Reverberate: A Berean Bible Church Podcast | Knoxville, TN

Title: Heirs of Life

Title: Grace in God’s Eyes
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1 Peter 2:18–25
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (ESV)
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Jed Gillis dives into 1 Peter 2:18-21, addressing the challenging issue of enduring unjust suffering. Gillis acknowledges that everyone has experienced or inflicted mistreatment. He emphasizes that addressing such injustice in a manner that honors God is crucial for our spiritual well-being.
Peter instructs servants to be subject to their masters, not only those who are kind but also those who are harsh. He likens it to modern-day employment, urging listeners to respect their leaders while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God.
Peter highlights that enduring suffering for doing good is commendable before God. Gillis underscores two aspects of God's grace: present help during suffering and future reward. He reminds the congregation that mistreatment does not alter God's moral standards and urges them to respond with grace rather than anger or bitterness.
Gillis points to Jesus as the ultimate example of enduring unjust suffering without sinning. Jesus did not retaliate when mistreated but entrusted Himself to God's just judgment. This trust in divine justice allows believers to endure current injustices, knowing that every sin will be addressed either on the cross or through eternal punishment.
By following Jesus' example and relying on God's grace, believers can navigate situations of unjust suffering with perseverance and hope. Ultimately, responding with grace and honor glorifies God and reflects His transformative power at work in our lives.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Citizens of Heaven
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1 Peter 2:13–17
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (ESV)
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Jed Gillis's sermon on 1 Peter 2:13-17 delves into the complex relationship between Christians and earthly authorities. Addressing believers under the rule of Emperor Nero, Peter encourages submission to human institutions, not for their sake, but for the Lord's. Gillis emphasizes that this submission involves a posture of respect and honor rather than blind obedience, focusing on the heart's attitude rather than mere actions.
Gillis explains the difference between "submitting" and "obeying," noting that Peter’s call to submit is rooted in serving God through earthly systems without compromising heavenly values. Christians, or "heaven citizens," are urged to live as free people who serve God, using their freedom not as a cover for evil but as a means to do good. This approach silences foolish accusations against Christians by showcasing their honorable conduct.
The sermon underscores four key behaviors: honoring everyone, loving fellow believers, fearing God, and honoring earthly authorities. These actions reflect a heart aligned with God's kingdom while navigating earthly governance. Ultimately, Gillis calls for a balanced life where believers honor human systems without bowing to them when they contradict godly principles. This balance requires wisdom, discernment, and a commitment to living out heavenly citizenship in an earthly context.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Guard Your Soul
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1 Peter 2:9–12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)
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In this sermon from First Peter chapter two, we delve into the spiritual battles our souls face and how to safeguard them. Peter addresses critical questions about our identity and purpose as believers, emphasizing that we are a chosen race, royal priesthood, and holy nation. Our mission is to proclaim God's excellencies, which strengthens our souls against worldly desires like comfort, approval, pleasure, and power.
Peter urges us to live honorably among non-believers so that our conduct leads others to glorify God. By focusing on God's attributes—His wisdom, mercy, hope, holiness—we can guard our souls and reflect His glory to the world. Join us as we explore practical ways to protect your soul and find healing through faith in Christ.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Thirst-Quenching Worship
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Isaiah 55
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the LORD,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (ESV)
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In "Thirst-Quenching Worship," Jed Gillis explores Isaiah 55, emphasizing God's invitation to find true satisfaction in Him. The passage begins with a call to everyone who thirsts, urging them to come and drink freely of God's provision. This metaphor of nourishment highlights the futility of seeking fulfillment in earthly pursuits that ultimately leave us empty. God offers an everlasting covenant, promising abundant pardon and compassion for those who seek Him.
Gillis underscores that every human innately seeks satisfaction and assigns ultimate value to something, essentially making everyone a worshipper. The key question is whether we pursue satisfaction in things that truly fulfill us or exhaust ourselves chasing temporary fixes.
God's invitation through Isaiah isn't just about survival but delighting in rich, soul-satisfying "food." This divine generosity stems from God's self-sufficiency; He needs nothing from us but offers everything freely. Gillis points out that our attempts to bring self-righteousness, good works, or intelligence as currency for divine favor are futile. Instead, we must come with a dependent thirst, acknowledging our need for God.
The sermon also highlights the urgency of responding to God's invitation while it stands open. Ignoring this call risks missing out on the profound joy and peace that only God can provide. Gillis explains that this grace comes through Jesus Christ and His Word, which accomplishes God's purpose like rain nourishing the earth.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Living Stones (I Peter Part 9)
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1 Peter 2:4–8
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. (ESV)
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Join us as Pastor Jed Gillis delves into 1 Peter 2:4–8, exploring the profound truths about our spiritual worth and acceptance in God’s eyes. This sermon addresses a common struggle many believers face: feeling unworthy despite good intentions or thinking they deserve honor due to their good deeds. Pastor Jed unpacks how Jesus is the cornerstone—chosen and precious to God but rejected by men—and how, as believers, we are like living stones being built into a spiritual house.
### Key Points:
- **Jesus, the Cornerstone:** Understand the significance of Jesus as the foundational stone in our spiritual lives.
- **Believers as Living Stones:** Learn how our personal devotion enhances collective worship and builds up the body of Christ.
- **Spiritual Sacrifices:** Discover what it means to offer sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, including praise, good deeds, sharing with others, using spiritual gifts, and acts of love.
- **Confidence in Worship and Hope:** Gain assurance that your faith in Jesus brings honor and removes shame.
If you’ve ever felt inadequate or wondered if your efforts please God, this sermon will provide you with biblical truths to rest your heart. Pastor Jed encourages us to continually seek spiritual nourishment from Jesus and actively engage in offering spiritual sacrifices, knowing they are acceptable because of Him.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: The Roots of Love

Title: Ransomed

1 Peter 1:13-16
Happy Father's Day! In today’s sermon, Lynn Kohler unpacks the importance of setting our hope fully on God’s grace and provides practical steps for achieving holiness in our daily lives. We explore the significance of being obedient children characterized by holiness and learn how to prepare our minds for action while maintaining clear, sober-minded thinking. Join us as we discover what it means to live a life that reflects God's holiness. 

Scripture is not just an individual guide but also a powerful tool for corporate application within our community. Learn about the importance of preparing our minds for action and witness the transformative power of God’s Word through personal testimonies.