“Suffering well” as Peter describes in 2:13-4:1 has an unexpected side benefit to us as followers of Jesus: it helps us to live for God’s mission instead of just for the passing pleasures of sin. It does so by changing the way we think about what’s important, which changes our behavior and better prepares us…
When we suffer well, as Jesus did, we will accomplish God’s will. Join us today as we remind ourselves of Peter’s teaching about what it looks like to suffer well, and what good we will accomplish for God if we do.
Getting baptized announces to the watching world that we’ve been saved, teaches us that we’re connected to Jesus, and assures us of new life in God’s new world one day. Peter adds here that baptism also pictures the coming judgment, when all who have believed in Jesus and asked for His forgiveness will be rescued.
Whether it’s fair or unfair, followers of Jesus can expect persecution from time to time. If they don’t give in to pressure and instead maintain their loyalty to Jesus, though, they will have the opportunity to give a gentle and logical explanation to those who persecute them, which God can use to humble the persecutors…
We want to see people saved! Acts 16 shows us how. The church in this chapter formed as God saved a businesswoman, a demon-possessed girl, and a jailer’s family. All were saved by God’s grace, each in a different circumstance. God can reach all – and is glad to use us in the process.
The Church (the people, not the building or the organization) is meant to be a safe place to heal from the attacks that come at us from a hostile world. In order to become that, each Christian must treat all the others in a counter-cultural way, refusing to get involved in a war of retribution…
After challenging wives to submit to their husbands so that they can win them to Christ, Peter continues his letter with some pointed instructions to husbands about how they should use the authority delegated to them by God. Join us this morning as we explore these important issues.