Having described two streams of humanity those in Adam and those now in Christ Paul asserts what is true for the latter. Those who have trusted Jesus are now win Christ which means their old life in Adam is over and they have entered into a new life. This radical change is symbolized in baptism which illustrates our union with Jesus our substitute. Grasping the truth of this spiritual reality is the foundation for us learning to live out that new reality.

In this message we will reflect on how we are to live as followers of Jesus in this world that is not ultimately our home. This how is fleshed out in our Vision statement and speaks to three different but important aspects of the Christian life. To this end we will survey and explore Peters first epistle which speaks to Christians in his day living in an inhospitable world. In the midst of difficult surroundings we are called to pursue Jesus in community on mission for Christ and this because of what is already true of us through Jesus.

In this message we are focusing again on the mission to which God has called us, and indeed all of his people. That mission is to point others to Jesus but proclaiming the good news that, through him God has done for us what we can never do for ourselves. Through Jesus death in our place we receive forgiveness and righteousness and life. Now, as those who have been redeemed, we have the joy and privilege of pointing others to Jesus and this incredible good news!

Nate Vedoya was our guest speaker.

Keith Bienert was our guest speaker.

Jerry Shepherd was our guest speaker.

Bruce Reed was our guest speaker.

Here, having addressed our need for justification, the way of justification and the results of justification, Paul helps us step back and survey the big picture of redemptive history. The picture Paul paints helps us to see two human communities one that is in Adam and another, having received Gods gift of grace is now in Christ. This new identity is or can be ours through Gods abundant grace.

How can we be certain about the future? How can we have assurance of our salvation? Those are the questions to which Paul responds in these three verses. Paul points back to what has already happened in Jesus as evidence of the certainty of what lies ahead. Because of what God has already done through the cross of Jesus in the past, we can have absolute confidence that He will complete in the future what He has already started. Grasping this reality will fill us with peace and move us to passionately worship God with our lives.

In these verses Paul points to the death of Jesus for helpless, ungodly sinners as a demonstration of the amazing love of God love that far surpasses the greatest human love we can imagine. Not only that. It also stands as proof that the hope we have as those who have been justified, will not let us down.