10. Message In 1 Peter – Number 10 – Let Me Share My Friend (1 Peter 3:22) Series

10. Message in 1 Peter – Number 10 – LET ME SHARE MY FRIEND (1 Peter 3:22)

INTRODUCTION TO THE MESSAGE

{{1 Peter 3:22 “who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.”}}

A first hand report carries more weight than any second hand one, especially when the one reporting has a close association with the subject of the report. This was the case with Peter who travelled for three and one half years with the Lord in every situation as an eyewitness of His miracles, His sufferings and His resurrection and His ascension.

Along with the other 10 disciples (I am dismissing Judas), Peter was in a unique position in the whole history of mankind. Twice we are told that Enoch walked with God, this being one of then – {{Genesis 5:24 “Enoch WALKED WITH GOD, and he was not, for God took him.”}}

The same was said of Noah – {{Genesis 6:9 “These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time. Noah WALKED WITH GOD,”}}

Both Enoch and Noah walked with God, but they did not walk and live with God for three and a half years in the closest union, as did the disciples. Just for one moment, think about that. The very God who created the universe (John 1:3 {{“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being,”}} was the One who lived and walked so many roads and paths in Israel/Judah with His faithful disciples.

Matthew and John were the only disciples to write a Gospel, and Peter was the only one to have written two canonical letters. James the Less, the half brother of Jesus wrote one letter. Not one of those believers bragged about their time with Jesus. They knew themselves to be insignificant, and the One they would honour and serve would be the Lord, for He ALONE is worthy. That is why you find no references promoting the personal disciples in what they wrote.

It is a far cry today when charlatans demonically start talking about their experiences with Jesus, what Jesus is showing them; visiting with them, their time is heaven and special revelations, and all these other inventions. The disciples knew, “I am nothing. He is everything.”

When you write about a friend, what things do you say? Jesus was Peter’s very special Friend with whom he had a personal, unique relationship. What are the highlights you want to share with your readers? It is interesting to focus on what Peter has to say about the person, life and work of the Lord because Peter shared intimately in so much of that.

The only reference to a significantly memorable highlight is found in his second epistle where he recalls the incident on the Mount of Transfiguration. Our confines here are in his first epistle in this series. Here, you will not find one boastful reference; one personal anecdote, or one attempt to bring focus on the writer through any comment associating himself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Some people feel important when they drop famous names or let on how they know a certain famous person. Not Peter. It is humility; it is correctly Christ, and Him alone. But what things would Peter draw attention to?

WHAT PETER WANTED HIS READERS TO KNOW

What one writes is usually tempered by one’s experience in the past where the mind stores what it classes as key events and observations. In 1 Peter certain selections are made as the Holy Spirit taps into that material known so well by Peter. In his letter, the Apostle is recalling what is fundamental for his readers. He wants to set Jesus Christ out clearly.

Firstly, Peter had learnt of the importance of faith in his sometimes stumbling way, and this importance he passes on to his readers. Peter’s faith was often blind, enthusiastic, but not yet properly anchored. This is shown in the following way- :- {{Matthew 14:29-30 and He said, “Come!” and Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus, but seeing the wind he became afraid, and began to sink, and he cried out saying, “Lord, save me!”}}

The other incident is this one – {{Matthew 26:33-34 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a cock crows, you shall deny Me three times.”}}

[A]. NUMBER 1. The IMPORTANCE of FAITH. Now Peter wants to share a mature FAITH that is anchored to the true Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ -