What should we, as Christians, pursue-- Self-improvement is a popular goal, and there are worthy outcomes in that, to be sure. But much of what we're after is what the Bible calls -striving after the wind,- according to Ecclesiastes 2-11.--Beginning in verse 8, Peter lists a series of traits worth treasuring. When Christians embrace these traits, with God's help, they mesmerize their society and point the way to Christ. Now, in verses 9-12, we learn about a kind of character that's worth cultivating. It's what makes it possible for joy and suffering to coexist in the life of the Believer, as we'll learn in today's message

What should we, as Christians, pursue-- Should we pursue wealth-- Personal fulfillment and satisfaction-- Perhaps peace----The Bible is clear that Christians prioritize things differently than the world in general. We are countercultural, applying principles that run contrary to our human nature. Our lives should substantiate the claim that we belong to Christ, and not ourselves.--Beginning in verse, Peter lists a series of traits worth treasuring. When Christians embrace these traits, with God's help, they mesmerize their society and point the way to Christ, as we'll learn in today's message

Having covered the wife's role in the marriage, it's only fair that Peter turns his attention to the husband, and that was the focus of this two-part message we started last week. Women are to submit to the headship role of the husband, but men have a submission mandate as well. They are to submit to the needs of their wives - with Christ's example as the standard.--How husbands can demonstrate this submission is where we left off. It starts by serving her with your presence. And now we'll cover three more ways, as we listen to the second half of today's message

Having covered the wife's role in the marriage, it's only fair that Peter turns his attention to the husband. And while there's only one verse in this chapter used to address them, Peter still has much to say in those few words.--Once again, the fact that our culture sees marriage and the marital relationship very differently, doesn't give men the right to bully their wives or dump them at the first sign of trouble. Men are to submit as well, and serve the needs of their wife.--God has designed marriage to demonstrate the power of relationship, forgiveness, grace, and - top of mind for Peter - submission, as we'll learn in the first part of part of today's message

Last week, we took on the most intimate of human relationships - marriage - and began exploring the Biblical blueprint for human flourishing. Peter started with the wives and urged them to display soul-winning behavior as an act of submission to God.--God's blueprint is worth following because He's the designer of marriage in the first place - but it's certainly not what the culture portrays as the ideal.--As we pick up from last week, Pastor addresses the natural concern of anyone being asked to submit to another human being- are there boundaries to this submission-- There are, as we'll learn in the second part of part of today's message

Peter has been challenging the New Testament church to understand the kind of submission to authority that God calls for from His followers. He's clarified our level of submission to government, and in the workplace. These have been uncomfortable standards to hear and hard standards to follow.--But now Peter turns to the most intimate of human relationships - marriage - and outlines the Biblical blueprint for human flourishing. We'll start today with the wives, which was Peters approach as well, but don't worry- we'll get to the husbands soon enough. God's blueprint is worth following because He's the designer of marriage in the first place - as we'll learn in the first part of part of today's message

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.

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.

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.

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.