Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16 NIV
Introduction
- Today is the second Sunday in Advent – a day of PEACE
- What do you think of when you hear the word peace? No more war, people treating people nice, calm, low anxiety
- I know when I hear about peace, I think about an ending of hostilities, no more hate, no more prejudice
- We call Jesus the Prince of Peace as was foretold in Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- The Hebrew people expected a warrior in their Messiah
- Jesus is a mighty warrior, but not in the way that they expected
- Jesus came to earth with one purpose and it is clear in John 3:17:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- Jesus came to this world with ONE purpose; ONE mission alone: to SAVE IT
- Save it from what? SIN, the enemy, destruction
- What is SIN? Violating God’s law, rebelling against God
- Sin SEPARATES us from GOD; drives a wedge between us and God; builds a wall
- In our Scripture passage today, Jesus tells us two things as He sends the original disciples and US out into the world to preach the Gospel:
- Be CAREFUL
- Don’t be AFRAID
1. Be CAREFUL
- When we talk about peace, Jesus is expecting resistance from the world
- There is no question we are in a battle; a war against sin and evil and Jesus started it
- I don’t want to scare any of you off, but being a Jesus follower is not all sunshine and unicorns
- Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. “
- OK that is not very encouraging and pretty scary
- But don’t worry, Jesus gives us some helpful hints
- He says: “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
- And oh, by the way you should “Be on your guard.” Well that’s nice
- Oh and “you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.”
- Jesus certainly doesn’t sugar coat it for them or us. But, in John 16:33, Jesus says:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
- Jesus wants us to be prepared and be ready for what the world will throw at us
- Because, He knows what a hornet’s nest He has stirred up
- For thousands of years, Satan has been allowed to operate freely about the earth with the help of the many fallen angels that fell to earth with him.
- God’s covenant with the Hebrew people was in tatters because of the leaders’ corruption
- And here comes Jesus to clean house and rescue as many people as he can.
- First, He had to convince people that they need rescuing
- Have you ever experienced that time when you tried to help someone who didn’t want it?
- I certainly have. I’ve experienced both sides of that.
- I’ve had people come to me asking for help and willing to change
- And I’ve had those same people decide they didn’t need help and flipped on me
- A lot of people these days are deciding they don’t need Jesus and are just fine
- And Jesus will let them make that decision, but He also allows the enemy to attack
- We must be ready to help folks when they realize they are in trouble and need Jesus
- But, when the enemy realizes they are turning to Christ, He won’t give up without a fight
- And that is why Jesus is warning us to be careful.
2. Don’t be AFRAID
- Being careful does not mean being afraid.
- Jesus tells us that we are going to get plenty of opportunities to serve
- He said: “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.”
- In case you were thinking you could just quietly go through life as a Christian, NOPE
- He says: “when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.”
- Wait a minute, did He just say “IF they arrest you?” No, He said WHEN
- Jesus is saying be careful and don’t be afraid because stuff is GOING to happen
- We will face trials of many kind so how do we know what to do when it happens?
- God will not let you down, the Holy Spirit will help.
- Jesus says “you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit”
- For those of you who have never led prayer in public in front of everyone, it can be hard
- I know it was for me at first, but I just let the Holy Spirit speak from my heart without overthinking it.
- This is how God works – He works through people, more often than not through the most unlikely ones.
- Never feel like you can’t handle what God asks you to do
- Jesus is quietly preparing you for what lies ahead.
- He says: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
- Don’t be afraid to do what He asks; He will be there with you.
- Jesus says not to be afraid of what people can do to you; “those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
- However, He does say be afraid of the “One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.“
- Jesus reminds us how valuable we are to God by comparing us to sparrows
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
- Jesus did not come to make peace with the world
- He came to shake things up and save those who want to be saved
- He is claiming to fulfill the prophet Micah’s words:
For I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
- As we anticipate the coming of Christ and the idea of peace, it is important to be ready
- This passage in Matthew is when Jesus is preparing to send out the twelve disciples
- He gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
- He told them to focus on the “lost sheep of Israel.” And stay away from Gentiles or Samaritans.
- He told them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons.
- Finally He said: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”
- Do the best you can in all the opportunities that WILL come. Be careful but don’t be afraid. God is with you every step of the way.