When you become a Christian, your gratitude-driven passion can gradually morph into a form of religion. Instead of living a righteous life to glorify your Savior, you focus on good works to appear good to others and earn your place. It’s no longer about the grace and freedom you’ve been given, but it becomes about the position you earn. Today, Pastor Richard will warn us to be on guard against this toxic mindset that easily infiltrates the Church.

In the history of Christianity, as well as in many other world religions, people have gauged the favor of God in their lives by their earthly success. To be healthy, wealthy, or powerful has been seen as a sign of divine approval. But, as Pastor Richard examines the book of 1st Peter, we’ll be reminded that following Jesus will often mean the opposite. It will bring hardship, but it’s worth it for the spiritual abundance He promises us. 

There’s nothing wrong with saving money and making investments. It’s a smart move to plan for the future. But, as Pastor Richard will warn in today’s message, be careful not to place your hope and trust in your financial position. Banks can fail, and markets can crash, but we have a source of peace and security that never fails. In Jesus, we find the hope for eternal life, and the spiritual riches He offers far surpass those of this world.

Have you ever worked for a boss who seemed to enjoy their position of authority a little too much? When they had the chance to make your job a little harder in some way, you could be sure they would take it. As Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, sin and the Law are both harsh taskmasters, and neither will ever be satisfied. But Jesus is a gracious and kind leader, whose yoke is easy and burden light.

There’s a reason the song Amazing Grace has been such a powerful and ubiquitous anthem for millions of believers over the 250-plus years since it was written. The grace God’s extended to us in Christ is shocking in its contrast to the self-serving nature we’re all born into. As Pastor Richard will encourage us in today’s message, when we fully rest in the grace we’ve been given, we can find true, lasting freedom. 

When you live in the freedom that Christ provided on the cross, you’re going to make some enemies, even amongst fellow believers. We’re challenged by Scripture to “live at peace” with everyone, and to rein in our freedom if it offends others, but there are some people who will be offended no matter what. Today, Pastor Richard will warn of this inevitable friction and encourage us to stand strong in the promise we’ve been given.

Have you experienced the transformative power of Christ’s love? What did He free you from? How did He change your life and heart? If you have answers to those questions, you’re ready to preach the Gospel. You don’t need formal training or a degree. As Pastor Richard will remind us in today’s message, each one of us has a mission to spread the truth of the Gospel, and each one of us is equipped by the Holy Spirit to share it effectively.

If you survey your own heart and life, what’s a driving factor or passion for you? How does it fit in your heart relative to Jesus? Is Jesus your main focus, and that thing is secondary? Even if it’s a good thing, like family, for example, if it comes before Jesus, it’s an idol. As Pastor Richard continues our study in Paul’s letter to the believers in Galatia, we’ll be challenged to put Christ at the center of everything we do. 

There’s nothing wrong with saving money and making investments. It’s a smart move to plan for the future. But, as Pastor Richard will warn in today’s message, be careful not to place your hope and trust in your financial position. Banks can fail, and markets can crash, but we have a source of peace and security that never fails. In Jesus, we find the hope for eternal life, and the spiritual riches He offers far surpass those of this world.

If Jesus appointed you as His hiring manager and gave you some resumes to look over, Peter’s likely wouldn’t stand out. It would end up at the bottom of the pile. As a fisherman, he’s likely an early riser and hard worker, but his ability to follow directions and understand complex concepts is lacking. But, as Pastor Richard will explain in today’s message, it wasn’t about who Peter had been, but about who Jesus would transform him into.