A Joy That Death Cannot Quench

This morning, we have the joy of hearing from our brother Peter in the Scriptures he has given us, and so naturally, I’d like to begin by talking to you about Andúril, Flame of the West, sword of Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur and therefore rightful King of Arnor and Gondor, renamed King Elessar Telcontar, or “Elfstone Strider.” I’m so sorry.

How many stories can you think of where the hero is given or discovers some kind of ancient and powerful weapon, key to his fight against evil?

Aragorn’s sword, Andúril, reforged from the shards of the sword Narsil, is an example. Or in the same stories, Glamdring, sword of Gandalf from the ancient kings of Gondolin; Orcrist, the sword of Thorin II; Sting, the sword of Bilbo and Frodo. Or Dyrnwyn in The Chronicles of Prydain; Excalibur, sword of King Arthur; Harpe of Perseus, used to decapitate Medusa in Greek mythology. Heck, even that Luke guy in those lame Star Wars things gets the lightsaber.

What is it about the world that gives us this deep urge to want powerful weapons? Why do we write them into our stories? It’s because we know that the word is a field of battle, that there are enemies to cut down and evils to oppose, and that strength is needed to wield weapons to fight. This morning, Peter’s intent is to arm us, to girt us with weapons, to walk into the fight equipped. He would have us be dangerous to our enemies.

But, as Paul says, we don’t battle with flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in the heavenly places. And so the weapon Peter aims to put in our sheath is correspondingly not one to use against flesh and blood. 1 Peter 4:1–6,

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.”

-1 Peter 4:1–6