Pastor Nate brought the message, "Suffering Under the Finished Work of Christ" from 1 Peter 3:18-22. It is inevitable that Christians will suffer for their faith in Christ. In countries around the world some will suffer unto death, even today. Others will be cut off from family and friendships. Christians will lose out on promotions, perhaps even a job. Yet we continue to choose Christ, and this week Peter turns our attention to the finished work of our Savior as a motivation to press on in our loyalty to Him.
Fearless Suffering
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Fearless Suffering” from 1 Peter 3:13-17. We hear about Christians in closed countries who are suffering, being persecuted, even killed for their faith. In the West we face some pushback from co-workers, family members, etc. that is mild in comparison. However, many Christians sense that a wave of opposition could be coming sooner rather than later. Thankfully, God’s Word gives us everything we need in order to face suffering, mild or extreme. This section in Peter equips us for fearless suffering.
The Biblical Path for Relationships
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Biblical Path for Relationships" from 1 Peter 3:8-12. How is the world doing in the area of relationships? Is it growing in peacefulness or hostility toward one another? What about relationships among Christians? The answer is pretty obvious, but thankfully God has given us what we need in His Word. This message is a study of the Biblical path that Christians must walk for our relationships inside and outside the church.
God, Our Hope
Pastor Luke brings the message, "God, Our Hope” from Psalm 46. When we go through difficulties in life, when uncertainties are present in our world, when it feels as though the world is falling apart, there is one word that is essential for helping us persevere - hope. Yet, not just any hope, but hope that is found in God. In this message we look at Psalm 46 to explore when and how God is our hope.
Ascension of Christ
Jesus is Alive
A Mind Like Jesus
Pastor Nate brings this Palm Sunday message, from Philippians 2:3-8, remembering Jesus going up to Jerusalem, celebrated as a king, but actually fulfilling His role as a servant. Now, as Christ-followers, we are called to servitude. And in order to do so, we must have the mindset of Jesus. Are you willing to think differently?
Husbands Who Trust the Bible
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Husbands Who Trust the Bible" from 1 Peter 3:7. Last week we covered Peter's section on wives. This week, probably no surprise, we get to look at the husband's role in marriage. What we find is that a godly husband is going to trust the Bible with how he serves his wife.
Wives Who Hope In God
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Submission That Holds to Hope." As we have seen over the past 2 weeks, submission is a fruit that should be manifest in every Christian's life. It is also a crucial necessity for marriage. On Sunday we will see that God has a delightful perspective toward women who trust Him enough to submit to their husbands, even the unsaved ones.
Behold My Suffering Servant
Submission: The Exile and Government
Pastor Nate bings the message, "The Exile and Government" from 1 Peter 2:11-17. After explaining our Christian identity before God, Peter moves into our Christian testimony before the world (vv 11-12). We will see how this testimony to the world is characterized by submission to varying authorities which God has placed in our lives. The first area of life is the relationship of Christians to the government.
Identifying with the Rejected Stone
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Identifying with the Rejected Stone" from 1 Peter 2:4-10. Peter concludes Part 1 of his letter by identifying us as followers of the rejected Christ. However, in the sight of God He is chosen and precious. And those who follow this chosen and precious Christ have found an everlasting community that is much more grand than what the world could ever offer.
Exile, Love Your Brother
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Exile, Love Your Brother" from 1 Peter 1:22-2:3. In God's providence (this message is on Valentine's Day), this passage in 1 Peter implores Christians to love one another. At times, the command to love one another is a tall order. The good news is that God has made it very possible for His children to love one another, and it's our aim on Sunday to understand and apply this passage to our lives.
An Exile's Relationship to God
Hoping in the Return of Jesus Christ
Pastor Nate will brings the message, "Hoping in the Return of Jesus Christ" from 1 Peter 1:13. First Peter begins with an introduction about the wonders of God in salvation (indicatives). In this message we see how the book begins a shift toward practical Christian living (imperatives). Specifically, we are called to set our hope on the return of Christ and to live holy lives while we wait.
The Joyful Exile
Pastor Nate brings this message from 1 Peter 1:6-12. We see a paragraph that is very true to reality: Christians (or as we’ve learned from our study, “exiles”) can have both joy and grief at the same time. Grief comes from our trials. Joy comes from God’s salvation. And, Peter’s instruction helps us see that one leads the other.
The Exile Who Can Praise God
Pastor Nate brings this message from 1 Peter 1:3-5. Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Peter begins his letter by praising God and rejoicing in salvation. It's an interesting way to address "exiles" who are suffering under the pressures of a pagan culture. Yet, keeping God's saving mercy in the forefront of our thinking will encourage us through the challenges of another day.
Christian, You Are An Exile
Living Captivated by Christ
Pastor Luke brings the message, "Living Captivated by Christ" from Colossians 3:1-17. In this passage Paul shows us how to live a life that is captivated by Christ. Paul's prayer for the Colossians is that they would walk worthy of the Lord, but how is this possible when we regularly battle with sin? It's when Christ captures our heart and focus that we are enabled to put off the old sinful ways and to put on the new self, that looks like Him.
First Things First
The message is from John 4:21-26. In John 4 we see Jesus having a meaningful conversation with a Samaritan woman. From this scene we learn about the importance of worshiping God with our hearts. As we wrap up 2020 and squeamishly anticipate the upcoming year, we need to have the following truth settled deep within us: We will aim to worship our good God with our lives in 2021.