Pastor Matt's Podcasts

In this study, Peter begins making the case that the people of God, the church, who came from dead stones have become alive to Christ.  From dead stones to living stones when recieving Jesus, the Living Stone that caused many to stumble.  What is more, the church is built out of these living stones, so that when persecution comes, the church may stand.

In this study, we begin to see the necessity of change in the life of the beleiver.  There are things that we are to "lay aside" rather than bring with us into our new life in Christ. These kill life, not only in the believer, but also in the church.  We are to pursue righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, laying aside the sins of our old man.

In this sermon, we examine the purification of the faith, soul and heart in order to produce fervent love from a pure heart for the brethren.  The body of Christ will come under persecution, it is important that the members of that body encourage, support, and love one another.

As we continue in our study of 1 Peter, we remember that Peter is writing to the early Christians, preparing them for tribulations.  Once the foundation of this is presented, to have this mindset through faith, Peter then informs them that the natural outgrowth of this faith will be action.  Faith must be followed by action.

In this sermon we examine what the purpose is for suffering for Christ's sake.  As one suffers for the sake of Christ by faith, then perseveres through that suffering, building character in faith, and increasing in hope, God will give more persecution and suffering.  The purpose is to purify our faith.  Going into persecution with this understanding gives us hope for the future here and now, as well as hope in life eternal.

In our study of 1 Peter, we are laying the foundations of the purpose of persecution and suffering of the church.  In this sermon, we examine more of the total falleness and the total redemption of creation, begining with the Christian.

1 Peter prepares the early church for the coming persecution.  In this sermon, we cover the rebirth of the Christian, who is then able to "see the kingdom" for how things are supposed to operate under the government of God. It is essential that the Christian know who they are in Christ, so that when persecution comes, they are able to stand knowing they are empowered by God's kingdom.

Peter wrote to the early church warning them of the persecutions to come.  All of his warnings speak specifically to issues that we are now facing today with the rise of Communism and Islam here in the West.  But Peter didn't just think these things up on his own, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he reiterated what Jesus Himself told the disciples.

What does the victorious church look like?  It is one that is faithful to the word. Here Paul concludes Romans with a description of the faithful, victorious church.

What does a successful church look like.  As Paul concluded Romans, he gave greeings to the brethren, the small community of faithful beleivers.  But he also gave warning about the false teachers.  A successful community of believers has love for the brethren and turns away false teachers.