November 10TH 2024
1 Peter 4 v 11-19
V 11. If any man speak. The apostle extends the idea of stewardship introduced in verse 10.
The speaker in the church must be careful to present God's sayings, not his own.
The minister must serve in the strength which God abundantly supplies.
Always the end in view must be that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Here Peter inserts a benediction, himself giving glory to God as he has just enjoined.
Persecution is seen as Purifying.
V 12. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial. Peter warns his readers against being taken by surprise, apparently indicating a test more severe than any they had yet experienced.
This verse well suits the Neronian persecution, when Christians were nightly burned as torches in the emperor's gardens.
Peter, in Rome, feared that soon this practice would spread to the provinces.
V 13. Rejoice ... partakers of Christ's sufferings. Here was that physical sharing of Christ's cross for which the spiritual sharing in ch 2v 24 was an adequate preparation. The advice to joy recalls Jesus' words in Mt 5: 12.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
When his glory shall be revealed.
A "better resurrection" Hebrews 11 v 35 was in prospect for them.
V 14. Reproached for the name of Christ, happy (blessed). Here is another beatitude.
The spirit of. "the glory of God resteth (is pausing) upon you. God stands with his martyrs.
The Holy Spirit ministers a special grace.
Recall Stephen's dying radiance Acts 6 v 15; and 7 v 55).
While men gnash and blaspheme, the martyr's serenity glorifies his God.
V 15. Let none , . . suffer as a murderer .. Peter warns against sin, which nullifies the witness of suffering.
V 16. If · .. as a Christian. Pliny, writing later, speaks of a punishment because of the name itself" (i.e., "Are you a Christian?").
Under such circumstances, Peter instructs,
Let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name ( on this behalf).
V 17,18. Judgment must begin at the house of God. Referring perhaps to Ezk 9:6,
the apostle regards these persecutions as a divinely permitted purging of the suffering believers. and as an indication of awful doom to the ungodly (cf.'Lk 23:28ff.).
V 19. Let them that suffer . . . commit. Let them rest their case with their Maker, even as did Christ (2:23).
To do so promises the calmness of that divinely implanted love that casts out fear (. I Jn 4: 18).
News from the Church New dates
20th November….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
4th December …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people.)
ANSWERS TO 3rd November QUESTIONS
1) Phillistine battle 2) Saul and Jonathan 3) Kish 4) Saul 5) David 6) Saul 7) Firing an arrow in a certain direction 8 ) Saul (Paul) 9) Deal gently with Absalom 10). The woods of Ephraim
11) His long hair got caught in an oak tree 12) A certain man told him where he was 13) He died hanging from the oak tree 14) Ahimaaz. racing to give David news of Absalom 15) Is Absalom safe
16) He went into his chamber and wept
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Solomon and Hiram, Jeroboam and Ahijah
1 Which well known Queen visited Solomon.?
2 Why did she visit Solomon?
3 We read that Hiram was ever a lover of …… Who?
4 From where did Solomon import horses?
5 how many chariots did Solomon have?
6 What was Solomons choice of gift from God?
7 Who was Solomons mother?
8 How many times do we read that God gave Solomon wisdom ?
9 Did the prophet accept Jeroboams invite to dinner?
10 What happened to the prophet after this?
11 What was the name of Jeroboams son?
12 Where did the king go to ask if his son would recover?
13 How did Ahijah recognize his mother when she came?
14 How did he greet her on her entrance?
15 What verdict was told to the child’s mother?
16 What good character did Ahijah give to the child?
Matthew Chapter 12
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
V 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
V 3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
V 4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
V 5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
V 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
V 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
V 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
God Bless