Grace Baptist Church - Truth with Grace

Last week, Pastor introduced the idea of a 7-story building as an illustration of our Christian life. Each floor represents a virtue we must add to our faith if we are to grow into mature Christian.--The first floor is moral excellence - our lives must change as we are now morally awake and desire to be more like Christ. To that we add knowledge - which fine tunes this sense of morality. Then, floor 3 is self-control - necessary to prevent legalism and promote humility. And floor 4 is perseverance - because it's not long into the life of Believer that trials come and try to destroy our faith.--We'll pick up here and continue on through floor 7 of Christ-centered life.

In what might be seen as a review, Peter begins his letter with his usual greeting and a reminder to the Christians in Asia Minor that they have been given great spiritual gifts by God - starting with salvation. These spiritual realities may be hard to spot when you're going through tough times, so Peter is wise to refresh the memories of the early church, and for us to do so as well.--In today's message we discover the framework for the Christian life. There are many metaphors we can use, as you'll hear, but the idea of a 7-story building is a favorite. Each floor represents a virtue we must add to our faith if we are to grow into mature Christian.--This is a Christ-centered life.

Peter is going to have a lot to say about false teachers prowling around the early church, which is important, even today, since there are certainly false teachers attacking the Christian faith - often from within.--But last week we started by exploring the opening lines of the letter - the greeting and blessing from Peter. We were reminded of God's grace to us, and His gift to us.--Today we'll pick up where we left off, with Pastor explaining how ancient letters were structured, and then marvel at God's generosity.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is preaching from the book of 2 Peter, the second letter from the Apostle Peter to the church in Asia Minor.--There's a different theme to this letter, as we'll soon discover. Peter is going to have a lot to say about false teachers prowling around the early church. That's important because now, like always, there are false teachers attacking the Christian faith - often from within.--But we'll start today with the opening lines of the letter - the greeting and blessing from Peter that still apply.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is preaching from the book of 1 Peter, and today we're wrapping up chapter five and the book as a whole.--As we read the final words of this letter to the Church, we can tell that Peter is anxious to leave a lasting impression and remind us of the character of the God we serve.--Last week by learning that God, unlike our enemy Satan, is sovereign. We also learned that He is formidable. That speaks to His power, and Pastor specifically referenced God's power to sanctify us, to save us, and to sustain us.--That sustaining power is vital for anyone who is suffering. It brings comfort and a calm assurance of God's perfect promised future.

Last week, we learned about the schemes of our enemy, the devil. He is fierce - and extremely dangerous. And he is furious - at humans in general and God's chosen and redeemed people in particular. But he is finite and as a created being, not even remotely the evil equal of God.--God in fact, is sovereign, which brings comfort to anyone who is suffering.

We've reached the final words of this letter to the Church. And while they contain some acknowledgements to conclude the message, they are packed with important information.--Peter has used this letter to cover several themes- he's talked about suffering, sanctification, submission, and service. Now he sums it all up with some final warnings and instructions.--Realizing that the first century Christians would likely turn against their human accusers and persecutors, in self-defense if nothing else, Peter reminds them that people are not the enemy. Our real adversary is Satan.

We've been learning about the way God designed the church. There are leaders and they have both a job description and a responsibility to lead the flock of God as shepherds.--And now we know the congregation has a job description too- You have specific roles - as a member of the flock of God, and they are important - just as important as those of the leaders.--The first is to submit to the shepherds, the elders God has called to lead His local church.--And perhaps the even harder responsibility we are given is to submit to our fellow saints in the church, but humility is the foundation of a health church and that's where we will pick up.

We've been learning about the way God designed the church. There are leaders and they have both a job description and a responsibility to lead the flock of God as shepherds.--But did you know the congregation has a job description too-- You probably have a basic understanding that you have a responsibility to attend services, to support the church financially, and to be nice to each other. But there are other specific roles you have - as a member of the flock of God, and they are important - just as important as those of the leaders, as we'll discover.

Peter now has some important instructions for the church as a whole. How a church is organized and how it functions matters to God and can determine if a church can truly focus on growing believers to maturity, as designed.--Peter starts with the leadership.--Last week, we learned a lot about an elder's motivation and his approach to the position. Elders are not corporate CEO's. They are not life coaches- they are not psychotherapists. Elders are called to be shepherds, and that approach really does make a difference.