What You Can’t Control
We often become overwhelmed by the sheer number of problems pressing on us, many of which lie beyond our ability to fix. But instead of being consumed by what you can’t control, choose to focus your energy on what you can.
1 Peter
Standing Firm Together
1 Peter 5:12-14 – God does not intend us to navigate the challenging paths of this life alone. If we are to endure, we must commit to standing firm but doing so together.
God and Sinners Reconciled
1 Peter 5:10-11 – Just as humanity awaited a Savior to come once before, we now anticipate the return of Christ to usher in His eternal glory. God and sinners will finally and completely be reconciled.
The Shepherding We Need
1 Peter 5:1-5 – God gathers His people together because He knows sheep need a shepherd. In His wisdom, He calls leaders to imitate the chief Shepherd so they can serve as examples to the entire flock.
Surprised by Suffering
1 Peter 4:12-19 – While the tendency is to respond to suffering with complaints, Scripture encourages us to rejoice instead. Suffering is unavoidable, but our response is supposed to be unusually hopeful.
How to Live in the End Times
1 Peter 4:7-11 – None of us know when Jesus will return, but we know the time is approaching. As it draws near, discover the proactive priorities Christians should keep.
Everybody’s Doing It
1 Peter 4:1-6 – Our culture seems shocked and annoyed if Christians don’t join or support expressions of wild living. It is better to suffer for refusing temptation than it will be for those who embrace defiance.
Beneath the Cleansing Flood
1 Peter 3:18-22 – In one of the most unique biblical passages, Peter explains that the Spirit of Christ has warned generations to repent. Only through Jesus’ sacrifice can we be saved beneath the cleansing flood.
Christian Civility Among Political Insanity
1 Peter 3:13-17 – In a super-charged political society, our confidence is not in parties, platforms, or persons, but our hope is in Jesus. Prioritize your gospel witness in a hostile culture as you keep a clear conscience.
Who Your Spouse Needs You to Be
1 Peter 3:1-7 – When marital expectations are unmet, we often blame our spouses instead of looking to ourselves for any needed changes. Discover who your spouse needs you to be and make any adjustments necessary for a healthier marriage.
Jesus and Our Jobs
1 Peter 2:18-25 – Our jobs will be difficult, but we don’t have to make them extra complex by misaligned behavior. Look to Christ as the guide for responding to challenging work environments.
Government and God’s People
1 Peter 2:13-17 – No matter how a government treats Christians, Scripture commands us to respond in God-honoring ways. God has made His will very clear regarding how we should respond to civil authorities.
Don’t Be a Hypocrite
1 Peter 2:11-12 – If this world is not our home, we cannot give ourselves to every available temptation. The war against hypocrisy is important so that we don’t hinder others from seeing Jesus.
Why the Church Is Still Essential
1 Peter 2:4-10 – Our culture recently debated whether a church’s services should be deemed essential during times of emergency. We realize a church’s necessity through the Scripture and our experiences.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Spiritual Growth
1 Peter 2:1-3 – To see consistent spiritual growth, we must be careful to avoid interpersonal drama and pursue biblical truth. A failure to do either will cause spiritual stagnation.
God Expects Holiness
1 Peter 1:13-21 – Since the gospel has transformed us, our lifestyles should alter significantly. God’s perfect holiness empowers and expects our personal holiness.
All of the Bible Points to Jesus
1 Peter 1:10-12 – Peter realized that Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Looking back over the Scriptures, we realize that the gospel was always God’s original plan.
Suffering Is Short-Lived
1 Peter 1:6-9 – No matter how challenging our circumstances may become, all of the suffering in this world is temporary. Once we understand its limit, we can better see God’s refining process.
I Don’t Belong Here
1 Peter 1:1-5 – Peter addressed his fellow disciples as exiles with the reality that this world is not our home. Given that fact, our hope must be in something beyond this life.
1 Peter (Series Overview)
The Apostle Peter wrote to scattered disciples trying to survive in a world that contradicted Jesus’s ways. His instructions provide sanity for us as we live fully in a place where we don’t completely belong.
Cults and World Religions
When encountering other religions or cults, it can be difficult to share Christ with people of religious backgrounds effectively. It is important to understand shared language and differing beliefs.
Obstacles in Evangelism
As we share our faith, we will encounter common pushback. We need to understand these obstacles in order to help people move past them.
4 Things God Has Called You to Be
We often have dreams of what we can accomplish and deal with what others pressure us to become, but what about God’s desires? Here are four things God has called you to be.
You’re Not Growing Spiritually Because You Aren’t Making Time for It
If you are not regularly creating a margin in your schedule to study the Scriptures, you are not fully developing in Jesus. This culture gives you too many messages all week to have one sermon and one Bible study a week to keep you grounded in the truth.
How Our Sins Can Affect Others
It takes a person out of touch with reality to say that one’s sins do not affect others. Our sins can quickly devastate those around us, especially when our anger leads us to justify our words and actions.
I Don’t Belong Here
In an ever-changing societal landscape, Christians often feel more out of place. The standards of this world will war against the biblical mandates, and therefore, we ought to feel different.
The Only Book That Doesn’t Require a 2nd Edition
Books constantly need revision because of outdated references or incorrect information, but the Bible’s message needs no update. God’s Word endures forever, and we should develop our worldview from something with such staying power.
Christians Should Be Different
Christianity is getting a bad reputation because too many disciples fail to show any distinguishing characteristics from the world. Jesus has saved us from sin but also to a new way of living.
When a Church Isn’t a Church
A church must be built on Jesus, just like our lives must be centered around Him. If a church is grounded on something other than Jesus, it might not really be a church.
Grow Up to Build Up
We often speak of the individualized side of following Jesus to warn others from a false belief of inheriting the benefits of another’s devotion, but we also miss something. One Christian’s growth should help build the rest of us up.
Do the Right Thing. Now.
Do the right thing, right now, and trust God for the results. Yesterday cannot be changed, but today can be lived with integrity.
When the Pastor’s Preferences Become Priority
Pastors, lead. But don’t lead in such a way that your preferences become a priority to the detriment of the church. Be careful that you are not practicing what you preach against.
Offering a Hand Up, Not Just a Hand Out
Learn from Miracle Hill’s President and Rocky Creek member, Ryan Duerk, as he describes their ministry and teaches on a nontoxic approach to helping the least and the lost. You can offer a hand up, not just a hand out.
The State of Disunity
As we navigate this contentious election season, how are Christians supposed to respond? In light of the state of disunity within the United States of America, disciples of Jesus must prove themselves to be different from society.
The Good Life
I loved bringing in the new year with our church family! Such a special time of worshiping together. Due to all the holidays, I allowed the band to have a week off from practice but they did an incredible job of coming prepared to lead in worship this morning. It was incredible to sing “All Glory Be to Christ” to …
Everyday Pastoral Care
We had our 3rd week in our “Everyday Church” series. Powerful time watching the light bulbs come on in our services. People are starting to get this truth: We don’t come to church – we are the church! Service Order Reading – 1 Peter 2:9-10 You Are Good – Israel Houghton Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective Baptism (9:30) …
Everyday Community
In week 2 of our “Everyday Church” series, we talked about what the biblical community of a church is supposed to look like. Service Order Reading – 1 Peter 1:13-16 Lay Me Down – Chris Tomlin Lord I Need You – Matt Maher Confessional Prayer Time VBS Prayer Time Offertory Prayer Time Reading – John 10:27-29 He Will Hold Me …
Understand Who Your Spouse Is Becoming
The person you married has changed and will continue to change. Are you staying aware of who he or she is becoming? This Family Alter video is taken from a developing resource entitled “Just [About] Married.”
The Devil Is Out to Get You
Our lives are full of obstacles. Each of us know the frustration of dealing with unexpected circumstances. Some of you may have faced barriers to overcome in order to make it to church this week. Maybe you even struggled to make it to your discipleship group. What did you have to overcome this week to make it to church or …
God Doesn’t Respect the Prayers of a Bully
God takes seriously how we interact with those in our family. Children are called to honor parents (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2; Col. 3:20). Fathers are instructed not to provoke their children (Col. 3:21) but to bring up their children in the instruction of the Lord in a gentle way (Eph. 6:4). Husbands are called to love their wives and wives …