John 3:1-8

Jesus said it, “You must be born again” – which raises all kinds of questions. What did he mean? Do I need to have a dramatic experience? Or not? What happens when a person receives this rebirth from the Spirit? Sure, being “born again” a metaphor, but what’s the reality behind the metaphor? This Sunday Pastor Steve will share with us John Wesley’s biblical answers to questions like these.

1 Peter 4:1-5, 12-19

Elite athletes punish their bodies. They lift heavy weights. They push the limits of their cardio capacity. They endure all this suffering, so that when the real competition begins, they’re prepared. Peter says this is what happens when we endure suffering for Jesus. It prepares us. Then when temptation strikes – and it will – we’re ready to suffer rather than sin.

1 Peter 5:1-7

What do leaders look like in Jesus’s family? They’re under-shepherds of the head shepherd. They care for others and serve willingly, without trying to elevate their own status. They’d rather be an example for people than their boss. They’re not looking for their own reward. But when Jesus returns, their humility will be honored.

Monumental Sunday is a full worship service with music, prayer, and a special message titled Surprise! from Director of Children's Ministry Leah Dinoso. The Petes will be there to recap our adventures at VBS and share the Bible points, the music, and the important lessons our kids learned throughout the week too.

1 Peter 5:8-14

There is an invisible war that is not between forces we can see but on the unseen war between the devil and God for our souls. We need to remember that we fight from victory and not for victory. The war has already been won by Jesus Christ with his victory over sin and death.

1 Peter 3:8-18

We’ve already learned that Jesus’s people are to avoid retaliation. Now Peter tells us to respond opposite of those who oppose us. When you receive insult, reply with blessing. When you’re treated hurtfully, respond helpfully. And even if it doesn’t change your situation, at least you’ll have a clear conscience.

1 Peter 3:1-7

What if you belong to Jesus but your spouse does not? How can you draw them toward the Lord? Peter says it’s not by trying to look like a model in a magazine. He says it’s simply by showing them respect and serving them with kindness. And maybe, just maybe, they will be “won over without words.”

1 Peter 2:11-25

The world practices retaliation: eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. But Jesus modeled a remarkably different way. He had the power to punish his persecutors, but he left it to God’s final judgment. And one of the most radical ways we can follow in Jesus’s steps is by forsaking retaliation and leaving justice to God.

1 Peter 2:4-10

Imagine you’re a builder, creating a stone structure as a place of worship. You start with one well-chosen stone--the cornerstone. All other stones align with it. God is the master builder, Jesus is the cornerstone, and we are God’s chosen stones, built into his temple of priestly people. Welcome to the rock club!

1 Peter 1:13-23

Peter talks about faith and hope. In this we have a choice to make. We can either live our lives in quiet desperation and confused chaos, or we can live with hope-filled faith. Let’s choose the latter.