 Okay, the recording has started. Let's pray and get into the chapters for today. Who would like to lead us in prayer? Kikung, please be able to lead us. Thank you so much for this time to learn what you always got. As we study over people so much, but for imparting to us what you would have to say and revealing to us your heart and help us learn to live the way you want us to live. We would do everything to glorify you, but anyway, let's learn to use this new image. Thank you so much. Let's now get into the passages. We were at first Peter chapter 3 and we saw the instructions of submission to within the family setting. There was some instruction for the wife and then some instruction for the husband, godly husband. Now, let's move on to the next verse here. We will read from verse 8 and we could probably read. Okay, let's read till verse 12, verse 8 to verse 12. Could somebody go ahead and read it? Let me be open to you. Simple things. Rather than knowing, it's in the heart of the humble mess. Do not repay evil for evil or the power of the divine. But on the contrary, rest for doing this, you are the part that you need to listen. For whoever desires the love, rather than seeking good ways, let him kick his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him seek peace and pursuit, for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to the prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who did evil. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Asha. As we look at this passage, we know that there have been different instructions to have the right attitude even under persecution. And difficult times. So there was this whole thing about submitting to authorities, submitting to the masters and submitting in this case, you know, the wife to the husband. And now, coming to the brotherhood or the community of God's people, there is this encouragement to, in a sense, though the word submit is not used here. In a sense, it's about caring for one another. It's about loving one another and living in unity. And Peter urges the believers to be of one mind. So what is one mind is one mind imposing one ideology on everyone such that people don't have their own personal opinions. Or what is one mind should all the whole congregation be forced to say the same thing do the same thing. Okay, then what would that mean for us. It means basically unity of heart, oneness of mind, respecting everyone's view and then everyone intentionally coming to a point that it's pleasing to God and also goes along with everyone agreed upon one mind basically unity of mind. Yes, thank you so much say and Kennedy shares one accord of me says mind submitted to God and value each other's opinion. Yes. So ultimately, it's about what God wants. What the word of God says, for example, if we recall the acts 15 Council, people may have had their own opinions. But once they made the decision, there is a statement in that passage. It says that whatever they decided, you know, it was okay with the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Spirit was pleased with their decision. So ultimately, what was it that was decided and chosen, what was pleasing to God. And in the same way, we can all have different opinions, we can all have, you know, different directions in our thought process. But at the end of the day, there is a oneness, which is us all of us submitting toward God once at the end of the day. Right. And thereby, maybe an opinion comes from one of our teammates or one of the people in our church, and that is well pleasing to the Holy Spirit, right. In those moments, okay, this is the right thing for us to do. So we're all willing to submit to that and be of one accord and say, okay, let's go with this because this is what is God's will in these moments. So this is the right decision to be made. So this is a tough thing. Unity is always a tough thing, but one needs to know that there is a blessing that comes with it. So as you read that passage there, he says, be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous. Beautiful instructions for community living. And then he goes on to say, not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling. So in contrast, people could be taking revenge on each other if anything goes wrong. He says, live with love and don't ever take revenge or don't engage in a tit for tat kind of an attitude with believers. But on the contrary, he says blessing just the way Jesus taught us. He said, people may wrong you. If somebody wrongs you, you should be kind to that person. They slap you one cheek, show the other cheek. So the essence of that is to be kind basically to people. On the contrary, he says blessing even those who've hurt us being ready to bless them. So what is going to be the outcome when we have such an attitude? He goes on to say knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. So God is not telling us to do things without an outcome and that outcome is a definite blessing. So when we walk with the Lord in a manner of maintaining unity and letting go, like even if somebody has hurt us, we choose to bless them. Then what does it say here? We are going to inherit a blessing. We are going to inherit a blessing. So that's the beauty of that. Now moving ahead, he talks about, he points out another promise here. So he says for he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it for 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. So this is just in connection with what we have discussed now that we must do good and we must keep our tongue from evil. We don't take revenge. And when we do that, God is somebody who will respond to us because we are acting in righteousness. So that's the meaning of the passage that we just read. Now let's go ahead and read from verse 13. Yeah, we could read till verse 18 and then we'll do the next section. Shall I read now? Yes, Amni. And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed and do not be afraid of their threats and not be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear, having a good conscience that when they defame you as evil doers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better if it is the will of God to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For 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. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Amni. So here in this passage, we see that the believers are being encouraged to end your suffering and persecution. So that's why he states things like who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? So once you become followers of Jesus, you're followers of what is good and persecution can rise up against us. But then there is a reminder, when we suffer for the sake of righteousness, we are blessed. So even in that suffering, God is a God who reminds us that in his eyes, we have not fallen, that we are still blessed in his eyes and that we must be strong in those moments of persecution. So now he continues, in this context when there is opposition and there is persecution, he also says that we should have sanctified the Lord God in your hearts, that is to say that honour God in your hearts. So when we honour God, what do we do? We've seen earlier, when we honour someone, we serve them, we live for them, we bless them. So sanctify the Lord your God in your hearts, honour God and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks. So obviously when we are living in a context where people don't believe in Jesus and we do and they are speaking ill against us, there can be times when they ask us, okay, tell me why do you believe this or what did Jesus do for you or what will happen if we die. So people have questions. So he says, be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. So we honour God, we serve God but we also are convicted about the things that we believe in and we are able to share what we know, the truth of the word of God and in this manner be able to reach out and impact others. Then he goes on, he talks about facing difficulties for the sake of Christ and he says for it is better if it is the will of God to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. So when persecution happens, be encouraged because you are not being persecuted because you are wrong but you are being persecuted because you follow Jesus and remember Jesus also said that if this has happened to him, why wouldn't it happen to the people who follow him? And I had pointed out earlier that Peter brings up the example of Jesus himself and uses that to encourage the believer. So in verse 18 he says Christ also suffered once for sins that just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the spirit. So a reminder that this is not unique to us as believers instead Christ Jesus has suffered for us and so we have to draw from his life and his example. So this is a preparation for the believers, preparing them mentally for what is to come. Now let's go ahead to the next section. We'll read from verse 19 till verse 22. Can somebody go ahead and read this please. Everyone also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient and once the divine mums have been waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared and which a few that is eight souls were saved through water. There is also an anti-tide which now saves us baptism. Now the removal of the soul of the flesh but the answer is a good conscience to God. But there is through the resurrection and Jesus Christ who has also gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers having been subjected to him. So here there is a slightly difficult section because there is a mention of certain events that took place after the Lord Jesus died and even to Hades. So these events we do see in the book of Ephesians we see Ephesians chapter 4 a little more to add to this and then this same theme or about these spirits, certain spirits and following angels that we're going to talk about. It will be repeated in the book of Jude as well. So I'm just saying it now so that you recall when we are doing the book of Jude. So here he says by whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient. So in the Christian circles there is a question about who are these spirits who have been in prison. So there are some spirits that have been imprisoned and are waiting for the day of judgment. So who are these spirits? He connects these spirits to Noah and Noah's times. So he goes on to say when once the divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared in which a few that is eight souls were saved through water. So our understanding is that what exactly happened was in Genesis 6 we have a description of how the sons of God they had progeny or descendants with the daughters of man. And that was something which God was not happy about because what did these angels I mean we understand that they are angels. So angels sons of God because this terminology is used in the book of Job to describe angels also. And so we know that these are angels. And when we talk about fallen angels who are inhabiting the earth we also use another term for them that is disembodied spirits or they are actually demons. So demons having descendants with human beings was something that God was very unhappy about. And after this incident is when God told Noah that he needs to build an ark because this earth is going to be destroyed. What had happened was the earth would have had a mixed race as well post this point but God did not want that. And you see how God says that he was so unhappy with mankind. So Noah and his family so the eight of them over there are the family of Noah they went into the ark and they were saved. So here with the example of Noah what we are being told is that these people were saved. These people were saved in a period of calamity. So even today for us as the world we know the earth is corrupted with sin and without Jesus we too will perish. So similar to perishing in the flood but we being in the ark like Noah is simply us being saved and experiencing salvation. So salvation is something that saves us but here he also uses a term such as or phrase such as was saved through water. And thankfully he interprets that himself and says there is also an anti-type which now saves us baptism. So when he talks about water he somehow connects that to baptism and says that baptism is a picture of us being saved. But notice he clarifies something very important in that statement. He says not the removal of filth of the flesh meaning baptism cannot save us or baptism is not a prerequisite for someone to receive salvation. So baptism can baptism clean us of the sins that we have? No he makes it very clear not the removal of filth of the flesh because baptism in itself cannot do that. Baptism is just an outward expression of our faith. So it's a proclamation of our faith. But then he says but the answer of a good conscience toward God. So when we study about baptism we know that even the Lord Jesus who did not need to be baptized. He was baptized in water by John the Baptist. But what statement did Jesus make? He said so that all obedience might be fulfilled. That is why Jesus was baptized not because he had sin in his life or that he needed to repent. No he actually didn't but so that all obedience might be fulfilled. And similarly over here what is being said is a good conscience toward God. So when you and I are baptized what happens? We are being obedient. Every believer is being obedient to God through baptism. And that requirement which Jesus has asked of which is baptism. The professor of faith we take part in it. So the author here is talking about baptism which is a symbol of us being in Christ Jesus. And then he says through the resurrection of Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to him. So many things here but we are not going to go into the depths of it. It talks about Jesus's current position. Where is his current position? It's in heaven. He's now ascended. So technically he is up in heaven. And the way book of Hebrews describes him as deity as the one whom angels worship. So he is in that place of authority and every other authority and power is subject to him. So let's move ahead now to 1 Peter chapter 4. Any thoughts, any questions about what we have discussed so far? Yes Pastor, I was just going to also point out something that the preaching, not necessarily preaching for salvation but basically it's declaration. Am I right to say that? Like proclaiming what he has already accomplished on the cross. Not necessarily preaching to the spirits to be converted. Am I correct to say that? Yes, yes. Absolutely. That's a very crucial point which I missed. Thank you for bringing that up. Preaching is not evangelism but preaching is declaration in this instance. Thank you. Thank you Pastor. Thank you. Thank you for that. Yes, now let's go to 1 Peter chapter 4. Okay, let's read the first six verses. Verse 6 verses, it reads, In regard to this, they think it's strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation. Speaking evil of you, they will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason, the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but leave according to God in the spirit. Thank you Sayyid. So as we come to the next section here, what we're noticing is that suffering. Okay, so there is a couple verses here that talk about suffering and the fact that when one has suffered, his flesh has ceased from sin. Okay, and that leads to this person being able to live for the will of God and no longer for the lust of men. So the way we understand this is some of us or people in general, when they go through persecution, there is an advantage because you see they have experienced such laws that their flesh has been subjected to pain and they have learned how to overcome and even push through those seasons of pain. So he's saying that because of this kind of self-control that one develops during periods of persecution, they have a stronger ability to follow after God. Now we shouldn't take this and make a doctrine out of it and say that only if you have suffered for Jesus, then you can have a strong walk with the Lord, only then you can be a testimony for God. That's not what this is actually leading to, but he is saying that when people suffer to follow Jesus, they end up being very passionate for God. Okay, so it does happen and that's what he's stating that when somebody has suffered, the flesh has ceased from sin. So they've already learned how to be overcomers because they've come through a season of persecution. Now he goes on to emphasizing the fact that now that we are born again believers, we should have a different life compared to the people around us. So then he lists out many things which shouldn't be a part of a Christian's life. He says walking in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, abominable idolatry, but these are all things that we shouldn't be participating in because we have no association with these things and when people see us, they should be able to notice that we are different from them, that we don't participate in these things and they might even find it strange that we are not part of these things. He uses a term such as flood of dissipation. Flood of dissipation is wastefulness, a wasteful way of living that people who are not in Christ would be okay with. And when this happens, people, they may speak evil of you or they may find you strange, but all that's fine. We shouldn't be too worried about it because it's meant to happen, isn't it? So let our lives be different from the unbelievers. And then he also reminds us that there is a God who will judge us. He will judge us for the works that we have done. Now this is not to say that our salvation is dependent on the works, but our works are important because they profess our faith in God. So to have a godly living is very much a part of living out that life of salvation which Christ has given us. And again here, there is this comment that the Gospel was preached also to those who are dead. So people ask the question, what is the point of preaching the Gospel to the dead? Because we already know that it is for man to die once, Hebrews 9, I think 27, after which is judgment. So if there's only one lifetime, how does preaching after death help? So we have to understand it in the context of what is being said here. Preaching to the dead here is again the time when Jesus after his death went down to this place called Hades. So Hades at that point had sections and one of the sections was known as Abraham's bosom and Abraham's bosom was the place where all the dead righteous, those who believed in God, those who walked with the Lord, all those people were over in that place known as Abraham's bosom and it was there that he went. So these were all dead people. There he went again this term, preach is not evangelism to declare that the work of redemption is now underway that it is going to be through and that the equation is going to change now. So basically it was a declaration which he made to these dead people in Abraham's bosom and some people also call this section as paradise. So once Jesus died, he took the keys of hell and he ascended up into heaven, paradise or Abraham's bosom no longer exists. The reason is when Paul writes, he says to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. So directly we go to heaven right? When we now any believer dies, what happens? We directly go into the presence of God. There is no more concept of going to paradise or going to Abraham's bosom and when Jesus did this, he was actually fulfilling some of the promises which had been spoken of in the book of Isaiah. If you recall in Isaiah 61, it says, proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to those who are bound. So one meaning is this that those who were in a bound state in paradise, they were set free. Now they had the release to go up to heaven. So that is the understanding that now we can move on to the next section verse 7 to verse 11. Any thoughts or questions regarding preaching to the dead? Okay, Kennedy has a note here he says but the dead are conscious of nothing kindly clarify. Okay, let's go back to that section. Can we, can you say the dead are conscious of nothing? I didn't quite get what, okay, he wants to take it up later. Alright, fine then. Let's move on. We're at till 6, so let's start from 7. 7 to 11 please. But the edge of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and watchful in your face. And above all things, I have proven to love for love brings about a multitude of scenes. Be hospitable, be hospitable to one another without any problem as each one has to say the good. Minister it to one another as good steward of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks let him speak as the author of God. If anyone ministers, let him do as with the ability to express. And all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. So how we belong, the glory, the communion of Canada. Thank you Abhinash. We notice here that in the last days, there are certain important things have been emphasized for the believer to practice. So firstly he says be serious and watchful in your prayers. The end of all things is at hand. So again, for the early church they believed that the Lord Jesus would come back and they had no idea of the timelines. Maybe some of them knew they could estimate and see that the second coming of the Lord Jesus would take a while longer. But then in general, what they believed was the return of the Lord is imminent and it could happen anytime and that's the way they lived. And when you study books such as Thessalonians you understand that the early church believers they were encouraged to live as if Christ can return any moment in our lifetime. So we have to be ready. And that is why even Peter says but the end of all things is at hand. We are living in the last of the last days but the last days began once the Lord Jesus ascended and they were consciously living their lives ready for the return of Christ. So it's a challenge for us today. If the first century church believers were living as in Jesus can come any moment, we who are right now in the last days, what is our attitude? Are we still given to the fact that we are analyzing and estimating and saying it's okay, it will take some more time and we still have time to do whatever we want to do. But that wasn't the way they lived so it's really a challenge to us. And then he goes on to say be serious, watchful in your prayers. So what are the important things one needs to do in the last days to be alert, right? Yes we have to fulfill our God's calling on our lives. We have to do everything God has called us to do. Be ready. Christ can come anytime so be serious. So be alert. Watchful in your prayers. So a thriving prayer life is very key for the believers in the last days. So personal prayer life, a corporate prayer life because it helps us stay alert. And against the schemes, the plots of the devil we can even overcome those things. So prayer is very, very important. And prayer is a state of us anticipating. When we are in prayer it's like we are preparing ourselves for the bridegroom. So that is the posture. Prayer gives us that posture. So prayer is very important. Be alert, be prayerful. What are the other important things for the last days? He recommends love, fervent love for one another. And then he says be hospitable to one another without grumbling. So hospitality moves from that place of, emerges from the place of love, right? When we love one another, we will care for one another. We will provide one another's needs, be kind to one another. And then the next important thing is he says use your gifts and abilities. Don't put it on the shelf. But according to what each one has received from God, each one has received a gift for what sake for it to be used. Not to be kept but to be used. So he says each one has a gift minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. So in the last days all of us as believers, as saints, we should be engaging ourselves in serving the Kingdom of God. There's nothing big or small. What gift we have received? According to the grace of God, put it into practice. Be a blessing to somebody. He talks about the people who speak as oracles of God. As if what God is speaking, what is it that God wants to say. So those who speak should be a voice of God releasing what God wants to say. Anyone who is ministering should do that with the ability that God gives that person. And in all these things may God be glorified. So what are some of the things we understood? He asked us to be alert. He asked us to be prayerful. He asked us to be grounded in love and serve one another. He also asked us to use our abilities to serve God and serve each other. And in all these things our God is glorified. Let's now read the passage from verse 12 to verse 16. Okay. So as he spoke of the last days, the next thing that he wants to remind the believer is endurance. There will be persecution but in the midst of persecution, be strong and he is wanting to emphasize a mindset where he says this life is temporal. eternally we are going to be blessed. We are going to receive rewards from God. So he says you be glad because his glory and when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. So during persecution have an eternal mindset we are going to receive God's blessings later on. And once again he says that persecution can happen and we may suffer but make sure that you don't suffer for doing the wrong thing because sometimes it's just easy to get into trouble and call it persecution but then the problem may have happened because of our carelessness and he's encouraging the believers not to get into that. So he says you have a righteous life and after walking righteously before God if you suffer then don't worry. You be strong because God is there for you and God will reveal his glory at the end of the age. But if you have made a mistake and you're suffering then that shouldn't be called as persecution. So now we can read the next set of scriptures here from verse 17 please and maybe all the way through 17 to 19. It begins with us first what will be the end of those back to know where the gospel of God is. Now if the righteous one is scarcely sick but willing to unroadly and be sinless therefore that those who suffer but endure the will of God commit their sins to enjoy good as to be. Thank you. So this last section where he says for the time has come for judgment. So judgment here because we are talking about persecution it is in that context. So he's saying the time has come for the fiery trials to take place. And these trials will take place here among the believers and that's why he says the house of God judgment to begin at the house of God. And if it begins with us what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God. So he says something like if we go through these kind of trials and we have God in our lives we're still able to bear it. We're still able to come out victorious but think about those who don't have God in their lives in the entire world. What will become of them when trials and difficulties come their way and then he goes on to say the righteous one is scarcely said where will the ungodly and the sinner appear therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him in doing good as to a faithful creator. So basically dependence on God. Dependence on the salvation of God is what is very important and that is what strengthens us even through periods of trial. Okay so we are now through with chapter 4 we will move ahead to chapter 5 let's see how far we complete. So I'm thinking if we can cover a substantial amount then I'll probably do one session record one hour of session if required for the remaining portions and then we can just I just request the team to put it up for you so we don't really have to attend the class next week so there will just be an additional hour of lecture that you can listen to anytime. So for now let's go to 1 Peter chapter 5 1 Peter chapter 5 go ahead. So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed shepherd the flock of God that is among you exercising oversight not under compulsion but willingly as God would have you not for shameful gain but eagerly not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock and the chief shepherd appears you will receive the unfading crown of glory likewise you who are anger be subject to the elders cloth yourselves all of you with humility toward one another but God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you be sober minded be watchful your adversary the devil prounds around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour resist him firm in your faith knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world and after you have suffered a little a little while the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore confirm strengthen and establish you to him be the dominion forever and ever amen Shall I continue ma'am? Yes sister please you can finish the passage it's 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 she who is at Babylon who is likewise chosen sends you greetings and so does Mark my son greet one another with kiss of love peace to all of you who are in Christ thank you we have only 2 minutes left so what we could do is we could go in for a break let's come back we could come back at 10 should be fine let's come back at 10 am and then we will go over first Peter chapter 5 thank you