November 26, 2017
The pastor is to serve as an under-shepherd, caring for the “flock of God,” which is the church. He serves under the authority of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. His service is not to be motivated by vainglory, power, nor riches. Yet, he is to rely on the Lord who called him to also provide for him and his family from the work of shepherding. His ultimate motivation is to stay busy with kingdom work, while looking for the Chief Shepherd’s appearing. For on that Day, he will “receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
As I look back on 26 years as a pastor, it has been the awareness that I work for Jesus as an under-shepherd, that the church is His flock, not mine, and that my reward is in His hand, that has sustained me. I have often felt as Isaiah did about my work as a shepherd, but just as he did, I have been encouraged by the Lord’s promise:
“I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.” – Isa. 49:4
November 25, 2017
Peter gave the whole gospel in a single verse. The sinless Christ died for sinners that they might be reconciled to God. Peter emphasized that Christ suffered “once.” There was no need for more. His suffering and death on the cross was sufficient for perpetuity without any need of repetition. The weight and value of His singular sacrifice was sufficient to redeem all who accept His payment for sin. The eternal One exchanged His eternal life for our death sentence. The righteous One paid our sin debt, the “just for the unjust,” with His perfect righteousness. The Son of God offered His sonship, experiencing our separation, that “He might bring us to God” as His children.
O, the worth of His solitary Life! Christ has died “once” and His sacrifice is sufficient for all.
November 23, 2017
How much does a newborn desire mother’s milk? With that level of desire for nourishment and intimacy, the believer is to desire the Word of God. It contains all that the believer needs for spiritual health and growth to maturity. The newborn longs for mother’s breast not only for food, but for comfort. In this too, the Word offers solace and care for the believer as the Spirit applies the “Theopneustos” (“God-breathed” – 2 Tim. 3:16) comfort to their troubled soul.
Do you desire the pure milk of God’s Word today? It’s study is necessary for your spiritual growth. Your desire for it is evidence of your spiritual birth. Do you love God’s Word?
November 27, 2016
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1 Peter 2:4-17
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culture, exposition
It can be hard to find a way to live in harmony with the culture around you. Do you feel that it is difficult to be a believer in your workplace, when your with friends or even at home? Do you sense this tension between being an authentic Christian and getting along with others in certain sectors of your life?
In Peter’s first letter to believers in Asia Minor, he tells them that they can live in harmony as exiles in their world by truly becoming God’s people. We too can live in harmony with our world by living as His people.
November 24, 2016
As exiles in this world, citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we have been set free from slavery to sin and the world’s system. We live in this world, but we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. Yet, this “freedom” is not a license to sin, but liberty to live for Christ. As Paul said, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Rom.6:14). So, we live as “servants of God,” freely submitting to the authorities ordained by God, not out of fear or duty, but out of the grace and love of Christ. We have been set free to serve God.
November 20, 2016
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1 Peter 1:13-2:3
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culture, exposition
In Peter’s first letter to believers in Asia Minor, he tells them that they can live in holiness as exiles in their world as God’s chosen people. In this message, we learn some practical advice Peter gives us to live as a people set apart, or holy.
November 13, 2016
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1 Peter 1:1-12
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culture, exposition
How should we live as Christians when the dominant cultural and political forces are at odds with our faith? The apostle Peter’s first letter says that we should live as exiles. In fact, he refers to the first century Christians as exiles three times in his letter. So, over the next three weeks we’re going to look at those three instances. In Peter’s first letter, he told believers who were living as exiles in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) that they could live with great hope in Jesus Christ. We too are living as exiles in a hopeless world and can experience a life of hope through Jesus Christ.
April 10, 2016
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1 Peter 1:3,6-9
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easter, gospel
In the apostle Peter’s first letter, he tells believers in Asia Minor that they can have wonderful joy in every situation because of the resurrection of Jesus. We too can have this wonderful joy because God raised Jesus from the dead. Our text today gives us three ways to have wonderful joy through the resurrection of Jesus.
March 27, 2016
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1 Peter 1:3-5
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easter, gospel
Easter really means hope…the desire itself, someone to anchor it, and something to hope for. Easter Weekend, 2016.