Scripture tells us time and time again that it’s our thinking – our attitude – that God looks at first; not our actions. While there certainly is a place for doing the “right” thing, the Bible tells us that if we do the right thing with the wrong motive that God isn’t impressed. Pastor Mark is teaching from the book of 1 Peter, where Peter was speaking to believers who were ready to give up and go back to their previous ways of living due to the persecution they were undergoing at the time. Peter was reminding them of God’s faithfulness and God’s promises to them, to take care of them and also the reality of heaven and the blessings that awaited them there.

When we go through difficulties, it’s very easy to become self-absorbed, choosing to ignore other people’s hardships. Pastor Mark has pointed out the behavior and attitude of our Example, Jesus. Even though He knew He was eventually going to die on the cross, He spent His time ministering to others as well as teaching His disciples. Had He spent His time dwelling on what was to come rather than the job at hand, many people would not have had their very real physical and emotional needs met. We should remember His example as we live out our lives in service to others.

When we go through difficulties, it’s very easy to become self-absorbed, choosing to ignore other people’s hardships. Pastor Mark has pointed out the behavior and attitude of our Example, Jesus. Even though He knew He was eventually going to die on the cross, He spent His time ministering to others as well as teaching His disciples. Had He spent His time dwelling on what was to come rather than the job at hand, many people would not have had their very real physical and emotional needs met. We should remember His example as we live out our lives in service to others.

Nobody in their right mind asks for trouble. We tend to do whatever we can to avoid hassles in our lives. One of the great things about the Bible is that it deals with reality. James didn’t say, “if” about trials – he said “when”. That is what happens in life – everyone has troubles. Pastor Mark is using Peter’s first letter to teach us God’s perspectives on what to do and, more importantly, what our attitude should be when hard times come. Even though it can be very difficult to find our way to embracing God’s viewpoint on our very real problems, there is a level of peace waiting for us when we get there.

Nobody in their right mind asks for trouble. We tend to do whatever we can to avoid hassles in our lives. One of the great things about the Bible is that it deals with reality. James didn’t say, “if” about trials – he said “when”. That is what happens in life – everyone has troubles. Pastor Mark is using Peter’s first letter to teach us God’s perspectives on what to do and, more importantly, what our attitude should be when hard times come. Even though it can be very difficult to find our way to embracing God’s viewpoint on our very real problems, there is a level of peace waiting for us when we get there.

People have all kinds of ideas of what being a Christian is like and what things in our life change after receiving Christ. Pastor Mark, teaching from First Peter, reminds us that one of the most significant changes is in our concept of hope. We now have hope in eternal life. We now know for sure that there are only two destinations after we die – heaven and hell – and that we are absolutely sure that we are going to heaven. This helps us when we go through difficulties on this earth. Knowing that this plane of existence isn’t all there is can bring us some comfort in the midst of our trials.

People have all kinds of ideas of what being a Christian is like and what things in our life change after receiving Christ. Pastor Mark, teaching from First Peter, reminds us that one of the most significant changes is in our concept of hope. We now have hope in eternal life. We now know for sure that there are only two destinations after we die – heaven and hell – and that we are absolutely sure that we are going to heaven. This helps us when we go through difficulties on this earth. Knowing that this plane of existence isn’t all there is can bring us some comfort in the midst of our trials.

Words that we’re used to using can have multiple meanings, depending on the context. In the same way, some words have different meanings in a Christian context. Words like “life” or “death” take on a special meaning when we use them in regards to spiritual life or death. Likewise, the word “hope” has a different connotation when speaking from a Christian perspective. Pastor Mark will be focusing on how God uses words like hope, and the necessity for us to embrace His view of these words. As we do this, we will gain a better understand of how God thinks and how we should think as well.

Words that we’re used to using can have multiple meanings, depending on the context. In the same way, some words have different meanings in a Christian context. Words like “life” or “death” take on a special meaning when we use them in regards to spiritual life or death. Likewise, the word “hope” has a different connotation when speaking from a Christian perspective. Pastor Mark will be focusing on how God uses words like hope, and the necessity for us to embrace His view of these words. As we do this, we will gain a better understand of how God thinks and how we should think as well.

We often talk about or sing about “giving it all to God”. If we’re honest with ourselves, though, we many times add caveats to that commitment. We take back our time and especially our money and resources from the altar where we supposedly laid them out for service to God. Pastor Mark will be teaching about our need to remember that God doesn’t need our resources – remember, He owns everything! The use of the resources He’s provided to us are for our benefit, growth and maturity. We desperately need to remember that so that we can be useful to God.