This week's message is from Philippians 1:3-11, brought to us by Dr. Harry Kelm, currently serving as Executive Director for the North American Baptist Conference. In this passage of Paul's letter, we see his heart for his fellow believers which reflects the heart of God and the work of God in our hearts. The community, joy, and love found in believers is evidence of God's continued work in us as we live out the life of faith.

This week, we look at the life of Joseph (from Genesis 39:2-5, 39:7-9, 40:5-8, 41:33-40, 42:1-3, 45:1-5, and 50:17-20) and how that exemplifies faith as described in Hebrews 11:1-3,6. The hope that Joseph had in the promises of God expressed itself in a radical life of faith. This faith kept him trusting in and obedient to God even when circumstances seemed to lead him further from the promise. God's hand was at work the entire time and Joseph's obedience to God helped him become the type of person who could steward the promises of God over His life.

This week's Scripture is Luke 7:36-50. In this story we are confronted with a scene that could be the setup for a good joke. Jesus, a Pharisee, and a prostitute go to a party. But the reality is, in this story we see the holiness of Jesus at work. Jesus’ holiness is on display convicting and restoring a sinful woman while receiving her worship. At the same time His holiness is an affront to the religious spirit of the Pharisee. All in all, we see great hope in the holiness of Jesus.

In 1 Peter 5, Peter provides his concluding reflections upon what it means for followers of Jesus to live as people of hope in the face of difficulty. He encourages his readers to cloth themselves in humility, hand their anxieties over to the Lord, remain alert to Satan's advances, and resist his attacks. Ultimately, Peter encourages followers of Jesus to be people who stand firm in the faith and grace that God provides.

Throughout the world today, Christians face opposition because of the gospel and our allegiance to the name of Jesus. This opposition can range from disinterest and mockery, to outright persecution and martyrdom. Such is the case for the believers that Peter is addressing. Some were experiencing insults and hostility with the possibility of much more. Peter gives them, and us, the proper framework to see the role of suffering in the life of the follower of Jesus.

The fourth chapter of the letter of 1 Peter forces to the centre the question “What are you known for?“. Starting with what a follower of Jesus is NOT known for, Peter identifies the struggle of the earthly world to find purpose in a life not surrendered to God. He moves, then, to a more hopeful description of what a follower of Jesus IS known for, unpacking some of the practical ways that we can live a life for God.

In this week’s passage, we are invited to consider how we should respond when our commitment to Christ causes us to face suffering. We are called to endure mistreatment with Christlike dignity and grace. This passage reminds us that we can do so because of the example of Jesus provided us and the confidence we can have in his authority.

Submission is more than just a Christian virtue. True godly submission is a powerful declaration to the world around us of Jesus’ deep love for humanity. As strangers in the land, Peter is calling us to live in all spheres of our lives in submission, so that we will win the hearts of those far from God. Jesus demonstrated a life of submission by taking on the form of a servant and ultimately giving his life on the cross so that we would be set free.

1 Peter 2:11-12 marks the tipping point of the letter of 1 Peter. Up until now, this letter's primary focus was setting straight WHO we are as those who follow Christ, but from here on out, the letter shifts it's primary focus toward WHAT this means for us and shows us how to live a Christian life of 'not belonging'.

In last week’s message, we explored the living hope that informs how we live our lives as followers of Jesus. This week’s passage invites us to consider specific ways this living hope is meant to influence our lives in the present. Peter reminds us that we are called to live in holiness, reverence, and love.