1 Peter 1:1-7 is how the apostle Peter opens the first of his two letters, and it is these two letters that we are going to spend the summer studying, and even look at through the lens of some great Old Testament stories. I am so excited to hear God’s word through these letters that are going to speak right to where we are as Americans in 2018.

A panel of 5 of our youth, and our youth pastor share during the sermon time for Youth Sunday 2018.

A panel of 5 of our youth, and our youth pastor share during the sermon time for Youth Sunday 2018.

This morning I want us to look at a story in Scripture about a mother, or more accurately a mother-to-be. As we look at it, I want you to understand the significance of this event. This is one of the most important events in all the Bible and in history. It is God pulling back the curtain and giving us a glimpse at what is about to happen in His plan. It is critical to the whole message of the gospel.

This morning I want us to look at a story in Scripture about a mother, or more accurately a mother-to-be. As we look at it, I want you to understand the significance of this event. This is one of the most important events in all the Bible and in history. It is God pulling back the curtain and giving us a glimpse at what is about to happen in His plan. It is critical to the whole message of the gospel.

Murder pollutes the land. Murder is the stand out piece of pollution that everyone sees and notices, everyone knows someone has to be held accountable. But then Jesus comes along and says, You know there is actually a lot of pollution that leads to a murder polluted land that you’re not noticing or doing anything about.

Murder pollutes the land. Murder is the stand out piece of pollution that everyone sees and notices, everyone knows someone has to be held accountable. But then Jesus comes along and says, You know there is actually a lot of pollution that leads to a murder polluted land that you’re not noticing or doing anything about.

There is to be a death penalty for murder. There are questions to answer, problems to work out; and there is the struggle of knowing about anything mankind does, will be done imperfectly; but there is to be a death penalty for murder; and it is the death penalty that places value on life and how sacred it is.

There is to be a death penalty for murder. There are questions to answer, problems to work out; and there is the struggle of knowing about anything mankind does, will be done imperfectly; but there is to be a death penalty for murder; and it is the death penalty that places value on life and how sacred it is.

We are continuing today in our series on how to live in a culture of death. Last week we established where we are, how we got here, and how we are to live and speak. Today and for the next two Sundays we are going to look at specific issues in a culture of death, with today being on suicide. I am excited to have a friend and fellow pastor with me today, Kevin Skellett, Adult Ministry Team Lead Pastor of Southside Church.