Lessons for Living (Audio)

Let’s face it: the whole world seems chaotic! Perversion is celebrated or at least excused, while acting in a godly manner can get you either persecuted or prosecuted. When we look at our society and the state it’s in, it’s easy to forget that God was the One Who established the basis for these institutions. Pastor Mark is teaching from 1 Peter, where Christians were being persecuted by what we now know was an evil government. Peter was encouraging the believers of his time to remember that whatever was done to these bodies, God would ultimately take care of us.

Let’s face it: the whole world seems chaotic! Perversion is celebrated or at least excused, while acting in a godly manner can get you either persecuted or prosecuted. When we look at our society and the state it’s in, it’s easy to forget that God was the One Who established the basis for these institutions. Pastor Mark is teaching from 1 Peter, where Christians were being persecuted by what we now know was an evil government. Peter was encouraging the believers of his time to remember that whatever was done to these bodies, God would ultimately take care of us.

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden before the fall, they had unrestricted fellowship with God; they walked and talked with Him! After the fall, that access was closed. Ever since then, man has been trying to get back to God on our own terms – unsuccessfully. Pastor Mark is reminding us that finally, Jesus did what we couldn’t do and made it possible to be restored with God. This new relationship also enables us to live the life God intended us to. Even though we mess up, we need to remember that God’s forgiveness is available and we can move forward with Him.

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden before the fall, they had unrestricted fellowship with God; they walked and talked with Him! After the fall, that access was closed. Ever since then, man has been trying to get back to God on our own terms – unsuccessfully. Pastor Mark is reminding us that finally, Jesus did what we couldn’t do and made it possible to be restored with God. This new relationship also enables us to live the life God intended us to. Even though we mess up, we need to remember that God’s forgiveness is available and we can move forward with Him.

We who have given our lives to Christ are called “living sacrifices” to God. Because of that, we’re supposed to do only what God says to do. We know, of course, that we fall short of that ideal – sometimes far from it. That’s when we have to rely on God’s forgiveness and patience with us, as well as our trust that He will complete His work in us. Pastor Mark is teaching from 1 Peter; Peter has been encouraging a group of believers to hang on to their faith in Christ. Although they are going through some tough times, ultimately their lives will end up with God in His kingdom.

We who have given our lives to Christ are called “living sacrifices” to God. Because of that, we’re supposed to do only what God says to do. We know, of course, that we fall short of that ideal – sometimes far from it. That’s when we have to rely on God’s forgiveness and patience with us, as well as our trust that He will complete His work in us. Pastor Mark is teaching from 1 Peter; Peter has been encouraging a group of believers to hang on to their faith in Christ. Although they are going through some tough times, ultimately their lives will end up with God in His kingdom.

In the Bible, The Church is often likened to the human body. It does that to emphasize the importance of every believer to the healthy functioning of the local assembly. Unfortunately, many local churches are operating at a less than optimal condition due to many of its members being spectators rather than participants. Pastor Mark is teaching from 1 Peter, where Peter is addressing a discouraged group of Christ followers. He reminds them of the cost that Jesus paid to redeem them, and their value to God and to one another. As each of us helps the other, the body will be made stronger.

We all know how hard it can be to love people with the attitude of Jesus – especially when they are not trying to be loveable. The Bible tells us, though, that while we were still sinners – opposed to and hating, on some level, God – Jesus died for us. And while we may not be called to die for anyone, it’s clear from scripture that we are supposed to be willing to do so. Pastor Mark, in teaching from 1 Peter, will be reminding us of the importance of having the attitude that Christ had when the decision was made to use Him to redeem us. It’s critical that we learn this lesson.

We all know how hard it can be to love people with the attitude of Jesus – especially when they are not trying to be loveable. The Bible tells us, though, that while we were still sinners – opposed to and hating, on some level, God – Jesus died for us. And while we may not be called to die for anyone, it’s clear from scripture that we are supposed to be willing to do so. Pastor Mark, in teaching from 1 Peter, will be reminding us of the importance of having the attitude that Christ had when the decision was made to use Him to redeem us. It’s critical that we learn this lesson.

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.