Home  Sermons January 3, 2010
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January 3, 2010
Introduction
Almost everyone knows of Saint Peter. Even if you didn’t grow up in a church, you still have heard about the guy standing at the pearly gates in all the jokes about heaven.
You know, Einstein dies and goes to heaven. At the pearly gates, St. Peter greets him and says, “You look like Albert Einstein, but can you prove you are?” Einstein picks up his chalkboard and scribbles out his theory of relativity in mathematical equations and symbols. Peter was sufficiently impressed and said, “Welcome to heaven.”
Picasso dies and goes to heaven. Peter asks, “Can you prove you’re Pablo Picasso?” He picks up Einstein’s blackboard, erases the math and uses his own colored chalk to sketch a truly stunning piece of art. St. Peter claps and says, “Come in.” (From the little I know about Einstein and Picasso regarding their faith in Christ, I wonder).
But then, George W. Bush dies and goes to heaven, a professed believer in Jesus (Praise God). Peter tells him that Einstein and Picasso both managed to prove their identity. “Can you prove yours?” W looks bewildered and asks, “Who are Einstein and Picasso?” St. Peter sighs and says, “Come on in, George” (oh, come on, it’s only a joke).
Actually, Peter was the leading disciple among Jesus’ first followers. When the Twelve or the inner-circle Three are listed, Peter is first. “Peter, James and John…” The New Testament has much of Peter’s life and faith in Christ to consider. I think that the Gospel of Mark (the earliest gospel text) is mostly Peter’s account. The Book of Acts records some amazing ministry led by Peter. And he has left us two letters to the early church that express much about authentic Christian life and belief. Over the next few weeks, our messages will come from I Peter. So today, I wanted to introduce or re-introduce him to you.
I. Simon Peter Called to Follow
Peter’s original name was Simeon, shortened to Simon. He worked as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee with his home in Capernaum. He apparently spoke Aramaic with a strong north-country accent. It was Simon Peter’s brother, Andrew, who first pointed him to Jesus as the Messiah. In Mark 1, Jesus sees Simon and Andrew along with James and John casting their nets. He calls to them, “Come, follow me. And I will send you out to fish for people.” It says they left their nets and followed him.
It’s important to understand that the Bible does not read like a modern novel. We don’t have the many plots, sub-plots, dialogue and conversation that we would like. Biblical narratives are condensed summaries of what happened and what was said. Andrew, Peter, James and John probably had heard Jesus preach on a number of occasions during his ministry in Galilee. It took time for Jesus’ message to get through. But when it did, these four became disciples and followed Jesus.
It says that Jesus came proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come; the kingdom of God is near; repent and believe the good news.” That’s a summary of Jesus’ preaching. “The time has come” (Jesus taught all about the prophets and their message); “the kingdom of God is near” (Jesus taught what it meant to have God’s rule and reign in their lives); “repent and believe the good news” (Jesus urged people to change the way they were thinking and living and become believers of good news, the good news of God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness, healing and salvation). Certainty, there were many sermons preached by Jesus heard by these early disciples.
II. Simon Peter in the Ministry with Jesus
Fast forward a few years. As a new believer, Peter grew in faith, fell short, deepened as a disciple, struggled, totally surrendered his life, and stumbled again. At times he was mature and stable, a leader among the Twelve. At other times he was discouraged and fearful. He was the one who made the essential confession of Christian faith. In response to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” it was Peter who voiced it: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet Peter later declared, “I don’t know what you’re talking about… I don’t know the man.” He told Jesus he would lay down his life for him; then denies Jesus three times at a critical moment.
Peter was an outspoken disciple, a man of action (sometimes good, sometimes not so good). We remember him stepping out of the boat with great faith and walking on the water; but then sinking when fear took over. Peter (the rock) could be strong at one point and sink like a rock at another.
When Jesus entered Simon’s life, Simon did not become a perfect person. And I wonder what Jesus saw in him that Jesus greeted him with a new name – Petros. And, “On this rock I will build my church.” Apparently when Jesus chose his followers, he wasn’t looking for models of great faith, morality, or principles; he was looking for real people (still does). Peter’s brief biography here is much like yours and mine. We want to be followers of Jesus. We too accept Christ, grow in faith, fall short, struggle, succeed at some things and fail at others. We may wonder what Jesus sees in us when he calls us to follow him. But Jesus chooses people to be changed by his love, and then sends them out to communicate the grace and love of God that is available to anyone – even to those who often fail.
III. Simon Peter and His Letter
Near the end of his colorful life (somewhere around 60 A.D.), Peter was moved by God’s Spirit to write a letter to believers who found themselves scattered all over Asia Minor; scattered by the persecutions brought about by Nero, the Roman emperor. Nero had blamed “the Christians” for the great fire that destroyed much of the city. Rome was determined to rid the empire of those who would not bow down to Caesar… the “Christ-ones.” Over the coming years, this persecution intensified. Beatings, imprisonment, crucifixions, and the famed Coliseum atrocities were commonplace. Christians were even killed for sport.
Peter wrote to these communities of Christians scattered throughout Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus, Asia and Bithynia (what is now modern-day Turkey). As they were experiencing persecution for their faith, Peter wrote to comfort them with the hope of eternal life and to challenge them to continue living holy lives.
Our safety and security are in the Lord. God wants for us to have confidence, patience, and hope to stand firm even when we are persecuted. And because all are accountable to God, we can leave judgment of others to him. The gospel allows us not to hate or resent those who mock our faith or give us a hard time.
Conclusion
As we begin this new year (twenty-ten), the future starts now. We will all face times of struggle, pain, tension, and conflict. Peter offers the great news for everyone who follows Christ. The storms of this life do not have to sweep you away, destroy your life, drown your hopes. As we read through I Peter, remember that such trials come to refine our faith. When they come (not if they come), we look to the strength and power, the love and understanding of our Savior.
Let us pray together. |
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