Maranatha Teachings

If modern English Bible versions translated 1 Peter 2:18 as "Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect..." it would be jarring to modern ears and sensibilities. But it was to slaves that Peter was writing and his encouragement to them in their day teaches us much about the Lord we are following, the Righteous One who suffered for us, and exposes our need to be more concerned about our character than we are about our circumstances. Join us as we learn about slavery in the ancient world, its practice in the Western Hemisphere, and its presence with us today.

The Apostle Peter was writing from Rome to congregations composed primarily of people in the lower strata of Greco-Roman society who were about to face an escalation of hostility toward them because of their faith. His encouragement and direction to them on how to keep, carry, and proclaim the faith are as applicable to day as they were then. Join us as we take a deep dive into 1 Peter 2:1-17.

In this episode, we step behind the English version into some of the nuances of the Greek text of 1 Peter 1:22-25. Join us as we examine what it means to be purified, learn of the baptismal undercurrent of being "born again," and look into the imperishable truth of the gospel.

In this episode, we begin to unpack the initial truths and promises of this encouraging and practical epistle. Who are "the elect exiles of the Dispersion"? What is the imperishable seed through which we have been born again? What is holiness and how do we walk in it? Join us as we learn the apostles' doctrine from Peter.

In this episode, we begin our study of 1 Peter. Join us as we dive into the historical background of the letter, the man who wrote it, the people who received it, and the major themes it addresses.

In this episode, we continue our examination of how Jesus shepherded Peter through denial and desertion back to loving discipleship. Join us as see that Jesus is never surprised by what we do regardless how frequently he behaves in ways we don't expect.

Christ's calling of, confrontations with, and confirmation of Simon Bar-Jonah is one of the most interesting character studies in the New Testament. The man Jesus renamed Peter is a fully human picture of one redeemed by Jesus and commissioned to take up his cross and follow his Lord. Join us as we begin on the banks of the Jordan and journey to Caesarea Philippi and the very gates of Hades itself in the introduction of this transformative and dynamic relationship that instructs us all in what it means to be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Lord's Prayer is perhaps the most universal congregational prayer in all Christendom. In this message, we focus on its first three lines as recorded by Luke, "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread." Join us as we learn of this prayer's future hope, its present reality, and its petition for the daily grace to accomplish the Father's will.

The Christian hope is not an endless life somewhere beyond the clouds after our body ceases to be viable, neither is it a distant idea with only a future impact. No, the hope of the Christian is to be resurrected in the likeness of Jesus. It is this hope that brings us behind the curtain to gaze at the glory of the Son of God and be transformed by him. In this sharing, we examine the present impact of our future perfection in him. Join us as we venture in to be anchored in the holy of holies.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31

These words of Jesus are a challenging and vital today as they were two thousand years ago when he spoke them. Join us as we examine the devastation of believing lies and the liberating truth of Jesus freeing us from sin slavery.