The Insatiable Craving of the Christian

The Insatiable Craving of the Christian Lesson 9 Looking for Joy in All the Right Places

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

“But are we to pursue this joy like Christian hedonists? Are we to throw the kindling of God’s Word every day on the fire of joy? Indeed, we are! Not only every day, but day and night. This delight is the very design of our Lord in speaking to us. Not to pursue our joy every day in the Word of God is an abandonment of the revealed will of God. It is sin.” John Piper

Introduction 1 Peter 1:22-23 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

A. The declarative - A sincere love of family

B. The imperative – Love fervently (deeply)

C. The cause – New birth through the Word of God

Therefore …

I. What is uncharacteristic of divine life?

A. Malice – the harboring of evil thoughts against another person (the nourishment for grudges)

Kakos, stands for "whatever is evil in character, base," The use of kakos may be broadly divided as follows: (a) of what is morally or ethically "evil," whether of persons, qualities, emotions, passions, deeds; (b) of what is injurious, destructive, baneful, pernicious,

B. Deceit – any form of dishonesty or trickery

Dolos, primarily, "a bait," hence, "fraud, guile, deceit,"

C. Hypocrisy – pretending to be what we are not

1 Hupokrisis, primarily denotes "a reply, an answer" (akin to hupokrinomai, "to answer"); then, "play-acting," as the actors spoke in dialogue; hence, "pretence, hypocrisy";

D. Envy – resentment when peers excel

Phthonos, "envy," is the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others; this evil sense always attaches to this word,

Matt 27:17-18 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

E. Slander (Evil Speaking) – gossip, backbiting; exalting ourselves by destroying others

Katalalos, a "backbiter," and katalalia, "backbiting," are formed from kata, "against," and laleo, "to speak." Katalalos is used in Rom 1:30. Katalalia is translated "evil speaking" in 1 Peter 2:1,

Zech 8:16-17 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the LORD.

II. What is characteristic of divine life?

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

A. A craving for the word of God

Job 23:12 I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. NASB

Jer 15:16 Thy words were found and I ate them, And Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts. NASB

Psalm 119:97-104

B. A craving for the PURE word of God adolos, "without guile" (a, negative, and dolos, see GUILE), "pure, unadulterated," is used metaphorically of the teaching of the Word of God, 1 Peter 2:2, RV. It is used in the papyri writings of seed, corn, wheat, oil, wine, etc.

Deut 4:2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

Deut 12:32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.

Prov 30:6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Rev 22:18-19

2 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. C. Growing in His image

Hos 14:5-7 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.

1 Corinthians 13

Galatians 5:22-23

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Rom 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,

III. Why is it only reasonable?

1 Peter 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

A. His love is conclusive

John 13:1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

John 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? ….

B. His love is compelling

2 Cor 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, …

Ps 34:4-10 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

3 TNBS Questions Preparation for week 10

Reread 1 Peter 2:4-5

1. Do you see the Christian life as primarily a call to duty or a granting of privilege? Why? ______

2. Read Matt 11:28-30; John 6:35; Eph 1:3 How do these verses describe the believer’s privileged position? ______

3. From the following verses, describe the metaphor used and a brief summary of its meaning. 1 Peter 1:4 ______

John 4:10-14 ______

John 6:51 ______

Hebrews 10:19-20 ______

4. Read 1 Peter 2:4 again with Acts 2:22-23; 3:13; 4:10; 10:37-39 What contrast does Peter continue to make in all his sermons and teaching? Why do you think he does this? ______

5. What is meant by “spiritual house”? (1 Peter 2:5) ______

6. As a holy priesthood, what priestly duties are believers to perform? : a. Heb 7:26; 10:10 ______

b. Matt 5:44 ______

c. Matt 28:19 ______

4 d. Rom 12:1 ______

7. What spiritual sacrifices should be made by this holy priesthood? : a. Philp 4:18 ______

b. Heb 13:15 ______

c. Col 1:24 ______