What do you want your final words to be? The Apostle Peter begins his final epistle with an exhortation to the Church to live under Christ's grace and peace by loving each other well and seeking to know Him more. A timely word for today!

A highlight video celebrating the baptism service on August 28, 2021

Burger kings says, “Have it your way.” We say things like, “I’m a self-made man.” We like the idea of being totally independent and we have bought into a myth that the key to happiness is independence. But Bible says that the key to happiness is not independence but inter-dependence. We need each other and we belong to each other. God wired you for community, not isolation.

Who is Satan, really?  The Apostle Peter describes him as a lion, seeking to devour whoever does not resist him.  Therefore we must stay alert, stand firm in our faith, and remember his defeat was accomplished by the Lion of Judah on the cross.

Who are you leading? You may not consider yourself a leader, but if you influence those around you, then you are one. The Apostle Peter concludes his first epistle with an exhortation to all of us leaders on the importance of humility, integrity, honesty, and inter-dependence as we lead others during these turbulent times.

Where is God in the midst of suffering? We've all gone through a lot over this past year, but it's still nothing compared to the suffering Christians endured during the time of the Apostle Peter. Peter reminds his readers - then and now - that they can rejoice in God's love, presence, and sovereignty even in the midst of trials, as they are being used to test us, refine us and form us into the image of Jesus.

Summer is a great time for reading novels, particularly those with a great ending! The Apostle Peter reminds us 1 Peter 4:7-11 that the end of all things is near. So let's remain alert and prayerful so that we may love well and serve well with the gifts we've been given, for God's glory and God's story!

Pastor Larry is passing off the mic to five members of the COG staff team! Hear their heart, what they're passionate about, and be inspired by their message to you. The challenge? They only have five minutes each!

Have you ever tried to swim or row a boat upstream?  It takes a lot of focus, struggle and perseverance, yet the salmon do it every year!  Such is the Christian life.  As the Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:1-6, a life committed to swimming upstream in a downstream culture is only possible when we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ, cut off all sin, and keep our focus on the end goal.

Have you ever asked where God is in suffering? In the Bible we learn that Christ himself suffered on our behalf, and now through our own suffering we can participate in His glory.