Beware, the end is nigh. And Christ already showed us how to handle it. With grace, faith, and commitment to God. We must follow his example.

• We are in for a fight, and we need to prepare to have unswerving resolve in order to experience victory.
• We share in his victory, but we must also share in his suffering.
• Being dead to sin, requires us to live in the present.
• Whether it’s Jesus’ return or the end of our lives, our short time remaining should motivate us to live like Christ.
• They way we love others should hurt a little bit. It should require us to stretch beyond what we think is capable.
• Suffering as a Christian is not “if” but “when”.
• The one thing we can’t do is respond to persecution with retaliation.

1 Peter 4, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Phil 3:10, Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 2:12

Living for Christ isn’t circumstantial. We represent him at all times. We should avoid evil, accept suffering, and lead by example.

• First, we must be of one mind; the church should be a united entity.
• As believers, we must do more than just abstain from answering evil in kind - we must bless those who persecute us.
• We bless others in the face of persecution, knowing that the Lord sees and loves good while hating evil.
• Because our reward is not of this world, hope rather than fear is what defines us during hardship.
• In the end, our motivation is what it always should be: Christ dying for our sins and freeing us from the chains our sins created.

1 Peter 3:8-22, Romans 12:17, Matthew 5:43-44, 1 Cor 4:12

How do we live as a Christian under various forms of authority - from government to family? Our submission to these authorities is an act of trust in God's sovereignty. Our conduct, even in the face of injustice, should reflect Christ's example and serve as a powerful witness to others.

• Christians are responsible to the laws of the land and the governments and rulers who have instituted them.
• Good, bad or ugly, we are exhibiting our trust in God’s sovereignty by submitting to the authority that is in place.
• We are to submit to authority until authority demands we stand against Christ. And then we must choose to stand with Christ.
• False accusations fail to convict when the accused lives in a way that silences the accuser.
• Your righteous service to an unrighteous authority is a service to the Lord and will bring blessing on your life.
• If Christ can endure the process of persecution without sinning, you can face the injustices of this world with the same resolve.

1 Peter 2:13-3:7, Daniel 2:21, Psalm 75:6-7, Acts 4:17-20, Romans 12:18

Following God’s example leads us to good works. Those works shouldn’t cease based on circumstances. Even in less-than-desirable moments, we must look to do good.

• No more malice, which is harboring ill will for others.
• No more deceit, which is deliberate dishonesty.
• No more hypocrisy, which is pretend love.
• No more envy, which is resentful discontent.
• No more slander, which is backbiting.
• All of these things characterize people who don’t know Christ. Therefore, they cannot characterize you.
• Everything that we need for growth is in the Word of God. 
• A characteristic of living things is the ability to reproduce. And as living stones, we must produce Christ-centered life. 

1 Peter 2

We have hope in Christ that is constant and unfailing. Therefore, we must respond accordingly and live a holy life committed to Christ.

• Peter was a remarkably unremarkable person.
• Rejoice in your salvation.
• In the face of trials, we have to learn to look to the promised future and not at the flawed presence.
• Faith requires action. Without action, our faith is dead.

1 Peter 1

To be forgiven you must forgive others. It really is that simple. You can’t ask for something you aren’t willing to give to someone else.

• Why do I need to be a person who forgives? 
• Christ instructs us to be forgiving.
• Doing the will of the Father is a sign that salvation has taken place in your life, which is the key to accessing heaven.
• It’s a wise instruction, which leads to stability. 
• It allows God to work through us for kingdom purposes.
• We forgive others because we have been forgiven.
• One might argue that if no one is worthy of forgiveness, everyone is equally deserving of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 7:24-27, John 6:38, Philippians 2:13-15, Ephesians 4:32, Luke 17:3-4, Matthew 5:44-45, Colossians 3:12-13, 1 Peter 2:19, Romans 12:20

Temptation is a problem. It leads to sin and it separates us from God. The one who cannot be overcome should be petitioned for his protection.

• Repentance requires action.
• Sin has no place in our lives. We can’t claim to be buried with Christ, made alive in Christ - and remain shackled to our sins. 
• Matthew 6:13 is a call for protection against our own humanity.
• God tests us. Satan tempts us.
• Every situation that tests us has an opportunity to tempt us.
• Embrace the testing. Pray through the temptation.

Matthew 6:13, Romans 5:20-21, Romans 6:1-14, James 1:13-14, Romans 7:15-20, Galatians 2:20, Psalm 19:13, Matthew 4:1, James 1:3-4

Purposeful prayer includes repentance. Forgive us our sins, help us to forgive others, because while we are at odds with creation we can’t hope for petitions to be heard or granted.

• If we want God to hear and provide, we can’t make requests with sin-filled hearts.
• Asking God to help you forgive others is a recognition of our spiritual weakness. 
• Refusing forgiveness is a spiritual weakness.
• Our sin accrued a debt. Christ paid that debt. And so God is faithful to forgive.
• Matthew 6:12 is about your relationship with God.
• You have a debt. Christ paid the debt. God erased and continues to erase the debt while the Spirit tries to keep you out of debt.
• Forgiveness is free. Fellowship comes at a cross.
• Proof of your relationship with God is a merciful disposition.

Matthew 6, Mark 11:24-25, James 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 4:32, Romans 5:8, Romans 12:19-20

In heaven, God’s will is perfectly completed. Requesting that it be fulfilled here on earth is a recognition that His will for our lives is indeed perfect. Aligning ourselves with that will begin with prayer. 

• Praying for God’s Kingdom to come is asking for the presence of Christ. 
• When you pray for God’s kingdom to come, you are asking for the global swelling of the Church. 
• In praying these words, we are asking for Him, before we are seeking for us.
• Praying for God’s will to be done, is a prayer of submission.

Matthew 6:10, Matthew 3:1-2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 6:33 , Matthew 20:28, Luke 22:42, John 4:34, John 5:30, John 6:38, Colossians 1:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9

These words are a prayer in and of themselves. They are asking God to make his name revered, admired, loved. When we pray, we are praying to the supreme being of the universe, the creator of heaven and earth. He can grant all of our requests. The power in prayer is found in who we are praying to.

• Prayer begins with worship and reverence.
• We pray because of who we are praying to.
• We should pray expectantly because we are asking our Father who loves us.
• Yes to worship, yes to reverence. But pray expectantly because of relationship.