Sermons

We’ll be wrapping up our series on 1 Peter. As we examine the final three verses in this wonderful letter, we will be reminded of some very important spiritual truths that will encourage us in our walk with Christ. 

We learn to prepare for and endure hardship and suffering in order to exchange them for an assured glory.  Peter has instructed the church to act as servants, to stay humble, and to resist the devil as we walk through all types of suffering.”

Peter moves to the topic of suffering — specifically for the name of Christ.  In this section, we learn how to prepare for suffering, the types of suffering often faced, and how to respond when we are mistreated for our faith.

We conclude the second portion of 1 Peter which has focused on being Strangers in the World.  This week, we talk about strangers to even ourselves as Peter gives some final thoughts.  This section even ends with a benediction.

Peter continues talking about Christians being “STRANGERS” in the world and this week he speaks directly to all Christians — to the church.  He give us a checklist on how to treat one another and then instructions on interactions with non-believers.  The last part of this passage is considered to be one of the toughest to understand in the New Testament, but I think we can break it down so that it makes sense.

We continue the focus on “strangers in this world” as we look within our own homes.  This passage is specifically written to husbands or wives that have unsaved spouses.  But, it has great encouragement for all couples.  As you’ll learn, this passage is often used out of context, unfortunately.

We continue our focus on strangers from 1 Peter 2 and see the author stop to make a parenthetical statement about his odd instructions.  It is masterfully written and is a beautiful picture of Jesus.  It is a short, powerful passage!

There is possibly no passage in all of the Bible that speaks to our concerns in 2020 like that in 1 Peter 2.  This weekend we will again be reminded that God’s Word is “living and active” and always relevant. 

This week we continue our series in 1 Peter. As we explore 1 Peter 2:4-10, we’ll focus on two key truths that unite us: our Savior and how His salvation has given us a new identity as His people. I trust we will find it encouraging and inspiring.

Peter turns a corner this week in our passage moving from a description of salvation to what is required of each of us in response to this great gift. We find that this gift has an impact on each of our relationships! This weekend, in light of the gift of salvation given to us, what is the appropriate response to Him and to other people?

We continue our walk through 1 Peter and see the benefits of suffering and the joy of living in New Testament times.  Peter explains some things that you really don’t see elsewhere in Scripture.  It is very interesting!

We are excited to begin our 12-week, verse-by-verse study of 1 Peter.  As Peter writes to a “scattered people,” he reminds them of three important truths.  They have a real salvation; they are now strangers in this world, and suffering will be part of life, but God has a plan even in it.  This week, we begin the study of our salvation by looking at a LIVING HOPE.  These 12 weeks can be good discipleship for some and a great reminder of others!
 

This weekend we begin the study of this little letter and will learn how practical and helpful it can be.  We will also get to hear from some of our REACH partners as they share their responses to the virus in their countries. We will be reminded that even when Christians are SCATTERED, they can continue to honor Christ.

We conclude our study of 2 Peter as we look at Peter’s last six sentences to people he truly loves.  Shortly after this, he will die at the hand of the Roman Emperor.  But before that happens, he wants to remind his friends of three things.  You already know what they are, but it is a joy to see how the Apostle Peter reminds them and us.  We will take Holy Communion in the service to remind us of Peter’s teaching of the LORD and SAVIOR.

We near the end of chapter 3 as we study the DAY OF THE LORD and our response.  In just four verses, Peter gives us some amazing teaching.  Read ahead and pray that God will prepare your heart for the worship service!

We learn how Peter assured believers that Jesus would return for His church in spite of mocking voices that challenged God's promise.  In our own walk this passage will encourage us that this promise still holds true today.  Some day we will "Be Gone", but for now God's patience keeps the door to eternity open for everyone who will repent.

This weekend we begin our final section of 2 Peter entitled Be Gone.  As the titles suggests, we will encounter Peter’s teaching about the Second Coming. Before Peter gets into those important matters, he gives us the reason for writing this letter. He felt  urgency to remind his readers of what they knew so that they could keep their heads on straight when so many others were losing theirs. Just like Peter’s readers, we occasionally need people who will remind us of the truth and help us keep perspective in confusing times. Just like Peter, we can do the same for others.

We conclude our study of 2 Peter 2 by seeing Peter’s description of the pattern of false teachers. He is furious as he describes their ways and their end.  There are more metaphors in this short section than you can imagine — it is powerful!

We continue our study of chapter 2 of 2 Peter and see that God can be trusted to handle judgment in His time.  It has been a good study and reminder for me and I believe you’ll be quite impressed with how Peter builds his case!

We begin chapter 2 of 2 Peter and will study the danger of false teaching for three weekends.  We will see that this chapter is kind of “The Manual” on identifying and dealing with false teachers in the church.

We conclude chapter 1 of 2 Peter by reading about Peter’s amazing experience as an eyewitness of the “majesty of Jesus”.  We also see how we got our Bible through the leading of the Holy Spirit.  It is a wonderful affirmation of our faith!

We continue the theme of “these things” (the seven things that Peter told us to “stack”.). It is a wonderful follow-up and confirmation of what we learned last week.  We also will learn a bit about Peter’s intent to review and his imminent death.

We begin the first chapter of 2 Peter after the introduction last weekend.  We see that we have EVERYTHING we need; that we need to make EVERY effort; and that we NEVER quit.

We begin a new series on 2 Peter and we will look at the organization and layout of this letter while seeing the main themes.  We will study the first two verses which seem simple — but they are powerful!

We begin a four-part series on God’s Instagram — in other words, short communications from the Lord through John and Jude. This weekend we study the Book of 2John which is only 13 verses long but has a powerful message for the new year.  

We study 3 John and see three men who help us understand the various kinds of people who might be attending our church (any church). It reminds us to look for good role models, but also to BE good role models for newer believers.

We conclude our study of GOD’S INSTAGRAM by finishing the Book of Jude.  This week we see a clever description of false teachers and then learn how we should respond to them.

We move to the last of the “postcards” of the New Testament— Jude.  We will study this book for two weekends because it is a bit longer and a bit more in-depth.  It won’t take you long to see that Jude is “beside himself” over the false teachers and apostates within the church.