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God's Word Faithfully Preached from the Pulpit

The Life of Christian Pilgrims on the Way Home (Genesis 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:6-11)

INTRODUCTION:

May times po ba na naisip niyo, “Kung makakapag-bigay ako ng last words sa mga mahal ko sa buhay, ano kaya ‘yon?” I’m sure medyo morbid isipin para sa iba. Pero in my case, may times na nai-isip ko kung anong legacy iiwan ko at paano ako mamamatay. 

Halimbawa, katulad ng mga ibang theologians/pastors in the past, ini-imagine ko in my remaining hours, nakahiga na lang ako kama, tapos hawak-hawak ko ‘tong Bible ko—tapos tatawagin ko si Yeng, mga anak namin (Lord-willing), mga church friends and relatives, at magpapa-alam na ako sa kanila and give my last words. 

I believe that must be the most insightful, the most important, the most encouraging, and most impactful words na mabibigay ko sa kanila.

Somehow, we can look at it that way here in the final words of Peter in his letter. Although apparently, may 2 Peter pa, pero dito sa mga binasa natin—Peter is making a conclusion for everything he said to the suffering Christians.

Matapos niyang i-identify ‘yong believers as “exiles” in this world at i-exhort sila kung paano mamuhay bilang mga taong iniligtas ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Cristo—in this passage, he’s making final words of reminder, exhortation, and encouragement.

(Final sermon on 1 Peter. Thanks for bearing with me)

In essence, this passage characterizes the entire life of believers who are in their journey towards heaven. And by his exhortation, Peter characterizes the pilgrim’s life as a life of submission to God, a life of constant battle, and a life of security and hope.

Let’s consider Peter’s final words here:

1. A Life of Submission to God

TEXT (verse 6) — “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…”

[EXPLAIN:]

  • Remember in the previous sermon, the exhortation to “humility” is for the leaders and members of the church. “Be humble in all your dealings with one another.” Kilalanin niyo ‘yong posisyon na initalaga ng Diyos sa kanyang iglesiya—leaders shepherd the members, the members submit—both being subject to Christ, the Head of the church.
  • Here: It’s “humility” directly towards God. It’s acknowledging your position before God, as someone subordinate to him, someone under his sovereign hand ruling over everything.
  • For what? “… so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” This is relevant especially for the Christians who are suffering and persecuted. They are despised and afflicted. And we saw throughout the letter that they have the tendency to be discouraged and impatient (e.g., retaliate or go back to the world).
  • But Peter is saying, “Submit to God’s dealings. Humbly accept what God has appointed for you now. Ang Diyos ang nagbababa; Siya rin ang nagtataas. As God’s people, he will exalt you out of your trials. But it will be at the proper time. In his own time… Pwedeng bukas, pwedeng next year, pwedeng sa buhay na ‘to, o pwedeng sa susunod na na buhay.” So just trust him and submit to him. Humbly wait on him.
  • In fact, as verse 7 says, anumang burdens and anxieties na mayro’n kayo dahil sa pinagdadaanan niyong suffering—just bring it all to God. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Let God deal with it.

[IMPLY:]

So here, Peter is both reminding and encouraging the believers to submit to God. At ‘yon po ang buhay nating mga Kristiyano habang tayo’y lumalakad patungo sa susunod na buhay: The Christian life is a life of humble submission to God.

  • But the good question is, why submit or how could you humbly submit and trust God? Anong meron sa Diyos para magpasakop at magtiwala ka sa kanya?
  • [ILLUSTRATE:] Kahit sa buhay nating mga tao, bibili ka man ng isang item or magtitiwala sa isang tao—inaalam mo muna ‘yon. Katiwa-tiwala ba ‘yon?
  • And here’s the thing brothers and sisters: You can and must submit and trust God because he is the almighty God who cares for his people.
    • His hand (rule) is a “mighty hand.” As the almighty God who created everything out of nothing, he is sovereign over all things and has the power to do anything.

      Of course, the omnipotence of God can have two effects upon you: Either fear or comfort.
      • If you are in rebellion against him, and hardening your heart—the almighty power of God should give you fear. You may get your own way in this life, yet you will answer to God. You cannot overpower God, you cannot outsmart God, you cannot escape the unbearable wrath of God against his enemies.

        Psalm 7:11“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every [single] day.”
        • Kaya ang panawagan ni Cristo (Matthew 11:28-19), “Come to me.” Submit to God by submitting to Christ and taking upon his yoke. Repent of your sin and submit to Christ’s lordship. Trust his saving work. Only then will you find true comfort in the hand of God.
      • Yes, if you are in Christ, the almighty power of God is your source of great comfort and encouragement. As Paul said in Romans 8:31, “… If God—[if the all powerful, all sovereign God]—is for us, who can be against us?” No one! Nothing! 
      • Kung nagawa ng Diyos na ang Diyos Anak ay nagkatawang tao… kung nagawa ng Diyos na si Cristo ang tumanggap ng poot ng Diyos para sa ating mga kasalanan at nabuhay muli mula sa patay… kung nagawa ng Espiritu ng Diyos na tayo’y iligtas at bigyan ng bagong puso, isip, at buhay——ang Diyos din ang may kapangyarihan na iangat ka mula sa anumang mga pagsubok at paghihirap na dinaranas mo sa buhay na ‘to.
    • And if you are in Christ, he cares for you. Even in the midst of suffering, he causes all things to work for your salvation (Rom. 8:28).
  • That’s how you can humbly submit and trust God in whatever situation he has appointed for you.

[ILLUSTRATE:]

  • I will never forget that evening bago ako ma-operahan sa baga way back 2013. Nanghihina na ako, hirap na makahinga. I know it’s a matter of life and death. But hours before my surgery, in the quiet of the night, I prayed and surrendered everything to God. “Lord, patawarin mo lahat ng kasalanan ko, linisin mo ako… Kung mamamatay na ako, I know tanggapin mo ako sa langit dahil kay Cristo. Pero kung mabubuhay pa ako, at madami pa pala akong pagdadaanan na pagsubok, then help me live for you.”
  • Nakatulog ako ng mahimbing that night. At kinaumagahan, no’ng kinuha na ako sa room, kita ko ‘yong na worried sila Daddy, Mommy, at ilang mga kapatid ko… Pero ako, chill lang at nakangiti hanggang sa operating room. Not anxious about anything.
  • Why? Because I know I am in the loving hands of the almighty God.

[APPLY:]

  • Mga magulang ko’t kapatid, our entire journey in this life will be full of trials. Persecution man ‘yan, physical pain, emotional sorrow, or effects of sin—keep humbling yourself before God, trust him, wait on him.
  • Because he has all the power and concern to raise you up from whatever suffering you will face in this journey towards the heavenly home.

[TRANSITION:] Now, ano po ‘yong sunod na “final exhortation” ni Peter dito.

2. A Life of Constant Battle

TEXT (verse 8): “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

[EXPLAIN:]

  • Be self-controlled, be constantly ready, be always alert. These words are a call to battle. Kapag sundalo ka, hindi ka pwedeng patulog-tulog. At kung matutulog ka man, hindi pwedeng tulog mantika. Lagi kang handa.

    At gan’on din ang panawagan satin bilang mga Kristiyano. Maging laging handa, dahil nasa isang digmaan tayo.
  • Nabanggit na ni Peter ‘to sa Chapter 1:13 and Chapter 4:1, “Be sober-minded… arm yourself [against sin].” But now here, he’s giving the final and perhaps the ultimate reason why you must be sober-minded and watchful. And that is the devil. Your adversary, your enemy is no other than the devil himself.
  • As Reformed, we understand that Satan is already bound. Christ already defeated Satan when Christ came on earth, died on the cross, and resurrected from the dead. At ang hinihintay na lang ni Satan ay ‘yong “ultimate and eternal punishment” na ibibigay sa kanya ng Diyos sa final judgment.
    • That is why, limited na lang ang nagagawa ni Satan sa mundong ‘to. At hindi niya magagawang matanggal ang elect mula do’n sa Book of Life. Some refer do’n sa Matthew 24:24, kung saan sabi ni Cristo, may mga darating na “false christs” and “false prophets” who will mislead people—if possible, even the elect.
    • But that’s the key word, “if possible.” Kung posible lang, pasi ‘yong mga tunay na Kristiyano eh malilinlang din ni Satan at nga mga instrumento niya. But it’s not possible. 
    • For as Christ said in John 10:26-29, “I know my own… and nothing can snatch them out of my hands.” Romans 8:38-39, Paul says that absolutely nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ.”
    • So Satan is bound by Christ.
  • But nevertheless, Christians, it doesn’t mean that he can’t do anything bad at all. Although Satan can never take your salvation in Christ, he will make your Christian life as miserable as possible.
    • Although Satan can never take from you the saving benefits of Christ, he wants to rob you of the enjoyment of these gifts in this life. He will do anything to strip us of joy, courage, and assurance through various discouragements and temptations.
      • “Nababawasan na friends mo… hindi na kayo magkasundo ng parents mo dahil naging Christian ka na… mahirap sumunod kay Christ di ba? Balik ka na lang sa dati.”
      • “Ang dami nang bawal ‘no? Miss na miss na ng katawan mo ‘yong kasalanan. Hindi ka naman talaga nag-bago eh. Ituloy mo na lang ‘yang kasalanan.”
      • “Ayan, nahulog ka ulit sa kasalanan. ‘Wag ka na magsisi at lumapit kay Lord. ‘Wag ka na umasang magagabo ka pa. Just give up…”

        Lies upon lies, discouragements upon discouragements.
    • Bukod pa do’n, Satan will do anything to keep you from serving God the best you could. Imbes na maging fruitful at useful ka sa kaharian ng Diyos, imbes na ikaw ay maging ilaw at asin na mag-u-udyok sa mga tao na lumapit kay Cristo—ikaw pa mismo ang magiging stumbling block sa iba. At the very least, Satan wants you to be a “weak Christian.”
    • Gano’n po katindi ang ating kaaway. He is like a lion, a ferocious, “roaring lion, seeking to devour!” He knows our weaknesses and blind spots simula pa sa panahon ni Adam at Eba.
      • He knows that although as Christians, we are now free from the guilt and eternal consequence of sin—we’re not yet free from the presence and power of it. We still experience it and its destructive consequences.
      • Kagaya no’ng sinabi ni God kay Cain sa Genesis 4 na binasa natin kanina. Sin will always be hunting us, inside and outside. And Satan will do everything to tempt us to fall into it.

[IMPLY:]

  • Kaya naman gano’n ang exhortation satin na mga Christians: “Be sober-minded! Be watchful! Always”
    • I remember si Jerome (not Deacon Jerome), ‘yong nagtranslate ng Bible into Latin Vulgate. No’ng time na nasisira na ‘yong Roman Empire, at nagkakaroon na ng change ng era, sabi niya:

      “The world goes to ruin. Yes! But in spite of it, and to our shame, our sins still live and even prosper.” ~ Jerome
    • Mga magulang ko’t kapatid, gaano man magbago ang mundo o ang ating society. Umunlad man tayo financially o hindi. Kahit dumami man ang ating alam sa Reformed faith—you are always in a spiritual battle. Hindi ka pwedeng magpa-relax-relax.

      The world is growing more ungodly each day. Satan will tempt you. Sin will hunt you. YOU CANNOT FALL ASLEEP!
  • At ano dapat ang response mo kay Satan? RESIST.
    • This doesn’t mean simply “casting him out verbally” during temptation. It means running away from Satan’s discouragements and seductions, and running towards God and his Word and promises.
    • Minsan, o madalas, sasabihin ng isang Kristiyano, “Pastor, pinapag-pray ko naman at iniiyak ko talaga ‘yong kasalanan na ‘yon. Pero bakit ‘di ko pa rin maiwasan?”
    • Prayer is indeed good. But are you resisting?! Are you standing firm in the Word of Christ and standing firm against Satan and sin?!

      Possible that you’re praying about, and still you keep doing the same things that lead you to sin.
    • Resist! It is active! As Paul said in Romans 13:14, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh!…Ano mang kasalanan ‘yan at bagay na ginagamit ng kaaway na matukso ka sa kasalanan—hate it, fight it, avoid it, destroy it!
    • And instead of spending time in sin or listening to the discouragements of Satan—go to the Word of God. Spend more time meditating in the Word, individually or with the church. Cultivate obedience and faithfulness to God. Stand firm in the faith.

[ILLUSTRATE:]

  • It’s a hard reality of Christians. As a follower of Christ, you are a soldier until death brings you home.
  • I’m sure nakapanood na kayo ng mga war movies, regardless kung ang setting ay puro espada at pana pa or barilan. Kapag nasa battlefield na mismo, it’s so dark and bloody. At wala kang makikita na sundalo na walang galos o sugat kahit katiting.
  • Likewise, friends, the church in this side of eternity is the church militant. The church throughout all history and around the world is composed of men and women who fight against Satan and his schemes… At walang Kristiyano na papasok sa langit ng walang sugat o galos mula sa mundong ito.

[APPLY:]

  • Christians, your life towards the celestial city is a life of constant battle. And take note: Satan will not give you an easy fight. 
  • So resist him by standing firm in your faith in Jesus Christ.

[TRANSITION:] Now, lastly, ano po ‘yong kadugtong ng exhortation na ‘to? Peter shows that the Christian life is a life of security of hope.

3. A Life of Security and Hope

TEXT (Verse 9): “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

[EXPLAIN:]

  • EXAMPLE: It helps to know that we’re not alone. Same idea in the text. We’re not alone. Other believers are also suffering.
  • But more than that, the texts could be translated as, “the same kinds of suffering are being accomplished/fulfilled…” And the idea of Peter’s statement is this: “The same trials and temptations laid upon you are also happening to other believers—accomplishing the same purpose of God for trials.

    And what is that purpose of God? Our sanctification.

    Through trials and temptation that God allows in your life, he is forming you more and more into the image of Christ.
  • Hence, verse 10: “And after you have suffered 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.”

NOTICE: The call to perseverance is matched by the doctrine of God’s preservation. God holds us accountable and we are indeed responsible for “working out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12-13). But as we do our responsibility, it is God himself who is working in us. We persevere because God preserves us.

  • The words “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” refer to the same idea: Being complete, being fully trained, being strong, firm, and secure in the faith.

[ILLUSTRATE:]

  • Even in physical training, the pain and struggle eventually lead to a stronger body. You become more fit and able to carry and do more.
  • Likewise, whenever we undergo trials of any kind and we overcome it—that makes us more and more mature and able to persevere.

[APPLY:]

  • You may always not see that kind of “victory” in this life.

    EXAMPLE: Even in history, Some experience God’s “exaltation” in their lifetime. Some don’t. May ibang mga Christian generations, na-experience nila na nawala na ‘yong persecution, and God gave them honor in the society. ‘Yong iba naman, namamatay sila ng persecuted pa rin… May iba, halimbawa, si Athanasius—he fought hard for Nicene creed against heresies and endure trials—pero hindi na niya in-abot ‘yong Council of Constantinople kung saan nanalo ‘yong Nicene party.

    Likewise, in God’s sovereign will, maaaring may mga trials tayo na kailangang nating i-endure for the rest of our lives.

    Nevertheless, after all the sufferings and wounds you get in this life’s battle as a Christian soldier, in the end, God will “confirm, strengthen, and establish you” and ultimately bring you to glory.
  • In that state, the church will no longer be the church militant. But rather the church triumphant. The church victorious.
  • That is the hope of believers. And hence, the Christian life heading home is a life of hope and security.

Conclusion

Beloved, our lives as Christians will be a life of trials and suffering…

Even in the ministry, the more we grow in numbers, and the more I get immersed in the ministry as your pastor, the more I see the mess of sin in our lives… The more the world grows darker and more wicked and ungodly, the harder we fight

But take heart, at the end of this battle is sure victory in Christ. God’s kingdom shall never fail.

So until Christ brings us home, let us humble ourselves before God. And let us stand firm in the grace and power of our sovereign and loving God.

Amen.

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