God calls Christians to be holy as He is holy- so the question is, are we equipped for this? Tragically the answer to this question gets distorted by many clamoring for more, as if what God has given us is not enough. But in 2 Peter 1:3-4 we a clear concise answer to this important topic.

Sometimes it's easy to skip over the introduction lines in books of the Bible, thinking that the meat is in the main body of the letters. But in 2 Peter 1:1-2 we find several rich lessons on the nature of humility and the effects of grace and peace in the lives of believers.

In a world that feels increasingly hopeless and grievous, where do we find joy? This week we look at another of God's names and one of His titles, and learn how believers are able to face the circumstances of life without fear or giving up.

As we finish the book of 1 Peter, Peter reminds us of an essential fact about the Christian life: we are in a spiritual war. There is an enemy bent on overthrowing our faith, destroying our relationships, stealing our joy, and accusing the saints. How do we stand against an enemy like that? Are there times when we make others enemies when they are not? How does Peter encourage the early believers, and how might that encouragement help us to stand firm in the truth of God's Word?

Odds are good most Christians, or even churchgoers, have heard the term "elders" used in the Bible. But when we hear that term, do we fully understand who it's referring to, what they do, and how they relate to the church? In 1 Peter 5:1-5 we find help answering these questions.

In 1 Peter 4:12-19 Peter lays out several behaviors and mindsets for believers to pursue. We see how when these attitudes shape our lives, we arrive at a place of glorifying God. We also unpack exactly what that means, and wrap up with two practical applications for daily life.

In 1 Peter 4:7-11 Peter lays out some specific details for how the Church is meant to engage with one another. So as we consider these verses, we ask ourselves, am I loving the church in a way that stretches me?

As we continue to work through the book of 1 Peter, Peter now brings us to the practical implications of our victory in Christ. How are we as Christ-followers supposed to live according to Scripture that is different than those around us? What are the implications of a righteous lifestyle in a world that promotes self-pleasure and self-fulfillment? Peter helps us to realize that new is very much better for the Christian, and we must be diligent to walk in the new life we have received in Christ.

This past Sunday was our Youth Sunday! Dawson finishes our series through the book of Genesis by speaking about the beautiful reality that God wants to use us and equip us in our suffering. But how do we get to that place? What does God want from us in order to be used by him even in our darkest times?

As we continue to work through the book of 1 Peter, we now enter a beautiful reminder Peter gives to a struggling and persecuted church: Jesus died for the unrighteous. When we are going through hard times, it's easy to forget the wonderful fact, that while I was a sinner and a rebel, Christ the spotless one died for me and gave me His righteousness. What a victory Peter reminds us of in today's message.