Once, while driving on the highway, I was forced out of the lane I was driving in when a car cut across from my left to get into the lane on my right, so that they could exit the outer belt. All I saw of the car was its color and a bumper sticker that invited me to follow them to church. The kindest thing I could think of was that the driver had been raptured and I had been left behind, like the popular series of fictional books in circulation! Well, I recovered my lane and was glad that I wasn't humming "Nearer My God to Thee" like the driver who careened through four lanes of traffic! Another time, I hired a professional electrician because they advertised themselves as a "christian" business and once I sold meat animals to a "christian" slaughter house! In both cases - I was taken to the cleaners by shoddy work in the first case and bouncing checks in the second case.

Early on, in the history of our congregation - we were involved on the far edge of a business dispute between two Christians - again, not a pretty sight to see. In another case, a Charlatan, now serving time in a Federal institution, misrepresented his relationship with us and received some acreage on our behalf which he then tried to sell to us! At least the Lord was protecting us, because the property was an EPA nightmare.

Of course we are all familiar with Christian witnesses that are less than exemplary! And the classic movie "Elmer Gantry" unfortunately has elements of character all too familiar among professional media evangelists. Those who would lead Christ's Church should consider Peter's exhortation in the first four verses here very carefully. The style of leadership encouraged is not one of lordship but one of example. Now, you do not always get as much done when you want it done by this means, but the important stuff always seems to be accomplished within the Lord's timing. The running joke around here concerns how many mower blades I had to bend before volunteers enough came forward to take over the yard duties! And in the last year, I have graciously been relieved of the church building chores by people more talented than myself! Thank you all for helping out, and no I am not so incompetent in these matters, but the people taking on the responsibilities are just much more talented and all the rocks and stumps have been ground down by now anyway!

I think that the most important lesson in these first four verses is that the Lord will always provide Christians with the necessary skills to accomplish the work that is necessary if those who lead do so by example rather than by ordering people around. Sadly - I have heard of churches where people without the necessary gifts have been ordered out to evangelize, or to go into the nursery where they didn't belong and so on.

Our second section is addressed to the whole congregation. "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility ..." Dr Keener observes that "respect for parents, elders and, in Judaism, those more knowledgeable in the law was socially obligatory in antiquity; some Jewish traditions regarded it as an expression of one's respect for God. Such respect included deferring to the wisdom of older men and allowing them to speak first. Peter advocates submission to the ruling elders, but he also urges - against Greco-Roman society's ideals - mutual humility, based on the teaching of the Old Testament" which is quoted here from Proverbs 3: 34.

For most of the twentieth century there was a deepening crisis concerning lawful authority. The world leaders in 1914 failed miserably in their leadership and a small crisis flamed into a world wide conflict whereby whole kingdoms and empires shattered and fell. Social doubts about the Christian underpinnings of western culture grew and flourished. The whole of the Christian heritage in such matters was eventually thrown out and social and communal systems rose to challenge the ancient wisdom of a once better regulated civilization in our western lands and nations. I can almost agree that the whole course of the twentieth century revolved around the proper ordering of society and the search for an alternative system other than that of Christianity. And was it all because the "Christian" leadership of the western nations failed so miserably? Of the leading international figures in 1914, perhaps the two Kaisers of Germany & Austria best understood their Christian obligations, at least in their personal writings that I have read over the years.

How much, we need to comprehend the fact of sin that contaminates all that we do and even the very best that we all do in the Name of Christ and privately and selfishly apart from His oversight and leadership. At least through the Scottish Reformation - we have learned that leaders can be unelected as well as elected. And for that governing principle within the Church, much - much blood was spilt as traditional leaders desperately tried to use the power of the State to maintain their stranglehold on the church as well. It is our calling in times such as these to rebuild the biblical authority of those God's people willingly elect to rule over them! But leaders as well as followers are charged to "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

But humility is not a popular aspect of character these days when most of the younger generation is being taught to feel good about every possible character flaw. Self-esteem breeds contempt for the rights and privileges of others. We have only to remember the scandals of the most ethical couple ever elected to govern our nation. The new president can't help but look good in comparison. Yet the media is bored by the lack of scandal and has not yet found an issue that can be whipped up enough to catch the national focus! Even the hostage crisis was solved quietly behind the scenes before the networks could dominate the agenda of how to embarrass their presidential adversary! The limelight was unnecessary this time around. Well can our statesmen take the advice of the Apostle Peter here: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." There is no sense in anyone primping for the press in our day and time, since the media has well learned the methods to discredit any and every lawful authority. I can well remember how the half hour comedies in the sixties began to poke fun at the husbands in their sit-coms. And how cutsie insubordinate children could garner in the ratings. No wonder, we have a generation or two who have raised themselves and take advice from one another!

More and more in my public employment I am noticing that the students are acting just like the actors in the popular school movies of the last thirty-some years. Ever watch a movie set in a High School? Wasn't it interesting that the teachers were the supporting actors in the majority of the films? Well, the daily soap operas in the hallways barely take time out for any educational breaks today! Insubordination is an art form - and well has the biblical statement that the sins of the fathers become the heartfelt attitudes of the third or fourth generation who follow in their footsteps.

How much the worldly culture is returning to the pagan roots of the fallen religious cults of Greece, Rome and even the more barbaric interests and activities of the Assyrians, Aztecs and other infamous associations of devil worshippers. Do not think that our culture will bottom out at the base level of Greece and Rome, more insidious interests are being released and even the moral restraint once appreciated in the civilized eras of antiquity are but pit stops in the headless mindless rush towards total depravity. Well did C.S. Lewis observe in the fifties, that it wouldn't take much character to stand out in a crowd forty years hence!

And yet, we do have a hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Hope not only for ourselves but even for our culture. Our reaction to devilish activity in our time and even the author of evil is the subject of Peter's advice in verses nine through eleven. "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

"Never give up!" was the motto of Winston Churchill, one of the few leaders of the First World War to keep his moral sanity within a Christian perspective all through his life. The worldly in England had little use for him until something really wicked arose on the continent. Then having dumped the mealy-mouthed Chamberlain who did not know what the word back bone ever meant, the man of the century took center stage until the national socialist threat was defeated. Immediately, the man of England's greatest hour was dumped just as unceremoniously as the man he had replaced! At least Winston was comforted by a young schoolboy who sent him a note, addressed simply to the greatest man in the world! Now I realize that Sir Winston Churchill was all too human, like us all he had his better moments.

It always amazes me how much the Lord can accomplish through the flawed humans he calls to stand for everything that is right in good. But - remember, we must stand fast in the faith! And if we do, then we may hope and pray that "the God of all grace [may] establish, strengthen, and settle" us.

"To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." Peter completes his final blessing of this first general letter to the Church of Christ. Of course we affirm that Christ is at the center of history and that all the works of providence are done in and through him! Yet, we are charged in these last two chapters to live a life pleasing to our Lord and Savior. The last few verses of Peter's letter here may be understood to be like the final credits at the end of a movie. You know, the ones that roll down the screen after everyone has walked out of the theater! No star power here, that role must always be reserved for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But, nevertheless, Silvanus has transcribed Peter's revelation in this letter. The Bride in Babylon - kindred spirits in the faith, whether personal or general, sends her greetings along with Mark.

Three messages are contained briefly in this last section.

• Peter would exhort and testify "that this is the true grace of God in which you stand."
• "Great one another with a kiss of love."
• "Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus."

So let us well remember that no matter how interesting, difficult or trying the times we live in, we standa before God in grace - knowing that His mercy ensures our permanent adoptive son & daughtership in the family of the elect, the very Bride of Christ - faithfully awaiting the final appearance of our Lord. Also, we are to celebrate our Christian fellowship with all who acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ by loving each other before the world - so that the world may know that God is love and be attracted to a fellowship that seeks no exploitive purpose. Finally, Peter desires that we may know the peace that he knew in Christ Jesus. May that peace be yours today and always. Amen.