Be Ready

1 Peter 3:8 CSB

Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,

INTRO—

“Finally”—in ‘preacher speak’ we all know what that means…like the Snickers candy bar commercial, ‘not going anywhere for a while’…

…IRL [In Real Life; continues]!!!

SEMPER… [= Always!]

Fidelis = Faithful (Thank You, US Marines!)

Reformanda = Reforming (Thank You, Protestant Reformation!)

Paratus = Ready (Thank You, Peter…& Holy Spirit!)

Ready to Help Each Other [1 Peter 3.8-12]

[FOCAL: vv. 8-9]

“Finally” — Peter addresses the interrelation of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

Be like-minded (the challenges pulling at this call are very real)

Sympathetic (caring deeply about the needs, joys, and sorrows of others)

Brotherly loving (familial, familiar)

Compassionate (namely to others who are hurting; also [Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”])

Humble-minded (humble; consider others’ needs above your own)

————— (line between v. 8 & v. 9)

Not retaliatory (not a gotcha / gotta get you back…oh yeah, let me show you…when it comes to evil-for-evil; the text once again warns about name-calling [insulting]—we cannot be party to such behavior)

Blessing (instead, give a great big, oh yeah, so how about this blessing for you!)

This call encouraged by the OLD TESTAMENT—

3.10-12 = Psalm 34.12-16!!

Ready to Answer Outsiders [1 Peter 3.13-22]

[FOCAL: vv. 14-16]

Context for my favorite part—vv. 15-16—is vv. 13-15a…

Peter incorporates Jesus into Isaiah 8:12–13 “Do not call everything a conspiracy that these people say is a conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified. You are to regard only the Lord of Armies as holy. Only he should be feared; only he should be held in awe.”

Ready (always)

To Defend a Reason for the Hope (explanation…not an argument)

With Gentleness and Reverence (gentleness toward people and fear of God)

So that if anyone would try to SLANDER (the Gk word translated ‘you are accused’ by CSB) you…they will be shamed.

Help others understand AND honor God as holy & true.

This call encouraged by Jesus’ example. [vv. 18-22]

…

[[CHALLENGING PART—

(19) “in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison...”

= [difficult passage; multiple views] “…by the SPIRIT, in which he also went and made proclamation…” (vv. 18b-20). Noah’s preaching to the people of his day…

(21) “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you…”

= Baptism of the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13 “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.”)

Ready to Remain Exiles [1 Peter 4.1-6]

[FOCAL: vv. 1-2]

“Arm yourselves” — BE READY (again)

‘Since Christ suffered in the flesh’…we will (would, could, should), too. [shouldn’t be shocked by it for sure]

…

[[CHALLENGING PART—

(1) “Because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin”

= Choosing to suffer as an exile in this life shows that we have committed our focus to righteousness and are done with a focus on sin as our consistent, constant goal.

…

“Living…for God’s will” (v. 2)

We have spent too much focus on living like the rest of the world…we have a better focus—a better story!

BUT…this’ll come with opportunity for more—SLANDER!!

Peter answers the challenge with a reminder (vv. 5-6)

…

[[CHALLENGING PART—

(6) “For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead…”

= “who are NOW dead”…’now’ is an interpretation which helps in context of entire verse; is believers who are now dead and being dead doesn’t change the blessing of trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord.

…

Slanderers are not ‘put to shame’ by a belligerent argument (in-your-face)—but by a consistent, selfless, life of respect and gentleness and clarity.

CONCL—

WE NEED TO LIVE…LIVE…LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD! BEING READY IS JUST PREPARATION TO LIVE! WE CANNOT FORGET (FAIL) TO LIVE!!

INVITATION:

Salvation

Lord’s Supper Preparation

Ready

Live

LORD’S SUPPER

JESUS’ BODY

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

JESUS’ BLOOD

1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

JESUS’ PROMISE

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

1 Peter 4:6 CSB

For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.