Village Church Sermons

As we take a step back to look at the story of Christmas, the story that we are called to tell, we see a God that loves to do big things with small people. We see a God who works and wills some of the most difficult situations for His glory.

The King of the universe stepped down from heaven, with the heavenly host watching, to save the souls of man. He used ordinary people in His extraordinary story...the story of salvation.

As Christians, Christmas is our story to tell. It's the story of salvation and hope. It's the story of Jesus Christ, the King who deserves all the worship and glory. So often during Christmas we get caught up in consumerism, but it is time that the church rise up and worship Him fully and share the story of fulfilled promises with a world in need.

After visiting Wanblee, South Dakota last weekend, there is a renewed sense of urgency to talk about. We live in a world where things are dark and difficult and people desperately need Jesus and it begs the question "what are you living for?" Jesus left us with very clear marching orders, and if we really believe that what we believe is really real, we must give our entire lives for the Gospel.

Speaking about this passage, Martin Luther commented that 1 Peter 3:18-22 is a strange text and certainly more obscure than any other in the New Testament and one he did not know for sure what the apostle meant. However, we come to an understanding through this text that Christ died for the unrighteous and has called us to be made alive in the spirit and proclaim it through baptism in submission to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

After summing up our calling as Christians in various circumstances and reminding us that the Lord will look with favor on the righteous, Peter now calls us to fear God and not man. He calls us to make the name of Jesus hallowed in our every moment rather than worrying about the opinions of man. We should not fear the persecution, rather rejoice in the opportunity to suffer alongside Jesus for the sake of the Gospel. We should not worry about the approval of man, but solely seek the approval of our Lord. We need to hope in the promises of God.