We see Peter telling people he will not hesitate to remind them of what is ahead and what is needed to finish this race, or life of ours.
We get a glimpse of what he saw but didn’t realize at the time, and how we, if more open to the Holy Spirit, can live a life filled with more success than failure.
Success is defined as obeying the Lord. Not some outcome defined by man. God is able to define His own victories by the outcome He wants.
Christ’s dying, while perceived by the world as a defeat, was, on every level, a victory.
Only by His death are we freed from the law of sin and death.
God has big, in His kingdom, plans for you. Even if you are never known by the world. Just like the widow that gave the least in the offering the Lord observed; actually gave the most to the Kingdom of God.
As we celebrate Easter Week—-let us move to remind ourselves God’s plans involve His will and us bringing ours to submission.
Have not only a Good Friday, but a great Friday, followed by a spectacular Saturday, and a glorious Sunday.
Remember, Sunday breakfast at 9 AM
Pastor Brent
“ll Peter part 1" March 26th
If we have truly been given all things which pertain to life and Godliness as Peter says in verse 3 of Chapter 1, which, you know, we have because the Bible says it. Then why don’t we live like it?
We, literally, should be giddy most of the time because of who and whose we are. Basking in the knowledge that God has us on His radar and has already formulated the plan for our lives.
It’s the way Peter wants to frame this second letter before even proceeding with his instructions.
If you don’t know who you are, the teaching cannot be taught because the starting point will be false.
It all comes down to our knowledge of Christ. Do I know Him? Do I want to know Him? Is there something in me that is stopping or hindering me from knowing Him?
All these questions must be answered before going forward. We need to have a solid foundation to step from to the next place Jesus would have us put our feet.
As it says in verse 4 we are partakers in the divine nature, but how often do we practice living in that realm? Christ is writing our story on the tablets of our heart. Do we hold still enough for His writing to be legible, to us and to those around us?
Pastor Brent
“I Peter part 8" March 19th
As we get to the last chapter of 1st Peter, he reminds us of our position in Christ (No matter who we are).
To the shepherds, or leaders, he states their need for humility and compassion. To the younger he reminds them of their obligation to respect and, lumping them in with all members, of our need for submission to one another.
If we can take anything away from Peter’s writings, it is that he calls us to a higher standard than we think capable, but that he sees as a normal and necessary part of being in fellowship.
Have you taken inventory of your life and where you stand? If not, why not?
Don’t we have to ask ourselves if our lives are not measuring up, then what must we change? God doesn’t lower His standard because it is too high, He raises us up to it because we are walking on too low of a road.
Rise up you men and women of God to the calling for which you have been called.
Pastor Brent
“I Peter part 7" March 12th
Beloved, think it not strange. The word strange seems to be popping up with regularity in these last looks into I Peter.
People will think we are strange, think it not strange, etc. Why? Because the normalcy of this world is not in line with the spiritual world God has called us to live and dwell in.
And this is proven by the fact that the things we are to consider seem most “strange.”
Why should the fact that we are going through fiery trials not seem strange? Why shouldn’t getting saved be like becoming some kind of superhero that now has invulnerability? And when we receive salvation we also get to pass go, collect our money, be slim, beautiful and only have it rain at night when it wouldn’t affect whatever plans we have for the day.
Instead we get to see what we are made of. Did you think Christ’s suffering meant that we weren’t going to suffer as well?
People still need to be won to Christ! That happens as they realize there is a difference between you and them.
The Holy Spirit. It resides in us and that’s what makes us different. His power and the will of God which resides in me, it makes me strange.
Take the win, stranger,
Pastor Brent
" I Peter, part 6" March 5th
So, do people think you’re strange? Did you know that is actually a good thing?
When we as Christians do not participate in the revelries and partying of the world, when we don’t take advantage of people, or mock them, or give in to the baser instincts of humanity, we are considered strange.
Now, if you’re thought strange for other reasons, I can’t really defend you, but in the defense of the Gospel, you are in a very blessed category reserved for those who have truly died to themselves and the flesh.
This morning we are going to look at the way to pursue this very admirable course of action and how to prepare for the assault by those close to us.
Peter is attempting to ready us for life in the Spirit. It is one that sets us apart from those who follow Christ in name only, and those who have truly considered themselves alive to Christ.
So, the question is, dead or alive?
Pastor Brent
"I Peter Pt5" Feb 26
Moving on from our discussion of the marriage partnership, we need to address our relationship with others.
We are called to know each other in such a way to be able to have compassion for each other.
The world wants us to compete, Jesus wants us to lose.
Lose yourself, lose your pride, lose the attachment to things, and lose the sense of our importance to embrace His.
Our minds truly are the battlefield. We try to embrace both the world's model and Jesus’ model in the same breath, but as the Word says, “They are enemies with each other.”
They cannot exist in the same space. When Peter says, “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,” he means that place should be sacred only for God Himself.
Again, we are going to be asked to suffer for God’s sake without reprisal to those who cause us to suffer. Can you do it? Are you even trying? Are you even asking to be willing to be made willing to try?
God knows my weaknesses and my strengths. Why would He continually test my strengths, unless it is to show how weak I really am?
God, grant us a good conscience toward you as we give ourselves over to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Brent
"I Peter 3" Feb 18
I guess we could skip chapter 3 and avoid a lot of wonder about the marriage relationship and what the Bible has to say about it.
But we are not of the type to shrink back from telling the truth, especially when it speaks into the heart of some of our health issues.
Paul makes the case that wives married to unsaved men can be the catalyst that wins them to Christ by their behavior. Then he describes the behavior. It seems different than most relationships would show.
We have an opportunity to show the difference between Christians and worldly standards. We have the “high road” laid out before us as led by Jesus himself.
And husbands, we have the opportunity to be tremendous leaders and priests for our families if we will follow the imperatives placed on us to love and give ourselves to our wives.
The failure to respect each other and their roles results in consequences which can manifest in weak prayers and unhealthy bodies. Contrastingly, keeping God’s preferred order gives us the health received from a clear conscience and therefore peace with God.
“Love one another” starts at home. Let’s practice there first? Amen?
Pastor Brent
"Living Stones" Feb 12th
I Peter 2:5 ye also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood.
Living stones. Interesting concept. And one I have never seen. So, what does it mean?
As a stone in the Temple of God, you are to be in place. As a living stone, you are to record and bolster those who are put around you.
We are the pillars of the Church of Christ. Performing the same duties as the priests of old, except all in the spiritual realm.
God has positioned you to fulfill His purpose in your position in the church. As a stone you don’t get to move around to any position you want, the builder places you Where He sees fit.
Peter gives the example of Jesus as the chief cornerstone that was rejected by men but chosen by God.
In the same way we might have been rejected by men, rejected by others in the church, but we have been chosen by God . Rejoice in that fact.
Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God.
We are not lively because we are stones, We are lively stones because we are in the House of God.
Pastor Brent
"Peter" Feb 5th
I Peter 2
In verse 13 Peter asks us to gird up the loins of our minds. In ancient times, in the middle East, the men wore robes. Robes have a tendency to get caught on things unless these flowing things can be gathered together,
If you are simply relaxing no big deal—but if you are running, or engaged in a fight or battle, they need to be tied tightly so your hands and feet are free.
If we are not careful the trappings of the world and of the affairs of life become entanglements that interfere with the warfare we must wage.
There is warfare gong on all around us. Just unseen. It’s the battle for your mind and heart.
If we have the sense to understand our importance to God, the fact that He would choose us, we must also understand that the Devil wants to unchoose us.
If we are stable, we will not be swayed by the battle because we know of God’s incredible plan and the fact that He included us.
But, if we are not careful, our minds will take us places and make up things that can cause us to fear.
Jesus said, “Be not afraid or fear not” more than any other phrase. How important does that make it?
Accept the challenge of unencumbranceness (yes I made that up) but accept it, because it is necessary for our mind to function properly.
Pastor Brent
"Peter" Jan 29th
Peter
We are going to begin a study of Peter for the next bit of time.
He is someone that most of us can relate to because he speaks rashly, makes promises he can’t keep, says things just to fill in the spaces and then gives all of himself because he loves the Lord so much.
This letter is written as an open letter to the church in general. An exhortation from Peter meant to bring the church pause and give us encouragement to carry on. Meant, as well, to give us a sober look at who we are and what a responsibility we have to carry on faithfully.
In the introductory chapter he writes our resume in Christ, reminding us all of the lineage we came from and the honor we have in being chosen by God.
If anyone is qualified to remind us of this, it is Peter.
Having been rebuked, praised, reprimanded, scolded, and shamed because of his own behavior, he is one of the few who can know how to completely fail the Lord and then be lifted up by Jesus himself.
We can learn a great deal from Peter, and I pray we learn, not just from going through the same things; but from avoiding mistakes already made by him.
Praise the Lord that God looks out for all of us, and personally gives us a plan to find his mercy, grace, and redemption.
Let’s learn from Peter how to pass that on.
Pastor Brent