Fountain City KC

One of the challenges of understanding the Bible comes from translating ancient customs into modern life. But a reality that transcends time and culture is one that Peter introduced to us last week: life under authority. That theme continues this week but with a more everyday focus, and a more life-shaping outcome. How does being a disciple of Jesus shape how we live under authority, even under unjust authority? Peter will show us that our discipleship to Jesus will develop a cross-shaped life.

Politics and government might be the most heated and charged topic of our shared life today. It’s one of the most important, it's one of the most difficult, and it’s definitely one we as Christians need to understand in the context and teaching of God’s Word. Of all that Scripture says, there isn't much that directly or explicitly speaks to government and our life as Christians under it. This passage in 1 Peter is one of the clearest and most direct teachings.

A hallmark of the Christian life is joy; a contented, happy, exuberant sense of being. Usually when we think of joy, we think of momentous occasions or experiences that call for celebration. But the unique and hard-to-believe thing about Christian joy is that it is also found in somber, distressing, and even sad moments. The big question is, why? How? As Peter will show us, it has everything to do with the future that comes after those times, as well as the one who has secured that future for us.

It’s become cliché to say that we are living in a unique time in history nationally and globally, but that’s because it’s true. We live in confusing, changing, and tense times. With so much change and uncertainty, how do we live into our Christian life faithfully? Answering this question is one of Peter's highest aims with his letter and from the beginning, we see that it all starts with our identity: understanding and owning who we are in Christ. 

Guest Speaker Julien de Leiris.

These two brief verses are some of the most powerful in all the Bible.  They have not only changed lives, but have literally sparked a world-changing movement.  Their focus is the gospel, a message we hear and celebrate often.  And that's because in the gospel, there is power, there is the righteousness of God, and there is life of faith. 

Water is one of the Bible's dominant themes and images.  Water cleanses, renews, wipes away.  It also quenches.  In the middle of his ministry, Jesus said something about water that helps us understand who he is and what he wants to do in our lives.  It also helps us understand how Jesus wants us to see his vision for us as disciples.  As his disciples, we are sent into the world with living water that only Jesus can give. 

Have you ever asked yourself, what’s the point of following Jesus? What is the point of discipleship? Very smart people have said that in any great endeavor we should start with the end in mind. This week we'll look into the end, the goal, the telos of discipleship. As we do, we'll see that Jesus has a very clear goal in mind, and that goal not only shapes our day-to-day faith but how we, as his disciples, go about our calling of making disciples like he did.

The final words that someone speaks carry a special kind of importance. In this passage, we'll hear afresh Jesus's final words to us: Go and make disciples. As we consider these words, two questions will rise to the top: Who is a disciple, and how do we make one? What Jesus wants us to see is something intensely personal that involves us all: a disciple is someone who has bound their life to Jesus and helps others do the same.

Any talk of discipleship must always begin in one place, with Jesus. The only reason we talk about being and making believers, followers and learners of Jesus, is because of who Jesus is. And if we don’t know who Jesus is, then we’ll never properly understand what it means for us to be his disciples. This week, from John's gospel, one brief statement from the mouth of Jesus will help us see him with utmost clarity, and with that vision, see that he is worthy of our entire life.

Our church's vision is that we would be a Christ centered church making and sending disciples in this generation and the next. At the heart of that calling is a truth that is found in the heart of God, something that Jesus makes very plain and powerful in the parables of this passage, and something that will refresh and energize us: no matter how far from God we might be, he seeks us, saves us, and celebrates our relationship with him.