Greet One Another in Love

As a congregation, we started studying this letter known as “First Peter” back on April 5 of 2020. We took some breaks in there to talk about church membership and study a group of Psalms. But after today, we will have almost 50 messages looking at this letter.

Why in the world would we have spent almost one year’s worth of Sundays to study a letter that’s almost 2,000 years old and only takes up a few pages in your Bible? Why did we do that?

Well, I chose to study First Peter because the COVID-19 situation was upon us, and we weren’t sure what that was going to bring. So, in preparation for suffering and difficulty, I chose this letter which was written to suffering Christians.

Now, a year and a half later, COVID-19 has brought a different kind of challenge than most people anticipated, but it has proven to be an applicable study.

But why spend so many weeks on it? Why were we only discussing, on average, about 2 verses at a time? Why move so slowly?

The reason I only covered a little bit at a time is connected to my view of Scripture. I don’t think it’s wrong to cover a larger portion. But I wanted to give myself to a more careful study. I wanted to better understand the richness and the depth of what we have.

This is God’s word. It is authoritative, and it’s also rich with truth. Every word matters. This is the product of God’s work by His Spirit.

But that doesn’t remove the human element. God used the Apostle Peter to communicate a message that would impact the global church for all future generations. And to do that, Peter didn’t sit in a trance. He didn’t transcribe some heavenly revealed message. He wrote from his own heart. And yet, at the same time, the Holy Spirit was working so that the final product was the very words God wanted.

First Peter was originally written in Greek and then it was sent to be copied and distributed among Christians living in what is now northern Turkey. As we’ve been studying the letter, I kept trying to help us keep in mind the broader context of where we were in the letter. I didn’t want our slower pace to lead us to forget that this was originally a letter with some very human characteristics.

Before churches started studying it more in depth, before translations of this letter existed in all the languages they do now, churches would have simply gathered together to hear it read in its entirety. This was a letter delivered from, not just a well-known pastor, but it was a letter from a man who had been personally selected and discipled by Jesus Christ. So, you can imagine, the people listened eagerly as it was read.

We’re not going to read the whole letter this morning, but we have come to a part of the letter that shows us the personal nature of what was written. And being God’s word, we know that there will be something beneficial to us as well.

From the opening sentences of the letter, Peter dives into doctrinal and practical instruction which was important for his original audience and for us today. Peter wanted Christians to know that despite the pains and difficulties of this life, your eternal future is secure in Christ. And he wanted Christians to remember the hope that we have. And, as an outflow and expression of that hope, we are to walk in holiness.

Just to summarize the rest of the letter, the holiness of Christ is shown in our love for one another, in our battle against sinful desire, in our submission to earthly authority, and in our willingness to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ.

All that being said, we come now to the postscript of the letter. This is the P.S. section. If your Bible has a heading for these final verses, it’ll tell you these are the final greetings. Like I said, this is still God’s word, and there is still something we can learn from it. It’s also very appropriate given the times we are in.

These closing verses help us see the personal side of this letter. We get to see Peter’s heart. And seeing his heart, I think there are two important diagnostic questions we should ask ourselves. We’ve all got problems to one degree or another, but no matter what life is like, I want to ask you two consider two questions this morning. And this is going to be how we frame our time.

The first question is this: Do you appreciate your spiritual family? Do you appreciate your spiritual family?

I don’t want you to just listen to a sermon. This is not a rhetorical question. I want you to really think about your answer. Do you appreciate the spiritual family God has given you?

The reason I ask that question is because what we see in these closing verses, as Peter says goodbye, is his heart to appreciate His brothers in the faith. Obviously, Peter appreciates the people he’s writing to. But there’s more. Specifically, Peter mentions two men that he appreciates. Verse 12 mentions Silvanus, and verse 13 mentions Mark. Verse 12 says: By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you.

There are a few of ways that we could interpret that phrase “by Silvanus,” and they’re not mutually exclusive. Any combination of these is a possibility.

One option is that Silvanus served as a kind of assistant or secretary for Peter. It could be that Peter dictated the letter, but Silvanus is the one who actually wrote it down on paper.

A second option is that Silvanus helped contribute to the letter. So, he might have been chiming in as Peter wrote it.

A third and final possibility is that Silvanus was the one who personally delivered the letter. And again, it could be any combination of those, and it’s not really a huge deal if we don’t know the specifics.

Silvanus, the Bible tells us, was a ministry partner of Paul as well as Peter. He is also known as Silas. Sometime after Pentecost, Silas became part of the leadership in the church in Jerusalem, which means he would have worked alongside the Apostle Peter. The first time Silas is mentioned in the Bible is in connection with the Jerusalem Council.

Those of you who read Acts earlier this year as part of an FLG might remember that the Apostles and the elders gathered to answer the question about whether or not Gentiles needed to keep the Law of Moses. Well, they officially affirm that salvation is by faith, and then Paul and Barnabas head back to Antioch to deliver the message, and Silas is one of the men from Jerusalem chosen to accompany them.

After arriving in Antioch, Acts 15:32 tells us that Silas was a kind of prophet, meaning he had a teaching or a preaching ministry. The Bible says he encouraged and strengthened the church. So, this is a man whom God used effectively for the benefit of the church.

You might also remember that when time came for the second missionary journey, Silas was Paul’s main travelling companion. He was there in the Philippian jail praying and singing hymns.

Second Corinthians 1:19 tells us that Paul and Silvanus and Timothy preached in Corinth. And we also find that that same group is responsible for the letters we know as First and Second Thessalonians. So, even though he’s not very well-known, Silas, or Silvanus, was a big part of what God did in the early church.

Given Silvanus’ record of sacrificial ministry, it makes sense that Peter would call him a faithful brother. Peter was a prestigious Apostle, but he wasn’t trying to take all the credit for himself. He wanted to make sure that the Christians who received this letter didn’t walk away thinking, “Praise God for Peter. What a wonderful letter he gave us.” No, Peter wanted to make sure he gave credit where credit was due.

Verse 12 says this letter was written to exhort and to declare the grace of God. It was written to give the people comfort and assurance and joy. It was written to encourage them in holiness. But Peter wanted to make sure the people knew that it was a group effort to put that letter in their hands. Peter showed appreciation for his brother Silvanus. He didn’t want his brother’s work to be overlooked.

The second specific person Peter mentions is Mark. He’s also known as John Mark. We know him best as the author of the gospel of Mark. But Mark is also known because he travelled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, which is recorded in Acts 13 and 14. Colossians 4:10 also tells us that Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. He went with Paul and Barnabas as their helper.

But along the way, John Mark decided to leave them and return home. Luke, the author of Acts, doesn’t make too much of this, until we get to Acts 15, and its time for the second missionary journey. Paul and Barnabas are going to return to the many of the churches they planted the first time around.

Barnabas, out of a desire to forgive his family member, wants to bring Mark along. But Paul, looking for someone with proven commitment, refuses. Without choosing sides, Acts tells us that this led to a sharp disagreement, and Mark and Barnabas left on their own trip. Paul, then, had to choose a replacement. For the second missionary journey, who would Paul take instead of Barnabas and Mark? Do you remember whom Paul chose?

He chose Silas. He chose Silvanus. That’s the same guy mentioned in verse 12. If those two guys were in the same room, we might imagine there would be some awkwardness. Paul essentially fired Mark and replaced him with Silvanus. In the world, that would mean tension.

But how does Peter refer to these men? Silvanus is a brother, and Mark is a son. Peter says: This is my spiritual family. Peter appreciates and honors them, even though they might have had a little drama in the past.

Isn’t that a helpful example for us today? Again, do you appreciate your spiritual family?

Over and over again, the Bible tells us that those who belong to Christ are part of the household of God. We are family. We are brothers and sisters. And we are called to reconcile, to seek peace, and to appreciate one another. We are all valuable members of Christ’s body.

Appreciating and honoring one another is an important quality for all of us, but especially for leadership. None of us do this on our own. This is a group effort.

None of us like being overlooked for the contributions we make. So, one of the ways we honor and appreciate others is by affirming them and pointing out their contributions. The man who refuses to point out the contributions of others is a selfish man. He’s an egotistical man. It’s a man that doesn’t realize how much he needs the people around him.

At the end of verse 12, Peter tells the church to stand firm. To one degree, the church was already doing that, but they needed to continue. Peter’s words here are in the plural form, meaning it’s not aimed only at the leaders; it’s aimed at everyone. He understands that standing firm is something the church needs to do together. We depend on one another. And if we keep that in mind, we will appreciate one another all the more.

God never intended you to stand firm in the faith all by yourself. That’s why Christ instituted the local church with recognized members. That’s a group of Christians who affirm one another in the faith and edify one another. You walk stronger because of the brothers and sisters around you. And others should walk stronger because of you. The more that happens, the more we are going to appreciate one another. We need one another in this battle.

Do you appreciate your spiritual family? The opposite of an appreciative heart is a critical heart. And if you’re like me, criticism is really easy. When my wife and I disagree, I don’t naturally remember all the good and profitable things she does for me and the family. When there’s a disagreement among the elders, I’m tempted to focus more on what I don’t like than on how my brother has sacrificed for the good of the church.

Men, you need to appreciate your wives. Wives, you need to appreciate your husband. Older people, you need to appreciate the younger ones. Younger ones, you need to appreciate the older ones. We are a family. That’s why Peter calls Silvanus a brother and Mark, who is younger, a son. This is a spiritual family.

Now, I said at the beginning, that we’re going to be asking two diagnostic questions. The first question was: Do you appreciate your spiritual family? Here’s the second question: Do you show it? Do you show your appreciation for your brothers and sisters in the Lord? Is it visible?

Why do I ask that? Two reasons. First, any one of us could say, “Yes, of course I appreciate my brothers in the church.” But that doesn’t mean it’s being shown. We may feel like we appreciate one another, but we don’t actually show it.

The second reason I’m asking this question—and again, it’s not rhetorical—is because Peter instructs the church to demonstrate their love for one another in a practical way. And that way is with a greeting.

First, we get an example of a greeting. Look at verse 13 one more time. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

As best we can tell, Peter isn’t in the literal city of Babylon. Most likely, he’s in Rome. And he’s not talking about a specific woman; he’s talking about the church. The word “church” in Greek is feminine, that’s why our translation has the word “she.” If you speak Spanish or some other language, you understand that nouns can be either masculine or feminine. English doesn’t have that, and that’s what makes it tricky when you have to learn another language.

Peter is saying: “My church here in Rome says hello. And so does Mark, my son.” When I talk to someone that’s close to me whom I haven’t talked to in a while, they might tell me: “Say hello to your wife and kids.” And I say, “Sure. Say hello to your family too.”

I don’t say, “Say hello to your boss for me,” because I don’t know that person. I don’t have a relationship with their boss. But when I send greetings, that’s an expression and a demonstration of my relationship with them.

Peter wants the Christians to whom he’s writing to know that they have a church in Rome who loves them and cares for them. They have a spiritual family somewhere else in the world, and they send their greetings.

Well, after giving his own greetings, Peter gives an explicit command for the church. Look at verse 14. Greet one another with the kiss of love.

You folks who are in the same church, you brothers and sisters who are part of the same local church body, make sure you greet one another.

One Greek lexicon says that the idea behind the word “greet” is to draw someone to yourself. It’s a way of receiving someone. Waving your hand in the air might be meaningful if you are far away. But if someone is close to you and you want to receive them, you do more than just wave, right?

Some of this might depend on your culture or your age, but maybe it’s a handshake or a hug or a kiss. In the first century, a real greeting included a kiss, even between two men. A kiss on the cheek was a sign of brotherly love.

Do you remember the time when Jesus went to the house of Simon the Pharisee and a woman whom everyone knew was a sinner started weeping and washing Jesus’ feet? Simon got upset. But Jesus said to him, “When I came in, you didn’t wash my feet. You didn’t give me a kiss. But this woman has done both.”

Jesus pointed out that the Pharisee hadn’t really received Jesus as a special guest. There wasn’t really a loving relationship between them. That’s what a kiss signified.

You might also remember the parable of the prodigal son. When the son comes to his senses and returns home smelling like filth, the father feels compassion and he runs and embraces him, and he kisses him. “This is my son whom I love.” A kiss is an expression of love.

And that’s why when Judas came pretending like he loved Jesus, he gave him a kiss. And when Paul left the elders of Ephesus, they kissed him.

Now, we all understand there’s a difference between a romantic kiss, which is only for my wife, and a kiss for the other members of my family. God understands that too.

In firt Timothy 5, Paul tells Timothy he should treat the church like family. Older men should be treated like fathers, younger men like brothers. Older women like mothers. And younger women, like sisters. And then Paul adds, in all purity.

This was not intended to be a romantic thing in the church. But in that culture, a kiss was how brothers and sisters greeted each other. And so, knowing that we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, Peter says greet one another with a kiss of love. Since a kiss was the accepted cultural expression of greeting someone close to you, we can think about how to apply this in our own culture.

I’m not prepared to say that we all need to be kissing each other. But we can greet one another in a way that demonstrates that we are a spiritual family. Your appreciation for others should be seen. The way I greet a random lady in line at the grocery store is not the same way I greet my aunts or my cousins, right?

Well, if you’re a member of this church, the way you greet random people in the street shouldn’t be the same way you greet brothers and sisters who are part of the same local church. Your appreciation for one another and your unity should be evident.

And just so you know, this is not some obscure topic based on one verse in the postscript of a letter.

When Paul wrapped up his letter to the Romans, he used the word “greet” 21 times. He sent personal greetings to many people. And he said what Peter says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

Paul says the same thing in in 2 Corinthians 13:12, and then again in Philippians 4:21, and in Colossians 4, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:26, and in Titus 3. Greet one another. Greet each other with a holy, loving kiss.

When you meet a brother or a sister in the Lord—particularly when it’s someone in the same church as you—is your appreciation and love for them evident? Think about that.

God wants the love in his household to be evident. And greeting is just one example of that. You’ve also got commands and examples in the Bible of hospitality and generosity. That means opening your home and opening your wallet. Let your love be on display, and let God bless you and bless others as you walk in faithfulness to His design.

Now, like I’ve done so many times throughout this series, I think I need to put this principle in light of where we are as a society.

Last year, the Oregon Health Authority released a statement regarding romantic relationships. They said: “Kissing can easily pass COVID-19. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts.” That statement has been modified. Now, regarding romantic relationships, Oregon officials say, “If you’re both vaccinated and taking COVID-19 precautions, intimacy is likely to be safe.”

Well, each of us is going to have to think about how far we will allow government and public health officials to control our personal relationships and the way we relate to one another in the church.

Like we’ve been saying for quite some time, we elders want to be gracious to those of you who think it’s wiser to keep more distance right now. But from a biblical perspective, our responsibility is to keep reminding you and urging you toward the commands and the principles of God’s word. No matter what people say is “the new normal,” we don’t want to forget the biblical norm, which is a body of brothers and sisters showing love in visible, tangible ways,

If in your conscience, you believe it’s best to keep some distance during this time, then you need to think carefully about how God can still use you to show appreciation and love for others in meaningful ways. COVID-19 is not a free pass for those of you who are introverts or don’t like saying hello to others. Even without COVID-19, some of you struggle to connect well with others. Recognize that, and take some deliberate steps to do it better. It may not seem very spiritual, but we may be surprised to know how much it pleases God when you walk over to someone and say hello.

For those in our congregation who aren’t attending right now, they need to be all the more diligent because they’re not even having a modified greeting on Sunday mornings. They don’t get to connect with the rest of the church body in a physical way the way we do when service is over.

Again, I’m not saying that you are clearly sinning every time you don’t come to church and greet the brothers, but I would ask you to at least recognize that God’s design and desire is that His people meet together and greet one another in love. He created hugs and kisses. And you should be ready to give an account to Him for why you chose not to.

We have some people in our church who are very compromised in their immunity, and so they don’t come. We also have people with weaker immune systems, and they are coming right now. That decision is between them and the Lord. It’s not my place or your place to judge them if they are honoring their conscience.

But for those of you members that are here today, I tell you as a pastor and as a brother in Christ, if you come to me today for a hug, I will hug you.

I looked yesterday at the most recent data from the Los Angeles County Health Department. And for COVID-19, they’ve got all the information about how many cases and deaths there have been reported, and you can see it sorted by age groups. Let me share with you the information they’ve got for each age category.

For those who are ages 17 and younger, there have been a total of 7 reported deaths in the county since COVID-19 began. That’s compared to an estimated population of minors of 2.1 million. So, if you’re under 18, the chances that you will not die from COVID are 99.999%. According to the CDC statistics, minors are more likely to die from a birth defect, in an accident, or due to crime or suicide.

For those between ages 18 and 29, those in the L.A. County population who have reportedly died with COVID-19 are about 1 in every 10,000. Your chances of not dying from COVID are about 99.989%.

If you’re between 30 and 49 years old, which is where I fall, the chances of not dying from COVID-19 are 99.936%

From age 50 to 64, the chances of not dying from COVID-19 are 99.720%

For those between ages 65 and 79 years, the chances they will not die from COVID-19 are 99.099%.

The final category is those people who are over 80. Since the beginning of all this, the number of reported deaths in L.A. County connected to COVID-19 for those over 80 years old is 8,547. The estimated population of people over 80 years old is just over 337,000. If you do the math, you realize that since this all began, 2.534% of people over 80 have died from or with the virus. That means that if you are over 80, the chances of you not dying from COVID-19 are 97.466%.

Now, just so you know, life expectancy in LA county is about 82 years, so statistically, once your over 82, you’re already on borrowed time. And these stats are only looking at one cause of death. There are so many other ways to die.

I’m not trying to make light of death, but you need to remember that whether or not you die of COVID-19, unless Christ comes, you are going to die. And until that day comes, you need to think about how to best use your time to honor Christ. And based on what we’ve been seeing today, you need to decide for yourself how you are going to show appreciation and love for one another in the church with the days you have left. Ask yourself: Do I appreciate my spiritual family? And how do I show it?

Frankly, for me, the fear of sickness and death at this time just isn’t enough for me to stop loving you guys with hugs and with personal ministry. Now, if I’m sick, I don’t want to spread things to you, and that’s a different issue. But either way, my heart is to do what I believe best demonstrates love.

One of my great desires for you personally and for our church as a whole is the closing words of this epistle. Here’s how Peter ends the letter: Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

May God grant us peace between one another. And may God help us, even in the most difficult times, with the help of one another, to live with His peace which surpasses all understanding.