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.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Monday, March 25, 2019
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.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
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.
Monday, March 11, 2019
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.
Monday, March 4, 2019
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.
Monday, February 25, 2019
1 Peter 1:10-21 “Children of the Son”
In
this message we will see how the prophets who came before us shared a message
that was for us. This messages of Ransom, freedom and redemption was fulfilled
in Jesus Christ. The results of Jesus’ work are being brought about within us
even now. Jesus has redeemed us for a purpose and we are to live into and out
of that purpose here and now. This message will explore what it means to live
as ‘Children of the Son.’
Monday, February 18, 2019
1 Peter 1:1-9 “The New Me”
This Sunday we begin a
sermon study going through 1 & 2 Peter. This Sunday’s message focuses on
Peter’s opening words to an audience facing the threat of persecution. They
have been scattered abroad. Peter applies numerous of Jewish themes and titles
to these Christians and speaks of their identity as those who are ‘chosen’ and
receiving an ‘inheritance.’ Theirs is the new world that God has given them,
but for now they must navigate the challenges of this world. These trials are a
part of their preparation and refining, preparing them for their ultimate
destination. Peter wants them to know and understand their new identity in
Christ and focus on the greater goal which is yet before them.
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