REALITY NOT FULLY PRESENT

I Peter 3:8-22

Preached at Belmont Baptist Church of Broomall on December 5, 2010

On this second Sunday of Advent, we focus on joy. After reading the scripture passage, you are fully aware that the word joy does not appear even one time in what we have read. So it does not have an obvious relation to joy. And yet, I see four different truths which speak to the experience of joy for a Christian. Joy, like peace and other characteristics of the Christian life, is never based on circumstances. Joy is the attitude which is based on relation to God. Everything else could be going wrong. But the Christian can still have joy.

During my teen years, I had the privilege of knowing Rev. Ernie Wilson, a Black evangelist from West Philly. He would start every message with these words from Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” He would go on to say: “So happy. So strong. So strong. So happy. The happiest people on the top side of earth are Christians—not church members because church membership cannot save.” He always reminded us that joy comes because we are rightly related to God through faith in Jesus. Let’s look at what our scripture says this morning.

I want to start with the last part of our scripture passage. In verses 18-22, Peter summarizes the basis of our faith—Jesus’ death and resurrection. I can’t imagine what Jesus had to struggle with in the garden as he faced his death which was crucial to God’s plan for our salvation. Although I can’t imagine what Jesus faced, the writer of the book of Hebrews says, “For the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Here is the first point about joy: doing God’s will and fulfilling God’s plan for our salvation brought Jesus great joy. I am sure that leaving the glory of heaven to be born in very humble circumstances was not the most happy experience. But even that would not be as difficult as facing the scorn of rejection by God’s people, the shame and pain of death by crucifixion, and the agony of experiencing separation from God when he took our sins upon himself. Remember: for the JOY set before him, Jesus did all of this. What joy was before him? While some may think that the joy was the future reunion with the Father in glory and the rightful place he would take again. But the scriptures make it clear that the joy was in doing God’s plan of salvation for us which, as the scriptures say, would bring many sons and daughters to glory with him. We weren’t there yet. But knowing the future reality, Jesus joyfully did the will of God.

In verse 21, in the middle of these verses about Jesus’ death and resurrection for us, Peter relates another experience of joy: our baptism. I have had the wonderful privilege of baptizing many people of all ages through the years. And I am praying that I will have the privilege of baptizing new believers while I am with you. I have never lost my thrill of seeing the joy that a new believer in Jesus has. It is often expressed at the time of their baptism. How happy they are to have Jesus as their savior. And yet they haven’t begun to experience the fullness of Jesus. Yes, Jesus has saved them and Jesus will continue to deliver them throughout their life. Finally, they will be fully delivered when they enter into the presence of God. Yes, they are really God’s children, but their full salvation is yet to be experienced—and yet there is joy.

The third point of joy for the Christian is in living the Christ-like life. Starting in verse 8, Peter gives some instructions about living as Christians. What has always amazed me is the rapid growth of the church in the early church. The Christian life was so different—people no longer looked out for themselves but genuinely cared for others. Christians did not gripe or complain about every little thing and even endured persecution without fear. They not only genuinely cared for each other (and demonstrated it by providing for those in need), they also provided for the needs of their neighbors. They were honest in a world of dishonesty. They were loving in a world of cruelty and hatred. They were faithful and obedient, humble and compassionate, returning good for any evil done to them. Peter writes in verse 14: “If you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.”

This echoes what Jesus taught. Matthew records this teaching of Jesus in what we call the beatitudes. One commentator has called them “The be-happy attitudes.” “Blessed are you when people will insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil again you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Peter is simply echoing Jesus’ words. It doesn’t matter what our earthly condition is because that is not the fully reality for a Christian. We can have joy simply because we are living as God intended for us to live, doing what God wants us to do. Several of my friends recently have asked how I am doing. I tell them “I am having fun.” I go on to relate some of the problems we face here. However, I am happy because I am where God wants me to be and I am doing what I know God wants me to do. And that it true of every Christian. We have joy living according to God’s word and doing what God wants us to do.

The last item of joy I find in this passage is found in verse 15. If there is joy in knowing Jesus as our Savior and if there is joy in living daily for Him, there is even a greater joy in sharing Jesus with others. Over the years, I have trained a lot of people to share their faith. Many of them had already been sharing their faith—they just didn’t realize it. Others wanted to be able to share their faith but had difficulty getting up the nerve. I always told people “God wants your availability more than your ability.” It is simply a matter of being available to people and ready to share what God has done for you.

Verse 15 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” It may be that they see your joy, your love, your peace. As people see you and get to know you, they will know that there is something special about you. We know that “something special” is Jesus. Every person who has told me about sharing their faith with others has usually done so with their face beaming. They can’t help it. It becomes one of the most joyous experiences that a Christian can have. Even if the person doesn’t come to faith at that moment, there is no joy like the joy of sharing your faith with someone else.

Last June 14, at 10:25 in the morning, I got a phone call from our son Tim. He had just left the hospital and couldn’t wait to tell us the good news—our newest grandson, Isaac was born just a short time before. Not only was he happy at the birth, he was also happy to tell the story over and over again. Luke tells us that the shepherds who came to see the baby born and laid in a manger went away telling everyone they met what they had seen and heard. Their experience had filled them with joy to the point that they just had to share. What did they have to share? We know that Jesus had to grow up, to suffer and die on the cross. God’s plan had not yet been fully implemented. Even though salvation was not fully realized, what they saw in the baby was enough to cause them great joy.

You may not have everything you want this Christmas. Many of the dreams you have, the hopes you have held onto, the plans you have made will not be fully realized. You can still have joy—joy in knowing Jesus as your Savior, joy in living for Jesus every day, and joy in sharing your love of Jesus with others. May we all have that kind of Joy this Christmas.