Stand Firm in Exile

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Childcare—need roughly 12-16 adults to be in a rotation to serve every other month to assist with nursery for ages 2 and under during the worship service. Currently have 9.

Bible reading plan in 2021 (Elizabeth testimony)

NEW CITY CATECHISM #1

What is our only hope in life and death?

That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Thanksgiving—Providence

We praise you God, that as the Belgic Confession states, after You created all things, You did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that You rule and govern them according to Your holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without Your appointment

Nevertheless, we rejoice that You are neither the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which we your creatures commit.

Your power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that You order and execute Your work in the most excellent and just manner, even when devils and wicked men act unjustly.

We confess that Your decisions surpass our understanding. Help us not to curiously inquire into Your secret will, but with humility and reverence to praise You for all You do and trust that Your Word is sufficient to tell us what we need to know.

Thank You that Your Word teaches us about the doctrine of providence, and that it comforts us to know that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father.

Thank you for watching over us with a father’s care, keeping all creatures so under Your power, that not a hair of our heads, nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, apart from Your will.

Help us to so entirely trust You that we are fully persuaded that You so restrain the devil and all our enemies that without Your will and permission, they cannot hurt us.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon, when we cannot trace Your hand, help us to trust Your heart.

Prayer for PBC—those rejoicing

New births, new jobs, new homes, new relationships, etc.

Help us not to be envious of their joy

Help us to genuinely rejoice with them!

Prayer for Faith Baptist Church of Matthews, Virginia, pastor Werlie Hendrix

Prayer for US—Religious Freedom

Understanding of religious freedom has shifted from the free exercise of religion (which ensures our freedom to live out our core beliefs in the culture) to the freedom to worship (which allows us to gather like this as long as we keep our unpopular beliefs to ourselves)

As Christians, help us to see and understand that if religious freedom will be protected for anybody, it must be protected for everybody.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Help us to see this is not a minor issue . . .

According to the Heritage Foundation, 350,000 religious congregations operate schools, pregnancy resource centers, soup kitchens, drug addiction programs, homeless shelters, and adoption agencies. These serve 70 million Americans each year and the value of their services are estimated at over $44.3 billion annually.

Help us to pray for continued religious liberty

Help us to be aware of threats to religious liberty

Religious liberty vs. erotic liberty

Help us to speak on behalf of religious liberty

Help us to work for religious liberty

Raise up young men and women with sanctified hearts and minds ready to defend this precious right in our country

Prayer for the world—United Arab Emirates

Khalifa Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Against Islam

8% followers of Jesus

Against religious persecution towards Christians who proclaim the Gospel

Wisdom and discernment for Christians seeking to evangelize

Discipleship for Christians

Pray for sermon

SERMON

For those of you who are old enough to have received a handwritten letter in the mail, you are likely familiar with the postscript. It’s usually abbreviated as P.S., and it usually contains a sentence or two after the main body of the letter. Often a postscript contains minor or insignificant details, but sometimes it is incredibly important.

For example, one star-crossed lover wrote the following message to his girl: “Dear Jennifer, I love you so much I would climb the highest mountain, swim the widest ocean, cross the burning desert just to be with you. I will see you on Saturday . . . P.S. If it’s not raining.” [i]

Or there’s the employee who received the following letter: “Dear Fred, seldom have we had such an employee of quality and consistency as you. For productivity, you’re hard to beat. As a team player, you’re an example to all. As the year ends, we want to acknowledge the fine job you’ve done. Sincerely, the District Manager. . . . P.S. You’re fired.”[ii]

Or what about the child who wrote a note to her parents: “I’m angry at you and I’m not talking to you today and tomorrow. . . . P.S. all day. . . . P.S.S. I still love you.”[iii]

Sometimes the postscript of a letter is highly significant.

Turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter 5:12. We’ve finally arrived at the conclusion to the Apostle Peter’s wonderful letter. Last week we ended on a high note with a glorious amen, and you may have thought that would be a natural place to end our study. But Peter has included a short postscript to his letter, and it is highly significant. Not just because it’s Scripture, all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

The final words of Peter’s letter are highly significant because they tell us what he wants us to do with everything he’s written.

Peter is not writing for informational purposes only. He wants you and I to respond to this letter. This letter is written to encourage exiles to stand firm until the end.

1 Peter 5:12-14—By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (13) She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. (14) Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

I want you to notice with me four reasons why Christians living in exile should stand firm until the end.

1. Stand Firm Because It’s Grace

In verse 12 Peter tells us the purpose of his letter: I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

What does he mean when he says “this” is the true grace of God? What’s the “this” referring to? I believe Peter is referring to the entire letter. This relatively short letter is a good summary of the Christian life.

The Christian life begins and ends with grace

1 Peter 1:3-5—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Unbeliever—you can receive this grace today!

Christian—you were saved by grace, you will be kept by grace!

Obedience in the middle is also grace

Living with hope is grace

Living a holy life is grace

Living with a healthy fear of God is grace

Loving others is grace

Hunger for God’s Word is grace

Being a part of a church family is grace

Submitting to our governing authorities is grace

Suffering in obedience to Jesus is grace

Husbands and wives obeying God’s Word about the home is grace

Resisting the temporary pleasures of the age is grace

Serving one another is grace

Having elders who shepherd well is grace

Casting our anxieties on Jesus is grace

Resisting Satan and his minions is grace

“Living this way may feel stifling!!! I want to be free”

So did the kite who wanted to be free from his string, the fish who wanted to be free from water, and the train that wanted freedom from the tracks.

You are only free when you’re living how you were created to live.

Stand firm until the end because when you do, you’re standing in grace.

2. Stand Firm Because We’re Not Alone

In verses 12-14, as in the entire letter, Peter repeatedly reminds us that followers of Jesus are not alone.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. (13) She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

First, Peter mentions Silvanus.

Since Silvanus is the Latinized form of the Greek name Silas,[iv] many believe this is the same Silas we know from the book of Acts. The same Silas who was imprisoned with Paul in Philippi and helped deliver the letter from the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. Peter mentions Silas here because he is likely the one who is delivering this letter to the Christians in Asia Minor.

Robert Mounce writes this about Silas: “[He] was an influential person in the early church…yet his highest commendation is that he was a faithful brother. Silas was such a man—content to take a subordinate place and faithful to carry out the responsibilities that fell to him. The church desperately needs men like Silas who will work quietly in the supportive roles of Christian ministry.”[v]

When the exiles stand firm, they’re standing firm alongside a faithful brother like Silas. And when you stand firm, you’re standing firm alongside men and women like Silas in our own church. You’re not alone.

Next, Peter mentions the local church in Rome where he is a member and an elder.

Verse 13: She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings.

How is this a reference to the local church in Rome? Well, for one the New Testament writers occasionally referred to local churches as a chosen lady.

For example, John does this twice in 2 John when he writes “to the elect lady” and sends greeting from “the children of your elect sister.” So the chosen lady in 1 Peter 5 is almost certainly referring to a local church.

But why would we say Peter is writing from Rome when he mentions Babylon? He’s not writing from Babylon because in his day there was no Babylon! That ancient city had been destroyed 600 years earlier. But from the beginning to the end of the Bible, the name “Babylon” was used to refer to any place anywhere that set itself against God. To be in Babylon was to be in exile. To be in Babylon was to be anywhere but home.

Peter is saying, “you’re not alone exiled Christians in Asia Minor. We’re exiles too.” And if he could speak to us today he just might say, “you’re not alone exiled Christians in Poquoson, Newport News, York County, Hampton, and beyond. You’re a part of a long line of men and women who have lived as exiles on this earth.

Hebrews 11:13-16—These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Then Peter mentions Mark, his son.

Peter is probably not referring to a biological son named Mark, but the Mark who we know from the book of Acts. It was this Mark who abandoned Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, which eventually led to a fight between Paul and Barnabas. But over time Mark would mature and would eventually write the Gospel that bears his name, likely with Peter’s assistance and supervision.

When you stand firm, you’re standing firm alongside those who have messed things up. You’re not alone.

Because we’re not alone, Peter instructs his readers in verse 14 to Greet one another with the kiss of love.

In that culture a kiss of greeting was common for friends and family.

The Ephesian elders kissed Paul when they saw him for the last time (Acts 20:37).

The father kissed the Prodigal son when he returned (Luke 15:20).

Judas’ kiss of Jesus in Gethsemane was not insulting because it was a kiss, but because he would twist a sign of love and friendship into a sign of betrayal.

About this call to kiss, John Stott writes: “The form which kissing takes varies considerably from culture to culture. It may involve the use of our hands, arms, mouths, cheeks or noses. Or the custom of our country may be to stand back and bow without any bodily contact. Yet the apostle’s instruction is clear that when Christians meet each other they should greet each other, and that their verbal greeting should be made stronger, warmer and more personal by a culturally appropriate sign.”[vi]

The application for us is not to insist on this particular cultural expression of a warm greeting (especially in a time of sickness and social distancing), but to insist on the warm greeting.

We must not allow face masks and social distancing to keep us from warmly greeting one another in love.

We should, insofar as we are able, labor to greet one another in love. And perhaps especially during a time when many of us feel more alone than over.

No one should ever leave our gatherings feeling unloved.

Stand firm until the end because you’re not alone.

3. Stand Firm Because You’re In Christ.

Peter concludes his letter with a benediction: Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

This prayer for peace would be especially comforting for a group of Christians who were about to endure the devastating effects of Nero’s persecution of the church.

Did God ignore Peter’s prayer? Did God refuse to grant peace to these believers as the fires of persecution blazed around them? No. Not if we understand peace.

Alexander Maclaren writes that "Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.”[vii]

God’s people can enjoy peace amidst pain, plague, and persecution because God is present.

But how can we be sure of God’s presence? Because we are “in Christ.”

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

This idea of being in Christ is all over the New Testament. Believers are created in Christ (Eph. 2:10), crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20), buried with Christ (Col. 2:12), baptized in Christ and His death (Rom. 6:3), resurrected in Christ (Rom. 6:5), and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6); Christ is formed in believers (Gal. 4:19) and dwells in our hearts (Eph. 3:17); the church is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27); Christ is in us (2 Cor. 13:5) and we are in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30); the church is one flesh with Christ (Eph. 5:31–32); believers gain Christ and are found in Him (Phil. 3:8–9). In Christ we are justified (Rom. 8:1), glorified (8:30), sanctified (1 Cor. 1:2), called (1:9); made alive (Eph. 2:5), created anew (2 Cor. 5:17), adopted (Gal. 3:26), and elected (Eph. 1:4–5).

John Calvin said this doctrine is to be accorded “the highest degree of importance.”[viii]

What does it mean to be in Christ?

Lord willing, sometime in the next 4-6 weeks or so we’ll be flying to Bogota, Colombia to adopt our son and bring him home.

It will not be enough to be near the airplane, on the airplane, by the airplane, over/under the airplane, or even with the airplane. We must be IN the airplane.

Authority to travel in international airspace because I’m in the plane

Ability to travel in international airspace because I’m in the plane

Whatever happens to the plan (for good or bad) happens to me

In Christ: if God has promised to glorify Christ, then if I am in Him, then in the end I will be glorified. God can no more abandon me than He can abandon His own Son.

If you have repented and believed in the Gospel, you will stand firm because you’re in Christ!

J.I. Packer—Your faith will not fail while God sustains it; you are not strong enough to fall away while God is resolved to hold you. [ix]

Stand firm until the end because you’re in Christ.

4. Stand Firm Because It’s All True.

How can I stand firm? What if we’re wrong about all this?

Verse 12 — this is the true grace of God.

Peter believed this was true

Jesus predicted how Peter would die. . .

John 21:18-19—Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Based on multiple sources from church history, we believe that Peter died in Rome, within a few years after the completion of this letter. Probably not long after writing the second letter that bears his name. By that point Nero’s persecution had begun, and naturally a man like Peter would be high on Nero’s list to capture and execute.

Crucified upside-down, not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord

Daniel Doriani—People do die for a lie, especially if someone has duped them into believing it.

People may even die for something they know to be a lie (think of the lies of communism), if it promised them great wealth or power.

But people do not die for a lie that they know they invented, especially when that lie brings them no benefit, and causes them nothing (in this world) but danger, suffering, and loss.

The apostles [including Peter himself] died for the testimony to the words and works of Jesus, which is the strongest evidence that they knew it was true. [x]

Stand firm until the end because it’s all true.

One of the ways we show our commitment to stand firm is through our faithful participation in the Lord’s Supper

1 Cor. 11:26—For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Didn’t receive a communion cup when you came in and you want to take communion with us, hold your hand up.

But before you prepare to take, let’s remind ourselves what the Lord’s Supper is and who it’s for.

The Lord’s Supper is a church’s symbolic meal of bread and cup that unites the church, renews the believer, and proclaims the gospel.

Bread—represents the body of Jesus

Cup—represents the blood of Jesus

Because the Lord’s Supper is pointing to Jesus and the Gospel, it’s for those who have trusted Him!

Not a Christian? Don’t take (even if we gave you cup). Receive Christ!

Christian? Take with joy! Yes, confess sin but don’t forget the point of the meal is that you’re not good enough. But you’re trusting in the One who is.

Take a moment to peel back the layer of plastic covering the bread. Thank Jesus for giving His body for you.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Take a moment to peel back the layer of plastic covering the cup. Thank Jesus for shedding His blood for you.

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Let’s sing together

BENEDICTION

1 Corinthians 15:58—Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Go in the peace of Christ.

ENDNOTES

[i] As told by Alistair Begg, Basic Christianity (Parkside Church, 1990), https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/basic-christianity/.

[ii] As told by Begg.

[iii] “Funny Note,” Pinterest, accessed December 28, 2020, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/278378820687115148/.

[iv] Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 321.

[v] Robert H. Mounce, A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1982), 91.

[vi] As quoted by C.J. Mahaney, Postscript, Exiles: Sustained By Hope in a Hostile World (Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, 2017), https://www.sgclouisville.org/sovereign-grace-church-louisville-sermons/sermon/2017-10-15/postscript-c-j-mahaney-1-peter-5:12-14.

[vii] Alexander Maclaren, as quoted by https://www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_511-14, accessed December 29, 2020.

[viii] As quoted by Marcus Peter Johnson, “10 Things You Should Know about Union with Christ,” Crossway, August 23, 2016, https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-union-with-christ/.

[ix] J.I. Packer, Knowing God (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1973), 275.

[x] Daniel Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary: Matthew, chapter 28 https://ref.ly/logosres/rec61mt?ref=Bible.Mt8.1-4&off=19543