1 Peter is a letter of the Bible that is full of suffering and
struggle, but we must always remembers that it begins in praise and
ends with peace. Peter's benediction of peace at the end of his letter
is no mere rhetorical flourish. Peace is well-being that envelopes our
lives when we are friends with God and experience his salvation, and it
is for all those who are in Christ. Is this peace yours?



Songs

In the Cross of Christ I Glory (#142)

Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today (#156)

Like a River Glorious (#352)

May the Mind of Christ My Savior (#476)

It Is Well with My Soul (#371)



Scripture Reading

Bless the People - Numbers 6:22-27


Sermon
Peace to All in Christ - 1 Peter 5:14

jparker @ 14:40 | comments(0) | Permanent link

As we now come toward the end of our study of the first letter of the apostle Peter, I have become increasingly aware of something I should have preached about a long time ago. With all this talk about suffering in this letter, I have never taken the time to clearly communicate just what suffering for Christ is. I hope to rectify that oversight this Lord's Day.

Songs
Praise Ye the Lord (#42)
God Moves in a Mysterious Way (#56)
Though Troubles Assail (#45)
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#588)
God Is the Treasure of My Soul (#632)
O God Our Help In Ages Past (#49)

Scripture Reading
Suffering for the Glory of the Savior - Colossians 1:1-29

Sermon
Grieved by Various Trials: Suffering in the Christian Life - 1 Peter

jparker @ 09:38 | comments(0) | Permanent link

We are coming toward the conclusion of the first letter of Peter. The Holy Spirit has pulled no punches in this letter. He has not painted a rosy picture of
continual happiness and ease for Christians in this life. Instead, he has promised that there will be
suffering (1:6). But conquering all suffering is the hope in this life of
ultimate salvation in the end (1:3-5). This strengthens you to live as God’s
holy people on your pilgrimage through this present world.

The two verses that we will
consider this Lord's Day are in many ways the summation of all of the instruction in this
letter. We have already learned that 5:12 is the main thrust of the exhortation
in this letter, but that exhortation is based upon the truth, the instruction,
summarized so powerfully in 5:10-11. Our whole life as elect exiles is by God’s grace
and for God’s glory. We will glory in that together. Join us!

Songs

Praise the Savior (#17)

How Firm a Foundation (#610)

More Secure Is No One Ever (#613)

Rejoice, Believer, in the Lord (#627)

How Glorious Zion's Courts Appear (#631) New! (to us)

For All the Saints (#643)

Scripture Reading

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

God Will Establish You - 1 Peter 5:10-11

jparker @ 12:22 | comments(0) | Permanent link

We will be privileged this Lord's Day to have Dan Huffstutler with us. Dan and his family will be going to Kenya to train pastors. We are thrilled to see the work of Christ go forward in east Africa!

Songs
O Father, Thou Whose Love Profound (#29)
Chosen of God (#290)
Salvation! O My Soul Rejoice! (#291)
Hark! the Gospel News Is Sounding (#293)
Not What These Hands Have Done (#347)
When This Passing World Is Done (#342) [Note that this is a new hymn for us. I would recommend that you take some time to enjoy it at home before joining with the congregation to sing.]

Scripture Reading
New Covenant Ministry - 2 Corinthians 4

Sermon
Missionary Dan Huffstutler

jparker @ 10:50 | comments(0) | Permanent link

God cares for you - this is wonderfully true. But this is not the whole story. It is also true that the devil seeks to devour you. Resting in God's care for you is not the same as relaxing, for Christians face a tremendous foe, who would like nothing more than to see suffering make you turn back from following the Savior. May our time together this Lord's Day equip you to be alert and to resist the devil.

Songs
Rejoice, the Lord Is King (#13)
How Firm a Foundation (#610)
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (#588)
A Debtor to Mercy Alone (#614)
A Sovereign Protector I Have (#615)
Psalm 27b

Scripture Reading
Satan Defeated - Revelation 12 and 20

Sermon
The Devil Wants to Devour You - 1 Peter 5:8-9

jparker @ 11:29 | comments(3) | Permanent link

This text speaks so directly, I'm going to let it speak for itself.

"Humble yourselves...under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:6-7

Join us this Lord's Day to worship the God who cares.

Songs
Holy, Holy, Holy (#3)
There Is a Fountain (#267)
Call Jehovah Thy Salvation (#499)
Jesus, Lover of My Soul (#489)
Jesus Loves Me (#719)
How Good is the God We Adore (#738)

Scripture Reading
The Lord Delivers His People - Exodus 14-15:18

Sermon
He Cares for You - 1 Peter 5:6-7

jparker @ 13:40 | comments(0) | Permanent link

Because we suffer on the path to glory, we need elders to shepherd us. We also need the grace of God at work in the body of Christ. Here’s how we receive that favor. We follow a very basic principle of the way God works – he resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Keep this in mind as we meet together before the Lord this Lord's Day.

Songs

Come, We That Love the Lord (#223)

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (#220)

Church of God, Beloved and Chosen (#222)

The Church's One Foundation (#221)

The Living Stone (#225)

Communion Hymn (#228)

Scripture Reading

Philippians 2:1-11

Sermon

Sharing in God's Grace - 1 Peter 5:5

jparker @ 08:09 | comments(4) | Permanent link

In God's wise plan, his people go through sufferings on their way to the subsequent glory, and in God's great love, he provides shepherds to tenderly care for them through these sufferings. These shepherds are the elders of his church, overseers, who willingly and eagerly give themselves for the care of the sheep. Meet with us this Lord's Day to rejoice in the Lord our Shepherd who gives shepherds for his people.

Songs
Arise, My Soul, Arise (#174)
The Savior to Glory Is Gone (#178)
From Depths of Woe (#337)
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (#503)
Psalm 23b
Thine Be the Glory (#162)

Scripture Reading
The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23; Micah 5:1-5a; Revelation 7:9-17

Sermon
Shepherding God's Flock - 1 Peter 5:1-4

jparker @ 08:45 | comments(2422) | Permanent link