Messages

Join us as we discuss the first article in our statement of faith: the Holy Scriptures.

[Acts 4:33] The resurrection of Jesus Christ is historic event testified to by eye-witnesses, Old Testament prophecy, and finally the Holy Spirit.

[Matt 28:16-20] Taking a closer look at the great comission and its parallel passages in the synoptic gospels helps us understand the "what", "how", and "why" of discipleship. We are to go make disciples (converts) of all nations because Jesus reigns now!

[1 Peter 3:17] Following Jesus faithfully will bring persecution. Peter wants us to know here and in 3 other places (1 Peter 1:6-7; 2:15; 4:19) that this is according to the will of God. Knowing that even as we do good we may suffer for it if God wills should bring us great comfort. Jesus is our example through his sacrifice and propitiation for us on the cross, suffering for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

[1 Peter 3:12] God is not an impersonal force like gravity; He is a personal living Spirit who cares deeply about the choices of His creatures What does the scriptures mean by the term "face"? The surface of something, what is visible, where one is heading with focus & determination, personal presence and attention given to someone. We must recognize that God’s face is set against those who do evil, and He will repay them fully in judgement. God does not judge out of pleasure, He judges because He cannot overlook evil; as a just and righteous king, He must judge the wicked.

[1 Peter 3:8-12] Why must we seek peace and pursue it? Because peace among the church of Jesus Christ is always in jeopardy. Peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of goodwill, blessing with harmony, health and wholeness, soundness and success. God is the source of all peace, and God’s king brings in a new era of salvation and peace through Jesus Christ; the blood of His cross reconciles all things to himself. Forgiveness is required, both to give and receive, in order to achieve peace within the body of Christ.

[1 Peter 3:10-17] Throughout the scriptures, God’s people are commanded to do good. What exactly is this “good” that we must do?

[1 Peter 3:10-17] Peter wants to push us away from fear and evil by reminding us to do good with a focus on others, doing righteousness and keeping a good conscience, even in the midst of imminent persecution and suffering.

[1 Peter 3:8-10] "Turn away from evil" is one word in the original Greek which communicates our obligation, the absolutely necessity of turning away from evil. Evil-that which ought not to be, brings harm or destruction; forsaking the Lord and living as though He doesn’t exist; not obeying the commands of the Lord The Lord's will is made clear in His Word, the Bible, which assumes we must have a good understanding of the scriptures in order to know how to obey Him.

[1 Peter 3:8-10] Election is unconditional-God in his own free and sovereign grace chooses who he wills. The blessing of God for believers however is conditional, it depends on our lives, behavior, choices, and in particular here, our speech; how we use our tongue and our lips.