1 Peter 4:1-19

At NOCC we have a Mission statement:  We exist to facilitate a passionate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to lifelong discipleship.  “Passion” looks different in different situations, and for different people.  But there is always a fervency—an intensity—that shows itself in our love for the Lord and for others.

1 Peter 3:1-22

The faithful live in relationships just as others do.  But the way we live in those relationships is different.  Those of us who follow Jesus have very clear instructions as to what that looks like, whether we are interacting with the world in general, or in the most intimate of relationships.

1 Peter 2:13-25

We are not of this world, but we are in it. We live in this world, we interact with it—in fact we are sent here to represent Jesus to the world. But the way we respond to the world is based on who we are, not how we feel about the world. Whether people in authority or just people, we relate to them as Jesus does.

1 Peter 2:1-12

The one who follows Jesus has to change his or her identity.  We can no longer align ourselves with different groups of people in the world.  Instead, we need to understand ourselves as God does, and live accordingly.

1 Peter 1:1-12

Eventually, we all stand before God.  It is our choice whether we meet him as Judge or as Father.  But if we choose to call Him Father, we should live accordingly.

1 Peter 1:1-12

Introduction to 1 Peter. What does the life of a person of faith look like? Life isn’t always easy, but there is a reason for this, which works itself out in our faith.

One of the most difficult things for people to do in the US today is to disagree without being personally attacking.  With electronic communication over personal, and people of all generations and backgrounds struggling with the use of appropriate “filters”, those with Jesus’ heart have to learn the balance Jesus’ mastered between loving people and condemning their behavior.

Knowing Jesus’ heart, we have to now ask the obvious question, “What does this look like?” specifically at NOCC?  Its time for ideas, for challenges.

When someone is said to “have a heart” for something, it implies that this motivates him/her.  So, it is reasonable to assume that whatever motivates us truly is our heart.  So, what does that say about us?  Paul’s life was totally turned around by his change of heart.  He not only wanted to share the gospel—he believed he would be miserable if he didn’t share the gospel.  His heart was driven by Jesus’ heart.  What does that look like for us?

The most important thing for anyone who wants to follow Jesus isn’t being true to one’s own heart—but being true to the right heart.  If we are truly followers of Jesus, the first thing we have to be sure of is whether we are being true to His heart.  Is it possible to be Christian, if Jesus’ heart is not ours?