Then I know He isn’t done working with me yet.

I remember the controversy it brought in seminary when a classmate of mine posted the verses of praying for your enemies and doing good to those who persecute you. On his pre-computer blog, called the Wittenberg Door, he posted a prayer for the Viet Cong to bless them and make them successful. We were in the midst of the Viet Nam war at that time. It was offensive to most who read his remarks. His political views and appropriateness of the verses were debated.

It was then I realized the best prayer for blessing is to seek to see an enemy be saved, repent of their sin and become brothers and sisters in the Lord. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said the best was to eliminate an enemy is make them a friend. The prayers for the enemies that are the best peace-seeking kind is when their spirit is renewed to its Creator. There is no other heart changing experience anyone can have.

But what if that person who insults, ridicules and does evil toward you is already a Christian? Of course, not everyone who calls himself a Christian is one. Not every church goer is a brother or sister in Christ.

But it is a fact that we sin. We do evil to one another. The answer from Peter’s letter is the same. Pray for them. Bless them so as to take away feels of retaliation and revenge. Realize God knows the whole story and is working on them as much as he is working on you. Give them to the Lord and seek reconciliation.

Peter knew the injustices his friends were suffering. He knew the persecutions were
unjustified. It was to only the loving acceptance of personal abuse is strong enough to overcome evil that prompts it. But this is the way that we will also inherit a blessing. the blessing that comes is from God if we act the way we are suppose to act and not act the way we feel like acting. God delights in bestowing his favor on all who gladly obey him, if not now then there is reward to come.

The man or woman who desires oneness and harmony desires to live according to God's perfect will. The passage Peter quoted was from Psalm 34. That was his Scriptures. It is also our Scriptures. David was fleeing Saul’s attacks as a background to his situation. He desire was not to fight King Saul but bless him and befriend him. He knew his heart was right before God. Even though Saul insulted him, sought to kill him, and persecute him, his desires was to respect his King as God’s anointed and not seek retaliation.

This is the reminder that the Lord is looking with favor upon those who seek to obey Him. God ears are attentive to their prayer. God listens. He listens to the prayers of the righteous.
David also knew that God actively pursues the welfare of the righteous his face is set against those who do evil. The person who has decided to do evil rather than pursue good has placed himself beyond the help of God.

Being a seeker of peace begins with the Lord. It is a spiritual decision that says, "Oh God, I have been one who has not sought oneness with brothers and sister in Christ. I have not watched my tongue, but said things that should not have been said. I need forgiveness. I need harmony. I need be sympathetic and seek to be loving and compassionate. Lord, I need to not put myself first, but You and Your glory and let you work in the lives of those around me as I pray for your work within my heart. Help me to watch my tongue, my attitude, my resentments and turn those over to blessings for the sake of peace.” Amen

Pastor Dale

What Husbands Should Know 1 Peter 3:7

Sermon Nuggets Monday July 27

Theme What Husbands Should Know

Verse 1 Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Note- I didn’t have computer access last week or until today, so will send Monday and Tuesday devotions today. The times may be different depending on my access as I am still on vacation.

What Husbands Should Know.
Last time I commented on 1 Peter 3:1-6. The subject was wives. This week I will center on husbands. I begin with an illustration by Dr. Robert McQuilkin.

Robertson McQuilkin resigned as president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary, in South Carolina. It was a surprise to many as he was an instrumental force for God's kingdom and the advancement of missions. Do you know why he resigned? It was because his wife contracted Alzheimer’s disease and needed his care.

He had struggled priorities of ministry or being a husband to his wife. Didn’t the Bible say that one should seek first the Kingdom of Heaven? Doesn’t that mean serve God above all things? Didn’t Jesus say if someone loves Father or Mother more than me he is not worthy of me? What about the passage mean that says "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-- yes, even his own life-- he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)

Although this may have been a hyperbole for the sake of making it clear that our commitment to God is to be greater than all earthy attachments, how does that pay itself out if what we are doing is part of our commitment of obedience to the Lord in serving Him and the world as president of a Christian Institution? People advised him to put her in a nursing home so he could continue in the school. They needed him.

McQuilkin wrote an article in Leadership magazine where he stated that he doesn't have to care for his wife, he gets to. One blessing is the way she teaches him about God's love. She picks flowers outside-anyone's flowers and fills the house with them. In her confusion she picks the inside flowers too. Someone had given them planted flowers and she picked them and put them in a vase of water.

Sometimes while shopping in a grocery store Muriel begins to load others people's carts and takes off with them. As she needed Robertson more he wrestled daily with the question of who gets him full-time- the school or his wife? He promised 42 years before to take care of her in sickness and in health till death do us part. She had cared for him almost 40 years and with devotion; now it was his turn.

To the world the decision of a 57 years old man resigning from the highest post at a significant religious college to spend his time caring for his wife seemed to foolish when she would not even know who he was in a few short months. He told the school they can get another president. “My wife cannot get another husband.”

One oncologist said "Almost all women stand by their men; very few men stand by their women." McQuilkins said, "It is more than keeping promises and being fair, however. As I watch her brave descent into oblivion Muriel is the joy of my life. Daily I discern new manifestations of the kind of person she is, the wife I always loved. I also see fresh manifestation of God's love- the God I long to love more fully."

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nugget Tues July 28, 2009

Verse 1 Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Consider your Relationships.
I am dealing with the verse that relates to husbands this week, as I wrote about wives last time. Since people were coming to Christ in the first century, there are the practical questions of how Christian relationship should change. The last chapters we had looked at how Jesus affect one's relationship with the government, with one's master or employers, and with one's marriage. The concept of what we have been talking about is the importance of harmony and order within the institutions that God has made, and how mankind and culture affects those relationships. We see the importance of being a witness to the unsaved and influence our culture around us with the light that comes from God. We saw the overlying principle of submission first to God and then to those who have authority over us so peace will reign and not chaos. We talked about the importance of letting God use us to facilitate change. Sometime we might have to give up rights and privileges in order to see the Kingdom of God advance and people grow in Christ. It is not taking upon ourselves a new form of legalism, but love. If you suffer for good then God will honor you.

A marriage relationship is the hardest place to live out your faith if you are married to an unsaved person. Don't marry a non-Christian you will be disobeying the Lord. But the point we made last time was if you came to faith in Jesus and your husband has not, then be the best wife you can be.

Some things we mentioned wives should know that marriage is a matter of submission in the partnership, it is a matter of purity in actions and dress, a matter of gentleness in attitude and words and a matter of trust in Jesus under whom one gives complete faith that He will work it out for His best. There is no place for abuse or misuse of the law however and if one finds themselves in that type of situation, help is needed for all parties involved. That is not honoring to the Lord.

Now we introduced our thoughts to speak to the husbands. I do not particularly like the way New International Version translates the Greek. I feel there is more interpretation than what the text might allow. The King James Version seems to me to be the best translation closest to the original words in my humble handling of the language.

Therefore listed the NIV text above. Here is how the KJV translates it. "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

As God desires harmony in the home the relationship between husband and wife is a reflection of the relationship that God desires with Jesus and the Church. Further reading on this is in Ephesians 5:25-33 , there are important Biblical instructions for husbands. But especially if you have a wife who is not a believer in Christ yet, our examples as men in love and in our commitment to our relationship with wives should provide a significant witness of the love of Christ.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds July 29

Verse- 1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."KJV

Consider your Responsibilities
Husbands are to be in the same way , or KJV says likewise. That goes back to 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone. But 2:13 and 2:17 would indicate the proper respect is shown by appropriate submission. The consideration that the husband has for his wife is also submitting to the example of Jesus Christ. This involves so much, but not the least of which is submission to the will of the Father. We know that Jesus desired two things on the earth to glorify his Father in heaven, and love His own so that they would be cared for.

Jesus was committed to his task of providing salvation because that is what brought more glory to God. The words "Till death us do part" are more than a just a phrase intended to give solemnity to the wedding ceremony. That is a determined commitment that makes for a happy marriage that goes beyond just the surface. It is an expression of commitment through all the joys and sorrows of marriage. That commitment to the will of the Father is part of the example of Christ.

If the Lord has desired that the husband be the head of the house for the sake of harmony and peace it is a role within a relationship to express love and relationship to the world. You can be sure that Satan will tempt man to lord it over his wife, or for the wife to be tempted to lord it over her husband to discredit the plan of God in a Christian marriage. It is easy to fall into the temptation to rule instead of lead.

Look at the verse Luke 22:25-26 "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." He also washed His disciple's feet as a demonstration of leadership. "You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:13-15)

Notice that the military model of authority depends on subduing disobedience with power from above. Its objects is accomplishing the task at hand. The Christian model of authority depends on submission from below. Its object is the personal growth of the one who is led.

Tasks serve as opportunities for spiritual growing and the task can be modified for the learner's development.

Jesus communicated with the Father regularly and desired it. Be like Jesus. Let your conversations be from the heart with love and appreciation. Leadership before God means I must answer to God for the way I provide spiritual leadership with my family. So many studies are done that show the adverse affect that fatherless homes have on children in the long run. Just as fathers provide an important balance if done with love and reliance on God, so do roles as a husband to love, lead and care for his wife. God has called me to be considerate to my wife. If I am not, I have to answer to God, not my wife. It is a spiritual obligation that I do not make my decisions and expect her to waddle along with my every whim and whistle. No. It is a submission of my rights to God and asking God and Judi and in matter that are of importance to make them with her good in mind.

Within religious circles two terms have emerged regarding roles in a relationship. They are complementarian and egalitarianism. The complementarian view of marriage maintains that each gender for the most part has different roles to play in their relationship. A husband is considered to have the God-given responsibility to provide for, protect, and lead his family, while a wife is to collaborate with her husband, respect him, and serve as his helper in managing the household and primarily providing nurturing of young children.

Egalitarianism maintains that women and men should share equal authority and responsibility in marriage, and have equal leadership opportunities in religion and elsewhere.
I personally follow the complementarian view of Scripture. Most certainly each partner has unique gifts and abilities within a relationship, but the pattern for harmony within a relationship is best provided with responsibilities in roles that make that relationship function under God’s design. We have responsibilities as husbands. I believe it is to provide loving leadership to wives as a ministry to the Lord.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs July 30, 2009

Verse- 1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."KJV

Consider Your Responses
As husbands, what should our responses be toward our wives? The NIV says to be considerate. The KJVsays to dwell with them according to the knowledge. What the Greek is saying literally is to live at home with his wife according to the standard of experiential knowledge. The word implies to make a home for, to inhabit one's abode together, to live at home with.

Men often allow themselves to become so occupied with so many other things that they have little time for their families and seldom spent time at home. In other words I believe he must become sensitive to his wife's feelings and desires. He must be considerate.

Knowledge is knowing about your wife, what she thinks, what she likes, what she dislikes, how she feels. Listing to her fears, and hopes and dreams is a means to gain knowledge and become an encouragement to our help mate. Still the number one problem in most marital relationships is the lack of communication. It takes work.

Often husbands fail to realize how tedious and boring housework can be. Men might think they've earned a trip alone fishing or with the boys playing golf and forget that women need a break from their housework also and have a vacation. Since I am on vacation this week Judi and I were reminiscing on past vacations. I longingly reminded her of the week up at a resort where we all had fun, fishing, swimming, playing table games, talking. “We should try to do that again.”

She responded, “I just remember working the whole time cleaning, organizing and cooking all week.”

How our memories change with years. Apparently she didn’t get the break she was looking forward to having. (I carried the stuff in.)

When I passed out a survey to couples on what they wished their spouse would know a common comment by wives is the feeling of being taken from granted. Women want to be appreciated and loved. They want romance, men. I forget that. I think that my wife knows that I love her. After reading the surveys I noticed my wife’s handwriting was not in the pile, but the comments just as well could have been. Love exists, but the affectionate relationship begins to cool. Women want to be appreciated and told that, shown that in ways that will not necessarily lead to sex.

When as the last time you and your spouse went out on a date? Dating and romancing your spouse can change those patterns and be a lot of fun and it is worth the trouble. Preventive maintenance takes on going work but it is work that must be done sooner, not later.

Another thing from the surveys is both men and women said good marriage take WORK. Even those who rated their marriage the highest said marriage takes work. Habits creep in slowly and after awhile a couple realizes the spark of romance is gone and they didn’t notice.
When I suggest dates some think they can't afford that. You can't afford not to. It might mean special attention at home, like making her breakfast in bed, or put together a puzzle, or renting or borrowing a classic video, or building a snowman. Even offer to take the kids every so often so she can get out of the house and do something for herself. It will do wonders.

Be the best husband you can possibly be; you will be happy. Most women would like to have the respect they received when you were dating. During those earlier days you wanted to hear what she said. You told her how much she meant to you. You liked being with she. Those practices will still be greatly appreciated.

The husband is to have a special place of honor for his wife, showing her worth and distinction, that she is highly prized, esteemed and loved.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Friday July 31, 2009

Verse: 1 Peter 3:7 "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."KJV

Consider your Reasons
The Bible calls the woman a weaker vessel. There isn't much debate that men are physically stronger than women. But cultures and countries respond to women differently as we are being painfully aware in the Middle East and Asia. Democracies have argued for free rights and privileges as well as equal wages and benefits for all people regardless of gender. Spiritually, of course, the Bible also acknowledges we are equal at the foot of the cross. Galatians is clear that in Christ there is neither slave nor free, male nor female, Jew or Gentile. We are all created in the image of God.

But that does not mean the Lord has given us the same gifts, talents, abilities as individuals-men and women. Some women have higher intelligence compared to men and vice versa. Some are more mechanical or mathematical, not to mention the Holy Spirit gives Spiritual gifts as He wills, and for periods of time according to God’s purposes. .

Weaker is a comparative term. Weaker implies one is weak and the other is weaker. We are all weak that is why we both must be dependent upon God.

This context of our meditations relate to how one is to influence others for the sake of Christ, whether one is saved when he is a slave, she is a wife, or he is a husband. As a father and husband you have responsibility to God to bring your family in the admonishment of Jesus. There are many women who become the spiritual leaders in their home because the husband is not saved or is living in rebellion against God and His truth. But as I read the Bible the man is held accountable to God to lead his family and provide spiritual influence.

This week I read how former President Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptist Church. His views go contrary to their stated teaching on the place of women in the church and in marriage. I will blog on this with my weekly email "From Cope’s Computer" this coming Wednesday. But as a politician and a Christian, he feels the way women are treated in his denomination should not be in complimentary roles. He sees the church putting women in subservient positions that deny their equality in a culture, country and church. Even to use the term weaker would likely be prejudicial and wrong.

How do we live out two princples of weakness and equality in gender relationships according to the Bible? The passage makes clear equality in standing and in your inheritances given by God. You are each a child of God and there is no distinction. There are equal spiritual rights. Certainly, all people putting their faith in Christ are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. God is delighted in the prayers of heartfelt conversations. He is delighted in loving the Jew as He is of the Gentile. Compared to the Jews would Gentiles be the weaker race because of the role they place in redemptive history? Is God’s plan for the Israeli nation over?

God will avenge injustice as much as the slave and the citizen, for the Jew or the Gentile, for the woman and the man, for the husband and the wife, for the employer and the employee, for the slave and the master.

How one treats his wife affects his relationship with God. Prayers are hindered if the wife is not properly cared for and honored under God.

When I came to Stanchfield I met Melvin and Amy Christensen. I think of them often. One man said to me “I have changed since I got married. I am different man today than back then. I must be true to myself and follow who I really am.” He was going to divorce his wife.

I thought of Melvin who tenderly cared for Amy when she had a stroke. When she was unable to communicate he devotedly worked and worked until she would talk. He did not give up. When she needed food he cooked it when she did all the cooking before. When she needed to be dressed he dressed her. The bright part of the day was when he could get her to write and speak a word. They celebrated. He learned through the years to continue in perseverance and brought her home.

They invited me to dinner as many of you have been in their home. Amy pointed to things to show me. When Melvin was increasing getting hard of hearing they worked out a system to communicate and help one another in their weaknesses.

I thought of them when a younger wife told me, "I guess I never really loved him. I have to do something for myself now, you know. I've given enough and lost many years in this relationship.”

After hearing the same senseless script I go back and think of the God honoring relationship between Melvin and Amy. Together they served their Lord by serving the community and the church faithfully. I went to Melvin at his request when a child needed money to go to camp. I watched Amy read her Bible and Daily Bread while confined at Grandview. They knew what Jesus meant when He said it is more blessed to give that receive. In dying we have eternal life.

What is it going to be ladies? What is it going to be men? Is the purpose of marriage to seek to meet your selfish needs? When there are gender power struggles in a relationship how does that honor God or witness to the sacrifice of Jesus for us? How are people to know the love of Jesus for His church and the importance of commitment, respect and mutual submission? I am glad for examples like the Christensons in Stanchfield who let their marriage show me Jesus.

In our relationship for harmony in the home I believe Scripture presents workable roles for the saved husband and the saved wife that brings glory to the Lord and peace as a light to Him. It is not in demanding our rights, but submitting them with our unique responsibilities before the Lord.

Pastor Dale