Lessons for Living (Audio)

There is so much chaos in families these days. Much of this is because we have taken the world’s advice about how to structure our familial relationships. Because the world’s structure is different than God’s intent, these are destined to fail or fall short of what we hope for. Pastor Mark, teaching from First Peter, instructs us of God’s original design for marriage and family. It’s important for us to begin to learn to trust God and to trust His plan. As we make the effort to re-order our marital relationships and families, we’ll begin to see God bless our lives more than ever before.

There is so much chaos in families these days. Much of this is because we have taken the world’s advice about how to structure our familial relationships. Because the world’s structure is different than God’s intent, these are destined to fail or fall short of what we hope for. Pastor Mark, teaching from First Peter, instructs us of God’s original design for marriage and family. It’s important for us to begin to learn to trust God and to trust His plan. As we make the effort to re-order our marital relationships and families, we’ll begin to see God bless our lives more than ever before.

Humans naturally resist the idea of submission. As believers in Jesus, we’re commanded to submit to the will of God. Part of God’s will is expressed in the hierarchy He has established. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, we run into problems when we don’t do God’s order correctly. It’s difficult to do submission properly because many times we have trust issues – husbands don’t trust wives and vice versa, and neither fully trust God. We will be given examples from the Bible where submission to one another and trust in God allowed Him to accomplish His will in the peoples’ lives.

Humans naturally resist the idea of submission. As believers in Jesus, we’re commanded to submit to the will of God. Part of God’s will is expressed in the hierarchy He has established. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, we run into problems when we don’t do God’s order correctly. It’s difficult to do submission properly because many times we have trust issues – husbands don’t trust wives and vice versa, and neither fully trust God. We will be given examples from the Bible where submission to one another and trust in God allowed Him to accomplish His will in the peoples’ lives.

The truth of the matter is that we will age, and our bodies will change. Pastor Mark’s point is that who we actually are, our souls, can not only be altered, they can improve. As we submit to God and obey His commands we will become more like Jesus. This will cause what the Bible calls our inward man to become more attractive to those around us. Since our purpose is to make God look good, it’s a good idea to have the kind of character that makes those around us want to have what we have. This gives us an opportunity to tell others about the transforming power of God.

The truth of the matter is that we will age, and our bodies will change. Pastor Mark’s point is that who we actually are, our souls, can not only be altered, they can improve. As we submit to God and obey His commands we will become more like Jesus. This will cause what the Bible calls our inward man to become more attractive to those around us. Since our purpose is to make God look good, it’s a good idea to have the kind of character that makes those around us want to have what we have. This gives us an opportunity to tell others about the transforming power of God.

This is one of the more difficult things to see God’s hand in – unpleasant work situations. Sure – there are many examples in the Bible of people in bad work circumstances or who were falsely imprisoned – but we aren’t like those holy people, so this can’t possibly apply to us! Pastor Mark is teaching that the principles we see in scripture are for everyone, not just for “the other guy”. It’s important for us to realize how vital we are to the advancement of God’s kingdom – not because we’re anyone special, but because we’re the kind of people that God wants to use for His glory.

This is one of the more difficult things to see God’s hand in – unpleasant work situations. Sure – there are many examples in the Bible of people in bad work circumstances or who were falsely imprisoned – but we aren’t like those holy people, so this can’t possibly apply to us! Pastor Mark is teaching that the principles we see in scripture are for everyone, not just for “the other guy”. It’s important for us to realize how vital we are to the advancement of God’s kingdom – not because we’re anyone special, but because we’re the kind of people that God wants to use for His glory.

We are so used to making choices of employment or residence based on reasons connected to our comfort. Salaries, upward mobility opportunities and the like. It’s so hard to think about those major decisions in terms of what God wants for us or our lives. Pastor Mark is reminding us that as Christ Followers our main concern is doing what God wants. We are to represent God to the unsaved world; we do that by being where He wants us, when He wants us to be there. We also show others God’s character by living lives obedient to His commandments.

We are so used to making choices of employment or residence based on reasons connected to our comfort. Salaries, upward mobility opportunities and the like. It’s so hard to think about those major decisions in terms of what God wants for us or our lives. Pastor Mark is reminding us that as Christ Followers our main concern is doing what God wants. We are to represent God to the unsaved world; we do that by being where He wants us, when He wants us to be there. We also show others God’s character by living lives obedient to His commandments.