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DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
more PETER
A. REMINDER...we read the two "catholic" letters of Peter. With a small c, catholic mean "universal". Peter's letters are meant for any and all churches, whereas Paul's letters went to specific churches about specific issues.
B.
TODAY,
1 Peter 1:6-12.
C. SUMMARY ...Peter warns that in every life we "may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." We should face such times as an opportunity to be strengthened, to grow in understanding and faith. Peter congratulates all of us who choose to believe Christ even though we never met him. That truly is faith. Then Peter reminds everyone that ours is an historic faith, we are the fulfillment of God's promises made through the Old Testament prophets. Their vision of God's action in the world, through Jesus and through us, is the foundation of our Church.
D.
KEY POINTS:
1. "OH, RATS", or worse. Bad things happen to good people all the time (vs 7-8). On one level Peter is warning those 60-70 A.D. Christians that Roman persecution was around the corner. On another level he is warning Christians of every century that persecution is around, as it is in many parts of the world today. On a third level Peter is acknowledging that every person will face sorrows, losses, disappointments, and injustices. On all three levels Peter advises us to look at such challenges as a way to test our faith, to gain strength, and to be an inspiration to others.
2. POP UP Religion. Everything comes from something. "Pop Up" markets are popular, little side-walk or park or town square businesses that seem to come out of nowhere. Truth is some are outposts of local stores; some sell products grown in a backyard or made in their home kitchen. Likewise, Christianity "popped up", emerging from 3,000 years of God's relationship with the Jewish people. We have a history, we have roots, and there is a context from which Christianity emerged. That context is God at work through the people of Israel. Their understanding of the inherent one-ness of God (monotheism), the importance of law and standards, and the prophetic commitment to justice and doing things fairly laid the groundwork for Jesus (vs. 10-12).
In this Christmas season we turn to those Old Testament prophets to remind us that Israel had been waiting for a Messiah like Jesus for hundreds of years.
3. PREACHING (vs. 12) has been at the heart of Protestant worship since Martin Luther's Reformation. Historically, for Catholics the heart of worship is the Eucharist, Holy Communion. Protestants emphasize scripture, leading the push for the Bible to be printed, translated, and distributed. Many hymns are based on scripture. Preaching is the proclamation of the truths of scripture. It is how people can connect God's ideas with daily life. The challenge of preaching today is the same as it was 2,000 years ago for Peter: to take the great "Good News" of Jesus' life and bring it to people in a way they will really receive it.
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