Trail of Surrender - 1 Peter 2:13-3:7

We can all be stubborn at times. No one likes to give up our freedoms or relinquish our right to make decisions about certain things. Yet, as Christians we are called to do so in certain situations. In 1 Peter 2 and 3, the word submit is used. This is one of those words that can make us bristle with disgust before we even know what we are being called to submit to. But, Peter explains that we are called to submit for a reason - submission is not the end goal. Our goal is Christ, the things we submit to are simply markers along the trail that leads to Him.

• Know your Markers
• Submit to the Government
• Submit to One Another
• Submit to God
• Endure the Hike
• He must become greater; I must become less. - John 3:30
• Trust your Guide

Keep Your Eyes on the Goal - 1 Peter 2:4-12

Life is filled with temptations and distractions. Advertisements, homework, tv, internet, magazines, and other people all clamor for our attention and focus. These things all work together to keep us from what is most important - working towards the spiritual goal that God has set before all of mankind. Peter reminds his readers about the simplicity of life and reminds them to Keep their Eyes on the Goal.

• We have a team - v5, bricks in a spiritual house
• We have a goal - v5, to offer spiritual sacrifices
• We have rules - v8, the message we were destined for
• Keep Your Eyes on the Goal - v9
• Leave the Past Behind - v10, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy
• Know Your Team - v11, live as aliens and strangers in the world
• Check Your Heart - v11, abstain from sinful desires
• Follow the Rules - v12, live such good lives that pagans glorify God

Originally presented February 11, 2007.

Wholly Holy - 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

"Be Holy because I am Holy" - these can be tough words to accept from the mouth of God. How are we, mere mortals, supposed to live up to the standard of holiness set by God? Jesus tells us that holiness does not start with our hands or our eyes, it comes from inside - from our hearts. Peter goes on to explain the steps in this process, explaining that in order to be "Wholly Holy" we must have:

• Reverent Fear - 1:17
  Cherish God's place in our lives
  
• Sincere Love - 1:22
  Care for one another
  
• Childlike Hunger - 2:2
  Crave God's goodness in our own lives

Originally presented January 28, 2007.

Living Hope - 1 Peter 1:3-9

How is the Hope of a Christian different from that of the World?

Christians have a living hope that :

• Acts
  There is a difference between wishing and praying.
  
  
• Survives and carries in hard times
  Everyone goes through some hard times!
  
  
• Is Fulfilled with Joy in Salvation
  Christians experience periods of sorrow in a sea of joy, non-believers experience periods of happiness in a sea of sorrow

Originally presented January 14, 2007.

The Story of Simon/Peter

Peter is arguably the most well-known apostle. He walked on water, denied he knew Jesus and generally acted before he spoke. Despite, or maybe because of, all this he became the de facto leader of the New Testament Church after Jesus' ascension.

Travel back in time with the members of the East End Christian Church to hear Peter himself tell his version of the stories you read about him in the gospels. Peter's description of his journey from life as a fisherman named Simon to a disciple named Peter serves as the introduction for a series of expository sermons taken from Peter's epistles.

Originally presented January 7, 2007.