Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs Sermons

God offers rest and peace in the face of life’s difficulties. There are five things we do to
experience this.

God allows us to participate in suffering to refine us. God uses it to show us what may be
occupying a place in our lives that rightfully belongs to Jesus.

Jesus died and rose again so that everyone who repents and turns to Him can have new
life. That is the Gospel. We must be willing to let it turn us away from our previous lifestyle of
satisfying sinful desires.

At the time Peter wrote this letter, the recipients were experiencing subtle persecution for the Gospel. In time that persecution became dramatically more overt. We are told that suffering for our faith is to be expected.

Living as Jesus’ disciples enables the church to demonstrate authentic community. In doing so, we demonstrate the virtues of Christian culture to those outside the church.

Peter continues on the theme of submission to human institutions by moving to marriage. Wives are to follow the example of Christ is joyful submission to their husband and husbands are to follow the example of Christ by using their strength and authority to serve their wives.

No one likes suffering. We do everything possible to avoid it. However, it is something we are told will happen if we are living distinctively for Jesus.

Human nature is to rebel against authority. However, as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to live distinctively. We must joyfully submit to human authority because it is God’s authority made visible.

We are called to be a counter-cultural community that is based on service. Peter describes this as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a a people for God's own possession.

Through all circumstances we are called to love.