1 & 2 Peter and Jude—Sharing Christ's Sufferings (Preaching the Word | PtW)
Overview
Neither Peter nor Jude minced words about the realities that would confront every Christian and that were confronting the church at large—suffering and persecution, contradictory views of the gospel, constant challenges to the faith at the hands of false teachers. Yet even in the face of these harsh realities, both biblical writers unswervingly declared that there is no cause for despair as long as one’s foundation and identity are in Christ.
With the truths of 1-2 Peter and Jude echoing across the ages, commentator David Helm beckons us to listen in his stirring exposition. Yet it is not enough to listen, he says. Peter’s and Jude’s words must compel us to do just what the early Christians did: hold fast to their identity in Christ, ground themselves in the truth, live lives worthy of their calling, and vigorously contend for the faith.
Top Highlights
“And so can you! When you bless God in Christ, you come home. You enter into his very presence. And as we see next, when weary followers of Jesus begin blessing and praising God, encouragement is sure to follow.” (Pages 30–31)
“Our motivation rests in this: submission to authority is the strongest apologetic against the view that Christians are never up to any good.” (Page 93)
“Therefore, given the pain that can be evoked by this text, I want to say a few things about what Peter’s call to submission does not mean for Christian wives. It does not mean that if your husband asks you to abandon your faith in Christ, you should do so. It does not mean that if your husband asks you to sin, you should do so. It does not mean that you must always agree with him and never present a differing view. It does not mean that if he is unfaithful to you, you are left without Biblical recourse. It does not mean that if he abuses you physically or abandons you through incessant verbal humiliation, you must remain quietly in the home and accept the daily cruelty of that relationship at all costs.” (Page 102)
“Do you see the comfort associated with this word elect? The term elect is meant to encourage the church. It is to remind the people of God of his great love. It is not a term to be waved in front of those who don’t yet know God.3 It should be used to bring comfort for those in the faith. Peter intended to assure his early dispersed readers of God’s steadfast love.” (Page 24)
“Those who distinguish themselves with a set hope are those who have learned to cultivate a healthy mind. To put it simply, if God is to have your heart, he must first have your mind.” (Page 58)
This book of Bible expositions displays his strengths as a preacher and serves as a model for other Bible teachers. It is vigorous in its defense of spiritual truth, clear in its explanation of biblical words and their contextual meaning, vivid in its use of language and illustrations, well-structured in its exposition of particular Bible passages, and fresh in its practical application of biblical truth to daily Christian life.
—Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia
- Title: 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ's Sufferings
- Author: David Helm
- Publisher: Crossway
- Publication Date: 2008
- Pages: 416
