Focal Passage: I Peter 4:12-19  I had been a Christian for several years before I heard anyone speak on God’s purpose in suffering. I had heard preachers affirm Paul’s desire “to know Him and the power of His resurrection,” but they often failed to finish the verse: “…and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).  The false gospel of prosperity idolizes health and wealth, because

Focal Passage: Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-8  The suffering of Christ on Calvary is impossible for us to fully understand. The Son of God who laid aside His glory (Philippians 2:6-7) and took on our flesh (John 1:14) experienced all our temptations (Hebrews 4:15), and went to the cross to satisfy holy justice (II Corinthians 5:21) by paying the sin debt for everyone who would look to Him by faith (Isaiah 53:3-10).

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-11   When I was in elementary school I received a report card every six weeks. In addition to the fear and trembling activated by the grades, there was a preprinted set of behavioral concerns that teachers could mark each grading period. Multiple times I earned a checkmark by the box reading, “Needs to refrain from unnecessary talking and movement.” It was a convenient way for

Focal Passage: I Peter 3:13-22  As Christians our lives should draw a clear line between good and evil. Our suffering should be for the sake of righteousness and our testimony should affirm the same truth. First Peter 3:15 puts “Lord” first (the emphatic position), revealing the Lordship of Christ to be first and foremost in Peter’s mind. Nothing calls us to righteous living like worshiping Christ as Lord.  When we

Focal Passage: I Peter 2:11-17, 21-25  Most transient people have one thing in common – they travel lightly. How often have you seen a hitchhiker pulling a wagon? They tend to have the clothes on their backs and only a few very portable possessions, because they know they are just passing through.  Peter addressed his readers as “strangers and exiles” in this world and exhorted them to “abstain from sinful

Focal Passage: I Peter 3:1-12   Submit is not a dirty word, but some Christians have tried hard to redefine it. As Jerry Vines said, “they use our vocabulary, but not our dictionary.” Ephesians 5:21 tells us we should submit to one another “in the fear of Christ.”  If our lives are guided by the worship of Jesus, our attitudes should match. Instead of fearing that we will be disadvantaged,

Focal Passage: I Peter 2:11-17, 21-25  Most transient people have one thing in common – they travel lightly. How often have you seen a hitchhiker pulling a wagon? They tend to have the clothes on their backs and only a few very portable possessions, because they know they are just passing through.  Peter addressed his readers as “strangers and exiles” in this world and exhorted them to “abstain from sinful

Focal Passage: I Peter 2:1-10   Have you ever noticed the singular focus of a baby’s diet? While we as adults are scarfing down pizza, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese and an endless list of other foods that are not good for us, newborn babies simply want milk (or a close substitute).  Give them a few months and they will be willing to expand their pallets a bit. Give them a

Focal Passage: I Peter 1:13-25  I learned a hard lesson on conformity before I reached the age of ten. However, I was past twenty before I realized that conformity was the problem. It happened one day when I was pushing my toy tractor through our gravel driveway.  Between my excessive speed and the size of the gravel, one of my front wheels made a sudden turn and snapped off. After

Focal Passage: I Peter 1:3-12  An earthly inheritance is simply the reception of someone else’s stuff, usually after their death. An inheritance can be so highly valued (either real or perceived) that people build their lives in anticipation of receiving it.  I grew up near a family that courted a neighbor’s property for three generations! The man who finally inherited the sizable estate died before he could enjoy it. An