A Consequential Life - 1 Peter 5:1-4
Posted by Calvary Chapel Fremont at 1/31/2010 4:13 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Consequential Life Peter
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Consequential Life Peter
Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 31, 2010
A Consequential Life
1 Peter 5:1-4
PETER SPEAKS OF THE POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH THAT ONLY SOME HAVE/THE PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT ALL SHOULD BE FOLLOWING.
1 presbuteros = elder | 2 poimen = pastor/episkopos = bishop
An elder is a shepherd is a bishop. Historically there are distinctions/not Biblically. Apply here. Copies of CC Church Polity…
Peter sets b4 us the essence of spiritual l’ship. Peter is speaking to the issue of healthy l’ship – and he doesn’t mention doctrine. And it’s not because doctrine isn’t important, but because doctrine doesn’t normally cause division in a church – people do - people w/ agendas/hungry for power/influence/popularity. A college professor told us students that 99% of church splits are caused by personality, not doctrine. You can have PhD theologians who don’t have the qualities of vv2-3 – may have role, but not character.
Many attend a church because of the preaching/worship/children’s ministry/outreach/etc. There is still another, deeper aspect of the life of the church that needs 2b considered - its l’ship. Many never consider the infrastructure of a church b4 deciding to make it their church home. Many can purchase a home and discover that the location is great/square footage is adequate/yard is big/price is right – but mold has permeated the walls and is making the family sick. There’s a dynamic at work undermining all the positive aspects of that home. So it can be in a church.
Just look at the apostles – James’/John’s mother asked Jesus if her sons could be at His right hand in the KOG. This upset the other apostles – they probably called their moms on speed dial and were saying to them, “Make it sound like it’s your idea, but please ask Jesus if I could sit at His right hand...” We find them bickering among themselves as to who is the greatest. Peter: I’m the only one who walked on water. Others: You’re also the only one who sunk. Tried/failed. They were more concerned w/ the honor of being a part of the l’ship team than w/ the responsibility of being a part of it.
The mold of pride/position/popularity/power was at work among them and Jesus rebuked them/reminded them that they were called to serve, not rule/give, not take. Peter here writes of the role/character of l’ship in the body of Christ.
Peter - says three things about himself that pertains to all who would seek to carry responsibility in the church: elder with you/ witness of sufferings of Christ/partaker of glory. He is aware of three realms/realities – responsibility/suffering/glory.
Glory is mentioned last. You can’t experience His glory if you don’t walk in responsibility/embrace suffering. If Peter were to avoid his responsibility/run from the suffering that comes w/ responsibility – no glory/reward. With great responsibility comes great reward. With avoidance of responsibility comes great reproach. We have a generation running from responsibility and then wonder why they are not experiencing the richness of life as God designed it.
Australia school phone announcement - A life w/o accountability is a life w/o responsibility. A life w/o responsibility is a life w/o judgment. A life w/o judgment is a life w/o consequences. A life w/o consequences is an inconsequential life. I do X/Y doesn’t happen. I neglect my children and they do not become broken. I spend time/money/energy on drugs/alcohol and I don't fall apart and everything works out. I say whatever I want and no one is offended. I do mediocre work and am not penalized for it. I pay attention to other women and my wife isn't grieved. This is the mold that has made America sick/ the disease that is gutting her.
No consequences = no effect/impact. God save me from an inconsequential life. I want to live for Jesus and others feel the impact of that life. Peter is urging the l'ship and the whole church to a consequential life – one that has impact.
This is a good word for fathers, too. This is a good word for everybody. Whatever we do for the Lord and in the Lord needs to follow the grain of the Spirit. Here’s the grain of the Spirit – You’re not to serve because of the pressure of others, but because it’s the purpose of your heart.
Compulsion – the use of force/the pressure of a need
Others think you should serve - you're influential in the community, you're a mover/shaker, an attorney/doctor/CEO, you're wealthy...
Many have served for these reasons. And though the man may be a fine/godly man, the call to serve as an elder in the church is a call from God and not a call from man. Others (wife/husband/friends) can put pressure on you. The pastor can put pressure on you. But unless it is a work you desire to do – don't be pushed/guilted/ shamed n2 it. This is true for any ministry. 1 Tim. 3:1
There is a need 4u2 serve - the children's ministry requires workers /usher crew needs 2b staffed/we need people to help serve here or there. And so as not 2b seen as lazy/indifferent you sign up to serve, but not out of love for God and people, but out of guilt – compulsion. There is danger in not serving voluntarily.
Jacob served Laban under compulsion and bitterness sprang up between them. When ur forced to serve against your will, ur not serving from love, but from obligation. Whatever is not from love will end up scarring your soul – ask Jacob.
Peter does not say that if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t serve the Lord. Serving the Lord may be the hardest thing you ever do because it stretches you outside of your comfort zone. If you’re going to feel pressure, feel the pressure of the Lord – Moses did. You’re not to serve in hopes of prosperity/popularity, but because it’s the passion of your heart.
Acts 8:18-21 Simon the Magician | Acts 3 - The Pope said to Thomas Aquinas: the church can no longer say, “Silver and gold have I none.” To which Thomas replied, “Nor can she say, ‘In the name of Jesus rise and walk.’”
Lust is never satisfied/ love is.
You’re not to serve by the exercise of power, but by the example of the pattern of Christ.
Example = tupos - a figure formed by a blow or impression. Is your life ‘stamped/marked’ by Christ? Lead from this.
3J9 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:17
Purpose - this is what I want to do
Passion - this is why I want to do it
Pattern - this is how I’m going to do it
Download | Duration: 00:48:05
A Consequential Life
1 Peter 5:1-4
PETER SPEAKS OF THE POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH THAT ONLY SOME HAVE/THE PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT ALL SHOULD BE FOLLOWING.
1 presbuteros = elder | 2 poimen = pastor/episkopos = bishop
An elder is a shepherd is a bishop. Historically there are distinctions/not Biblically. Apply here. Copies of CC Church Polity…
Peter sets b4 us the essence of spiritual l’ship. Peter is speaking to the issue of healthy l’ship – and he doesn’t mention doctrine. And it’s not because doctrine isn’t important, but because doctrine doesn’t normally cause division in a church – people do - people w/ agendas/hungry for power/influence/popularity. A college professor told us students that 99% of church splits are caused by personality, not doctrine. You can have PhD theologians who don’t have the qualities of vv2-3 – may have role, but not character.
Many attend a church because of the preaching/worship/children’s ministry/outreach/etc. There is still another, deeper aspect of the life of the church that needs 2b considered - its l’ship. Many never consider the infrastructure of a church b4 deciding to make it their church home. Many can purchase a home and discover that the location is great/square footage is adequate/yard is big/price is right – but mold has permeated the walls and is making the family sick. There’s a dynamic at work undermining all the positive aspects of that home. So it can be in a church.
Just look at the apostles – James’/John’s mother asked Jesus if her sons could be at His right hand in the KOG. This upset the other apostles – they probably called their moms on speed dial and were saying to them, “Make it sound like it’s your idea, but please ask Jesus if I could sit at His right hand...” We find them bickering among themselves as to who is the greatest. Peter: I’m the only one who walked on water. Others: You’re also the only one who sunk. Tried/failed. They were more concerned w/ the honor of being a part of the l’ship team than w/ the responsibility of being a part of it.
The mold of pride/position/popularity/power was at work among them and Jesus rebuked them/reminded them that they were called to serve, not rule/give, not take. Peter here writes of the role/character of l’ship in the body of Christ.
Peter - says three things about himself that pertains to all who would seek to carry responsibility in the church: elder with you/ witness of sufferings of Christ/partaker of glory. He is aware of three realms/realities – responsibility/suffering/glory.
Glory is mentioned last. You can’t experience His glory if you don’t walk in responsibility/embrace suffering. If Peter were to avoid his responsibility/run from the suffering that comes w/ responsibility – no glory/reward. With great responsibility comes great reward. With avoidance of responsibility comes great reproach. We have a generation running from responsibility and then wonder why they are not experiencing the richness of life as God designed it.
Australia school phone announcement - A life w/o accountability is a life w/o responsibility. A life w/o responsibility is a life w/o judgment. A life w/o judgment is a life w/o consequences. A life w/o consequences is an inconsequential life. I do X/Y doesn’t happen. I neglect my children and they do not become broken. I spend time/money/energy on drugs/alcohol and I don't fall apart and everything works out. I say whatever I want and no one is offended. I do mediocre work and am not penalized for it. I pay attention to other women and my wife isn't grieved. This is the mold that has made America sick/ the disease that is gutting her.
No consequences = no effect/impact. God save me from an inconsequential life. I want to live for Jesus and others feel the impact of that life. Peter is urging the l'ship and the whole church to a consequential life – one that has impact.
This is a good word for fathers, too. This is a good word for everybody. Whatever we do for the Lord and in the Lord needs to follow the grain of the Spirit. Here’s the grain of the Spirit – You’re not to serve because of the pressure of others, but because it’s the purpose of your heart.
Compulsion – the use of force/the pressure of a need
Others think you should serve - you're influential in the community, you're a mover/shaker, an attorney/doctor/CEO, you're wealthy...
Many have served for these reasons. And though the man may be a fine/godly man, the call to serve as an elder in the church is a call from God and not a call from man. Others (wife/husband/friends) can put pressure on you. The pastor can put pressure on you. But unless it is a work you desire to do – don't be pushed/guilted/ shamed n2 it. This is true for any ministry. 1 Tim. 3:1
There is a need 4u2 serve - the children's ministry requires workers /usher crew needs 2b staffed/we need people to help serve here or there. And so as not 2b seen as lazy/indifferent you sign up to serve, but not out of love for God and people, but out of guilt – compulsion. There is danger in not serving voluntarily.
Jacob served Laban under compulsion and bitterness sprang up between them. When ur forced to serve against your will, ur not serving from love, but from obligation. Whatever is not from love will end up scarring your soul – ask Jacob.
Peter does not say that if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t serve the Lord. Serving the Lord may be the hardest thing you ever do because it stretches you outside of your comfort zone. If you’re going to feel pressure, feel the pressure of the Lord – Moses did. You’re not to serve in hopes of prosperity/popularity, but because it’s the passion of your heart.
Acts 8:18-21 Simon the Magician | Acts 3 - The Pope said to Thomas Aquinas: the church can no longer say, “Silver and gold have I none.” To which Thomas replied, “Nor can she say, ‘In the name of Jesus rise and walk.’”
Lust is never satisfied/ love is.
You’re not to serve by the exercise of power, but by the example of the pattern of Christ.
Example = tupos - a figure formed by a blow or impression. Is your life ‘stamped/marked’ by Christ? Lead from this.
3J9 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:17
Purpose - this is what I want to do
Passion - this is why I want to do it
Pattern - this is how I’m going to do it
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