In this sermon, Peter kicks off the letter in high gear, as he implores the men and women he's writing to, to bless God the Father, and gives ample reason why He is worthy of blessing! In this imploring, Peter shows just how good God's gospel is to us, and why we can endure trials, look forward to the Kingdom, and walk in purpose today. The opening section is beautiful and filled with promises and glory. Join us as we think about this next season together.

Not only does Christ save us from our sins, but now He is transforming us into His image. This means we’re called to be holy, not out of some moralistic duty, but out of an overflow of response to the grace we just read about which was lavished upon us! Peter continually drops identity truth (v. 13, 16, 17, 23, etc.) to remind these new (Gentile) believers of their calling towards holiness (being set apart for God and to God). We therefore are to respond and be a holy people. This means removing the flesh, and putting on the Spirit, as Paul would say. Or putting on the imperishable, in Peter language!

Who we are (identity) is of greater significance than we believe. It is proven by how we live our lives! What if we actually believe what Scripture proclaimed about us? How would that make us approach God? Ourselves? The world around us?

As we continue in 1 Peter we come to an often misunderstood passage in Peter's book. While we can get caught in cultural snares, the beauty of this passage is potentially more difficult than how some translate it! Are you willing to (truly!) lay down your life for the sake of others? Christ was, and Peter calls us to as well.

In this sermon, we talk about the reality of suffering and the hope we can exercise as Christians in the midst of it. The Apostle Peter is no stranger to hardship and as he writes to encourage his audience to hold fast in the faith that he roots in the person and work of Jesus -- our lasting hope who can't be shaken!

In this sermon, we continue in 1 Peter. Peter, while focusing on the future is also a realist. What do we do between now and then? How do we live in the in-between? As suffering comes, how are we to respond? Peter gives comforting and encouraging truth to these persecuted and suffering Christians that if applied today give us hope and vision for the future.

In the final chapter, Peter encourages us to pay attention to how we respond to the church, how we respond to the devil, and how we respond to God in the midst of trials. Each of these responses (and the respective responses to us) is important if we are to endure, and stand firm in the faith until the end.