Messages

[1 Peter 3:8-9] Harmonious / Like-minded: the minds of Christ’s people, the way we think and live, are principally the same. We share a common mindset about who we are, our purpose, mission, and how we go about these things.

[Acts 22:1-16] In an effort to convince the Jews in Jerusalem of the gospel of Christ, Paul recounts his testimony, drawing attention to how sins are washed away by calling on the Lord, displayed in baptism. The glorious turth of union with Christ is made evident in Jesus identifying himself with the Christians that Saul was persecuting, and when Ananias calls him “brother.”

[Romans 15:13] Paul gives his benediction to the saints here referring to the God of hope filling them so they will abound in hope. Biblical Hope is an expectation or desire for a future salvation in a new heavens and earth; always with a sense of trust and certainty! We ought to always walk in this hope, asking God to fill us with all joy and peace in believing by His Holy Spirit.

[1 Peter 3:7] Peter follows his exhortation to wives with one for husbands, focused on understanding and honor. Men, you ought to seek to honor your wife because the Lord commands it and He will not hear your prayers if you do not!

[Matt 3, 11, 14] John the Baptist was the greatest man in history until Christ. What was John's mission, who was this Christ, and how should we respond to Him?

[1 Peter 3:7] Peter follows his exhortation to wives with one for husbands, focused on understanding and honor. Men ought to seek to continually learn your wife, how to love and honor her in a way pleasing to the Lord as a weaker vessel.

[1 Pet 3:5-6] This command from Peter to wives is based in creation and spans all time and cultures, with Sarah as the example, gives strong encouragement for women to submit to their husbands from the heart, knowing God will provide everything you need by His grace.

[Matt 22:34-39] Love has regard for others, desires connection, reaches out to share, and in the greatest commandment from our Lord Jesus to love the Lord our God recognizes, regards and respects God.

[Matt 22:34-39] There are some "compass" passages in the bible that help you orient the entirety of the scriptures. Compass passages summarize, clarify, simplify, capture the essence, keep us properly oriented, and define true religion. One of the best is when Jesus Christ, God himself in the flesh, tells us exactly what He requires and what true religion is.

[Mark 15:1-15; 1 Peter 4:1] Jesus, the king of the Jews, standing falsely accused is silent even as the crowd calls for the release of a murderer and crucifixction of the innocent one. We will suffer in this life just like our Lord Jesus and are to look to Jesus as our example in the way he suffered according to the providence of God, for this is one of the purposes of our calling.