Messages

As Abraham, we are sojourners in this land, living in faith and looking to a better country, the city of the living God. Are you living life for what God has promised his children, or for this fleeting world?

Angels declare to common shepherds in a field at night, good news: that Christ the Lord has been born, and is humbly lying in a manger. After they go and see for themselves this savior, a newborn babe, they return glorifying God. Angels, not even recipients of Gods salvation, and shepherds who do receive his grace are glorifying God because of his grace that appeared on the day Christ was born. How do we, recipients of his grace, view this good news today? Are we praising and glorifying God for this good news?

Who are the recipients of this letter? What is their identity? What does Peter mean by elect and why does he use it here? Just as in the Old Testament with Abraham and the forefathers, Gods elects his beloved people. Election is a sovereign choice of people to be in relationship with him based completely on God's love and for his will.

Who wrote the book of 1 Peter? Why he is writing it?

All of history hinges upon two men: the First and last Adam. Both are created in God's image, and when God saves us he makes us new creations in the image of the last Adam, Jesus Christ.

We are made in God's image artistically, vocationally, organizationally, relationally, and mentally.

We are made in God's image royally, morally, spiritually, empirically, and emotionally. 1. Royally-rulers over this world, authority Authority structures (God-Christ-Man-Woman-children) 2. Morally-fundamental basis of morality and righteousness is found in the image of God (not the Mosaic Law) 3. Spiritually-created to interact and relate with God spiritually 4. Empirically-hearing, seeing, acting 5. Emotionally-feel like God

Every person in this world is created in God's image and likeness, meaning we are God's representation and resemblance in the world, and we owe him everything. Man and woman together comprise God's image; male and female are both required to represent his likeness. Understanding that man is created in the image of God should inform how we think and talk about people.

Jesus tells a parable in order to illustrate the truth that we ought to pray and not faint. God is righteous and just and loving. We, as believers, are God's elect, beloved children. If an unrighteous judge gives a marginalized woman what she is pleading for, will not the righteous judge give his elect what we plead for in prayer?

Trials are certain. Christ is near. Paul and James urge us as believers to continue in the grace of God, persisting in faith in the midst of trials. The various trials we face have a God ordained purpose, and they will produce maturity if we persevere, enabled by God's grace.