Sermon Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Sermon Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-25 ESV

Have you ever felt alone? And I don't mean in just the last 6 weeks. What about feeling insignificant, as if your life really didn't make much of a difference? Have you ever wanted your life to count for something? This week's message from 1 Peter 2:4-12 is all about how significant you are when you are in a relationship with Christ and how you can be assured that you are not alone. Your life matters to God and to others more than you can imagine.

Holy- It’s a word often used in churches. Its also used as an adjective when we are amazed or shocked by something, as in holy cow did you see that. It's also a word that shows up nearly 900 times in the Bible. Yet, for all it’s familiar usage it is a word about which we have very little understanding. Peter says that God is holy and because of that we are to be holy. This week's message looks to clear up lots of confusion about what it means to be holy and put you on a path to live a radically different life and abundantly fulfilling life of holiness.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-12

“I’m sorry”...two words that are difficult to say and mean. But sometimes “I forgive you“ is even more difficult. This morning we look at what Jesus has done for us and the power that it gives us to forgive others. Pastor Brian will be preaching out of John 21:15-17 ESV.

Passage: John 20:19-23

Questions coming soon

Passage: Romans 8:28-30

Questions for thought

Why do we crave to be happy? What is the pitfall with that statement "God just wants me to be happy"?

Have you ever used the statement "God just wants me to be happy" to gain permission from God to do something? If so, does being happy justify the sin?

Why do we find it hard to rejoice in persecution that we receive in the name of Jesus?

Why is it important to focus on the joy of the Lord and not the happiness of our situation?

Notes

Joy is an unnatural reaction of deep, steady and unadulterated thankful trust in God - Derek Tidball

Joy is an emotion that's acquired by the anticipation, acquisition or even the expectation of something great or wonderful. - Jack Wellman