Category: Uncategorized

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (I Peter 1:3a)

There is a lot of confusion regarding the subject of praise. Confusion reigns regarding who we praise, how we praise, when we praise, where we praise and why we praise. Praise, from the Greek word εὐλογητός (eulogetos) from which we derive the word eulogy, means to bless, worship, honor and glorify.

There has been much discussion, or arguments, regarding the types of music with which believers praise: ranging from traditional, contemporary or blended. Everybody wants what they want and no one seems to be willing to compromise and understand the other person’s point of view.

Then there are the questions raised regarding traditional worship sanctuaries vs. multipurpose auditoriums. Pews vs. stackable, padded chairs. Communion every Sunday vs, only observing the ordinance occasionally. Don’t let me get started regarding fog machines.

What about worship service times? Is 8:00 am too early, 11:00 am too late? 10:30 am just right? Saturday evening instead of Sunday morning? After all, if you have an 11:00 am service, the critics say, Sundays are pretty well shot regarding anything else to do. Therefore, have a worship service on Saturday late afternoon and get it out of the way. Makes sense, right?

Lots of questions needing biblical answers. There is, however, one question which can be addressed here today. That is, who is to be praised? I Peter 1:3a, along with the rest of Scripture, leaves us with no confusion regarding this matter. The only object of our praise, worship, honor and glory is God.

Christians are called and commanded to only worship God. This does not mean God primarily, and entertainers, athletes, politicians and pastors secondarily. No! God and God alone is to be the object of our worship. Worship and praise is to be accomplished with our whole heart and according to Scripture (John 4:24).

This worship can only be accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is through the imputed righteousness of Christ that believing sinners have the privilege and responsibility of worshiping the One, True God. That’s right! Worship and praise is a privilege and responsibility. Worship is not to be an afterthought, but our primary thought. Worship is not an intrusion into our schedules but rather the priority to our schedules. Worship is not just one day a week but everyday of the week.

Examine your thoughts and attitudes about worship today. Repent of any casualness or complacency towards approaching the One, True God of our salvation. Replace complacency with reverence and awe. God is worthy of our worship. Read John 4, Exodus 20 and Psalm 150.

Soli deo Gloria!

The Epistle of I Peter demonstrates the Holy Spirit’s ministry of inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) through the apostle. Peter’s letter to persecuted Christians is also an example of the apostle’s teaching ministry which began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36).

However, Peter’s preaching and teaching precedes even the events of Acts 2. To see why Peter is so focused before his listeners in Acts 2, and before his readers in his two epistles, we need to focus our attention on the written account found in John 21.

In John 21, we see Jesus restoring and recommissioning Peter from the despair and disillusionment of his threefold denial of his Lord and Savior prior to the crucifixion (Matthew 26:58; Mark 15:54; Luke 22:54; John 18:15-18). Peter rejoiced with the other disciples over Jesus’ resurrection (John 20), but believed he had forfeited the right and responsibilities of being a witness to the resurrection because of his denials. He emphatically meant this when he said, “I am going fishing” (21:3). He was going back to the life he knew before he met Jesus.

Yet Jesus lovingly and gently takes Peter aside and three times he asks Peter whether or not Peter loves Him (John 21:15-17) more than the fish he has gone back to catching. Jesus asks Peter this question three times to parallel Peter’s three-fold denial. Jesus also gives Peter a three-fold commission: feed my lambs, tend my sheep, and feed my sheep (21:15-17).

Jesus tells Peter to no longer seek for fish, but rather to feed and tend the sheepfold of God: the believing community or the church. “My lambs” and “my sheep” refer to “my church” (John 10:14, 26-27; Matthew 16:18). Peter urges his fellow elders to do the same (I Peter 5:1-2). The food upon which the church grows is the Word of God.

Peter’s preaching and teaching reflected the restoration he received from Jesus. We can experience the same restoration from the Savior as Peter did due to our own failures and failings. It is when we receive this forgiveness by faith, we can once again be a vessel the Master can choose to use (I John 1:9).

Ask God right now to forgive you of your failures and sin, and also for Him to begin using you for His glory. All you have to do is ask.

Soli deo Gloria!