What would you say was your greatest ... the thing that you need in this life above all else? The Bible says your greatest need is to be forgiven by God ... restored to a relationship with him. God promises he will send the one who can do that ... bring forgiveness ... save us.

In the Old Testament we see God making a number of promises that are fulfilled in the coming of Jesus on that very first Christmas. One of those promises is that he would send a king … a leader who could be trusted and respected.

Peter says that suffering may be part of the Christian life. He explains why Christians can expect suffering and also tells them how to handle it.

In the minds of many people Christianity is out of touch with the attitudes and values of our world. This passage begins with the words "Wives, in the same way, submit to your hubands ...". So does this have any relevance for us today?

Peter gives 2 examples of how Christians ought to submit: 1. to governing authorities and 2. to bosses/masters. But the reason for submission in both cases is the same: so that God will be glorified. So people might come to trust in Jesus.

God has called us to be part of his people ... and he has called us for a purpose: To declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Peter stresses in this letter that Christians are "aliens and strangers" here on earth. It is not that we don't belong here ... it is that God has calld us somewhere else.

This is a somewhat controvertial topic in Christian circles ... and the Bible doesn't say as much as some people would suggest. But it is important to be clear about what the Bible does say.

The Church is not a building or a club or a business. It is the means by which God is at work in this world to bring people into relatiosnhip with him.

The Holy Spirit is sometimes seen as the forgotten member of the Trinity. But the Ho; Spirit wants to put the spotlight on Jesus. The Spirit is given to reassure us and enable us to live faithful and obedient lives as followers of Jesus.