Gary Gleans

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.     Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.     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.     To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. The persecution we face in this fallen world has a satanic source.  We are a part of a spiritual battle that is taking place, and we know little about it.  As in any battle, we have an adversary, but we also have allies.  Peter reminds us of this reality and instructs us as to how we are to respond to each of them. RESPECT OUR ADVERSARY: Let me be clear that there is nothing respectable abou...

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”     Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Youth is a blessing, and healthy churches will have young people that are both serving and being served. There are certain weaknesses associated with youth that must be avoided and pruned away with intentionality.  Today’s youth are tomorrows elders and there are at least three areas that tend to be weaknesses in youth that should be strengthened so that our churches will have qualified elders. SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY: Independence is something we strive to build into our children.  We want our children to mature and be able to take care of themselves and make wise decisions.  However, in...

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.     And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.     Leadership is vital to the well-being of the church.  Church leadership is different from leadership in other areas.  When the church is under persecution, It is vital for leaders to serve the flock well.  Peter teaches us some important truths to remember about leadership in the church. LISTEN TO EXHORTATION: Too frequently leaders are not open to exhortation.  Authority is ordained by God and all of us need it....

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.     But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.     If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.     But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.     Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.     For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?     And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”     Therefore let those who suffer according...

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.     Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.     Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.     As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Believers must be prepared for the return of Christ.  We prepare for that glorious event by growing in holiness, building relationships marked by love and forgiveness, and using our gifts for God’s glory.  These priorities require intentionality to develop because we are naturally sinful, selfish, and l...

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.     For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.     With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.     For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. Like the previous passage, this text has some difficult things for us to understand in light of Scripture...

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.     Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. This passage is certainly a challenge to understand fully.  I think some of the questions this passage raises will only be fully answered in eternity.  I don’t want to go down all...

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?     But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.     For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. The Boy Scout motto is “be prepared.”  Peter wants his “troop” of believers to be prepared for life in a fallen world.  Christians should not be surprised or taken off guard when faced with persecution or ridicule.  These things should not discourage us or distract us from our mission.  In fact, t...

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.     Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.     For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.     For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.     But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” God’s Word is often criticized as being a long list of dos and don’ts.  While it is true that the Bible reveals God’s moral will to us, the intent of Scripture is not to squelch our fun but to promote human flourishing.  God created us to thrive in our worship of Him and the joy we were designed to experience....

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. It is important to remember the general theme of this section is submission.  The previous section was on wives submitting to their husbands.  This section is on husbands submitting to their wives.  Submission has nothing to do with inferiority and leadership has nothing to do with superiority.  According to Scripture, leaders are called to serve.  Service is an act associated with submission. HOW HUSBANDS SUBMIT TO THEIR WIVES: The two words Peter uses to describe how husbands are to submit to their wives are understanding and honor.  There are stark differences between men and women.  We look at the world a little differently and think about things differently.  Men will often have a difficu...