John Weir

Q2. (2:5) If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? God has made us for His pleasure and in His image. We should praise Him in all that we do, say, think and act. We are to glorify Him in our way of life and the example we set. In obedience and thanksgiving we honour Him. We meet with the brethren each week, we break the bread and drink from the cup and this is how we remember Him. We worship and offer praise by praying, singing and giving Him our all.

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? In the OT the 1st priests - Aaron, Moses' brother, and his family and then the Levites, intervened on behalf of the people, the Israelites, in offering up their sacrifices of animals to God. These priests were the servants of God, appointed by God, to do His will on behalf of the people. Sacrificial worship was very important to the Israelites in those days. They had been released from bondage in Egypt and given their promised land. But were sinful in their lack of faith and disobedience time and again. The only way they had to atone for their sins was through animal sacrifices, ordained by God. We, as Christians, although not Israelites, have been chosen by God to be a 'Royal Priesthood' a term used by Jesus for all believers. This drives us to honour and obey Him, to fear Him with a reverent and Holy fear and to serve Him in every possible way we can.

Q4. (1:18-19) Have you ever felt you were of no worth or of no value? What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about your worth? What does it say about God's love for you? What does it indicate about the long-term value of your balance sheet and financial assets? What are your true long-term investments? Why? 1Pe 1:18 For you know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; 1Pe 1:19 it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. I'm sure everyone feels despondent and of little worth at times. As fallen humans we do sin and then because of the Holy Spirit in us, regret it and feel remorse. Our worth is so precious in the sight of God that it cannot perish or be destroyed, even more precious than silver or gold which can be destroyed. The ultimate payment, the ' costly sacrifice of Christ' was paid for us. This is the ultimate price of love paid for us, to redeem us and wash us clean of our sins, if we understand and accept what Jesus paid for us on the Cross. Long term, we will receive Salvation, which is a life in the Kingdom free of all toil and strife. An eternity of living in the presence of God. Our balance sheet will reflect our having achieved this distinction and our financial assets will reflect our having earned the distinction of being his worthy child. fit to be in his presence and with Him. We spend our time honouring His commands as Christians and in faith believing with our hearts, minds, souls and all our beings in Him. We strive to be like Jesus as we know that He is ' the way the light and the truth'. We strive for sanctification and do it because we know it leads to God's Salvation for us through Christ's redemption.

Q3. (1:17) Why are people in our culture so upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else? How do you reconcile final judgment with God's love for the world? Why must final judgment be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ? What happens to the Gospel when final judgment is left out or ignored? Secular people and false Christians don't like being judged. They want to be free to do what they want, their way, in their time, without being bound to rules and regulations. However, those who are in Christ are happy to be judged by His Commands because they are helpful for righteous living and holy lives. Final judgment is almost a reward for our righteous living and will sentence us to a life in His Kingdom and eternity if we have fulfilled the decrees that God has given us through the Son, Jesus Christ. The Good News is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the very purpose of his incarnation here on earth is to bring us Salvation and to reconcile us to God. This is the core of His teaching that he has given us. We are called as Christians, ie followers of Christ to obey the Gospel that He has given us. If we don't follow His Gospel message, we will not receive a favourable judgment when we stand before Him on the day of Judgment. The Gospel message thus becomes meaningless and irrelevant. Finan Judgment will bring us the reward and very purpose for our striving here on earth to live holy and righteous lives in the light of God's will for us.

Q2. (1:15-16) In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Being 'sanctified' is holiness. We are sanctified through our belief in Jesus and our obedience. I strive to live an obedient life. I am holy because Christ is in me. Obedience is following God's commands and getting rid of sin that is in one. Through sinlessness we have a link to God and can commune with Him. We strive to be sinless but all men are sinners. Our biggest struggel is to live like Jesus and do what He would do at all times. We fall short a lot of the time but the Holy Spirit encourages us to try again.

Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? Why should it inspire hope? Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? We should live holy lives concerned about our Salvation. With self-control, without envy, lasciviousness, greed, malice or dissension, we should prepare for the coming of Christ when we will all be judged. It should inspire hope as we will then enter His Kingdom for a life free of worry, anxiety, sorrow and everything else we had here on earth. We will only receive this reward if we are self-controlled and sober. This should be the impetus for us to lead holy and good lives. We will do whatever we want if we don't expect Christ soon and our lives will be very sinful, not in obedience to Christ's teachings.

Q5. (1:8-9) According to 1 Peter 1:8-9, what is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? How does this joy interplay with human emotions? Is it essentially emotional? How does it differ from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? Extra Credit: How can you tell the genuine article of joy from the counterfeit? 1Pe 1:8 You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, 1Pe 1:9 because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him. I believe in Him although I cannot see Him. Through faith I know He exists and is with me. This is the basis of the joy I have in Him. It is knowing that He is so good and wants good things for me. Not without testing to refine me, but ultimately for my Salvation. Human emotions are untrustworthy as they emanate from worldly feelings. This joy is not essentially emotional but is also a Spiritual experience of God's love. The pursuit of happiness is a worldly endeavour for temporal pleasure. Joy, in God's context is a continuous feelling of an elated emotion even in times of trouble. Joy comes when one is conscious that it is God working in one's life and not a feeling resulting from a worldly emotion.

Q4. (1:6-7) Can you remember any instances in which God used difficult circumstances to refine and purify your faith? What did God accomplish in your life? How, exactly, does genuine, tested faith bring glory to Jesus? There was an occasion nearly 30 years ago when as a married man with 2 sons God tested me. I was in an hotel room next door to an attractive young girl and my fleshly spirit ached to go to her for the night. But my legs were paralysed and I couldn't move until after about 2 hours of this lustful temptation I fell asleep. From that time I have known that God has chosen me, has His wings over me and protects me. It has strengthened my resolve as a Christian and committed me to a life to serve Him. Jesus is glorified by my recounting and telling my stories of His witnessing in my life in many ways. Through this I worship Him.

Q3. (1:5) According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is God's part in securing your salvation? What is your part? 1Pe 1:5 They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time. God has promised that we will be kept safe until the end of time if we are faithful to Him. This means that we have to be obedient and keep His commandments. God is omnipotent and his power keeps us safe for our Salvation at the 2nd coming of Jesus which is the end of time.

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) Redemption through the blood of Jesus only happens when we are obedient to His teachings. We are all sinners but need to strive for these 2 areas of our Christian lives. Forgiveness and redemption are closely linked & can only happen when we are obedient. Faith and good works go together. Our destiny is partly to do the will of God and we need to believe, obey, follow, be controlled and be led by Jesus.

We often compromise our beliefs, behaviour and desires with those worldly people around us - often our own family members. It is so easy to do this with all the pressures of this world and a desire to find the easy way out. Jesus, however, tells us to forsake our worldly, fleshly spirit to obey the Kingdom Spirit. I often feel I should speak up but remain silent to keep the peace and not become dissensious. It is less hurtful not to be rejected than to do what Jesus would have done. However we can react to sin in love. We need to spend time in the company of other Christians, to learn from them, get support and encouragement from them and be accountable to them. In prayer we need to be accountable to God.

Q3. (5:8-9) What instructions does Peter give us to guide us in spiritual warfare? Extra credit: How are these instructions similar or different than Paul's instructions in Ephesians 6:10-17? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=43&t=191 In this world with all the worldly temptations it is very easy to give in to what the world says is ok. So Peter is telling us to be on guard, to be wary, to critically look at what the world is encouraging us to get involved in. ' Sail away with Mainstay', ' After action, Satisfaction' are just some examples. Self-control is for me the most important. Resisting is sometimes hard, but the Lord has said He will give us the strength. Putting on Spiritual Armour is very similar. We are to clothe ourselves in spiritual ways of righteousness, truth, The Word, Salvation etc.....

Q1. (5:7) According to this verse what should you do with your fears? What reason is given why you should do this? In what manner should you do it. How will you apply this verse's instruction in your own life? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=43&t=189 Because GOD cares for us, we are to cast off our fears onto Him. We have enough worries for the day without being anxious about tomorrow. Fear and anxiety will weigh heavily on us and prevent us from serving Him as we should. We do this through prayer, and asking Him to take care of our worries, just as He feeds and clothes the birds of the air. My faith tells me that all will work our well for me, as I pray about it daily. I rest in His assurance that I will have life in abundance.

Q4. (5:5-6) What acts of humility are appropriate for church leaders? How can we discern a person's humility before putting him or her in a place of leadership in the church? What happens when we fail to do this? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=42&t=188 Acknowledging that they are under Christ in the body is what leaders have to do. They are to humble themselves and show grace towards all those they shepherd. Anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance and cynicism are not to be part of their behaviour. We can look for these behavioural traits listed above before putting them into a place of leadership in the Church. When we fail in this the Church becomes divided and people drift away to find other Church homes.

Q4. (5:5-6) What acts of humility are appropriate for church leaders? How can we discern a person's humility before putting him or her in a place of leadership in the church? What happens when we fail to do this? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=42&t=188 Acknowledging that they are under Christ in the body is what leaders have to do. They are to humble themselves and show grace towards all those they shepherd. Anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance and cynicism are not to be part of their behaviour. We can look for these behavioural traits listed above before putting them into a place of leadership in the Church. When we fail in this the Church becomes divided and people drift away to find other Church homes.

Q3. (5:3) How can we best keep elders and pastors from being power-mongers? From limiting a pastor's authority? What's the danger here? From testing a person before bestowing authority? How can this be difficult? How can we deal with this serious problem properly? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=42&t=187 It is so easy to find oneself developing into a position of power and lording it over others. To avoid this it is essential to 'serve' others humbly. This is achieved by being responsible for a section or group within the body of believers. Decision making is by consensus and democratically taken by all concerned. However this often drags out the process and this is the danger. Testing a person is a good idea but can be difficult if there is no one else to serve in a particular position. Clear guidelines for the positions are the only way to deal with the problem.

Q2. (5:2) What's wrong with the common practice in churches of "twisting a person's arm" to get him or her to serve as a church leader. What damage does this do to the church? What kind of leader does it produce? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=42&t=186 We serve God in love and truth and this should be the attitude for serving God as a Church leader. The 'body of Christ', His Church, should be bound together in love, and this starts with the Senior Minister and then all the elders. I'm quite sure that in the days of Paul of Tarsus, as he planted Churches, the elders he appointed were believers who willingly were happy to take on that responsibility. And so the Church grew and grew. Otherwise there is dissension and infighting as the leaders vie for positions of power and strength in the Church. This was clearly shown in the jealousy and fear that the Pharisees and leaders of the Church had in Christ's day. They were threatened in their positions of power they had, as they lost converts to 'THE WAY', and they eventually took radical steps to try and avert what was happening. Legalistic, closed minded, authoritarian leaders with little love were the result.

Q1. (5:1-2) What do you learn about the responsibilities of an elder from the definitions of "elder," "pastor," and "overseer"? What stood out to you as you considered these words? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=42&t=185 We will learn that one can only be an elder in Christ's Church when one's own family is in order. The responsibilities are many, and include: caring for, looking out for, shepherding which is leading and protecting the flock, and giving attention to the members of the Church. Elders have to set the example and the hardest part for them is to show humility. It is easy to assert oneself and act as though in control. But to have humility, as a servant, is hard.

Q4. Why is a willingness to die, if need be, essential to healthy Christianity during persecution. What happens when we aren't willing to die, when we are afraid to "take up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and follow Jesus? What does this have to do with "commiting ourselves to a faithful Creator"? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=41&t=184 We all fear death, it seems part of our very nature. However, death can be faced by all who have a real relationship with God, and know, without doubt, that they will go to Heaven. So we should be willing to die, even without persecution, as people who will die for the sake of our convictions. Otherwise we compromise our convictions and revert to wordly ways. When we aren't willing to die, as happened to 2 reporters in Afganistan, I think it was, who were forced to don Islamic robes and deny Christ, as they were Americans, to attain freedom, then we deny Christ. It is not a bluff, it is a denial. They live today, but would have to accept Christ fully and die as the Apostle Peter did, proving his love for Christ, to receive Salvation. Our Creator, God, wants us for His own. Satan would love us to turn from God and become part of his world. When we are not prepared to suffer, for God's sake, we are aligning ourselves with Satan. And this leads to hell. Just as Christ endured the Cross, so we will be given the strength to cope with the persecution that will come our way, when we are obedient to Christ's calling. But the question is, will we compromise for our comfort zones? I fear, many of us do.

Q3. (4:14) If we are never persecuted, what does that say about how people view us? In what way should persecution make us happy? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=41&t=183 It is so easy to follow the way of the world and as long as we conform to their standards, we will not be persecuted by them. We ought to be happy when we are persecuted for standing up for Christ. We know we are doing His will when people in the world don't like it. He, that is Christ, has turned the world's ways upside down as He did when he taught and walked here. Just as He accepted His persecution, so should we.

Q2. (4:13) When you meditate on the idea of partaking of or being a sharer in Christ's sufferings, what perspective does it give you on whatever persecution you may experience? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=41&t=182 Suffering as a consequence of our own sin is very different to suffering for the sake of Christ. He said we would have tribulation as a Christian proclaiming His Gospel, but we are to endure and persevere. As stated above in the reading we are to rejoice when we suffer for His sake. Our reward will be there for us in Heaven.

The danger is that we will compromise the teachings and commands of Christ. It is very easy in this day and age to justify our unrighteous behaviour when even the little mistakes are argued as being acceptable. It makes us uncomfortable to be persecuted and to suffer in any form. However, we need to realise that if it is for Christ's sake, and if we glorify Him through this suffering, we will be blessed. Many times I have denied in word and deed what I knew I should have been doing to avoid the condemnation and disapproval of others. Not speaking out in disapproval when Christ's name is profaned is but one example. We see this in other Christians a lot. It is far easier to be a 'cultural' Christian than a 'Biblical' Christian. The name alone means very little, as it is our actions and deeds that are really important.

Q4. (4:10-11) If people are always promoting themselves and pointing to how God is using them, what does that say about them? Their sense of self-worth? Their maturity? Their realism? Their humility? What spiritual gifts has God given you, and how are you using them to his glory? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=40&t=180 Sounds like a problem of pride. Proud to be used by God. And self-centred, not giving the Glory to God. They are obviously important in their own eyes and want others to know it. As one matures in the Christian faith, one learns to be objective about giving the glory for one's Spiritual and other gifts to God. Humility is not trying to elevate oneself, but being subservient in most situations. A quiet, reserved Spirit is what God wants of us, as we use our talents and gifts for Him. God has blessed me with the gift of speech, to encourage and uplift those around me. I revel in the joy of being a friend and help to others.

"Post-Modernism" or "New Age Philosophy" says that you are accountable only to yourself. You don't have to be accountable to anyone. So the secular world won't like the idea of giving an account of their actions. They are the law unto themselves and what they feel is right for them, is, in their terms, right. As Christians we run the risk of becoming 'self-righteous'. There is the danger that we will feel that we are better than others. So we don't like being judged and held accountable by others. " If we have Christ on our side, who can be against us?". That we will stand before the 'judgment seat of God' one day ought to keep us humbly obedient to Christ's commands to us. The Gospel should be our yardstick, and although still sinners, we must strive to be holy and righteous. Our attitude should be to live as committed Christians and uphold the commands of God to us. We stray so easily from the way of Truth, but we have clear guidelines as to how we should live. We need to be in the Word daily, pray regularly, and have the 'fruits of the Spirit' in our lives to show our Christian commitment.

Q2. (4:3-4) Why do non-Christians try to get you to sin with them. Why are we tempted to do so? How can we resist this temptation? http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.ph...;f=40&t=178 They don't want to feel guilty about what they are doing. They want to justify their behaviour. If they are not accountable to anyone, they will have no conscience about sinning. But if they were accountable to God, they would think twice about their sinning. We are tempted because of the **** of our flesh. All the media, the advertisements, the peer pressure is geared towards us wanting more, and having what we haven't got. It is telling us we can have what we 'desire' and not what we 'need'. It is easier to go with the flow than to resist. We are weak in our nature and need to be strong in the Spirit. We need to focus firmly on God and on Jesus Christ and 'seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all else will be added for us'. By having a firm relationship with him, through the reading and study of His Word, through prayer and the encouragement of fellow believers, we can resist the temptation. But it is hard, and requires constant effort on our part.