GUEST POST: Preach Like You Care

At the heart of any ministry is one that cares.

Five men who care can do much more ministry than a thousand who don’t. Without care, ministry doesn’t happen.

Care is what separates the preacher from the teacher.

Teachers cannot teach people to care. This is why people fall asleep in school.

Care must be stirred up by a passionate presenter: a preacher.

In this, we can see the wisdom of God in that he was pleased to save men by preaching (1 Cor 1:21).

Teaching has the goal to communicate right doctrine. Preaching has the goal of making people care about it.

Teaching cures ignorance, but preaching cures apathy.

Remember this when you are talking to someone who doesn’t care.

For his glory,

Justin “preach it!” Johnson
Grace Ambassadors

The Way Connection Group. 1 Peter 3:13-22

SERMON NOTES  SHEET	Name: Jeff Sandberg Class:  The Way Connection Group     Topic:  1 Peter 3:13-22 Date:   11/17/2019 SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE:
INTRODUCTION	Last week, we turned to the subject of marital submission. "Likewise," we were told, wives should be in subjection to their husbands. Verses 1-12 very explicitly and adamantly exhorts men to dwell with women "in knowledge, giving honor" as we dwell together as co-heirs with Christ. Christ calls us to obedience, not because it's pretty or makes a lot of sense, but because our obedience to God in Christ is how we win souls. It all, again, points back to the urgency of suffering in preaching. This week, we unpack the greatest “work” a Christian can do. Peter reminds his readers, “[It] is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” The good he speaks of? “[Giving] an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence.” The example that Christ gives us suffering in order that He might bring us back to God. Let us also be the avenue that God uses to bring someone to the foot of a blood-stained cross.
VERSES	NOTES
13 And who is he who will harm you if you be followers of that which is good?	This comes across as a rhetorical question seeing he doesn’t feel the need to provide an answer. Will some, possibly many harm followers of that which is good? Yes. Yet, Paul follows the logic of Solomon, still considered the wisest man the world has ever known 2nd only to Jesus. Pro 16:7. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
14 But even if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”	Pragmatism says, “Do it because it works.” Don’t trust it. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. Because when I am weak, then I am strong. Phil. 1:29. Because, to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake, Luke 12:4-5. 4 And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” 5 But I will forewarn you whom you should reverence: Reverence Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, reverence Him!” Think also of Elijah. In spite of being enemies to the evilest woman who ever lived, Jezebel, God has this to say to Elijah even after wanting the Lord to kill him.  1 Kings 19:18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence;	In the King James, this is part of the previous thought.  To sanctify is to “render venerable,” or to willingly attribute or acknowledge respect, hallow. Because we understand that Jesus suffered because 1) he testified that our deeds were evil and that he 2) was bringing us back to God, we shouldn’t be surprised at the trial we’re going through. Instead, worship and honor God. Numbers 20:12. Moses and Aaron are told to go before the rock that the Lord showed them and speak to it. In being triggered by the congregation, Moses allows his anger and disbelief in God’s promise to overtake him, and instead of speaking to it as the Lord commanded, he strikes it twice in anger.      1 Peter 3:12 says the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and the face of the Lord against them that do evil. Moses, God’s prophet, did evil and wasn’t allowed into the promised land, but had to die looking into it from the top of a mountain.      If we take the whole of Sacred Scripture in light of our passage, in sanctifying the Lord, we are also believing the Lord. It is a willingness to obey when we don’t know what the outcome of our suffering is. Many use this verse to support their apologetics ministry, and, yes, we should engage in spiritual conversation with the Lord, answering their questions and, if necessary, enter into some debate. However, our only out is the Lord.      As usual, with most (if not all) verses, there is simply more to the story than just what meets the eye.  Be ready. Psalm 119:46. “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” We must be ready for suffering. It should come as a surprise when people respond positively, not when unbelievers revile us. Daniel and his three men certainly sanctified the Lord in their hearts, believing that he was the one true God to be worshipped and not Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, knowing God is able to deliver them our of the king’s hand, “but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image with you have set up.” And, what also does it mean to sanctify the Lord in your hearts? It means that the whole of our lives is due to God. Why am I a teacher? God. Why am I a husband? God. Why am I a father? God. If there is one point in our lives that is not founded in God, we will be found “believing Him not.” Give an answer. John MacArthur: Peter is using the word, defense, in an informal sense (cf. Phil. 1:16–17) and is insisting that the believer (inferring all believers) must understand what he believes and why one is a Christian, and then be able to articulate one’s beliefs humbly, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically. A reason. Acts 24:25. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix was afraid and replied, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” All Christians should reason of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come, for all are under sin, Christ is the believers’ righteousness, and even Christians will be judged by their works. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 10 Because, we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether it is good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God, and I also trust are made manifest in your consciences.
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.	What is it to have a good conscience before God? Conscience comes from two words: “con-” meaning with, and “-science” meaning knowledge. In other words, we have been given knowledge by God from day one of what is right and wrong. We deaden our consciences through sin and willful disbelief. As Christians, we are supposed to have a more fully awake conscience than the rest of the world, in part because we have “sanctified the Lord in our hearts.” So, exercising a good conscience according to other portions of Scripture would mean: enduring grief, suffering wrongfully; void of offense toward God and toward men; conducted ourselves in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity by the grace of God; renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, walking by the manifestation of the truth; charity, or love in action; actively purging our consciences from dead works to serve the living God; in all things willing to live honestly.
17 Because, it is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 Because, Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,	Again, Christ suffered. Christ being just, us being unjust. Put to death in the flesh. Remember Psalm 49? The ransom of man is expensive. It took God in human form to save sinful man. Jesus was brutally murdered. Yet, he was made alive by the Spirit. John MacArthur notes, “This is not a reference to the Holy Spirit, but to Jesus’ true inner life, his own spirit. Contrasted with his flesh (humanness), which was dead for three days, his spirit (deity) was alive, lit., “in spirit.”
19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,	There is a longstanding disagreement about who the “spirits in prison” are. MacArthur believes these are demon spirits. Others, on the other hand, believe these are Old Testament believers. That said, J. Vernon McGee notes that the word “when” is operative here, saying that Jesus didn’t preach in the 3-day interim. He writes: “When did Christ preach to the spirits in prison? In His day or in Noah’s day? The next verse answers it. “When” is the keyword. It was in the days of Noah. Noah preached the gospel in his day. In Christ’s day, the spirits of those men to whom Noah had preached were in prison, for they had rejected the message of Noah.” However, when Jesus preaches about those being imprisoned, unless He’s talking about the devil and his angels, it’s to humans he speaks and it’s to bring freedom for their souls. Also, verse 20 indicates that these spirits were “formerly” disobedient. Aren’t all of us “formerly” disobedient, having rejected the Gospel until God got a hold of our hearts?
20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
21 This is also figurative of that which also now saves us, even baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,	Baptism, seen here, is the baptism that Paul references, baptism into Christ. There is a baptism by the Spirit that is done apart from water baptism. This baptism Peter says is 1) the answer of a good conscience towards God, and not the removal of filth (likely referring to water baptism), and 2) it’s baptism by the resurrection of Jesus. How does this make sense? First, he refers to Noah in the previous verse. Though Noah and his sons built the ark, it was God who protected and preserved them.
22 who has gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.	It’s like, after all of these imperatives, Peter gives us Jesus’ resumé. Why should we believe God, sanctifying Him in our hearts? Because he is in authority. He is in charge, all - angels, authorities, powers, and, by extension, us - having BEEN MADE subject to him. Salvation belongs to our God.
SUMMARY:  Write 4 or more statements describing specific learning from these notes. Suffering is a key component of the Christian faith. God can save us from the calamity caused by those who reject our message, but even if He doesn’t, we will not worship or bow down to other gods. In our suffering, we should know our “why.” This is contrary to the popular message of the day which concludes that religion is a personal thing and should not be thrust upon others, which, in turn, is contrary to the scriptures. We, knowing the terror of the Lord, do persuade men. When we’re not sharing the message with our mouths, we are to demonstrate changed lives with our actions, which in many cases opens the doors to share the good news of the gospel. We have hope in these things because God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has made all subject to Him. May we bow in reverence, and act in urgency.

The Way Connection Group. 1 Peter 3:1-12

SERMON NOTES  SHEET	Name: Jeff Sandberg Class:  The Way Connection Group     Topic:  1 Peter 3:1-12 Date:   11/10/2019 SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:22-24 1 Corinthians 11:3,11 1 John 2:9-11 Psalm 34:12-16
INTRODUCTION	Last week, we work our way down the list of those we are to be in submission to. Whereas in Lesson 5 citizens were to be in subjection to those upholding the law, slaves are to be subject to masters in lesson 6. It is inferred that slaves generally suffered under the hand of their masters. Therefore, as Jesus suffered on our behalf in order to “bring us to God,” we are to follow in his example of “being reviled” but who “reviled not again.” This week, we turn to the subject of marital submission. "Likewise," we are told, wives should be in subjection to their husbands. However, while last week's subject was almost devoid of any counterpoint regarding masters of slaves, today's chapter very explicitly and adamantly exhorts men to dwell with women "in knowledge, giving honor" as we dwell together as co-heirs with Christ. Christ calls us to obedience, not because it's pretty or makes a lot of sense, but because our obedience to God in Christ is how we win souls. It all, again, points back to the urgency of suffering in preaching.
VERSES	NOTES
1 Likewise, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that if any do not obey the word, they also without the word may be won by the conduct of their wives,	We continue with the ideas of submission and subjection in the lives of our wives. I’m going to betray myself and admit that I am egalitarian in salvation, complementation in a partner role. As Paul states about our eqaulity as believers and co-heirs with Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, but we are all one in Christ.” There are many and varied opinions on the topic of male headship. I would ask that everyone here make the plain reading of Scripture their final authority. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” May we sharpen each other as we all wrestle together with this very divisive subject. [READER. EPHESIANS 5:22-24] As Peter continues to steal material from Paul, we will see that Jesus is “setting us an example that we should walk therein.” Though he was God, he was also in submission to the Father. [READER. 1 Cor. 11:3,11] 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul states that “the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” In fact, later in this chapter, Paul is clear to appeal to creation and the fall for this state. Will it always be this way? I dunno. What I do know is that, when sin and death are finally defeated and we’re serving Christ in heaven, we will only have unhindered and full desires to obey, honor, and enjoy Jesus. It won’t really matter then. However, to the world, we are to demonstrate our unfettered obedience to our savior. This brings up the question of taking things out of context. Suzanne mentioned parts of chapter 2 being used in the deep south to support American slavery as it happened in modern history. I abhor and reject that outright. My wife is my chief advisor. It would be a horrible house if I ran it like a dictator. Paul states in 1 Cor. 11:11 that, “Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord.” We are not to be independent of one another. If you simply put two lists together - Christ’s service to the church, and Paul’s and Peter’s admonitions to husbands - I don’t believe a single person could come away thinking that men would be domineering over their wives. So, let’s take a slightly closer look at verses 1-4. Wives are to be subordinate to. It’s literally of one’s will. Wives are to place themselves in humble submission to the husband’s household lead. It’s very similar to when Paul says he “beat his body into submission,” meaning he trained it to follow reason and not feelings. Then he says “if” any [read “husbands”] do not obey the word [of God] (meaning they’re not believers), that their conduct would win them over. Aside from the outright preaching of the gospel, didn’t Jesus say “let your light so shine before men that they may see your good WORKS and glorify your Father who is in heaven”? John MacArthur notes, “The loving, gracious submission of a Christian woman to her unsaved husband is the strongest evangelistic tool she has. Added to submission is modesty, meekness, and respect for the husband.”
2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied with reverence.
3 Do not let your adornment be only an outward appearance, arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on of clothes,
4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with that which is incorruptible, even the adornment of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great value in the sight of God.
5 Because, in this manner, in old times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being in submission to their own husbands,	Then, Peter draws attention to Sarah as the example to emulate, which is weird, because Sarah was known as one of the most beautiful women of her time. Think of the holy women who followed Jesus. Luke 8:2-3 memorializes Mary Magdalene, Chuza’s wife, Joanna, Susanna and “many others” who ministered to Jesus. What?! Ministered to Jesus?! Why, yes. Luke, in Acts 1:14, reminds was careful to mention that the remaining disciples/apostles” continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, Mary, and his brothers. “The women” are mentioned first before even Mary. Jesus was certainly about valuing women in the kingdom of God. Again, here we are to remember Sarah. Sarah called Abraham “kyrios,” meaning “supreme in authority; master.” Did she not reverence God? Very much so. Sarah and the wives of the other patriarchs did not hold their husbands by sex appeal. As J. Vernon McGee has said, “A Christian woman may win a husband by sex appeal, but she can never win him to the Lord by sex appeal.” Matthew Henry adds, “[They] trusted in God, and yet did not neglect their duty to man: the duties imposed upon [women], of a quiet spirit and of subjection to [their] own husbands, are not new, but what have ever been practiced by the greatest and best women in the world.” “Christians ought to do their duty to one another, not out of fear, nor from force, but from a willing mind, and in obedience to the command of God. Wives should be in subjection to their churlish husbands, not from dread and amazement, but from a desire to do well and to please God.”
6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.	What about husbands? Dictators? Domineering? In a word, no. I could use stronger language, but it would take away from the obvious. In our case, husbands are commanded to give their wives honor, like a queen, a chief advisory, a high court official. She is not a pauper, but, as it were, a highly respected part of our presidential cabinet. She is to be defended and protected. We are, as Peter sees, co-heirs, as we heard Paul mention earlier. In fact, if we negate our privilege and responsibility through “unnecessary separation,” dwell with her according to lust as “brutes” (says Matthew Henry) in devilish passion, if we refuse to respect her, maintain her authority, delight in her conversation, or refuse to place our confidence in her, our very prayers are hindered. [READER. 1 John 2:9-11]. She is our co-heir, our brethren in Christ. We cannot and must not separate her place as co-heir from her place as our wife. They must find harmony. We must work hard for her.
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brethren, be tenderhearted, be courteous;	Peter concludes by addressing the church. The ekklesia, the called-out ones, are to have a united front, to be like-minded. In other words, as husbands are to dwell with their wives in knowledge, even more so should we dwell with Jesus in knowledge. However, that knowledge should be wrapped up in compassion, tenderness, and courteousness. My parents always taught “tough love.” Peter says different. As you can see, the modern and common attitudes of Southern masters towards their slaves was largely, if not completely, devoid of compassion, love, tenderheartedness, courteousness, and blessing in the face of reviling. It is clear to me why the modern approach to these verses is to relegate them to the culture of the time. Why? Because men are rightly accused of ignoring these passages. However, Peter says were are called to “this”? What? We are called as believers to inherit the blessing of eternal life and future rewards for our obedience. That’s also what Paul and Peter say in their open lines in both Romans and 1 Peter.
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you are called to this, that you should inherit a blessing.
10 Because, "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.	[READER. Psalm 34:12-16] As John MacArthur notes, “The requirements of the fulfilled life include  a humble, loving attitude toward everyone (1 Pet. 3:8) a non-vindictive response toward revilers (v. 9 ) pure and honest speech (v. 10) a disdain for sin and pursuit of peace (v. 11) and the right motive,  [in other words], to WORK (obey) the righteousness that pleases the omniscient Lord.” “Because, the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”  Against. The Greek word is “upon.” Teachers watch students who are particularly unruly during class, their eyes are against AND upon those students. [EXPAND]
11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 Because, the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."
13 And who is he who will harm you if you be followers of that which is good?	NEXT WEEK.
SUMMARY:  Write 4 or more statements describing specific learning from these notes. The family unit is to be an example of how the church operates. The family is how God intended to naturally teach love and grace towards others as well as while growing up. These are ideal pictures for how to operate in the larger church body. Obedience, submission, and subjection are not to be forced from without but are to come from within our relationship to Jesus. The church is to know doctrine and display it lovingly, graciously, and tenderly, even in the face of reviling. God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us…very closely.