In this study Peter places great emphasis on submission. Of the seven words translated “servant”, the word used by Peter in chapter 2 at verse 18 is from • Greek [OIKETES] and means “Household servant”. The root word is [οἶκος] implying an inhabited house. Christians are servants of the Master Jesus who used this same word saying, “No servant can serve two masters”  (Luke 16:13). Peter said Christians are – “. . . being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). There is great value in the practicing of submission, in the right place and for the glory of God. Without doubt our Savior Jesus is the greatest example that we should walk in His footsteps should be no surprise. 

What do you do the day before the Lord’s day of worship? What do you do the night before the Lord’s day of worship? What do you do along the way on the day to worship the Lord? Is your Saturday a day of fishing, golf, visiting with friends that ends in an evening titled late night movie marathon? Then are you refreshed on Sunday morning, excited, ready with your family to enter into worship? This is more often not the case for many. Hurry, get those kids ready, no you do it I am not ready, I wish I had another hour, hurry, hurry, we are going to be late! This lesson from Psalm 100 might just…

Our great and awesome God has high expectations for His children. Peter partly defines this saying,  “But you are…” followed by: • “… as living stones, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood”, “… a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”, “… His own special people”, “… to proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”, “… now the people of God, who have obtained mercy.”  But it seems that is so often on the back burner of our minds. We willingly forget these things and the responsibilities that come with them. In this lesson (1 Peter 2:11-17), we will begin learning more about how a Christian must live as, “sojourners and pilgrims”, beginning with our conduct…

There are so many reasons to praise the Lord our God, and His Son Jesus. His gift upon the cross, His many great and precious promises, especially of that place in Heaven and the promise to return and take the church there. But how marvelous is it that as the church, as son’s of the most high God we are privileged to have been called by God with such powerful and great title as: “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…” (1 Peter 2:9).  So much wonder is packed into these two verses (9-10). By the Spirit of God Peter reveals who “You Are” and what you are to do with the gifts. These will be brought out in this lesson and I pray, will increase your understanding of your significance in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

How many times have you heard someone say, I am trying to figure out who I am, what my purpose is or what is my value? Many mistake and twist what they do and what they have into what they are and what they are worth. I am a plumber, I am a doctor, I am a mechanic is what they do, and does not define their identity. The million in the bank is not defining their worth. David knew his identity and worth was in the God of his salvation. “5 Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 62:5-8). It is critically important for Christians today to have that same sense of their identity in our Father and Christ. To know who we are—how to define our worth—and…

It seems that there is an endless source of grief in this old world. It seems that on a daily basis some of us are stricken with more reasons to grieve that to rejoice, and sometimes that may be true. Isolation from COVID19 causes many to feel alone—to be emotionally drained—wanting for companionship, then there is death which is ongoing—and especially so, as we get older—our friends—family—all disappear from our lives. Sometimes quickly—sometimes with long and painful suffering. We will all experience grief throughout our lifetime—there is “no escaping this fact”. The good news is Christ is able to sustain us and carry our grief, not to minimize it, but to carry the heavy load. We all live in a fallen world, sin takes a toll but by the grace and power of God we can walk through the valley of the shadow of death, experience the grief, and come out the other side only to rest fully on the grace of God…

We cannot afford to have unsecured heart which is faith without substance for that would most assuredly cause us to fall. Solomon wrote, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We will consider “how” as Christians can secure our heart which begins with asking God through His breathed out word to enable us to, “…discern between good and evil” (1Kings 3:9). This is accomplished by having an anchor which is…

From 1 Peter 1 and verse 22 we learn that the very basis for Peter’s command “love one another fervently with a pure heart” is the prerequisite or “precondition” of a purified soul. Notice what Peter said first, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth [b]through the Spirit in [c]sincere love of the brethren” . Since / Because you have purified your souls in obeying the truth you are now set apart…

Read Job chapters 1 and two. Notice Job lost all this in one single day. No time to reset, just one after another.  What was Job’s mindset? Maybe I could say—his world view.  Was it not one of trusting God fully, completely in everything? What would you do today—if four people came one after the other and said this to you? If your Hope Rests Fully on the Grace you will do the same thing as Job…

Set Your Hope Completely on His Grace: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” (NKJV 1 Peter 1:13) and “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being self-disciplined, set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV), and “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13 HCSB), finally “Be alert and think straight. Put all your hope in how God will treat you with undeserved grace when Jesus Christ appears.” (1 Pet. 1:13 CEV).

Peter begins with “therefore.” Therefore, what? “Preparing your minds for action, and being self-disciplined” and the key phrase is “set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” When suffering, remember…