1 Peter 3:1-7 “Beauty and the Beast”

Message: 1 Peter 3:1-7 “Beauty and the Beast”

In this message, Peter continues his talk about how our behavior will be our biggest witness to unbelievers. Here he emphasizes inner beauty over and above outer adjournment. Inner work is among the main works of the Christian life. Out of this inner work flows our character and witness to the outer world.

1 Peter 2:18-25 "Afflicted"

Message: 1 Peter 2:18-25 “Afflicted”

In this difficult passage on bearing up under persecution and mistreatment, Peter reminds us that in identifying with Christ, we enter into Christ’s sufferings. In our day and age, we don’t think we should have to take anything from anyone. Where there are laws to protect us, we can thank God for it and utilize them. Yet, there is something to consider about entering into the sufferings of Christ and bearing up under them. That is what we will consider in this passage.

1 Peter 2:11-17 “Silenced”

Message: 1 Peter 2:11-17 “Silenced”

Peter is speaking to a community that is being discriminated against and slandered. He tells this Christian community that they are to live out of their new identity as the people of God. In accordance with this new identity, they are to live such good lives among non-believers, that though people may slander them and make false accusations against them, ultimately the rest of the world will come to see for themselves that these accusations are wrong. In this message we learn how our way of life and interacting in the world is a major part of our testimony and the power behind our witness as Jesus’ followers.

1 Peter 2:4-10 “Living Stones”

Message: 1 Peter 2:4-10 “Living Stones”

In this week’s passage, Peter is still building identity as the people of God and now moving toward their greater purpose. Part of that purpose is to become stones in a temple that is not located in Jerusalem, but a living temple that houses God’s glory throughout the world. This fulfills the goal of God being glorified in all the earth. It is our purpose as God’s people to glorify God in all that we say and do.

1 Peter 1:22 – 2:3 “Nourishment and Growth”

Message: 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:3 “Nourishment and Growth”

In this passage, Peter emphasizes the primary focus for the follower of Christ, which is spiritual growth and maturity. He tells us that we need to work at love in the context of community. He encourages us to remove the unhelpful practices that lead to a break down in community. In order to do this, we need to differentiate between what is temporary and what is lasting, and develop those areas that are beneficial to us for an eternal co-existence with God and others.