Posted by: pastorapbell | November 13, 2010

as we read what our brother Peter wrote about in context and freely accept the authority of Christ not as a slave but as someone who has a choice!

Peter tells us to in his writing (Ch. 2) that we should suffer for the gospel as needs be and use Christ as our example. He also states that we should accept the positions of slave and master.  Obviously in the time of Peter slavery was part of the culture [culture can be defines as the way we do things here and now], and none of the gospel writer commented on the evil of slavery. They use the analogy of the slave as someone who obediently obeys their master to fulfil his purposes. So Jesus is referred as a slave because he suffered without retaliation to restore humanity back to God.

In our time however, the term slave has taken on a completely different meaning. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade redefined the levels of inhumanity that was inflicted by one human being on another for financial gain. Slavery, whether it is human trafficking or women being sold as sex slaves, is wrong.  If we take the writings of our brothers Peter and Paul out of context, we can fall into the trap of sanctioning slavery as the founding fathers of America and the Boers of Southern Africa did.  Peter encourages us to love one another, develop a tender heart and live in unity (3:8). We are not to repay evil for evil but to seek peace and to pursue it (3:11 taken from Psa. 19).

Peter spoke out of his context where slavery was an everyday occurrence; we can speak from our context where we should respect the dignity of each person irrespective of their ethnicity or belief system. Each individual must choose to become a ‘slave’ for Christ or to follow their own devices.

The harsh reality is this. If we fail to take into consideration the context when we use terms such as slavery, we can forget the underlying brutality that this terms represent and boldly declare that ‘I am a slave for Christ’. You may have the choice to call yourself that, but a true slave had no choice. A true slave had no means of self determination. No choice of where to sleep, what to eat or who to marry. During the period 1500 – 1800 slaves in the Caribbean were forbidden to marry. Hence illegitimacy is still rife among our community.

Today let us be obedient to the Spirit, but be careful how we use terms we read from scripture. As we contextualise our readings the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth.

Read 1Peter3

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 12, 2010

as we look at suffering from a different perspective

Although Peter commends that the followers of Jesus should accept suffering as we travel along the path to becoming fully human, he is not recommending that we develop a theology of suffering, that is, we major of the theme of suffering to the point where this is all we talk about. Many people of the past fell into this trap and indeed there are still many people today who fall into the trap of focussing of one particular area to the exclusion of many others. Examples of this are those who do penance by beating themselves until they cut the skin thinking that this will appease God. Others focus on the fact that God want us to be prosperous and spend their time accumulating wealth. Still other spend their time promoting one gender above the other by taking Paul’s writings out of context and subjugating women and disregarding their benefit to the kingdom as Jesus and Paul himself did (see 1cor 14:33, 1Tim 2:12 & St john 8:1-11 for such examples).

learn from our elders

What Peter tells us in this chapter is that we should be examples to those who do not know the true and living God and have not experienced his power. So when they revile us do not retaliate, but reflect the love of Christ to them. Listen to Peter for a few moments; “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers (the church), fear God, honour the emperor (Political leaders) (1Peter 2:15-17 NIV).

So we can be rich or poor, servants or masters, men or women, but whatever state we find ourselves in or whatever gender we are let us live to reflect God’s glory. Use your riches or your poverty to glorify God. And let him change our status to show us off to the world.

Have a read of Romans 8:31-38 and see how Paul puts it!

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 10, 2010

as we live as servants of God

One of the most important things that a follower of Jesus can do is to reflect his image. When we consider Peter and his journey from being a harsh aggressive fisherman to being a writer of two books to be included in the bible, we must conclude that everyone who follows Jesus sincerely can be transformed.

forgiveness allows restoration to occur

For all of us, the transformation will not occur overnight and there will be periods when we get it wrong. Peter got it wrong over and over again.  Like Peter, many of us fail to get it and live our lives always thinking and acting for ourselves. The attribute that underpins our ability to reflect the image of Christ, is our ability to forgive. Jesus says this, ‘if someone sins against you, point out their faults alone, just the two of you and if the individual listens, you have regained your friendship and the matter is resolved’ (Matt 18:15).  However, if they won’t listen then take two others along with you so that every word may be confirmed. This process is one where all efforts are made to bring healing and restoration. In the same passage Peter asked Jesus the question, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Here he was asking, when do I end this forgiveness lark? Or do I just keep on forgiving!

Jesus’ response is a lesson for all of us his followers. Not seven times, but seventy times seven, meaning that our acts of forgiveness should be on-going. Our Christianity must be a faith where we are always prepared to forgive. This means that our lives then are governed by our ability to repent, forgive and be restored. Note forgiveness is not equal to forgetting.

Today let us think about the famous passage in 2Chronicles 7:14, which states that ‘if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves…. for us to reflect the image of Christ, we should not go past the humbling in this often quoted scripture and learn to give and receive forgiveness.

Read 1Peter 2:11-17 and live as free people but do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil, Peter, AD 60.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 9, 2010

as we understand that spending time with Jesus affects how we operate

Spending time in the presence of someone affects your character and your characteristics. For Peter this was certainly the case. Having spent three and a half years on a preaching/teaching tour with Jesus certainly impacted his life profoundly.  So much so that he actually began to reflect the image of Jesus. Peter began to talk like Jesus, walk like Jesus and also physically look like Jesus. It was Jesus’ intention that his followers would also behave like him, but this would come later.

Throughout his ministry Jesus went on his circuit with his final destination as Jerusalem. He prophesied this to his disciples and told them that he would be betrayed by one of his followers (John 13:21) and that he would be killed. But like us sometimes, we either forget the prophetic words spoken to us or we ignore them. Rather than reflecting on what Jesus had told them the disciples spent their time arguing about who would sit where in the kingdom.

When Jesus’ prophetic utterances occurred, Peter was in denial, so much so that he cut off one of the palace soldiers ear (John 18:10) and eventually denied that he ever knew Jesus not once but three times.

Today as we spend time in the presence of Jesus, let us remember that we will start to look like him. However, because of our falleness, there is a propensity to revert to our previous mode of operation. Remember that Jesus knows we are human and that we fail. So don’t beat yourself up, repent, forgive yourself and start all over again.

Read John 18 and sympathise with Peter!

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 8, 2010

as we contrast the development of character against ability

The apostle Peter exemplifies the need to balance the development of our character against our ability. Having the right attitude is far more important than having the charismatic gifting. Although Peter became a gifted spokesperson for the disciples he often ‘put his foot’ in it by either being too hasty or speaking out of turn. His progression for a rough and ready fisherman to a considered reflective practitioner had many peaks and troughs and bumps along the way.

Because of his humble beginnings, I believe that every day Peter spent with Jesus was like celebrating Christmas. Jesus came to his house for a coffee and some cakes and healed his mother-in-law and many more people who were demon possessed or had other diseases (Matt 8:14-17). Then when they went across the Sea of Galilee in his boat and a great storm threatened to capsize the boat. Jesus woke up spoke to the storm and everything was back to normal.

This was by far the most exciting time of Peter’s life, but there are more peaks and troughs to come.

So today spend time developing your character. You can do this by ensuring that:

  1.  What you say match up with what you do.
  2. You develop a spirit of moral excellence and
  3. You cultivate emotional intelligence! 

Read Matthew 8 and try to see it through the eyes of Peter

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 7, 2010

as we accept the kingdom provision that comes from following Jesus!

Throughout his life Peter would see and later experience things that were off the pages of any books he was taught from. Having left his business to follow Jesus, he was unable to underwrite the ministry of Jesus but he was confident that going around with Jesus all his needs would be met.  Peter was probably the oldest among the apostles and so it was right for him to be the spokesperson. Saying that Peter was the first among the apostles and therefore the rock on which the church is built on is a misrepresentation of Jesus’ intention. Not only was Peter the oldest, like Jesus who we know was thirty, he was subject to paying his dues.

God's provision comes from all sources

Peter became convinced that whilst walking with Jesus in his kingdom all his physical needs would be met. They were still subject the taxes imposed by local governmental system. However, Peter and the other disciples of Jesus did not carry money around except for the cash that Judas kept. So when it came to paying the temple taxes and so on, Jesus ask Peter a question; who do kings ask for taxes, is it from their children or from others? From others of course, Peter answered (Matt 17:24-27). 

So the children are free then, however in order not to cause offense go and catch a fish and when you have caught it look inside it mouth, there you will see the money to pay for our taxes.

Today like Peter we need to find the Tilapia fish that has our resources in his mouth and remove it. In the kingdom, we have all the resources we need to do what God has called us to do, so let us listen to the Holy Spirit, implement kingdom principles and fulfil the purposes for which God has called us.

Please read 1Peter 3:8-22.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 6, 2010

as we make the choice for the kingdom

In Jesus’ time there prophets and sages, however when he went around demonstrating the kingdom, people did not know what to make of him or could not determine where he was from.  These were the very people who read about the miracles in Egypt, Moses’ rod turning into a snake, the river Nile turning to blood and the mysterious death of the first born of every family in Egypt including the heir to the throne of Egypt who was not covered by the blood of the lamb. So when Jesus came along turning water into wine, driving our evil spirits and demons from people in their locality, they did not know what to make of him.

Those who were religious and new their scripture, thought he must be another prophet, or a Rabbi with special powers or Elijah re-incarnated. So Jesus being intrigued by the disciples’ perception of him, openly asked them the question, who do you say that I am? (Mark 8:27).

Acces to the Kingdom is ours

Some of his disciples said he was John the Baptist or Elijah whilst others said he might even be one of the prophets who had come back. This was an amazing statement from his followers because in the scriptures that they were taught on a daily basis, it categorically states that when a man dies his body goes to the grave and his spirit goes back to God (Eccl. 12:7). So there was a disconnect between what they were taught and what they believed. This is similar to a lot people today. They believe a lot of lies because the culture has convinced them that these lies are truth. So it was left to our man of the moment, Peter, to clarify the situation for us. He jumps to his feet and declares boldly, you are the Messiah, which is the Jewish word for the Greek Christ, the son of the living God.

Today, can we be like Peter and make this declaration? In spite of all the issues he had, he still was able to be used by God to let his fellow disciples know who Jesus was.  So whatever your issue is, ask the Holy Spirit to use you to tell others who the real Jesus is!

 Meditate on Matthew 16:13-20 & Mark 8:27-30.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 5, 2010

as we face the dichotomy of living in two worlds!

Having made the decision to follow Jesus Peter faced a huge problem. This problem is not dissimilar to one that every believer and follower of Jesus faces every day. How do we live in this world and practise the kingdom principles that we are learning from Jesus?

you'll never know until you know

Peter exemplifies this problem. He was completely committed to Jesus but at several crucial points he totally forgot himself. So when Jesus brought James and John and Peter to a mountain and revealed his resurrection body to them, Peter’s response was “boy, this is good, let me build  three dwelling places and we can stay up here, one for you Jesus, one for Elijah and the other for Moses”, (Matthew 17:1-8 paraphrased).

In his excitement he missed the point and continued to do so until he had his upper-room experience.

Today unless we have an upper-room experience, that is, we are baptised in or with the Holy Spirit by Jesus, we like Nicodemus will never see the kingdom let alone enter it!

Have a look at Matthew 17:1-21; 16:13-20 for more nuggets about this man Peter.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 4, 2010

as we learn the ‘Nike’ principle, Just Do it!

Peter is usually described as a rough and ready Galilean. He had little or no airs and graces but whatever he did he did it with his whole heart. So when he was introduced to Jesus he decided to leave his thriving family business and take time out to sit at the feet of the charismatic teacher.

Throughout his three and a half years of

OMG

studying, Peter saw some amazing things. The first thing he saw was so amazing that he

OMG

 could not believe his eyes. Not long after joining up with Andrew, John and Philip, they went to a wedding. And to Peter’s amazement the wine ran out to the embarrassment of the host. Mary, Jesus’ mother said to the servers or ushers, ‘just do what Jesus tells you to do and everything will be alright’!  Jesus tells them to fill these purification jars with clean water and then all they had to do was draw from the jars and serve the guests.

 After this Peter became convinced that all he had to do whilst following Jesus was exactly what he told him to do.

Today, we want to analyse, dissect and evaluate and re-evaluate everything that Jesus tells us to do. Jesus tells us, seek first the kingdom of God and everything will follow after that (Matt 6:33). This mean that we should enter his kingdom first by renouncing the kingdom of satan, leaving the things we used to do, and the way we used to behave behind and accept Jesus as our new king. Once we do this, the point of our departure from our previous operations is that we are now in a different world where anything is possible.

Following this king is exciting, because he does everything he says he will do and more, if you don’t believe ask Peter! Check out Acts 2:14-44.

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Posted by: pastorapbell | November 3, 2010

as we recognise who the true foundation is

When Jesus called Peter, the first thing he did was to give him a new name. Jesus said you will be called Cephas which means the rock (St. John 1:42). Now throughout the ages many churches have taken this to mean that Peter is the corner stone on which the church was built. Although he became the spokesperson for the disciples, in his writings, Peter himself tells us that the chief corner stone was in fact Jesus, who was rejected at first but became the head of the corner and upon who the whole of the body [the church] is built (1Peter 2:4-8).

In essence Peter is very much like a typical human being. He works hard, enjoys life and wants the best for his family. His life and ambitions are transformed by his introduction to Jesus by his younger brother Andrew. After this introduction we hear very little about the life and times of Andrew, but the pages of scripture are replete with reference to Peter and his faith and failings.

All of us want to be like Peter. We want to walk on water, speak the word of faith to a physically challenged man and see his life transformed. Preach to a crowd and see thousands come to faith. But we seldom remember that this same Peter was the one who, when confronted about his teacher, lied and swore and then ran away. This was the same guy who went back to doing what he knew best when his world came crashing down with the death of Jesus (St John 21). However we shall see as we dig deeper that this great man of faith had to overcome his fears to fulfil the purposes for which God had called him.

Today you too can overcome your fears and live above your failings so that you can do what God has called you to do.

Read 1Peter 2

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