Welcome to Paradigm Talk. This blog is set up in order to post outlines from our weekly gathering. Paradigmers are able to keep in touch with our spiritual journey whenever they miss a gathering. It is also another way to share additional thoughts and comments along the way.
Paradigm is a "twenty & thirty something" ministry of Windham Assembly of God Ministries, Windham, Maine. Gatherings are held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9 PM. You are invited to join the journey.
INTRODUCTION: Peter develops in great detail an aspect of a holy life that Paul only mentioned: living in willing submission within the framework of authorities that exist in society. At first, it seems peculiar to relate this to holiness. But, as we trace Peter's argument, we will see that the relationship between holiness and submission does exist in God's eyes.
Man's authority (1Pe 2:13-17).
A citizen should submit to his government.
Jesus said “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21).
Obviously, Peter was not saying that we should compromise our beliefs in our submission to government. (Acts 5:29)
Why should we submit to the authority of government?
A. God has appointed them—“sent by him” (v. 14).
B. It is the will of God (v. 15).
Why does God want us to submit to government? It is a good testimony to the unsaved.
C. We are God’s slaves (v. 16).
Unjust authorities (1Pe 2:18-25).
What if people in authority treat us unjustly?
The Christian's call to a life of submission is not conditional. Another person's failure to live God's way does not release us.
Consider what Christ endured (3:21-25).
Husbands and wives (1Pe 3:1-7).
A. It is voluntary.
B. It is a good testimony to an unsaved husband.
C. Husbands are to be submissive for the good of the marriage (3:7)
The husband should honor his wife because . . .
A. Husbands and wives are different.
B. Husbands and wives are equal.
C. His prayers depend on it.
Attitude toward suffering for good(1Pe 3:8-12).
Every Christian should be submissive to other Christians (3:8-12).
1. Strive for unity—“be ye all of one mind” (3:8).
2. Sympathize with one another—“having compassion one of another” (3:8).
3. Love one another—“love as brethren” (3:8).
4. Watch your reactions—“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing” (3:9).
5. Be careful with your words—“let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (3:10).
6. Seek peace (3:11).
CONCLUSION
Every human society has its share of evil. Each of us who are hurt or mistreated by the system might easily be drawn into endless crusades. It is not that we are to compromise with evil or fail to work for social change. However, we are never to be drawn away from the first calling of holiness: to live God's love.So Peter's concern is that unjust treatment never tempts us to return evil for evil, and forsake our commitment to good.
Our relationships with other Christians affects our prayers. (3:12)
Why should we be submissive Christians?
1. It is a good testimony to the unsaved (other citizens, employers, husbands).
2. It pleases God.
3. It makes our relationships better.
4. It affects our prayers.
Our submission to one another actually shows our submission to God.
INTRODUCTION: Ever been in a situation where teams were being chosen and you had this fear that you would be chosen last? How did you feel as you waited to be chosen? Or have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Key study verse: 1Pe 2:9-10.
God uses what man rejects and often rejects what man approves (2:4, Message). Example 1: Choice of David (1Sam. 16:7). Example 2: Jesus rejected by man, chosen by God (Isa 53:2-5).
OUR IDENTITY: Where is our real identity found? Chosen by God: He picked me (Eph 1:4-5; Jn 15:16).
Chosen Royalty: (1) Special; no longer a “run-of-the-mill” person. 2. You are the right pedigree (Ro 8:17).
Chosen Holy: (1) I am different! Holy means “to cut.” I am a “cut above the crowd.” We still use the word that way today when we describe a “cut” of fabric that is very special: “He’s a cut out of a different cloth.”
Chosen Instrument: How does a musician cherish his instrument?
Chosen Purpose: Isa. 43:21 - The people whom I made for Myself will make known My praise! (my translation of verse). Our purpose, our identity, is for the sake of making known His identity. God made us who we are to show the world who He is!
CONCLUSION Identity is a sense of belonging, a sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves—but only through Christ can we find our true identity 1. How does it make you feel to be chosen, royalty, and God’s possession? 2. When is it most difficult to remember what God has made you? How are you going to change that?
What is the picture or thought that comes to your mind when you hear the word, “Holy”? What does it mean to be holy? What does it mean for God to be holy (Ex. 15:11; Ps. 99:9; Isa. 6:3)? What does it mean for us to be Holy (1 Pe. 1:16; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14; 2 Pe. 3:11)?
To live a holy life is to experience an improvement in the quality of life because it is lived withinthewill of God.
In our text, Peter identified four factors that promote genuine holiness. He stressed what God has done through Christ within us to permit and incite holiness.
1. As Christians we put our mind in gear! (v. 13)
This is the preparationfactor. (Rom. 12:1-2 Message)
2. As Christians, we are to live holy and pure lives because God our Father is holy (vv. 13-17).
This is the characterfactor. In the character of God, we see everything we ever wanted out of life. What are some character traits of God?
3. As Christians, we are to be God-conscious (vv.18-21).
This is the God-awarenessfactor.(Luke 24:13-35; Acts 27: 13-26; Revelation 1:9-20)
4. As Christians, we are to “Love It Up!” as though our life depended on it (vv. 22-2:3).
This is the lovefactor. (Mat. 22:37-40; Phil 2:1-4
REFLECTION
1.How does Peter’s call to holiness challenge you at home? Work? Community? Church? Personally?
God has an amazing interest in you! (1 Pe. 1:2 The Message)
GOD HAS GIVEN YOU NEW LIFE (1 Pe. 1:3-5)
Three results of our new life: 1. We have a wonderful expectation. 2. We have a matchless inheritance.
Three descriptive words used in the NIV:
It never perishes.
It never spoils.
It never fades.
3. We have the assurance of salvation.
The idea of God keeping watch over us (or keeping us) is a military term for protecting a city by means of a military garrison. We are being guarded as long as we remain in the confines of that protection.
Because of new life, we can LIVE IT UP! We have been given eternal health, eternal wealth, and eternal happiness.
GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR YOUR TRIALS (1 Pe. 1:6-9)
Our suffering not only sharpens our faith, it reveals the extent of our present faith!
Today's experiences are preparing us for tomorrow's challenges.
GOD HAS ALLOWED YOU TO LIVE IN A VERY SPECIAL TIME (1 Pe. 1:10-12)
Living in God's way in these days is a challenge, but the challenge is made easier because we can live a new life.
Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! (1 Pe. 1:12 from THE MESSAGE)
Next week we will look at Living the Holy Life in our Living It Up series. Ask yourself: "Just what does it mean to live holy?" Is there more to holiness than rules and regulation?
Author: Traditionally, it is believed that the apostle Peter wrote this letter. However, there are some that question how a Galilean fisherman could have had such a sophisticated command of Greek as found in the letter. 1 Pe. 5:12 indicates that he had the help of Silas in drafting the letter.
Historical Background: It is believed that this Epistle was written sometime between the great fire in Rome (A.D. 64) and Peter’s death (A.D. 68). In the summer of A.D. 64, a great fire destroyed much of Rome. It was believed that the Emperor Nero was responsible for it. Despite Nero’s attempts to help those then homeless by the fire, he was unable to put to rest those suspicions.He needed a scapegoat, thus he selected the Christians. Up to this point, Christianity was viewed as just a sect of Judaism, which was a legal religion under Roman law. Now it became a distinct religion that was forbidden. Suddenly, to be a Christian became a criminal act. Oppression and persecution spread throughout the Roman Empire. The apostle Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified upside down during this period of terror. Peter wrote this letter to Christians scattered throughout the Roman provinces, in what we would now consider to be Turkey. The 1st century church was beginning to experience persecution.
Can you find any parallels between A.D. 64-68 and with that which is occurring to Christians today? Do you find a seemingly more hostile position toward Christianity in our present day and culture? If so, How? If so, Why?
Purpose of Writing: The theme throughout Peter’s letter is that of hope in the midst of suffering. He provides the readers with divine and eternal perspectives on their earthly lives and gives the readers practical guidance to those who were beginning to experience the fiery trial of suffering as Christians in a pagan environment. Peter addresses the question of how to live as a Christian in the face of ultimate issues likedeath, ridicule, persecution, and Satanic attack. Peter was concerned that Christians would not provoke the government structure/organization unnecessarily. Peter exhorted the believers to follow Jesus’ example in suffering innocently, righteously, and nobly. Jesus is their hope (1:3); their Savior (1:18-19); their example (2:21-24); and their Lord (3:15, 21-22).
Indeed, Peter reveals in his 2nd letter, the reason for his writing both Epistles: 2 Peter 3:1-2 NIV (Wholesome thinking).
WHOLESOME THINKING
Reason for writing: 2 Pe. 3:1-2 (wholesome thinking) Peter gives his purpose for writing both his epistles. From what you see in this passage, what importance does Peter place on the way we think? What would he view as the best way to change the way we think? How does he begin accomplishing that purpose in chapter 1?
Themes for thought: What should they be?
Romans 12:1-2
Philippians 4:8
Heavenly mindedness
Hebrews 11:24-25
1 John 2:15-17
Peter never seemed to think more of him self than he ought to have. Think about this. He was a mere Galilean fisherman who rose to the rank of head of the church during the first century. His confession, “You are the Messiah, the Christ” was the focal point of his faith and lifestyle.
Eugene Peterson describes Peter best, in his introduction to 1 & 2 Peter in The Message:
“In the early church, his influence was enormous and acknowledged by all. By virtue of his position, he was easily the most powerful figure in the Christian community. And his energetic preaching, ardent prayer, bold healing, and wise direction confirmed the trust placed in him.
The way Peter handled himself in that position is even more impressive than the power itself. He stayed out of the center, didn’t ‘wield’ power, maintained a scrupulous subordination to Jesus. Given his charismatic personality and well deserved position at the head, he could easily have taken over, using the prominence of his association with Jesus to promote himself. That he didn’t do it, given the frequency with which spiritual leaders do exactly that, is impressive. Peter is a breath of fresh air.
The two letters Peter wrote exhibit the qualities of Jesus that the Holy Spirit shaped in him: a readiness to embrace suffering rather than prestige, a wisdom developed from experience and not imposed from a book, a humility that lacked nothing in vigor or imagination. From what we know of the early stories of Peter, he had in him the makings of a bully. That he didn’t become a bully (and religious bullies are the worst kind) but rather the boldly confident and humbly self-effacing servant of Jesus Christ that we discern in these letters, is a compelling witness to what he himself describes as ‘a brand-new life, with everything to live for.’”
OUR EVER WATCHFUL GOD “God the Father has his eye on each of you…” 1 Pe 1:2 The Message
With all that has been previously said, how do you have a sense that God is watching out and watching over you?
Psalm 139:1-24
It’s not just about knowing God. It’s about a living relationship with God. Psalm 139 reveals that God already knows everything there is to know about each one of us. Even before we know Him, He knew us, inside and out. That can be frightening thought or a comforting thought, depending on our perspective of the moment.
1. God knows us. Ps 139:1-6
David uses six terms to describe the fact that God knows us:
(1) God has searched me (v.1). Ever misplace your cell phone? What do you do first? Then last? You look high and low. Retrace your steps. Finally, you have someone call it. God searches…God digs deep into your life, He looks intently. He dials your number…calls you.
(2) He knows me (vv.1b & 2). He knows not just in the sense of knowing something about me, He knows me in the sense that my best friend knows me. God knows more than I can ever imagine, more than I want at times. Whether I am taking it easy or am on the move, it doesn’t matter. God knows me.
(3) He understands my thoughts from afar (v.2b). The idea is that God can get inside your head. It s like a catscan or an MRI. He knows everything you have ever thought about. Think about that. That can be scary.
(4) He comprehends my comings and goings (v. 3a) One translation, “You comprehend my path and my lying down.” Another, “Thou dost scrutinize my path…” God examines us thoroughly!
(5) He is familiar with my ways (v.3 b). He knows my habits. My translation, “I can’t get away with anything.” He knows my strengths, my weaknesses, my habits both good and bad. He knows all my business.
(6) He knows my words before they are on my tongue (v.4). There have been times when Jeanne has expressed my exact thoughts before I have spoken them. God is even better at it! In verse 6, David says, “This is mind boggling. It blows me away!”
2. You cannot hide from God (Ps. 139:7-18)
This can give us a sense of fear if we do not know God, or can bring us comfort if we do know God.
Solomon wrote:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.” Eccl. 12:13-14
3. We can look for God’s wink of approval (Ps 139:23-24).
What a comforting thought in our life journey. We are under the ever watchful eye of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes we feel the penetrating gaze, but our Father knows how to deal with the things we do wrong. He also knows when to step in and protect us. He also knows when to smile and wink. God you are welcome to search me and my life.
After a summer hiatus, Paradigm is coming back together for their weekly gathering on a NEW night, but at the same time and the same location with a similar format as in the past.
KICK-OFF: Tuesday, September 22nd, 7:00PM-9:00PM
WHERE: Windham Assembly of God, meeting in gym
Don't miss the new series: "Living It Up!" based on Peter's writings from I Peter.
Time to reconnect with one another and remain connected with God. Continue the journey!
Paradigm is taking a summer break during the months of July and August from its weekly meetings. A special one time event has been planned during July and another one time event for August. Weekly meetings will begin again in mid-September. Enjoy your summer. Stay connected... with one another... with God.
“The Blessing of Wrestling” TEXT: Genesis 32:24-31
Where I grew up, real wrestling took place a mat within a circle – not in some ring surrounded by rope. High school wrestling was very popular and is still a very big sport in my town and surrounding area. Bigger than basketball!
Wresting involves: Stamina: the ability to go the distance. Skill: agility & ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well. Strength: the ability to overpower your opponent.
Where does this event occur? Bank of the Jabbok River. Jabbok derives it name from a root verb signifying “to pour out, to empty – namely its waters into the Jordan River. Another meaning derived from the verb means to wrestle or contend.” We do both when we wrestle with God: it takes a pouring out of self and can be a contest of wrestling with God as we pour out self.
If we look close: Jacob is wrestling with God because he is wrestling with life! It wasn’t by accident that Jacob ended up in a wrestling match with God. Everything that had happened, everything that was happening in his life, had been leading up to this one crucial encounter.
What is the object of wrestling? It is to control your opponent. To pin your opponent! Jacob was trying to control life. Control God. Control his circumstances.
What were Jacob’s life issues? Family, fear, future, etc.
Three thoughts to leave with you from verse 24:
1. “Jacob was left alone”
There comes a time when each of us must accept responsibility for our own situation and circumstance. No matter whose fault it is, or who caused our struggle, we must ultimately decide what we are going to do about our situation. This is especially true in our relationship with God. No one else can accept your responsibility to God.
Example: Jesus at Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36-38; Luke 22:39-45.
There is a time in life when we have to go it alone in our encounter with God. We have to wrestle with our sin, our faith, and our commitment. We have to surrender our habits, our crisis, our problems, and our struggles to God.
2. Jacob wrestled in the dark of night.
Sometime, there are no simple answers. We wrestle in the darkness of our human understanding. As we wrestle with life and wrestle with God, there is much that we do not understand, do not know, and can’t know.
Paul said, “For we know in part…we see through a glass darkly.” (1 Cor. 1:9,12)
3. As Jacob wrestled in the dark of night, He experienced as we do that wrestling can be painful.
Our encounters with God are not always pleasant.
As Jacob wrestled with God, “he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched” (v.25). As we come to grips with our problems, it can be painful. To this day, I carry the painful reminder of a fall 39 years ago while working in a warehouse. But I have learned how to live with it. I have learned how to adjust and adapt to it. I have accepted that disability, knowing I cannot change it.
The good news is that there is blessing in wrestling with God. Jacob was man of stamina, skill, and strength. He refused to give up. He was persistent. He was determined. Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (v.26)
There is always a temptation to give up or give in too soon, to our problems and difficulties. In our aloneness, in our darkness, in our pain we want to cry out “I give up.” “I can’t take it anymore.” But here is the blessing of wrestling:
1. Accept responsibility.
You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can choose to allow God to change you. Jacob was changed by his encounter with God. But he still had to face the circumstances.
2. Discover God’s unlimited resources and ability in your wrestling.
Eph 3:20-21 NIV Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
3. Champions learn to overcome adversity and setbacks.
Jacob’s former name was “deceiver.” His new is Israel. It means, “he struggles with God.” It also came to mean “God’s Prince.” The root verb means to struggle or strive with determination, and then rule. It is a title of victory and speaks of contending for the faith and power from God.
“Between a Rock and a Hard Place” SERIES TEXT: Ps 46:11 THE MESSAGE Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God of angel armies protects us.
Our two part series is derived from this verse found in The Message. Ever been “between a rock and a hard place”? What does it mean? What does it look like?
Its Meaning: In difficulty, faced with a choice between two unsatisfactory options. In Bisbee, Arizona, in the early years of the 20th century, a dispute between copper mining companies and mineworkers developed. In 1917, the workers, some of whom had organized in labor unions, approached the company management with a list of demands for better pay and conditions. These were refused and subsequently many workers at the Bisbee mines were forcibly deported to New Mexico. Given that the mineworkers were faced with a choice between harsh and underpaid work at the rock-face on the one hand and unemployment and poverty on the other, that this is the source of the phrase.
Jacob faced such a moment. Actually he faced several moments like that. We will look at two, one this week and one next week.
We will face times in our life when we are discouraged and despairing because our future seems so uncertain. Life may be falling apart as a result of our own wrong decisions or through no fault of our own, just as a result of living in a fallen world. Doubt, discouragement, and uncertainty can affect varied aspects of our lives. We might be uncertain about our material needs be met. We may be uncertain about our personal relationships, our physical health, or some other area of our lives. During those times of uncertainty and discouragement we need a word of encouragement; a word of hope. We need to know that things will work out. The good news is that we can have this need for encouragement and assurance met because God, through his word and Spirit, reminds us of what we need to remember in uncertain times. In fact, this particular passage of Scripture contains four things we need to remember in uncertain times. Jacob was facing a very uncertain future. He was far from home and could not be sure of ever coming back. He had no assurance of finding a wife, a job, a home to stay in, or even having his basic needs met. He was seemingly all alone in a hostile world with no guarantee that he would not be hunted down and killed by his brother Esau or that he would not be harmed by a bandit or wild animal. Jacob was living in very uncertain times and needed a word of encouragement and assurance from God. Jacob did not deserve anything from God, but God in his mercy still came to Jacob.
READ TEXT: Genesis 28:10-22 THE MESSAGE
Jacob had traveled about 70 miles of his 450 mile journey to Haran. He needed to rest for the evening and so he set up camp in a "certain place." This place is not especially noteworthy; it does not even have a name. It is not known as a place for Divine visitations. There’s nothing particularly holy about this place. It is just a place of dirt and stones, so Jacob has no reason to expect anything unusual. Soon after Jacob goes to sleep with this head on a rock, which is not unusual for people in ancient times, God comes to Jacob in a dream. God sometimes shows up at unexpected times and unexpected places.
Two import spiritual principles: First, God sometimes shows up at unexpected times and unexpected places. Second, God is present and active even when we are unaware of him.
In verses 13-15 The Lord speaks to Jacob, and it is from that speech we learn the four things we need to remember in uncertain times, when we are “between a rock and a hard place.”
1. In uncertain times remember God’s promises.
The first thing God reminds Jacob of is the promises he had made. He basically says, "I made a promise to your father Isaac and your grandfather Abraham to give you the very land where you are now asleep as a stranger and to bless the whole world through your offspring and I am going to do it."
2. In uncertain times remember God’s presence.
We must know that God is with us if we’re to face the uncertain and fearful future with confidence. In verse 15, God said very clearly, "I am with you!" Jacob may have felt alone, but he never was alone and neither are we! God’s word to us is the same as his word to Jacob, "I am with you." This does not mean we will escape the storms of life, but the knowledge of his presence in those storms can give us peace and confidence in uncertain times
3. In uncertain times remember God’s protection.
God’s protection is the next thing that the Lord reminds Jacob of. He says in verse 15, "I am with you and will watch (keep) over you." In other words, I’m going to protect you on this perilous journey. This did not mean that nothing hurtful or bad would not ever happen to Jacob, but it did mean to him and it does mean to us that God will protect us so that his plan, which is good, comes to fruition. Jacob did not have to worry about his brother’s anger, bandits, or wild animals. God would protect him.
4. In uncertain times remember God’s provision.
The promise in verse 15 to "watch over you" had a dual meaning. The Hebrew word for "watch" meant to protect and to provide for or to take care of. The Hebrew word is first used in Genesis 2:15 where God instructed Adam to "take care" of the garden i.e. provide for its needs. This means God was also promising to provide for Jacob’s needs in addition to promising to protect him from harm. Jacob clearly understood this because he expects God to both watch over him on his journey and provide food and clothing for him as we see in verse 20. Now let’s look at Jacob’s response to God’s gracious encouragement and assurance. Read Genesis 28:16-22In verse 16 we see that Jacob recognizes that God has intervened in his life in a very special way and that such a Divine visitation should elicit a special response. Jacob then proceeds to set up a stone pillar as a memorial of worship. We also should worship God, especially when he reveals himself to us in special ways.
Then in verses 20-22 Jacob made a vow or commitment to the Lord. This vow could be seen as conditional, "If God does what he promised, I will follow him." The vow could also be translated as, "Since God has promised these things, I will follow him." In either case Jacob’s response is to serve Yahweh as his God and King and to worship him. We also should respond to God’s assurances to us with worship and commitment.
Conclusion: Each of us will face uncertain times but we can be encouraged because God is with us and for us.
I am an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. I have been in ministry since 1974, having served as lay leader, youth pastor, church planter, senior pastor, and Director of Church Ministries, overseeing Christian Education, Men's Ministries, and Youth Ministries for the Northern New England District Council of the Assemblies of God. I have led short term missionary teams to Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Hungary. In 1999, I was elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the Northern New England District with its headquarters located in Portland, Maine. I serve on the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God and also serve as secretary on the Board of Trustees of Zion Bible College, Barrington, RI. My responsibilities as Secretary/Treasurer include oversight in all credentialing and financial matters of the District.
