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.

1 Peter 2-11-17----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.----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.

For this year's Reformation Sunday, Brian goes through 1 Peter 1:22-2:10 and the difficulties of understanding our reformed heritage today.

1 Peter 1-13-21----Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, -You shall be holy, for I am holy.- And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Concluding the series commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Canons of Dort, Brian Lee reflects on the assurance of pardoning grace and how it relates to godliness.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,----To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood-----May grace and peace be multiplied to you.----Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ- According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The preservation of the saints and the assurance of salvation are two of the enduring legacies of the Canons in Dort. Brian Lee speaks on both topics in this penultimate episode of the Dort at 400 series.

The "P" in T.U.L.I.P. - Brian Lee speaks on the perseverance of the saints as this series commemorating the Canons of Dort at 400 years draws to a close.

Brian Lee continues his Psalm series with one of the most famous Psalms in the Psalter as a whole, and in book two of the Psalter especially.

Psalm 51----To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.----Have mercy on me, O God,-- according to your steadfast love---according to your abundant mercy-- blot out my transgressions.--Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,-- and cleanse me from my sin---For I know my transgressions,-- and my sin is ever before me.--Against you, you only, have I sinned-- and done what is evil in your sight,--so that you may be justified in your words-- and blameless in your judgment.--Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,-- and in sin did my mother conceive me.--Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,-- and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.--Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean--- wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.--Let me hear joy and gladness--- let the bones that you have broken rejoice.--Hide your face from my sins,-- and blot out all my iniquities.--Create in me a clean heart, O God,-- and renew a right spirit within me.--Cast me not away from your presence,-- and take not your Holy Spirit from me.--Restore to me the joy of your salvation,-- and uphold me with a willing spirit.--Then I will teach transgressors your ways,-- and sinners will return to you.--Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,-- O God of my salvation,-- and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.--O Lord, open my lips,-- and my mouth will declare your praise.--For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it--- you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.--...