Facing An End - 1 Peter 4:7-11

We all face ends in our lives. There are times when certain parts of our life come to an end - things will never be the way they were before. These can be good times, like a graduation or a birth. They can also be hard times, like the dissolution of a relationship or a death. How do we react to these situations? How do we respond to changes? Peter writes about facing big changes in 1 Peter 4:7-11.

When facing an End, Peter says we should:

• Be Clear-Minded and Self-Controlled
  7b - Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
  
• Be Loving
  8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
  
• Be Hospitable
  9 - Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Use God's Words and God's Strength to do all these things to praise Him.

Militant Christians - 1 Peter 4:1-5

What is the biggest problem facing the world today? Many would say it's the proliferation of Militant Islam. That is a problem, but really its just a symptom of a deeper issue. The real struggle that the world faces is the death of Militant Christianity. Christians have become scared to act on what they believe in, choosing to whine and complain about what is wrong instead of working and fighting to bring about good. 1 Peter 4 verses 1 through 5 gives instructions for living as a Militant Christian

• Armed with Christ's Attitude
  v1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
  
• Awaiting God's Orders
  v2 - As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
  
• Aware of the Past but Focused on the Future
  v3, 4 - For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
  
• At War!
  v5 - But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
  

It's Never Easy - 1 Peter 3 & 4

Everybody hurts... into every life a little rain must fall... it's never easy. No matter how people reference it, suffering is a part of every person's life. There is some suffering that we cause to ourselves, some that others cause and some that seems to be a matter of chance. While we cannot control all of the suffering that comes our way, we can control how we react to it. In 1 Peter we find numerous references to suffering and persecution, coming to a head in chapters 3 and 4. Here, Peter tells us about suffering itself and also how to handle it when it comes our way.

• Suffer for the Right Reasons
• Suffer in the Right Way
• Relax - 3:14b -Do not be frightened.
  
• Regroup - 3:16 - Keep a clear conscience.
  
• Rejoice - 4:13 - Rejoice!
  
• Recommit - 4:19 - Commit themselves to their creator.
  
• Suffer in the Right Company
  

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.